Vishvamohini's Swayamvara, Narada's Curse, and the End of Delusion
At Vishvamohini's swayamvara, Narada is overcome by delusion and feels deeply humiliated. In anger he curses Shiva's attendants and even the Lord, but his delusion is eventually broken and he understands the divine play.
Bal Kand · Episode 31 / 59
Episode Text
बिरचेउ मग महुँ नगर तेहिं सत जोजन बिस्तार। श्रीनिवासपुर तें अधिक रचना बिबिध प्रकार॥ १२९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
biraceu maga mahuṃ nagara tehiṃ sata yojana bistāra। śrīnivāsa pura teṃ adhika racanā bibidha prakāra॥ 129 ॥
Meaning:
That Maya created a city on the road, spread over a hundred yojanas. Its many kinds of construction were even more beautiful than the city of Shri Nivasa (Vaikuntha).
बसहिं नगर सुंदर नर नारी। जनु बहु मनसिज रति तनुधारी॥ तेहिं पुर बसइ सीलनिधि राजा। अगनित हय गय सेन समाजा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
basahiṃ nagara sundara nara nārī। janu bahu manasija rati tanudhārī॥ tehiṃ pura basai sīlanidhi rājā। aganita haya gaya sena samājā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
In that city lived such handsome men and women as though many Kāmadevas and Rati herself had taken human form. In that city dwelt a king named Śīlanidhi, who had innumerable horses, elephants, and companies of soldiers.
सत सुरेस सम बिभव बिलासा। रूप तेज बल नीति निवासा॥ बिस्वमोहनी तासु कुमारी। श्री बिमोह जिसु रूपु निहारी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sata suresa sama bibhava bilāsā। rūpa teja bala nīti nivāsā॥ bisvamohanī tāsu kumārī। śrī bimoha jisu rūpu nihārī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Her splendor and grandeur were equal to those of a hundred Indras. He was an abode of beauty, radiance, strength, and right conduct. He had a daughter named Visvamohinī, whose beauty would enchant even Lakshmī at a glance.
सोइ हरिमाया सब गुन खानी। सोभा तासु कि जाइ बखानी॥ करइ स्वयंबर सो नृपबाला। आए तहँ अगनित महिपाला॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soi harimāyā saba guna khānī। sobhā tāsu ki jāi bakhānī॥ karai svayaṃbara so nṛpabālā। āe tahaṃ aganita mahipālā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
She was, indeed, the Lord's illusory power, the treasury of all virtues. How could her splendor ever be described? That princess wished to hold a svayaṃvara, so countless kings had gathered there.
मुनि कौतुकी नगर तेहिं गयऊ। पुरबासिन्ह सब पूछत भयऊ॥ सुनि सब चरित भूपगृहँ आए। करि पूजा नृप मुनि बैठाए॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
muni kautukī nagara tehiṃ gayau। purabāsinha saba pūchata bhayau॥ suni saba carita bhūpagṛhaṃ āe। kari pūjā nṛpa muni baiṭhāe॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The playful sage Nārada went to that city and asked the townspeople about everything. Hearing all the news, he came to the king's palace. The king worshipped him and had the sage seated.
आनि देखाई नारदहि भूपति राजकुमारि। कहहु नाथ गुन दोष सब एहि के हृदयँ बिचारि॥ १३० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āni dekhāī nāradahi bhūpati rājakumāri। kahahu nātha guna doṣa saba ehi ke hṛdayaṃ bicāri॥ 130 ॥
Meaning:
Then the king brought the princess and showed her to Nārada, saying: "O lord, please consider in your heart and tell me all her merits and faults."
देखि रूप मुनि बिरति बिसारी। बड़ी बार लगि रहे निहारी॥ लच्छन तासु बिलोकि भुलाने। हृदयँ हरष नहिं प्रगट बखाने॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dekhi rūpa muni birati bisārī। baṛī bāra lagi rahe nihārī॥ lacchana tāsu biloki bhulāne। hṛdayaṃ haraṣa nahiṃ pragaṭa bakhāne॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing her beauty, the sage forgot all detachment and kept gazing at her for a long time. Looking at her signs and marks, he was bewildered; his heart rejoiced, though he did not speak those signs aloud.
