Sati's POV:

Siva. Siva. Siva.

This name always intrigues me. Sage Narada always told me about the greatness of Siva whenever he visited the palace. He said that Siva is the spiritual master of this entire Universe. He is calm and peaceful who is above human feelings. He is the greatest among all gods. He never has a material attachment and never adores wealth. He lives on the grounds of cremation and the pure Kailash mountain.

The depiction of him by Narada always makes me to long for his appearance. I wish to meet him desperately.

A maid came to my room and said, "Princess, King Daksha has arranged a great sacrifice tomorrow. He has invited the Gods to our palace." I asked, "Will Siva come?". For that, she replied, "I hope so".

Oh, dear! My wish is going to be fulfilled. I waited for the next day impatiently.

Author's POV:

The sacrifice was arranged brilliantly by Daksha. All the divine personalities assembled including Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. He washed the feet of Lord Brahma and took his blessings. All the Sages and demigods stood and bowed their heads before Daksha. Daksha became arrogant and proud of him when they gave his respects.

Sati's POV:

I arrived at the hall of court, well dressed to meet the personality whom I was longing for. I glanced at him. I could not express the divine features of him with my words. He was bluish in color. He had an extra eye in his forehead. He was smeared with ashes throughout his body. He was lotus-eyed and bright like my brother-in-law, Chandra (Moon). He was calm and composed. He sat on his seat as my father prostrated before Brahma deva.

As father stood, his smiling face changed. I could observe fury in his face. His face revealed that he felt insulted by something. I observed that he stared at Siva ferociously. I was wonderstruck because Siva did nothing. He was seated calmly and meditating.

My father screamed, "O Siva, the arrogant one, how dare you insult the governor of the Universe? You are a sinful one who doesn't know how to act. He has eyes of a monkey and still be proud of himself. How he dare not to respect and receive me? He lives in filthy places and his associates are filthy too. He is the most inauspicious one. How dare you come to my sacrifice? Get lost from my place."

I was astonished by my father's cruel words. Lord Siva stood up from his place to leave the place. His associate who was like a bull said, "O Daksha, you ignorant one! You have insulted my God who is pure and sinless. He is the master of this creation and you still offended him. Your head is the reason for the insult of my Lord. I, Nandi, the devotee of Lord Siva curse you that you will have a Goat's head soon. And the ones who tolerated this insult of Lord Siva will fall low soon."

Sage Brighu offended by the curse of Nandi cursed him back, "Anyone who worships Siva will look like atheists to the world. They will also look ugly like Siva by adoring long hairs, ashes, and flesh.

I was bewildered by these curses. I was more attracted to Siva when he left the palace with no words and calm as every time.

All the gods left the palace after the end of the sacrifice.

I decided to marry him. I felt he is the one to whom I should devote my life. I went to my father's room hesitating to do so.

"Father, Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, dear. Ask anything. Your father will always fulfill the wishes of my dear daughter."

"Father, I want to......marry........"

"Oh Dear, you wish to marry. I am really very ecstatic about hearing this. I will soon arrange a perfect groom for you."

"Father. I want to marry Siva".

His face turned pale. He became furious as he was in the sacrifice before.

"Sati, Don't take the name of Siva. Siva is not at all a suitable groom for you. He is a filthy one who lives in cremation and with ghosts."

"But, father,....."

"No more words. Go back to your room. You will not marry Siva ever and I will never allow you to do so."

He left the room. But I was strong in my decision to marry Siva. That night, I left the palace and reached Kailash with great struggle.

Siva was sitting calmly and composed in deep meditation. I went to him. He opened his eyes immediately and stared at me.

He said, "Who are you?"

"I am the daughter of Daksha, Sati".

"Oh the daughter of the one who insulted me. Did you come to further insult me?"

"No, No, Lord. I wish to marry you."

"What?"

"Yes, I wish to marry you and devote myself to you. Will you accept me?"

"No"

TO BE CONTINUED...

(Published on 3rd July 2020, Friday)

NEXT WEEK: Union of Siva- Sati