The Tale of Lord Shiva, the Merchant, the Groom, and the Son Destined to Live Only Twelve Years

Long ago, in a small Indian village, there lived a wealthy and devout merchant named **Chand**. Despite his riches, Chand felt incomplete, as he and his wife had no children. Saddened, Chand embarked on a pilgrimage to seek blessings from **Lord Shiva**, hoping that the divine deity would grant him the joy of fatherhood.

After days of journeying, Chand reached **Mount Kailash**, the sacred abode of Lord Shiva, and prayed fervently. Moved by his sincere devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him. “O Chand,” said Shiva, “I am pleased with your devotion. I shall grant you a son. However, there is one condition—he will live only twelve years.”

Chand was taken aback by the limitation on his future son’s life, but his longing for a child was stronger than his fears. Humbly accepting the condition, he thanked Lord Shiva and returned home. In time, Chand’s wife gave birth to a beautiful boy whom they named **Rohit**. The child grew up with remarkable virtues and intelligence, beloved by all in the village.

As Rohit neared his twelfth birthday, Chand and his wife grew increasingly anxious, remembering Shiva’s prophecy. Desperate to protect their son, they sent him on a pilgrimage to **Kashi (Varanasi)**, one of the holiest cities, hoping that the blessings of the sacred place might alter his fate. Accompanied by wise sages, Rohit embarked on his journey, his heart filled with devotion.

In Kashi, Rohit prayed with unwavering faith and spent his days in meditation. Meanwhile, his twelfth birthday drew closer, and with it, **Yama**, the god of death, approached to take Rohit’s life as destined. But **Sage Narada**, observing the young boy’s devotion, intervened. “Lord Yama,” he pleaded, “this boy was born by Lord Shiva’s blessing and has shown exceptional faith. I urge you to consult Lord Shiva before proceeding.”

Moved by Narada’s request, Yama agreed and sought Lord Shiva’s guidance. Shiva, deeply touched by Rohit’s devotion and his parents’ love, decided to grant him a boon. “Let Rohit’s destiny be changed,” declared Shiva. “He shall now live a long life, filled with happiness and prosperity.”

Meanwhile, as Rohit continued his pilgrimage, fate brought him into contact with a **young maiden and her family** in a neighboring village. The girl’s parents, struck by Rohit’s devotion and wisdom, proposed a marriage between Rohit and their daughter, and the two were soon engaged. However, unaware of Shiva’s blessing, Chand and his family were apprehensive about the marriage, fearing that their son’s life would end soon.

The wedding day arrived, and as the groom, Rohit, sat by the sacred fire, his parents anxiously watched the ceremony. During the wedding rituals, **Sage Narada** appeared before the family, bringing joyous news. “Rejoice, O family of Chand!” he announced. “By Lord Shiva’s blessing and Rohit’s unwavering devotion, his fate has changed. He shall live a long and prosperous life, blessed with the love of his new bride and the happiness of his family.”

Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, Chand and his family praised Lord Shiva and celebrated the wedding with open hearts, finally free from the fear that had weighed upon them for so long. Rohit and his new bride lived happily, blessed with health, prosperity, and a harmonious life, surrounded by the love and admiration of their village.

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**Moral of the Story:**

This tale of Lord Shiva, the merchant Chand, the groom Rohit, and the family’s unwavering devotion teaches us that **faith and devotion can alter even the most fixed destinies**. The love and support of family, combined with pure devotion to the divine, can overcome all challenges, bringing forth blessings that transcend even death itself. This story reminds us that true devotion and sincere faith are powerful forces, capable of bringing about miraculous changes and everlasting happiness.