Chapter 18 of 59 · Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda · Overall chapter 188 of 464
Conversation between Narada and Jalandhara
The gods, now hostages in Jalandhara's own household, appeal to Shiva, who sends Narada to plant the idea of desire. Narada tells Jalandhara his prosperity lacks only one thing - a wife to rival Parvati's beauty - deliberately seeding the ambition that will become the daitya's undoing.
Sanatkumara said
So the great asura followed dharma and ruled the earth. Lord among sages, though he treated them like brothers, the gods were miserable. In their minds, all the unhappy gods went and took refuge with Shiva Shankara, lord of the gods and lord over all lords. In eloquent words they praised Bhagavan Maheshvara, ever kind to his devotees, and reported their sorrows. Mahadeva grants his devotees everything they desire. Wishing to accomplish the gods' task he called Narada and sent him. The divine sage had knowledge and was devoted to Shambhu, the goal of the virtuous. At Shiva's command he went to the gods in the daitya's city. All the gods, Vasava and the rest, were shaken. Seeing Narada come they stood up, bowed with affection and offered the sage a seat. The faces of the gods, Shakra first, were anxious. When the supreme sage was comfortably seated they bowed to him. Distressed, the gods, Vasava and others, spoke to the lord among sages.
The devas said
Compassionate best of sages, hear why we grieve. You are dear to Shankara, so having heard, end our grief quickly. The daitya Jalandhara has thoroughly beaten the gods and made himself lord in our places. We are wretched and worried. The hot-rayed Surya and Chandra have been thrown out of their positions, and so have Vahni, Dharmaraja and the guardians of the worlds. That very strong one has made every god suffer, and we have come together to seek refuge with you. In battle he even subdued Hrishikesha. The great daitya has crushed all the immortals. After Hari gave him a boon, he has come under Jalandhara's sway and lives in his house with Lakshmi. This has happened to Vishnu, who always did every task for us. Wise one, work for Jalandhara's destruction. You always accomplish what you set out to do, and destiny has brought you to us.
Sanatkumara said
Tiger among sages, compassionate Narada heard the immortals and reassured them.
Narada said
Gods, I know you have been defeated by the king of the daityas, oppressed, made to suffer, and expelled from your positions. As far as my capacity goes, without doubt I will accomplish your aim. Immortals, since you face miseries, I will be favourably disposed to you.
Sanatkumara said
Best of sages, saying this he comforted all the gods. Then he went to Jalandhara's assembly hall to see the one the danavas love. Jalandhara saw the divine, supreme sage come and with great devotion stood and offered him a supreme, excellent seat. Much surprised, the Indra among danavas honoured him properly, smiled and spoke.
Jalandhara said
Brahmana, from where have you come? Do you want to see something here? Tell me, sage, why you have come.
Sanatkumara said
The great sage was pleased by the Indra among daityas and replied.
Narada said
Indra over all danavas and daityas, Jalandhara, immensely intelligent lord of all the worlds, you are the enjoyer of jewels and blessed. Supreme Indra among daityas, listen; I will tell you everything about why I have come. Travelling as I like, I went to Kailasa. It stretches ten thousand yojanas, with a great forest of wish-trees, hundreds of kamadhenus, lit by chintamani jewels, with every kind of gold, divine, beautiful and wonderful everywhere. I saw Shankara seated there with Uma, handsome in every limb, fair, three-eyed, the moon on his crest. Seeing his great prosperity I wished to know something: does any place in the three worlds have such prosperity? Indra among daityas, I then remembered your prosperity, and wanting to see it I have come to you.
Sanatkumara said
Hearing Narada, Jalandhara, Indra among daityas, affectionately showed him all the signs of his prosperity. Narada had knowledge and wished to accomplish the gods' task, and, urged by the lord besides, he spoke to Jalandhara.
Narada said
Greatest of heroes, you have all that makes for great prosperity. As lord of the three worlds it is no wonder everything is here: heaps of gems and jewels, elephants and every other mark of wealth, all shining in your home, besides other jewels. You hold Airavata, Shakra's jewel of elephants, and Surya's Ucchaihshrava, jewel of horses, and the wish-tree from Dhanada's nidhi, and Vidhatri's swan-yoked vimana. Heaven, earth and the nether world hold many supreme jewels, and all gleam in your house, so your prosperity looks varied and complete, hung with elephants, horses and more. I am pleased with you, brave Jalandhara. Yet your house lacks the best and greatest thing, a jewel among women, and that you should bring. Every kind of excellent jewel is in your house, but no jewel of a woman shines there, and so all this is vain.
Sanatkumara said
Hearing great-souled Narada, the king of the daityas' mind was stirred by desire.
Jalandhara said
Devarshi Narada, great lord, I bow to you. Where is a jewel among women to be found? Tell me now, brahmana. I will bring her from wherever she is in the universe, truly and without doubt.
Narada said
Kailasa is wonderfully beautiful and has everything that makes for prosperity, and there Shambhu lives as a naked yogi. His wife is very lovely, with all the auspicious marks and handsome in every limb. Parvati is enchanting and famed for her beauty, a beauty found in no one else, excellent and rousing wonder. She bewilders even fine yogis, is supreme to behold, and raises great prosperity. So I think no one is as prosperous as Shiva. Brave Jalandhara, no one else has such a jewel among women. The stream of her charm made the four-faced one fall; he lost his steadiness earlier. She has no equal. In his own play even Madana's enemy was drawn to her; though he rules himself, she has brought him under her power. He is prosperous because he enjoys a jewel among women. Indra among daityas, you are not like him: you are not lord of every kind of jewel.
Sanatkumara said
Famous in the worlds, devarshi Narada, bent on achieving the gods' aim, said this and went off through the sky.
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.