!!!!!!!!!!.........Pushpadanta……..!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!.........Pushpadanta……..!!!!!!!!

Pushpadanta was a great devotee of Lord Siva. He was the chief of the Gandharvas. His teeth were like the petals of the jasmine flower. Hence he was called by the name Pushpadanta, ‘flowery toothed’.
Pushpadanta had the power of moving in the air. He used to collect flowers from the garden of king Vahu at Banares, in order to worship Lord Shiva. As he had the power of moving in the air, the gardeners were not able to detect him. The gardeners suspected that some mysterious being with some supernatural powers, was stealthily plucking the flowers of the garden. They made a device to catch him.
They scattered some flowers which had been offered to Lord Siva in different places in the garden. They thought that the mysterious being would tread on the flowers.
As usual Pushpadanta visited the garden to pluck flowers. He walked on the flowers which were scattered on the ground. He unconsciously insulted Lord Siva and lost his power of moving inthe air. He was caught by the gardeners and brought before the king.
Pushpadanta recited a hymn to Lord Shiva to propitiate Him and free himself from the fear of the king whom he had offended by the theft of the flowers. He again obtained the power to move in the air through the grace of Lord Shiva.
This celebrated hymn is known by the name ‘Mahimnastava’. It is full of sublime,
soul-elevating thoughts. It is sung daily in the Siva temples of Northern India, during evening prayers and Arati.
This hymn touches the heart of all. It is sonorous, rhythmical and musical and full
of profound devotion. You should get this by heart and repeat it daily. You will attain supreme, immortal, blissful abode of Lord Shiva.