Shloka 18
Devīkṛta-praśna-varṇana (Description of the Goddess’s Questions) / देवीकृतप्रश्नवर्णनम्
अलंकृत्य महादेवीं स्वांकमारोप्य शंकरः । प्रहृष्टवदनस्तस्थौ विलोक्य च तदाननम्
alaṃkṛtya mahādevīṃ svāṃkamāropya śaṃkaraḥ | prahṛṣṭavadanastasthau vilokya ca tadānanam
மகாதேவியை அலங்கரித்து, சங்கரன் அவளைத் தன் மடியில் அமர்த்தினார். மகிழ்ச்சி ஒளிரும் முகத்துடன் அங்கே நிலைத்து, அவள் முகமண்டலத்தை அன்புடன் நோக்கினார்।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailāsa account to the sages, as typical Purāṇic frame)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It portrays Śiva as the supreme Pati who, though transcendent, lovingly manifests in a saguna way to bless the devotee’s heart—teaching that intimacy with the Divine through bhakti is also a valid doorway to liberation.
Liṅga worship points to the formless, nirguṇa depth of Śiva, while this scene highlights His gracious saguna accessibility. Together they show the Shiva Purana’s harmony: the same Lord is worshipped as Liṅga (tattva) and adored as Śaṅkara with Umā (līlā).
A simple dhyāna: visualize Śiva and Pārvatī in Kailāsa with a calm, joyful mind while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating tenderness, purity, and surrender.