Once, Bhagwan Shiv desired to relish the rasa of Ram Katha. Though He is the ocean of all knowledge, He wished to taste the sweetness of Hari-katha like a devotee. Accompanied by Mata Sati, He went to the ashram of Rishi Agastya.
Seeing Mahadev arrive, Agastya Rishi immediately rose, offered worship, and received Shiv and Sati with great devotion. Shiv was pleased.
But Sati’s intellect (buddhi) became restless.
“We have come to hear katha from him, yet he is worshipping us. What can he possibly narrate to us?”
When Shiv requested Ram Katha, Agastya humbly agreed and narrated the entire Ramayan with deep bhakti. Shiv listened with full absorption, but Sati did not listen with faith. Her mind was clouded by ego and doubt.
At the end, Shiv asked Agastya what Dakshina he desired.
Agastya replied, “What can I take from You, Mahadev? If You wish, please grant me Bhakti-tattva.”
Agastya replied, “What can I take from You, Mahadev? If You wish, please grant me Bhakti-tattva.”
Shiv then explained the supreme principle of devotion and blessed Agastya.
Ram’s Viraha & Shiv’s Understanding of Leela
Later, Shiv and Sati passed through the forest at the exact time when Shree Ram was wandering in deep anguish after Sita-haran.
Ram was calling out:
“Ha Sītā… Ha Sītā…”
He asked trees, creepers, animals, like a man who has lost all external awareness due to love.
Lakshman tried to reason, but Ram was completely immersed in viraha-bhava.
Shiv immediately understood:
“This is my Ram’s divine Leela, though He is all-knowing and all-pervading, He is hiding His omniscience.”
Just as an actor playing a role is not questioned by the audience, Shiv silently witnessed Ram’s divine drama.
But Sati’s buddhi rebelled:
“How can Bhagavan suffer separation? God is sarvagya!”
Shiv warned her gently:
“He is Bhagavan. Be careful how you behave.”
But Sati decided to test Ram.
Sati’s Pariksha & Shiv’s Rejection
Using her maya, Sati assumed the form of Sita and sat before Ram.
Ram ignored her and continued crying for Sita.
When she came closer, Ram looked at her gravely and said:
“Mother, you are here, but where is my father?”
At that moment, Sati realised:
“He is truly Bhagavan.”
Terrified and ashamed, she fled, seeing Ram, Lakshman, and Sita everywhere.
When Sati returned, Shiv asked:
“Did you test my Ishtadev?”
She lied.
Shiv immediately knew the truth. Since Sita is Shiv’s mother (because Shiv worships Ram), Sati having taken her form meant:
“I can no longer accept her as my wife.”
From that moment, Shiv mentally renounced Sati, though outwardly he remained calm.
Daksha Yagna & Sati’s Self-Immolation
Later, Daksha performed a grand yagna but deliberately insulted Shiv, abusing him publicly.
Shiv silently walked away, but Nandi cursed Daksha, and Daksha counter-cursed Shiv. The yagna collapsed in chaos.
Later, Daksha organised another yagna and did not invite Shiv or Sati.
Sati insisted on going, saying:
Sati insisted on going, saying:
“A daughter does not need an invitation to her father’s house.”
There, seeing no asana for Shiv, Sati erupted in grief and righteous anger.
She declared:
“I will not punish my father, but the body born from him.”
Entering yog-agni, Sati burnt her body.
Veerabhadra & Daksha’s Goat Head
On hearing this, Shiv manifested Veerabhadra, who destroyed the yagna and severed Daksha’s head.
Later, on the devas’ plea, Shiv restored Daksha to life with the head of a goat, teaching humility to the arrogant.
Sati Reborn as Parvati
Sati was reborn as Parvati, daughter of Himavan.
Narada foretold:
Narada foretold:
“Her husband will be an ascetic living in forlorn places.”
Parvati joyfully accepted this destiny and performed severe tapasya for Shiv.
Kamadeva Burnt & Parvati’s Pure Love
To break Shiv’s meditation, Kamadev attacked, but Shiv burned him to ashes.
Kamadev became Ananga (bodiless desire).
Kamadev became Ananga (bodiless desire).
The Nine Yogeshwaras tested Parvati, mocking Shiv and praising Vishnu.
Parvati replied with immortal wisdom:
“Love based on qualities is selfish.
I love Shiv not for my happiness but for His.”
I love Shiv not for my happiness but for His.”
Her love was nishkama bhakti.
Divine Union
Pleased, Shiv accepted Parvati.
Thus, Mahadev and Mahagauri were reunited, restoring cosmic balance.
Thus, Mahadev and Mahagauri were reunited, restoring cosmic balance.
Shiv-Shakti united not by desire, but by devotion, surrender, and truth.
