Becoming God
Page 21
The adjective ‘kali’ used as a jibe by Kaal Bhairav for that woman suited so well to her dark complexion and stuck to her so fast that it became a proper noun - her name. The people would call her Kali as nobody knew what her real name was.
11.3
Dusk was fast paving way for night; the desolate Ganga ghats were getting murkier. Shiv was returning home, with long strides, after his routine stroll. Suddenly, he heard some swishing sound in the riverside brambles, and sensed that some indistinct human figure was approaching him. When looked at closely, he was surprised that it was Kali.
Shiv: “You, here?”
Kali: “Yes, my lord. I live here.”
Shiv: “Here! Why?”
Kali: “I was prevented by some quarrelsome people from meeting you at your place. The others in Kashi were too scared to let me live in the city. So I found refuge in this desolate place. I watched you daily strolling here and was looking for an opportunity to meet you in privacy.”
Shiv: “I’m very sorry for all the troubles you underwent living here. But, tell me, why do you want to meet me in privacy?”
Kali: “Leave aside the talk of dreams as you dismiss them as bizarre things. I come directly to my purpose of coming here.”
Shiv: “Yes, please, and in brief.”
Kali: “I’ve suffered a lot in this human form. I need to trace the root cause of all these sufferings. I want to unravel the mystery of life and death.”
Shiv: “Excellent! Very noble objective! How can I help you achieve that objective?”
Kali: “I’m in your refuge, my lord. Kindly lead me from darkness to light.”
Shiv: “How can I?”
Kali: “You can, with a blink of your eyelids only. It’s as easy for you as that. Don’t let me fall back again on revealing your reality, your essential divine reality.’
Shiv: “Stop talking weirdly. Come to the point of your purpose meeting me, I beseech you.”
Kali: “I’ve heard you’ve launched some ways to enlightenment. I want to be initiated in one of them.”
Shiv: “You’re most welcome. We’ve got a Sadhna Kendra in our Vidyapeeth. You go there. If you are interested in Yoga, you should meet Patanjali there. He is an exponent of Yog. If you want a try at Kundalini Jagran, you may seek guidance from Parvati. She is the head of the women’s faculty there. If you need some Yantras to ascend to enlightenment, you may contact Vishwakarma who is the head of Yantriki Vibhag. He has prepared many wonderful yantras. You may choose some as per your liking. If you want Mantra Siddhi, accomplishment in chanting of Vedic hymns, you may contact Atri. He is the head of Ved Vibhag and a great rishi who is capable of performing great feats with strength of Mantras. You may join the group of Ashta Bhairavas helmed by Kaal Bhairav, if you want to be initiated in the Aghor Panth, which they popularly call Tantra. Ashta Bhairavas, who call themselves Aghori also, live discreetly in the city of Kashi. You may easily trace some of them.”
Kali felt tormented by the glib description of paths and people. Feeling it galling that Shiv was sending her to others, people like Parvati and Bhairav, and not taking interest in her, she asserted, “But I’ve come to you only. I seek refuge in you, not others. They are not compatible enough for me.”
While Shiv was still trying to understand what Kali really meant, she came out demanding, “I want to be initiated in Tantra by you, not by others. I want to be your Bhairavi and you become my Bhairav by taking me through the mystery of life and beyond that, to liberation. You lead me on the path of pleasure till the dawn of enlightenment. It must happen tonight only as an endeavour to enlightenment must not be deferred for even a moment.”
Shiv looked coy and confused. Kali was livid that Shiv did not comprehend what she was pressing so hard. She suspected Shiv was feigning naivety. In desperation, she came out openly propositioning him, and moved ahead to take him in her embrace. Shiv swiftly moved a few steps back and yelled, “No, it can’t be. Look for someone else as your Bhairav. It’s sin to take another Bhairvi as I’ve already got my own Bhairavi, Parvati.”
The blatant denial hit Kali hard. She was not prepared for that. The dishonour to her desire for union with Shiv provoked her womanhood. She roared like a lioness, “Enough is enough, Shiv. Don’t think I’m weak. I’ll chart out my own path.”
Furious, Kali stomped towards the south.
The story does not stop here;
it moves ahead with Kali’s assertion:
”I am Goddess!”.
About the Author
Trilok Nath Pandey, a native of Varanasi, has graduated in Philosophy and Sanskrit from one of the most esteemed and old educational institute, Banaras Hindu University and obtained a degree in law from Allahabad University. He served as a senior group ‘A’ official in Ministry of Home Affairs. He has travelled widely and remained posted at several places across the country. His long-time stay in the Himalayas has enriched his spiritual strength. His excellence has been recognised by Government of India by bestowing on him several prestigious awards, including Indian Police Medal (2010) and President’s Police Medal (2017). His interests include spirituality, literature and philosophy.
His Hindi novel 'Prem Lahari' which is on love between a Sanskrit poet from Benares and daughter of Mughal emperor Shah Jehan is from Rajkamal Prakashan has also garnered great response.
He can be contacted at :
triloknathpandeytnp@gmail.com