जो एहि बरइ अमर सोइ होई। समरभूमि तेहि जीत न कोई॥ सेवहिं सकल चराचर ताही। बरइ सीलनिधि कन्या जाही॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jo ehi barai amara soi hoī। samarabhūmi tehiṃ jīta na koī॥ sevahiṃ sakala carācara tāhī। barai sīlanidhi kanyā jāhī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Reflecting on these marks, he thought: whoever marries her will become immortal, and no one will be able to defeat him on the battlefield. Whomever this daughter of Śīlanidhi chooses, all moving and unmoving beings will serve that person.
लच्छन सब बिचारि उर राखे। कछुक बनाइ भूप सन भाषे॥ सुता सुलच्छन कहि नृप पाहीं। नारद चले सोच मन माहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lacchana saba bicāri ura rākhe। kachuka banāi bhūpa sana bhāṣe॥ sutā sulachchana kahi nṛpa pāhīṃ। nārada cale soca mana māhīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Having considered all the signs, the sage kept them in his heart and said something of his own making to the king. Speaking of the girl's auspicious marks to the king, Nārada departed. Yet a worry remained in his mind:
करौं जाइ सोइ जतन बिचारी। जेहि प्रकार मोहि बरै कुमारी॥ जप तप कछु न होइ तेहि काला। हे बिधि मिलइ कवन बिधि बाला॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
karauṃ jāi soi jatan bicārī। jehi prakāra mohi barai kumārī॥ japa tapa kachu na hoi tehi kālā। he bidhi milai kavana bidhi bālā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
"I shall go and think of the same device by which this maiden may choose me. At this time, no amount of japa or austerity can do anything. O Fate, by what means will I obtain this girl?"
एहि अवसर चाहिअ परम सोभा रूप बिसाल। जो बिलोकि रीझै कुअँरि तब मेलै जयमाल॥ १३१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi avasara cāhia parama sobhā rūpa bisāla। jo biloki rījhai kuaṃri taba melai jayamāla॥ 131 ॥
Meaning:
At this moment, what is needed is supreme splendor and a vast, handsome form, so that when the princess sees it, she may be delighted and then place the victory garland around my neck.
हरि सन मागौं सुंदरताई। होइहि जात गहरु अति भाई॥ मोरें हित हरि सम नहिं कोऊ। एहि अवसर सहाय सोइ होऊ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hari sana māgauṃ sundaratāī। hoihi jāta gaharu ati bhāī॥ moreṃ hita hari sama nahiṃ koū। ehi avasara sahāya soi hoū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
[I shall do one thing:] I will ask the Lord for beauty; but, brother, it will take a very long time to go there. Yet there is no one as benevolent to me as Śrī Hari, so let Him be my helper at this time.
बहुबिधि बिनय कीन्हि तेहि काला। प्रगटेउ प्रभु कौतुकी कृपाला॥ प्रभु बिलोकि मुनि नयन जुड़ाने। होइहि काजु हिएँ हरषाने॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bahubidhi binaya kīnhi tehi kālā। pragaṭeu prabhu kautukī kṛpālā॥ prabhu biloki muni nayana juṛāne। hoihi kāju hiyeṃ haraṣāne॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
At that time Nārada offered many kinds of prayers to the Lord. Then the playful and compassionate Lord appeared there. Seeing the Lord, Nārada's eyes were gladdened, and he rejoiced in his heart, thinking that now his task would surely be accomplished.
अति आरति कहि कथा सुनाई। करहु कृपा करि होहु सहाई॥ आपन रूप देहु प्रभु मोही। आन भाँति नहिं पावौं ओही॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ati ārati kahi kathā sunāī। karahu kṛpā kari hohu sahāī॥ āpana rūpa dehu prabhu mohī। āna bhāṃti nahiṃ pāvauṃ ohī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Nārada, deeply distressed, told the whole story and prayed: "Please be gracious and, out of compassion, be my helper. O Lord, give me your own form; otherwise I shall not be able to obtain that princess."
