Stories of Lord Shiva

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Shiva is all Graciousness, ever Auspicious

Shiva means, Graciousness, Auspiciousness, Mangalam. He is all Graciousness,

ever Auspicious, Sarva Mangalam. That is the reason why the epithet, Shri,

which indicates these qualities, is not added to the name Shiva, Shankara,

Eeshwara etc. It is added to the number of  Avathaars (divine incarnations),

for they have taken on perishable bodies for a specific purpose.  They have to

be distinguished from other humans, by the epithet, but Shiva is eternally

gracious, auspicious, mangala and so the. epithet is superfluous. Shiva is

adored as the Teacher of Teachers, Dakshinamuurthi. The Form of Shiva is itself

a great lesson in tolerance and forbearance.

http://www.sathyasai.org/search/volume12/sss12-04.pdf

How Lord Shiva protected Maarkandeya

When the sixteen years were over, the Lord of Death arrived and cast his noose

to take the life of Maarkandeya. The noose did not cover Maarkandeya alone. The

Shivalinga was also caught in the noose because Maarkandeya was embracing the

linga. When the Lord of Death started drawing the noose, Shiva emerged from the

linga. Shiva asked the Lord of Death: "How dare you cast your noose on the one

who had become one with Me and also cast Me in the noose?"

Shiva chastised the Lord of Death saying that he would be entitled to take the

life of Maarkandeya if he had been alone, but not when he had become one with

Him. "No one is entitled to touch a person who has united himself with Me,"

said Shiva. Shiva chastised Yama and protected Maarkandeya with immortality.

With the grace of the Divine, Maarkandeya got the blessings of all--his parents

and preceptor. Wherever there is devotion, there God's presence can be

experienced.

Saadhaka should see the power inherent in the idol

There was once a saadhaka (spiritual seeker) who approached a guru for guidance.

The guru gave him an idol of Vishnu and also necessary instructions for daily

worship. But the saadhaka found that, even after some months of meticulous

puuja, he did not get any spiritual reward or elation. So, he reported his

dissatisfaction and the guru gave him another idol, this time of Shiva and

asked him to have another try. The disciple came after another six months

demanding another idol, because even Shiva had failed him.

This time, he got a Durga idol, which he duly installed in his domestic shrine.

The two previous idols were standing, dust-ridden and neglected, on the window

sill. One day, while Durga-puuja (ritual worship of Goddess Durga) was going

on, the disciple found that the perfumed smoke from the incense-stick was being

wafted by the breeze towards the idol of Shiva on the window sill. He got wild

that the ungrateful stone-hearted God who was deaf to his powerful entreaties

should get the perfume intended for his latest idol! So, he took a piece of

cloth and tied it round the face of Shiva, closing up the nostrils that were

inhaling the perfume.

Just at that moment, to his immense surprise Shiva appeared in His splendour and

Glory before the saadhaka ! The man was dumb-founded. He did not know how the

ill-treatment had induced Shiva to give him darshan. But, what had really

happened? The saadhaka for the first time believed that the Shiva idol was

alive, conscious, chaitanya-full (full of life) and it was that belief which

forced him to tie the bandage to the nose. The moment he realised that the idol

was full of Chith (consciousness), he got the Realisation he was struggling for.

 

Therefore, the saadhaka should see, not the stone which is the material stuff of

the idol, but the Power that is inherent in it, that is symbolised by it, the

same Power that is inherent in his own heart and that pervades and transcends

all creation. http://www.sathyasai.org/search/volume02/sss02-05.pdf

God is all Love at all times

Even if you are not able to conceive the idea of a Lord or a God, you must be

able to know what Love is by experience, is it not? You have experienced the

love of your parents, of a friend, of a partner or of a brother or sister, or

towards your own children. That love is itself a spark of God, who is all Love,

who is all the Love in all the worlds at all times. Call upon your mother and

the love she bears towards you and even if your physical mother cannot come to

your rescue, some Mother or the Supreme Mother herself will certainly hurry

towards you.

There is a fine story to illustrate this: One dark night when Shiva and

Paarvathi were journeying through the sky, they saw a man perched on the branch

of a tree, about to fall on the ground through, sheer exhaustion of limbs.

Paarvathi pleaded on his behalf and wanted that Shiva should save him; and

Shiva preferred that She should save him, instead! Meanwhile, the fall became

imminent and so they decided that if while falling the man shouted "Amma

(mother) ," Paarvathi should hasten to arrest his fall and if he shouted, "Appa

(father)," Shiva should help and see that no bones are broken. The man fell, but

he shouted neither Amma nor Appa, but Ayyo (sigh of misery)! And so he had to be

left severely alone! 

http://www.sathyasai.org/search/volume02/sss02-31.pdfShiruthondar, a devotee of Shiva

When a house is to be certified as habitable, the engineer tests the

foundations. The Lord too tests the foundations whether Faith is true and deep.

