The Game of Dice
And then there was quarrel over an evening's game of dice, egged on by the trouble maker, Narda. He walked in as they were about to start and asked them to go ahead - he was in a mood for play, and would be content to watch. Parvati, knowing him, was sarcastic: Son of Brahma, great sage, how is it that gambling interests you? I am no gambler, only an interested spectactor, said, Narada with a smile. Parvati smiled back, knowingly.

Shiva won the first game. The men were complacent, What will you stake? She asked Shiva. My crescent and all I wear? He lost. Parvati claimed her winnings. Shiva was surprised: you can't be serious. I am unconquerable, you know that, Parvati replied, you have been conquered by me, you know that. Admit defeat and pay up.

Narada dissuaded her and so did Bhringi, Shiva's faithful attendant, you speak like an ignorant woman. He is lord and master without equal, undisputed. Parvati was adamant. Be quiet, or leave, she said to Bhringi. When he continued to plead his master's cause, she cursed him, saying he would have no flesh, only skin and bone. She declared, I am the power behind Shiva, the energy within. I have made him what he is. He must acknowledge my victory'.

Shiva begged to keep at least his kaupina, his lower garment. Quite flushed with victory, she taunted him: you did not feel ashamed of your nakedness when the sages' wives were following you in Daruvana. You shed your kaupina quite wilingly. Why are you embarrassed to remove it for me? Saying this, she took away all his things. Shiva almost flashed his third eye. She even braved that. You cannot possibly consider using that against me. I am not Andhaka, Kama or Tripura.

She had gone too far. He left for his forest retreat and went into deep meditation, withdrawing into himself. Parvati felt foolish, but unrepentant. Ultimately, she relented and wooed him, disguised as a tribal maiden. The Father and Mother of the universe were back in Kailasa to the relief of all concerned. It was more than a game of dice. It was a play of Purusha and Prakriti, the tension that keeps the world in tune and humming.