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==Plot==
''Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev'' is thea storytelevision ofseries based on legends featuring the Hindu God [[Shiva]], also calledknows as Mahadev. The show portraysnarrates histhe journeymost fromfamous aof hermitthese tolegends, asourced house holder. Infrom the show[[Puranas]] Shivaand takesthe manywork incarnationsof andwell manyknown incidentsmythologist take[[Devdutt_Pattanaik|Devdutt place. HoweverPattanaik]],in thisan plotepisodic mentions only the major eventsfashion.
The story starts with the tale of Shiva's marriage with [[Sati (goddess)|Sati]]. Sati whois a partial incarnation of the Supreme Goddess and is born as the daughter of [[Prajapati]] [[Daksha]], who is a staunch devotee of [[Vishnu]]. devotee,She is drawn towards Shiva against the wisheswill of her father. SheShiva finallyand marriesSati Shiva,get butmarried soonand diesstart byliving self-immolationin whenKailash. herSoon husbandafter isDaksha insultedorganises at thea ''[[yajna]]'' ofwhere all the gods except for Shiva are invited. Sati is distraught as this slight, and against Shiva's wishes, journeys to her parental home to question her father. Daksha, drunk on his own power and piety insults Shiva in front of Sati. Torn with remorse on having ignored her divine husband's wishes Sati gives up her body in the fires which emanate from her own body - ''pranagni''. The grief-striken Shiva produces an ''aaveshavatar'' an incarnation of a fierce mood[[Virabhadra]], who slays Daksha. Later, howeveron hehearing restoresthe prayers of Daksha's lifewife afterhe beseeching ofrestores Daksha's wifelife. A distraught Shiva leaves with burnt corpse of Sati and wanders around the universe. Vishnu severswith the use of his divine discus dismembers the body into pieces, shatteringscattering them on earth. Shiva transforms the pieces into [[Shakti Peetha]]s, embodiments of the power of the Goddess [[Adi Shakti]].
After an age, during which Shiva plunges into austere [[Tapas_(Sanskrit)|tapas]], Sati is reborn as [[Parvati]], the daughter of [[Himavan]], king of the Himalayas and Mainavati. She is also the sister of the river-goddess, [[Ganges in Hinduism|Ganga]]. Parvati is raised in the hermitage of the Shiva devotee[[Shaivite]] sage [[Dadhichi]], who teachesinstructs her. devotionAs toParvati Shiva.matures, Parvatishe growsis up andcaptivated likeby Sati,the isthought captivatedof byattaining Shiva himself as her husband. SheGradually slowlythe remembersmemory of her pastprevious life,birth thenas winsSati Shivaawakens byin her; austeritiesand leadingshe undertakes the most severe of austerities to theirplease Shiva. He is appeased and they are married in the presence of all the gods and marriagegoddesses.
[[Murugan|Kartikeya]] is born to Shiva and Parvati. giveThe birthgods toare pleased because it is [[Murugan|Kartikeya]], who slaysis destined to slay their arch foe, the demon [[Tarakasura]] and his brothers. Kartikeya is also nominated for the throne of the King of Devas but Shiva asks Indra to continue as the king. After this Kartikeya is sent to the Dakshin (south) where he is cared for by [[Meenakshi]] and here he slays the demon (asura), Tripath with her help. The story goes on with the tale of the destruction of [[Tripura (mythology)|Tripura]], belonging to the revengeful sons of Tarakasura, who were earlier given boons by Shiva. And just before the destruction of the Tripura, Shiva and Parvati's daughter, Ashoksundari is born.
The narrative also relates the destruction of the demon [[Tripura (mythology)|Tripura]], by Shiva who is also called ''Tripurari''. But just before the destruction of the Tripurasura, the little known legend of the birth of Shiva and Parvati's daughter, Ashoksundari has been included in the series.
After the destruction of Tripura, except Lord [[Indra]] (the King of [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]s) everyone congratulate Shiva for destructing Tripura and also for being the father of Ashokasundari. Rishi [[Durvasa]] gives him a special garland, which Shiva gave Narada as [[prasadam]]. When given Lord Indra accepts the garland placing it on the trunk of his elephant, [[Airavata]] to proof that he is egoistic throws it. This enrages the sage and he curses Indra and evryone to be bereft of all wealth and fortune. Soon later to take revenge on the destruction of Tripura, King [[Mahabali|Bali]] attacks heaven and in attempt to steal ''[[Amrita]]'' (nectar of immortality). But it falls into the [[Ocean of milk]]. To get the ''Amrit'' back Devas join hands with Asuras to churn the ocean for the ''Amrita'' and to share it among them. ▼
▲AfterOn thedestroying destructionTripurasura, ofShiva Tripura,is exceptpraised Lordby [[Indra]]all (the Kingsages ofand [[Devagods (Hinduism)|Deva]]s) everyone congratulate Shivaexcept for destructingIndra. Tripura and also for being the father of Ashokasundari. Rishi [[Durvasa]] givesoffers himShiva a special garland, which Shiva gavepresents to Narada as [[prasadam]]. WhenNarada, givenin Lordhis turn, offers the holy garland to Indra who, accepts the garland by placing it on the trunk of his elephanttusker, [[Airavata]] ; tointoxicated proofby thatthe hefumes, isAiravata egoistictosses throwsthe garland and tramples it. This enrages the sage Narada and he curses Indra andthat evryoneall tothe gods will soon be bereft of all wealth and fortune. SoonNot laterlong after, to take revenge onavenge the destructiondeath of Tripura,Tripurasura Kingthe demon king [[Mahabali|Bali]] attacks heaven and in attemptattempts to steal ''[[Amrita]]'' ( the nectar of immortality). But it falls into the [[Ocean of milk]]. To getregain the '' AmritAmrita'' backthe defeated Devas are advised to join hands with the Asuras toand churn the ocean for the ''Amrita'' and to share it among them.
