|| Om Nama: Shivaya ||

Chapter – 9–Rudra Samhitha - Srishti Kandam -2

Sutha Pauranika speaks “  Oh! Vipra, once the illustrious and amiable Sage Narada who is the son of Lord Bhrama,   had an idea of performing Tapas.  Maharishi Narada had chosen a beautiful cave near the Mount Himalaya close to the river Ganga, where her powerful water currents reverberate.  Maharishi settled in a divine hermitage, observed the beautiful surroundings, sat eyes closed, performed Pranayama, and went into a transcendental state.  Oh! Dhvija,  gradually Maharishi Narada entered in a state of bliss of Tapas/Bhramasakshathkaram/Aham Bhramasmi.  Lord Indra became anxious watching the extreme penance of Maharishi Narada, he felt the danger to his throne, so he was besieged with mental agony, eventually decided to create an obstacle to the Tapas of Maharishi Narad.  Lord Indra invoked Lord Kamadeva, soon the Lord of Love appeared with his wife Devi Rathi before him.  Lord Indra with a selfish motive instructed “ Oh! Mahaveera, Oh! Dearest companion, who is always favorable to everyone, listen to my words, you have to do a favor for me. Oh! Mithra, I have created impediments to illustrious Rishis and Sages, with your help.  Maharishi Narada is performing extreme penance contemplating upon the supreme Lord Vishwesha in the cave of Himalaya, I fear he may take over my abode, therefore immediately create an obstacle to his Tapas.” Lord Kamadeva and Devi Rathi arrived haughtily in the place where Maharishi Narada immersed in meditation, they have tried all means to create an obstacle to the penance of Maharishi Narada, but none of their tricks were worked on Maharishi Narada, it was the sacred land where Kamadeva’s pride was crushed by Lord Mahesha.  Oh! Shaunakadhya, the reason for the successful accomplishment of Tapas of Maharishi was the grace of Eshwara, therefore Kamadeva could not win over Maharishi Narada.  Earlier, this was the place where Lord Shambhu and illustrious Sages were performed Tapas and Kamadeva who created obstacles was burned Kamadeva into ashes.  Devi Rathi and the deities appealed to Lord Shiva, answered “ Oh! Deities, Kamadeva would get back to life, but his tricks won’t work here.  The sacred land before you and the people who live here would’ not get blemished with the cupid arrows of Kamadeva.”  Kamadeva returned to the abode of Lord Indra and revealed his failure to create an obstacle to the Tapas of Maharishi Narada and returned to his own abode.  Lord Indra praised the strictness of Maharishi Narada who completed the Tapas for several years successfully.   Maharishi Narada with the influence of Lord’s Maya, swollen with pride after the successful accomplishment of Tapas and the thought of victory over Lord Kamadeva, eventually deprived of knowledge.  The Mahamaya Shambhavi who is Maya of Lord Shiva’s splendor is beyond the perception of Bhrama or Vishnu or deities.  Maharishi Narada reached Mount Kailash and narrated the praises of deities, and his achievement.  Further, he prostrated before Lord Rudra who is a noble soul and conqueror of Kamadeva.  Lord Shiva immediately understood that Maharishi Narada is under the influence of his Maya.  Lord Rudra said “ Hey, Thatha, Oh! Narada, Oh! Prajja,/learned one, listen to me, do not speak about this to Lord Hari or anyone else.   Let it remain secret between us, do not reveal this to anyone, especially to Lord Vishnu who is my ardent devotee.”  Maharishi Narada who was under the clutches of Maya of Lord Shiva could not appreciate any of the advice of Lord Rudra.  Maharishi Narada arrived in Bhrama Loka and explained all that happened to his father and his success over Lord Kamadeva.  Lord Bhrama could easily make out that his son is under the influence of Maya of Lord Shiva, requested him not to repeat his achievement to anyone.  Maharishi Narada who is learned one was already under the influence of Maya of the supreme Lord who is Lord of Lords, commander of the Universe and its living beings, and protector, could not appreciate the words of his father. Maharishi Narada due to the influence of Maya immediately arrived in Vihnuloka,   was reverentially greeted by Lord Vishnu, and offered a seat to him.   Maharishi Narada narrated all that happened during the penance.  Lord Vishnu contemplated upon the lotus feet of Lord Shiva, and took initiative to remove the pride in him.  Lord Vishnu said “ Oh! Munishardhoola, Oh! Thatha, I am extremely delighted to see you, kindly reveal the purpose of your visit.”  Maharishi Narada’s pride multiplied hearing from Lord Vishnu, he hauntingly described his victory over Kamadeva.  Lord Vishnu mentally offered prayers at the lotus feet of Lord Shiva and prayed “ Oh! Deva, Oh! Devadeva,  Oh! Mahadeva, Oh! Parameshwara, kindly protect us, Oh! Shiva, your Maya is beyond perception, she is Sarvavimohini.” Lord Vishnu kept his eyes closed contemplating upon the lotus feet of Lord Shiva who is Paramathma.  Lord Vishnu who is Vishwapalaka at the command of Lord Shiva, spoke to Narada “ Oh!  Munishardhoola, Oh! Thaponidhi, whoever does not keep devotion for the trinities, would remain under the influence of passion and ignorance forever, and eventually, undergo painful consequences. Oh! Narad, you are a Naishtika Bhramachari, with a great knowledge of Gnana and Vairagya, how could you drench in passions? you are void of all these since birth.” Maharishi Narada mentally offered salutation to Lord Hari and said “Oh! Lord, kindly narrate the influence of Kamadeva, if you really enjoy my presence.” Maharishi Narada offered salutation to Lord Vishnu and left the place.