The Delusion of Narada

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.3.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । सूत सूत महाभाग व्यासशिष्य नमोऽस्तु ते । अद्भुतेयं कथा तात वर्णिता कृपया हि नः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sūta sūta mahābhāga vyāsaśiṣya namo'stu te adbhuteyaṁ kathā tāta varṇitā kṛpayā hi naḥ

The sages said: O Suta, Suta, greatly fortunate, disciple of Vyasa, salutations to you! Wondrous indeed, dear one, is this tale you have graciously told us.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.3.2)

मुनौ गते हरिस्तात किञ्चकार ततः परम् । नारदोऽपि गतः कुत्र तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि

munau gate haristāta kiñcakāra tataḥ param nārado'pi gataḥ kutra tanme vyākhyātumarhasi

Dear one, when the sage had gone, what did Hari do thereafter? And where did Narada go? You should explain this to us.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.3.3)

व्यास उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तेषां सूतः पौराणिकोत्तमः । प्रत्युवाच शिवं स्मृत्वा नानासूतिकरं बुधः

vyāsa uvāca ityākarṇya vacasteṣāṁ sūtaḥ paurāṇikottamaḥ pratyuvāca śivaṁ smṛtvā nānāsūtikaraṁ budhaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing their words, Suta, foremost of tellers of the Puranas, the wise one, calling to mind Shiva, giver of blessings of every kind, made reply.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.3.4)

सूत उवाच । मुनौ यदृच्छया विष्णुर्गते तस्मिन्हि नारदे । शिवेच्छया चकाराशु मायां मायाविशारदः

sūta uvāca munau yadṛcchayā viṣṇurgate tasminhi nārade śivecchayā cakārāśu māyāṁ māyāviśāradaḥ

Suta said: When the sage had departed of his own will, Vishnu, skilled in maya, by Shiva's own will, swiftly wrought an illusion.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.3.5)

मुनिमार्गस्य मध्ये तु विरेचे नगरं महत् । शतयोजनविस्तारमद्भुतं सुमनोहरम्

munimārgasya madhye tu virece nagaraṁ mahat śatayojanavistāramadbhutaṁ sumanoharam

In the very midst of the sage's path there appeared a great city, wondrous and utterly enchanting, a hundred yojanas in extent.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.3.6)

स्वलोकादधिकं रम्यं नानावस्तुविराजितम् । नरनारीविहाराढ्यं चतुर्वर्णाकुलं परम्

svalokādadhikaṁ ramyaṁ nānāvastuvirājitam naranārīvihārāḍhyaṁ caturvarṇākulaṁ param

More delightful even than his own realm, resplendent with objects of every kind, thronging with men and women at their pleasures, filled abundantly with people of all four varnas.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.3.7)

तत्र राजा शीलनिधिर्नामैश्वर्यसमन्वितः । सुतास्वयम्वरोद्युक्तो महोत्सवसमन्वितः

tatra rājā śīlanidhirnāmaiśvaryasamanvitaḥ sutāsvayamvarodyukto mahotsavasamanvitaḥ

There ruled a king named Shilanidhi, endowed with great majesty, busy arranging his daughter's swayamvara amid a great festival.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.3.8)

चतुर्दिग्भ्यः समायातैः संयुतं नृपनन्दनैः । नानावेषैः सुशोभैश्च तत्कन्यावरणोत्सुकैः

caturdigbhyaḥ samāyātaiḥ saṁyutaṁ nṛpanandanaiḥ nānāveṣaiḥ suśobhaiśca tatkanyāvaraṇotsukaiḥ

It was thronged with princes who had come from every direction, in manifold splendid attire, all eager to win that maiden's hand.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.3.9)

एतादृशं पुरं दृष्ट्वा मोहं प्राप्तोऽथ नारदः । कौतुकी तन्नृपद्वारं जगाम मदनैधितः

etādṛśaṁ puraṁ dṛṣṭvā mohaṁ prāpto'tha nāradaḥ kautukī tannṛpadvāraṁ jagāma madanaidhitaḥ

Seeing such a city, Narada was overcome with delusion; filled with curiosity and kindled by desire, he went to the door of that king.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.3.10)

आगतं मुनिवर्यं तं दृष्ट्वा शीलनिधिर्नृपः । उपवेश्यार्चयाञ्चक्रे रत्नसिंहासने वरे

āgataṁ munivaryaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā śīlanidhirnṛpaḥ upaveśyārcayāñcakre ratnasiṁhāsane vare

