Shloka 32
मेनायाः क्रोध-विलापः — Menā’s Lament and Reproach
to the Sage
ब्रह्मोवाच । अथोवाच सुरान्मेना विलप्याति मुहुर्मुहुः । न देया तु मया कन्या गिरिशायोग्ररूपिणे
brahmovāca | athovāca surānmenā vilapyāti muhurmuhuḥ | na deyā tu mayā kanyā giriśāyograrūpiṇe
Brahmā said: Then Menā, the mother of the gods, spoke again and again while lamenting: “I must not give my daughter to Girīśa in his fierce and awe-inspiring form.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It shows the human tendency to fear Śiva’s ugra (awe-inspiring) aspect, while the Purāṇa gradually guides the devotee to recognize that the same Pati (Lord) who appears fierce is also the compassionate bestower of auspiciousness for the soul’s upliftment.
Menā’s reaction highlights the contrast between perceiving Śiva as terrifying versus approaching him as Saguna—worshipped through accessible forms like the Liṅga—where reverence matures into trust in Śiva’s protective, grace-filled presence.
A practical takeaway is to steady fear and doubt through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and calm, reverent Liṅga-pūjā, cultivating inner surrender to Śiva beyond outer appearances.