जेहि बिधि नाथ होइ हित मोरा। करहु सो बेगि दास मैं तोरा॥ निज माया बल देखि बिसाला। हियँ हँसि बोले दीनदयाला॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehi bidhi nātha hoi hita morā। karahu so begi dāsa maiṃ torā॥ nija māyā bala dekhi bisālā। hiyaṃ haṃsi bole dīnadayālā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
"O Lord, do quickly whatever is for my welfare. I am your servant." Seeing the vast power of His own māyā, the compassionate Lord smiled within and spoke:
जेहि बिधि होइहि परम हित नारद सुनहु तुम्हार। सोइ हम करब न आन कछु बचन न मृषा हमार॥ १३२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehi bidhi hoihī parama hita nārada sunahu tumhāra। soi hama karaba na āna kachu bacana na mṛṣā hamāra॥ 132 ॥
Meaning:
"Listen, Nārada: whatever brings about your highest good, that alone we shall do; nothing else. Our word is never false."
कुपथ माग रुज ब्याकुल रोगी। बैद न देइ सुनहु मुनि जोगी॥ एहि बिधि हित तुम्हार मैं ठयऊ। कहि अस अंतरहित प्रभु भयऊ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kupatha māga ruja byākula rogī। baida na dei sunahu muni jogī॥ ehi bidhi hita tumhāra maiṃ ṭhayau। kahi asa antarhita prabhu bhayau॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O ascetic sage, listen: if a sick man, tormented by illness, asks for what is harmful, the physician does not give it. In this way I too have resolved to do what is for your good. Having said this, the Lord disappeared from sight.
माया बिबस भए मुनि मूढ़ा। समुझी नहिं हरि गिरा निगूढ़ा॥ गवने तुरत तहाँ रिषिराई। जहाँ स्वयंबर भूमि बनाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
māyā bibasa bhae muni mūḍhā। samujhī nahiṃ hari girā nigūḍhā॥ gavane turata tahāṃ riṣirāī। jahāṃ svayaṃbara bhūmi banāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Overcome by the Lord's Māyā, the sage became so deluded that he could not understand the Lord's hidden words. Sage-king Narad immediately went to the place where the arena for the svayamvara had been prepared.
निज निज आसन बैठे राजा। बहु बनाव करि सहित समाजा॥ मुनि मन हरष रूप अति मोरें। मोहि तजि आनहि बरिहि न भोरें॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nija nija āsana baiṭhe rājā। bahu banāva kari sahita samājā॥ muni mana haraṣa rūpa ati moreṃ। mohi taji ānahi barihi na bhoreṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The kings sat in their respective seats, fully adorned and with the whole assembly present. Narad was delighted in his heart, thinking, "My form is most beautiful; leaving me, the maiden will not choose anyone else, not even by mistake."
मुनि हित कारन कृपानिधाना। दीन्ह कुरूप न जाइ बखाना॥ सो चरित्र लखि काहुँ न पावा। नारद जानि सबहिं सिर नावा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
muni hita kārana kṛpānidhānā। dīnha kurūpa na jāi bakhānā॥ so caritra lakhi kāhuṃ na pāvā। nārada jāni sabahiṃ sira nāvā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
For the sage's welfare, the ocean of mercy, the Lord, made him so ugly that it cannot be described. No one could understand that event; everyone, recognizing him as Narad, bowed their heads.
रहे तहाँ दुइ रुद्र गन ते जानहिं सब भेउ। बिप्रबेष देखत फिरहिं परम कौतुकी तेउ॥ १३३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rahe tahāṃ dui rudra gana te jānahiṃ saba bheu। bipraveṣa dekhata firahiṃ parama kautukī teu॥ 133 ॥
Meaning:
There were also two of Shiva's attendants there; they knew all the secrets and, disguised as brahmins, went about watching the whole pastime. They too were full of mischief.
जेहिं समाज बैठे मुनि जाई। हृदयँ रूप अहमिति अधिकाई॥ तहँ बैठे महेस गन दोऊ। बिप्रबेष गति लखइ न कोऊ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehiṃ samāja baiṭhe muni jāī। hṛdayaṃ rūpa ahamiti adhikāī॥ tahaṃ baiṭhe mahesa gana doū। bipraveṣa gati lakhai na koū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Narad sat down in the assembly with great pride in his heart over his beauty. There too sat the two attendants of Mahesh; in the guise of brahmins, no one could perceive their movements.
करहिं कूटि नारदहि सुनाई। नीकि दीन्हि हरि सुंदरताई॥ रीझिहि राजकुअँरि छबि देखी। इन्हहि बरिहि हरि जानि बिसेषी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
karahiṃ kūṭi nāradahi sunāī। nīki dīnhi hari sundaratāī॥ rījhihi rājakuāṃri chabi dekhī। inhahi barihi hari jāni biseṣī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
They kept taunting Narad, saying, "The Lord has indeed bestowed fine beauty on him! Seeing his splendor, the princess will be charmed and, thinking him to be a monkey, will choose him above all others."
