Shloka 29
गिरिराजस्य शिवनिमन्त्रणम् / The Mountain-King Invites Śiva
Hospitality to Śiva and the Devas
यात्राङ्कुर्वति देवेशे स्वशैलं सामरे शिवे । उच्चै रुरोद सा मेना तमुवाच कृपानिधिम्
yātrāṅkurvati deveśe svaśailaṃ sāmare śive | uccai ruroda sā menā tamuvāca kṛpānidhim
When the Lord of the gods, Śiva, was setting out toward His own mountain for the battle, Menā wept aloud and then addressed Him—the very treasure-house of compassion.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages; reporting Menā’s address to Śiva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; the verse pivots to Menā’s lament as Śiva departs toward his mountain for a martial purpose. The epithet ‘kṛpānidhi’ foregrounds Śiva’s grace as the ultimate remedy for fear and separation.
Significance: Demonstrates bhakti through śaraṇāgati: Menā’s crying and direct address to Śiva as compassion itself models how the pashu turns to Pati when threatened by worldly upheaval (sāmara).
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: sāmara (martial/cosmic conflict context implied, not specified as pralaya)
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as kṛpānidhi—compassion itself—showing that even amid battle and cosmic duty, devotees approach Him as the supreme refuge (Pati) whose grace relieves fear and sorrow.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—personally present, responsive, and compassionate. In Liṅga worship, this same Śiva is approached as the accessible form of the supreme, receiving the devotee’s cry and granting protection through grace.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—offered with heartfelt prayer, especially when anxious or fearful, trusting Śiva’s compassion.