Lord Shiva Stories – Lord Shiva and Ganga

Once, there was a king named Sagara who was very mighty and powerful. He wanted to claim his rule over the Gods and hence decided to conduct the Ashwamedha Yagna. He instructed to release the horse of the yagna and whatever land it would be riding over, those would have to accept his obedience. If they didn’t wish to abide, they may hold the horse and call for a war. Sagara sent his 60,000 sons with the horse to save it from protesters.

The king of heaven, Lord Indra was jealous of Sagara’s power. He thought he needs to teach Sagara a lesson and destroy his Ashwamedha Yagna. He took the horse and tied it to the hut of the great sage Kapila who had been meditating for a long time. The 60,000 sons of Sagara came searching for the horse and found it tied at Kapila’s hut and thought that the great sage had stolen the horse. Thinking so, they started insulting the sage. Kapila opened his eyes in several years and looked at the sons of Sagara. With this glance, all sixty thousand were burnt to death.

Angshumana, the grandson of King Sagara went to the sage begging for mercy. Kapila told him that he cannot reverse the curse but if the sacred Ganga flows down to earth and touch their ashes; she will purify their souls and give them salvation. After this, many years passed by and eventually King Sagara died. It was King Dilipa, the son of King Angshumana who went to pursue Lord Brahma to help him bring goddess Ganga down to the earth. But he ended up in a debacle. He passed on the task to his son, Bhagiratha. With Bhagiratha’s continuous prayer, Brahma was pleased and he granted his wish. He ordered Ganga to descend to the earth. But who would contain the force of her stream? Bhagiratha then prayed Lord Shiva so that he holds the stream of Ganga. Lord Shiva agreed.

Ganga, with Brahma’s boon descended on Earth and the indomitably powerful Lord Shiva contained her fierce stream in his matted locks and Ganga lost her ways helplessly. Later, he released her in 7 different streams named: Bhagirathi, Janhvi, Bhilangana, Mandakini, Rishiganga, Saraswati and Alaknanda. Learning Lord Shiva’s lesson,

Ganga became very calm and she followed Bhagiratha without creating further problems. Bhagiratha led her to his ancestors and with the help of her holy water, those 60,000 sons of King Sagara were revived and their souls were freed from the curse.

This is how the Ganga came down to the earth and flowed through India. Today, we see many devotees bathing in the water of the holy river. It is believed that whoever takes a holy dip in this river gets rid of the sins of this birth.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/lord-shiva-stories-lord-shiva-and-ganga

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Lord Shiva Stories – Lord Shiva and Kamdev

‘How can I live in this wretched worldly life anymore? How can I breathe another breath without my beloved Sati?’

Lord Shiva whispers these words to himself in angst when Devi Sati took a plunge into fire sacrificing herself, after her father King Daksha publicly disgraced him. Dejected, he leaves Mount Kailash, abandoning his worldly duties and assumes a state of deep meditation.

Just about the same time, at another place, a demon king, Tarakasur was offering penance, devoting his prayers to Lord Brahma. Pleased, Lord Brahma appears in front of Taraksur asking him to demand his two boons.

Bowing his head, Tarakasur pleads “Hail to Lord Brahma, I pray to you with all my heart and soul. My first wish is to become the most powerful person in the world.”

“Granted”. Lord Brahma nods raising his hand in varada mudra, offering his blessings.

Pleased with his success so far, Taraksur smartly places his next wish. “My second wish is that my death can only be through the hands of Lord Shiva’s son.”

“Granted”.  Lord Brahma hesitantly agrees to the second request.

Knowing that Lord Shiva may never marry again after Sati’s death, Tarakasur smirks arrogantly and lauds his success in tricking Lord Brahma. As he engages in a destructive riot, Tarakasur gains foothold with his mindless rampage, creating havoc on earth and heaven. His power grows with his immunity.

Sensing the trouble brew beyond control, Lord Brahma reaches Parvati who also wanted to marry Shiva. He encourages her to woo Lord Shiva, as only his child can defeat Tarakasur.

