Śiva
Also known as: Bhava / Immortal Rudra / Rudra / Stháṇu / Śankar · Family: Gods · Role: God · First appears: Book I, Canto 25 · The Hermitage Of Love
In Book I, Canto 25, Stháṇu burned Kandarpa after he dared to attack him; the canto also describes Kandarpa as having challenged Śiva, Umá’s new-wed lord. In Canto 36, Himálaya gave Umá to be Rudra’s bride. In Canto 44, Śiva granted Bhagírath’s wish to bring Gangá down to earth, caught her in his hair, then released her at Vindu’s lake, where seven rivers flowed from her. “Then Śiva, for the hermit’s sake, / Bade her long wanderings end”.
In Canto 55, Śiva granted Viśvámitra the science of the bow and divine weapons. In Canto 66, Janak’s tale tells how Rudra wounded the Gods at Daksha’s sacrifice after they denied him his portion, then restored their torn limbs. In Canto 75, Ráma broke Śiva’s bow, which Śiva had given to Devarát, ruler of Videha. The canto also recounts Śiva’s battle with Vishṇu and their peace after Vishṇu overcame the bow.
Relationship record
Book I, Canto 25 · The Hermitage Of Love
- married with Umá “Kandarpa in apparent form, Called Káma by the wise, Dared Umá’s new-wed lord to storm And make the God his prize.”
- enemies with Kandarpa “Kandarpa in apparent form, Called Káma by the wise, Dared Umá’s new-wed lord to storm And make the God his prize.”
Book I, Canto 36 · The Birth Of Gangá
- married with Umá “Long time the sister Umá passed In vows austere and rigid fast, And the king gave the devotee Immortal Rudra’s bride to be,”
Book I, Canto 44 · The Descent Of Gangá
- married with Umá (Umá is identified as Śiva’s wife by the epithet “Umá’s lord”.) “The Lord of life the skies regained: The fervent king a year remained With arms upraised, refusing rest While with one toe the earth he pressed, Still as a post, with sleepless eye, The air his food, his roof the sky. The year had past. Then Umá’s lord, King of creation, world adored, Thus spoke to great Bhagírath: “I,”
- protégé: Gangá “Then Śiva, for the hermit’s sake, Bade her long wanderings end, And sinking into Vindu’s lake Her weary waves descend.”
Book I, Canto 45 · The Quest Of The Amrit
- patron: Vishṇu “What treasure first the Gods upturn From troubled Ocean, as they churn, Should—for thou art the eldest—be Conferred, O best of Gods, on thee. Then come, and for thy birthright’s sake, This venom as thy first fruits take.”
Book I, Canto 55 · The Hermitage Burnt
- protégé: Viśvámitra (Śiva grants Viśvámitra the requested boons.) “The Lord of Gods then gave consent, And to his heavenly mansion went.”
Book I, Canto 75 · The Parle
- enemies with Vishṇu “Bristled in dread each starting hair As Śiva strove with Vishṇu there.”
- enemies with Tripur “Thus armed fierce Tripura he slew:”
- protégé: Devarát “Then glorious Śiva in his rage Gave it to Devarát the sage”
- rivals with Vishṇu “And the great rivals met in peace.”
- with Devarát (Śiva gave Devarát the bow.) “Then glorious Śiva in his rage Gave it to Devarát the sage Who ruled Videha’s fertile land, To pass it down from hand to hand.”
Book II, Canto 96 · The Magic Shaft
- married with Umá “As Śiva with Queen Umá roves Through Himaván’s majestic groves.”
Book III, Canto 16 · Winter
- with Nandi (interaction) “So Rudra shines by worlds adored, In glory undefiled, When Nandi stands beside his lord,”
Book III, Canto 24 · The Host In Sight
- enemies with Daksha “Like Śiva when his angry might Stayed Daksha’s sacrificial rite.”
Book III, Canto 30 · Khara’s Death
- enemies with Andhak “So burnt by Rudra Andhak fell In Śvetáraṇya’s silvery dell:”
Book III, Canto 56 · Sítá’s Disdain
- enemies with Kandarpa “Like Káma slain by Rudra’s eye.”
Book III, Canto 65 · Ráma’s Wrath
- enemies with Tripur “Like Rudra when he yearned to slay The demon Tripur in the fray.”
Book IV, Canto 11 · Dundubhi
- married with Umá “The Lord of Hills, where hermits live And love the home his forests give, Whose child is Śankar’s darling queen, The King of Snows is he I mean.”
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Extracted from the original text of The Rámáyan of Válmíki. Made with Rho MD.