Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 15
शिवशिवयोर्जगत्पितृमातृत्व-प्रतिपादनं तथा मेनायाः विमोहः (Śiva–Śivā as Cosmic Father and Mother; Menā’s Delusion and the Sages’ Intervention)
मेनोवाच । अहोद्य किमिदं पुण्यमस्माकं पुण्यजन्मनाम् । वधूर्जगद्विधेः पत्नी वसिष्ठस्यागतेह वै
menovāca | ahodya kimidaṃ puṇyamasmākaṃ puṇyajanmanām | vadhūrjagadvidheḥ patnī vasiṣṭhasyāgateha vai
Mena nói: “Ôi! Hôm nay phước đức lớn lao nào đã đến với chúng ta—những người sinh trong dòng dõi thiện lành? Quả thật, tân nương, hiền phối của Đấng an bài vũ trụ, đã đến đây cùng với Vasiṣṭha.”
Menā
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
Menā recognizes the arrival of a divinely destined bride and a great sage as the fruit of accumulated puṇya, highlighting the Shiva Purana theme that auspicious encounters and sacred unions arise through grace and merit aligned with dharma.
Though the verse is narrative, it supports Saguna devotion by portraying the divine order working through persons and events; in Shaiva tradition, such auspicious signs strengthen faith in Lord Shiva’s providence, which Linga worship ritualizes as constant remembrance of the Supreme (Pati).
The practical takeaway is to cultivate puṇya through Shiva-bhakti—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), respectful service to sages (like Vasiṣṭha), and worship with bhasma and purity of conduct to invite auspiciousness.