37 - Curse to the "left over" of Shiva 

Radhika said- О remover of the doubts, why is the 'left over' of Shiva not considered to be praise worthy; you kindly tell me. 

Sri Krishna said- О goddess, you listen to me I narrate to you an ancient story which serves as a fire wood for burning the sins of the past births. 

Once Sanatkumara arrived in Vaikuntha. Narayana found the arrival of the Brahmana after he had finished his food. 

He bowed in reverence to him with devotion and offered prayers with deep devotion. The lord who loves his devotees was pleased and he offered the 'left over' to him. 

The Brahmana after receiving the 'left over' at once consumed a part of it and the remaining part was kept by him to be distributed to his relatives. 

Thereafter, arriving in Siddhdshrama he gave away the left over to lord Shiva who having been filled with devotion consumed the whole of it.

After consuming the 'left-over' which was beyond the reach of everyone, he was overwhelmed with joy and started dancing. He felt totally blissful in his body and his eyes were filled with tears; he felt extremely delighted.

Не started uttering the name of Hari from all his five mouths in different tunes and in sweet voice praising him in various ways.

Since he was totally engrossed in the dhyanam of Hari, the damaru, the conch and tigers skin fell down. He also fell down fainted and started crying. 

He was in deep meditation with the thousand pettaled lotus of his heart completely devoted to the lord Hari.

In the meantime, Durga, the destroyer of the evil times, with smiling face and eyes arrived immediately there. 

Finding Shiva crying and in unconscious condition falling here and there, Durga laughed and questioned Sanatkumara about the condition of Shiva. 

Sanatkumara with folded hands narrated the entire episode to Durga, hearing which she was enraged and her lips started fluttering. When Shiva found that Durga was about to pronounce a curse, he got up and convinced her variously praising with folded hands. 

Listening to the pleasant stotra, Parvati did not pronounce a curse on Shiva but she desires that left-over should not be consumed even by the intellectuals. 

But the illustrious and fortunate people would not have the effect of the same. Shiva who happens to be the destroyer of the universe felt upset with the curse of Parvati and started trembling. 

Thereafter Parvati the mother of the universe and one who is the creator of all the virtues whose eyes had become red like red lotus spoke in anger the words which were the essence of the tradition. 

This is the influence of the tapas and not of the tejas of the people. The one who destroy the old universe, he is being terrified by Parvati, the daughter of mountain. 

Parvati said- You happen to be the preserver of the universe besides being the protector. You are especially so with me. Besides you happen to be the reciter of the four Vedas besides being their creator and you are yourself all virtuous.

You bestow salvation to your devotees besides all the riches. In case you indulge in improper way then who could save the dharma?

I always maintain and feed by you. I am also your slave. Because of my own misdeeds I have been deprived of consuming the 'left over' of Vishnu. 

Certain things get purified with gold, some of them by air and some of them by washing and some of them got purified by offering them to Vishnu. The food offer to Vishnu is revered by all the gods, the manes and the guests who feel satisfied with the same. This has been prescribed in the Vedas. 

The one who discarding the food which is unfit for conception and consumed the naivedya of Vishnu he is considered to be the best of the attendants of Vishnu. 

The nectar does not compare even one sixteenth part of the food offered to lord Vishnu Such food is the best of all and difficult to get besides being the essence of all the eatables. 

The nectar helps in driving the untimely death and pleases the fools but the naivedya of Vishnu turns one who consumes it like Vishnu himself. This is quite astonishing. 

The one who consumes the naivedya of Vishnu because of his own sweet will, he achieves the reward of performing tapas for sixty thousand years. 

Such of the devotee who always with their mind filled with devotion, offer food to the lord and consume the 'left-over', such persons in spite of their performing tapas compare themselves with the lord in lustre. 

In the earlier times in Pushkara-kshetra I had heard all this from your mouth in the assembly of the sages. I do not happen to be the creator of the Vedas nor could I be competent enough to speak on the subject. 

О lord, I have achieved you as my husband after performing tapas for long time; then why was I deprived of consuming the naivedya of Vishnu. 

О lord Shiva, you have presently deprived me from consuming the naivedya of Shiva, therefore you will have to receive the reward for the same from me just now. From today onwards, whosoever will consume your naivedya, will be born as a dog in the land of Bharata. 

Thus speaking, the mother Parvati started crying before Shiva. She at once looked at the throat of Shiva as a result of which he came to be known as Nilakantha or blue throated. Shiva then embraced gracefully Parvati and relieved her anguish by praising her.

He wiped out the tears from her eyes again and again and by praising her gently he removed her anguish and spoke appropriate words to her. 

Getting pleased the goddess spoke to the lord, Unless I consume the naivedya of Vishnu I shall end my life. 1 maintain this body to maintain your fortune. Now how can I maintain the body without the grace. 

Your naivedya which removes the, birth, death and old age was incomplete and since you have disowned it, it has become impure. Therefore, in your very presence, I am ending my life. 

O lord, only such of the naivedya which will be offered to Shivalinga will be unsuitable for consumption and in case your naivedya is mixed with the naivedya of Vishnu it will become extremely auspicious. 

Thus, speaking the goddess got ready to end her life. Thereafter, the terrified Shiva accepted her words praising her at the same time. 

Shiva said- О great goddess, О Chandika, О mother of the universe, be composed, О beautiful one, you forgive me for my failing, you have purchased me by your tapas, therefore you be compassionate on me. You are eternal and happen to be the seed of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha. 

You are all virtuous, the invisible prowess of the lord of the universe, the form of all the prowess and you are always my companion. 

О dear one, you are visible as well as invisible, eternal and move at will, you are present in my heart because of the grace of the virtuous lord Krishna. 

You are the form of all the seeds, Mahamaya, quite a pleasant one, the one who bestows all the siddhis and salvation beside the devotion of lord Krishna. This was the desire of lord Krishna himself because of which I did not give you his naivedya. О invisible one, you realise this reason carefully and only than end your life and get merged in the invisible one. 

Thus, speaking lord Shiva having the crescent on his head stood before her. Thereafter the goddess got immensely pleased and offered her salutation to Shiva. 

Thus, this stotra of Parvati was created by Shiva in ancient times. The one who is entangled in controversies recites this stotra he is relieved of all the dangers.

All his bickering with friends would disappear and the earlier friendship would be restored. The goddess Parvati would never desert him. 

Sri Krishna said- Listening to the words of her husband, Parvati felt satisfied and with the permission of lord Shiva, she went to the bank of the Ganga for taking a bath. 

After taking a bath, she with her mind filled with devotion adored lord Shiva who is eternal end thereafter at once prepared sweets and other eatables. 

On the other hand, Shiva also after taking bath adored the eternal flame of Brahman and with his mind filled with devotion, he started praising her. 

I than went to them and bestowed the desired reward for them. Parvati than took refuge under your feet and accepted your naivedya. 

Thereafter Parvati with Shiva consuming the 'left-over' with delight praised me again and again. 

О chief of the goddesses thus I have narrated to you everything whatever was asked by you and the reason for which the 'left-over' of Shiva was cursed.