Hindu Mythology

Lesson 3: Shiva

Shiva and Parvati

Himalaya was the king of the Himalayan Mountains that run across the North of India. Both he and his wife, Mena, were devotees of Shiva. Mena prayed to Sati asking for a daughter who would marry Shiva. Sati consented that in her next life she would take birth as Mena’s daughter. After the sacrifice at Kankhal where Sati immolated herself, she was born as Parvati to Himalaya and Mena.

Because she was an incarnation of Sati, Parvati was born with a feeling of devotion to Shiva. Her parents helped her to nurture this devotion. Their sole intent in life was that Parvati marry Shiva once she reached the marriageable age. But this seemed impossible. Shiva had been deeply hurt by the loss of Sati. He had renounced his home in the Kailasa Mountains and given up all contact with life and living beings. He had become an ascetic and had resolved not to marry again. No mortal or immortal dared to disturb his meditation for fear of reprisals.

Himalaya waited as long as he could but then decided that he had to risk intervention. He went to the place where Shiva was meditating and waited patiently. After much cajoling he got permission for Parvati to come and pray. Parvati attended daily on Shiva, but Shiva’s resolve was unshakeable and Parvati’s administrations had no effect.

At that time there was a Demon called Taraka. He had received a boon from Brahma that only a son of Shiva could kill him. Sati was no more and Shiva would not marry. This gave Taraka a feeling of invincibility. He began to torment humans and even defeated the demi-Gods and took over the kingdom of Heaven.

The demi-Gods approached Kama the demi-God of love and his consort Rati and assigned to them the task of igniting love for Parvati in Shiva. Kama and Rati went to the place where Shiva was meditating. They waited till he opened his eyes and looked at Parvati. At that moment Kama let loose his arrow into Shiva’s heart. Shiva opened his third eye in the middle of his forehead and Kama was reduced to ashes. Without saying a word Shiva left. Though Parvati felt hurt, her resolve to marry Shiva became stronger. She decided to perform very austere penances in order to win Shiva’s love.

In the summer Parvati stood under the burning sun with four fires around her. In the winter she stood in the ice-cold waters of the river. In the beginning she ate only fruits, but soon she gave up all food and survived only on air. This went on for years together. Shiva got the news of her penance and was impressed. However he wanted to test her. He sent the seven sages to dissuade Parvati from wanting to marry him. The sages informed Parvati that Shiva was not a suitable husband for her and that they would find someone else for her. She replied that she was in her mind already married to Shiva and hence could not marry anyone else.

The sages reported Parvati’s determination to Shiva. Shiva decided to conduct one final test himself. Disguised as a youth he went to the place where Parvati was carrying out her penance. He inquired why a young and beautiful woman was torturing herself. When Parvati explained her mission, the youth began to laugh. He began to ridicule Shiva stating that Shiva was the most unkempt man in the universe and totally incapable of being loved. Parvati got very angry. She said that either the youth or she would have to leave the place. When the youth made no move to leave Parvati started to go.

Shiva assumed his true form and held Parvati’s hand. On Parvati’s request he revived Kama. Parvati’s parents were formally approached and the wedding date fixed for the 14th night of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (sometime in February or March). The wedding was the grandest in Hindu mythology and is celebrated as Mahashivratri.

Optional Exercises

3a. Read the myth from ‘Hindu Myths’ on page 154.

3b. Performing austere penances to gain what one wants is very common in Hindu mythology. Both humans and Demons have resorted to it with much success. As you read the Ramayana and the Mahabharata prepare a list of characters that have resorted to this.

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