Shri Shiv Leelamrut- Chapter One

Once upon a time in the daynasty of King Yadu lived a king by the name Dashara. He was known to be a very generous king. Everyone in his kingdom paid taxes regularly. The entire kingdom sincerely wished that he would always remain victorious.

The king had recently married the princess of the kingdom of Kashi who was very beautiful and a chaste woman. She had beautiful long hair and a smile that lit up the room. She was well versed in all the arts and hence she was rightly named Kalawati.

On the night after the marriage, The King invited her to his palace but she refused. He decided to go and visit her himself. On seeing her, he tried to embrace her affectionately but the effulgence and radiance of her body was so overpowering that he burnt his skin. The king was confused but his wife explained the reason behind the effulgence and heat. Queen Kalawati said that she was the disciple of the great sage Durwasa Muni.

The great master had initiated her and given her the "Panchakshari Mantra" namely "Om Namah Shivai". On repeated chanting of this divine mantra, Queen Kalawati had been absolved of all her sins and her body shone with divine effulgence. The Queen explained to the king that as he had committed many sins in his previous births, he could not bear the radiance of her body. King Dashara was saddened by knowing that he had committed many horrible acts in his past lives and asked his wife to initiate him and give him the mantra so that he could repent for his sins. Queen Kalawati said that as she was his wife she could not give him the mantra and that he should approach Sage Garga for initiation.

Both the King and Queen visisted Sage Garga and offered their humble obeisances to him. The learned sage and the King took their baths in the holy river Yamuna and then worshipped Lord Shiva. Garga Muni then initiated the King with the divine mantra. No sooner than the King began chanting the glorious mantra, that crows started to come out of his body. Some were lame, some were burnt, some were in horrible pain and some were deformed. The King was horrified and prayed to Garga Muni to explain what was happening.

The Sage explained that each crow represented a sin that King Dashara had committed in a previous birth and that them leaving his body indicated that he was being absolved of all these sins. Sins such as killing of cows, murder of ones spiritual master, betraying the spiritual master, betraying a friend, distinguishing between people seated for a meal and serving somone better food than others and many more are forgiven by chanting the mantra "Om Namah Shivai".

This was the glory of then mantra "Om Namah Shivai". King Dashara then worshipped and glorified his spiritual master and also made many offerings to him.

When the King lovingly embraced his Queen that evening, he was no longer burnt by the effulgence of her body. Infact, he too had becom radiant due to his sins being absolved and him becoming pious.His kingdom never suffered from drought, no woman became a widow and everyone remained in good health.

Lord Shiva was worshipped in every home in the kingdom.

Those who write, read, listen and repeat this story of King Dashara and lovingly protect the ancient scripture will always have a happy family life and are always guranteed complete protection by Lord Shiva.

Namah Parvati Pataye, Har Har Mahadev.