 |
| PARVATI WITH HER MAID |
Shiva thought that it was unbecoming of him as the Lord
of the Universe to punish a little boy, with his own hands. It would be
like breaking a butterfly on a wheel. So, he decided to
send his servants to advise the boy and left the place. Lord Shiva's servants
obeyed his command and came to the boy and gave him advice. They extolled the
greatness and the power of Shiva. They advised the boy saying, "Beg
Lord Shiva to pardon your misbehavior and seek his grace."
The youth stood still for a while he was puzzled, "Shiva is my mother's
lord. What should I do? Should I fight them or shouldn't I?" Meanwhile,
indoors Parvati had heard the commotion. She sent her friend out to check the
reason for the noise. The friend soon returned and said, "They are threatening
your son. Please don't allow them to lower your prestige."
Parvati hesitated for a moment she thought, "Shiva is after all my husband… but,
why did he try to force his way in? Let what has to happen, happen." She
sent the friend out once again and asked her to tell the boy not to allow anyone
in. The friend came out and said, "gentle sir, your mother says that you
should not let anyone enter." The boy was no longer
in doubt. He turned to the ganas and said, "I am the son of Parvati. You
are the ganas of Shiva. You must carry out his orders and I - hers. I repeat
Shiva shall not enter without my mother's permission."
 |
| THE GANAS REPORTING TO SHIVA ABOUT THE BOY |
Now, the ganas were doubtful, "He is Parvati's son. What shall we do? Would
Shiva still want us to throw him out?" They reported
to Shiva. "Lord
it is Parvati's son who refuses to let us in." Shiva was lost in thought, "Alas
Parvati! You have gone too far. You have left me with no alternative. If I tell
my ganas to withdraw, it will be said that I was sub-servant to my wife. My ganas
will have to fight him." He turned to his ganas; "All
of you are my own, including Parvati's son, so a battle may not seem proper to
you. But if we don't accept the challenge, we may be misunderstood. Go! Fight
and defeat him. It should be easy."
The ganas fully arrayed for war, went back to the boy. He was amused when he
saw them and said, "I, a mere boy carrying out my mother's orders welcome
you, the leaders of Shiva's hordes."
 |
| THE BOY FELLED THE GANAS
AND SOME RAN BACK |
Now Shiva's servants lost patience. The boy held his staff firmly and quickly
got ready for the battle. The ganas rushed at him. Nandi grabbed his legs, but
fell down with one blow from the boy.
Then the boy seized Parighayudha (a weapon like an iron club) and wheeled it
about. In the long-drawn fight, many of the ganas fell, the rest fled as fast
as they could. The boy once again took his post at the door.
Meanwhile, when Brahma, Vishnu and Indra heard the uproar, they talked the matter
over with sage Narada. Narada said, "Go to Lord Shiva he may need you." They
went accordingly and said, "We are here to do your bidding." Shiva
told them all about the boy and said, "He dares to prevent me from entering
my own house. O, Brahma, go there and try to bring him under control." Brahma
said, "I shall go disguised as a Brahman."
|
