Shloka 14
शिवशिवयोर्जगत्पितृमातृत्व-प्रतिपादनं तथा मेनायाः विमोहः (Śiva–Śivā as Cosmic Father and Mother; Menā’s Delusion and the Sages’ Intervention)
ब्रह्मोवाच । अरुन्धतीस्वरं श्रुत्वा शीघ्रमुत्थाय मेनका । उवाच शिरसा नत्वा तां पद्मामिव तेजसा
brahmovāca | arundhatīsvaraṃ śrutvā śīghramutthāya menakā | uvāca śirasā natvā tāṃ padmāmiva tejasā
Brahmā said: Hearing the voice of Arundhatī, Menakā quickly rose. Bowing her head in reverence, she spoke to her—radiant with splendor like a lotus.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights dharmic humility: Menakā rises promptly and bows before a revered woman (Arundhatī), showing that purity of conduct and reverence for the virtuous are auspicious supports for receiving divine grace in Shaiva narratives.
While not directly describing Liṅga worship, it reflects the Shaiva ethic that outer reverence and inner humility prepare the devotee for Saguna Shiva devotion—approaching the sacred (gurus, saints, the Liṅga) with respectful surrender.
A practical takeaway is namaskāra (bowing) and mindful, respectful speech before sacred persons and during pūjā—an attitude that complements mantra-japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī) even when no specific ritual items are mentioned.