A Most Awaited Meeting- An SS- Completed- 2/4/18 - Page 16

HER BE ALL AND END ALL

Shiva appeared behind a tree, to watch Parvati, surrounded by her faithful friends Jaya and Vijaya, as Parvati tended to the flowers that were planted by her. Smiling with delight, and eager to talk to her, Shiva assumed the form of Jatila, the One with matted hair. Now making His form as that of an old man, he approached Parvati.

Feeling the presence of a bright power and a royal effulgence, Parvati looked up to see a Brahmin approaching her. Her eyes shone in curiosity as she saw the Brahmin. She could feel her heart beat fast. Horrified that her heart beat the way it did for Shiva, Parvati lowered her head, not seeing the love that came from the Brahmin's eyes.

"Oh Brahmin! Welcome to my humble abode, said Parvati. "Please do be seated

Parvati washed His feet with holy water from the river, her mind thinking that His feet looked like Shiva's. shaking her thoughts off, she looked up at Him, and asked, "What can I do for you, Brahmin Deva?

"I am an old Brahmin, roaming forests in the aim of helping others. When I saw you, I observed that you were trying to do a great penance. Who are you, Kanya?, asked the Brahmin. "Who are your parents? Why are you in this lonely forest, oh lady? You are an auspicious young woman. Did your husband mleave you without anything and go away? Who is your father? Are you the mother of the Vedas? Are you Lakshmi, the spouse of Vishnu, or Saraswati, the Queen of Brahma?

"I am none of them, oh Divine sage! I am the daughter of the Parvat Naresh, Maharaja Himavan. I was called Parvati, after him. I am praying to Lord Shiva, to come to me. To bless me to serve Him forever. I had that opportunity once, but lost it due to a bout of ill-luck. Dejected from the separation I was facing, I left my great father, Himavan's house, and came here to do my tapasya and attain my only aim in my entire life

"Before you came, oh Sage, continued Parvati, "I was trying to figure out a way as to attain His Lotus feet. He hasn't come for me, even though I continue to do Tapasya

The Brahmin laughed, and said, "Oh noble lady! I can see that you are eager for someone, or for something. What is it that you desire so ardently? So ardently that like a thirsty bird, you are waiting to be quenched by the cool water. I am a Brahmin, who can bestow pleasure on anyone. Tell me who you wish as your husband. I will help you reach him

On hearing the words of the sage, Parvati looked at her childhood friend Vijaya, asking her to narrate the truth of her life, and what she was doing this Tapasya for. Understanding Parvati's need, Vijaya explained to the sage the story of Parvati, of her love for the great Lord Shiva, who was Parvati's be All and end All.

"I believe you, oh friend of the lady's, but it seems like a huge joke that you are saying. Does your friend really want to attain Shiva? If that be the truth, let the maiden herself speak

These words of the Brahmin made Parvati speak.

"Oh Brahmin of great deeds! What my friend here said is only the truth. I wish to attain the Lord Shiva as my Lord, as my husband. He is my God, and always will be. For me, any life time I am born, I will be attained only by Shiva Himself, and no other. People say He is inaccessible. But I don't think so. He is called as Dayalu, the one who is always compassionate on His devotees. I only wonder if I have made some error, as He hasn't come to me, even after my penance, said Parvati, her features thoughtful, yet her mind, heart and soul repeating the name of Shiva.

"I thought I could help you, maiden of great parentage. But looks like I can't. Your wish has made me realise that neither of us are of any use to the other. We cannot benefit from the other

Saying thus, the Brahmin turned away, and started taking powerful strides, in a direction opposite to Parvati.

"Brahmin Dev! Please stay and offer me advice on what to do, pleaded Parvati. "Let me benefit from your advice

"If you truly want to know with devotion, what I have to say, then hear it, maiden of the hills, said the Brahmin. "I know Shiva through and through. Listen to me

Parvati looked at the Brahmin with devotion, and complete curiosity.

"He is bull bannered, and His body is smeared with ashes. You, who can boast of splendid, lustrous locks of beautiful hair, want the Shiva, who has only matted locks of hair?, asked the Brahmin. "He uses only elephant skin. He holds skulls, and serpents twine around His neck. His birth and pedigree cannot be traced, He has no enjoyment being a householder. Don't you know what happens when Shiva unites with one? Haven't you heard of Sati, the daughter of Daksha? How she had to give up her life as she was the wife of Shiva? The same Shiva you want as a husband? Why would you, Parvat Kanya, want to be His wife? Of what need is it for you to be?

Parvati felt her entire body protest in full anger, and in a sudden dwelling of the mind, she realised a truth. A truth she had been blind to. She was the same Sati who had given up her life in the fire. The Dakshayini who had been hurt incredibly by her father Daksha.

"Sati gave up her life not because she was Lord Shiva's wife, said Parvati, fierce nature coming out. "She gave up her life because her father kept insulting her Lord, the One who is her All. Shiva is beautiful because He has all that as He is without all that. He is the Lord of all Lords, a Trideva. He can take what form He wills. I am not moved by your words at all. In fact, oh Brahmin, they have made me stronger in my desire to achieve Lord Shiva's Lotus feet

"But it is said He brings inauspicious activities, said the Brahmin.

"Serving Him makes life auspicious, retorted Parvati.

"He burned Kama in absolute anger, said the Brahmin.

"Kama knew he would be, for he knew Shiva's Yogic power, said Parvati. "He obeyed Devraja Indra, who is his King. And Indra himself had to choose between his people and this means

"He plays the Damru, almost like it is a funeral, said the Brahmin.

"The Damru paves way for the sound of the Lord of Creation, said Parvati. "Additionally, along with the powerful conch of Lord Narayana, Shiva's Damru brings life to the world with its beats, which can be matched with dance steps

"Oh Brahmin, you said you know all about Shiva. But it looks like you know nothing about Him. I will not tolerate the insults you throw at Lord Bholenath

Saying thus, the fiery Parvati turned to walk away from the Brahmin, when she felt a hand on her wrist.

"Why do you turn away from me, Parvati? Am I not who you wanted to come?