Chapter 21 - Nārada instructs Pārvatī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:—

1. O dear Brahmā, O disciple of Viṣṇu, of great intellect. O Creator of three worlds, this is a very wonderful story of the great soul Śiva that has been narrated.

2. When Kāma had been reduced to ashes by the fire from the third eye of Śiva and when that fire had been deposited in the ocean what happened thereafter?

3. What did Goddess Pārvatī, the daughter of the lord of mountains, do? O storehouse of mercy, please tell me now where she went along with her maids.

Brahmā said:—

4. O dear, of great intellect, listen to the story of the moon crested lord, my master and the cause of great enjoyment and protection.

5. A wonderfully loud sound arose covering the whole firmament when the fire issuing from Śiva’s eye burnt Kāma.

6. On hearing that loud report and seeing Kāma burnt, Pārvatī was terribly frightened and she returned to her abode along with her maids.

7. Himavat along with his attendants and relatives was surprised on hearing that loud report. He was agitated on remembering that his daughter had gone there.

8. On seeing his daughter excessively agitated, the lord of the mountains was sorry. The lord of the mountains approached her gently as she was crying due to her separation from Śiva.

9-10. Approaching her and wiping off her eyes with his hand he said—“Dear daughter, do not be afraid, do not cry. He took her on his lap and consoled her. The lord of the mountains took her immediately to his palace.

11. When Śiva had vanished after burning Kāma, Pārvatī became extremely agitated due to His separation. She did not attain pleasure anywhere.

12. Returning to her father’s abode and meeting her mother, Śivā, the daughter of the mountain, considered herself born again.

13. She cursed her own beauty. She said to herself. “O, I am doomed”. The daughter of the lord of mountains did not regain composure though consoled and assuaged by the maids.

14. She did not achieve happiness and peace in sleeping, drinking, bathing, or sitting amidst her maids.

15. Remembering the various gestures and movements of Śiva, she muttered to herself ever and anon—“Fie upon my beauty. Fie on my birth and activity”.

16. Thus Pārvatī was much distressed in mind due to separation from Śiva. She did not at all feel happy. She always muttered “Śiva, Śiva.”

17. O dear, with her consciousness centred round the Pināka-bearing lord, she continued to stay in the palace of her father. Śiva bewailed much and fainted frequently.

18. The lord of the mountains, Menakā, and their sons chief of whom was Maināka of undisturbed mind, tried to console her but still she did not forget Śiva.

19. O celestial sage, O intelligent one, employed by Indra, the slayer of Bala, you came to Himalaya mountain roaming here and there as you pleased.

20. You were then worshipped by the noble-souled mountain. You enquired of his health and happiness and you were seated in a noble seat.

21. Then the lord of the mountains told you the story of his daughter from her service to Śiva to the burning of Kāma by Him.

22. O sage, on hearing that, you told the lord of the mountains—“Worship Śiva.” You stood up, remembered Śiva mentally and took leave of him.

23. O sage, leaving him you hastened to meet Pārvatī secretly, you a favourite of Śiva, perfectly wise and engaged in helping the world.

24. Approaching Pārvatī and addressing her, you spoke to her respectfully. You are foremost among the wise and you were interested in her welfare. Your words were true.

Nārada said:—

25. O Pārvatī, listen. I am sympathetic to you. I shall speak truly. My words will be beneficent to you in all respects. They will lead to the achievement of your desire. They are free from aberrations.

26. The great god has been served by you without austerities. You had some pride which He, the blesser of the distressed, eradicated.

27. O Śivā, after burning Kāma, lord Śiva though favourably disposed to His devotees, left you, since the lord is a great Yogin and so unattached to you.

28. Hence you shall propitiate Him by performing a great penance. Śiva will take you as His wife, after you have been sanctified by austerities.

29. You will never forsake the auspicious Śiva. O goddess, you will not take any one other than Śiva as your husband.

Brahmā said:—

30. On hearing your words, O sage, Pārvatī, the daughter of the mountain, heaved a sigh of relief and gladly spoke to you with palms joined in reverence.

Pārvatī said:—

31. O sage, O omniscient one, you help all the worlds, please tell me a formula for the propitiation of lord Siva.

32. No sacred rite will ever fructify without a good preceptor. Truly this eternal statement of the Vedas was heard by me before.

Brahmā said:—

33. On hearing these words of Pārvatī, O excellent sage, you taught her the five-syllabled mantra of Śiva^[1] in accordance with the sacred law.

34. O sage, generating her faith you told her the supreme efficacy of the great formula thus.

Nārada said:—

35. O goddess, listen to the wonderful efficacy of this formula on hearing which Śiva becomes excessively pleased.

36. This formula is a king of all formulas. It yields all cherished desires, bestows all worldly pleasures and salvation, and appeals much to Siva.

37. Repeating this formula in accordance with the injunctions you shall propitiate Śiva. He will certainly appear before you.

38. O Śiva, meditate on His form, observing all restraints. Repeat the five-syllabled mantra. Śiva will be pleased quickly.

39. O chaste lady, perform the penance thus. Lord Śiva can be attained through penance. Every one attains the desired fruits in penance and not otherwise.

Brahmā said:—

40. O Nārada, after saying thus to Pārvatī, you, the favourite of Śiva, went to heaven, a casual visitor engaged in the welfare of the gods.

41. O Nārada, on hearing your words and securing the excellent five-syllabled mantra, Pārvatī was extremely pleased.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The five-syllabled Mantra of Śiva: “namaḥ śivāya”