||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 44 – Rudra Samhitha/Shrishti Kanda – 3

 

Maharishis speaks “ Oh! Sutha, Oh! Mahabhaga, Oh! Vyasa Shishya, we shall reverentially prostrate before you, kindly narrate the interesting legend on Maharishi Narada, after meeting Lord Vishnu, what did he do? Where did he go? Kindly describe us in detail.”

 

Maharishi Vedavyasa speaks “ Sutha Pauranika, who is well versed in scriptures, contemplated upon Lord Shiva for a while, and began to describe the legend.”

 

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Vipra, Narada left the abode of Lord Vishnu who is the sincere devotee of Lord Shiva/ Mayapathi performed an amusement.  Mayapathi/Lord Hari created a magnificent city on the way of Maharishi Narada that has the breadth and width of four hundred miles was stunningly beautiful, with marvelous fortresses, pathways, pleasure gardens, wells, woods, attractive streets, markets, city, etc. was more attractive than the Vishnuloka. This beautiful city was ruled by the King Sheelanidhi, the Kingdom was flourished with rich natural and mineral resources. He made extravagant arrangements to perform the Swayamvara of his only daughter; hence the Kingdom of Sheelanidhi was crowded with the Kings of neighboring countries.  The princes and Kings adorned in finest garments and ornaments, followed with king’s men, to impress the daughter of King Sheelanidhi. Maharishi Narada was highly fascinated to watch the splendor of the city, he lost control over senses, approached the palace was received reverentially by King Sheelanidhi. He offered the raised throne to Maharishi Narada, and called out for his only daughter Srimathi who prostrated before the sage with utmost reverence.”

 

Sutha Pauranika continues “ Oh! Vipra, Maharishi Narada was highly impressed by the beauty and nobility of Srimathi, enquired the King “Oh! Rajan, who is this girl resembles the daughter of deities?” King Sheelanithi spoke with folded hands “Oh! Maharishi, she is my only daughter Srimathi, has attained the age for marriage, therefore we are in search of an appropriate groom for my beautiful daughter, and she has possessed all the auspiciousness and virtues. Oh! Mune, kindly predicts her marriage life, details about her future husband.” Maharishi Narada who was persuaded by the Maya of Mayapathi, fallen in love for Srimathi, wanted to achieve her as a wedded wife,  spoke “Oh! Rajan, your daughter has possessed all the virtues, and auspiciousness of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi. Her future husband would be Sarvehwara, has the valor of Lord Shiva, he will be unconquerable, excels the loveliness of Manmatha, hence her groom would be best among the deities.” Soon, Maharishi Narada left the palace; he was already besieged with the Maya of Shiva, the surge to attain Srimathi as his wedded wife gone out of control, he thought “How did she choose me among those handsome Kings? It is baseless, how can I achieve Srimathi? Women easily get attracted to the beauty, if I have that attractiveness, she would definitely consider me as an appropriate groom.” Thus, Maharishi Narada who was persuaded with the Maya rushed to Vishnuloka and requested the attractiveness of Lord Vishnu. Maharishi Narada prostrated before Hrishikesh and spoke “ Oh! Bhagavan, I have to tell you an incident took place in the Kingdom of Sheelanidhi.” Lord Vishnu who is an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, enquired the Sage to detail them. Maharishi Narada spoke “Oh! Prabho, King Sheelanidhi is an ardent devotee of you; they are in search for an appropriate groom for his only daughter Srimathi, she is extremely compassionate, kind, virtuous, and capable to entice the three worlds, and I would say, she is the only most beautiful woman in the three worlds. Oh! Prabho, I would like to marry her. King Sheelanidhi have arranged a huge festivities for the Swayamvara, and there are several Kings from neighboring countries who have come to participate in it. Oh! Prabho, kindly bestow me your loveliness, so that I can get her as a wedded wife, she would adorn me with that Jayamala in the grand assembly of the King. Otherwise, it is impossible to achieve her as a wedded wife. Oh! Prabho, I have been your sincere servant, kindly bestow your attractiveness, handsomeness so that I can get her in marriage.”

 

Sutha Pauranika spoke “Oh! Vipra, Lord Vishnu understood Maharishi Narada is completely besieged by his Maya smiled to himself and spoke, “Oh! Narada, you are my sincere devotee, you are beloved of me, and I will do whatever good for you. A good physician knows what to give and what not to his patient.” Thus, Lord Hari offered him the face of a Vanara, Maharishi Narada who have immense belief in Lord Hari thought that he had attained the marvelous appearance of him and returned to the palace. He noticed the grand assembly of the King that has the resemblance of Indraloka, is packed with the handsome princes, and Kings from various Kingdom. Maharishi Narada took a seat and enthusiastically waited for the result, he was not aware of the ugliness caused to his face; he had a strong belief that the bride will choose him as a future husband, because of his appearance as Lord Vishnu. Surprisingly, the face of Vanara was not visible to the guest arrived or the princes or the people assembled, except the two Shivaganas who were disguised as twice-born and took a seat along with the Maharishi Narada. These two Shivaganas took a seat closer to the Maharishi Narada and passed sarcastic comments on him. These Ganas conversed “Look at Maharishi Narada, who has a lovely body like Vishnu, unfortunately, has the face of Vanara. I feel pity for the sage who fell in the trap of a beautiful woman.” The Shivaganas laughed at him. Initially, Maharishi Narada unnoticed their comments; he has only one desire to get the princess as wedded wife. Soon, the princess arrived in the grand assembly followed by her female attendants. The princess who has the appearance of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi gracefully walked in the assembly, holding the marvelous Jayamala, she looked at the princes and Kings seated in the assembly, she saw Maharishi Narada with the handsome physique of Vishnu has the face of Vanara, she got agitated, and moved away from there. She did not find a suitable groom, stood in the assembly, soon Lord Hari arrived in the assembly disguised as a King, immediately Srimathi spotted the King and adorned him with the Jayamala. Thus, Lord Hari returned to his abode with the princess Srimathi. Shortly, all the Kings parted their ways; Maharishi Narada became upset and saddened by the thought of his wish to attain Srimathi as a wedded wife. The Shivaganas who was seated next to Maharishi Narada spoke “Oh! Mune, you were overexcited to attain the princess as a wedded wife, kindly take a look of your face that has the appearance of Vanara.” Immediately Maharishi Narada took a look at his face, felt extremely shameful, and raged cursed the Shivaganas “You both have laughed at a twice-born; hence you both will be born as Rakshasa.” These two Shivaganas are foremost among the Ganas of Lord Shiva, and highly learned, understood Maharishi Narada is completely under the influence of Maya of Mayapathi felt extremely sad and considered the curse as the wish of Lord Shiva, eventually they returned to their abode.”