Return to What's New?

He is coming for Shivratri
(Presented in the Shivaratri Celebration by Rishi Dhar; 3rd Grade.
Rishi was helped in writing by his mother Sunita Dhar)

I had just finished my morning prayers, when the door bell rang. I peeked through the glass and saw a stranger standing there. He smiled and asked me to open the door. I hesitated. I didn’t know who he was. But then it hit me. Of course I knew Him. How many people are there with a snake hanging around their neck and Ganga coming out of their hair! It was Lord Shiva. I was sure my parents wouldn’t be upset if I opened the door for Him.

It was very cold outside and I realized that He was not wearing a coat. I asked Him if he would like to wear one, but He said, “don’t worry, I am used to cold weather”. Dhhh! I should have known better. Of course He is used to cold weather. He lives on Mount Kailash, which is always covered with snow.

I wasn’t sure where I should ask Him to sit, because His body was covered with ashes, and I knew Mom wouldn’t be too excited to have ashes all over her living room sofa. But, then I remembered that He was our guest, and a guest is like God, so we must show Him respect and offer Him the best seat in the house.

As He was getting comfortable on the sofa, I started putting away all the things He was carrying. There was His rosary and staff. I liked His Damaru and wondered if I could practice my tabla lesson on it. He also had this long trident, which was kind of dangerous looking. Good He wasn’t taking a plane. No airline would have allowed Him to fly with that thing in His hand. I stopped to think, how did He come here? I did not remember seeing a car outside. So, I went out to look. Good God! There was a bull parked in our driveway. Why didn’t I think of it? It was Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vahana, I mean mode of transportation. What will the neighbors make of it, I wondered. Quietly, I opened the garage door and asked Nandi Maharaj to rest inside.

I didn’t know what to offer Lord Shiva to drink. Mom had told me that He even drank poison in order to save the world. So, I was sure that whatever I offered with love and respect, the Lord would gladly accept, but I wanted to know if there was anything that He liked the most. When I went to ask, I saw that the Lord had closed His eyes, and was meditating. The crescent moon in His hair looked so beautiful. Quickly, I went to the prayer room. In a plate I put some flowers and bilva leaves. I lighted a lamp and burnt some incense. With everything ready, I went and offered it all to the Lord, and prayed near His feet. He was very pleased and blessed me.

Then it was time for Him to go. He said He had come just to make sure that He had the right address and directions, because He was planning to pay us a visit on Shivaratri. I’d better tell Mom to be ready!