When my little one asked for a story, I found myself a bit stuck for ideas. So, I turned to an old favorite, a tale about Siva, Parvathi, Vinayagar, and Murugan—a timeless story passed down through generations.
In this tale, Siva and Parvathi lived joyfully with their sons, Vinayagar and Murugan. A wise sage named Naradha brought a special fruit, challenging anyone to circle the world and return first to claim it.
The brave and adventurous Murugan dashed off to explore the world. However, Vinayagar took a different approach; he encircled his beloved parents as they meant the world to him.
Surprisingly, Vinayagar won the fruit! But upon Murugan's return, he felt angry and left for the Palani hills to become a sage renouncing the world.
After the story concluded, a quiet moment settled in. In that silence, I realized the story wasn't solely about adventure—it held a deeper meaning.
Siva, often depicted as the cosmic dancer, embodies the transcendental aspect of existence. He symbolizes consciousness, stillness, and the unchanging reality beyond the material world—often referred to as pure consciousness or the Divine. ( Yin)
Parvathi, Siva's consort, represents the dynamic and creative force of the universe. She embodies energy, vitality, and the nurturing aspect of existence, symbolizing the divine feminine and creativity. ( Yang)
Their union signifies the merging of these complementary aspects, representing the balance between stillness (Siva) and dynamism (Parvathi). This symbolizes the harmony of opposites and the completeness found in their unity—a representation guiding individuals toward spiritual awakening and realization of the oneness the ultimate truth.
Regarding the story's metaphor:
The fruit brought by Sage Naradha represents Moksha, bliss, or inner peace. Ganesha and Murugan symbolize seekers on the path of self-realization. Ganesha attained Moksha by surrendering to Siva and Parvathi, akin to self realization. In contrast, Muruga, despite his worldly journey, couldn't attain the fruit. Thus, he renounced worldly affairs and became a sage atop Palani hills.
The story's heart lies in finding peace inside ourselves. I was amazed at how a tale from long ago could teach us so much. It reminds us that even if we search all around the world, the real happiness we crave can only be found inside us.
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