Divine Desire...
As the month of Shravan descends upon us it’s always the most wonderful time to contemplate the many pastimes of Lord Shiva and the innumerable lessons to be found there. Small scenes from the Shiva MahaPurana will aid us in discovering meditations for life fueled by the Lord of Meditation Himself, Mahadeva Lord Shiva. All Glories to Lord Shiva and to the assembled devoted worshipers of Lord Govinda. I pray that you bless me and forgive any and all of my mistakes in presenting such intricate and complicated pastimes and I pray that these renderings bring unending joy to your heart.
Yours in the service,
Acyuta Gopi
Sati’s heartbeat thundered in her ears and the atmosphere around her changed. The hairs on her arms raised and it felt like static electricity clung to the air. Sati felt as though she were living in the moment just before lightning strikes and thunder booms out across the mountains in response. Her inner meditation felt so drastically different than it had the days before, that she was startled and her eyes flew open.
Standing before her was the object of her meditation. Thick anklets encircled his feet. His complexion was a ruddy golden color, his form streaked with ash adding a rugged beauty to his divine form. Tiger skin around his waist and the strongest hands in all of creation. Sati wasn’t sure if she was ready to look into the face of the one she had been praying to for so long. What did one do when they finally came face to face with the answer to their prayers?
Ready or not, she was inexplicably drawn to look into the face of the personality who stood before her. Mahadev’s eyes were deep, dark and intense. As though she were gazing into the origin of the night sky and she felt herself being pulled farther into its depths. She had a hard time even remembering language, let alone how to use it. She dropped her eyes again, but not before she saw one incredibly handsome eyebrow lift questioningly as though something had piqued his interest and intrigued him.
“You have pleased me.” Mahadev himself even sounded surprised by the meditational feats that Sati had accomplished. Her eyes sought his again and she realized the look in his eyes that she had seen earlier was less intrigue, and more desire. It was the desire that surprised Adiyogi. Fully in complete control of all of his senses, and yet, he now also tasted the subtle, heady undercurrent that desire added to the dish of life. Her cheeks colored with the knowledge that she had been the one to produce such feelings in the best of ascetics. “Ask for anything.” His presence was like lightning and his voice was the answering thunder that rolled through her; deep and gripping, bringing her back to reality.
Her eyes dropped yet again as she found herself helplessly speechless.
“As for a benediction,” he prompted with slightly more insistence this time.
Sati gathered up all of the bold love she felt in her heart and said:
“If I have pleased you, Lord Shiva, then grant me the husband of my choice. One who—“ She had her script ready within her mind of all the things she would say, but just as she began, she found herself interrupted by Lord Shiva’s deep voice again. How could he demand that she ask for a benediction and then interrupt her when she was finally asking for her benediction? A single flame tongue of anger moved through her before realization dawned on Sati and she understood what Mahadev was saying.
“You shall be mine. I will fulfill your desire, but you must be my wife.”
The one who had full control over time had become impatient. Sati’s face bloomed with a bright lotus-like smile as she allowed her heart to accept his offer.
Oh Mahadev, help me to remember that renunciation, tapasya (penance) and single-minded devotion to the Supreme Person are all very important parts of the Divine Plan for our lives, but also desire, love, and relationships with one another can be equally important parts of that Divine Plan. Help me to remember Mahadev, that loving God’s people helps me show my love for God.