मुनिहि मोह मन हाथ पराएँ। हँसहिं संभु गन अति सचु पाएँ॥ जदपि सुनहिं मुनि अटपटि बानी। समुझि न परइ बुद्धि भ्रम सानी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
munihi moha mana hātha parāeṃ। haṃsahiṃ sambhu gana ati sacu pāeṃ॥ jadapi sunahiṃ muni aṭapaṭi bānī। samujhi na parai buddhi bhrama sānī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Narad the sage was falling into delusion, because his mind was in another's hands. Shiva's attendants laughed with great delight. Although the sage heard their odd words, his intellect, clouded by confusion, could not make sense of them; he took their words as praise.
काहुँ न लखा सो चरित बिसेषा। सो सरूप नृपकन्याँ देखा॥ मर्कट बदन भयंकर देही। देखत हृदयँ क्रोध भा तेही॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kāhuṃ na lakhā so carita biseṣā। so sarūpa nṛpakanyāṃ dekhā॥ markaṭa badana bhayaṃkara dehī। dekhata hṛdayaṃ krodha bhā tehī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
No one else noticed that special event; only the princess saw that form. The moment she saw the monkey-like face and fearsome body, anger arose in her heart.
सखीं संग लै कुअँरि तब चलि जनु राजमराल। देखत फिरइ महीप सब कर सरोज जयमाल॥ १३४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sakhīṃ saṃga lai kūāṃri taba cali janu rājamarāla। dekhata phirai mahīpa saba kara saroja jayamāla॥ 134 ॥
Meaning:
Then the princess, taking her maidens with her, moved along as if a royal swan were gliding. Holding the garland in her lotus-like hands, she went about looking at all the kings.
जेहि दिसि बैठे नारद फूली। सो दिसि तेहिं न बिलोकी भूली॥ पुनि पुनि मुनि उकसहिं अकुलाहीं। देखि दसा हर गन मुसुकाहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehi disi baiṭhe nārada phūlī। so disi tehiṃ na bilokī bhūlī॥ puni puni muni ukasahiṃ akulāhīṃ। dekhi dasā hara gana musukāhīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
In the direction where Narada sat, puffed up with pride, she did not even look by mistake. Again and again the sage kept rising and fidgeting in agitation. Seeing his condition, Shiva's attendants smiled.
धरि नृपतनु तहँ गयउ कृपाला। कुअँरि हरषि मेलेउ जयमाला॥ दुलहिनि लै गे लच्छिनिवासा। नृपसमाज सब भयउ निरासा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhari nṛpatanu tahaṃ gayo kṛpālā। kuāṃri haraṣi meleu jayamālā॥ dulahini lai ge lacchininivāsā। nṛpasamāja saba bhayo nirāsā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The merciful Lord also took on the body of a king and went there. The princess joyfully placed the victory garland around His neck. The Lord, abode of Lakshmi, took the bride away. The entire royal assembly was left disheartened.
मुनि अति बिकल मोहँ मति नाठी। मनि गिरि गई छूटि जनु गाँठी॥ तब हर गन बोले मुसुकाई। निज मुख मुकुर बिलोकहु जाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
muni ati bikala mohaṃ mati nāṭhī। mani giri gaī chūṭi janu gāṃṭhī॥ taba hara gana bole musukāī। nija mukha mukura bilokahu jāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Because of delusion, the sage's understanding had been lost, and he became deeply agitated at seeing the princess. It was as if a jewel had slipped free from a knot and fallen. Then Shiva's attendants smiled and said, 'Go and look at your own face in a mirror!'
अस कहि दोउ भागे भयँ भारी। बदन दीख मुनि बारि निहारी॥ बेषु बिलोकि क्रोध अति बाढ़ा। तिन्हहि सराप दीन्ह अति गाढ़ा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asa kahi doū bhāge bhayaṃ bhārī। badana dīkha muni bāri nihārī॥ beṣu biloki krodha ati bāṛhā। tinhahi sarāpa dīni ati gāṛhā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Saying this, the two fled in great fear. The sage looked into the water and saw his own face. Seeing his appearance, his anger greatly increased. He gave those attendants of Shiva a very severe curse.
