Changes

At the beginning of time Shiva and Pārvati are one; there is no distinction between consciousness and energy.  Energy is in it’s calmest form.  This form is worshiped as the “ardhanārishwar” (half-man, half-woman), especially at the sacred Arunāchalam Hill in South India.

At the beginning of time Shiva and Pārvati are one; there is no distinction between consciousness and energy.  Energy is in it’s calmest form.  This form is worshiped as the “ardhanārishwar” (half-man, half-woman), especially at the sacred Arunāchalam Hill in South India.

Nārada, the divine minstrel, brings between them a game of dice.  It is the beginning of creation!  Shiva and Pārvati fight over the game, every few turns Shiva would announce himself the winner.  He was the “Lord of the Universe” and no one could overcome him, that was the cosmic reality.  “Friction is a necessary evil”, and their discord gives rise to the need for a solution, rules!  Pārvati decides that for a fair engagement, there must be some rules that both must agree to abide by.  Only then could an outcome be fair and binding upon both.  So Pārvati lays down the rules and both begin to play.  This again is a very poignant incident, for only the “saguna” can define “rules”, for the “nirguna” all rules will be equally fair, relevant or irrelevant.  With the rules now agreed upon, they begin to play again.

Nārada, the divine minstrel, brings between them a game of dice.  It is the beginning of creation!  Shiva and Pārvati fight over the game, every few turns Shiva would announce himself the winner.  He was the “Lord of the Universe” and no one could overcome him, that was the cosmic reality.  “Friction is a necessary evil”, and their discord gives rise to the need for a solution, rules!  Pārvati decides that for a fair engagement, there must be some rules that both must agree to abide by.  Only then could an outcome be fair and binding upon both.  So Pārvati lays down the rules and both begin to play.  This is a very poignant incident, for only the “saguna” can define “rules”, for the “nirguna” all rules will be equally fair, relevant or irrelevant.  With the rules now agreed upon, they begin to play again.

This time, and every time after, Pārvati wins, declaring that only she can overcome the mighty Shiva.  Shiva soon looses his trident, the crescent moon, Vāsuki the snake, damru, his earrings, and even his loincloth.  He looses to Pārvati his powers, his army or the “gana”s and even Nandi.

This time, and every time after, Pārvati wins, declaring that only she can overcome the mighty Shiva.  Shiva soon looses his trident, the crescent moon, Vāsuki the snake, damru, his earrings, and even his loincloth.  He looses to Pārvati his powers, his army or the “gana”s and even Nandi.

Shiva accepts the consequences with a mere shrug of his shoulders and goes to the forest to meditate.  In this narrative is another hidden experience.  Shiva accepts the consequences of his actions, but does not accept defeat.  How can the nirguna accept “the reality of win or loss”?!  Buddhi Yoga is also a game without a “winner or looser”, however the players must accept the result of their throws on the dice.

Shiva accepts the consequences with a mere shrug of his shoulders and goes to the forest to meditate.  This narrative reveals another hidden experience. The Purāna stresses the fact that Shiva accepts the consequences of his actions, but does not accept defeat.  How can the nirguna accept “the reality of win or loss”?!  Buddhi Yoga is also a game without a “winner or looser”, however the players must accept the result of their throws on the dice.

Pārvati, living in the plenty of her wins, soon starts missing the presence of Shiva.  She feels lonely and frustrated.  Those of us who are “unaware of our consciousness”, who are living in “avidyā” or ignorance are like Pārvati.  We, like Pārvati are searching for fulfilment, not realising that Shiva is within us.  It is Pārvati’s desire to return to her Lord Shiva that inspires us all, but most importantly, reveals and defines our own inner longing, our journey in search of the “nirguna”!  The hunger within cannot be assuaged, no matter how much we indulge in the desires of the body and the lures of the material world.

Pārvati, living in the plenty of her wins, soon starts missing the presence of Shiva.  She feels lonely and frustrated.  Those of us who are “unaware of our consciousness”, who are living in “avidyā” or ignorance are like Pārvati.  We, like Pārvati are searching for fulfilment, not realising that Shiva is within us.  It is Pārvati’s desire to return to her Lord Shiva that inspires us all, but most importantly, reveals and defines our own inner longing, our journey in search of the “nirguna”!  The hunger within cannot be assuaged, no matter how much we indulge in the desires of the body and the lures of the material world.