Shiva, You are my Valentine - Part 2

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namaha

Om Namah Shivaaya

Om Sri Sai Ram

Read Shiva, you are my Valentine-Part 1 here

Parvathy dates and dotes on Shiva!

Continuation from Part 1: Sati’s father Daksha (Shiva’s father-in-law) disliked Shiva and insulted Him by not inviting Shiva to Daksha’s grand Yagna. Sati alone attended the Yagna but she was also insulted by her own father Daksha. Ashamed of being a daughter of such a father, she immolated herself by jumping into the scared (Yagna) fire and vowed to be born to a father whom she can respect. Shiva became angry, sent his people to destroy the Yagna. He went back to the Himalayas and started His meditation again.

Parvathy’s birth: Very near the place where Shiva was meditating, there lived a great mountain king, Himavan.  He had married the heavenly nymph Menaka. One day, Menaka gave birth to a lovely baby girl. Since the baby was born to the mountain (Paravatham) king, they named her Parvathy (also known as Girija). Parvathi was really Sati reborn, this time, to a father she could be proud of and who was also proud of her. As the years flew by, Parvathy grew up to be a beautiful maiden. Himavan and Menaka seriously began to think about getting their daughter married.

Narada visits Himavan: One day Narada visited Himavan’s palace. Himavan immediately called Parvathy and told her, “Parvathy, please come here and take the blessings of sage Narada!” Parvathy fell at the feet of sage Narada and sought His blessings. After blessing Parvathy, Narada told Himavan, “Your daughter is destined to be the wife of none other than Lord Shiva” and left the palace.

Himavat’s worry: After Narada left the palace, Himavan started worrying. He had seen Shiva meditating in the grove nearby. Himavan started thinking, “How can I approach Shiva? He has not looked upon a woman since Sati gave up her body. What if He refuses me?” The poor father shared his concerns with his wife Menaka and waited for quite some time hoping that someday Shiva would come out of His meditation and spot Parvathy in the orchard. Then, may be things will happen!

Waiting hurts: Himavan waited for many years and the wait was very painful. Parvathy’s marriage appeared to be in a deadlock. Nothing was happening. He was reminded of the saying, ‘Common sense comes first. God sense comes next.’ Another one flashed to his mind - ‘For anything to happen there should be Prayatnam (effort), Kaalam (right time) and Daivam (divine grace).’ He had left everything to Daivam without making any effort on his part. He thought of an idea.

Himavan’s idea: He told Menaka, “I have waited long enough. Shiva is lost in meditation. I will send Parvathy to serve Shiva in the daily rituals. He will slowly begin to love her.” Menaka agreed with this proposal. Parvathy was very happy that she was able to serve Shiva by cleaning His prayer seat and the surrounding area every morning, plucking flowers for the Puja, procuring material for naivedyam (food offering) and filling His Kamandalu (vessel) with fresh water etc. Yet, Lord Shiva did not fall for Parvathy’s beauty.

Indra goes to Kamadeva for help: Indra (Lord of the heavens) asks Kamadeva (Cupid) to lure Shiva into marrying Parvathy. One day, when Parvathy was about to place a garland on Shiva’s neck for the morning worship, Kamadeva shot a flower arrow at Shiva. Shiva suddenly started admiring Parvathy’s beauty and Parvathy at once blushed! Realizing that this is not His natural trait, Shiva looked around and found Kamadeva hiding behind a bush. By His mere look, Shiva burnt Kamadeva and left the grove without even caring for Parvathy.

Parvathy does penance: Realizing that she has lost her Lord, Parvathy cast off her fine clothes and jewelry and went into a grove and started meditating on Shiva. She never cared for food or comfort and went on non-stop prayer, meditating on her Lord. Because of that, she was called Aparna by the sages who were living in the forest nearby. Many sages told her not to fast and do penance and hurt her body. She was also called Uma (U =Oh! ma =don’t). Shiva was pleased with her penance and came disguised in the form of a hermit and told her, “Shiva is always covered with ashes and lives near a grave yard. Serpents bedeck His body and He is clothed in foul smelling hides. He is not fit for you.”

Shiva shows His form: Hearing these bad remarks about her Lord, she angrily started walking away from the saint. The saint stretched his arms, stopped her and suddenly his from turned into the beautiful form of Lord Shiva! Shiva told Parvathy, “I am very pleased with your devotion and penance. I am willing to be your slave.” Parvathy told Shiva, “Please approach my father for my hand.” Shiva met Himavan and asked for Parvathy’s hand in marriage. Himavan was very pleased at the turn of the events. He chose an auspicious day and the wedding of Shiva and Parvathy took place in a grand manner. A verse from Lingashtakam describes this story.

Kama Dahana Karunaakara Lingam

Ravana Darpa Vinashaka Lingam

Tat Pranamami Sadaa Shiva Lingam.

Jai Sai Ram!