Bibek Debroy’s Shiva Purana offers a captivating journey into the world of Shiva and his divine manifestations. Among the many intriguing tales it contains, one that stands out is the story of Mena, the mother of goddess Parvati and the wife of the great Himachal.

According to the Shiva Purana, Daksha, the son of Bramha, had sixty daughters, with one of them named Svadha, who was bestowed to the ancestors. Svadha had three extraordinary daughters – Mena, the eldest, followed by Dhanya, and the youngest, Kalavati. Unlike ordinary mortals, these three sisters were born through the mental powers of the ancestors and were renowned as Svadha’s Daughters. They possessed supreme yogic abilities and had the freedom to travel anywhere in the three worlds. It was believed that merely uttering their names could grant one’s deepest desires.

In an event that led to their transformation, the sisters decided to visit the celestial world of Vishnu, known as Shvetadvipa. During their visit, the revered Sage Sanaka and others, who were Bramha’s Siddha sons, also arrived to pay their respects to Vishnu. However, despite the honor shown by everyone present, the sisters remained motionless by Shiva’s Maya. Consequently, Sage Sanatkumara punished them for being deluded by human emotions, cursing that they would be away from heaven and reborn as a human woman.

Realizing their mistake, the sisters sought mercy from the Sage. Moved by their remorse, the Sage lifted the curse and blessed them with happiness. As part of the boon, Mena was destined to become the beloved wife of the Himalayas, and Parvati would be born as her daughter.

Furthermore, Dhanya was bestowed with the status of a Yogini and was destined to become the beloved of Janak, with Sita being her daughter. The youngest sister, Kalavati, would be beloved by Vrishabhana, and Radha would be born as her daughter.

These divine prophecies unfolded as Mena’s daughter, Parvati, became the beloved of Shankara, while Sita became Rama’s wife, and Radha became the wife of Krishna, binding herself to him in a love that remained a well-kept secret.

The account mentioned comes from the Parvati Khanda in Bibek Debroy’s Shiva Purana Volume 1, and it serves as a profound representation of these divine connections.