Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 39
मन्दरगिरिवर्णनम् — Description of Mount Mandara as Śiva’s Residence
Tapas-abode
इत्युक्त्वोत्थाय शयनाद्देवी साचष्ट गद्गदम् । ययाचे ऽनुमतिं भर्तुस्तपसे कृतनिश्चया
ityuktvotthāya śayanāddevī sācaṣṭa gadgadam | yayāce 'numatiṃ bhartustapase kṛtaniścayā
So sprach sie, erhob sich die Göttin vom Lager und redete ihn mit vor Rührung stockender Stimme an. Fest entschlossen, Askese (tapas) zu üben, erbat sie von ihrem Gemahl die Erlaubnis zur Tapas-Praxis.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode of the Goddess to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva ideal that sincere spiritual effort (tapas) must be grounded in steadfast resolve and aligned with dharma—here shown by the Goddess seeking her Lord’s consent, symbolizing grace guiding discipline toward union with Pati (Shiva).
By calling Shiva her husband and seeking his permission, the verse emphasizes Saguna devotion—approaching Shiva as a personal Lord. Such devotion typically expresses itself through Linga-worship, vrata, and japa undertaken with humility and divine orientation.
The verse points to tapas as a disciplined practice—practically expressed as vrata (austerity), mantra-japa (especially Panchakshara: Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and meditative restraint performed with a clear vow and devotional surrender.