It was nearing mid day and the sun was beating down mercilessly.
"Hope the Great God Shambhu is not so merciless"... thought Shivanadiar as he wiped the beads of perspiration trickling down his face. Soon it would be time for the Purnaahuti - the final offering to the sacrificial fire which will conclude the yagna.
The chief priest looked at the king -who was sitting silent and thoughtful-and hoped for his sake, the yagna was fruitful.
The king looked at the queen ... who had her eyes closed in prayer- and hoped for her sake the yagna was fruitful.
The priest indicated the king to stand up to prepare for the final leg of the yagna- the Vasudhara Homa. The king got up and came near the fire. The priest then placed a garland around the king's neck and gave him a long wooden ladle and asked him to hold in such a way that it was tilted just above the fire. It was imperative that the ghee fell from the ladle into the fire in one long unbroken continuous stream.
The other priests began chanting in unison
Vaajas cha mey, prasavam cha mey,
Prayathis cha may, praseethis cha may,deedhis cha may, krathus cha may,
swaras chamay,'..
Malayadhwaja tilted the ladle and the ghee began pouring into the fire.
The chants grew louder
Jyaishtyam cha may, aadhipatyam cha may, manyus cha may, Bhaamas cha may, aamyas cha may, jemaas cha may, mahimaa cha may'., In his abode in Kailash, Shiva closed his eyes absorbing all that was being offered.
Annam cha may, akshu cha may, vreehayas cha may, yavaas cha may, bhashaas cha may, Thilaas cha may, mudhgas cha may, kkhalvas cha may, godhumas cha may,
Nine types of grain ... rice, wheat, pulses, seeds began descending into the fire.
hiranyam cha may, vyas cha may, seesa cha may, Thrapus cha may, sayaamam cha may, loham cha may,
Nine types of metals were now being offered to the fire.
The chants reached a crescendo.
madhu vadhishyaami madhur mathi devebhyo Vaacha mudhyaasam susrushenyam manshyebhyastham maa Devaa avanthu shobhaayai pitharo anumadhanthu....
The final offering was being placed in the fire. The flames were sky high now. Parvati turned for one last look of her Lord. Anytime now, she thought.
From far below came the chorus of voices...
Om Vishweshataya Mahadevaya Trayambakaya Tripurantakaya Trikalagnikalaya Kalagni Rudraya Neelakanthaya Mrityunjaya Sarveshwaraya Mahaya Sriman Maha Devaya Namah
Eyes still closed, Shiva raised his palm in blessing. Parvati joined hers in prayer
There was a flash of light. Shiva was left alone.
Edited by varaali - 12 years ago