A Most Awaited Meeting- An SS- Completed- 2/4/18 - Page 14

GHOR TAPASYA

Parvati smiled in bliss as she removed all her fine clothes and jewellery, and traded it for simple clothes of bark, one fit for someone who will be doing penance. She was getting closer to her Lord.

Determined to take one step at a time, the Princess of the Mountains, Girija Parvati, walked out of the palace, Lotus feet bare, flower ornaments adorning her, and a beautiful bindi at the centre of her forehead. Towards Gangavarthana, the spot where Lord Shiva burnt Kama she walked. For that is where her penance would begin!

Parvati stood at the ridge of Gangavarthana, her heart beating a sorrowful tone. She was missing her Lord Shiva, as her eyes took in the usual spot where He sat for His meditation every day. Her mind flashed back to the days where she had the pleasure of serving her Lord, and singing to Him, even occasionally dancing for Him. She felt the pangs of separation burn her, and felt goose bumps all over her body as she continued to think of Him.

Suddenly, her eyes fell up on the place from where He had disappeared, and she stood straight. Her penance was to reach His holy feet by devoting herself to Him, to the bliss of being His devotee.

Determined, she picked a spot below where He sat, as a way of performing penance at His feet, and constructed a Shivalinga with her hands, all the time muttering the words, "Shiva! Shiva!

As she started saying "Om Nama Shivaya!, she started suppressing her sense organs, her mind and thoughts only on Lord Shiva, her spiritual soul awakening steadily every second.

She knew she had to work with Prakriti to be fully in the element of penance. And thus, she decided to take the help of the ever helpful Prakriti to achieve her objective. She was already seated on the Earth for her penance. During summers, she sat with a blazing fire surrounding her at all times as she prayed. During the rainy season, she sat under the thundering sky, letting the heavy downpour drench her fully. Yet she did not stir from her penance. During winter, she seated herself in the freezing water, and continued to pray. Snow fell, and the sub-zero temperatures of the night didn't daunt Parvati. All she thought of was Shiva, and all she uttered was "Om Nama Shivaya

During her free time as well, Parvati planted trees in Shiva's name. She extended a helping hand to all those living there, in Shiva's name. She breathed His name, she surrounded herself with His name.

All extremities of Prakriti she bore with acceptance, simply devoted to Lord Shiva, and thinking of only Him. Nothing worried her, nothing bothered her. All she thought of was Lord Shiva, firm, staunch and pure in her thoughts.

The first year, she ate only fruits. From the second year, she ate only leaves as her diet, thus being named Aparna, meaning one who has leaves as food. This diet of leaves she followed for many years. Then, changing her penance routine, she stood on one leg and prayed to Lord Shiva, clad in bark, with matted hair.

Three thousand years did she spend in such penance, always engaged in the Lord.

She wondered, "Doesn't my Lord, who is the benefactor of all know me? Know my devotion? My love? Why hasn't He come? Why has He not seen my penance? He knows it. Oh Shiva, when will you come?

"Sister, never fear. Mahadeva will come when the time is right

Despair left her mind the second she heard the affectionate tone Lord Vishnu used in her mind, soothing her fears, and encouraging her to achieve her goal.

Thus did the steadfast Parvati continue her penance, determination growing to a very high level after the blessing from Lord Narayana.

The sages in the area were awestruck, as they saw plants grow and get greener even during the winter. Parvati's difficult tapasya was proving to be the reason for various changes. Additionally, even animals of prey did not strike down their food, instead beginning to play with them. There was no natural enmity. Prakriti seemed to change around Parvati.

In the Himalayan Palace...

A worried Himavan sighed. His daughter had been in Ghor Tapasya for many years, but Lord Shiva hadn't come. What should he do? As a father, his first duty was to protect his daughter. But as a father, he also had to let her free to choose her own path. If Shiva was her destiny, then that will be so. He prayed to Lord Vishnu to show him the path.

With a sudden smile, Himavan called his ministers. He was going to go to his daughter, and at least talk to her, if not persuade her to come home.

Do you all want me to start posting SatyabhaMadhavam this week itself, or do you want it after this story is over?