Being a devotee of Lord Shiva, every Monday I read from the Shiv Puran.I am amazed every time I read it and the storehouse of knowledge and history that is hidden in our religious texts. Every incident or happening is the cause or the consequence of something. The events that occur or might occur even in our day to day lives is predestined for the greater good of ourselves and others.Reiterating this thought and the beautiful occasion of Ram Lalla returning to his Ram Janmabhoomi there was a story I had read in Shivapuran which I would like to share with you all.
It is said that once the great sage Narad had decided to meditate and to overcome all forms of desires. He meditated for many years with such dedication that a bright effulgence was emanating from his entire being.
This made Lord Indra quite anxious and he was worried that if Lord Narad continues his meditation and penance, he will soon gain a boon from Lord Brahma. Lord Indra was worried that if Lord Narad asks to be the lord of Gods then his position as the chief of Gods would be in danger. In order to avoid the speculated danger, Lord Indra decided to deter the efforts of Narad and to do so, he beckoned Kamadeva and his wife Rati along with his friend Spring, to shoot an arrow filled with desire and foil the holy penance of Narad.
Kamadeva along with his wife Rati reached the spot where Narad was meditating. They poured in their collective efforts to stop Narad but he never wavered, surprisingly everything went in vain. Narad Mahamuni remained un-phased. Having completed his penance, Narad opened his eyes and revelled in the glory that he had overcome the efforts of Kamadeva. He was extremely elated with his efforts and puffed with pride that he had gained immense power and complete control over his desires.
Turns out, he was actually deluded by the Maya of Lord Shiva.The holy spot where Narad had been meditating was actually the same spot where Lord Shiva had turned Kamadeva into ashes when he had disturbed Lord Shiva while he was meditating. Later, Kamadeva was again resuscitated back to life because his wife Rati had begged for mercy from Lord Shiva. After, that Lord Shiva had declared that Kamadeva will regain his powers as lord of desires but his prowess will be futile over the holy spot and the surrounding areas where he was turned into ashes. Anyone, who sat and meditated in that holy grove would remain unaffected by desires and Kamadeva’s influence. Lord Narad, deluded by Lord Shiva’s Maya was oblivious to this fact and assumed that he had actually conquered his desires and won despite the efforts of Kamadeva. He thought himself akin to Lord Shiva, the conqueror of Kamadeva and free of all worldly desires.
Happy and elated, sage Narad went to Lord Shiva’s abode to give him the good news of his successful meditation. While narrating the entire process, Narad spoke with a sense of haughty-ness about his latest achievements and compared himself to Lord Shiva, who had also foiled the efforts of Kamadeva. Lord Shiva smiled at Narad’s pride and false sense of achievement. Nevertheless, he praised Narad and just gave him one advice. He told Narad to avoid mentioning his new found accomplishment to Lord Vishnu. Narad Mahamuni agreed to comply. But the sense of pride got the better of him and he narrated the entire story and boasted about himself in front of the great Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu, closing his eyes, smiled and realised that there was a hidden agenda of Lord Shiva and that he had to act according to Lord Shiva's wishes. He appreciated Narad on his achievements. Narad Mahamuni felt quite happy with the turn of events and was on his way home when on the way, he came across a splendid city.
This was an enchanted city, created by Lord Vishnu himself on Lord Shiva’s behest. Narad observed that the people of the city were so full of life, content and going about their day to day task taking the Lord’s name. There was a sheer excitement and divinity in the air. Narad was immediately attracted towards it and decided to explore it. Upon entrance to the city, Narad was greeted and welcomed by the King himself. The king’s name was Shilanidhi. Narad complimented him on his beautiful city and blessed him with longevity and prosperity. King overwhelmed with Narad’s divine blessings introduced him to his daughter Shrimati. Shrimati possessed of a celestial beauty and was wondrous to behold. Narad having met her, was completely enamoured by her charm. The king expressed his wish to marry his daughter off for which he had arranged a swayamvar. He asked Narad to give an insight into her future and her married life and how her future husband would be. Narad muni predicted that the princess will be married to a very handsome prince and would live a happy life. Later on, he blessed both the daughter and the king. The king was elated and both him and his daughter prostrated before Narad and bade him away with respect and love.
Narad, not quite out of Shrimati’s charms, went straight to Lord Vishnu. He narrated the whole incident and his wish to marry Shrimati. He requested Lord Vishnu to give him a rich and handsome countenance of a prince, so that he could participate in the swayamvar with all the other princes and Shreemati would choose him over everyone else. Lord Vishnu granted Narad his wish. He adorned him with rich jewels and gave him the face of a handsome prince unmatched in the three worlds much like himself. In reality, Lord Vishnu had given Narad muni the face of a monkey, of which Narad was utterly unaware. Infused with confidence and pride, Narad Mahamuni entered the swayamvar hall. The princess entered the hall holding a golden garland and went around the hall where all the princes and kings had assembled for the swayamvar. When she came in front of Narad muni she looked at him strangely barely concealing her displeasure at his appearance.Surpassing him, she went straight to the end of the line and put the garland on the most handsome prince present there, who was none other than Lord Vishnu himself. Narad enraged by this indignation confronted the princess in front of everyone asking her why hadn’t she chosen him as her husband. Upon which, two devotees of Shiva, who were present there, explained to Narad that he had the face of a monkey and hence the princess Shrimati had rejected him. Narad Mahamuni did not believe them and cursed them.
He went and saw his reflection in the mirror to confirm what was said to him before. He was overcome with anger after seeing his face and at the public humiliation he had suffered. He confronted Lord Vishnu and cursed him too. According to the curse,Lord Vishnu had to take a human birth on earth, where he had to suffer the trials and tribulation of a human life, separation from his beloved wife and to seek her back, he would have to take the help of monkeys.
Hence, the curse of Narad mahamuni proved a precursor of Ramayana. The trigger of all the above events was the delusion of pride and haughty-ness caused in the mind of the great sage Narad by Lord Shiva’s will. It was all for a greater good and emancipation of sages and mankind from the havoc of the evil for which reincarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth as Lord Rama was necessary.
Therefore Lord Shiva, the ever merciful, with the help of his foremost devotee,Lord Vishnu, orchestrated the above chain of events for the benefit of humankind.
Har Har Mahadev! Jai Shree Ram!
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