Shri Shiva Leelamruta - Chapter 01 [ Dashara and Kalavati ]

|| Shri Ganeshaya Namaha ||

As Dashara stepped out onto the balcony of his chamber, a gentle breeze greeted him, carrying with it the sounds and scents of the city beyond. From this vantage point, he could see his sprawling palace stretching out below him, its grandeur a testament to his wealth and power. 

As he looked out onto the city, he couldn't help but think of the events of the day - the whirlwind marriage to Kalavati, the beautiful princess of Kashi. 

It had been a political arrangement, a necessary move for both the king of Kashi, her father and his own kingdom. Dashara couldn't deny the attraction he felt towards his new bride, but he knew that their union was more than just a matter of the heart - it was a matter of state.

Dashara, a descendant of Yadu, was widely known and respected as a just ruler who governed with wisdom and compassion. He was a pillar of strength for his people, providing them with guidance and protection in times of need. His subjects looked up to him as a father figure, one who cared deeply for their well-being and prosperity. Under his rule, the kingdom flourished, and the people enjoyed unprecedented levels of economic growth and stability. Dashara's rule had brought peace and security to the land, and his legacy would be remembered for generations to come.

Kalavati was a woman of great beauty and chastity. Being well-versed in all the arts, from music and dance to painting and poetry, she had rightfully earned her name. She would be a great queen and a perfect consort to Dashara.

It was their wedding night, and Dashara had eagerly sent a message to Kalavati to come to his chambers. 

Dashara's chamber was a grand and opulent room, befitting the ruler of a prosperous kingdom. 

The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, gilded with gold leaf, and hung with richly woven tapestries depicting scenes of epic battles and great victories. The chamber was illuminated by numerous oil lamps, casting a warm glow that illuminated the room's many ornate furnishings. At the center of the chamber stood a large, four-poster bed draped with rich fabrics and pillows, fit for a king. The room also boasted a great fireplace, with a roaring fire that crackled and flickered, providing warmth during cold nights. 

Overall, the king's chamber was a place of luxury and comfort, a testament to the power and prestige of the ruler who inhabited it.

As he anxiously waited for her arrival, he paced his chamber, unable to stop thinking about the breathtaking beauty of his new bride:

Her long, lustrous hair cascaded down her back in waves, the color of midnight black. Her almond-shaped eyes were a deep brown, like rich earth, and they sparkled with intelligence and wit. Her skin was smooth and flawless, with a natural glow that seemed to emanate from within. Her features were delicate and refined, with a small, perfect nose, and full, rosy lips. She carried herself with an air of grace and elegance, her every movement fluid. He couldn't wait to hold her in his embrace.

However, to his surprise, Kalavati refused to come. Smiling to himself, he understood her modesty and decided to go to her chambers himself.

As Dashara made his way through the palace toward Kalavati's chamber, he passed through several opulent halls, each adorned with intricate tapestries, statues, and paintings that depicted the history and glory of his kingdom. The halls were lit by glowing torches and ornate chandeliers that cast dancing shadows on the walls. The floors were made of polished marble, cool to the touch, and decorated with beautiful rugs and carpets of vibrant colors. Servants and courtiers bowed respectfully as he passed, acknowledging their king's presence.

As he continued along the corridors, he could hear the soft strains of music emanating from a distant room, the sound growing louder as he drew nearer. Finally, he reached the door to Kalavati's chamber, and the music became clearer, revealing a haunting melody that tugged at his heartstrings.

With a deep breath, Dashara pushed open the door, revealing the queen's peaceful chamber, illuminated by soft light from the scented oil lamps. There, in the center of the room, stood Kalavati, surrounded by a group of musicians, who were playing a tune that seemed to capture the essence of her beauty and grace. As she caught sight of her king, she smiled radiantly, welcoming him into her sanctuary.

Queen Kalavati's chamber was a reflection of her refined taste and love for art. 

The walls were painted in soft pastel hues and adorned with exquisite paintings, and tapestries that depicted beautiful gardens, ornate palaces, and tranquil landscapes. The chamber was filled with beautiful, delicate furnishings, and richly woven rugs that covered the polished marble floor. 

The queen's bed was a lavish four-poster, draped with gossamer veils and silken fabrics, and was adorned with plush cushions and soft pillows. 

In one corner of the room, there was a large vanity table, where the queen could sit and beautify herself, surrounded by jars of perfumes, oils, and other luxurious beauty products. 

Adjacent to the vanity was a comfortable armchair, where the queen could read, write, or simply relax. The chamber was also illuminated by beautiful, ornate lamps that cast a warm, golden glow, making the space feel cozy and inviting. 

As Dashara entered, the servants and attendants exited, leaving him and Kalavati alone.

Dashara walked towards Kalavati, his heart racing, he couldn't help but admire her feminine hourglass figure that was accentuated by the elegant silk saree she was wearing. Her long black hair was cascading down her back in soft waves, framing her delicate face, and her full lips were slightly parted, as if in anticipation. When he finally held her hand, she tried to pull away, but he could feel the warmth and softness of her skin, and his heart skipped a beat. As their eyes met, Kalavati's shyness melted away, and she fell in love with him. At that moment, Dashara pulled her close and embraced her, his strong arms wrapped around her, feeling the weight of the day finally lifted off his shoulders.

