Parvathi Weds Shiva!

 

Lord Shiva and Dhakshayini were happily married. They had fallen in love with each other sometime back and were now Happily married with a cute child named Ganesha!

Dakshayini's Father Dhaksha performed a ritual without inviting Lord Shiva. Dhakshayini wanted Her Father to invite Lord Shiva. Dhaksha would not, as Dhakshayini married Lord Shiva against his wish. Though Lord Shiva told Dhakshayini to ignore the insult, Dhakshayini went to Her Father's place and tried to convince him otherwise. Dhaksha refused and spoke unruly words about Lord Shiva. Unable to bear the pain and heart-broken that she couldn't convince Her father to respect Her Husband, She immolated Herself, then and there. Unable to bear the loss of His beloved wife, Shiva first destroyed Dhaksha and all His army. He then started to dance with unlimited sorrow holding the body of His beloved wife in His arms.

Maha Vishnu realised that, the body of Dhakshayini was making Lord Shiva's sorrow grow. He sent, Sudharshan, His discuss to cut the body of Dhakshayini into many pieces. Sudharshan did so and the body of Dhakshayini fell in 54 different places. All of these places have been identified by Hindu Saints and are now temples of Shakthi.

Lord Shiva's sorrow got subdued a bit and he stopped dancing. Anyway, not wanting to see anything anymore and not wanting to live this life without His wife anymore, Shiva sat down, closed His eyes and remained so for many years. Now Manmathan, induced in Him a thirst for pleasure. Lord Shiva not wanting to be with another woman other than Dhakshayini, got angry and burnt Manmathan to ashes.

Manmathan had did so because He wanted Lord Shiva to have a progeny. And He wanted Lord Shiva to have a progeny because, only a progeny of Lord Shiva could fight Adharma which was taking place at that time.

Now that Manmathan was burnt to ashes, The Devas, then worshipped Shakthi, the Universal material Energy, who now had no form, to help them achieve their ends.  Shakthi was very much happy to oblige. As, She could take a new form and re-unite with Her Husband, who was grieving Her loss. She took birth as the daughter of Himavan and started to do penance propitiating Lord Shiva. Now, Her name was Parvathi.

Parvathi, performed penance for quite sometime. Some birds seeing this flew over to the place where Lord Shiva was in Meditation and spoke among themselves. "Dhakshayini is re-born. She is now performing penance on the Himalaya Hills to marry Lord Shiva." Lord Shiva heard this and tears started flowing down His eyes. All His sorrow disappeared in a moment and His heart was filled with love, love and love. He wanted to go and hug her immediately.


Lord Shiva appeared before Parvathi who was immersed in meditation. He observed Her. Parvathi did not look like Dhakshayini. Yet, His heart told Him, that it was indeed, Dhakshayini re-incarnated as Parvathi. Shiva wanted to get solid proof that the women performing penance was indeed His Dhakshayini. His heart immediately gave Him an idea, how He could know for sure that Parvathi was indeed Dhakshayini.

Lord Shiva transformed himself into a very old man. He coughed loudly and knocked his walking stick on the ground noisily. Parvathi opened Her eyes and offered, the old man,some water to drink. The old man after drinking the water, thanked the young lady and enquired about her.

When Parvathi said, that she was doing penance to propitiate Lord Shiva and marry Him. The old man shook His head in disapproval.

"No. No. No. Young Lady!" The old man said in dsgust. "Are you crazy? You look so beautiful and you are so young. Even Indra, the God of Devas would fall at you Feet, to marry You! But You! You want to marry that Shiva, who lives in the burial grounds. Who smears the ashes of burnt dead bodies on Him. He cannot afford to buy Himself a silken cloth and He roams around draped in a tiger's skin. On top of this, He is just a beggar. Who lives from the food He begs in the streets. While even common men wear ornaments of gold, this Shiva wears, snakes for ornaments. And, Rudraksha beads which He picks up while He roams in the jungles. He doesn't have a proper place to stay. And you want to Marry Him!"

As Lord Shiva, in the guise of a old man, spoke thus, degrading Himself, Parvathi's anger knew no bounds.

"My Shiva isn't a beggar you fool!
He is The Maker of Many Many Kings.
Propitiating Him, Paupers have become Billionaires!
The weak and timid have become strong and brave!

The sinners, wash their sin,
by washing
My Lord in The Linga form!
The poor, get drenched in wealth,
by drenching
My Lord in the Linga form!

They drench Him with Water
To wash Their Sins
They Drench Him in Milk
To become strong
They Drench Him in
Tender Coconuts water
To become Rich!

Only to sanction the wishes
of His devotees
He lives an ascetic life
and keeps increasing His powers!

If not for My Lord on this earth
There will not fall a drop of Rain
Nor will grow, a speck of grain

To undermine Him,
Don't you dare
To unlimited heights
My anger would flare!

Shame on you!
For degrading someone
Based on looks.
You idiot, scoundrel
and a useless brag!"

Parvathi stopped talking, as she saw tears flowing down the old man's eyes. His eyes, that were looking at Her, emitted so much Love and a look that said, 'He knew Her for long.' Parvathi's fury now became a bit of a confusion. And then, it became surprise and shyness.

Lord Shiva, was standing before Her in His original form. He was convinced, it was His Dhakshayini who was standing before Him. Parvathi physically did not resemble Dhakshayini. But when Parvathi spoke with fury in His defence, Lord Shiva could See, that it was none other Dhakshayini speaking in His Defence. The very way, She Had spoken to Her father, Dhaksha! Infact, the words Lord Shiva spoke degrading Himself too were the words of Dhaksha and not His own.

Lord Shiva with a smile, to complete the formality, asked Parvathi about what She wanted and why She was propitiating Him. Parvathi, with much shyness, Looking at The Feet of Her Lord, said, "Lord! If my penace has pleased you! Please do grant me that I marry you!"

For the first and last time ever, Lord Shiva said, "Thank You! Oh! Beautiful One! For Granting me this Boon!"

Himavan, Parvathi's Father, was happy beyond limits hearing this incident. He arranged for a grand Marraige Ceremony! With Nandhi as His Best Man, Lord Shiva Majestically entered the Marriage arena adorned with silken white cloths and a turban made of Yellowish Silk. His matted hair locks were all pulled back and tied very well. On His forehead, there were lines of The Holy Ashes of The Yagna Grounds! Lord Shiva adorned in Golden Ornaments was a rare and beautiful sight!

Goddess Parvathi entered the marriage grounds and stood near Lord Shiva. She was dressed in Red, Silken Saree and a Yellow Blouse. She was well decorated with Golden Ornaments. She was very beautiful and as much shy. Her eyes where ever fixed on the Ground! Her hair was decorated with strings of Jasmine.

They both wore Garlands that were made with hand picked flowers.

Ganesha! The Son of Dhakshayini, sat amidst the crowd in the very first row. He was happy to see His Father Happy again. He was happy to see His Parent's Unite again. Being a wise child, He knew, Parvathi was His Mother, now taken A New Form.

Lord Shiva touched The Red Kumkum Powder with His Ring Finger and adorned it on the Forehead of Parvathi. He then took The Sacred Yellow Rope, a tied it around Parvathi's Neck! Thus, were united Lord Shiva and Parvathi who are ever inseperable!

Parvathi-Pathaye Namo Namah!
Parvathi-Pathaye Namo Namah!
Parvathi-Pathaye Namo Namah!!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!
Jaya Jaya Shankara! Hara Hara Shankara!
Jai Shri Parvathi-Pathaye! Namo Namah!