From Rudra to Gopi: The Astonishing Journey to Mahārās
Eko hi Rudro na dvitīyāya tasthur ya imān lokān īśata īśanībhiḥ
Lord Shiva is the Supreme Power. He possesses infinite powers. Through those divine powers, He manifests the universe, protects it, and brings about its dissolution. At times, He practices devotion to Shri Krishna, and at times, Shri Krishna and Shri Ram practice devotion to Him. All of this takes place within the realm of God's divine pastimes.
Imam evātmānaṁ dvedhā pātayat tataḥ patiś ca patnī cābhavatām -
Shankar Ji Himself becomes two as Shankar and Parvati. He then enacts a marriage. The wedding of Shankar and Parvati takes place. A marriage occurs between two individuals, does it not? Yet here, He marries Himself. Today is the day of Shankar and Parvati's wedding - Maha Shivaratri.
Shankar Ji also went to the Mahārās. Mahārās is the greatest divine ras of God. Only those in a feminine form may enter the Mahārās. Those who had been males in previous births - such as the sons of Agni, the paramahamsas of Dandakaranya, and others - assumed female forms and entered there. In the divine leela, Parvati reached the Mahārās earlier because she already had a female form. When Shankar Ji attempted to enter the rās in His male form, the Gopis would not allow Him in. One of them asked, "Who are you?" When He replied, "I am Shankar, the governor of the brahmand of the four-faced Brahma," the Gopi replied, "Which Shankar? From where? No male may enter here. There is only one male - Shri Krishna." Therefore, Shankar Ji had to assume a female form to enter the Mahārās. When Parvati Ji saw Him in the form of a gopi, she laughed and said, "You used to present Yourself as such a great male. It appears that it did not work today. You had to become a woman."
The Bhagavatam says -
Nimnaganāṁ yathā gangā - Among rivers, Ganga Ji holds the highest position.
Devānām achyuto yathā - Among the worshipable deities, Shri Krishna holds the highest position. There is such an attraction in His pastimes that the mind is quickly drawn toward Him.
But what is the nature of Lord Shankar's pastimes? If you were to see the spirits and ghosts in His company, your heart would fail.
Kou mukh hīn vipul mukh kāhū, binu pad kar kou bahu pad bāhū
Vipul nayan kou nayan vihīnā, riṣṭa puṣṭa kou ati tan khīnā.
In His company, everything is peculiar, and if you were to see the form of Lord Shankar Himself, you would certainly become frightened.
During the churning of the ocean, yogis, sages, ascetics, celestial Gods, and demons were all present. When Lakshmi emerged from the ocean, everyone thought, "I wish Lakshmi would choose me."
Kvaciccirāyur na hi śīlam aṅgalaṁ kvacit tad apy asti na vedyam āyuṣaḥ;
Yatrobhayaṁ kutra ca so’py amangalaḥ, sumaṅgalaḥ kaś ca na kāṅkṣate hi mām.
When Lakshmi began looking at everyone to choose her husband, she saw that some had a long lifespan but remained indifferent. She observed others who understood love and affection, yet their lifespan could not be trusted - they might leave her at any moment. Lord Shankar possessed both qualities, but Lakshmi Ji became frightened upon seeing His appearance - "His form is so terrifying; How can I love Him?" Ultimately, she chose Shri Krishna and placed the garland around His neck.
If Lakshmi Ji herself became frightened by Shankar Ji's fearful appearance, what would the state of ordinary people be?
However -
Vaishnavanam yathā śambhuḥ - Among all the devotees of Shri Krishna, Shankar Ji holds the highest position.
Purānānām idam tathā - Among all the Puranas, the Bhāgavatam is supreme.
Thus, among all Vaishnavas, Lord Shankar is the foremost. He assumed the form of a gopi in the Mahārās.
Shri Maharaj Ji prays to Shankar Ji on our behalf -
"O Shankar Ji, You have attained Gopi-Prem and are present in Mahārās dance. Please grant me the divine love of Shri Krishna as well - please grant it to me. After all, You already possess it. By Your grace, may I also experience the bliss of Mahārās along with You. Just as You stand beside Shri Krishna in the rās as a gopi, may I also stand beside You in the same manner. Please bestow such grace upon me, for Your nature is supremely compassionate."
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