होहु निसाचर जाइ तुम्ह कपटी पापी दोउ। हँसेहु हमहि सो लेहु फल बहुरि हँसेहु मुनि कोउ॥ १३५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hohu nisācara jāi tumha kapaṭī pāpī dou। haṃsehu hamahi so lehu phala bahuri haṃsehu muni kou॥ 135 ॥
Meaning:
You two, being deceitful and sinful, go and become demons. You mocked us; now bear the fruit of that. After this, go and mock some other sage if you dare.
पुनि जल दीख रूप निज पावा। तदपि हृदयँ संतोष न आवा॥ फरकत अधर कोप मन माहीं। सपदि चले कमलापति पाहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
puni jala dīkha rūpa nija pāvā। tadapi hṛdayaṃ saṃtoṣa na āvā॥ pharakata adhara kopa mana māhīṃ। sapadi cale kamalāpati pāhīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The sage looked again into the water and recovered his own true form; even then he found no satisfaction. His lips were trembling, and anger was in his heart. At once he went to Lord Kamalapati.
देहउँ श्राप कि मरिहउँ जाई। जगत मोरि उपहास कराई॥ बीचहिं पंथ मिले दनुजारी। संग रमा सोइ राजकुमारी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dehauṃ śrāpa ki marihauṃ jāī। jagata mori upahāsa karāī॥ bīcahiṃ pantha mile danujārī। saṃga ramā soī rājakumārī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
[He kept thinking:] 'I will go and either give a curse or give up my life. They have made me a laughingstock in the world.' The enemy of demons, Lord Hari, met him right in the middle of the road. With Him were Lakshmi and that same princess.
बोले मधुर बचन सुरसाईं। मुनि कहँ चले बिकल की नाईं॥ सुनत बचन उपजा अति क्रोधा। माया बस न रहा मन बोधा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bole madhura bacana surasāīṃ। muni kahaṃ cale bikala kī nāīṃ॥ sunata bacana upajā ati krodhā। māyā basa na rahā mana bodhā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The Lord, master of the gods, spoke sweetly: 'O sage, where are you going in such agitation?' Hearing these words, Narada became greatly angry; under the sway of illusion, his mind lost all discernment.
पर संपदा सकहु नहिं देखी। तुम्हरें इरिषा कपट बिसेषी॥ मथत सिंधु रुद्रहि बौरायहु। सुरन्ह प्रेरि बिष पान करायहु॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
para saṃpadā sakahu nahiṃ dekhī। tumharen̄ iriṣā kapaṭa biśeṣī॥ mathata siṃdhu rudrahi baurāyahu। suranha preri biṣa pāna karāyahu॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
You cannot bear to see others' prosperity; your envy and deceit are extreme. During the churning of the ocean, you drove Shiva to distraction and prompted the gods to make Him drink poison.
असुर सुरा बिष संकरहि आपु रमा मनि चारु। स्वारथ साधक कुटिल तुम्ह सदा कपट ब्यवहारु॥ १३६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asura surā biṣa saṃkarahi āpu ramā mani cāru। svāratha sādhaka kuṭila tumha sadā kapaṭa byavahāru॥ 136 ॥
Meaning:
You gave the demons liquor and Shiva poison, and took for yourself Lakshmi and the beautiful [Kaustubha] jewel. You are very deceitful and self-serving. You always behave with deceit.
परम स्वतंत्र न सिर पर कोई। भावइ मनहि करहु तुम्ह सोई॥ भलेहि मंद मंदेहि भल करहू। बिसमय हरष न हियँ कछु धरहू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
parama svatantra na sira para koī। bhāvai manahi karahu tumha soī॥ bhalehi maṃda maṃdehi bhala karahū। bisamaya haraṣa na hiyaṃ kachū dharahū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
You are utterly independent; there is no one above you. So you do whatever pleases your mind, in complete freedom. You turn the good into bad and the bad into good. No joy or sorrow ever enters your heart.
डहकि डहकि परिचेहु सब काहू। अति असंक मन सदा उछाहू॥ करम सुभासुभ तुम्हहि न बाधा। अब लगि तुम्हहि न काहूँ साधा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ḍahaki ḍahaki paricehu saba kāhū। ati asaṃka mana sadā uchāhū॥ karama subhāsubha tumhahi na bādhā। aba lagi tumhahi na kāhūṃ sādhā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
You have tested everyone by deceiving them again and again, and have become utterly fearless; because of this, your mind is always eager for trickery. Good and bad deeds do not hinder you. Until now no one had restrained you.
