Chapter 1
The Game of Chausar and the Priest's Falsehood
Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati visit the holy city of Amravati. A game of dice leads to a priest making a biased prediction, resulting in a karmic affliction cured by the 16 Mondays fast.
Once, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati traveled across the mortal realms and rested at a magnificent shrine in the sacred city of Amravati. Enchanted by the temple's serenity, Goddess Parvati proposed a game of Chausar (dice). As the temple priest entered, Parvati asked: 'O Brahmin, tell us who will win this match?' Seeking to flatter Mahadeva, the priest declared prematurely that Shiva would win. However, when the game concluded, Parvati was victorious. Displeased by his careless falsehood, the Goddess cursed him with leprosy. Later, celestial maidens visited the shrine and took pity on his misery, instructing him: 'Observe the 16 Somwar Vrata with complete devotion. Perform Panchamrit abhishekam to the Shivling and prepare three equal parts of roasted wheat Churma prasad with ghee and jaggery.' The priest observed the vrata faithfully and was entirely cured, glowing with health.
Spiritual Moral: Truth is the bedrock of Dharma; flattery at the expense of honesty brings downfall, while Shiva's grace redeems all.