Chapter 17 - The dialogue between Indra and Kāmadeva

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:—

1. When the gods had gone, Indra remembered Kama. He was so afflicted by Tāraka, the wicked demon.

2. In an instant, Kāma, the lover of Rati, came there along with Vasanta. He was accompanied by Rati too. Being powerful enough to conquer the three worlds he was very haughty.

3. Making due obeisance standing in front of Indra, the lofty-minded Kāma joined his palms in reverence and said:—

Kāma said:—

4. “What is the matter that has cropped up now? Wherefore was I remembered? Please tell me. I am here to carry it out”.

Brahmā said:—

5. On hearing the words of Kāma, Indra, the lord of the gods, said praising him lovingly saying “well done, very proper”.

Indra said:—

6. O Kāma you are blessed indeed, since you are in readiness to carry out the affair I have on hand. You have begun well.

7. Listen to what is relevant to the context. I shall tell you everything. My job is equally your job and not otherwise.

8. I have many friends and great friends at that. But, O Kāma, I have no other friend on a par with you anywhere.

9. O dear, for my conquest, the unparallelled thunderbolt has been made. Even that weapon may sometimes be ineffective but you are never so.

10. Who can be dearer than the person from whom

one derives benefit? Hence you, my greatest friend, must carry out my task.

11. Time being accursed, a great irremediable misery has befallen me. None other than you can dispel it.

12. The test of a donor is at the time of famine; the test of a warrior is at the time of battle; the test of a friend is at the time of adversity and the test of a woman is in the financial weakness of the family.

13. O dear, the test of a real friend is in the time of distress and is also based on what he does behind the back. It is not otherwise. This is truth.

14. Now that an adversity has befallen me, which cannot be thwarted by anyone else, O dear friend, it shall be a test for you today.

15. This is not a matter that brings pleasure to me alone. This is a matter that concerns all the gods and others too.

Brahmā said:—

16. On hearing these words of Indra the fish-bannered god Kāma spoke smilingly in words indicating love and gravity.

Kāma said:—

17. Why do you say like this? I make no answer to you. A helping unreal friend is neither seen nor spoken of in the world.

18. He who speaks much at the time of adversity will not turn out much. Yet, O king, my lord, I shall say something. Please listen.

19. O dear friend, I shall cause the downfall of that enemy of yours who is performing a severe penance to usurp your position.

20. I shall topple gods, sages, demons and others through the side-glances of a beautiful woman. I do not at all take human beings into consideration.

21. Let your thunderbolt and other weapons of innumerable varieties be set aside. What will they do when I, your friend, am present?

22. I can undoubtedly make Brahmā and Viṣṇu go astray. Others are of no consideration. I shall make even Śiva fall.

23. I have only five arrows that are soft and flowery. My bow is of three types. That too is flowery. The bowstring consists of bees.

24. My support and strength is my beloved wife Ratī. Spring is my minister. O god, I am having five forces. The moon, the storehouse of nectar, is my friend.

25. The sentiment of love is my commander-in-chief. The coquettish gestures and emotions are my soldiers. All these are soft and gentle. O Indra, I too am of that sort.

26. An intelligent man shall put together things that are mutually complementary. You shall therefore engage me in a task that accords with my capacity.

Brahmā said:—

27. On hearing his words, Indra was much pleased. Pleasing Kāma, the bestower of cherished happiness, by means of his words, he spoke.

Indra said:—

28. O dear Kāma, you are competent to carry out the task which I have conceived in my mind. It cannot be realised through anyone else.

29. O Kāma, foremost among my friends, listen. I shall explain truly for what I remembered you and desired your presence, O Kāma.

30. Securing a wonderful boon from Brahmā, the great demon Tāraka has become invincible and a pest for everyone.

31. The entire world is harassed by him. Many virtuous rites are destroyed. The gods have become miserable and so also the sages.

32. He had been fought by the gods to the utmost of their ability formerly. But the weapons of all the gods became quite futile.

33. The noose of Varuṇa, the god of waters, snapped. When hurled at his neck by Viṣṇu, the discus Sudarśana was blunted.

34. The death of this wicked demon has been foretold by Brahmā, the lord of the people, at the hands of the boy born of Śiva. the great Yogin.

35. O dear friend, this task must be achieved by you diligently. Then we, the gods, can be very happy.

36. It will be beneficent to me. It will render the whole world happy. Realising the duties of a friend you are now to act.

37. Śiva is at present engaged in a great penance. The supreme lord is always independent. It is not to achieve any desire that He performs the penance.

38. For the sake of gods, at the bidding of her father, Pārvatī is attending on Him, I hear.

39. O Kāma, you shall certainly do everything necessary to bring about an interest in her in the mind of Śiva who has self-control.

40. You will become contented after this. Your miseries will be destroyed. Your exploit will be permanently established in the world. Not otherwise.

Brahmā said:—

41. On being thus addressed, Kāma was glad, his face beaming like a full blown lotus. He lovingly said to the lord of gods, “I shall undoubtedly do it.”

42-43. After saying this when he said “So be it” he said “yes.” Kāma accepted it because he was deluded by Śiva’s illusion. Accompanied by his wife and Spring he went to the place where Śiva, the Yogin, was performing penance.