hinduwoman
May 21, 2008, 12:43 PM
There is this myth about how Siva came in disguise of an ascetic to one of his followers and asked to eat a young boy. The follower gave him his own son; Siva ate him and later resurrected him. The father was taken to heaven as a reward.
Now round about 12th-13th century we get a group of Siva worshippers, the Virasaivas, who decided they did not like the story. So they continued the myth from where the older version left off:
The follower and Siva went to the house of a Virasaiva in disguise where the father boasted that there is a Siva worshipper who is so devoted that he gave his son to eat merely because another Saiva ascetic demanded human flesh. The host was horrified by this tale; Siva assured him that it really happened and the father is now famous among all Siva worshippers for his devotion and other try to emulate him.
Then the Virasaiva said, that then Siva is a demon and the father is a monster. From this moment no one must worship him. The father and all who praise him, or have written books about this or who have read them and praised it are to be excommunicated from society. Siva himself must be forever cast out from the mind of men and be cursed. :love:
A frightened Siva fled to his heaven. His wife came down and begged the Virasaivite to take the curse back. When he finally takes it back (it is implied that Siva won't do these kind of things anymore, I think) he is taken to heaven by Siva.
Glad to know religion does not make men absolutely moronic always!! :D
Now round about 12th-13th century we get a group of Siva worshippers, the Virasaivas, who decided they did not like the story. So they continued the myth from where the older version left off:
The follower and Siva went to the house of a Virasaiva in disguise where the father boasted that there is a Siva worshipper who is so devoted that he gave his son to eat merely because another Saiva ascetic demanded human flesh. The host was horrified by this tale; Siva assured him that it really happened and the father is now famous among all Siva worshippers for his devotion and other try to emulate him.
Then the Virasaiva said, that then Siva is a demon and the father is a monster. From this moment no one must worship him. The father and all who praise him, or have written books about this or who have read them and praised it are to be excommunicated from society. Siva himself must be forever cast out from the mind of men and be cursed. :love:
A frightened Siva fled to his heaven. His wife came down and begged the Virasaivite to take the curse back. When he finally takes it back (it is implied that Siva won't do these kind of things anymore, I think) he is taken to heaven by Siva.
Glad to know religion does not make men absolutely moronic always!! :D