The Climb to Power
Shiva had gone through life and manifestation alone. Only once, in a revelatory vision had he provided Brahman and Vishnu with glimpses of his primal, female energy, his shakti. He had confined his activities to the higher reaches of the cosmos, concentrating on evolving into a full-fledged deity with far-reaching powers. He had been identified forces-and deities Fire, Air, Wind, Water, the Sun, Moon and stars. He moved quick as lightning, struck like the thunderbolt, and stormed into situation like a cloudburst, cleansing the air and making a clean and total sweep. He was the gathering storm of ancient skies in the mind of early man, with its recurrent rumbling mystery, the sound and howling fury signifying something other-than and beyond. He had already, in one of his births, taken up the bow of Indra, making its his own, but the real turning point in his carrier can be seen in two other myths.

Shiva Takes Over
Indra, Vayu and Agni sat exchanging notes on their recent war against the gods. They had an unqualified victory and were gloating over their success. They had managed to beat back the demons with no help - or so they thought. It was time to remind them of the Supreme Power whose functonaries they really were.

As they sat discussing their exploits, they noticed a towering figure in the distance. A yaksha (a powerful spirit of nature), was moving towards them with the majestic gait of a lion. They quailed at the sight of him and what kind of power he exercised and Vayu replied, 'I lift things, I blow them away'. The yaksha threw a blade of grass in front of him. Vayu tried to blow it away, but could not even shift it. He went back chastened, but full of wonder and curiousity and told the others. Agni tried next. He blazed and crackled and roared with all his might. The tiny blade of grass remained unscathed. Agni gave up and sent Indra- surely, as chief of the gods, he should be able to do something. Indra strode up, full of confidence and asked him who he was. The yaksha vanished. In his place stood a radiant woman. 'Who was he? Indra asked her. 'The yaksha is invisible', was her reply, and then explained. 'I am the Prakriti (Nature Manifest) of that Purusha (Cosmic male) who is Yaksha. From him all beings originate - even the Cosmic Egg.' The gods were thus made to realise the power behind the throne that was Indra- the Supreme Shiva, Unborn and Unmanifest.

In an even more expressive myth, Shiva disguised as an avadhuta (a naked ascetic), stood in indra's path as he was on his way to see Shiva. 'Who are you?' Indra asked, looking at him with inborn arrogance. He did not see the inner radiance of the ascetic, his air of contained fire. The avadhuta said nothing. 'Is Shiva at home? Do you know?' Indra said irritably. Again, the silence. This time the insolence was unmistakable.

Indra kept repeating his questions only to be met with stubborn silence. He lost his temper. Raising his vajra (thunderbolt), he threatened to kill him if he did not reply. The hand with the weapon, poised to strike, froze like a charmed serpent as the avadhuta's eyes blazed like a forest fire.

Brihaspati, guru of the gods, who was with Indra, recognised Shiva and fell at his feet, begging for Indra's life. The third eye had begun to spark and flame. 'Spare him, O lord, your third eye is open blazing'. He made Indra fall at his feet, this is fire that once released, even I cannot withdraw.' Brihaspati continued to plead and Shiva relented. 'I shall throw it into the sea, so that Indra and the gods are not destroyed.' And Shiva, vanished. He had established his supremacy.