Reading Diary B: Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists and Cradle Tales of Hinduism by Sister Nivedita

I read Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists and Cradle Tales of Hinduism by Sister Nivedita.  One of my favorite stories of Shiva was the story of Shiva fishing.  I found it interesting that Shiva would curse Parvati to become a fisherman’s wife when she was his wife.  Then he thought later about it later, thought that he had been too hard on her, and decided to go down and marry her.  So instead of going down and declaring that she was his wife he sent a shark to harass the fishermen to the point were the head fisherman declared that the person to get rid shark would become the husband of Parvati.  Another story that I liked was the story of Shiva’s Dance.  It was interesting that Shiva asked Vishnu to go down with him to convert the heretical rishis.  In addition, to accomplish this goal of converting the rishi he asked Vishnu to pose as his wife and he was to be a wandering yogi.  They then used themselves to bring in uproar to the hermitage because of the longing of the rishis for Vishnu and the longing of the rishis’ wives for Shiva.  Then the rishi realizing all was not as it seemed tried to curse them but it did not work.  At this point, the rishi should have realized that they were in over their heads but it seemed they did not.  So after the failed curses and two failed summons they summoned a dwarf and Shiva proceeded to dance on it and then the heavens were revealed and the rishi submitted themselves.

Shiva and Parvati (Source: wikimedia)