Seeing that best of sages arrive, King Shilanidhi seated him upon an excellent jewelled throne and honored him.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.3.11)

अथ राजा स्वतनयां नामतः श्रीमतीं वराम् । नारदस्य समानीय पादयोः समपातयत्

atha rājā svatanayāṁ nāmataḥ śrīmatīṁ varām nāradasya samānīya pādayoḥ samapātayat

Then the king brought his own excellent daughter, named Shrimati, and made her bow at Narada's feet.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.3.12)

तत्कन्यां प्रेक्ष्य स मुनिर्नारदः प्राह विस्मितः । केयं राजन्महाभागा कन्या सुरसुतोपमा

tatkanyāṁ prekṣya sa munirnāradaḥ prāha vismitaḥ keyaṁ rājanmahābhāgā kanyā surasutopamā

Beholding that maiden, the sage Narada, astonished, said: 'O king, who is this most fortunate maiden, like a daughter of the gods?'

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.3.13)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा प्राह कृताञ्जलिः । दुहितेयं मम मुने श्रीमती नाम नामतः

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā rājā prāha kṛtāñjaliḥ duhiteyaṁ mama mune śrīmatī nāma nāmataḥ

Hearing his words, the king, with joined palms, said: 'O sage, this is my own daughter, Shrimati by name.'

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.3.14)

प्रदानसमयं प्राप्ता वरमन्वेषती शुभम् । सा स्वयम्वरसम्प्राप्ता सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता

pradānasamayaṁ prāptā varamanveṣatī śubham sā svayamvarasamprāptā sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitā

She has reached the age for marriage and seeks a fitting husband; marked with every auspicious sign, she has come to her swayamvara.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.3.15)

अस्या भाग्यं वद मुने सर्वं जातकमादरात् । कीदृशं तनयेयं मे वरमाप्स्यति तद्वद

asyā bhāgyaṁ vada mune sarvaṁ jātakamādarāt kīdṛśaṁ tanayeyaṁ me varamāpsyati tadvada

Tell me her fortune, O sage, her whole horoscope, with due care; and tell me what manner of husband this daughter of mine shall obtain.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.3.16)

इत्युक्तो मुनिशार्दूलस्तामिच्छुः कामविह्वलः । समाभाष्य स राजानं नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

ityukto muniśārdūlastāmicchuḥ kāmavihvalaḥ samābhāṣya sa rājānaṁ nārado vākyamabravīt

Thus addressed, that tiger among sages, now himself desiring her, overwhelmed by passion, spoke these words to the king:

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.3.17)

सुतेयं तव भूपाल सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता । महाभाग्यवती धन्या लक्ष्मीरिव गुणालया

suteyaṁ tava bhūpāla sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitā mahābhāgyavatī dhanyā lakṣmīriva guṇālayā

O king, this daughter of yours is marked with every auspicious sign; she is of great fortune, blessed, an abode of virtues like Lakshmi herself.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.3.18)

सर्वेश्वरोऽजितो वीरो गिरीशसदृशो विभुः । अस्याः पतिर्ध्रुवं भावी कामजित्सुरसत्तमः

sarveśvaro'jito vīro girīśasadṛśo vibhuḥ asyāḥ patirdhruvaṁ bhāvī kāmajitsurasattamaḥ

Her husband shall surely be a lord of all, unconquered, heroic, mighty as Girisha himself — a conqueror of Kama, foremost among the immortals.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.3.19)

इत्युक्त्वा नृपमामन्त्र्य ययौ यादृच्छिको मुनिः । बभूव कामविवशः शिवमायाविमोहितः

ityuktvā nṛpamāmantrya yayau yādṛcchiko muniḥ babhūva kāmavivaśaḥ śivamāyāvimohitaḥ

Having said this, and taking leave of the king, the sage went his own way, now wholly under the sway of desire, deluded by Shiva's maya.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.3.20)

चित्ते विचिन्त्य स मुनिराप्नुयां कन्यकां कथम् । स्वयंवरे नृपालानामेकं मां वृणुयात्कथम्

citte vicintya sa munirāpnuyāṁ kanyakāṁ katham svayaṁvare nṛpālānāmekaṁ māṁ vṛṇuyātkatham

In his heart the sage pondered: 'How may I win this maiden? How, among all these kings at her swayamvara, might she choose me alone?'

