In the boundless expanse of Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is revered as the destroyer, the ascetic, the cosmic yogi. While many remember His Tandava—the dance that creates and dissolves the universe—there exists a lesser-known, spine-tingling incident where He did something even more profound: He paused the universe.
This wasn’t a myth woven in haste but a moment etched in cosmic silence.
According to ancient texts and oral traditions passed down by sages, this occurred during a time of great imbalance. The celestial realms were in disarray, humans were veering from dharma, and the elements raged in chaos. Instead of reacting with destruction, Shiva chose stillness—a trance so deep, it unraveled the very thread of time.
As He sat cross-legged atop Mount Kailash, His breath ceased, eyes shut, and mind turned inward. With each second that passed, the universe began to follow His lead. The rivers froze mid-flow, their surfaces glass-like and unmoving. The winds stilled, not a leaf rustled. Stars halted, hanging in the sky like suspended dreams. Animals paused, and even the celestial beings—gods and demons alike—stood awestruck, watching time unravel around them.
This moment was not just symbolic—it shook the foundations of the cosmos.
Brahma stopped scripting destinies. Vishnu paused His preservation. The great cosmic wheel, or Kalachakra, ground to a halt. Even the concept of night and day blurred, for without time, what is dawn? What is dusk?
Only when Parvati, Shiva’s eternal consort, approached Him—her presence warm and grounding—did the trance gently break. With a single exhale, Shiva restarted the cosmic rhythm. The rivers gushed, winds howled, stars resumed their twinkle, and the universe sighed in relief.
Many sages believe this act was Shiva’s reminder—that the one who destroys can also pause, that time itself bends at the will of the one who meditates with perfect awareness.
This rare tale of Lord Shiva isn’t merely a myth but a spiritual metaphor. It urges us to embrace stillness, to recognize that in moments of chaos, true power often lies in silence.
*Click here for more mysterious tales of Lord Shiva
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