[Chaturamnaya] Stories from the Shiva Purana - 14 (Shiva’s Incarnation as a Kirata)

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Continued from the previous post. A common theme among the incarnations of Vishnu is that he takes birth — e.g. Rama was born of Kausalya,
Krishna of Devaki, etc. However, the Incarnations of Shiva in the Shiva Purana (SP) are different in that He typically is not born but appears
and disappears as if by magic! Many such Incarnations of Shiva are mentioned in the SP — here's one that retells a popular story from the Mahabharata,
where Shiva appears as a Kirata or hunter to first combat with Arjuna and then bless him with the Pashupata Astra:
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226433.html
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226434.html
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226436.html
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226437.html
Section 3, Chapters 37-41)
 
 
Defeated by Suyodhana, the excellent Pandavas went to the forest accompanied by their chaste wife Draupadi. Krishna appeared there on being
remembered by Draupadi.
 
Lord Krishna said, “O excellent Pandavas, now listen to the details of my experience involving service to Shiva. After hearing you shall act
accordingly. I went to Dwaraka to conquer my enemies. After obeying the instructions of noble Upamanyu, I propitiated Lord Shiva. I propitiated
Him for seven months in the excellent mountain Batuka. Thus Shiva was pleased with me. Standing there Himself, He fulfilled all my desires.
By His power, I acquired excellent efficiency in everything. The Lord, the Bestower of worldly pleasures and salvation is propitiated by me
even now. You too serve Shiva who is the Bestower of happiness to all.”
 
After saying thus and cheering the Pandavas, Krishna vanished from there and remembering the lotus feet of Shiva, he hastened to Dwaraka.
In the meantime, Vyasa came there with the ashes decorating his forehead, with Rudraksha as an ornament and well bedecked in matted hair.
After considering everything, the great sage Vyasa pronounced Arjuna the most deserving among the five brothers in the worship of Shiva.
 
Arjuna went over impassable mountains for the practice of his steady rites. He curbed his sense organs and the mind and stood steady. He made
a clay idol of Shiva even and beautiful. In front of it, he stood in meditation on the excellent heap of splendour. He took bath thrice a day.
He performed various sorts of worship. He performed the Upasti form of worship of Shiva again and again.
 
In the meantime, there came the demon Muka, instigated by the wicked Duryodhana, wielding Maya against Arjuna. He had assumed the form of a boar.
Shiva, favourably disposed to His devotees, assumed the wonderful form of an efficient hunter and came there along with His Ganas in order to
slay that Daitya, to protect Arjuna as well as to test his devotion.
 
In order to protect Arjuna, Shiva favourably disposed towards His devotees, came there closely pursuing the boar. Between the two, the animal
rushed on and then halted. Shiva’s arrow hit the tail and stopped at the snout. It struck the ground and entered it. Arjuna’s arrow pierced
through the body. It came out of the tail and fell at its side. The boar who was a Daitya fell dead on the ground. Shiva immediately sent His
attendant to fetch the arrow. The Arjuna too came there.
 
Kirata said, “See this army coming. Give up the arrow and go away. Why do you seek death for a trifle. Your brothers are in distress. Your wife
is grief-stricken. I think your kingdom will slip off your hands, I am sure.”
 
Arjuna replied, “If I were to give up the arrow that belongs to me, I shall be the cause of ignominy to my family. Well may my brothers be
distressed. Let all my knowledge be fruitless. So, come on to fight with me. No lion is ever frightened of a jackal. A king is never afraid of
a forester.”
 
Lord Shiva, a Kirata, heard the message and approached Arjuna along with His army. On seeing Him come, Arjuna meditated on Shiva and fought with
Him a terrible battle. Shiva and Arjuna of great strength and exploit fought each other with various weapons of war. The earth along with the
oceans shook due to their fight. “What will happen now?” Thinking thus, the gods were distressed.
 
Then Shiva smiled and revealed His wonderful auspicious form as He is always well disposed to His devotees. On seeing that beautiful form,
the form of the excellent Supreme Being as mentioned in the Vedas, Shastras and Puranas, the form which Vyasa had advised him to meditate upon,
the form which bestows all Siddhis, the form of Shiva, Arjuna was abashed and surprised much. He joined his palms in reverence and bending his
head, he bowed to the Lord with pleasure. 
 
Arjuna said, “O Great God, O Lord of gods, O Shiva the merciful, O Lord of all, my fault shall be forgiven by You. What have You done?
By concealing Your own form You have deceived me now. Fie on me who fought with You, my Master, O Lord.”
 
Shiva said, “O Arjuna, foremost among the sons of Pandu, I am delighted. Choose your boon. By your hits and blows I have been worshipped by you.
I consider it so.”
 
Arjuna said, “What shall I say? You are the Immanent Soul of all. Still, let my detailed explanation be heard by You, O Lord. Whatever danger
I had from enemies has vanished at Your sight. Please do that which may confer worldly Siddhis on me.”
 
Lord Shiva gave him Pashupata missile that could not be thwarted by anyone at any time and spoke thus. Shiva said, “I have given you My own
great missile. You will become invincible thereby. You will reap success over your enemies through this. I shall tell Krishna also. He will help you.
He is My own Soul, My devotee and he carries out My task. O Bharata, due to My power, you will rule over your kingdom unhindered. You shall perform
righteous deeds of various kinds always along with your brother.”
 
After saying this and placing His hand over his head, Shiva vanished after being duly worshipped by Arjuna. The delighted Arjuna, after obtaining
the excellent missile from the Lord, returned to his hermitage remembering devotedly his chief preceptor and Shiva. In the meantime, on hearing that
Arjuna had returned, Krishna came there to see him. He was very happy. He who hears and narrates this obtains all desires.
 
 
(To be Continued)