A Page from Ancient Literature

Relief carving at Ellora, of God Shiva marriage with Parvati

After marriage, lord Shiva and Parvati wandered in a forest in leisure and pleasure but as expected kept a benign and affectionate vigil on the activities of the universe. Created beings of the three worlds were delighted and felt highly blessed as they experienced a perennial flow of nectar in lives and the most magnificent, grand and merciful divine couple showered blessings even if not sought. Immensely glorious and blissful days for human beings made lives happy. Divine couple knew earthly movement of time and destiny, and the ultimate destination of human beings. Moments of joy and pleasure human beings enjoyed on earth, brought contentment and harmony on earth.

Joy did not last for long and the divine couple confronted moments of painful separation. Time proved agonizing for the citizens of the earth, for they did not know the divine design and the writs of destiny lying latent in the womb of future.  Shiva, the destroyer of the worlds and goddess Parvati – Sati, faced moments of unbearable separation. A truth revealed earlier proved correct.  The lord of maya Shiva also known as Rudra, wandered in divine ecstasy in the three worlds with consort Sati. Divine couple mounted on the holy vehicle Bull and moved around the earth. It was a journey of bliss unending. While wandering in pleasure after the union, they arrived at the forest of Dandaka. In one of the ashramas of the forest, the celestial duo observed lord Rama and Laksmana, who frantically ran about in search of Sita, consort of Rama whom Ravana disguised as a beggar had abducted viciously and fraudulently.

Aching wailings of lord Rama ‘Hey Sitei, hey Sitei’ echoed and filled the atmosphere with laments and sorrows. Sita’s kidnapping caused worries and so they frequently, moaned and wept in agony. Distress of separation had engulfed Rama. It was natural. Mental condition of younger brother Laksmana was no better, for whom Sita was more than a mother. Rama belonged to the dynasty of Surya and was son Dasaratha, the lord of earth. Elder brother of Bharata, Rama was looking out for consort Sita along with Laksmana. Rama appeared pale and disillusioned.  Earthly demeanor of godly souls on earth was an act of teaching, a demonstration of fruit of karma a man faces on earth, and thus, Rama conveyed a subtle a message and objective of life to humankind.

Questions cropped up many a time and these found answers in appropriate context. God’s designs and divine plans are mysterious and inscrutable. The Supreme lord allows freedom and discretion to created beings on earth and on the other worlds. However, when violence, untruth, hatred, jealousy, greed, corruption, lies, falsehood and immorality overpower and bring sufferings to the noble souls, the god in some form decides to descend on earth and put ends to such a governance of deceit and immorality. It happens after many ages and in the contemporary times, one believes, an incarnation will descend and destroy evil forces from earth. In no way, one can call the present age  is ethically strong, for those who frame sound tenets of living frequently violate such doctrines and laws of the land, and then, scarcely anyone follows principles of dharma. Rama had a purpose to realize. He was an ideal incarnation and arrived on earth to teach man how he should look like to ordinary men and women in totality of nature –conduct, words and acts.

~*~

When Rama and Laksmana were trying to find out the whereabouts of Sita, at that time, a generous and merciful Sankara appeared, saluted happily, bowed as a mark of respect and after many words of praise, went away to a different direction. A beloved of devotees did not present physically before Rama. Salutations of Sankara –Shiva, to another great incarnation appeared amazing, as the great lord was invisible. Act of Shiva surprised goddess Sati, for she was immensely astonished at the Maya- act of delusion of Sankara.

Surprised at the illusory act of lord Shiva, she said, “O lord of gods, the Supreme lord… Brahma, Vishnu and gods of heavens forever serve and obey you. You are worth revering and so created beings worship. All should serve and meditate on you, for that is the way to salvation. You are the unpolluted, indistinct and amorphous lord and devotees know you through efforts the Vedas and scriptures make. You are the Supreme god, O lord.”

