This little story is taken from the Ramayana. Rama and Ravana were engaged in a fierce battle. Rama was unable to defeat Ravana because he was protected by the blessings of Shiva. So Rama decided to please Shiva by worshipping him. At the end of his worship he addressed Shiva as Rámeshvara in the prańama mantra. “Tvam rámasya iishvarah ityarthe rámeshvarah,” he said. Shiva strongly objected to the use of the term rámeshvarah, saying, “Ramasya iishvarah iti rámeshvarah – I refuse to accept the interpretation that ‘Rama’s lord is Rámeshvarah’. In my opinion the mantra should be interpreted as, Rámah yásya iishvarah svah rámeshvarah; that is, ‘I accept Rama as my lord.’”

“How can I be Shiva’s lord?” Rama protested. “That’s an absurd proposition.”

Unable to resolve their disagreements amicably, the two opponents stood facing each other, preparing for battle. On the one side, Shiva, armed with a mighty trident, on the other side, Rama, drawing his destructive bow. The earth shook with fear, the animals and human beings were petrified. Terror filled the air.

The living beings of the world begged the warring parties to reconsider. “Both of you are great. No one wants to see you at war.”

“We don’t wish to go to war either,” said Rama and Shiva. “Please tell us which of our interpretations is correct. That will solve the problem.”

“We suggest you accept the following interpretation,” said the human beings, “Ramaeva iishvarah iti Rameshvarah; that is, Rama himself is a lord, so he’s Rameshvarah.”

This was acceptable to both Rama and Shiva because it stated that Rama was a lord, but not the lord of Shiva or anyone else. A great crisis had been averted.