Shloka 71
मेनायाः क्रोध-विलापः — Menā’s Lament and Reproach
to the Sage
न पावित्र्यं न विद्या च कीदृशः काय आर्तिदः । किं विलोक्य मया पुत्री देयास्मै स्यात्सुमंगला
na pāvitryaṃ na vidyā ca kīdṛśaḥ kāya ārtidaḥ | kiṃ vilokya mayā putrī deyāsmai syātsumaṃgalā
“In him there is neither purity nor learning. What kind of body does this tormentor possess? Seeing what good quality should I give my daughter to him, that she may become truly auspicious (sumangala)?”
Himavat (Himalaya), speaking about Shiva in the marriage context
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights the common human error of judging Shiva—Pati, the supreme Lord—by outward ascetic appearance, while true auspiciousness (maṅgala) arises from recognizing His inner divinity and grace.
The verse supports the Shiva Purana theme that Shiva is not to be measured by conventional marks of status; the Liṅga and Saguna forms train the devotee to perceive the Supreme beyond external attributes and social criteria.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate reverent vision through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and worship with bhasma and devotion, so one learns to see Shiva’s auspicious reality rather than mere appearance.