Shloka 4
मेनावरलाभवर्णनम् — Description of Menā’s Attainment of Boons
and the worship leading to Umā’s advent
उपदिश्य गते तात सुरवृन्दे गिरीश्वरः । हर्यादौ मेनका चापि तेपाते परमन्तपः
upadiśya gate tāta suravṛnde girīśvaraḥ | haryādau menakā cāpi tepāte paramantapaḥ
O dear one, after instructing them and when the hosts of gods had departed, Girīśvara (Śiva), along with Hari and the others, and also Menakā, undertook intense austerities—by supreme tapas burning away all obstacles.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It affirms that even divine beings uphold tapas as a sacred means to remove impediments and mature devotion—showing that grace and disciplined practice together lead the soul toward Śiva’s highest auspiciousness.
By naming Girīśvara (Śiva) acting within the world, the verse points to Saguna Śiva—worshipped through forms such as the Liṅga—who guides beings by instruction and then is approached through sustained austerity and devotion.
The takeaway is disciplined tapas: steady japa of Śiva-mantra (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), simple vows, and focused meditation—performed to burn away inner impurities and obstacles.