Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 4
मेनावरलाभवर्णनम् — Description of Menā’s Attainment of Boons
and the worship leading to Umā’s advent
उपदिश्य गते तात सुरवृन्दे गिरीश्वरः । हर्यादौ मेनका चापि तेपाते परमन्तपः
upadiśya gate tāta suravṛnde girīśvaraḥ | haryādau menakā cāpi tepāte paramantapaḥ
亲爱的啊，在教诲已毕、诸天众离去之后，山主自在者（Girīśvara，湿婆）与哈利等诸神，并且还有美那迦（Menakā），一同修行极其炽烈的苦行——以至上苦行力焚尽一切障碍。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It affirms that even divine beings uphold tapas as a sacred means to remove impediments and mature devotion—showing that grace and disciplined practice together lead the soul toward Śiva’s highest auspiciousness.
By naming Girīśvara (Śiva) acting within the world, the verse points to Saguna Śiva—worshipped through forms such as the Liṅga—who guides beings by instruction and then is approached through sustained austerity and devotion.
The takeaway is disciplined tapas: steady japa of Śiva-mantra (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), simple vows, and focused meditation—performed to burn away inner impurities and obstacles.