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.3.21)

सौन्दर्यं सर्वनारीणां प्रियं भवति सर्वथा । तद् दृष्ट्वैव प्रसन्ना सा स्ववशा नात्र संशयः

saundaryaṁ sarvanārīṇāṁ priyaṁ bhavati sarvathā tad dṛṣṭvaiva prasannā sā svavaśā nātra saṁśayaḥ

Beauty is ever dear to all women without exception; seeing it alone she will be pleased and become mine — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.3.22)

विधायेत्थं विष्णुरूपं ग्रहीतुं मुनिसत्तमः । विष्णुलोकं जगामाशु नारदः स्मरविह्वलः

vidhāyetthaṁ viṣṇurūpaṁ grahītuṁ munisattamaḥ viṣṇulokaṁ jagāmāśu nāradaḥ smaravihvalaḥ

Resolving thus to obtain Vishnu's very form, that foremost of sages, overwhelmed by desire, went swiftly to Vishnuloka.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.3.23)

प्रणिपत्य हृषीकेशं वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह । रहसि त्वां प्रवक्ष्यामि स्ववृत्तान्तमशेषतः

praṇipatya hṛṣīkeśaṁ vākyametaduvāca ha rahasi tvāṁ pravakṣyāmi svavṛttāntamaśeṣataḥ

Prostrating before Hrishikesha, he spoke these words: 'In private I shall tell you the whole of my own account.'

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.3.24)

तथेत्युक्ते तथाभूते शिवेच्छाकार्यकर्तरि । ब्रूहीत्युक्तवति श्रीशे मुनिराह च केशवम्

tathetyukte tathābhūte śivecchākāryakartari brūhītyuktavati śrīśe munirāha ca keśavam

When the Lord of Shri, who ever acts by Shiva's will, said 'so be it, speak,' the sage said to Keshava:

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.3.25)

नारद उवाच । त्वदीयो भूपतिः शीलनिधिः स वृषतत्परः । तस्य कन्या विशालाक्षी श्रीमती वरवर्णिनी

nārada uvāca tvadīyo bhūpatiḥ śīlanidhiḥ sa vṛṣatatparaḥ tasya kanyā viśālākṣī śrīmatī varavarṇinī

Narada said: There is a king devoted to you, Shilanidhi, intent upon righteousness; his wide-eyed, excellently beautiful daughter is named Shrimati.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.3.26)

जगन्मोहिन्यभिख्याता त्रैलोक्येऽप्यतिसुन्दरी । परिणेतुमहं विष्णो तामिच्छाम्यद्य मा चिरम्

jaganmohinyabhikhyātā trailokye'pyatisundarī pariṇetumahaṁ viṣṇo tāmicchāmyadya mā ciram

She is renowned as the enchantress of the world, exceedingly beautiful even in all three worlds; O Vishnu, I wish this very day to marry her — without delay.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.3.27)

स्वयम्वरं चकारासौ भूपतिस्तनयेच्छया । चतुर्दिग्भ्यः समायाता राजपुत्राः सहस्रशः

svayamvaraṁ cakārāsau bhūpatistanayecchayā caturdigbhyaḥ samāyātā rājaputrāḥ sahasraśaḥ

That king has arranged her swayamvara at his daughter's own wish; princes have gathered there by the thousands from every direction.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.3.28)

यदि दास्यसि रूपं मे तदा तां प्राप्नुयां ध्रुवम् । त्वद्रूपं सा विना कण्ठे जयमालां न धास्यति

yadi dāsyasi rūpaṁ me tadā tāṁ prāpnuyāṁ dhruvam tvadrūpaṁ sā vinā kaṇṭhe jayamālāṁ na dhāsyati

If you will give me your own form, then I shall surely win her; without your beauty of form, she will place the garland of victory around no other's neck.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.3.29)

स्वरूपं देहि मे नाथ सेवकोऽहं प्रियस्तव । वृणुयान्मां यथा सा वै श्रीमती क्षितिपात्मजा

svarūpaṁ dehi me nātha sevako'haṁ priyastava vṛṇuyānmāṁ yathā sā vai śrīmatī kṣitipātmajā

Give me your form, O Lord; I am your servant and dear to you — so that Shrimati, that king's daughter, may choose me indeed.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.3.30)

सूत उवाच । वचः श्रुत्वा मुनेरित्थं विहस्य मधुसूदनः । शाङ्करीं प्रभुतां बुध्वा प्रत्युवाच दयापरः

sūta uvāca vacaḥ śrutvā muneritthaṁ vihasya madhusūdanaḥ śāṅkarīṁ prabhutāṁ budhvā pratyuvāca dayāparaḥ

Suta said: Hearing the sage's words, Madhusudana smiled, and, aware of Shiva's sovereign will at work here, replied — full of compassion.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.3.31)

