16 - Marriage of Tulasi with Shamkhachuda

Narayana said—At the time when the youthful and beautiful Tulasi, with a peaceful and happy mind, was sleeping on the decorated bed, the god of love attacked her with five of his arrows, as a result of which she started burning with passion, in spite of her enjoying the paste of sandal and the flowers. 

All the hair of her body stood on end. She started shivering and her eyes became red. In a moment, she felt dryness; in another moment, she fainted; in another moment she was excited; in a moment she felt fatigued. In a moment she felt pleasure; in a moment she become excited; in a moment she became conscious and in a moment her mind was filled dejection. In a moment she got up from her bed and roamed about here and there and in a moment, she came back to the bed.

In a moment she got up in disgust and walked around and in a moment, she removed her clothes and the next moment she came back to the bed. The bed of roses troubled her like a bed of thorns, the divine tasteful water looked to her like poison. 

The house looked completely lonely to her. The fine clothes worn by her looked like fire to her, vermilion spot appeared like a boil on her. 

In a moment she felt drowsy. In the meantime, she caught sight of a beautiful person. He happened to be a beautiful young man who wore a smile on his face and all his limbs were plastered with sandal-paste. He was adorned with ornaments studded with gems. A beautiful necklace adorned his neck. He was looking at Tulasi constantly. Reclining over the flower bed, she listened to the passionate story and was mentally attracted towards Tulasi embracing her.

Tulasi looked at him again as if the spring had arrived. In the meantime, she while asleep, uttered, “O lord, О master of my life, where are you going? You slay here for some more time.” Then she got up. 

О Nerada, on regaining consciousness she started lamenting again and again. Thus, the lady was spending her time in the Tapovana. 

At that point of time Shamkhacuda received the pleasant mantra of lord Krishna from a sage named Jaigisavya Rsi and recited it in the Pushkara region. He ultimately met with success.

He had recited the name of Krishna who bestows welfare on all and had also received the desired boon from Brahma.

О sage, at the command of Brahma he went to Badrikashrama and Tulasi found him coming to her. He was quite youthful and as beautiful as the god of love; he had the glory of white campa flowers and was adorned with all the ornaments. The lustre of his face resembled the rays of the full moon during the winter season. His eyes resembled the lotus flower of the winter season, he was mounted on a beautiful plane studded with best of gems. The beautiful young man stood there. Two gems studded Kundalas were decorating his ears and he had a long garland of Parijata flowers around his neck; he wore a smile on his face. His body was plastered with the paste of sandal-wood, saffron and Kasthuri.

Finding such a youth before her, she covered her face with a piece of cloth and he started looking at her with side glances again and again. She cast her head down with shyness due to her first meeting with him.

But because of getting infatuated with passion the hair of her body stood on end. Thereafter she started staring at the lotus-like face of Shamkhachuda. Shamkhachuda on his part also saw the lonely damsel in the forest; she was lying in a flower bed clad in all the clothes. She was quite beautiful and was smiling while looking at the face of Shamkhachuda. Her body was quite developed and stiff, her loins were well developed and the breasts were quite stiff. The lines of teeth appeared like the lines of jewels and were shining, the lips resembled the colour of the ripe wood-apple. She had a beautiful nose and her complexion resembled that of molten gold. She wore the lustre of the rays of moon on her face. She was surrounded by her own lustre; her appearance was graceful and was quite charming to look at. Her body was painted with spots of Kasthuri, sandal-paste and vermilion. The middle part of the hair on her head looked quite charming and her navel was quite deep. She had three lines on the belly and her palm and soles were red. She had nails like those of the moon and her feet emitted the lustre of lotus flower. Both her feet bore the red paint. She had been beautified with white and red lotus flowers. Her nails were beautiful like the moon of the winter season. 

She was adorned with many ornaments studded with gems. The anklets worn by her on the feet were emitting the lustre of gems. She wore a garland of jasmine flowers on her breasts, besides all the gem-studded armlets, anklets, Shamkha and finger rings were dazzling with gems. Thus, the beautiful damsel who was quite humble, having attractive teeth was spotted by Shamkhachuda. He came quietly to her and spoke in a sweet voice. 

