Kama Comes Back to Life

Brahma said

Rati judged that the moment had come. Shankara is kind to the distressed, so she spoke to him gently.

Rati said

You have taken Parvati back and accepted her, and that is a rare good fortune. I loved my husband more than my life, and he acted from no selfish motive; why did you reduce him to ashes? Paramatman, on my road through life it is my husband I long for. End the torment parting from him has caused me. In these wedding festivities everyone is happy, Mahesha, and I alone am wretched without my husband. Divinity, Shankara, be pleased and give him back. Supreme lord, friend of the afflicted, make your own promise come true. Who else in the three worlds, moving or still, can end my sorrow? Knowing this, show me mercy. These festivities for your marriage have gladdened everyone; show compassion to the afflicted and give me a cause to celebrate. When my husband lives again, your play with beloved Parvati will be complete, without doubt. You are Parameshvara and can do everything. Sarvesha, why say more? Let my husband revive quickly.

Brahma said

Saying this, she offered Kama's ashes, knotted in a cloth, and wept before Shambhu, crying "Lord! Lord!" Hearing Rati's cries, Sarasvati and the other women, all the goddesses, wept too and made their own sad plea: he was known to love his devotees, to befriend the afflicted and to be an ocean of compassion, and they begged him to revive Kama and restore Rati's strength. Maheshvara was moved. The ocean of compassion quickly gave a gracious look. The trident-bearer's glance was like nectar, and Smara rose from the ashes, finely formed and dressed, smiling, with bow and arrow in hand. Seeing her husband so, Rati bowed to Maheshvara, her aim achieved, and with joined hands praised the divine Shiva again and again for restoring her beloved. Shankara heard the praise from Kama and his wife, was pleased, and in compassion spoke to them.

Shankara said

Conqueror of the mind, your praise and your wife's please me. Self-created one, ask the boon you want and I will give it.

Brahma said

Hearing Shambhu, Smara was overjoyed, joined his hands, bowed and spoke falteringly.

Kama said

Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, ocean of compassion, Sarvesha, if you are pleased with me, be the one who gives me great joy. Lord, forgive the crime I committed before. Make me affectionate toward my own people and let me be devoted to your feet.

Brahma said

Hearing Smara, Parameshvara was pleased. The ocean of compassion smiled and said "AUM."

Ishvara said

Kama, you please me. Wise one, put your fear aside. Go and wait outside near Vishnu.

Brahma said

Hearing this, he bowed his head, walked round the lord, praised him and went out, where he bowed to Hari and the gods. The gods blessed Kama and spoke to him, remembering Shiva in their hearts, Vishnu and the rest glad. They told him he was blessed: burned, he had been shown favour by Shiva, lord of everything; a portion of Shiva's sattva had looked kindly on him and brought him back to life. No one else gives happiness or misery, they said; a man enjoys what he himself has done, and who can counter what is destined, whether protection, marriage or conception? Saying this, the immortals honoured him gladly. Having got their wishes, Vishnu and all the others stayed on, and Kama too stayed happily at Shiva's bidding. Cries of "Victory" and applause rose in the sky.

In the bedchamber Shambhu seated Parvati on his left and fed her sweetmeats, and rejoicing she fed him in turn. Shambhu followed all of the world's customs. Taking leave of Mena and the mountain, he went to where the people were lodged. Sage, there were great festivities and Vedic chanting, and people played the four kinds of instruments. Reaching the place, Shambhu honoured the sages, Hari and me as worldly custom requires, and the immortals honoured him in return. Cries of "Victory" and "I bow" mingled with the auspicious sounds of the Vedas, which remove obstacles. Vishnu, I, Shakra and all the gods, rishis, siddhas, minor gods and nagas praised him one by one, crying "Victory" to Shambhu, support of the universe, to Maheshvara, Rudra, Mahadeva, Vishvambhara, Kali's husband, the three-eyed Sarvesha, the lord of maya, the one without qualities or desire who is beyond causes and goes everywhere, the reservoir of every pastime, the granter of his devotees' wishes, the one whose form is bliss, the cause of maya and the gunas, the fierce lord, the changeless one in all atmans, friend of the distressed and ocean of compassion, whose form words and thoughts cannot reach. So the lord Mahesha, Girija's husband, was praised, and with great love Vishnu and the rest served him properly. Shambhu Mahesha, lord of many pastimes, had taken a body, Narada; he honoured them and gave boons to all. Son, Vishnu and all the others took leave of Paramesha and went very happily to their own abodes, faces beaming.