Avatar of Lord Shiva : Sunatnartaka Avatar

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         Lord Shiva is the God of all gods, Mahadev. He is contained in every particle of this universe. He is the best and there is no other like him.Lord Shiva is Adiyogi and he is Nataraja, he is Bholenath and he is the destroyer of this universe.Lord Shiva manifests according to situations, he had manifested innumerable times to save world or to take test someone's devotion towards him.But in this manifestation or Lord Shiva went to King Himavat to ask for the hand of Goddess Parvati.Because Lord Shiva did not want King Himavat to give hand of his daughter for marriage as he is the god of gods.So the story of this avatar goes like this.

STORY OF SUNATNARTAKA AVATAR:

    Goddess Parvati, who was the form of Goddess Adishakti, did severe penance to get Lord Shiva as husband.Lord Shiva took the incarnation ( avatar ) of Brahmachari and took the test of Goddess Parvati.

      After successful in that examination, Lord Shiva appeared to Goddess Parvati in his real form and asked her to ask for a boon.Goddess Parvati was very happy to see Lord Shiva whom she was worshipping and as in form of  boon she wanted herself as his wife from Lord Shiva.

     She also asked Lord Shiva to ask for her hand from her father King Himvat( King of Himalaya ), she asked for a boon of marriage with all the laws. Lord Shiva granted a boon to Goddess Parvati and he assured that he would ask for the hand of Goddess Parvati from King Himavat.

       Then after getting the boon from Lord Shiva,Goddess Parvati went to her home.After sometime,Lord Shiva took the form of a playwright ( sunatnartaka ) and reached the palace of King Himavat while performing hymns to Shri Hari Vishnu.

   

     Everyone was got mesmerized by listening to the melodious songs of Lord Shiva which were hymns of Lord Vishnu.And at the behest of King Himavat invites Lord Shiva who is in the form of a dramatist come to his palace.

  

     And King Himavat said to the narrator that if you were successful in pleasing my daughter and us through your drama and singing ,So I promise to you to fulfill your any wish.

   Lord Shiva played the story of a demon named Bhasmasura ( he had taken a boon from Lord Shiva to burn anyone by keeping his hands on his head ) in the palace.

   

     In which Lord Shiva played the character of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.And part of Bhasmasura was played by Nandi and Ganas. Everyone in the palace was delighted to see that perfect singing,dance and drama of Lord Shiva.

        After the play was finished, King Himavat asked Lord Shiva to ask for his wish. Lord Shiva in form of Sunatnartaka asked King Himavat for the hand of Goddess Parvati for marriage. Hearing this, King Himavat was very angry at Lord Shiva.He said to Lord Shiva that ,"If we were not bound by our word, we would have punished you properly".

 

      But Lord Shiva without showing his original form was able to convince King Himavat anf other relatives of Goddess Parvati and everyone was pleased to see Lord Shiva's proper behavior and thoughts towards the limits of his marriage.Hearing the words of Lord Shiva, King Himavat gave permission on his behalf but left the decision of marriage to Goddess Parvati.

     Goddess Parvati had already recognized Lord Shiva and she said yes for marriage.After that Lord Shiva appeared to everyone in his real form and told the reason for taking this avatar.

    

      Because Lord Shiva did not want King Himavat to give hand of his daughter for marriage as he is the god of gods.After that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married.And thus the Leela of this Avatar of Lord Shiva ends here.

MENTIONED IN :

Sunatnarataka Avatar of Lord Shiva is mentioned in following texts:

1. Shiv Purana

                  || OM NAMAH SHIVAAY ||

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