What is that from which all these scriptures originate? All these have originated from the Word. What is the form of the primordial Word? It is Pranava or Om. God is embodied in sound. All other forms of energy emanate from it. In the same way, the sound of Shiva’s Damaruka when He performs His cosmic dance contains the sound of all the musical instruments. There is a song which describes the cosmic dance of Shiva. The form assumed by Shiva while performing the cosmic dance is possible only for divinity and none else. We should never forget such a divine form.
Lord Shiva is lost in ecstasy
Parameshvara, Sambasiva is lost in ecstasy,
Dancing and dancing the Tandava dance
With Sage Narada accompanying on Tanpura and
The Lord’s matted locks are shining brilliantly.
Wielding the Trident, Shiva is dancing
Tadhim, Tadhim, Tadhim Tadhimtaka.
Lord Shiva ...
With Goddess Saraswati playing Veena and Indra, the flute, Lord Vishnu on Mridanga,
Dhimi Dhimi Dhimi Dhimitaka.
Lord Shiva ...
With Ganga coursing through his matted locks,
And the third eye flashing on his forehead,
As the crystal rosary sparkled and glin
Shiva danced the Tandava.
(Telugu song)
The cosmic dance of Parvati and Ishvara is most enchanting. None other is capable of performing it. Parvati and Ishvara are the divine parents of all the people of the world. We will be free from all suffering when we constantly remember them. But today nobody remembers them. How can then people have protection?
Once when Shiva and Parvati were moving about in the sky, they saw a person cutting the branch of a tree on which he was sitting. As he was on the verge of falling, Parvati prayed to Shiva to save him, ‘Oh Lord, please save him when he falls on the ground.’ But Shiva said to Parvati, ‘It is you who saw him first. It is you again who realised that he would die when he falls down. So, it is your responsibility to save him.’ Then Parvati submitted, ‘Dear Lord, when someone falls on the ground, he will either utter ‘Amma’ (mother) or ‘Appa’ (father). If this man utters ‘Amma’, then I will save him, but if he utters ‘Appa’, you should save him.’ Ishvara agreed to this proposal. As the branch broke, both Shiva and Parvati came forward to save him. But while falling, this man did not utter either ‘Amma’ or ‘Appa’; he uttered ‘Ayyo’ (alas). Though both Shiva and Parvati were waiting to save him, he did not call them. The moral of the story is that we should always remember our parents. One who does not remember his parents even in times of difficulty is really a fool. Lord Ishvara and Mother Parvati are universal parents. If one constantly remembers them, one will not encounter any difficulty or suffering. Unfortunately, today people do not remember their parents. That is the reason why they lack protection.
When our end approaches, we should remember either our divine mother or divine father. Those who remember their divine parents are really blessed ones. What to talk of our divine mother and divine father, people today do not remember even their own parents. Why should one remember one’s mother? It is the mother who carries you in her womb for nine months and gives birth to you. She brings you up bearing all difficulties. He is a fool who does not remember his mother with gratitude. Similarly, your father bears all types of difficulties to provide education to you and brings you up in life. Is it possible for you to progress in life without going to a preceptor and acquiring education? Hence, everyone should always remember his parents. You may or may not remember anybody else, but you must remember your parents. (SSS Vol. 41, pp. 33-36)