Shloka 28
शिवरूपदर्शनम्
Menā’s Vision of Śiva’s Divine Form
काचित्तु बालकं हित्वा पिबन्तं स्तन्यमादरात् । अतृप्तं शङ्करन्द्रष्टुं ययौ दर्शनलालसा
kācittu bālakaṃ hitvā pibantaṃ stanyamādarāt | atṛptaṃ śaṅkarandraṣṭuṃ yayau darśanalālasā
One woman, leaving her little child who was eagerly drinking milk at her breast—still unsatisfied—went forth, driven by a longing for the auspicious sight (darśana) of Lord Śaṅkara.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; the verse underscores darśana-lālasā so strong it overrides maternal immediacy, illustrating the soul’s emergent prioritization of Śiva over all attachments (pāśa).
Significance: Teaches intensity of longing for Śiva-darśana; in pilgrimage culture, such urgency is praised as bhakti that loosens bonds of attachment.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights tīvrā-bhakti—an intense, single-pointed longing for Śiva’s darśana—where devotion to Pati (Śiva) momentarily eclipses even the strongest worldly bonds, pointing the soul (paśu) toward liberation through grace.
The verse emphasizes darśana of Śaṅkara in a personal, accessible (saguṇa) way—mirrored in Liṅga worship, where devotees seek the living presence of Śiva through sight, offering, and reverent approach, inviting His anugraha (grace).
Adopt darśana-bhāva in practice: go for Śiva-darśana (temple or Liṅga), chant the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with longing, and maintain a simple vrata-like focus (steadfast attention) as the core offering.