Shloka 12
मेनायाः क्रोध-विलापः — Menā’s Lament and Reproach
to the Sage
तण्डुलांश्च तथा हित्वा कृतं वै तुषभक्षणम् । प्रक्षिप्याज्यं तथा तैलं कारण्डं भुक्तमादरात्
taṇḍulāṃśca tathā hitvā kṛtaṃ vai tuṣabhakṣaṇam | prakṣipyājyaṃ tathā tailaṃ kāraṇḍaṃ bhuktamādarāt
Abandoning even rice-grains, he indeed took to eating husk and bran. Mixing in ghee and oil, he reverently ate that coarse food with care.
Sūta Goswāmī (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights tapas through simplicity—reducing indulgence and accepting coarse food—showing that inner restraint and reverence purify the mind for Shiva-bhakti and steady sadhana.
Such disciplined living supports Saguna Shiva worship by making offerings and mantra-japa sincere rather than pleasure-driven; austerity becomes an inner offering to Shiva, the Pati who liberates the bound soul (paśu).
A practical takeaway is vrata-like restraint (simple diet), combined with steady japa of the Panchakshara and mindful worship—treating daily conduct itself as part of Shiva-sadhana.