The Power of Unconscious Devotion: A Story from Shiva Purana
A Hungry Soul and a Desperate Act
There is a very inspiring story in Shiva Purana that proves that even if a small creature unknowingly comes under the shelter of Lord Shiva, his life also changes. This is a story from ancient times, there was a poor and hungry person who was craving for food for many days. He did not have enough food, so he thought of stealing. He started thinking that maybe he could fill his stomach by stealing something valuable from a temple.
Ancient Shiva Temple Night
One night in the dark, he reached an ancient Shiva temple. The temple was completely dark and he was not able to see from inside. He was about to get disappointed, then he thought of a solution. He completed his answer or cloth, he removed the cloth and started burning it. The place kept burning and for a while a light spread inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Unaware of his virtue
In that light he looked around and thought that maybe he had found something worth stealing, but he had not forgotten any treasure. He came out of the temple disappointed. At that time he could not understand that whatever he had done had become virtue. But no deed goes waste in the court of Lord Shiva. Why did he not do it unknowingly?
Rebirth as a Chakravarti Emperor
In the next birth, the same person became a Chakravarti Emperor. His kingdom was all over the earth. Dhaneshwar Pratishtha, everything became easily available to him. One day when he was sitting in meditation and solitude, he saw a glimpse of his previous birth. That scene was the burning of his Uttariya in the Shiva temple.
Realization and devotion
He understood that the virtue by which I had illuminated the temple of Lord Shiva has made me an emperor. I remember this. The wonderful flame of Shiva devotion was burning in his heart. He built thousands of Shiva temples in his kingdom and ordered that the Akhand Jyoti should be kept burning in every Shiva temple. He dedicated all his wealth to the service of Lord Shiva with purity and devotion.
Divine reward: Birth as Kubera
The result of this virtue and devotion was that in the next birth he became King Kubera, possessor of the wealth of heaven, the best friend of Lord Shiva and the chief of all the gods. Any work done in the service of God, whether small, unintentional or without any selfish motive, is sure to yield its reward.
The eternal flame of virtue
The fire of virtue never... It does not require any effort, it bears fruit at the right time. Devotion and service to God is the greatest wealth. When a person burnt unintentionally can be made a Kubera, what will happen if we serve Shiva with complete devotion? Nothing can happen.
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