Shloka 16
मेना-शिवदर्शन-प्रस्थानम् | Menā’s Quest to Behold Śiva
Departure for Śiva’s Darśana
ततोऽपि द्विगुणां शोभां दृष्ट्वा तस्य च साब्रवीत् । रुद्रोऽयं गिरिजास्वामी तदा नेति त्वमब्रवीः
tato'pi dviguṇāṃ śobhāṃ dṛṣṭvā tasya ca sābravīt | rudro'yaṃ girijāsvāmī tadā neti tvamabravīḥ
त्याच्यात अधिकच द्विगुण शोभा पाहून ती म्हणाली— “हा गिरिजेचा स्वामी रुद्र आहे।” तेव्हा तू उत्तर दिलेस— “नाही, तसे नाही।”
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Mantra: rudro'yaṃ girijāsvāmī
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights discernment (viveka) in recognizing Rudra as the supreme Pati (Lord) even when the mind hesitates; divine splendour is a sign, but true recognition matures through devotion and inner clarity.
Rudra’s “doubled splendour” points to Saguna Shiva—Shiva perceptible through auspicious marks and radiance—while the narrative also implies that outer signs alone may be doubted, so worship (including Linga-upāsanā) trains steadfast recognition of Shiva’s lordship.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with focused contemplation on Rudra as Girijāsvāmī, cultivating steady bhakti so the intellect does not waver in recognizing Shiva’s grace.