Shiva Mahimna Stotra

Shloka 23

Meaning:  O Puramathana (Lord Shiva)! Mother Parvati saw that in front of her, Kamadeva, the god of lust, who was holding a bow in his hands, was burnt to ashes within seconds. But, despite this, if she thinks that you are attracted by her beauty because you kept her on your left side, then, O Shiva who has total self-control! O Giver of the boons! women are self-deluded.  

Reflections:  In the 15th shloka of Shiva Mahimna Stotra, we mentioned that Brahma gave a boon to the demon Tarakasura that he could be killed only by the son of Lord Shiva. For that reason, all the gods sent Kamadeva, the god of lust, to break Lord Shiva’s Samadhi and infuse lust in his mind, so Shiva and Parvati can have a son. But, Lord Shiva, who has total self-control, immediately burnt Kamadeva to ashes with his fire of Knowledge. At that time, Mother Parvati was around Lord Shiva. She witnessed this scene.

In the 21st shloka of the Shiva Mahimna Stotra, we learned that Mother Sati was born as Mother Parvati. She wanted to marry Lord Shiva, so she did lots of austerities to please Lord Shiva. As Lord Shiva remains mostly in Samadhi, it was not easy to please Him. But Mother Parvati’s determination, sincerity, commitment, and severe austerity pleased Lord Shiva. Not only did Lord Shiva agree to marry Mother Parvati, but to express His love for Her, He gave her a place on His left side.

This is symbolic. Lord Shiva is called “Ardhanarishwara”. In the picture of Ardhanarishwara, we find the right half is Lord Shiva and the left half is Mother Parvati. This tells us that Brahman and Its power Shakti or Maya are inseparable. Sri Ramakrishna said that in the inactive state, we call the Ultimate Reality Brahman, and when It is in the active state of creation, preservation, and dissolution of the universe, we call It Shakti or Maya. Mother Parvati is the power of Lord Shiva.

Now, Pushpadanta gives a human touch to Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati by bringing a ‘loving tease’ in their relationship which usually we find between husband and wife. Pushpadanta says that Mother Parvati witnessed Lord Shiva burning Kamadeva, the god of lust, to ashes within a fraction of a second, like burning a blade of grass. Despite this, if Mother Parvati, by looking at the Ardhanarishwara Form of Lord Shiva, thinks that He was infatuated by her beauty, then definitely she is self-deluded.

Through this, Pushpadanta also sends a message to all other people who, by looking at the Ardhanarishwara Form, think that Lord Shiva is infatuated with the beauty of Mother Parvati. Pushpadanta tells them to remember that Lord Shiva has total self-control and He burnt Kamadeva to ashes within a fraction of a second. Only out of love, Lord Shiva gave Mother Parvati a place on His left side.

Many times, we make mistakes and misunderstand the behavior of gods and goddesses or of spiritual teachers by projecting our own human weaknesses into them. Many people thought that Sri Ramakrishna was a crazy man. They used to call him “Pagal Bhattacharya”. Little did they know about the high spiritual state of Sri Ramakrishna. Similarly, people are interested in gossiping about the behavior of spiritual teachers. A sincere devotee and a spiritual seeker should stay away from such gossip. It spoils our minds and we do not get any benefit out of it. On the other hand, we should not be totally blind in following spiritual teachers’ guidance. We have to be alert and try to understand the spiritual guidance and keep our eyes open. Sri Ramakrishna asked his disciples first to watch him day and night to check whether he was practicing what he was preaching, and then follow his guidance.  All genuine spiritual teachers say the same things. They are unselfish and guide others on the spiritual path out of love.

Notice that, in this shloka, Pushpadanta addressed Lord Shiva as (1) Puramathana, the destroyer of the Tripura. The three cities represent three gunas; Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Lord Shiva destroyed these cities means He is beyond the three gunas. (2) Varada, the giver of the boons. Lord Shiva out of compassion gives boons to the devotees and fulfills their desires. He fulfilled the desire of Mother Parvati to marry her. (3) Yama Nirata, one who enjoys self-control. Lord Shiva has total self-control. With these three names Pushpadanta made it clear that only out of love, Lord Shiva kept Mother Parvati on His left side in the Ardhanarishwara Form.

Let us pray to Lord Shiva to help us acquire total self-control.