Why Lord Shiva Drank Poison!

Friends, we are in kaliyuga. The predominant factor in kaliyuga is ‘kalaha’. – quarrels and disputes. Two nations, two regions, two communities, two lobbies, two political parties, keep on fighting among themselves. Members in a co-operative housing society also keep on quarrelling. Two brothers, two sisters, even two friends have differences or disputes. Similar is the case with business partners, directors and so on.

Now, these disputes have reached micro level. Members of even one family have internal disputes. Today, we have nuclear families with only one kid! Even there, husband and wife may not get along well! There are rampant separations and divorces.

One Sanskrit poet has very interestingly described this observation by linking such disputes to the mythological beliefs. In our ancient scriptures, there is a story of Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) out of which 14 jewels (Ratnas) emerged. One of them was very disastrous poison which would have destroyed the whole world. Lord Shiva came to the rescue and swallowed that poison. That made his neck blue in colour! That is why he is called ‘Neelkantha”. The poison also has many medicinal qualities. Hence, it is also one of the jewels.

The poet thought about all the family members of Lord Shiva: Wife Parvati’s vehicle i