विष्णुरुवाच । स्वेष्टदेशं मुने गच्छ करिष्यामि हितं तव । भिषग्वरो यथार्तस्य यतः प्रियतरोऽसि मे

viṣṇuruvāca sveṣṭadeśaṁ mune gaccha kariṣyāmi hitaṁ tava bhiṣagvaro yathārtasya yataḥ priyataro'si me

Vishnu said: Go, O sage, to the place you desire; I shall do what is good for you, as the finest physician does for the afflicted — for you are exceedingly dear to me.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.3.32)

इत्युक्त्वा मुनये तस्मै ददौ विष्णुर्मुखं हरेः । स्वरूपमनुगृह्यास्य तिरोधानं जगाम सः

ityuktvā munaye tasmai dadau viṣṇurmukhaṁ hareḥ svarūpamanugṛhyāsya tirodhānaṁ jagāma saḥ

Having said this, Vishnu gave to that sage the face of a hari (a monkey) — bestowing that form upon him as a grace — and then vanished from sight.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.3.33)

एवमुक्तो मुनिर्हृष्टः स्वरूपं प्राप्य वै हरेः । मेने कृतार्थमात्मानं तद्यत्नं न बुबोध सः

evamukto munirhṛṣṭaḥ svarūpaṁ prāpya vai hareḥ mene kṛtārthamātmānaṁ tadyatnaṁ na bubodha saḥ

Thus addressed, the sage, delighted, believing he had obtained the very form of Hari, considered himself successful — he did not perceive that hidden design.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.3.34)

अथ तत्र गतः शीघ्रं नारदो मुनिसत्तमः । चक्रे स्वयम्वरं यत्र राजपुत्रैः समाकुलम्

atha tatra gataḥ śīghraṁ nārado munisattamaḥ cakre svayamvaraṁ yatra rājaputraiḥ samākulam

Then Narada, foremost of sages, went swiftly to that place where the swayamvara was being held, thronged with princes.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.3.35)

स्वयम्वरसभा दिव्या राजपुत्रसमावृता । शुशुभेऽतीव विप्रेन्द्रा यथा शक्रसभापरा

svayamvarasabhā divyā rājaputrasamāvṛtā śuśubhe'tīva viprendrā yathā śakrasabhāparā

O foremost of brahmins, that divine swayamvara hall, filled with princes, shone exceedingly, like the very assembly hall of Indra.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.3.36)

तस्यां नृपसभायां वै नारदः समुपाविशत् । स्थित्वा तत्र विचिन्त्येति प्रीतियुक्तेन चेतसा

tasyāṁ nṛpasabhāyāṁ vai nāradaḥ samupāviśat sthitvā tatra vicintyeti prītiyuktena cetasā

In that royal assembly Narada took his seat, and, sitting there, thought thus, his mind filled with delight:

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.3.37)

मां वरिष्यति नान्यं सा विष्णुरूपधरं ध्रुवम् । आननस्य कुरूपत्वं न वेद मुनिसत्तमः

māṁ variṣyati nānyaṁ sā viṣṇurūpadharaṁ dhruvam ānanasya kurūpatvaṁ na veda munisattamaḥ

'She will surely choose me and no other, bearing as I do the form of Vishnu.' That foremost of sages did not know of the ugliness of his own face.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.3.38)

पूर्वरूपं मुनिं सर्वे ददृशुस्तत्र मानवाः । तद्भेदं बुबुधुस्ते न राजपुत्रादयो द्विजाः

pūrvarūpaṁ muniṁ sarve dadṛśustatra mānavāḥ tadbhedaṁ bubudhuste na rājaputrādayo dvijāḥ

All the people there saw the sage in his former, natural form; the princes and other brahmins did not perceive that difference.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.3.39)

तत्र रुद्रगणौ द्वौ तद्रक्षणार्थं समागतौ । विप्ररूपधरौ गूढौ तद्भेदं जज्ञतुः परम्

tatra rudragaṇau dvau tadrakṣaṇārthaṁ samāgatau viprarūpadharau gūḍhau tadbhedaṁ jajñatuḥ param

There, two attendants of Rudra had come in disguise, in the form of brahmins, for the protection of that illusion; they alone perceived that difference fully.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.3.40)

मूढं मत्वा मुनिं तौ तन्निकटं जग्मतुर्गणौ । कुरुतस्तत्प्रहासं वै भाषमाणौ परस्परम्

mūḍhaṁ matvā muniṁ tau tannikaṭaṁ jagmaturgaṇau kurutastatprahāsaṁ vai bhāṣamāṇau parasparam

Deeming the sage deluded, those two attendants approached him, mocking him and speaking to one another:

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.3.41)

पश्य नारदरूपं हि विष्णोरिव महोत्तमम् । मुखं तु वानरस्येव विकटं च भयङ्करम्

paśya nāradarūpaṁ hi viṣṇoriva mahottamam mukhaṁ tu vānarasyeva vikaṭaṁ ca bhayaṅkaram

'Look at Narada's form — as though it were the most excellent form of Vishnu! Yet his face is like that of a monkey, hideous and frightful.'