After a few moments, she asked, “O lord, who are the two souls? Intense anguish born of separation of a beloved appears to trouble. It seems they have lost someone very intimate and dear. The great archers wandering in the forest look quite agonized and pitiable. Elder appears of dark complexion -syama like a lotus flower.  What is the reason of delight when you looked at the despondent brothers? Your elation defies logic. Why you felt very pleased? Why did you become humble like a devotee? O swamy, benevolent lord Shiva, please listen to reservations I nurse.  It does not appear appropriate if a lord salutes a devotee.”

The primordial power, the most benevolent goddess of goddesses asked innocent questions under the spell of mesmerizing impact of delusory potency of lord Shiva.

When lord Sankara heard inquisitive and doubtful Sati, he said with a smile, “O goddess, please listen.  I relate to you happily a very important matter of truth. Nothing is unusual and it is truth. I was under the influence of a boon and therefore, saluted Rama reverently. Brave people honour Rama and Laksmana, born in Surya Dynasty. They are wise sons of king Dasaratha. Younger Laksmana is fair complexioned, an image of shesha -the lord of nagas. Rama is an incarnation of lord Vishnu. Anarchy and violence stay away from him. He descended on earth for the protection and well being of virtuous and saintly people, the created beings and gods like us.”

The creator of the universe was silent after he said meaningful words. After she heard lord Shiva, Sati was not fully convinced and so did not believe. Shiva read thoughts going on in the mind of Sati. She probably thought of Maya, which vanquished the entire three worlds, lord Shiva thought. Therefore, ‘Sati does not believe me,’ lord Shiva thought again. Fully knowing the mind of holy consort, the lord of Maya, the eternal god, Sambhu -Sankara said, “O goddess, listen again. If you do not believe what I say, then it is better you go and put Rama to test.”

After a pause, he said again, “O dear Sati, you should do everything possible so that doubts and uncertainties are destroyed. You can go and put them to ordeals.  Until then, I’ll stand under the tree of vargada.” He said clearly. Sati appeared quite distrustful. She heard Shiva’s suggestion and emitted soft smiles.

Sati approached Rama with a definite plant to understand the objective

After a nod from lord Shiva, goddess Sati went and thought deeply, “How can I put to test lord Rama, a wanderer in a forest?”

After a moment, she whispered, “I shall disguise as Sita and go to Rama. If he were a real lord Vishnu then, he would come to know everything or else he would not recognize.” She thought of the plan, whispered a few words and went near Rama in the guise of Sita to test the truth. Delusory powers, it appeared had overcome Sita as averred earlier.

Observing Sati in the guise of Sita, Rama, while chanting the name of Shiva, Shiva, had come to know everything, and therefore, recognizing Sati, said with a smile, “Holy Sati, I salute you. Where lord Sambhu has gone? Please tell. Why did you come alone to the forest without beloved Shiva? O goddess, you relinquished the real image. Now, why did you disguise? Please let me know.”

After hearing words from the mouth of Sri Rama, goddess Sati was startled. She remembered lord Shiva and felt uncomfortable, for she should not have doubted. Lord Vishnu stood in the figure of Rama. Now, she appeared as goddess Sati before Rama. She thought of feet of lord Shiva, meditated and spoke happily, “O son of dynasty of Raghus, the lord of gods, lord Shiva, I and counselors came to wander around the world, and thereafter, arrived in Dandaraka.  He saw you with Laksmana while you were in search of Sita.” She was quiet.

After a pause, she said, “O Rama, at that time, you appeared miserable and anguished since it became difficult for you to withstand the separation of beloved Sita. As you were sad, disillusioned and grief-stricken, he saluted you and went away.  Now, he stands under Vargada. Lord Shiva blissfully sang glories of your incarnation as a Vaishnava. However, he did not have your darshana as four-armed lord Vishnu yet immense happiness inundated.  He looked at the divine image and cherished moments of divine ecstasy.”