भले भवन अब बायन दीन्हा। पावहुगे फल आपन कीन्हा॥ बंचेहु मोहि जवनि धरि देहा। सोइ तनु धरहु श्राप मम एहा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhale bhavana aba bāyana dīnhā। pāvahuge phala āpana kīnhā॥ baṃchehu mohi javani dhari dehā। soi tanu dharahu śrāpa mama ehā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
This time you have made a fine offering indeed, by provoking someone as formidable as me. Therefore, you will certainly reap the fruit of your actions. The very body with which you deceived me, you too must take on that same body; this is my curse.
कपि आकृति तुम्ह कीन्हि हमारी। करिहहिं कीस सहाय तुम्हारी॥ मम अपकार कीन्ह तुम्ह भारी। नारि बिरहँ तुम्ह होब दुखारी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kapi ākṛti tumha kīnhi hamārī। karihahiṃ kīsa sahāya tumhārī॥ mama apakāra kīnha tumha bhārī। nāri birahaṃ tumha hoba dukhārī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
You made my form that of a monkey, so monkeys will help you. You did me great harm by separating me from the woman I desired; therefore, you too will suffer in the separation from a woman.
श्राप सीस धरि हरषि हियँ प्रभु बहु बिनती कीन्हि। निज माया कै प्रबलता करषि कृपानिधि लीन्हि॥ १३७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
śrāpa sīsa dhari haraṣi hiyaṃ prabhu bahu binatī kīnhi। nija māyā kai prabalatā karaṣi kṛpānidhi līnhi॥ 137 ॥
Meaning:
Taking the curse upon His head, the Lord joyfully made many entreaties. The treasure of compassion, the Lord, then withdrew the force of His illusion.
जब हरि माया दूरि निवारी। नहिं तहँ रमा न राजकुमारी॥ तब मुनि अति सभीत हरि चरना। गहे पाहि प्रनतारति हरना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaba hari māyā dūri nivārī। nahiṃ tahaṃ ramā na rājakumārī॥ taba muni ati sabhīta hari caranā। gahe pāhi pranatārati haranā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
When the Lord removed His illusion, neither Lakshmi nor the princess was there. Then the sage, greatly frightened, grasped the feet of Hari and said, 'O remover of the sufferings of those who seek refuge, protect me.'
मृषा होउ मम श्राप कृपाला। मम इच्छा कह दीनदयाला॥ मैं दुर्बचन कहे बहुतेरे। कह मुनि पाप मिटिहिं किमि मेरे॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mṛṣā hou mama śrāpa kṛpālā। mama icchā kaha dīnadayālā॥ maiṃ durbacana kahe bahutere। kaha muni pāpa miṭihim kimi mere॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
O merciful One, let my curse become false. Then the Lord, compassionate to the afflicted, said that all this happened by My own wish. The sage said, 'I have spoken many harsh words to You. How will my sin ever be erased?'
जपहु जाइ संकर सत नामा। होइहि हृदयँ तुरत बिश्रामा॥ कोउ नहिं सिव समान प्रिय मोरें। असि परतीति तजहु जनि भोरें॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
japahu jāi saṃkara sata nāmā। hoihi hṛdayaṃ turata biśrāmā॥ kou nahiṃ siva samāna priya moreṃ। asi paratīti tajahu jani bhoreṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Go and recite the hundred names of Shiva; then peace will arise in your heart at once. No one is as dear to Me as Shiva—do not abandon this conviction even in error.
जेहि पर कृपा न करहिं पुरारी। सो न पाव मुनि भगति हमारी॥ अस उर धरि महि बिचरहु जाई। अब न तुम्हहि माया निअराई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehi para kṛpā na karahiṃ purārī। so na pāva muni bhagati hamārī॥ asa ura dhari mahi bicarahu jāī। aba na tumhahi māyā niarāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O sage, one upon whom Purari (Shiva) does not show grace cannot attain My devotion. Keep this certainty in your heart and go roam the earth. Now My illusion will not come near you.
