Annapurna Mata Katha – Chapter 3: Shiva's Plea to Annapurna

Lord Shiva's Supplication to Annapurna

In the previous chapter, we saw how there was a severe scarcity of food in Kashi. The people were crying out in hunger. Lord Shiva, who had previously dismissed food as Maya (illusion), now realized his mistake. He understood that food is life, and without it, creation cannot sustain itself.

The Fire of Repentance

Lord Shiva sat in meditation on Mount Kailash, but his mind was not at peace. The plight of Kashi danced before his eyes. He felt as if even the cool flow of the Ganges in his matted locks could not bring him solace. The fire of repentance blazed in his heart. He was distressed; he could not bear the suffering of his devotees. His third eye, usually a symbol of anger and destruction, was filled with compassion today.

"O Goddess," Shiva said to himself, "What a great offense I have committed! I considered food to be Maya, when it is the very foundation of life. I made a mistake, and my people are suffering the punishment for this mistake. I will now atone for this sin."

Shiva with a Begging Bowl

The very next moment, Lord Shiva set aside his trident and assumed the form of a simple mendicant. He picked up an earthen begging bowl and set off towards Kashi. He did not take Nandi with him either; he was alone, like a humble beggar. The emaciated and weak people of Kashi could not recognize him. He wandered from street to street, begging for food, "Bhiksham dehi! Bhiksham dehi!" (Give alms! Give alms!) But where was the food in Kashi? The people themselves were hungry; what could they give to Lord Shiva?

Seeing his humility and destitution, Mother Parvati's heart melted. She knew that Shiva was undertaking this penance to correct his mistake. She knew that Shiva's ego had been consumed by fire, and now he was accepting the glory of food with a true heart. It was now time for her to assume the form of Annapurna.

The Vision of Mother Annapurna

Lord Shiva, hungry and tired, finally sat down in a deserted corner of Kashi. Just then, a divine light appeared before him. From that light emerged a wondrous Goddess, holding a golden pot in one hand and a golden ladle in the other. Her form was extremely radiant and serene. Compassion and maternal affection were clearly visible on her face. She was none other than Mother Annapurna herself.

Mother Annapurna looked at Lord Shiva with a gentle smile and said, "O Mahadeva, rise. Your penance has been successful. You have understood the importance of food. Now I will fill Kashi with food again, so that my people may never go hungry." Lord Shiva was filled with gratitude upon beholding Mother Annapurna. He bowed at her feet, and the Mother filled his begging bowl with divine kheer (rice pudding).