Shloka 30
शिवरूपदर्शनम्
Menā’s Vision of Śiva’s Divine Form
भोजनार्थं स्थितं कान्तं हित्वा काचिद्ययौ प्रिया । द्रष्टुं शिवावरं प्रीत्या सतृष्णा सकुतूहला
bhojanārthaṃ sthitaṃ kāntaṃ hitvā kācidyayau priyā | draṣṭuṃ śivāvaraṃ prītyā satṛṣṇā sakutūhalā
สตรีผู้เป็นที่รักคนหนึ่งละทิ้งสามีอันเป็นที่รักซึ่งนั่งเพื่อรับประทานอาหาร แล้วออกไปด้วยความปีติ—กระหายใคร่เห็นและเต็มด้วยความพิศวง—เพื่อเฝ้าดูพระศิวะผู้ประเสริฐ
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; the verse portrays bhakti’s power to override kāma/household attachment, hinting at loosening of pāśa (bondage) as the paśu turns toward pati.
Significance: Frames Śiva-darśana as the highest ‘meal’ (inner fulfillment), surpassing domestic pleasures; encourages prioritizing temple darśana and satsanga.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights bhakti as an overpowering inner pull toward Śiva—so strong that ordinary comforts and duties become secondary—showing that earnest longing (tṛṣṇā for darśana) can turn the mind away from worldly attachment and toward the Lord as Pati (the supreme refuge).
The verse centers on the impulse for darśana—direct devotional encounter with Saguna Śiva. In Purāṇic practice this same yearning is fulfilled through approaching Śiva in accessible forms such as the Śiva-liṅga, where love and reverent curiosity mature into steady worship.
Cultivate darśana-bhāva: leave distractions, go intentionally to Śiva’s presence (temple/Śiva-liṅga), and focus the mind with simple japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” supported by clean conduct and a devotional intention.