बहुबिधि मुनिहि प्रबोधि प्रभु तब भए अंतरधान। सत्यलोक नारद चले करत राम गुन गान॥ १३८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bahubidhi munihi prabodhi prabhu taba bhae antaradhāna। satyaloka nārada cale karata rāma guna gāna॥ 138 ॥
Meaning:
After comforting the sage in many ways, the Lord then disappeared. Narada went to Satyaloka (Brahmaloka), singing the praises of Rama.
हर गन मुनिहि जात पथ देखी। बिगत मोह मन हरष बिसेषी॥ अति सभीत नारद पहिं आए। गहि पद आरत बचन सुनाए॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hara gana munihi jāta patha dekhī। bigata moha mana haraṣa biśeṣī॥ ati sabhīta nārada pahiṃ āe। gahi pada ārata bacana sunāe॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
When Shiva's attendants saw the sage walking along the road, freed from delusion and especially joyful in mind, they were greatly frightened and came to Narada, clasping his feet and speaking in humble words.
हर गन हम न बिप्र मुनिराया। बड़ अपराध कीन्ह फल पाया॥ श्राप अनुग्रह करहु कृपाला। बोले नारद दीनदयाला॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hara gana hama na bipra munirāyā। baṛa aparādha kīnha phala pāyā॥ śrāpa anugraha karahu kṛpālā। bole nārada dīnadayālā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
'O king among sages, we are not Brahmins; we are Shiva's attendants. We committed a great offense and have received its fruit. O merciful one, now please show grace and remove the curse.' Thus spoke Narada, compassionate to the helpless.
निसिचर जाइ होहु तुम्ह दोऊ। बैभव बिपुल तेज बल होऊ॥ भुज बल बिस्व जितब तुम्ह जहिआ। धरिहहिं बिष्नु मनुज तनु तहिआ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nisicara jāi hohu tumha dou। baibhava bipula teja bala hou॥ bhuja bala bisva jitaba tumha jahiyā। dharihahiṃ biṣṇu manuja tanu tahiyā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
You two go and become demons; may you obtain great wealth, splendor, and strength. When you conquer the whole world by the might of your arms, then Lord Vishnu will assume a human body.
समर मरन हरि हाथ तुम्हारा। होइहहु मुकुत न पुनि संसारा॥ चले जुगल मुनि पद सिर नाई। भए निसाचर कालहि पाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
samara marana hari hātha tumhārā। hoihahu mukuta na puni saṃsārā॥ cale jugala muni pada sira nāī। bhae nisācara kālahi pāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
In battle, your death will come by the hand of Hari, and thus you will be freed and not return to the world again. The two bowed their heads at the sage's feet and departed; in due time they became demons.
एक कलप एहि हेतु प्रभु लीन्ह मनुज अवतार। सुर रंजन सज्जन सुखद हरि भंजन भुबि भार॥ १३९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
eka kalapa ehi hetu prabhu līnha manuja avatāra। sura rañjana sajjana sukhada hari bhañjana bhubi bhāra॥ 139 ॥
Meaning:
To delight the gods, to give joy to the good, and to remove the burden of the earth, the Lord took a human incarnation in that age for this very reason.
एहि बिधि जनम करम हरि केरे। सुंदर सुखद बिचित्र घनेरे॥ कलप कलप प्रति प्रभु अवतरहीं। चारु चरित नानाबिधि करहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi bidhi janama karama hari kere। sundara sukhada bicitra ghanere॥ kalapa kalapa prati prabhu avatarahīṃ। cāru carita nānābidhi karahīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
In this way, the Lord’s births and deeds are many, beautiful, delightful, and wondrous. In each age-cycle, whenever the Lord descends, He performs many kinds of graceful and varied deeds.
तब तब कथा मुनीसन्ह गाई। परम पुनीत प्रबंध बनाई॥ बिबिध प्रसंग अनूप बखाने। करहिं न सुनि आचरजु सयाने॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
taba taba kathā munīsanha gāī। parama punīta prabandha banāī॥ bibidha prasaṅga anūpa bakhāne। karahiṃ na suni ācaraju sayāne॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Again and again, the sages composed most sacred works and sang His stories, describing incomparable episodes of many kinds, which the wise, when they hear them, are not amazed by.