She continued, “I observed delight and joy in lord Shiva. On asking, he said certain words that created suspicions.  O Rama, I put you to test after I sought lord’s consent. O Sri Rama, I know you are lord Vishnu. I thought of your sovereignty and primacy with these eyes that dispelled all suspicions and reservations. Even then, O wise soul, please listen and speak the truth. How is it that lord Shiva reveres you? It creates doubts, and therefore, I request, drive out suspicions, and bless me with peace of mind.”

Rama heard soft and reverential words of Sati, was pleased, and his eyes looked like lotuses. He remembered lord Shiva in a spirit of adoration and prayer, and it filled heart with divine love.  He did not come near lord Shiva, as lord Shiva did not permit. He eulogized lord Shiva in mind, and after a thought, said to goddess Sati, “O goddess, in ancient times, the supreme Creator of the universe lord Sambhu invited Visvakarma -a great artisan of gods to paratpara abode -Vaikuntha and requested him to build a cowshed. Visvakarma built up one of the most beautiful cowsheds in the three worlds. It was very vast. It satisfied the great lord immensely.”

~*~

Visvakarma also constructed a grand throne and then, lord Shiva requested Visvakarma to make a wonderful chhatra -umbrella for the throne that appears divine, incredibly marvelous and superb. Afterward, he invited Indra, various categories of gods, siddhas, gandharavas and nagas and sent invitations to the Vedas, Aagmas and Supreme Brahma and lord’s sons, monks and all the goddesses with apasaras, the celestial women, who were equipped with valuable possessions. He also requested sixteen daughters of gods, sages, siddhas and nagas, who held and carried auspicious articles in hands.

It was a splendid festival where dance, songs and music added charm and mystic aura to the environment. Attendants of lord Shiva brought necessary material to sanctify various herbs.  They also brought various divine effects and thus, he ensured that the festival contains everything on a grand scale. Bhakti of lord Vishnu pleased lord Maheshwara tremendously. He requested Sri Vishnu, who arrived from holy abode Vaikuntha immediately. After greetings, lord Shiva offered the most marvelous throne Visvakarma had built and then, decorated lord Vishnu in a wonderful and fascinating way. Shiva also adorned Vishnu with an appealing crest, and then after garlanding, requested him to perform sacred karmas.

After performing various divine rituals, lord Shiva coroneted lord Vishnu on the Supreme podium and offered splendeur and magnificence, affluence, valued possessions and the worlds to Sri Hari not available with anyone else before. Later on, lord Sambhu became a devotee of Sri Hari and spread the message everywhere.

When he offered privileges, powers and grandeur to lord Vishnu, lord Shiva said to Supreme Brahma, “O lord, from today, getting a nod from ‘the self’, I will worship Vishnu -Sri Hari. Everyone hears what I say. O father, you and all the gods of heavens should salute Sri Hari. The Vedas should also reverentially describe Sri Hari in a superlative approach and sobriquets. Know that Sri Hari adorns a higher pedestal and are the lord of Vaikuntha.”

After a pause, Sri Rama said, “O goddess, the intensity of devotion of Sri Hari to the merciful and generous Rudra -lord Shiva impressed lord Shiva, who after uttering praiseworthy words, stood up and saluted the great flag bearing the symbol of Garuda. Afterward, as lord Shiva desired, all gods and goddesses, monks, sages and siddhas and others including Supreme Brahma worshipped Sri Hari. Subsequently, lord Maheshwara bestowed many blessings and boons on Sri Hari to establish sovereignty.

Sri Rama continued, “O goddess, later on, lord Shiva made Vishnu the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer of the worlds. He was now empowered to bestow dharma, artha and kama on created beings and was also declared the arbiter where he could punish people designing or conceiving bad and destructive policies toward living beings even as they destroy and eliminate men of evil designs. He was now fully equipped with strength and valour, and thus, was the god of the universe. He was to remain invincible. None, howsoever powerful would be able to overpower Sri Hari, not even lord Shiva, and with the incredible blessings Vishnu became the lord of gods, the Supreme Lord.”

