Shloka 43
मेना-हिमालयसंवादः
Menā’s Counsel to Himālaya; Response to Slander of Śiva
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा ह्यृषयो दिव्या नमस्कृत्य शिवं तदा । गता आकाशमार्गेण यत्रास्ति हिमवत्पुरम्
brahmovāca | ityuktvā hyṛṣayo divyā namaskṛtya śivaṃ tadā | gatā ākāśamārgeṇa yatrāsti himavatpuram
พรหมาตรัสว่า—ครั้นกล่าวดังนี้แล้ว ฤๅษีผู้เป็นทิพย์เหล่านั้นได้ถวายบังคมแด่พระศิวะ แล้วเดินทางไปตามหนทางแห่งท้องฟ้า สู่มหานครของหิมวาน ณ ที่ซึ่งนครนั้นตั้งอยู่
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Highlights the archetype of ṛṣi-yātrā: sages travel to the Himalaya—Śiva’s favored landscape—suggesting that movement toward sacred geography mirrors the soul’s movement from concealment (tirodhāna) to revelation through darśana.
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on śaraṇāgati (humble surrender): the sages first offer reverent namaskāra to Śiva, and only then proceed—showing that spiritual progress is grounded in devotion and grace rather than mere travel or power.
The act of bowing to Śiva reflects Saguna-upāsanā—approaching Śiva as the gracious Lord who can be revered and served. Such reverence is the inner attitude behind Linga worship, where the devotee honors Śiva’s presence and seeks His anugraha (blessing).
The takeaway is daily namaskāra and devotional remembrance of Śiva—ideally paired with japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") before undertaking any spiritual practice or pilgrimage.