As he continued to hold her in his arms, her body grew warmer, but she felt no discomfort. However, Dashara started to feel unease as a burning sensation spread throughout his body. The sensation soon became unbearable, and he reluctantly let her go from his embrace. 

There were burn marks on his body. As a million thoughts raced through his mind, Dashara's heart rate skyrocketed. Were they being attacked? What sort of weapons were these? Was Kalavati hurt? Was this some form of black magic?

He quickly checked to see if his beloved queen was fine and was relieved to find her physically unscathed, although fear and concern were etched on her face. As she came closer to him, Dashara once again felt the scorching heat emanating from her body. Kalavati instinctively understood what was happening and stepped a few feet away from him, giving him some space to deal with the strange sensation.

As Dashara's gaze followed Kalavati's movements toward the bed, she went and sat down, but he remained standing, looking at her intently and waiting for an explanation. He composed himself in a few moments, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that Kalavati knew why this strange occurrence was happening to them. Despite his unease, he couldn't help but feel a strong connection to her and was determined to get to the bottom of this mysterious phenomenon.

Kalavati, tears rolling down her cheeks, trembled as she spoke. She could not bear the thought that she had caused pain to the only man she loved. She longed to run to him, hug him, and tend to his burns, but going near him would cause him even more pain.

Dashara looked at her intently, waiting for an explanation, somehow knowing that she knew why this was happening.

Kalavati then explained that Sage Durvasa was her Guru, her spiritual master, and also the Guru of her father, the king of Kashi. When the great Muni visited Kashi, she diligently served him with great devotion. Pleased with her service and devotion, he had initiated her into the "Aum Namah Shivay" mantra. She regularly performed japa sadhana, and as a result, her sins were burnt, and a protective shield was created around her that shielded her from sinful creatures. 

Such was the potency of Shiva's name.

The question hung in the air, heavy and pregnant with meaning. "Am I sinful?" Dashara asked Kalavati, his voice. 

With the power gained through her japa sadhana and the grace of her guru, Kalavati closed her eyes and whispered, "Yes." 

At first, Dashara refused to believe her, thinking it was some kind of black magic, and he doubted if she was cheating him. But as he looked into her eyes, his intuition told him that she loved him and was telling the truth. 

Kalavati explained that japa sadhana would absolve him of any sins, and Dashara begged her to initiate him. However, as his wife, she was not allowed in scripture to perform the ritual. Desperate for a solution, she suggested they seek the guidance of Garga Muni. As Dashara reached out to touch her cheek and wipe away her tears, she recoiled, not wanting to hurt him. 

That night, she slept on the hard floor beside him, praying silently to Lord Shiva while Dashara remained awake, tormented by thoughts of what the next day might bring.

Realizing that she could not initiate her husband, Dashara, into the sacred Panchakshari Mantra as it was against the scriptural laws, Kalavati suggested visiting the learned sage, Garga Muni. 

The next morning, they set out to visit the great Rishi and explained the situation, seeking his guidance and assistance in finding a solution to the problem of Dashara's sins. The ever-compassionate, Garga Muni agreed to initiate the King into the divine mantra and help him achieve absolution.

After performing their obeisances to Sage Garga, the King and Queen performed their ritual bath in the sacred waters of Yamuna and offered worship to Lord Shiva. Then, Garga Muni initiated the King into the mantra.

As Dashara chanted the divine mantra, his body writhed in agony, as if being torn apart from within. Suddenly, the pores on his skin opened up, and from within them emerged an army of black creatures with razor-sharp beaks and piercing eyes. They were crows, but not like any crows anyone had ever seen before. Some were so large that their wingspan would fill an entire room, while others were small and wriggling, their bodies twisted and deformed. They came pouring out of Dashara's body, screeching and cawing with deafening intensity, As they fell to the ground, they burnt to ashes. Even the most stoic of onlookers could not help but recoil in horror and disgust.

The Sage elucidated that the departure of each crow symbolized a sin that Dashara had committed in his past life and their release meant that he was now being absolved of all his past misdeeds. These transgressions included grave sins such as cow slaughter, the murder of a spiritual master, betrayal of the spiritual master and a friend, and discrimination while serving food. 

The powerful mantra "Aum Namah Shivay" had the power to forgive all these sins and lead one to a life of purity and righteousness.

After receiving initiation and being absolved of his sins, King Dashara prostrated himself before his spiritual master, adorning him with all the respect and reverence he deserved. The King then offered various kinds of worshipful offerings, including fragrant flowers, incense, and delicious sweets, in order to express his gratitude and devotion towards his spiritual master.

When Dashara embraced his beloved Kalavati that evening, he was amazed to find that he was no longer scorched by the radiance of her body. In fact, he himself had become luminous, for all of his sins had been absolved and he had become virtuous. 

From that day forth, his kingdom never again suffered from drought, no woman became a widow, and all were blessed with good health. Lord Shiva was worshipped in every home in the kingdom.

Those who read, write, listen to, and cherish this tale of Dashara and Kalavati, while also safeguarding this ancient scripture, will forever enjoy a contented family life and receive complete protection from Lord Shiva.

|| Aum Namah Shivaya ||