Zitat von Vedanta am 13. Februar 2018, 18:51 Uhr

Shiva – Friend of the Universe

On Wednesday (February 14,2018) it is Shiva-Ratri, the night of Shiva.

What follows are excerpts from a true story from the Shri Bhagavata Purana. This story teaches us, among other things, the dangerousness of jealousy and pride, united here in the tragic person of Daksha, a member of the Universe's Governing Body. Members of this Body are the leading Devas, also called demigods, led by Brahma, Shiva, high-ranking Brahmans, etc., and also personalities like Daksha, who was specifically entrusted with the task of populating the initially empty universe.

Once, before immemorial times, all these administrators of the universe carried out together a huge millennial Yajna (Fire Ceremony) to worship Vishnu. When the great Daksha entered the arena, all those present stood respectfully from their seats, except Brahma and Shiva, which was immediately noticed by Daksha. The fact that Brahma remained seated was no problem for him, on the contrary, because Brahma was his own father and he needed not and should not rise up when his own son appeared. Shiva, on the other hand, was married to the daughter of Daksha, Shrimati Satidevi and thus he was Daksha’s son-in-law. Therefore, Daksha expected Shiva to pay his respects and stand up! Shiva, however, did not do this because he was absorbed in trance in thoughts of Shri Krishna (sometimes it is also said Shri Rama) and oblivious to external events. Daksha then spontaneously gave a fervent speech to all those gathered, how important it is to uphold the etiquette of respect for the superior, and how rude and uncultured Shiva was, who neglected this in such a crude way (from Dakshas point of view). The mood in the meeting turned immediately, of course, and the situation escalated between Daksha and his followers (or dependents) on the one hand and Shiva and his followers on the other hand. In short, the whole thing led to a violent battle of words and finally hateful curses and countercurses. Shiva did not take part in it, but left the sacrificial arena silently and went home. The Yajna was then carried out without Shiva's blessed presence, and in the end all participants were bathing in Prayag (today Allahabad) as a crowning finale at the sacred confluence of Ganga and Yamuna.

In the meantime a lot of time had passed, and Daksha even received a promotion from his father Brahma to the Supreme Progenitor of the living beings. And again he organized an epochal Yajna, but this time without inviting Shiva and his followers. The news of the Yajna, however, spread quickly over all the various planets, and Satidevi also learned about it through the "chatty Khecaras who flew in the sky" and who talked about the fact that Daksha was planning a magnificent Yajna at this and that time. Satidevi was saddened on the one hand that her father had not invited her to attend due to his deep resentment towards Shiva. On the other hand, she also had a strong longing to see her sisters and friends there again, especially on such a festive occasion. So she expressed her wish to Shiva. He had great understanding for her feelings, but warned her that her own father would certainly not respect her out of hatred towards him, Shiva. Satidevi accepted Shiva's wise words, but eventually could not stop herself from going on a journey to the big celebration. Shiva's followers accompanied her there, led by Nandi the bull.

But as Shiva predicted, an absolute catastrophe happened there. For fear of Daksha, Satidevi was completely ignored by all those present, except for her own mother and sisters!

Now Satidevi became angry that all those present had conspired against Shiva by Dakshas influence and now she began to publicly chastise her father with profound and philosophical words. One of their statements was as follows:

yat-pāda-padmaṁ mahatāṁ mano-’libhir niṣevitaṁ brahma-rasāsavārthibhiḥ
lokasya yad varṣati cāśiṣo ’rthinas tasmai bhavān druhyati viśva-bandhave

You are envious of the Friend of the Universe whose lotus feet are worshipped by the bee-like minds of the great souls who desire the honey of the bliss of Brahman, and who fulfills the desires of people desiring material gain.

(Shivas wife Satidevi speaking to her father Daksha)
- Shri Bhagavata Purana, 4.4.15

Thereupon Satidevi sat down on the floor facing north, meditating on the elements fire and air in her limbs and on the lotus feet of her beloved and sublime husband Shiva. When she was in such a state of trance, a yogic fire awoke spontaneously, consuming her body with a glistening flame in front of her shocked father and all the others present.

Shiva's followers, who had accompanied Satidevi, immediately ran with rage towards Daksha to kill him for his gross offense. Bhrigu Muni, however, the guru of the demigods recited some mantras and called for the defense of Daksha some powerful beings, who made the followers of Shiva flee away.

When they reported to their master Shiva about the horrible events in the sacrificial arena at home, Shiva was of course furious. He instantly created Virabhadra, a black giant with thousands of arms, fangs and armed with a trident. After respectfully circumambulating his master Shiva, Virabhadra marched powerfully towards Daksha’s sacrificial arena, followed by Shiva's fierce and furiously roaring followers. The hour of retribution had come! Here, of course, all resistance was futile, the Yajna arena was completely destroyed, the wicked were punished and Daksha mercilessly beheaded (later, however, as a replacement he got a goat's head implanted; even organ transplants are nothing new under the sun).

Moral:
Expect no honor for yourself
And envy is not good for health
Be humble and offenses-free
Shri Krishna loves humility

Jai Shri Shiva ji!