Shiruthondar, a devotee of Shiva was also similarly tested by Shiva who came as

a jangama (ascetic). When Shiruthondar showed that he had no attachment to the

world, Shiva revealed Himself and said, "Worship Me as your own Self." Then

Shiruthondar demands, "Reveal to me your Immanence in all Creation and then I

shall worship Me, for then I can know that I am really You." Shiva blessed him

and he saw all as Light. The vision was the finale of his career in maaya. He

merged as light merges in Light, without noise and without announcement. Even

his body became a streak of light which rose up into the depths of

space.http://www.sathyasai.org/search/volume02/sss02-20.pdfThere is no prayer

more

fruitful than Seva

The pilgrims were coming up from the ghats after their ceremonial bath in the

holy river, their clothes still wet and clinging to their bodies. Some of them

lamented that their peace was disturbed by the sight of this pathetic couple.

"We have come to take darshan (audience) of the Lord, and look what meets our

eye." There were some who flatly ignored her cries and lifted their noses in

the air. Some said, "Wait. Let us finish the worship inside the temple and then

we shall bring the Ganga water for you."

No one offered to bring the needed help to the aged patient. Just then a robber

who was hurrying into the temple to pick a few pockets, heard the plaintive

voice of old woman and halted near them. He asked her, "Mother, what is the

matter?" She replied, "Son, we came to this place to have darshan of Lord

Vishweshwara of Kaashi, but my husband has fainted out of sheer exhaustion. He

might survive if some one will bring a little Ganga water and pour it down his

throat. I cannot leave him here and go for water. Please help me and earn the

merit."

The robber was moved into compassion. He had a little Ganga water in the hollow

gourd he had with him. He knelt down near the dying person on the lap of the

old woman, but the woman stopped him saying, "The moment the Ganga water wets

his throat, my husband may die; he is in the last stage of living. Therefore

speak a word of truth and pour the water.

The robber could not understand what she meant, so she explained, "Speak within

his hearing, some good deed that you have done in your life, and then pour the

water In his mouth." That created a problem for the robber. He was at his wits

end. He could not quite comply. He said, "Mother I have, in truth, not done any

good deed so far. This present act, the offering of water to this thirsty man,

is the very first good deed I am responsible for."

And saying this, he placed the gourd at the lips of the old man and gave him

mouthful. Just at the moment, the couple disappeared and  in their placed stood

Shiva and Paarvathi, blessing the robber. Shiva said, "Son, life is to be

dedicated for the service of others and not devoted to the exclusive interests

of oneself. Howsoever many wicked deeds you might have done so far, for your

selfless offering of Ganga water with truth on your tongue, We bless you with

this Vision. Remember there is no morality higher than truth; there is no

prayer more fruitful than seva (selfless loving

service.")http://www.sathyasai.org/search/volume13/sss13-29.pdf

Why Eeshvara is known as 'Bhola Shankara'

Once upon a time there was an Asura (demon) named Gajaasura. He performed a

penance. Eeshvara, pleased with his penance, offered him as a boon whatever he

desired. Eeshvara is a deity who is easily propitiated. Hence he is known as

Bhola Shankara. When he is pleased with a devotee, He gives the devotee

whatever he asks.

Sometimes he gets into a difficult situation, as in the case of Bhasmaasura who

was granted by Shiva the boon to turn into ashes anyone on whose head he placed

his palm. Immediately after getting the boon Bhasmaasura wanted to test his

power by trying to place his hand on Shiva's head itself! What was the boon

Shiva gave to Gajaasura? The demon desired that fire should go forth from him

continuously so that no one dare approach him. Shiva granted him the boon.

Gajaasura continued to do penance and Shiva used to appear before him off and on

once Shiva asked him what he wanted. The demon said- "I want you to dwell in my

stomach." Shiva granted the boon and lodged himself in the demon's stomach.

Shiva's consort Paarvathi, searched for Shiva everywhere and could not find

Him. As a last resort, she went to her brother, Vishnu, and appealed to Him to

trace the whereabouts of her husband. The all-knowing Lord assured her: "Don't

worry dear sister. Your husband is Bhola Shankara. He grants readily whatever

boon his devotee prays for, without considering the consequences. I suspect

that he must have got into some trouble. I shall find out what has happened."

How Vinaayaka got Gajaasura's head

Vishnu, who is the director of the cosmic play, staged a minor drama. He

converted Nandhi (Shiva's bull) into a dancing-bull and led it before

Gajaasura, while himself assuming the role of a piper playing music on the pipe

while the bull did the dancing. Gajaasura was in ecstasy over the dancing

performance of the bull. He asked the piper (Vishnu) what he wanted. The piper

replied- "Can you give what I ask?What do you take me for? I shall readily

give you whatever you ask." The piper said: "If that is so, release from your

stomach Shiva who is dwelling there."

