Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36
मन्दरगिरिवर्णनम् — Description of Mount Mandara as Śiva’s Residence
Tapas-abode
या च नाभिमता भर्तुरपि सर्वांगसुन्दरी । सा वृथैव हि जायेत सर्वैरपि गुणान्तरैः
yā ca nābhimatā bharturapi sarvāṃgasundarī | sā vṛthaiva hi jāyeta sarvairapi guṇāntaraiḥ
Quand bien même l’épouse serait belle en chacun de ses membres, si elle n’est ni chère ni agréable à son époux, en vérité elle naît en vain, quand bien même elle posséderait bien d’autres qualités éminentes.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches that outer excellence (beauty and secondary virtues) is spiritually incomplete without inner concord and dharmic alignment; in Shaiva thought, true worth is measured by purity of disposition and harmony that supports righteous living and devotion.
Linga-worship emphasizes the essence over appearances; likewise this verse prioritizes inner acceptance and right relationship over external charm, reflecting the Shaiva principle that Saguna devotion should mature into inner transformation.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchakshara mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with a vow of truthful, gentle speech and mutual respect in the household—making conduct itself an offering to Shiva.