Sri Rama continued, “Lord Shiva, bestowed on lord Vishnu three kinds of divine powers. One was siddhi -perfection in the art of wish or yearning. Maya -delusory potency was the next boon. That he enjoyed autonomy in the created worlds was the third most important blessing.  Thus, lord Shiva made Vishnu the Supreme authority accomplished in the art of life, creation and preservation but kept a balance among different forces. Lord Shiva further conferred on Vishnu the power to stay away from the jealous living beings because Maheshwara could punish. Lord Shiva assured Vishnu that he would grant moksa to devotees. Thereafter, he asked him to accept Maya, which is difficult to absorb as nobody can do it.”

Sir Rama thus, told goddess Sati of the Maya of lord Shiva and the mystery behind his salutation while he kept roaming about in the forest. “O goddess,” lord Shiva further told lord Vishnu, ‘O Sri Hari, you are my left arm and the lord of destiny is the right arm. You are the creator of destiny, the almighty and the Supreme. You will be the preserver. Nurse no doubt that the heart is the image of Rudra and I exist here. Do not doubt. You will live in the most flourishing and luxurious Goloka - the holy place where cows live and bless created beings. Wonderful land of Goloka is known for its brilliance and luminosity”

He further bestowed on lord Vishnu that incarnations on earth would be guardians of created beings and that he would definitely visit earth so that he enjoys glimpses of different embodiments.   After he said magnificent and pious words of truth, Rama was quiet.

“O goddess,” Sri Rama said again after a thought, “Lord Shiva offered the three worlds and pleasures, joys, wealth, magnificence, grandeur and glory to lord Vishnu, and later on, proceeded to Kailasa Mountain. He lives here, continues meandering in the worlds with ganas and counselors, and plays various games through the exercise of delusory and illusory powers. After that, Sri Hari, consort of Laksmi, in the guise of gopa -cowherd arrived and lived happily with gopas, gopis and cows and performed different acts of wonder and miracle but always appeared a simple cowherd. He was none else but lord Vishnu, who began to protect the entire universe from evil forces, demons, daityas and ghosts.”

Rama patiently narrated divine occurrences of past and tried to satisfy holy consort of lord Shiva.

How Sati knew the reasons as to why Shiva saluted Rama. She also came to know about the wonderful art of construction of Visvakarma. She also learnt about the background, as to how Vishnu became the creator, the preserver and the destroyer with the blessings of Lord Shiva

Lord Rama earnestly made efforts to dismiss doubts of goddess Sati. After a short while, he said again, “At the moment, with the blessings of Shiva, Sri Hari is born in the guise of four brothers. I am the eldest Rama and the next is Bharata. Third brother is Laksmana and the fourth is Satrughana. O goddess, with the consent of my father, I came to the forest with Sita and Laksmana. An unknown wanderer of the night has abducted wife Sita and now, in a disillusioned state of mind, I am in search of Sita, and here, Laksmana is with me. In this way, I feel blessed with your holy darshana, O goddess. Now, I know, everything will be auspicious. O mother Sati, I have no doubt that everything will turn out well. O goddess, I believe, I shall get your blessings and so I would get Sita shortly. With your blessings and commands, I shall protect Sita after killing a sinful rakasasa, who abducted her. I am very fortunate that you and lord Shiva showered mercy on me. A man getting blessings from you is sanctified and considered the greatest, O goddess.”

In his own humble way, Rama dispelled suspicions of goddess Sati and expressed gratitude for the enormous blessings to the Supreme god and goddess -Shiva and Sati.

Goddess Sati heard and eagerly exhibited generosity and mercy. She was clear, as fears stood dispelled. After revealing many facets of life of lord Shiva and lord Vishnu, Rama bowed before Sati and after saluting the goddess, wandered in the forest in search of Sita. After he heard mild and gratifying words of Rama praising lord Shiva, she was full of admiration for prince Rama and felt delighted. When he remembered Karma, he was very sad. Again, his face looked pale and a pall of disappointment covered brilliance. She was discontented and sad when she looked at Rama, and thereafter, returned to lord Shiva, standing under Vargada.

