Chapter 4 of 20 · Rudra Samhita - Srishti Khanda · Overall chapter 36 of 464
Narada Curses Vishnu
Still deluded, Narada rages at Vishnu for the deception and curses him to be born human and suffer separation from a woman - unknowingly foretelling the Ramayana. The instant the curse leaves his lips, Shiva lifts the delusion; a horrified Narada begs forgiveness, and Vishnu comforts him, explaining that everything - the pride, the curse, the lesson - was Shiva's own doing, and teaches him the power of Shiva's hundred names as the remedy.
The rishis said
Suta, what an extraordinary account! Shambhu's maya is blessed, and everything that moves or stands is ruled by it. The two ganas carried out Shambhu's wish and left. Narada, still racked by desire and anger, what did he do then?
Suta replied
In his fury the sage had already cursed the ganas. Then, by Girisha's will, he looked at his face in the mirror and saw what he really looked like, yet because of Shiva's will the truth did not sink in. He only remembered Hari's promise and concluded that Hari had tricked him. Burning with a rage no one could bear, he hurried to Vishnu's world and spoke to him with words like flames. Shiva's will had cut off his knowledge, so his speech was vile and scornful.
Narada said
Hari, you are a cheat and a deceiver, and you take pleasure in bewildering the world. You cannot stand to see anyone else succeed, and you fall back on dirty illusions. Remember how you took the form of Mohini and fooled the asuras, so that they drank wine instead of amrita? If Rudra had not felt pity for you and swallowed the poison, your whole show of maya would have been wiped out. Vishnu, you love crooked ways, and you were never truly virtuous. The Lord gave you independence, and that was a mistake on Shiva's part; seeing how you use your power, he must regret it. The Vedas he himself spoke place brahmanas above everyone. Knowing that, I will use my power today to teach you, so that you never do the like again. You have behaved without fear only because you have never met anyone of stronger spirit. Now taste the fruit of what you have done.
Suta continued
Still under maya, and shaking with anger, the sage drew on a brahmana's power and cursed Hari.
Narada said
For a woman's sake you unsettled me and tricked me. So you will suffer in that same form: you will be born as a human on earth and know sorrow. The face you gave me will be what helps you. Parted from a woman, you will grieve deeply, and in your ignorance you will walk the usual path of humans.
Suta continued
Narada, blind with ignorance, laid this curse on Hari, and Vishnu bowed to it, honouring it because it had come from Shambhu. Then Shambhu, at play, lifted the delusion he had cast. When the maya cleared, Narada's knowledge came back and he was as sharp as before. He was stunned. With his understanding restored, his agitation ended, and he reproached himself again and again for what he had done. He also marvelled at Shambhu's maya, which can fool even the learned. He saw it all now and knew he had been bewildered. Narada, the greatest of Vishnu's devotees, fell at Vishnu's feet.
Narada said
My bad judgement has left me. Under its spell I spoke wicked words to you and even cursed you. Lord, please make that curse powerless; otherwise, for so great a sin, I will certainly go to hell. Hari, what can I do? I am your servant. Tell me how to wipe out my sins and escape hell.
Suta continued
He lay at Vishnu's feet again, now clear in mind and full of regret. Vishnu lifted him and spoke kindly.
Vishnu said
Do not torment yourself. You are, without doubt, my best devotee. Listen, son; what I say will help you greatly. Shiva's power will keep you out of hell. Your pride made you disregard Shiva's words, and he is the one who gave you the result, since he alone hands out the fruits of karma. Be sure that everything comes from Shiva's will. Parameshvara Shankara is the lord who removes pride. He is the supreme brahman and the supreme self, the one who lights up understanding of being, consciousness and bliss. He has no qualities and does not change; he stands beyond sattva, rajas and tamas. He draws his maya together and shows himself in three forms; his formless self appears as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha. In that formless state he is called Shiva, Maheshvara, the undecaying supreme brahman, the infinite Mahadeva. Vidhatri serves him as creator, I as preserver, and he himself, always everything, takes the form of Rudra to destroy. As Shiva he is only the witness, apart from his maya. He acts as he wills, playing and favouring his devotees. Narada, hear a sure way to happiness. He destroys every sin and always gives enjoyment and release. Put all doubt aside and sing Shankara's fame. Keep reciting, with one mind, the hymn of Shiva's hundred names, and all your sins will be quickly destroyed.
