||Om Nama: Shivaya||

 

Chapter – 70 – Rudra Samhitha/Sati Kanda – 9

 

Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh! Narada, Kamadeva and Devi Rathi with his attendants reached the place where Lord Shiva was engaged in extreme penance.  Oh! Munishwara, an astonishing event took place soon after the arrival of Kamadeva, Devi Rathi, and the Vasantharithu.   All the trees, creepers, and plants over-loaded with flowers, the fresh alluring were packed with the buzzing sounds of honey bees, Kamadeva who is unconquerable, along with Devi Rathi made several attempts, ultimately won over all the creatures, except Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva.  Kamadeva and Vasantharithu along with the Devi Rathi’s attempt to entice Lord Shiva failed miserably, returned to his abode, completely disappointed, and shattered. Kamadeva offered salutation to Lord Bhrama and spoke in utter desolation “Oh!  Vidhatha, Oh! Lord Bhrama, it is difficult to create obstacles to the penance of Lord Shambhu who is a supreme ascetic, it is impossible to entice that supreme Lord. Oh! Bhrama, I have made all efforts with Devi Rathi and Vasantharithu, but none of my tricks were worked on that supreme Yogi. Oh! Bhrama, Lord Shambhu was engaged in Tapasya, the cool breeze carrying the rich aroma was brought into play, which overpowers all the creatures were ineffective to distract the Lord from the Tapasya. I have tried various means to lure his heart, with my famous weapon bow and five flower arrows which bring all the creatures under my control. Alas! Lord Shiva and his Ganas engaged in the Tapasya remained unmoved of my tricks. Oh! Bhrama, me, and Devi Rathi along with Vasantharithu followed supreme Lord Shiva to Mount Malaya, in this way we have followed him to the Nagakesara/Sumeru, and Kailash. I have produced two Chakravaha birds before Lord Shiva who was engaged in Tapasya, these birds exposed diverse gestures of amorous play; we have also brought a number of pairs of deer and birds into the scene and they have exhibited the gestures of love and passionate sports before the Lord. Oh! Bhrama, a large number of pairs of the peacock was brought before him, were stood all the sides of that Lord to entice him, these peacocks exhibited various amorous sports before that Lord; in this way, we made all efforts to distract the Tapasya of supreme Lord Shiva. I was completely confident to lure the heart of supreme Lord Mahadeva. The Vasantharithu caused to bloom fresh alluring flowers of Champaka, Kesara, Punnaga, Kethaka, Jasmine, Malathi, Mallika, Ramba, Patala, Kuravaka, to entice Lord Shiva. The Vasantharithu also has caused the ponds, rivers, streams, brimming with crystal clear water, filled with a fully blossomed cluster of lotus flowers, and cool breeze carrying the rich aroma of fresh alluring flowers. All the trees, plants, creepers surrounded the hermitage of Lord Shiva was packed with the flowers of rich scent, the Sages and ascetics who were engaged in the Tapasya got distracted and besieged with passion. Oh! Bhraman, even after all these, I could not find any disturbance in the mind of Lord Shiva and that compassionate Lord did not show anger on us. I have boldly approached to distract the Tapasya of the supreme Lord Shiva who was immersed in Tapasya, unfortunately, we could not succeed in the task.” Oh! Narada, I was horrified to hear the words of Kamadeva who is well capable to entice the whole Universe, found it difficult to put obstacles to the Tapasya of Lord Shiva. Soon, numerous Ganas of dreadful appearance initiated from my breath were holding kettle drums and they were dancing all around us. These Ganas were violent, ready to take away my life. These vicious Ganas were carrying weapons, produced deafening noises threatening to kill everyone assembled.”

 

Kamadeva speaks “Oh! Bhrama, Oh! Prajanatha, Oh! Sarvarshrishti Pravarththaka, who are these dreadful creatures? Why did they appear before us? Where did they come from? What is their intention? Kindly narrate to me, engage them into some productive tasks, and allocate a place to dwell. Oh! Devesha, kindly advise me about the next course of action as well.”

 

Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh! Kamadeva the moment these Ganas have initiated from my breath out of intense traditions, they have uttered the voice ‘Maraya’/threatened to kill everyone, therefore these Ganas will be known ‘Mara’. These Maras should be worshiped with passion; otherwise, they would create havoc in the life of the people. These Maras will accompany you to assist in your tasks. These Ganas would create perplexity in the minds of the creatures, once they are besieged with the cupid arrows. Oh! Kamadeva, these Ganas would create an obstruction in the path of scholars and intelligent people, drive them out of reach of the supreme knowledge in a possible manner, and eventually they would  make your work easier.”

 

Lord Bhrama speaks to Narada “Oh! Mune, Kamadeva, and Devi Rathi felt immensely pleased to find the Ganas to assist in their mission; these Ganas took a seat around me and Kamadeva and waited patiently. I have advised Kamadeva to proceed to Mount Kailash with these Maras, to entice the heart of the supreme Lord Shiva, and create obstacles to his penance. Oh! Narada, I have advised Kamadeva and Devi Rathi, to make use of all their weapons to kindle a desire in the heart of Lord Shiva, so that the missions to bring back that supreme Lord to take care of the functioning of the Universe would become successful. Kamadeva along with Devi Rathi and Ganas set out to Kailash with immense pride. Kamadeva had the slightest intuition that he may get burned into ashes in this process, but he was confident that he would be successful in the mission of bringing back the supreme Lord Shiva from the life of a Vairagin to a householder for the welfare of the Universe. Thus, all these Ganas, Kamadeva, Devi Rathi, and Vasantharithu appeared before Lord Shiva and displayed all their tricks before the Lord. Once, again Kamadeva and his attendants got crushed their pride, terribly failed in their mission, and returned with extreme disappointment. Kamadeva and his attendants reverentially prostrated before me and revealed that his piousness earned protected him from Lord Shiva. I have advised Kamadeva to work hard on this matter if he is desirous to see Lord Shiva with a female companion. Thus Kamadeva meditated upon that supreme Lord Shiva who is Dheenavathsala, the protector of the distressed people, later he returned to his abode with his Saparivara/ Ganas, Vasantharithu, Devi Rathi and attendants.”