As she returned, she felt miserable because she realized she was not convinced when lord Shiva revealed the truth. Therefore, she did not nurse very good and noble feelings for lord Rama at that time.  What she would say to lord Shiva, she seriously thought over but reached nowhere. Now, she was quite remorseful about her behaviour. She reached near Shiva and saluted with feelings of prayers and veneration while standing beside him but she said nothing. She was unhappy, distressed and the original radiance seemed to have faded away.

Lord Shiva found a disappointed and gloomy consort, and therefore, said affectionately, “How did you test him?”

Goddess Sati with a bowed head stood quite near him but looked forlorn, melancholic and repentant.  Maheshwara meditated for a while with eyes closed and came to know everything that turned Sati disillusioned. Possibly, it did not give cheers and so, he decided to abandon goddess Sati. Lord Shiva followed the principles of Vedic dharma, and therefore, did not allow earlier pledge to go waste and did not wish to destroy the truth of what he said earlier. He was determined. After he discarded goddess Sati within, he went back to the original abode on Kailasa Mountain.

While on way to Kailasa, a voice from above said, “O lord of gods, you are blessed. You are great. Your vow is superb. One finds no other great Yogi and Supreme Lord like you in the three worlds.”

Hearing the words from above, the brilliance and radiance of goddess Sati faded. She asked lord Shiva, “O swamy, my god, what kind of oath did you take? Please tell.”

After she asked, lord Shiva told about the pledge he gave about the marriage. At that time, goddess Sati meditated on lord Shiva and got the revelation of the entire context and reasons, and came to know why he decided to abandon her. “Sambhu abandoned me,” Sati thought and so she, a daughter of Daksa was extremely sad and aggrieved and began to moan. Her sorrow and personal grief appeared immense. After he knew the mind and feelings of Sati, lord Shiva kept the secret alive and confined to him only, and began to tell various tales unrelated to the subject of grief and abandonment.

Lord Shiva kept narrating stimulating tales and Sati listened as she continued to contemplate seriously upon destiny. They reached Kailasa, a holy abode where Shiva ensconced comfortably on the divine seat, restrained senses and varied inclinations of differing joys and sat in deep meditation as he concentrated on the real image.  Sati, in utter despondence and depression began to live at her abode. The divine couple lived separately sans obvious hints to the devotees but continued to adhere to what they had decided to pursue the celestial plan.

~*~

Many did not know the nature of relationship between Sati and Shiva.   Divine couple lived separately in disheartening circumstances but none understood the celestial plan. Shiva the goddess -Sati and lord Shiva lived and did not reveal fissures in relations. Capable of transforming into any image, goddess Parvati and lord Shiva continued to live for a long time and many ages elapsed. Lord Shiva was still in deep meditation. After a long time, he opened his eyes and terminated tapa and penance. After she learnt that lord Shiva had completed tapa, goddess Jagdamba Sati arrived and with a distraught heart, bowed at the feet of lord Shiva.

The most generous lord requested her to sit exactly in front of him and then, told many incidents and tales with love and warmth. With the exercise of Maya, he dispelled sorrows of consort and now, she was bright and happy. However, lord Shiva did not desert vow he took. The great relationship carried influence of delusory power in the backdrop. In truth, the celestial couple was warm and benignly affectionate, continued to work toward the wellbeing of the three worlds, and showered blessings on devotees.

If a devotee knows the real objective of gods and goddesses behind the movement of the world and the mystery of life and existence then it is certain, he will positively make life meaningful. Surrendering of ‘self’ with devotion and faith purifies ‘inner self’, and man begins to love man and humanity, and that is probably the message of the Supreme, who appears before a devotee in many forms and images.

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