I am aware dear ones that today is International Women’s Day. All kinds of attributes are given to womankind. Sages are writing that we must create a world where women are celebrated not just as their roles as mothers, wives or daughters but also as creators, leaders and spiritual beings who shape the essence of life.
Do we not already have these attributes? We have suppressed ourselves from time immemorial? We have not looked around enough. I am a practicing Hindu and I will share a beautiful story with you. It is about Shanta Durga Prasoon, who is a form of the Cosmic Mother and is venerated and worshipped in Goa.
She is known for her ability to bring peace and harmony. The legend is that Shiva and Vishnu were fighting each other. The battle was fierce and the other Gods were quaking with fear. Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva is the destroyer. They are the best of friends and so why did this terrifying disagreement take place.
Narada the trouble maker was the source of this battle. Narada Muni was in Indra’s court and Indra was praising Shiva. He said that Shiva had three eyes and the fire of destruction comes out of the third eye. Narada said that Shiva was different as there are eleven Shivas and his Shiva had no third eye. He is all knowing. Indra responded that it was not true and Vishnu was all right but Shiva omnipotent. Narada then said, “Why don’t you ask Shiva and Vishnu to have a fight We will see, who emerges as the more powerful one.”
Indra went off to Kailash. Nandi saw him first and he asked him, what he was doing there as this was a meditation spot. Nandi sensed trouble, since he was an astrologer and yogi. He asked Indra to leave as Indra was a pleasure seeker. Indra said that he had come for Shiva’s blessings. He was allowed to see Shiva and then Shiva opened his eyes. He asked Indra why he was there? Had he come to ask him to fight someone? Indra took his time to reply and then said that Narada and he had, had an argument as to who was more powerful, Shiva or Vishnu.
Shiva asked him to look at the mala that he was holding in his hand. Did he know whose name he was chanting? Indra replied that he had heard that he chanted Rama’s name. Shiva said that he was chanting Rama’s name and so how could he be more powerful than Vishnu. Indra now said that he did not believe it. Shiva being all knowing said that he knew what Indra was doing. He wanted some entertainment. He told Indra to go to Vishvakarma and tell him to make a bow for Shiva. This bow was enormous and three hundred people had to carry it. When Shiva held the bow in his hands, the minor Gods fainted.
Shiva then went to Brahma and asked him to invite Vishnu. Vishnu accepted the invitation. Lakshmi wondered why Vishnu was being called, were some demons to be annihilated. It was the same thought that Shiva had. Vishnu told Lakshmi that Brahma wanted him to fight Shiva, as Indra wanted to see who was more powerful and Indra had said that they could not use any spiritual weapons. The bows were made by Vishvakarma. However, when Shiva saw Vishnu, he bowed before him. He said, “Please bless me so that I can fight you.” The war was so terrifying that the universe would have been annihilated. There was no reason for the battle and both of them loved each other.
Brahma prayed to Goddess Parvati to intervene, and she descended in the form of Shanta Durga. She placed Vishnu on her right and Shiva on her left. Then she placed her hands on their heads. They were the same height and she was taller than them.
Why am I sharing this story with you? It is because Parvati as Shanta Durga calmed them both by placing them on either side of her. It also shows that we as women have the blessings of the Cosmic Mother and we can accomplish what we desire. Our prayers and Sadhanas can enable us and we must listen to the voice of the Mother, who resides in our hearts.
We are the perfect women because we are the creation of the Goddess.
Aim Hrim Klim
