The Shiva Purana (English translation)

by J. L. Shastri | 1970 | 616,585 words


Chapter 18 - Description of the perturbation caused by Kāma

Brahmā said:—

1. After going there, the haughty Kāma, deluded by Śiva’s magic power, stationed himself, after first spreading the enchanting power of Spring all around.

2. The enchanting influence of Spring spread everywhere around Oṣadhiprastha, the penance-grove of Śiva, the supreme lord, O excellent sage.

3. O great sage, the groves bloomed with special exuberance, O excellent sage, due to his power.

4. The fragrant flowers of Mango and Aśoka trees shone heightening feelings of love.

5. The water lilies with bees hovering on them proved to be the causes for the rise of love in the minds of everyone.

6. The sweet cooings of the cuckoos heightened emotions of love. They were exquisite and pleasing to the mind.

7. O sage, diverse sounds of the hummings of the bees rang sweet in the ears of everyone heightening temptations of love.

8. The bright light of the moon scattered all around appeared to be the emissary of lovers and their beloveds.

9. At that time the Kāladīpikā (brilliant lamp) induced reticent haughty persons to love. O good sir, the wind blew gently but distressed those who were separated from their beloveds.

10. Thus the vast diffusion of Spring caused the display of emotions of love. It was unbearable to the forestdwelling sages.

11. O sage, then, even the insentient beings had the emotions of love. What about the state of sentient ones?

12. Thus spring employed his unbearable power heightening the love of all living beings.

13. On seeing the untimely display of spring, Śiva the lord, who had assumed a physical body indulging in divine sports, thought it surprising.

14. But He, the chief of the self-controlled and the remover of man’s misery continued his severe penance.

15. When spring spread everywhere, Kāma accompanied by Rati stood on his left side, with the arrow of mango blossom taken out and kept in readiness.

16. Enchanting all people, he spread his influence. Who was not enchanted on seeing Kāma in the company of Rati?

17. Thus they initiated their dalliance. The sentiment of love too accompanied by coquettish gestures and emotions reached the vicinity of Śiva along with his attendants.

18. Kāma, usually stationed within the mind manifested himself outside. But he could not find any vulnerable loop-hole in Śiva whereby he could enter Him.

19. When Kāma did not secure any entry within the great Yogin, he became deluded and frightened much through the magical power of Śiva.

20. Who could gain access to Śiva in meditation, who could fix an eye in his forehead that resembled fire with shooting blazing flames?

21. In the mean time Pārvatī came there along with her two maids and brought various kinds of flowers for Śiva’s worship.

22. Certainly Pārvatī had a greater beauty than the most exquisite lady described by people on the earth.

23. When she wore pretty flowers of the season how could her beauty be described even in a hundred years?

24. No sooner did she enter within the proximity of Śiva than He came out of his meditation for a short while.

25. Profiting by that opportune moment, Kāma, by means of his arrow Harṣaṇa delighted the moon-crest god Śiva who was nearby.

26. O sage, in assistance to Kāma, Pārvatī reached the place near Śiva with emotions of love and accompanied by Spring.

27. In order to make the trident-bearing lord take interest in her, Kāma drew his bow very carefully and discharged his flowery arrow on Him.

28. As was her usual practice she approached Śiva, bowed to Him, worshipped Him and stood in front of Him (awaiting further instructions).

29. Pārvatī was stared at by lord Śiva, while she was laying bare some of the limbs bashfully, as is natural to women in such circumstances.

30. Remembering the boon granted to her by Brahmā formerly, O sage, lord Śiva began to describe her limbs joyfully.

Śiva said:—

31. “Is this your face or the moon? Are these your eyes or lotus petals? These two eyebrows are the bows of Kāma of noble soul.

32. Is this your lower lip or Bimba fruit? Is this your nose or the beak of a parrot? Do I hear your voice or the cooing of the cuckoo? Is this your slender waist or the sacrificial altar?

33. How can her gait be described? How can her comely appearance be described? How can the flowers be described? How can the clothes be described?

34. Whatever is graceful and sweet in the creation has been incorporated here. Indeed, all her limbs are exquisite in every respect.

35 How blessed is this Pārvatī of mysteriously wonderful features. There is no other woman equal to her in beauty in the three worlds.

36. She is a storehouse of the finest beauty. She has wondrous beautiful limbs. She is an enchantress of even sages. She increases great happiness.”

Brahmā said:—

37. After describing her body again and again, recollecting the boon granted by Brahmā, Śiva stopped.

38. When Śiva put His hand within her garment and moved it, she, as is natural to women, bashfully withdrew and kept aloof.

39. O sage, then Pārvatī smilingly laid bare some parts of her body and cast graceful glances at Him with great pleasure.

40. On seeing these movements and gestures Śiva became fascinated. Lord Śiva indulging in great divine sports spoke these words.

41. “I feel great pleasure on merely seeing her. What pleasure shall I derive by embracing her?”

42. Thinking thus only for a moment, the enlightened Śiva became detached, honoured Pārvatī and spoke.

43. “How wonderful and mysterious is the situation that has arisen! How is it that I have been deluded and fascinated? Though I am the lord and master, I have been perturbed by Kāma.

44. If I, the master, were to yearn for the touch of a woman’s limbs what will not be done by other incompetent and insignificant creatures”.

45. Thus resuming detachment, lord Śiva forbade her sitting on the couch. How can there be a downfall for the great lord Śiva?