Devon Ke Dev Mahadev Written Update 24th May 2012 - Page 4

Originally posted by: tannipartner

VIbs Shivji and Mata parvati took the form of an untouchable dead man and his wife to test adi shakaracharya, do you know the full story? A lot of people consider him to be born from Shivji's ansh, sorta kinda avatar too, do you know anything about it.

I know the story of the untouchable and his wife testing a Shiv bhakt - I am not sure if it was Adi Shankaracharya.

Will post what I know.

Here's what I know:

There are two stories I have read. One is that Lord Shiva takes the form of an untouchable and awaits one the way to Kasi Viswanath Temple for his devotee to pass by. When the devotee and his disciples reach the place, they found this untouchable on the way and asked him to move aside. The man replied "What is it that you want me to move - my everlasting soul or my body that turns to dust?" the devotee realises that the untouchable is none other than Lord Shiva and falls at his feet.

Another version of the same story says that an untouchable touched Adi Shankaracharya just after he had bathed. Angry on the untouchable doing it on purpose, he rebuked him. The untouchable asked some questions to Adi Shankaracharya saying that if he couldn't answer them, he will touch Adi Shankaracharya every time he bathes. Adi Shankaracharya couldn't answer them but realised the truth that everyone were equal and the untouchable was Lord Shiva.

Another story, also set up in Kasi:

Once Devi Parvati asked Lord Shiva "It is said that everyone who bathes in the Ganga is absolved of all sins. Is it really true? Is it possible that a person can get rid of all his sins by just bathing in the Ganga?" Mahadev replied, "Let's put those who had bathed in the Ganga to the test."

They both arrived on the bank of the holy river Ganga and disguised themselves as an old man and his aged wife. Lord Shiva made a pit on the ground and went into it. The wife began to wail out loud for someone to help her. (Some versions say the Lord Shiva took the form of an untouchable dead man and Devi Parvati, his wife but those stories go berserk while explaining what the moral is.) When everyone crowded around and asked what happened, she replied, "I need someone's help to lift my husband's body. Only a person who is absolved of all sins can touch him. A sinner who touches my husband will die instantly (or his head would shatter - he would die instantly)"

All of them who had crowded around the couple ran away scared. The woman wailed even louder saying that everyone had bathed in the Ganga and but why is everyone still scared. No one dared to touch the man who was lying on the ground. After a while a young man offered to help the old lady. When Devi Parvati (the old lady) asked if he was not scared, he replied that he isn't. "I have only now bathed in the Ganges. I am free of all sins now" was his reply. He lifted the old man up. The old man and his wife resumed their original forms. Lord Shiva said, "Do you understand now, Parvati? Only those who believe that their sins will be absolved by bathing in the Ganges will be freed of their sins. Otherwise, it is of no use."

The devotee was dumfounded on seeing Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. They both blessed the young man and returned to their abode.


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Originally posted by: Vibhishna

Here's what I know:

There are two stories I have read. One is that Lord Shiva takes the form of an untouchable and awaits one the way to Kasi Viswanath Temple for his devotee to pass by. When the devotee and his disciples reach the place, they found this untouchable on the way and asked him to move aside. The man replied "What is it that you want me to move - my everlasting soul or my body that turns to dust?" the devotee realises that the untouchable is none other than Lord Shiva and falls at his feet.

Another version of the same story says that an untouchable touched Adi Shankaracharya just after he had bathed. Angry on the untouchable doing it on purpose, he rebuked him. The untouchable asked some questions to Adi Shankaracharya saying that if he couldn't answer them, he will touch Adi Shankaracharya every time he bathes. Adi Shankaracharya couldn't answer them but realised the truth that everyone were equal and the untouchable was Lord Shiva.

Another story, also set up in Kasi:

Once Devi Parvati asked Lord Shiva "It is said that everyone who bathes in the Ganga is absolved of all sins. Is it really true? Is it possible that a person can get rid of all his sins by just bathing in the Ganga?" Mahadev replied, "Let's put those who had bathed in the Ganga to the test."

They both arrived on the bank of the holy river Ganga and disguised themselves as an old man and his aged wife. Lord Shiva made a pit on the ground and went into it. The wife began to wail out loud for someone to help her. (Some versions say the Lord Shiva took the form of an untouchable dead man and Devi Parvati, his wife but those stories go berserk while explaining what the moral is.) When everyone crowded around and asked what happened, she replied, "I need someone's help to lift my husband's body. Only a person who is absolved of all sins can touch him. A sinner who touches my husband will die instantly (or his head would shatter - he would die instantly)"

All of them who had crowded around the couple ran away scared. The woman wailed even louder saying that everyone had bathed in the Ganga and but why is everyone still scared. No one dared to touch the man who was lying on the ground. After a while a young man offered to help the old lady. When Devi Parvati (the old lady) asked if he was not scared, he replied that he isn't. "I have only now bathed in the Ganges. I am free of all sins now" was his reply. He lifted the old man up. The old man and his wife resumed their original forms. Lord Shiva said, "Do you understand now, Parvati? Only those who believe that their sins will be absolved by bathing in the Ganges will be freed of their sins. Otherwise, it is of no use."

The devotee was dumfounded on seeing Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. They both blessed the young man and returned to their abode.


Note to the mods: This post can be moved to the Discussions Thread if its more convenient.