Shloka 6
मेनावरलाभवर्णनम् — Description of Menā’s Attainment of Boons
and the worship leading to Umā’s advent
गिरिप्रियातीव मुदानर्च देवीं शिवेन सा । दानन्ददौ द्विजेभ्यश्च सदा तत्तोषहेतवे
giripriyātīva mudānarca devīṃ śivena sā | dānandadau dvijebhyaśca sadā tattoṣahetave
Greatly delighting Giripriyā (Pārvatī), the Goddess worshipped Śiva with joy; and, to please Him, she continually bestowed gifts upon the twice-born (brāhmaṇas).
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse presents bhakti expressed through joyful worship (pūjā) and selfless giving (dāna) as a direct means to please Pati (Śiva). In Shaiva Siddhānta, such disciplined devotion purifies the paśu (the bound soul) and loosens pāśa (bondage), preparing one for Śiva’s grace.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva worship—approaching Śiva through concrete acts like pūjā and offerings. In Shiva Purana practice, this spirit naturally aligns with Liṅga-pūjā, where devotion is expressed through ritual worship and supportive acts like feeding or gifting to worthy recipients.
A practical takeaway is to combine Śiva-pūjā with dāna—especially offerings to brāhmaṇas or the needy—done with the intention of pleasing Śiva. This can be paired with simple japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” as the inner meditative support to the outer ritual.