Originally posted by: mnx12
This means Lion was not given by Himavan to Durgama?
importance of Om was explained to the one, who appeared as a pillar of light between Brhmaji & Vishnuji, Om appeared as the Primal sound, which roteted around that pillar of light. Who already knew what does Om mean.
All the Puranas glorify the Deity who is the lead of that Purana, same as DKDM.The above version says It was Skanda who gave Lion to Durgama, infact she got the Lion as her vahana much before that.
I knew these two points would be questioned and I wanted to provide clarifications at that time itself, but it was already time for my classes.
Anyway I will first clarify the story behind the "OM" explanation. It was not as if Shiva did not know the meaning of OM. In fact he is 'Omkara roopam' himself. Even Tamil scriptures do not say that Shiva was ignorant of the significance of OM.
I will not go into the background of the full story but will just touch on the main points. What happened was that Skanda- a precocious five year old- once claimed that he knew the meaning and the symbolism of the Pranava Mantra. His father thought it was just a childish boast- but Murugan insisted that he was telling the truth. Shiva then asked him to give the explanation- to prove he was not boasting.
Muruga closed his eyes and started "OM..." but then stopped.
Muruga then pointed out that this was the most important mantra in the world and was the basis of all creation and hence it could not be uttered frivolously. Shiva was very pleased that his son knew the significance of Pranava Mantra. Shiva then asked him to simply state the meaning without actually enunciating the mantra.
Skanda once again pointed out if even if he were to merely elucidate the meaning, he would have to be seated on a platform higher than the listener- in this case Shiva. Mahadeva in his turn pointed out that he being his father cannot obviously occupy a position lower than his son.
Skanda's face fell. He was just a little boy and was obviously looking forward to his father's appreciation which he would have got at the end of his explanation. Now he had unnecessarily messed up the opportunity by quoting the rules.
After enjoying the lad's disappointment for a few minutes, Mahadev resolved the issue by gently lifting and seating his son on his right shoulder. Since now, Skanda's head was above Shiva's the criterion of the speaker being higher than the listener was satisfied. Skanda whispered the meaning, secrets and the symbolism of the Pranava mantra into his father's ears.
This supposed to have taken place at a place called Swami Malai in TN.
There are variations to this story which I will post later on... when time permits.
Edited by varaali - 12 years ago
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