Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 11
हिमाचलविवाहवर्णनम् — Description of Himācala’s
context for) Marriage / The Himālaya-Marriage Narrative (Chapter Opening
नारद उवाच । ब्रह्मन्विधे महाप्राज्ञ वद मे वदतां वर । मेनकायास्समुत्पतिं विवाहं चरितं तथा
nārada uvāca | brahmanvidhe mahāprājña vada me vadatāṃ vara | menakāyāssamutpatiṃ vivāhaṃ caritaṃ tathā
ਨਾਰਦ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ— ਹੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਨ, ਹੇ ਵਿਧਾਤਾ, ਹੇ ਮਹਾਪ੍ਰਾਜ्ञ, ਬੋਲਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼੍ਰੇਸ਼ਠ! ਮੈਨਕਾ ਦੀ ਉਤਪੱਤੀ, ਉਸ ਦਾ ਵਿਆਹ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੱਸੋ।
Narada
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: A narrative hinge: Nārada’s inquiry to Brahmā initiates the genealogy and life-story leading to Pārvatī’s manifestation and marriage—setting the stage for Śiva-Śakti līlā rather than a specific liṅga-site origin.
Significance: Encourages śravaṇa (devotional listening) to purāṇic kathā as a purifier and bhakti-enhancer.
FAQs
This verse sets the sacred inquiry (praśna) that opens a lineage-and-life narrative, showing that understanding the devotees and families connected to Śiva’s līlā supports śraddhā (faith) and prepares the mind for deeper Shaiva teachings.
Although it is not a direct instruction on Liṅga worship, the question initiates the Parvati-khaṇḍa storyline that culminates in devotion to Saguna Śiva (Śiva with attributes and līlā), which is central to Purāṇic practice and temple/ Liṅga-centered bhakti.
The implied practice is śravaṇa (devotional listening) to Śiva-kathā from a competent teacher; such listening is traditionally paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to steady the mind and deepen devotion.