Gajaasura then realised that the piper was none other than Vishnu Himself, who

alone could know the secret of Shiva's presence inside his stomach. He fell at

the feet of Vishnu, released Shiva from his stomach and prayed to Him for a

boon. He said- "I have been blessed by many boons from you. My last request is

that all should cherish my memory by worshipping my head after I pass away"

Shiva thereupon brought his son and placed Gajaasura's head on him. Ever since,

the tradition has prevailed in Bhaarath that every auspicious function of any

kind commences with worship of Ganapathi. It was the result of Shiva's boon to

Gajaasura.

http://www.sathyasai.org/search/volume30/sss30-20.pdf

The story of a Divine Plan

I shall tell you the story of Ishwara Sankalpa (Will of the Supreme Lord) and

how nothing could stop its realisation. Shiva was every day discoursing on

Kailaasa to sages and saints and Dhevas in the evening hours. One day,

Paarvathi suggested that a Hall be constructed for accommodating them all, so

that they could all listen without being affected by the constant fog and mist

and cold winds.

Shiva did not have the Sankalpa to put it up; still, Paarvathi insisted that her

idea must be implemented. The astrologer who was consulted before the

foundations were dug said that "The stars forecast that the Hall will be

consumed by fire, since Shani (Saturn) is not propitious from the very

beginning." The Hall was completed, nevertheless. Now, that set a problem for

the Couple. Shiva proposed to ask Shani for the favour of saving the Hall from

his anger, though He doubted whether the Planet, reputed for his inevitable

ire, would ever agree. Paarvathi felt deeply hurt and she resolved not to give

the tiny tyrant, Shani, the credit for destroying the Hall that She had got

built. She swore that instead of giving him the chance to declare arrogantly

that he had set fire to the Hall, she would herself set fire to it.

But Shiva asked her to first await the outcome of His appeal to Shani, for He

was Himself proceeding to his headquarters! He told Her, "If Shani agrees to

exempt the Hall from his anger, I shall come back and report the good news to

you; but if he is adamant, I shall raise My Hand and twirl this Dhakka (double

drum). On hearing that signal, you may set fire to the Hall and rob Shani of

the credit for doing so."

The role of a tool in the Divine Plan

Paarvathi was ready with a burning torch in anticipation of the signal, so that

there may not be a moment's chance for the wicked Planet to execute his

nefarious plan of revenge. Shani, however, agreed to the request made by Shiva;

he said that he would not bum down the Hall in Kailaasa and Shiva was happy at

his reply. So, when Shani prayed that he may be granted one small boon, Shiva

agreed and asked him what it was. It seems Shani had never before seen the

famous Dance of Shiva which all the stellar divinities were extolling and Shani

craved that Shiva may show him a step-or two. Shiva readily assented and started

the Thaandava (frantic dance of Shiva), raising His hand and sounding the

Dhakka! Listening to the signal, Paarvathi applied the torch and the Hall was,

as per the Sankalpa of Shiva, burnt to ashes! Divine Sankalpa must be

fulfilled! Shani was just a tool in the Divine

Plan.

http://www.sathyasai.org/search/volume02/sss02-16.pdf

To attain God, Love is enough

God is the embodiment of compassion. He watches for a grain of goodness or

humility so that He can reward it with tons of Grace. In a certain temple for

Shiva, the priest had silver basin with a hole in its base for water to drip

continuously. He filled it with water and hung it over the Lingam (the idol of

Shiva) so that the God who swallowed the poison which would have destroyed the

Universe could be cooled and comforted!

Even at night when the doors of the  shrine were locked by the priest as he went

home, the silver basin of water, was in its position. So, a thief broke into the

sacred apartment; his eyes were on the silver: he could not reach the rope that

kept the basin in position; so, he climbed on the Lingam itself in order to

take the costly booty down. Even as he was standing on the holy idol Shiva

manifested Himself in all His glory before him, saying, "Son! I appreciate your

surrender; you have cast on me your entire burden!"

The thief prayed that Shiva may help him to secure the silver;-there was no

ladder or bench or any other article on which he could climb. So, the Lingam

was his only refuge..

Once a Guru sent a pupil for further guidance to a mendicant in a Shiva temple.

When he reached the temple, he found the fellow reclining in the central shrine

with both his legs resting on the sacred Lingam. The pupil was naturally enraged

at the man's insolence; when he spoke angrily against the behaviour, the man

said, "Please lift my legs and place them where the Lingam is not." When he did

so, there was a Lingam under the feet in the new position.

Wherever he deposited the man's legs, a Lingam rose to give them rest! That was

the lesson the beggar taught him--God is everywhere; only win the vision to see

Him so.

http://www.sathyasai.org/search/volume12/sss12-16.pdf

Source: http://sai_maa108.tripod.com/shiva/shiva-story.htmSai Ram Website:

http://web1.mtnl.net.in/~sairam/index.htm

 

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