Shamkhachuda said—О beautiful one, you are the best of the ladies and graceful too. Who are you? Who is your father? О damsel, О charming one, you bestow welfare to all. You tell me who you are? 

Are you the result of heavenly pleasures? Do you roam about freely? You are adorned with a garland. Are you the essence of the universe or the base of illusion? You are quite attractive and unprecedented in the universe. You have a lean and thin body and can attract even the sages. Now breaking the silence, you speak out a few words to a servant like me”. 

On hearing these words of Shamkhachuda, the beautiful-eyed and passionate Tulasi smiled lowering her head and she spoke to the passionate youth thus.

Tulasi said— “I am the daughter of Dharmadhvaja and have arrived here in this forest for performing tapas as an ascetic. Who are you? You please leave this place with comfort. 

It is usually heard that no person belonging to high race should talk to a girl in a lonely place. The one who is a cheat, born in a degraded race, unaware of the religious scriptures and the Vedas, such a passionate person becomes desirous of women. A woman seems attractive at that very moment but ultimately, she proves harmful to the men because the ladies are like the pitchers filled with poison but their mouth appears to be filled with nectar. 

The heart of a damsel is like a sharp-edged weapon but she always speaks sweet words. She always engages herself in the successful completion of her task. 

In order to meet her selfish ends only she remains with her husband, otherwise, her mind is never without blemish but she wears a serene smile on her face. 

The Vedas and the Puranas are not in favour of describing her character. And no wise person could ever believe in them. There is no one friendly or enemical to the ladies. They are always desirous of new company and always look for a beautiful person to keep their company. 

But they are always engaged in exhibiting their inward and outward chastity. The ladies are always passionate, beautiful and pleasant to look at. They always conceal their desire for union with others quite skilfully. Thus, outwardly they are full of shyness but in seclusion they bite their husband.

This type of women, when dissatisfied with their union becomes immensely enraged. This gives rise to their quarrelsome nature. They find delight in the excess of conjugal pleasure and feel sad when they have little of it. 

In their mind, they always desire for the best of food, the cool water, the beautiful, passionate, young and virtuous husband. 

The person with whom they enjoy conjugal pleasure; they love him much better than their own sons. Such of the people as are well-versed in the love-sports are quite dear to them. 

They consider the old and the weak people as their enemies. Getting annoyed with them they always keep on quarrelling. While quarrelling, they intend to deal with them like the god of death. Thus, becoming the figure of discourage, they admit all the evils in themselves. 

Turning to a deceitful form, the ladies are unmanageable and get beyond control. They are considered to be beyond the control of Brahma. Vishnu and Shiva. They are full of illusion. They are best suited to obstruct the path of performing tapas and they are quite competent to close the doors of salvation. They are obstruction in the devotion of lord Vishnu and are filled with illusion. They serve as a bondage in the captivity of the universe. 

Therefore, a woman is like the magic and indeed is the form of untruth. She remains completely beautiful outwardly but she conceals her evil design in her own mind. Her body is filled with refuse, urine, puss and dirt besides other troublesome elements. Soaked in blood and filled with evil, her body never remains purified. At the time of the creation of the universe, Brahma created the woman who is filled with illusion for the illusory people. She serves as a poison for the people who are desirous of achieving salvation. Therefore, such of the people as are desirous of achieving salvation should never look at them.” О Narada, after thus speaking to Shamkhachuda, Tulasi kept quiet. Thereafter Shamkhachuda said. 

Shamkhachuda said— “О goddess whatever you have spoken is not totally untrue. Some of it is truthful while some of it is untruthful. I also now tell you something, you please listen to me. Brahma the creator of the universe divided women into two parts: one was her true form and the other was her illusory form. The first one is praise-worthy. The creator, at the beginning of creation, created first of all Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Durga, Savitri, Radhika and other goddesses who represent the true form of the universe besides being the source for the creation of the universe. 

Whatever female forms were created out of these goddesses are really commendable, glorious and bestowed of welfare.

All the forms of the goddesses like Shatarhupa, Devahuti, Svadha, Svaha, dakshina, Chayavati, Rohini, Varunani, Indrani, spouse of Kubera, spouse of Vayu, Aditi, Diti, Lopamudra, Anusuya, Kaitabhi, Tulasi, Ahalya, Arundhati, Mena, Tara, Mandodari, Damayanti, Vedavati, Ganga, Yamuna, Pushti, Tusti, Smriti, Medha, Kalika, Vasundhara, Mangalachandi, Sasthi, Murti wife of Dharma, Svasti, Shraddha, Kanti, Shanti, Nidra, Tandra, Kshudha, Pipasa, sandhya, Ratri, Dina, Sampatti, Vrutti, Kirti, Kriya, Sobha, Prabha and others who emerged in the universe, are considered to be the best of the female forms and they have been considered to be those who always bestow pleasures. 

Therefore, the other female form represents the illusion in her. The Apsaras of the heaven are also considered to be illusory. They are known as wicked women devoid of grace in the entire universe.

Such of the goddesses who represent the Sattvagunu, are by nature taken to be quite pure. Being quite chaste and the best in the universe, they are always praised by the people. Therefore, they are called as the images of reality by the intellectuals. On the other hand, the Krutyas (or the evil women) have two forms representing Rajoguna and Tamoguna. 

О beautiful one. because of the shortage of time and space, non-availability of male or female messenger, pain of the body, disease, good company, surrounded by the many people, the fear of the enemy of the king, these are the reasons by which the chaste ladies protect their chastity. Such ladies are called the mediocre. Such of the ladies in whom the Tamoguna predominates are quite wicked by nature and they are called as degraded ones by the wise people. 

Though the people of the higher strata of the society never prefer to talk to lonely ladies in a scheduled place yet I have arrived here at the command of Brahma to meet you. О beautiful one, I intend to marry you by the Gandharva method. I am born in the race of Manu and have subjugated many of the gods. I am known by the name of Shamkhachuda. I am the one who was known as cowherd Sudama in the Goloka during earlier times. 

I am one of the eight prominent cowherds of the lord. I became the king of Danavas with the curse of the goddess Radhika. I remember the happenings of my earlier birth because of the influence of the mantra of lord Krishna. You are also aware of the events of your past life because you have also been Tulasi a cowherdesses of Krishna in your earlier life. 

You have also arrived on earth because of the curse of Radhika. In the Goloka I was extremely desirous of your company. I could not get my wish fulfilled because of the fear of Radhika.” О great sage, after speaking these words Shamkhachuda kept quiet. Thereafter Tulasi started speaking delightfully wearing a smile on her face.

Tulasi said—Only such types of noble people are praised in the universe and a lady always becomes desirous of having such a person as her husband. 

At the moment I have been defeated by your arguments. Such of the persons who are defeated by the ladies are denounced and are considered to be unclean. 

The gods and the manes denounce the persons who are defeated by their wives. The father and brothers also denounce them in their mind as well as in speech. 

At the time of birth and death a Brahmana is purified after ten days, a Kshatriya after twelve days, a Vaishya in fifteen days and a Shudra in a month, but the illegitimate sons, his mother and the unclean person defeated by his wife can be purified only at the fire altar. This is what has been ordained in the Vedas. The Pindas and Tarpana offered by such people are not accepted by manes willingly and the flowers and other offerings given by such people to the gods are not accepted by them willingly. Therefore, the performing of tapas, japam, achieving of knowledge, performing of homa and the adorations, are of no consequence. Therefore, their education and glory are of no consequence who are controlled by the lady.

I had put you to test in order to know your education and influence because a damsel accepts one as her husband only after fully examining him. 

The one who is devoid of virtues, is old, foolish, a pauper, devoid of wisdom, suffering from ailment, denounced, immensely enraged, indulging in ill talk, deformed, blind, absolutely foolish, dumb, devoid of strength or a sinner, cannot be given a daughter in marriage and the one who does so, attracts the sin of Brahmahatya. 

The one who is peaceful, virtuous, young, educated and a Vaishnava should be given the daughter in marriage and whosoever does so he earns the merit of Ashvamedha sacrifice. 

The one who after bringing up a daughter, influenced by a calamity or greed, sells away the daughter, lie is thrown into the terrific hell. 

And that sinner by the suffering in hell has to be content with the refuse of the same girl as his food. He is tortured by insects and crows till the age of fourteen Indras. Ultimately, he is reborn in the family of a hunter, where he has to carry the meat or flesh on his head for selling it day and night. 

Thus, speaking Tulasi kept quiet in the hermitage. In the meantime, Brahma arrived there in front of both of them. 

О Narada, both Tulasi and Shamkhachuda bowed in reverence to him, Brahma then spoke to them the beneficial words. 

Brahma said—О Shamkhachuda, why are you entering in discussion with her? You perform a Gandharva marriage with her because you are the gem of the men folks and she happens to be the gem of a lady. The union of the passionate couple is always pleasant. О king, the pleasure without the obstruction is difficult to get. Therefore, who can disown it. On the other hand, the one who ignores such a type of pleasure is considered to be a fool. There is no doubt about it. 

On the other hand, why do you neglect such a competent person after getting him. He is beautiful, virtuous and has defeated all the gods and the demons. 

As the goddess Lakshmi is devoted to Vishnu, Radha is devoted to Sri Krishna, Savitri to me, Bhavani to Shiva, Prthivi to lord Varaha, Mena to Himalaya, Anusuya to Atri, Damayanti to Nala, Rohini to Chandrama, Rati to Kamadeva, Diti to Kashyapa, Arundhati to Vasistha, Ahalya to Gautama, Devahuti to Kardama, Tara to Bruhaspati, Shatarupa to Manu, dakshina to yajna, Svaha to Agni, Indrani to Indra, Pushti to Ganesha, Devsena to Skanda, Murti to Dharma, similarly Shamkhachuda will be immensely loved by you and you should become his beloved. 

О beautiful one, with Shamkhachuda you go at any place of your choice. 

At the end of the life of Shamkhachuda you will proceed Vaikuntha and achieve the four-armed lord Vishnu and in Goloka you achieve Govind again. 

Thus, speaking lord Brahma left for his abode. Thereafter, Shamkhachuda and Tulasi were married in the Gandharva style. 

At the time of festivities, the gods started playing on the drums and showered flowers on them. Thereafter Shamkhachuda enjoyed the company of his beloved in his abode. During the new union, Tulasi fainted but afterwards when she regained her consciousness the chaste lady roamed about in the forest with her husband enjoying all the conjugal pleasures. The Kamasutra has defined sixty-four types of conjugal pleasures for the lovers and they enjoyed all of them in practice.

They visited extremely charming places, devoid of all creatures on the beds of flowers, in the air scented with sandal-paste, they enjoyed themselves pretty well. Besides they roamed about on the banks of the rivers, in the flower orchards, the beds decorated with flowers and sandal-paste, decorating Tulasi with all the ornaments. They went on enjoying themselves and their joy knew no bounds. 

The chaste Tulasi attracted the mind of her husband with her performance and the lover on the other hand attracted the mind of Tulasi to him immensely.

The chaste Tulasi then while engaged in the love-sport removed the sandal-paste on the chest and arms of Shamkhachuda and then took away her Bindupatra. 

Filled with pleasure, he drew lines over her breasts while she on her part carved his arms with her ornaments. 

Her back was beaten by the king while his cheeks were bitten by Tulasi.

After enjoying the love-sport both of them got up and started decorating each other. Tulasi then applied the tilakam of saffron mixed with sandal paste over his entire body. Thereafter she offered pure and beautiful betel to him besides two garments and a garland of Parijata flowers. She also offered the gem-studded valuable ring which was difficult to get in the three worlds. The best of gems was studded in it. After making Shamkhachuda wear the ornaments, she repeated to him again and again that she was his slave. Thereafter she bowed in reverence to her husband with great devotion. 

Tulasi then started staring with side glances at the lotus-like face of Shamkhachuda. 

At that point of time the youth pushed her towards himself and embraced her looking at the lotus-like face of his beloved who was covered with cloth. 

Thereafter he kissed her temples and lips which were like the ripe wood-apple fruit. Thereafter he offered her the costumes brought by him from the place of Varuna and the garland of gems which was praised in the three worlds. 

He also handed over to her two nupuras (anklets) which he had snatched from Svaha, two armlets he snatched from chaya, the kundalas of Rohini, the finger ring and other ornaments from Rati, the Shamkha from Vishvakarma besides beautiful paintings and several other beautiful types of beads and beds. She was adorned with several ornaments. He provided her with three fragrant lines of moon. He decorated her person with several types of spots of saffron.

He made a tilakam on the forehead of Tulasi of the type of the flame of the burning lamp and also plastered her feet with the red paint. Thereafter placing her feet on his chest, he spoke out again and again, “O goddess I am your slave”. Thereafter, embracing her, Shamkhachuda took her to the gem-studded plane and boarded it. He then left the Tapovana for some other place in the plane and they roamed about over Malaya mountain, places of the gods, the mountain, the forest, the charming places and the orchards situated in the lonely places, the caves, the beautiful Sindhu river with the beautiful forests on its banks, on the banks of river Pusphabhadra, the river banks having a pleasant climate, divine rivers and rivulets, in the gardens filled with the black wasps creating hissing sounds, in the Nandana forest, on the Gandhamadana mountain, divine orchards, the Citraratha forest, sandal-wood forest, the forest of jasmine plants, Madhavi creepers, the lotuses, the jasmine, the kalpavruksha and Parijata forest, in the scheduled golden places, beautiful Sumeru mountain, Kanci forest, Kinjalaka forest, the places having gold mines, sleeping on the beds of flowers and sandal-paste, hearing the sweet tones of cuckoo, enjoying breeze filled with the fragrance of flowers and sandal-wood, places decorated with flowers and sandal-paste, both the passionate lovers enjoyed the conjugal pleasures without getting any satisfaction. 

As the ghee ignites flames in the fire, similarly by keeping constant company of each other both of them became more and more passionate. Thereafter the demon king returned to his own home with Tulasi and resided in a separate palace built with the specific purpose and continued enjoying love sports with her. The entire kingdom of glorious Shamkhachuda experienced great pleasure.

The great, king of the demons ruled over the countries of gods, Asuras, Danavas, Gandharvas and Kinnaras for a manvantara. Having been deprived of the kingdom by Shamkhachuda, the gods became a wandering lot and they roamed about everywhere like beggars. 

Shamkhachuda on his part had usurped from the gods the performing of puja, their kingdom, their homes, their rights, their weapons and ornaments forcibly. 

As a result of this, the dejected gods became like puppets. Thereafter, they felt grieved and they went to the court of Brahma. 

After narrating the tale of their suffering they started crying. Thereafter Brahma accompanied them to lord Shiva. 

Brahma narrated the entire tale of the suffering of the gods to lord Shiva, as a result of which Shiva took them all to Vaikuntha. 

Lord Shiva took them all to Vaikuntha where the death, old age has no place and reached the great abode of lord Vishnu. 

He found the gatekeepers seated on the gemstudded lion-thrones, who were clad in yellow lower garments and adorned with gem-studded ornaments. They were also wearing long garland of flowers and were holding samkha, gada, padma in their four arms. 

Brahma then spoke to the gate-keeper having lotus-like faces and lotus-like eyes about the reason for their arrival. 

Thereafter both of them permitted the gods to enter the chamber of Vishnu. Thereafter Brahma crossing sixteen gates reached the assembly of lord Vishnu. 

All the courtiers of that place appeared in the form of lord Vishnu and wore the kaustubha gems. They were seated like full moon, in a circular as well as square arrangements and looked quite charming, adorned with all the gems. They were seated on the thrones studded with precious gems which were arranged as per the desire of lord Vishnu. 

They were wearing garlands of rubies and strings of pearls which added to their beauty. The court of lord Vishnu was also decorated with crores of mirrors resembling gems. Many of the paintings hung on the walls were adding to its beauty. It was beautified with lotus-like gems and artificial lotuses which looked quite charming, the steps which were made of Syamantaka gems added to the beauty of the place. Tied in the silken cord, the sandal-wood leaves were looking like gates. The pillars of the place were studded with Indranila gems. The place was flooded with vases of gems which were adding to the beauty of the court. 

There were several garlands of Parijata (undecaying) flowers. The fragrance of kasturi and saffron pervaded the entire court. The place was scented with beautiful fragrance and the sweet music of Vidyadharis. 

It was spread over an area of a thousand yojanas which was fully guarded with guards. Thus lord Shiva had an audience with lord Vishnu together with Brahma and other gods. He was seated in the court like the moon surrounded by the stars and was seated on the beautiful lion throne studded with precious gems. He wore a kirlita mukuta on his head and a long garland of forest flowers round his neck. He had in all his four arms samkha, chakra, gada and padma having the complexion of a fresh cloud. He was quite charming and was adorned with all the ornaments studded with gems. 

All his limbs bore the sandal-paste. In one hand the lotus was held, the body of the lord was quite peaceful. 

Lakshmi was engaged in serving at his feet. Lord Vishnu was chewing the betel offered to him by his devotee. Ganga was fanning with the white fly-whisk with devotion. The people present there were reciting his glory with devotion. 

Reaching before such a great prosperious lord, Brahma and other gods started praising him. 

The hair of the bodies of all the gods stood on end. The eyes were flooded with tears and the voice was choked. All the devotees stood before him with devotion bowing their heads. 

Thereafter, the lord of the universe was addressed by Brahma, the god of creation, with folded hands. He narrated the entire tale of the suffering of the gods. 

The omniscient lord Vishnu understood the feelings of all the gods and then smiled. Thereafter he spoke to Brahma a matter of secret. 

Lord Vishnu said—О creator of the universe I am well-aware of the stoiy of Shamkhachuda who was one of my great devotees and a glorious cowherd. О gods, I am narrating to you his earlier story which is one of the sacred stories of Goloka and removes the sins, creating merits at the same time. You please listen to it.

There was a cowherd named Sudama, who was the best of my courtiers. He had to be born in the form of a demon as a result of a terrific curse pronounced on him by Radha. Once I leaving my beloved, Radha in my abode, went to the dancing hall. At that point of time Radhika was enraged about the hearing of my association with Viraja. She saw both of us together. 

But finding Viraja in the form of a river and myself disappearing from that place, the enraged Radhika went back to her abode. 

Thereafter, finding me in the house with Sudama, she started denouncing me but I remained quiet and peaceful. But my courtier Sudama could not tolerate her. He got enraged and denounced Radha in my presence. On hearing his words, the eyes of Radha became red with anger and she asked him to leave my court at once. 

At once a group of lakh of my friends got up and turned out that cowherd from the court who was crying again and again. 

Thereafter, hearing his words, Radha spoke in anger these words, “O wicked one, you are condemned to the race of the demons.” 

Thus having been cursed, he looked at me pathetically and left the place looking back at me. In the meantime Radha too was moved with his plight and getting some what satisfied, she intended to prevent him from leaving the place. 

She said— “O son, you stop for a moment. Where are you going? Don't go.” She started repeating these words again and again. Soon after finding Radha so crying, the mind of all the cowherds and cowherdesses were filled with grief. Thereafter I pacified Radhika and all others, saying, “He will obey the command of the curse and return to this place in a moment but Radha continued saying, “O Sudama, you come here and don't leave the place.” О Brahmana, the protector of the universe, half a movement of a Goloka is equated with a manvantara on earth. О Brahman, this is happening as ordained earlier. Therefore, Shamkhachuda who is well-versed in all the illusions and possesses great prowess, beside being well-versed in the Yogic practices, shall revert to Goloka again. 

Therefore, lord Shiva should go on earth with my trident and should kill him with it. 

My kavacha is held by that demon in his neck which has made him always victorious on earth. 

О Brahmana, till such time the kavacha is worn by him, no one on earth can kill him. Therefore, I shall beg it from him in the form of an ascetic. The moment the chastity of his wife is broken he will be killed. You have also given him a boon accordingly. 

For this purpose, I shall implant my semen in the womb of his wife and he will meet with his end at the same moment. There is no doubt about it. 

Thereafter shedding the form of a woman she would become a beloved of mine.” Thus speaking lord Vishnu handed over the trident delightfully to lord Shiva and returned to his abode. Thereafter making Shiva to lead the gods, he left the place. All the gods also reached the land of Bharatavarsha.