High on the peaks of Mount Kailash, the serene countenance of Lord Shiva, adorned with a divine smile, caught the eye of Goddess Parvati. She inquired, 'My Lord! What is this joy bestowed solely upon you in all the three worlds? Although you are in meditation, I see a smile on your lips, free from any desire or want. It seems you have attained everything. What is the secret of this bliss? Is it a fortune meant for those living on Earth?
Overwhelmed by Parvati's questions, Shiva opened his eyes, still smiling. 'Goddess, your inquiry about bliss has reminded me of a tale. Let me share it with you. Thus began Shiva's storytelling.
Shiva Narrates His Saga with Ram
I sat in the temple, chanting 'Ram-Ram', as day turned to dusk, and night fell, the priests declared it was time for Lord Ram's rest. As the temple closed, my quest for Ram led me back to wandering. Sitting by the banks of the Ganga, morning dawned with a procession chanting 'Ram is truth' as they carried a bier. Captivated by their chant, I followed them to the cremation grounds.
There, I realized that Ram, not found in homes or temples, not in forests, mountains or rivers, was indeed present in the ashes and flames of the cremation pyre. The pervasive presence of Ram in the char and cinders liberated me, and I immersed myself in it, making it my home. Being naturally homeless, the cremation ground became my abode.
Source: aajtak
How Shiva Became the Lord of the Cremation Grounds
I embraced the ashes, uncovering the mysticism of life. This ash symbolizes death, liberation, salvation, and opens new doors to consciousness and thought. In the purity of this ash, I found all colors, which is the source of my joy.
As for Earth's people, joy is a daily phenomenon. They are blissfully engaged, digging wells and drinking water, their lives filled with struggle, far removed from miracles and divine intervention, celebrating births and mourning deaths, absorbed in their tunes. To them, everything is joy.
Shiva continued - The truth is that deities are actually bereft of this joy. For the common man, happiness lies in his home, in parental blessings, in his wife's love, in the satisfaction and respect of his children, with friends and colleagues. Sometimes, I ponder if I am the real Shiva or the creatures of Earth, who consume all pain and yet remain joyous, in perpetual bliss. My smile is the result of this realization; merging with them, I become one. Engulfed in ashes, I join in their celebration of Holi.
Source: aajtak
The Duality of Holi
Goddess Parvati remarked, 'Please elaborate on this, my Lord...' Shiva responded, 'Dear goddess, observe! While every festival's spiritual aspect is subtly complex, Holi's interpretation is exceptionally challenging, akin to discovering new treasures while churning the ocean for nectar. Despite this, Holi's hues unfold through two divine streams. Firstly, it's portrayed through the human-like guise of the Supreme.
In the world, Holi is epitomized by Radha and Krishna, intertwined in color and form—where Radha embodies the hues themselves, and Shyam is the colored visage. Where mountain stones echo with shade, and droplets on the Yamuna's flow and dew mirrors are Radha's essence.
The second stream is my own creation. Sitting in the cremation grounds, I smile, at peace. I set aside my trident and Vasuki, rebind the flowing Ganga into my matted locks. Then I assume the Tribhanga stance, raising an arm to the Earth's horizon, pausing in stillness. As I bring my hands to my heart, placing my left foot atop my right thigh, this position awakens souls. I, Shiva, am the light of universal souls. My Nataraja pose signifies awakening and transformation preparedness. The word 'awakening' itself ignites souls with jubilation.
Holi: The Festival of Soul's Delight
How do they express this jubilation? How is it sung? As Shiva, I take ashes from a nearby pyre, flinging them upward. As the Lord of spirits, engulfed in ash, I unite with ghosts and spirits, all colored in this ash now. This is Holi. Where devotees become divinity and the divine akin to them, amongst them. Spring's time when souls celebrate consciousness's bliss. Shiva remarks, 'See, the world is alive with souls celebrating Holi.'
So why wait, dive into the universe's colors, drenched in what paints the world. Embrace the pigment, immerse yourself completely. Dive deep into its hue, become inseparable... O colorist.
