Shloka 44

मेनावरलाभवर्णनम् — Description of Menā’s Attainment of Boons

and the worship leading to Umā’s advent

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा शैलपतिर्हृष्टोऽभवन्मेनावचो हि तत् । प्रशशंस प्रियां प्रीत्या शिवाभक्तिरतां च ताम्

Transliteration

śrutvā śailapatirhṛṣṭo'bhavanmenāvaco hi tat | praśaśaṃsa priyāṃ prītyā śivābhaktiratāṃ ca tām

Translation

മേനയുടെ ആ വാക്കുകൾ കേട്ട് പർവതാധിപൻ അത്യന്തം ഹർഷിച്ചു. ശിവഭക്തിയിൽ ദൃഢമായി ലീനയായ തന്റെ പ്രിയഭാര്യയെ സ്നേഹപൂർവമായ പ്രീതിയോടെ അദ്ദേഹം പ്രശംസിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having heard’

• शैलपतिः: the lord of the mountain (Himālaya)
• शैलपतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शैलस्य पतिः)

• हृष्टः: delighted
• हृष्टः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; past participle used adjectivally

• अभवत्: became
• अभवत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• मेनावचः: Mena’s words
• मेनावचः: Hetu/Reason (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेना + वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मेनायाः वचः)

• हि: indeed / for
• हि: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात, हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (for/indeed)

• तत्: that (statement/thing)
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रशशंस: praised
• प्रशशंस: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शंस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• प्रियाम्: the beloved (daughter)
• प्रियाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रीत्या: with affection
• प्रीत्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• शिवाभक्तिरताम्: devoted to devotion to Śiva
• शिवाभक्तिरताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + भक्ति + रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शिवे भक्ति: तस्यां रता) used adjectivally

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ताम्: her
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mena
• Himalaya

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It honors Śiva-bhakti as a purifying, elevating force even within family life: Menā’s words reveal devotion to Pati (Śiva), and Himālaya’s delight shows that true merit is recognized as steadfast love for Śiva, a key doorway toward grace (anugraha) and liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The verse praises devotion directed to Śiva as the personal Lord (Saguna Śiva) who can be loved and worshiped; such bhakti commonly expresses itself through Liṅga-pūjā, mantra, and offerings, aligning the devotee’s mind toward Śiva as Pati, the compassionate master.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is cultivation of Śiva-bhakti—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple daily Śiva worship (especially Liṅga-pūjā) with a loving, steady attitude.