Parvathi Loses Shiva
After their wedding, Lord Shiva and Parvati were living in the forests of the Himalayas.
One day, Parvati Devi expressed her desire:
'A married life feels incomplete without children. I wish to have a son who is extraordinary in every way.'
Bhagavan told her to observe a special vratam called Punyakam for one full year.
Devi observed the vratam under the guidance of Sanatkumara as purohita.
When the vratam concluded, Parvati approached Sanatkumara to offer him the dakshina. But the sage hesitated and finally said,
'Give me Lord Mahadeva himself as my dakshina. I do not want anything else.'
Devi had performed the year-long vratam hoping for a son — and now she stood on the verge of losing her own husband. Overwhelmed, she fainted.
Bhagavanwoke her up and explained gently,
'Only when the proper dakshina is given, does a ritual bear fruit. If not, the unpaid offering becomes a heavy karmic debt. Worse, one who refuses to give the rightful dakshina falls into the hell known as Kalasootram.'
Parvati replied sorrowfully,
'A child is only a part of the husband. What is the use of gaining a son if I have to lose my husband in return?'
It became a big dilemma.
At that moment, Lord Vishnu appeared. He comforted them and said,
'This is all a a leela — meant to teach the world important lessons. Why would Parvati, who is the essence of all vratams, need to do a vratam herself? And why would a renunciate like Sanatkumara demand such a dakshina?'
Then he offered a solution:
'Yes, the dakshina must be given. But there’s no rule that says it cannot be returned. So, give Mahadeva to Sanatkumara as the dakshina, and then offer him a sacred cow of equal spiritual value in exchange to get Mahadeva back.'
With that, Vishnu disappeared.
Devi completed her vratam and formally offered Mahadeva as dakshina to Sanatkumara. She then pleaded,
'O noble sage, I am willing to give you one lakh cows in return — but please give me my husband back.'
Sanatkumara refused, saying,
'I am no merchant. What use do I have for a lakh cows? I am proud to keep Mahadeva by my side as my companion.'
Distraught, Devi considered taking her own life.
At that moment, Lord Shri Krishna appeared. His indescribable beauty made Devi think — If I ever have a son, may he be like this.
Krishna said,
'Do not worry. Your desire will be fulfilled.'
Inspired by Krishna’s presence, Sanatkumara finally relented and said,
'I have thought this through. Let the Devi take back Mahadeva. Having him with me would hinder my free movement.’'
He accepted a sacred cow as a symbolic value and respectfully returned Lord Mahadeva to Parvati.
English
Shiva
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