हरि अनंत हरिकथा अनंता। कहहिं सुनहिं बहुबिधि सब संता॥ रामचंद्र के चरित सुहाए। कलप कोटि लगि जाहिं न गाए॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hari ananta harikathā anantā। kahahiṃ sunahiṃ bahubidhi saba santā॥ rāmacandra ke carita suhāe। kalapa koṭi lagi jāhiṃ na gāe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Hari is infinite, and His story is infinite as well. All the saints speak of it and listen to it in many ways. The charming deeds of Rama cannot be sung even in a hundred million ages.
यह प्रसंग मैं कहा भवानी। हरिमायाँ मोहहिं मुनि ग्यानी॥ प्रभु कौतुकी प्रनत हितकारी। सेवत सुलभ सकल दुखहारी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
yaha prasaṅga main kahā bhavānī। harimāyā̃ mohahiṃ muni gyānī॥ prabhu kautukī pranata hitakārī। sevata sulabha sakala dukhahārī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
[Shiva says:] O Parvati, I have told this episode to make this point: even learned sages are deluded by the Lord’s maya. The Lord is playful in His divine sport and benevolent to those who take refuge in Him. He is easily accessible to devotion and removes all sorrow.
सुर नर मुनि कोउ नाहिं जेहि न मोह माया प्रबल। अस बिचारि मन माहिं भजिअ महामाया पतिहि॥ १४० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sura nara muni kou nāhiṃ jehi na moha māyā prabala। asa bicāri mana māhiṃ bhajia mahāmāyā patihiṃ॥ 140 ॥
Meaning:
There is no god, human, or sage whom the Lord’s mighty maya does not delude. Thinking thus in the heart, one should worship the Lord, the Master of that great maya.
अपर हेतु सुनु सैलकुमारी। कहउँ बिचित्र कथा बिस्तारी॥ जेहि कारन अज अगुन अरूपा। ब्रह्म भयउ कोसलपुर भूपा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
apara hetu sunu sailakumārī। kahauṃ bicitra kathā bistārī॥ jehi kārana aja aguna arūpā। brahma bhayau kosalapura bhūpā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O daughter of the mountain-king, listen now to the second reason for the Lord’s descent. I shall tell the wondrous story in विस्तार: by that cause, the unborn, attributeless, formless Brahman became the king of Kosala, Ayodhya.
जो प्रभु बिपिन फिरत तुम्ह देखा। बंधु समेत धरें मुनिबेषा॥ जासु चरित अवलोकि भवानी। सती सरीर रहिहु बौरानी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jo prabhu bipina phirata tumha dekhā। bandhu sameta dhareṃ munibeṣā॥ jāsu carita avaloki bhavānī। satī sarīra rahihu baurānī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The same Lord Rama whom you saw wandering in the forest with His brother Lakshmana, dressed like an ascetic, and whose character, O Bhavani, made you so bewildered in Sati’s body.
अजहुँ न छाया मिटति तुम्हारी। तासु चरित सुनु भ्रम रुज हारी॥ लीला कीन्हि जो तेहिं अवतारा। सो सब कहिहउँ मति अनुसारा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ajahuṃ na chāyā miṭati tumhārī। tāsu carita sunu bhrama ruja hārī॥ līlā kīnhi jo tehiṃ avatārā। so saba kahihauṃ mati anusārā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Even now, the shadow of that bewilderment has not left you. Listen to the deeds that remove the disease of delusion. All the divine sports the Lord performed in that incarnation I shall tell you according to my understanding.
भरद्वाज सुनि संकर बानी। सकुचि सप्रेम उमा मुसुकानी॥ लगे बहुरि बरनै बृषकेतू। सो अवतार भयउ जेहि हेतू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharadvāja suni saṅkara bānī। sakuci saprema umā musukānī॥ lage bahuri baranai bṛṣaketū। so avatāra bhayau jehi hetū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Shiva’s words, Parvati smiled shyly and lovingly. Then Shiva, the Bull-bannered Lord, began to describe the reason for that incarnation of the Lord.
सो मैं तुम्ह सन कहउँ सबु सुनु मुनीस मन लाइ। राम कथा कलि मल हरनि मंगल करनि सुहाइ॥ १४१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so main tumha sana kahauṃ sabu sunu munīsa mana lāi। rāma kathā kali mala harani maṅgala karani suhāi॥ 141 ॥
Meaning:
O sage Bharadvaja, I shall tell you all of it; listen with full attention. Rama’s story removes the stains of the Kali Yuga, brings auspiciousness, and is most beautiful.