Parad or Mercury (Mercury) is said to be the seed (sperm) of Lord
Shiva. Ancient scriptures consider Parad to be one of the most pure and
auspicious of all metals. Parad is a metalloid (fluid metal) and is said
to have medicinal and astrological benefits.According to the Brahma Purana, any individual, male or female and belonging to any "Varna"- Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya or Shudra, who worships Parad idols every day is blessed with worldly pleasures and at last attains supreme salvation (Moksha). The life of a Parad idol worshiper is full of glory, honor, fame, knowledge, wisdom and a happy successful family life.
Myths and Legends
The Gods were frequently defeated by Demons and so they went to Lord Brahma for a lasting solution. Lord Brahma told them that only a warrior born out of "Shaktipunj" (semen of Lord Shiva) could lead the Gods to victory. The Gods prayed to Lord Shiva who agreed and approached Goddess Parvati to fulfill the Gods' wishes. However, the Gods sent "Agni" (God of Fire) in the form of a pigeon to observe. Lord Shiva found out and released his semen into the fire of "Agni. "Agni" couldn't bear the heat of Lord Shiva's reproductive force and dropped it in the holy waters of River Ganga. River Ganga started boiling due to the intense heat and she released it to the Earth. After being sanctified by Fire, holy waters of Ganga and then Earth, the "Shaktipunj" solidified and became Mercury or Para. The solid form of para is called Parad.