Kama's Powers and His Aides

Brahma said

With his followers Manmatha went to Shiva's abode. Hear the wonderful account. The brave creator of delusion deluded beings with his natural powers, and Vasanta showed his own to delude Hara: all the trees flowered at once, and with Kama, Rati tried many things. Every being came under their sway, but not Shiva, lord of the ganas. The efforts of Vasanta and Madana were fruitless. With his pride gone, Kama came back to me, bowed and spoke in a piteous voice.

Kama said: "Brahma, Shambhu is devoted to yoga and cannot be deluded. I do not have the strength to do it, nor does anyone. With my friends I tried many methods, Rati tried everything, and all failed against Shiva. Hear how we tried. Shambhu was in samadhi with his senses controlled. I tried to stir Rudra with a fragrant, cool, forceful breeze that always deludes, and I used it on the three-eyed Mahadeva in samadhi. I fitted my five arrows to the bow and circled him with my companions. As soon as I entered, every being fell under my control; but the lord, with his ganas, was unmoved. When the lord of the pramathas went to the Himalayas I went too, with Rati and Vasanta; when Rudra went to Meru, to Nagakeshara or to Kailasa, so did I. Whenever Hara came out of samadhi I placed a pair of chakravaka birds before him and had them make eyebrow gestures and do all the things couples do. With my companions I set many animals and birds before Nilakantha to entice him, and pairs of peacocks acted out love in front of him and at his sides, in many gaits. My arrows found no weakness in him. Lord of the worlds, I tell you truly, I cannot delude him.

"Vasanta also tried. At the place where Hara was he made many flowers bloom: champaka, keshara, bala, karana, patala, nagakeshara, punnaga, kimshuka, ketaki, fragrant mallika and clumps of kurubaka. Lakes filled with open lotuses and the Malaya breeze blew. He tried to perfume the mountain hermitage, and flowering creepers twined around trees as if lying in their laps, deep in love. At the sight of the flowering trees and the scent of the breeze even sages fall under desire, let alone others; yet no reason for Shambhu's delusion appeared. Shankara showed no feeling toward me, not even rage. Having seen this and learned his temper, I will make no further attempt to delude him. When he leaves samadhi we cannot stay in his sight even for a moment. Who will delude Rudra? His eyes blaze like fire, his matted hair is fierce, and he is like a horned animal; who could stand before him?" I, the four-faced, heard Kama and though I wished to speak I could not; I sat immersed in thought, since the mind-born was unable to delude Hara, and was filled with misery.

From my sighs many strong beings emerged. As soon as they were born they lolled their fearful tongues and played on innumerable instruments, drums and others, making a terrible loud roar. They stood before me and cried "Kill! Slice!" Hearing this Kama began to speak, and Smara restrained them. He asked: "Brahma, lord of subjects, who are these brave but cruel and terrible ones? What will they do, where will they live, what are their names, where will they be employed? Give them a place and names, and then show me compassion and assign me an appropriate task."

I answered: "As soon as they were born they said 'Kill' ('mara'), so they will be called Maras. They will always create obstacles for creatures, but since they are addicted to desire they will not stop you in your tasks. Their primary work will be to follow you; wherever you go, they will be your aides. They will confuse the senses and bring people under your weapons. They will always hinder learned ones who follow the path of knowledge." Hearing this, Kama and Rati and his great follower grew somewhat cheerful. The beings surrounded me and Madana on every side and each took whatever form he liked. I spoke affectionately to Smara: "Go again with these aides to delude Hara. With these Maras, make efforts to distract him so that Shambhu is deluded and wishes for a wife." Kama replied: "I have already tried properly, and he was not deluded; it will not happen now. But since I think your view important, I will go again with my wife and the Maras. I will follow your command, though I am certain there will be no delusion. I am afraid he will reduce my body to ashes." With Spring, Rati and the many Maras, Kama went again to Shiva's abode. As before, he showed his powers; he and Vasanta devised many means, and the Maras too made diverse efforts. But Shambhu, the paramatman, was not deluded at all. Smara returned to my residence, and the Maras, their pride gone, stood depressed. Kama bowed before me with the Maras and Spring and said: "We tried harder than before. But he was deep in dhyana and there was no delusion. Since he is full of compassion my body was not reduced to ashes; perhaps my earlier merit was also a reason. The lord was indifferent. If you want Hara to take a wife, lotus-born one, you must think of some other means. Having lost my pride, this is what I think." Saying this, Kama went back to his residence with his companions, and bowed, remembering Shambhu, who is affectionate to the distressed and dispels pride.