As I Know: The Lord of the Mountains – Shiv Purana: 73

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Parvati politely disagrees what the sages suggest and adheres to what she wants to attain… she talks of the virtues of Shiva, who she feels is formless, harbours no wish to be the sovereign of the three worlds and loves life of an ascetic whom worldly pleasures are nothing but cares for created beings, who are devotees

Goddess Parvati heard patiently and when they did not say further, she gave a soft loving, polite and affectionate smile and then spoke to learned pundits, “O great monks, you say what you think right. However, O holy brahmins, I am not ready to leave what I am resolved to attain. I am born of a mountain and so its natural severity and hardness exists. Please do not take the trouble to disturb tapasya with the powerful insight. Sane advice of sage Narada is precious. I shall not ignore Narada’s advice and so, shall adhere to the resolution. The advice of gurus is always valuable the wise men of the Vedas understand. ‘The words of gurus are true’ I say. Those who think with a determined mind attain joy and pleasure here, and the world beyond, and people, who do not worship gurus, only suffer and live a miserable life. So, say the gurus, O brahmins. O holy men, one should never ignore words of gurus come what may. I may succeed or it is possible, I fail in attaining the great objective or I am destroyed but solemn desire to achieve the purpose gives pleasure.”

Parvati’s words exuded confidence and meant what she said. After a pause, she said, “O monks, whatever you said and conveyed, I derive different meaning and therefore, I try to enlighten you briefly what I understand. You are right that lord Vishnu is an abode of virtues, a god of illusions and delusions, and he plays various roles on earth to cheer up created beings. At the same time, you say lord Sadashiva is formless and beyond attributes. Here, I explain the reasons. Lord Shiva is Parabrahma (Supreme Brahma) and therefore, he is formless (nirbikara). If he takes some form it is only to please devotees, and even then he does not want to demonstrate sovereignty on earth…he is a pure reclusive in life and living because he is lord Sambhu, an embodiment of supreme bliss. O brahmins, created beings living in delusory lands evince interest in ornaments and earthly joys but beings, who believe in Brahma are detached, and worldly joys do not attract.”

“O holy sages, Shiva does not take pity or bestows compassion, pelf, power and prosperity on anyone because of a particular dharma, caste etc. With the blessings and kindness of guru, I accept the existence of Shiva. It is the eternal truth.”

Caste, colour, faith, country and religion carried no meaning in ancient times. It was Man, a man in the real sense whom god sent on earth and wanted man to follow the principles of universality. God, if there is any, propounds that truth and righteousness are the cardinal principles of Dharma. Man creates Dharma on earth for various paramarathic (relating to wellbeing and happiness of man and society) motives or for some good reasons and creates no walls of difference. This is what the great lord the lord of humanity tells man frequently and if a man follows dharma of truth, honesty, piety, integrity, nonviolence and rightness, peace and harmony prevails. It is the essence of man’s consciousness and its oneness, a Hindu, a man of humanity believes.

Parvati, the goddess said again, “O great sages, if lord Shiva does not marry, I would remain unmarried and never shall I marry another man. I speak the truth. I will not change. The sun may rise in the west or the mountain of Meru may shift its base or Agni may turn cool or the lotus may grow on a stone-slab on the peak of a mountain but I will not change. Such occurrences are impossible to happen you know. Similarly, O holy men, I humbly tell I cannot abandon the path of tapa I undertook. You may consider it my tenacity.”

Parvati said firmly, saluted the holy sages, remembered Shiva, bowed reverentially, and was engaged in meditation. Holy sages were highly pleased and began to praise, for she was quite unyielding and unrelenting in determination. Later on, they blessed the holy woman, returned happily and narrated each incident to Shiva that took place in the ashrama of Parvati and thereafter, sought permission and went to heaven. However, Shiva was still not willing to bless Parvati.

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