One day Shiva and Parvati rode on Nandi down from Kailash to the
village to get some fruit.

As they rode, some villagers walked by and frowned at them. "Look at
those mean folks," they said, "'Two fat people weighing down that poor
old bull!"

Shiva and Parvati were ashamed. So Shiva got down and walked along
while Parvati rode.

Soon more villagers passed and laughed at them. "Look at that
hen-pecked husband! He walks in the dust while his wife rides like a
queen over him!"

Parvati jumped down and begged her Lord to mount on Nandi. She would
not see Shiva humiliated on her account.

The next passersby shook their heads and frowned. "How terrible that
husband is! He makes his poor wife walk while he lazily rides!"

Without a word, Shiva dismounted and the two of them walked beside Nandi.

Soon they saw more villagers who burst out laughing. "Look at those
stupid people! They walk along pulling their bull, when they could be
riding in comfort! How dumb!"

Shiva and Parvati had heard enough. What to do!!! They climbed back
onto Nandi and went their way, understanding that not they, but the
dull minds of their critics, were the stupid ones.

Moral: Do not judge God, for His ways are beyond our small minds to
grasp. Only the stupid ask God to limit Himself to their tiny vision.
Welcome reality, and understand that all actions of Shiva are
auspicious.

SwamiJi, you are Shiva. May we always recognize your purity, your
divinity and above all, your innocence.

with love and respect,

Ma Nithya
Sarvavidyaa (Sophia Keller)