 |
| Shiva and Parvati by Nilesh KKC |
Once upon a time, in the majestic valleys of the Himalayas, the divine couple Shiva and Parvati were wandering hand in hand, their footsteps resonated with the very heartbeat of nature.
Amidst this serene amble, Parvati's keen eyes caught sight of a scene that tugged at her heartstrings. A colony of ants, bustling with their tiny lives, had met an unfortunate fate beneath the mighty foot of an elephant. Disturbed by this sight, she turned to her beloved Shiva, beseeching him to intervene and bring retribution upon the colossal creature.
However, Shiva, the tranquil lord of destruction and creation, held a different perspective. He spoke softly to Parvati, explaining that the elephant was merely following the commands of its mahout, bound by a duty it couldn't escape. Parvati, though understanding of this, remained steadfast and urged Shiva to halt the mahout's actions.
Yet Shiva's wisdom flowed like a gentle river. He revealed that the mahout's vision was restricted by the imposing shape of the elephant, rendering him unaware of the ants' plight below. Parvati's frustration grew like a storm cloud, her words dripping with disappointment. "If you stand idly by while these tiny lives fade away," she declared with a mixture of sadness and anger, "let them find solace in being crushed by you, within the sanctum of Kailash. Do not allow their suffering to continue without purpose."
In response, Shiva's words echoed like distant thunder, carrying a weight of cosmic truth. "Ah, Parvati," he said, his tone as serene as the mountain breeze, "it is not the ants nor the elephant nor even the mahout who truly need punishment. Rather, it is you who must bear the weight of insight." His words were like a shiver down Parvati's spine, making her question the essence of her reaction.
Trembling, Parvati inquired, "Why, my Lord? Why do you see punishment within me?" Shiva's gaze was as deep as the mysteries of the universe as he replied, "Because you were the first to witness this unfolding tragedy. You, dear Parvati, hold the power to halt it – whether through stopping the elephant, redirecting the mahout, or intervening in any manner. Yet you hesitate, expecting another to carry out what you can do yourself."
In this tale, we find a universal truth: change, like the cosmic dance of Shiva, is set in motion by the individual who wholeheartedly embraces their role as a catalyst. By embodying the essence of proactive responsibility, we become agents of change in our own lives and in the world around us. The story's message is clear: we must not remain passive observers, waiting for circumstances to align or others to take action. Instead, we must seize the reins of change, initiating the process with unwavering determination. It reminds us that even in the grand tapestry of life, every thread – no matter how small – plays a role in shaping the destiny of the world.