Suta continued
Full of compassion, Vishnu said more.
Vishnu said
Sage, do not grieve; you have done nothing wrong. Shambhu did all this by his own will. He took your divine understanding and made you suffer desire and pride. Your mouth was only the tool Maheshvara used to curse me. That is how he shows his action in the world he made. He conquers death and is death even to Death, and he is set on saving his devotees. I love no lord as I love Shiva. He gives happiness, and he is the Parameshvara who gives me every power. Sage, worship him, honour him always, hear and sing his fame. One who goes to Shankara in thought, word and deed is called learned, and counts as freed while living. Shiva's name burns like a forest fire and turns mountains of great sin to ash; this is true, I tell you. Many miseries have sin as their cause, and only worship of Shiva destroys them fully. A person who always takes refuge in Shankara in thought, word and deed is pure, blessed and learned and knows the Vedas. Many kinds of dharma are followed by people hungry for quick results, and all of them trust in worshipping the destroyer of Tripura. As long as Shiva is worshipped, sins vanish, all the sins on earth. The heaps of sin, the killing of a brahmana and the rest, are destroyed the moment Shiva is remembered. You now hold Shiva's name as a boat to cross the ocean of samsara, and the sins that cause samsara will be destroyed. For beings sin is the root of samsara, and Shiva's name is the axe that cuts it. One burned by the forest fire of sin should drink the amrita of Shiva's names; there is no other peace for the scorched. When the nectar of those names pours down, one grieves no more amid the blaze of samsara. People with no faith in Shankara are pulled about by attachment and hatred, yet even they can suddenly be freed. But devotion to Bhavani's beloved comes only to one who has burned himself with austerity through endless births. Devotion to Shankara has to be made to grow. Any other plan that worships others and neglects devotion to Shiva is useless. If someone with only casual devotion to Shambhu can be freed easily, in my view, then one with endless sins but real devotion to Maheshvara is certainly freed, as a forest fire reduces trees to ashes. One who keeps his limbs purified with ash and is eager to worship Shiva crosses the hard-to-cross samsara. A servant of Virupaksha is untouched by sins such as stealing a brahmana's property or killing many brahmanas. Having surveyed all the Vedas, it was long ago settled that worshipping Shiva is the best way to destroy samsara. So from now on, by the rules, with care and devotion, worship Samba Sadashiva Maheshvara constantly. Smear yourself lovingly with ash from head to foot. Use the six-syllable mantra, famous in all the texts, for japa to Shiva. Full of devotion, wear Shiva's beloved rudraksha on all your limbs with the right mantras. Always hear Shiva's account and speak it. Carefully and repeatedly honour Shiva's devotees. Take refuge in Shiva without distraction. Worship of Shiva always brings bliss. Hold his lotus feet in your pure heart. Supreme sage, first visit Shiva's holy places and see the boundless greatness of Shankara. Later go to Anandavana, which Shambhu loves best, see Vishveshvara there and worship him; when you bow and praise him there, your doubts will fall away. After that, to fulfil your own wishes and at my command, go faithfully to Brahma's world. Bow to your father Vidhatri and praise him, and gladly ask him about Shiva's greatness. Brahma, foremost among Shiva's devotees, will gladly tell you Shankara's greatness and the hundred-name praise. From now on be Shiva's devotee, one who takes refuge in him, and you will be freed; Shiva will give you a special blessing.
Suta concluded
So, cheerfully and with affection, Vishnu taught the sage, then remembered Shiva, bowed and praised him, and vanished.
Retold in our own words from Bibek Debroy's English translation of the Shiva Purana (Penguin Classics). Names, numbers and the order of events follow the source.