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.3.42)

इच्छत्ययं नृपसुतां वृथैव स्मरमोहितः । इत्युक्त्वा सच्छलं वाक्यमुपहासं प्रचक्रतुः

icchatyayaṁ nṛpasutāṁ vṛthaiva smaramohitaḥ ityuktvā sacchalaṁ vākyamupahāsaṁ pracakratuḥ

'He desires the king's daughter all in vain, deluded by passion.' Having said this deceptive thing, they broke into open mockery.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.3.43)

न शुश्राव यथार्थं तु तद्वाक्यं स्मरविह्वलः । पर्यैक्षच्छ्रीमतीं तां वै तल्लिप्सुर्मोहितो मुनिः

na śuśrāva yathārthaṁ tu tadvākyaṁ smaravihvalaḥ paryaikṣacchrīmatīṁ tāṁ vai tallipsurmohito muniḥ

But overwhelmed by desire, he did not hear their words as they truly were; that deluded sage, longing to win her, kept his gaze fixed upon Shrimati.

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.3.44)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे भूपकन्या चान्तःपुरात्तु सा । स्त्रीभिः समावृता तत्राजगाम वरवर्णिनी

etasminnantare bhūpakanyā cāntaḥpurāttu sā strībhiḥ samāvṛtā tatrājagāma varavarṇinī

Meanwhile, that excellently beautiful princess came from the inner apartments, surrounded by her attendant women.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.3.45)

मालां हिरण्मयीं रम्यामादाय शुभलक्षणा । तत्र स्वयम्वरे रेजे स्थिता मध्ये रमेव सा

mālāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ ramyāmādāya śubhalakṣaṇā tatra svayamvare reje sthitā madhye rameva sā

Bearing a beautiful golden garland, that maiden of auspicious marks shone there in the midst of the swayamvara, standing like Rama (Lakshmi) herself.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.3.46)

बभ्राम सा सभां सर्वां मालामादाय सुव्रता । वरमन्वेषती तत्र स्वात्माभीष्टं नृपात्मजा

babhrāma sā sabhāṁ sarvāṁ mālāmādāya suvratā varamanveṣatī tatra svātmābhīṣṭaṁ nṛpātmajā

That virtuous princess, garland in hand, wandered through the whole assembly, seeking there the bridegroom desired by her own heart.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.3.47)

वानरास्यं विष्णुतनुं मुनिं दृष्ट्वा चुकोप सा । दृष्टिं निवार्य च ततः प्रस्थिता प्रीतमानसा

vānarāsyaṁ viṣṇutanuṁ muniṁ dṛṣṭvā cukopa sā dṛṣṭiṁ nivārya ca tataḥ prasthitā prītamānasā

Seeing that sage with a monkey's face and Vishnu's body, she grew angry; turning her eyes away, she moved on with an untroubled heart.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.3.48)

न दृष्ट्वा स्ववरं तत्र त्रस्तासीन्मनेप्सितम् । अन्तःसभास्थिता कस्मिन्नर्पयामास न स्रजम्

na dṛṣṭvā svavaraṁ tatra trastāsīnmanepsitam antaḥsabhāsthitā kasminnarpayāmāsa na srajam

Not seeing her desired bridegroom there, she grew anxious in her heart; standing within the assembly, she placed the garland upon no one.

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.3.49)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे विष्णुराजगाम नृपाकृतिः । न दृष्टः कैश्चिदपरैः केवलं सा ददर्श हि

etasminnantare viṣṇurājagāma nṛpākṛtiḥ na dṛṣṭaḥ kaiścidaparaiḥ kevalaṁ sā dadarśa hi

Meanwhile Vishnu himself arrived, in the very form of a king; he was seen by none of the others there — only she alone beheld him.

