Rama's Test

Narada said

Brahma, wise lord of subjects, I have heard Shankara's fame and the auspicious account of Sati and Shankara. Now, with great affection, tell me more of their excellent fame. As a couple there, what else did Shiva and Shivaa do?

Brahma replied

Hear with love the conduct of Sati and Shiva. Following ordinary custom, they were constantly at play. Afterwards Mahadevi Sati was parted from her husband Shankara; so say those of excellent understanding. Yet Sati and Isha are always united, like a word and its meaning, so how could there be separation? It all happened because they were playing, following the ways of the world. Daksha's daughter said that at the time of her father's sacrifice her husband abandoned her; because Shambhu did not show her affection she gave up her body. The one named Sati appeared again in the Himalayas, became Parvati, and won Shiva again as husband.

Suta said

Hearing Brahma, Narada asked Vidhatri about Shiva and Shivaa's great fame.

Narada said

Vidhatri, please tell me in detail how Shiva and Shivaa acted when they followed worldly ways. Why did Shankara abandon the wife he loved more than his life? I think it extraordinary. Why did your son dishonour Shiva at his sacrifice? How did she give up her body, having gone to her father's sacrifice? What happened then, and what did Maheshvara do? Tell me all of it, for I wish to hear it with devotion.

Brahma answered

Listen with great love, Narada, with the sages. Hear the conduct of the moon-crested one. Having bowed to Mahesha, served by Hari and the other gods, I will tell you of the wonderful conduct of the supreme brahman. Everything is Shiva's play; the lord shows many kinds of play, independent and indifferent, and Sati is the same. Who else could do such deeds? He is the supreme brahman, Parameshvara, the paramatman, whom Shri's lord, I and all the gods always worship, as do the great-souled siddha sages, Sanaka and the others. Shesha always sings Shiva Shankara's fame, gladly, but cannot finish. If anyone is confused about all the tattvas, that too is part of his play and no blame attaches to it. He pervades everything and is the one who urges all this.

Once Rudra Bhava was wandering the three worlds with Sati, skilled in play, riding the bull, wishing to visit places. He roamed the earth up to the ocean's girdle and reached Dandakaranya. Devoted to the pledge of truth, the lord showed Sati the beauty of the land there. Hara saw Rama there, with Lakshmana, searching for his beloved Sita who had been abducted by deceit by Ravana. His mind suffered from separation and he cried "Alas, Sita!", weeping again and again and looking in this direction and that, asking where she might have gone, wanting her back. Through the evil effect of Kuja and other planets his judgement had been ruined, and overwhelmed by grief he had lost all sense of shame. This brave man was born in the solar line, son of King Dasharatha and elder brother of Bharata, joyless and his radiance gone. Hara has no desires and gladly gives boons to those he loves. Seeing Rama wandering the forest with Lakshmana, he of broad understanding remained invisible and said, "Victory to you," without showing himself. So Shankara, kind to his devotees, addressed Rama in the forest. Seeing this, Sati was confounded by Shiva's play. Greatly surprised and deluded by his maya, she said:

Sati said

Divine one, supreme brahman, Sarvesha, Parameshvara, all the gods, Hari, Brahma and others, always serve you. Everyone must bow to you, serve you and meditate on you. You can be known through Vedanta when one makes the effort. You are unchanging, the supreme lord. Protector, who are these two men suffering the pangs of separation? Although brave and bow-bearing, they roam the forest in misery and distress. Why were you delighted at the sight of the elder one, lotus-dark? You were glad and very pleased, acting like a devotee. Husband, Shankara, I have a doubt about this and you should clear it. A master does not bow to a servant.

Brahma said

Devi Sati Shivaa is the primordial Shakti and Parameshvari, yet overcome by Shiva's maya she asked the lord. Shankara laughed to hear her and, skilled in play, answered: "Devi Sati, listen lovingly to the truth. There is no deceit in it. Because of a boon I affectionately bowed to him. These two are the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, revered as brave and wise, born in the solar line as Dasharatha's sons. The fair younger brother is Lakshmana, born as a portion of Shesha. The elder is Rama, born as Vishnu's complete portion. He is incapable of suffering. To protect the virtuous and secure our welfare he has taken an avatara on earth." Shambhu, giver of prosperity, stopped. But though she heard him her mind did not trust his words. Shiva's maya is powerful and confounds the three worlds. Knowing she did not believe, eternal Shambhu, skilled in play, said: "Devi, if your mind does not believe, hear me. Test Rama by your own intelligence. Beloved Sati, do it so that your confusion ends. He is standing there under the banyan tree. Go and be his examiner." On Shiva's command Sati went.

Ishvari wondered how to test Rama roaming the forest. "I will take Sita's form and go to Rama. If Rama is Hari he will know everything, otherwise not." With this thought she took Sita's form and approached Rama, deluded, to test him. The Raghu descendant saw Sati in Sita's form, saw the truth and smiled. He bowed and did japa of Shiva's name. Rama said: "Sati, my love for you is great. Tell me, why has Shambhu not come with you? Why have you come alone to this forest without your husband? Why have you given up your own form and taken this one? Devi, show me compassion and tell me the reason." Hearing Rama, Sati was amazed. She remembered Shiva's words and knew they were true. Deeply ashamed, she understood that Rama was Vishnu and took back her own form. Remembering Shiva's feet in her mind, pleased, she answered: "Lord Shiva is roaming the earth with me and the ganas. Self-ruling Parameshvara came to this forest and saw you here with Lakshmana, searching for Sita, parted from her and suffering. While you, Vishnu's form, stood at the root of the banyan, he came and bowed to you. Filled with joy he praised your greatness, and on seeing this unblemished form he was delighted beyond even the joy he feels on seeing you, Hari, in your four-armed form. When I heard Shambhu my mind did not accept it, Raghava, so I wanted to test you as he told me. Now I know your nature as Vishnu and have seen your great lordship. I have no doubts left. Still, listen: why did he bow to you? Tell me the truth of that and clear my doubt so that I may quickly be happy." Hearing her, Rama's eyes widened with joy. He remembered Lord Shambhu and was flooded with greater delight. Without Sati's permission he did not go to Shambhu. But Raghava spoke again to Sati, describing his greatness.