Honor Every Deity, And Devote Yourself to One
Rishi Upamanyu is well known and widely acclaimed for his Guru-Bhakti. As a child Upmanyu used to live in a forest with his mother. As they were quite poor his mother could not afford milk for her son. Once he visited his uncle, who offered cow-milk to Upmanyu. He liked it very much. Next day he asked his mother for milk. She gave him water of rice.
He said, “Mother! It is not milk.”
She accepted the truth and said, “Yes my son! It is not milk. We are poor ascetic and live in a forest. It is not possible for us to afford milk”.
He asked, “Ma! How does uncle acquire milk?”
Mother responded, “Son! They procured milk by the grace of Lord Shiva.”
Upamanyu inquired, "Ma! Who is Lord Shiva and can I also accomplish grace of Lord Shiva? “
Mother confirmed, “Of course you could.”
This arose Upamanyu’s curiosity, “How should I worship Him?”
Mother told him, “There is a ‘Panchakchhari Mantra’ (a mantra comprising only 5 letters) i.e. “Om namah Shivay” (ॐ नमः शिवाय). It bestows the reward of all other mantras. If you chant it day and night with pure heart He will be happy and provide you ‘doodh – bhat’ (rice and milk)”.
Upamanyu firmly decided to offer his life to Lord Shiva. He would observe severe penance chanting to please Lord Shankar. He went in an isolated forest of Himalayas, made a temple with 8 bricks, established a shivalinga of mud and started chanting the name of Lord Shiva with his innocent chaste heart. The celestial gods tried their best to hinder his austerity. Many ghost and witches came over to scare him. Upmanyu did not care for any hurdles. He was neither scared of nor enraged on the ghosts etc. Heavens started burning with the heat of effulgence emanated from the austerity of Upmanyu. The devatas requested Lord Vishnu to stop him and Lord Vishnu requested Lord Shiva to take care of it.
Lord Shiva was very happy to see the devotion and determination of a child. He wanted to test the determination and exclusive devotion of Upmanyu before blessing him for eternity. Lord Shiva assumed the form of Indra and approached Upamanyu. Seeing the king of heaven Upmanyu stood up and venerated Him saying the words of due respect. Lord Shiva (in disguise of Indra) told him to ask for anything he needs. He replied humbly with folded hands –
अपि कीटः पतङ्गो वा भवेयं शङ्कराज्ञया। न त्विन्द्राहं त्वया दत्तं त्रैलोक्यमपि कामये॥
api kīṭaḥ pataṅgo vā bhaveyaṁ śaṅkarājñayā। na tvindrāhaṁ tvayā dattaṁ trailokyamapi kāmaye॥
“O Indra! You are the king of heaven. So you are most welcome here. If my Lord Shiva wants to turn me into a small creature like a worm or insect, I will gladly accept that. But I condemn even the kingdom of all the three worlds offered by you”.
Lord Shiva was enthralled by His steadfastness and faith. Lord Shiva revealed His original form, His white Airavat elephant changed into Nandi Bull and thunderbolt changed into trident (Trishool). Lord Shiva enlightened Upamanyu with complete knowledge and divine love. Lord Shiva still wanted Upamanyu to ask for a boon. Upmanyu said, “My Lord! By seeing your divine form, I have achieved everything. Still, if you really want me to ask for a boon, please bestow upon me unwavering devotion to your Lotus feet.”
Lord Shiva said, “So be it” and also gave a pot of doodh-bhat. Lord Shiva disappeared thereafter.
Later he became disciple of taught by Rishi Markandeya, and became a great rishi and composed Shiva Sahstra Naam. .