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.3.50)

अथ सा तं समालोक्य प्रसन्नवदनाम्बुजा । अर्पयामास तत्कण्ठे तां मालां वरवर्णिनी

atha sā taṁ samālokya prasannavadanāmbujā arpayāmāsa tatkaṇṭhe tāṁ mālāṁ varavarṇinī

Beholding him, that beautiful maiden's lotus face brightened with joy, and she placed the garland around his neck.

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.3.51)

तामादाय ततो विष्णू राजरूपधरः प्रभुः । अन्तर्धानमगात्सद्यः स्वस्थानं प्रययौ किल

tāmādāya tato viṣṇū rājarūpadharaḥ prabhuḥ antardhānamagātsadyaḥ svasthānaṁ prayayau kila

Taking her then, Vishnu, the Lord in the form of a king, at once vanished from sight, and returned indeed to his own abode.

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.3.52)

सर्वे राजकुमाराश्च निराशाः श्रीमतीं प्रति । मुनिस्तु विह्वलोऽतीव बभूव मदनातुरः

sarve rājakumārāśca nirāśāḥ śrīmatīṁ prati munistu vihvalo'tīva babhūva madanāturaḥ

All the princes were left without hope of winning Shrimati; but the sage was utterly overwhelmed, tormented by desire.

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.3.53)

तदा तावूचतुः सद्यो नारदं स्मरविह्वलम् । विप्ररूपधरौ रुद्रगणौ ज्ञानविशारदौ

tadā tāvūcatuḥ sadyo nāradaṁ smaravihvalam viprarūpadharau rudragaṇau jñānaviśāradau

Then those two attendants of Rudra, disguised as brahmins, skilled in true knowledge, at once spoke to Narada, overwhelmed as he was by desire.

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.3.54)

गणावूचतुः हे नारद मुने त्वं हि वृथा मदनमोहितः । तल्लिप्सुः स्वमुखं पश्य वानरस्येव गर्हितम्

gaṇāvūcatuḥ he nārada mune tvaṁ hi vṛthā madanamohitaḥ tallipsuḥ svamukhaṁ paśya vānarasyeva garhitam

The two attendants said: 'O sage Narada, you have been deluded by passion all in vain; longing to win her, look at your own face — as reprehensible as a monkey's!'

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.3.55)

सूत उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य तयोर्वाक्यं नारदो विस्मितोऽभवत् । मुखं ददर्श मुकुरे शिवमायाविमोहितः

sūta uvāca ityākarṇya tayorvākyaṁ nārado vismito'bhavat mukhaṁ dadarśa mukure śivamāyāvimohitaḥ

Suta said: Hearing their words, Narada was astonished; deluded by Shiva's maya, he looked at his face in a mirror.

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.3.56)

स्वमुखं वानरस्येव दृष्ट्वा चुक्रोध सत्वरम् । शापं ददौ तयोस्तत्र गणयोर्मोहितो मुनिः

svamukhaṁ vānarasyeva dṛṣṭvā cukrodha satvaram śāpaṁ dadau tayostatra gaṇayormohito muniḥ

Seeing his own face like that of a monkey, he flew at once into a rage; deluded, the sage pronounced a curse there upon those two attendants.

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.3.57)

युवां ममोपहासं वै चक्रतुर्ब्राह्मणस्य हि । भवेतां राक्षसौ विप्रवीर्यजौ वै तदाकृती

yuvāṁ mamopahāsaṁ vai cakraturbrāhmaṇasya hi bhavetāṁ rākṣasau vipravīryajau vai tadākṛtī

'You two have made mockery of me, a brahmin; may you both become rakshasas, born of a brahmin's seed, yet bearing that very hideous form!'

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.3.58)

श्रुत्वा हरगणावित्थं स्वशापं ज्ञानिसत्तमौ । न किञ्चिदूचतुस्तौ हि मुनिमाज्ञाय मोहितम्

śrutvā haragaṇāvitthaṁ svaśāpaṁ jñānisattamau na kiñcidūcatustau hi munimājñāya mohitam

Hearing this curse upon themselves, those two attendants of Hara, foremost among the wise, said nothing at all, knowing the sage to be deluded.

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.3.59)

स्वस्थानं जग्मतुर्विप्रा उदासीनौ शिवस्तुतिम् । चक्रतुर्मन्यमानौ वै शिवेच्छां सकलां सदा

svasthānaṁ jagmaturviprā udāsīnau śivastutim cakraturmanyamānau vai śivecchāṁ sakalāṁ sadā

Those two, indifferent to the curse, went to their own abode, offering praise to Shiva, regarding the whole matter always as Shiva's own will.