The churning of the ocean, known as [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthan]] is an elaborate process. In the process the Devas disadvantage the Asuras in many ways. Despite this, they churn the ocean. In the process Lord [[Vishnu]] also takes his second incarnation of a turtle, [[Kurma]]. ▼
▲The churning of the ocean , is known as [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthan]] and is an elaborate process. In the process the Devas employ crafts to disadvantage the Asuras in many ways. Despite this, they churn the ocean. In the process Lord [[Vishnu]] alsocomes takesto histhe second incarnationaid of the gods and incarnates as a giant turtle, [[Kurma]].
The process releases a number of things from the ocean. One product is the lethal poison known as ''[[Halahala]]''. This could contaminate the ocean and destroy all of creation. To save everyone Lord Shiva inhales the poison in an act of self-sacrifice but Parvati rescues him by pressing his neck to stop the poison from spreading. As a result, the color of Lord Shiva's neck turns blue. During the churning many things are obtained from the ocean which includes [[Lakshmi]], the Goddess of fortune and wealth, who is the eternal consort of Vishnu. Thus, everyone gets their wealth and fortune back. Later Vishnu takes the ''Amrita'' secretly from the Asuras and distributes it among the Devas.
A myriad range of objects emanate from the churning of the ocean of milk. The very first is the lethal poison known as ''[[Halahala]]''. Its presence puts the world at great risk. Shiva drinks the poison to save the universe from certain destruction, but Parvati comes to his rescue by pressing his neck to stop the poison from spreading. As a result, Shiva's neck sports an eternal blue patch and so he is called ''Nilkanth'' (The Blue-Throated One). The churning reveals many precious treasures, such as the Goddess of Wealth herself [[Lakshmi]], who becomes the consort of Vishnu, the divine nymphs, many celestial animals etc. Finally, the divine physician [[Dhanvantari]] emerges carrying the vessel which contains the nectar. He is chased by the demons and gods until Vishnu cunningly cons the demons and distributes the nectar among the gods.
The story takes some years leap after which it is shown that Kartikeya has been removed from the post of ''Senapati'' (head of the army), which pleases Indra and for the first time, after so many years, a grown-up Ashoksundari meets Kartikeya. Kartikeya also meets his parents. He enlightens Ashoksundari about meditation and she is inspired by it so much that she renounces her life to meditate, which disturbs Parvati. Parvati is later convinced by Mahadev, and reconciles to her daughter's absence.
The narrative next shows us a grown up Kartikeya, who is no longer ''Senapati'' (head of the army), much to Indra's pleasure. Kartikeya journeys to the north and meets a grown-up Ashoksundari, as well as his parents. He instructs Ashoksundari on meditation techniques and, inspired, she retires to a life of meditation, much to Parvati's sadness.
Looking at the ill-happenings of the world, of how Ahalya is seduced by Indra, Parvati gives birth to a ''mangalkari'' son Ganesh. Once, while Parvati was performing a puja in a cave in Kailasha with some other women, she requested Ganesh to stand guard outside and not allow anyone. The Devas and sages, who had assembled there outside, get infuriated and battle him, but are defeated. Finally, when Ganesh stops Mahadev from entering the cave, an enraged Mahadev cut off his head; however, an elephant's head is fixed to his body, as a fulfillment of a boon given to a devout elephant years ago.
Kartikeya returns to Kailasha, and is given a warm welcome by his family. Once, while sitting with Ganesh, Ganesh got into a fight with Parashuram, in which his tooth was cut, much to the horror of Parvati, Kartikeya and Ashoksundari.
As the ages pass, the darkness of the world increases. After the holy woman [[Ahilya]] is seduced by Indra, Parvati decides to give birth to the god of auspiciousness - [[Ganesh]]. Shiva is lost in his meditation hence Parvati does not disturb him with this decision. Once, she decided to perform a puja in a cave in Kailash with some other women, and she requests Ganesh to stand on guard outside and not allow anyone to enter within. The Devas and sages, who have assembled outside to gain an audience with the divine mother Parvati are refused by the child Ganesh. Infuriated by his apparent impertinence they battle him, but are roundly defeated. Finally, Shiva himself comes to meet Parvati but is bluntly refused entrance by Ganesh. An enraged Mahadev cuts off his head with his trident. At the commotion Parvati comes out and is stricken with the turn of events. She tells Shiva the truth of the situation and pleads for her son's life. Shiva fixes the head of an elephant calf on to the boy's torso as a fulfillment of a boon given to a devout elephant years ago.
Then a problem crops up of who shall be the first to be worshipped before all gods. This problem is taken to Mahadev's family, and Mahadev organises a challenge, in which the one who would take seven rounds of ''sansar'' and come to Kailash first would become the most respectful God. Ganesh takes seven rounds around his parents, when his mouse-vehicle fails to deliver, and also lights a lamp in Kailasha to prevent the world from going dark. Kartikeya comes to Kailash first; however, Mahadev declares Ganesh as the winner, for his extraordinary endurance and wisdom.
Kartikeya returns to Kailasha, and is given a warm welcome by his family.
The narrative continues with sundry tales such as Ganesh's fight with the sage [[Parashuram|Parashurama]]; the resolution of the question of who is to be worshipped first among gods; etc.
==Cast==
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