Shloka 21
शिवरूपदर्शनम्
Menā’s Vision of Śiva’s Divine Form
तथाविधं च तन्दृष्ट्वा मेना चित्रगता इव । क्षणमासीत्ततः प्रीत्या प्रोवाच वचनं मुने
tathāvidhaṃ ca tandṛṣṭvā menā citragatā iva | kṣaṇamāsīttataḥ prītyā provāca vacanaṃ mune
Seeing him in that very form, Menā became for a moment as if painted in a picture—motionless with wonder. Then, filled with affection, she spoke these words, O sage.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It depicts the soul’s immediate stillness when confronted with the divine presence—wonder (vismaya) maturing into affectionate devotion (prīti), a key Shaiva movement from mere perception to heartfelt bhakti.
Though not explicitly about the Liṅga, it illustrates Saguna encounter: the devotee’s mind becomes absorbed and steady, which is the inner basis for outward worship—whether of the Liṅga (symbolic presence) or a manifest divine form.
A practical takeaway is silent, steady contemplation (dhyāna) upon Shiva’s presence before speaking or acting—begin worship with a moment of stillness, then offer prayers with prīti (loving intent), optionally supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī.