101 - Destruction of Kama

The sages said:

1. How did the mother goddess, the splendid Sati become the daughter of the lord Himavan? How did she attain Shiva, lord of the chiefs of Devas as her husband?

Suta said:

2. O excellent brahmins, that excellent lady by her own will resorted to the body of Mena. By practising penance she was born as the daughter of Himavan.

3-7. The lord of the mountains celebrated her post-natal and other rites. When she attained twelfth year she performed a penance. Along with her, her younger sister of splendid face too performed the penance. Both the sisters were different entities. She was bowed to by all the worlds. The sages surrounded her and eulogised her for her penance. She was called Aparna and her younger sister of splendid face was called Ekaparna. 942 The third excellent sister was Ekapatala. The supreme lord Shiva was captivated by her penance.

942. The purana mentions the three daughters of the lord of the Himalayas, viz. Aparna, Ekaparna, Ekapatala. The eldest Aparna (or Himavati) Was married to Shiva. Cf. v-26 of this chapter.

8. In the meantime, there was an asura of great splendour, named Taraka. He was the son of Tara.

9. He had three sons: — Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali and Kamalaksha.

10. Their grandfather was an asura of great strength named Tara. By means of his penance as also by the grace of lord Brahma, he had acquired great power.

11. Tara of great splendour conquered the three worlds consisting of the mobile and immobile beings. At the outset he conquered Vishnu too.

12. A fierce, thrilling fight ensued between them. It lasted a thousand divine years without intermission, both by day and night.

13. Seizing Vishnu along with his chariot, he hurled him a hundred yojanas away. Defeated in battle by Tara, the Garuda- bannered deity Vishnu fled.

14. Tara, the son of Diti, acquired boons and strength a hundred times more from Brahma. He occupied the entire universe.

15-16. The lord of the chiefs of Daityas conquered Devas along with their chief, Indra. With his Maya he prevented Devas from functioning as lords of the worlds. Devas along with Indra were afflicted with fear. Although they were heroic they never attained peace. Afflicted with fear they never got a refuge.

17. Then the glorious lord of the immortal beings rushed to Angirasa and said in the presence of Devas.

18. “O sir, the great Danava Taraka is the son of Tara. We have been overpowered by him as calves by the lordly bull.

19. O highly blessed one, O Bruhaspati, Devas whirl about here and there like birds in a cage. They have no fixed abode. In the great fight they have been defeated and are now afraid of him.

20. Due to the power of this demon, O excellent Angirasa, all those weapons of ours which never failed before have now become futile.

21-24. This demon fought with Vishnu, O Bruhaspati, for twenty thousand years and still he has not been killed by him. Since he has not been defeated in battle even by the powerful Vishnu how can people like us stand in front of him in battle?”

Thus requested by Indra, Bruhaspati the preceptor of Devas approached lord Brahma943 along with the thousand-eyed Indra as well as other leaders of Devas. He spoke to him. Brahma the dispeller of the agony of his devotees heard everything orally conveyed by him with love. Then he spoke to Bruhaspati in the presence of Devas including Indra.

943. Kushadhvajam— i.e. Brahma.

25-30 “I know your distress, O leading Devas. Still, listen now. Sati, the goddess born of Rudra’s body rebuked Daksha944 and became born as Uma the daughter of Himavan. She is bowed to by all the worlds. O excellent Devas, let her try to captivate the lofty mind of lord Rudra by means of her beauty. Through their union lord Skanda will be born who will sportingly kill the demon Taraka. He will be known as Shaktidhara (holder of Shakti or spear), Shadasya (six-faced), Dvadashabhuja (twelve-armed), Senani (commander-in-chief), Pavaki (son of fire), Svaheya (son of Svaha), Karttikeya (son of Kruttikas), Gangeya (son of Ganga), Sharadhamaja (born in the abode of the forest Shara, lord Shakha, Vishakha, Naigamesha, Senapati (commander-in-chief), Kumara, Mahasena (having a great army). Though he will be only a small boy, he will kill Taraka and protect Devas.”

944. vinindya devam — Sati reproached her father for not inviting Shiva to the sacrifice and then as an expiation for her father’s sin she immolated herself. The Bhagavata purana records her harangue addressed to her father thus:

31-33. Thus advised by Brahma, Parameshthin, Bruhaspati of good holy rites bowed to the lord of Devas. Accompanied by Devas including Indra, he went to the peak of the mountain Meru and remembered Kama. On being remembered by the preceptor of Devas, Kama came along with his wife Rati. With palms joined in reverence, he spoke to Bruhaspati sitting along with Indra, O excellent brahmins.

34-38. “O Bruhaspati, since I am remembered by you I have come here in your presence. Tell me what I have to do.” Thus, he who was summoned by Bruhaspati spoke to him. Lord Indra too honoured the fish-emblemed god and said: — “Unite Uma happily with Shiva today whereby the bull-emblemed lord can sport with her. Take adequate steps for the same along with your wife Rati. Mahadeva, if pleased, will grant you excellent boon. He is already separated from her. On acquiring Uma the daughter of the lord of the mountain he will be delighted.” On being told thus, Kama bowed to Indra the lord of Shachi and of Devas and decided to go to the penance grove of the lord of Devas in the company of Rati.

39-46. He was accompanied also by Vasanta his comrade. He decided to join the lord with Parvati. Beholding Kama laughingly, the lord stared at him contemptuously. Then the fire blazed forth from his third eye burned Kama as he stood by his side. Rati then cried piteously. On hearing her lamentations, the bull-emblemed lord was overwhelmed by mercy. He looked at her mercifully and said: — “O gentle lady, it is true that your husband is unembodied. But at the time of dalliance he will do everything that has to be done. There is no doubt about this. When Vishnu of great renown becomes the son of Vasudeva as a result of the curse of Bhrugu, when he incarnates for the welfare of worlds, the son born to him will be your husband. On hearing this, Rati the wife of Kama, the lady of pure smiles, bowed to Rudra and went along with Vasanta with the hope of regaining her husband.