In the skies above, Lord Indra is left fazed and worried in his heavenly abode, unable to assure his own and Devgana’s safety anymore. He immediately summons Kamdev at his court to work up a plan.

Curious to unearth the reason of such abrupt call, Son of Sri, Kamdev decides to visit Indralok. All eyes turned to the court entrance as a handsome, young man with a glowing emerald green skin enters the Devsabha. His hands firmly hold a bow made of sugarcane and a string of honey bees. A quiver of bows on his back is armed with exotically fragrant five arrows made from flowers of Ashoka tree, Blue and white Lotus, Jasmine and Mango tree flowers. His mere sight and a glimpse of his aura is enough to invoke desire in the most pious souls.

“Invoke Lord Shiva from his meditation immediately and lure him to Parvati for consummating their union” commanded Lord Indra.

Driven by the mission, Kamdev with his wife Rati reaches the barren mountains where Shiva sat amidst harsh cold breeze in the trance meditative state. Picking the white lotus arrow from his quiver, he shoots an arrow, which hits Lord Shiva, breaking his concentration.

Enraged Shiva opens his third eye, burning Kamdev with his wrath in an instant. Rati watched the entire scene converge in front of her eyes and started crying inconsolably as Brahma and Indra rushed to the venue. Once Shiva regains his composure, he realises that Kamdev was only playing his part in what was needed.

He instantaneously revives Kamdev in a spirit form. The entire aura around the cosmos gets filled with the sentiments of love and adoration, which makes even Lord Shiva smitten with Parvati’s beauty and join her in union.

Their first son Kartikey born out of this loving unison slays Taraksur, bringing an end to his evil reign.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/lord-shiva-stories-lord-shiva-and-kamdev

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Lord Shiva

Of many gods worshipped in India, the importance of holy trinity is said to be on the highest dais. Lord Bramha, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva forms this trinity. Lord Bramha is known to be the creative force behind the universe. Lord Vishnu is the preserver of the universe and Lord Shiva is traditionally known to be the destroyer. But it would be more appropriate to call him ‘Transformer’.

Lord Shiva is also called Mahadev, which means he is greatest of all Gods. He is known among his devotees with various names which define his true nature. He is satyam, that is the only truth, shivam, that is, someone who is auspicious and sundaram, that is everything which is beautiful and holy. He is Pashamukta – the one who is free from bondages.

In yogic culture, he is worshipped as an Adi yogi or the first yogi. He is also known as Ashutosh. The word Ashutosh means someone who can be delighted with little efforts.  Pleased with little things, He has childlike innocence and hence also addressed as Bholenath or Shiv Bhola by His devotees. Even Abhisheka is enough to propitiate Lord Shiva. It is a normal sight in any Shiva temple to see a copper pot or a brass pot, with a hole in it, hung over the linga of Lord Shiva. It is made sure that water falls on the lingam throughout the day.

The consort of Lord Shiva is Parvati. She is the Shakti, She is Jagadamba, also known as the divine mother of the universe. It is believed that the whole universe is the result of union of Lord Shiva and Parvati.  The holy river Ganga resides in the matted locks of Lord Shiva. Nandi, the bull is his ride. And hence at the entrance of every Shiva temple, we will find a statue of Nandi.

Most Hindus believe that whosoever worshipped Shiva with an earnest heart will get his desires fulfilled. Lord Shiva is also worshipped him to attain moksha, that is the liberation from cycles of birth and death.

Lord Shiva is a compilation of many characteristics which are contradictory to each other. He is the master of ghosts, demons; He is also known to be ‘Nataraj’ which means king of dance. The credit of creating first Damaru goes to Lord Shiva; he did so with an intention of producing spiritual sounds that create and regulate the universe.

Shaivites believe that Lord Shiva is the ultimate or the Supreme Being. Which means – He is the only creator, preserver and transformer. He represents everything that is pure, holy and serene. Those who are blessed by Shiva have nothing more to ask for!

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/the-eternal-god-lord-hanuman/

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