Lord Shiva - The Destroyer. But what does he really destroy?
Lord Shiva is known to be the Destroyer among the Trimurti, but what does He really destroy? Here's a quick story
A highly accomplished yogi approached Shiva and questioned why His devotees constantly chanted mantras. Instead of answering, Shiva gave him an experiment.
Shiva pointed to a worm crawling on the floor and instructed the yogi to utter "Shiva Shambho" to it. The moment he did, the worm fell lifeless. Startled, the yogi turned to Shiva and said "This worm dropped dead as soon as I said the mantra!"
Shiva smiled and then pointed at a butterfly nearby. He said "Focus towards the butterfly and say 'Shiva Shambho'". The yogi said "No, I don't want to kill the butterfly". Shiva said "Try".
The yogi looked at the butterfly and said "Shiva Shambho". The butterfly dropped dead.
Alarmed and disturbed, the yogi refused to continue but Shiva urged him on. He pointed at the deer and said: "Focus on the deer and say 'Shiva Shambho'". The yogi said "No, I don't want to kill the deer". Shiva said: "Just say it".
So the yogi said" "Shiva Shambho" to the deer and the deer dropped dead. The yogi was horrified. "What is the purpose of this mantra?" He said in shock.
Then, a mother approached Shiva with her newborn child for blessings. Shiva, still smiling, encouraged the yogi to chant "Shiva Shambho" on last time.
The yogi said: "No, I don't want to kill the child". Shiva said: "Just say it". Reluctantly, the yogi obeyed.
But this time, instead of perishing, the child sat up in divine awareness and spoke: "I was once a worm, then a butterfly and then a deer - each time the mantra transformed me into a higher state of being. Now I am a human. Chant it once more so I may attain the Dvine!"
Destruction or Transformation?
Shiva is not the destroyer of life bu the destroyer of limitations. Just as night dissolves into dawn, what seems like an end is often a new beginning.
This Mahashivatri, may we too awaken the divine within us through mantra, meditation and surrender to the cosmix rhythm of Lord Shiva. Har Har Mahadev!
Happy MahaShivratri!
By - Cuddly Gurus - Celebrating and honoring great Hindu Icons
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Cuddly Gurus is committed to creating Hindu plush toys that capture the beauty and essence of the Great Icons. Love and care are poured into each detail of the Hindu cultural toys we create, whether it be the blended feather of Kindhearted Krishna, or the folded hands of Humble Hanuman expressing his deep humility. Hindu storybooks accompany each of these perfect plushies, bringing to life the good values of humility, calmness, and believing in yourself. We invite you to look at our full range of mantra singing Indian plush toys including Great Ganesha, Serene Shiva, Humble Hanuman, and Kindhearted Krishna, and be prepared that your child may not want to put it down! |