Mea Culpa: In defense of the Mena track

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Posted: 13 years ago
#1
Dear friends

I was under the impression that Himavat and Mena's reluctance to accept Shiva as a son-in-law was a made-up track. I thought they were compliant parents. But, I was DEAD WRONG! There is plenty of material in the Puranic and other sources to support Himavat and Mena's opposition to Shiva.

I just checked my Shaiva mythology sourcebook and found many stories of Himavat and Mena having to be convinced to let Parvati marry Shiva. In the final analysis, Himavat proves to be easier to convince than Mena.

In this thread, I will post all the myths I can find. Please add to it with what you know.


Mira 😊


P.S. Obviously the show will exaggerate H&M's opposition and create a lot of emotional atyaachar around this. The "defense" is only meant in the sense that there does seem to be a basis for this track within the Shaiva myth cycle (of which I was unaware). 😊

The actress who plays Mena still gets on my nerves...😆
Edited by narangi_77 - 13 years ago

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whatthewhat thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#2
1. Shiva, the dancer/beggar.


This is a beautiful story in which Shiva takes a beautiful form and dances in front of Mena. Hearing his beautiful song, Parvati faints, and has a vision of Shiva's true form (smeared with ashes etc), and (still) chooses him as her husband. The terrible vision then passes.

Mena on the other hand, sees only the graceful dancer, and offers him a reward which Shiva (as a dancer/beggar) does not accept. He asks for Parvati as his alms. Mena gets angry and abuses him and tries to have him thrown out. Himavat (who had gone to bathe in the ganga (!) returns) and also tries to throw him out, but no one can touch the beggar, who is blazes like a fire. Shiva then proceeds to take various forms: Vishnu, the sun, Shiva-Parvati, and finally the formless tejas. He finally returns to his form as a beggar and again asks Himavat for Parvati as his alms. Himavat refuses and the beggar vanishes.

Himavat then realizes that this was none other than Shiva and great bhakti s born in Himavat & Mena (whom I shall fondly now call H&M 😆).

Sources:
Shiva Purana 2.3.30.25-54
Brahmavaivarta Purana: 4.40.71-111.

camella thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#3
Thanks for the lovely piece of info dear 👏..infact the story that you just posted was beautifully depicted in the serial 'Maa'/'Devi Maa' which was shot nearly 15 years back 😳.. it was shown after Parvati had finished her penance..before her marriage..and yes..it was Himavan who was more convinced than Mena devi..we're just anxious that the CVs dont pull it to Daksh's extent 😕
whatthewhat thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#4

Originally posted by: camella

Thanks for the lovely piece of info dear 👏..infact the story that you just posted was beautifully depicted in the serial 'Maa'/'Devi Maa' which was shot nearly 15 years back 😳.. it was shown after Parvati had finished her penance..before her marriage..and yes..it was Himavan who was more convinced than Mena devi..we're just anxious that the CVs dont pull it to Daksh's extent 😕



See, I didn't know that!

I am posting this because I was poh-poohing the current track as BOTH inauthentic and boring.
I stand corrected on the authenticity bit. My bad. Sorry CVs!

Hopefully more people who were unaware get to know these stories...😊
kkr531 thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#5

Originally posted by: narangi_77

Dear friends


I was under the impression that Himavat and Mena's reluctance to accept Shiva as a son-in-law was a made-up track. I thought they were compliant parents. But, I was DEAD WRONG! There is plenty of material in the Puranic and other sources to support Himavat and Mena's opposition to Shiva.

I just checked my Shaiva mythology sourcebook and found many stories of Himavat and Mena having to be convinced to let Parvati marry Shiva. In the final analysis, Himavat proves to be easier to convince than Mena.

In this thread, I will post all the myths I can find. Please add to it with what you know.


Mira 😊


P.S. Obviously the show will exaggerate H&M's opposition and create a lot of emotional atyaachar around this. The "defense" is only meant in the sense that there does seem to be a basis for this track within the Shaiva myth cycle (of which I was unaware). 😊

The actress who plays Mena still gets on my nerves...😆



Dear Mira,

i already know that story from shiv puran i have read it from shiv puran, this takes place after parvati's tapas. what i am not able digest is the fact that how can himavan promise his daughters
marriage just because that king helped him in war and that too when parvati is 11 years old.

Moreover why so much freaking out on shivatva and vaishnavatva , even in the above mentioned story mena does not agree because she thinks the natyakar is mere performer. she readily accepts when she is enlightened the fact that he is Lord Shiva. Himavan initially readily places his daughter in service of Lord Shiva.

she only raises objection when she sees shiv among bhoot and preth in the procession. she is again satisfied and ashamed of her agnan.

compare that portrayal with the one in DKDM i dont think there is even iota of resemblance. here she comes across simply female daksh.

regards
Krishna


camella thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#6

Originally posted by: narangi_77



See, I didn't know that!

I am posting this because I was poh-poohing the current track as BOTH inauthentic and boring.
I stand corrected on the authenticity bit. My bad. Sorry CVs!

Hopefully more people who were unaware get to know these stories...😊


managed to find the video link of the story you posted..it's from the serial i mentioned about - 'Devi Maa'.. check it out ppl - 😊

Edited by camella - 13 years ago
Life_Is_Dutiful thumbnail
Posted: 13 years ago
#7
thanks a lot 4 dis info meera.i really didn't knew abt dis.i jst hope cvs don't drag dis track more
Edited by subha2601 - 13 years ago
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Posted: 13 years ago
#8
Well, they're correct in showing a bit of reluctance on the side of Parvati's parents, but to the extent that they're doing this is not justified. How come Mena acts all critical of Rishi Dadhichi and the ashram residents? They have done nothing but help her. And the actress has such a nasal voice that it's quite annoying to hear her yell.
whatthewhat thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#9
@Krishna

I'm glad you already knew the story! I didn't and it seems like others didn't either.

As I said in my intro post...I was under the impression that their opposition was totally made-up. I was wrong (I wish someone like you had corrected me!) . My thread is to correct that false impression. As I also mentioned, the CVs will obviously build on this, and they will exaggerate, interpret...even distort (all these, to my mind, are matters of individual perception).

I don't have a problem with that because I know I am watching an adaptation/interpretation. I can laugh at it, criticize it etc, but I am not offended by it. You, of course, are perfectly entitled to your opinion. 😊

This thread is meant as an apology to the CVs whom I ridiculed for making up a boring track. Now I can ridicule them for making something that has basis in the mythology to be boring...😆

Best,
Mira


Edited by narangi_77 - 13 years ago
whatthewhat thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#10

Originally posted by: camella


managed to find the video link of the story you posted..it's from the serial i mentioned about - 'Devi Maa'.. check it out ppl - 😊



Thanks a lot Camella! 🤗


OMG! I am SOOO glad Mohitwa is playing Mahadev! 😆
Edited by narangi_77 - 13 years ago

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