Story of Aparna

Everybody has a name, an identity by which they are known in this big wide world. But how many of us know the meaning of it? There is a story behind every name. Who named you or who suggested that name for you and why? Did it just strike your mom and dad or did they just dreamt it? How many numerous name books they searched for it?

My name is Aparna and there is a beautiful story behind that name, which I would love to share with you all. My mom said that she used to read lot of novels when she was carrying me and the name 'Aparna' in those days struck little modern. She thought if she had a baby girl she would name 'Aparna' which she apparently did. But she also heard another story about the name.

The real story goes some what like this. The name is one of the numerous names of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. Her husband Shiva was insulted by her own father Daksha. In a fit of rage, she sacrificed herself and became a sati. Lord Shiva, in agony of losing his wife, threw himself away from all worldly desires into deep meditation in the caves of Himalayas.

Reborn again to the mountain king Himavanth as Uma, Parvati always wanted to have Lord Shiva as her husband. She used to go to the icy caves where he lived and meditated and brought him food and served him. But Shiva was so preoccupied in himself that he never noticed her at all. Parvati did not know how to win his heart so she called upon the God of Love, Manmadha and his consort Rati. They transformed his cave into a pleasure garden and the God of Lust fired his arrows of desire into Shiva's heart.

Shiva was furious than lovesick and in his anger opened his third eye and burned Manmadha to ashes. Rati seeing her husband die in that manner, pleaded Parvati to bring him back. Parvati assured her that when she would marry Shiva, Manmadha would come alive. She now knew that it was more important than ever to become Shiva's wife because, without the God of Love, there would be no creation, no man no women and the world would cease to exist.

Parvati now sorted for a more stern way to win Shiva's heart. She thought doing severe penance to prove that her love for him was true might melt his stonecold heart and then he might marry her. Very determined, she went to the forest and did rigorous Tapas. She put her mind to Shiva and chanted his name. She wore nothing to protect her tender body and she never moved. Insects and creatures crawled over her skin thinking her to be a rock. She did severe fasting, eating nothing, not even a single leaf, hence the name. A - without and Parna - leaf. Aparna the leafless one.

Impressed by her determination, Lord Shiva accepts her and they both are united in one. God of Love Manmadha becomes alive and there is harmony in the world. Thus, Aparna brings back the balance to the world. Lord Shiva and Godess Parvati are perfect for each other because she calmes him down and he attains the balance of Yoga and Bhoga with her.

So What is the story of your name?