Dispelling of Vishnu's Delusion

Vyasa said

Brahma's son, I bow to you. You who are supreme among Shiva's devotees are blessed. You have let me hear an auspicious and most divine account of Shankara. Sage, now lovingly tell me of Vishnu's conduct. Having deluded Vrinda, what did he do? Where did he go?

Sanatkumara replied

Vyasa, wise one, supreme among Shiva's excellent devotees, along with Shambhu's excellent conduct hear Vishnu's bright conduct. Shambhu is kind to those who take refuge. When Brahma and the other gods fell silent, Maheshvara was extremely pleased and spoke.

Shambhu said

Brahma and all you other gods, though Jalandhara was born of a portion of me, I killed him for your sake; this is true. Sons, immortals, have you not got your happiness back? Tell me the truth. Though I am indifferent, it is for your sake that I always engage in pastimes.

Sanatkumara said

The eyes of Brahma and the other gods widened with joy. They lowered their heads, bowed to Rudra and told him what Vishnu had done.

The devas said

Mahadeva, you have saved the gods from the fear the enemy caused. But something else has happened. What shall we do about it? Protector, Vrinda was deluded by Vishnu. She at once reduced herself to ashes in a fire and has gained a supreme end. But Vishnu is still confused and fascinated by Vrinda's charm. Deluded by your maya, he wears the ashes of her funeral pyre. The siddhas, many sages and we have tried affectionately to make him understand, but deluded by your maya Hari does not understand. Mahesha, take pity and make Vishnu understand what he needs to. Everything that arises from Prakriti, moving or still, is under your control.

Sanatkumara said

Mahesha heard the residents of heaven as they stood with joined hands, and, comfortably playing his great pastimes, replied.

Mahesha said

Brahma, all you gods, listen attentively. My maya is impossible to cross and deludes all the worlds. The whole universe with gods, asuras and humans is under its sway. Vishnu was deluded by it, and so Hari was overcome by desire. That maya is known as Uma, Mahadevi, supreme mother of the three divinities, primordial Prakriti and lovely Girija. Gods, to dispel Vishnu's delusion go and take refuge in her. Mohini Maya is the refuge. She is called Shivaa, giver of everything desired. Praise my Shakti so that she is satisfied. If she is pleased she will do all the tasks.

Sanatkumara said

Shambhu, five-faced Bhagavan Hara, spoke to the gods so. Vyasa, with all his ganas he then vanished.

Brahma and the other gods with Vasava followed Shambhu's instruction. In their minds they praised the primordial Prakriti, kind to her devotees. They told her the sattva, rajas and tamas gunas arise from her and she sets them to creation, preservation and destruction; the existence and non-existence of the whole universe is by her will, and they bowed to her. They asked her to save them from the twenty-three principles, which announce her supreme existence in the universe, though the three worlds do not know her forms and deeds. Men constantly devoted to her do not suffer poverty and delusion; they never meet these, for she is kind to her devotees. They begged Mahadevi, Pareshvari, Shivaa, Durga, Devi, to do a task for the gods and dispel Vishnu's delusion. When the battle between Shambhu on Kailasa and Jalandhara was on, they said, Vishnu, at Gouri's own instruction and to ensure his death, had tried to delude Vrinda; forced to give up her dharma, she had reduced herself to ashes in a fire and gained an excellent end. Jalandhara was killed in the battle and they were freed from fear of him; Girisha, kind to his devotees, had acted in compassion, and at his command they had come to take refuge in her. Devi and Shambhu were always engaged in saving their devotees. Enticed by Vrinda's charm, Vishnu still stayed there wearing her pyre's ashes, deluded and dislodged from his knowledge. The siddhas and gods had tried to make him understand, but deluded by her maya he had not understood. They begged Maheshvari to make Hari understand, to show compassion, and let him go back to his own world and do the gods' tasks with a good mind.

When the gods praised her so, they saw a circle of energy in the sky whose blaze filled the directions. Vyasa, from its midst Brahma, Vasava and the others heard a voice from the sky that would grant their wishes.

The voice from the sky said

I am divided into three and established by the three gunas. Gouri, Lakshmi and Sarasvati stand for sattva, rajas and tamas. All of you go and approach them lovingly. Follow my command and please them. They will arrange what you want.

Sanatkumara said

Sage, hearing the unseen voice the gods' eyes widened in wonder. All the gods attentively heard the words and, as urged, bowed to Gouri, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, praising all the Devis with great devotion in many eloquent words, Brahma and the others with hands lowered. Vyasa, then the Devis appeared before them, exceedingly marvellous, their own radiance lighting the directions. Seeing them, the immortals' minds were pleased. They bowed devotedly, praised them and reported their task. The Devis, kind to their devotees, saw the gods bowed before them, gave them seeds and spoke lovingly.

The Devis said

Sow these seeds where Vishnu is, and your task will be accomplished.

Sanatkumara said

Sage, saying this the Devis vanished. These were the three Shaktis of Rudra, Vishnu and Vidhatri, standing for the three gunas. Brahma and all the other gods, Vasava included, were satisfied. They gathered the seeds and went to where Hari was. The gods scattered the seeds on the ground where Vrinda's funeral pyre had been lit. Sage, they stayed there, thinking these were portions of Shiva and Shakti. Three trees grew from the scattered seeds, lord among sages: dhatri, malati and tulasi. Dhatri is said to come from Vidhatri's Shakti, malati from Rama, and tulasi from Gouri; they stand for the sattva, rajas and tamas gunas. Sage, Vishnu saw the trees, which had the forms of the three women. Seeing them he stood up, drawn by attachment, and his mind was overwhelmed by desire for them. Tulasi and dhatri looked at him with eyes of attachment too. But seeing the woman made from the seed of Lakshmi's maya, Lakshmi was filled with jealousy, and so it came to be known as varvari and is much condemned. He loves dhatri and tulasi, who always please him. Vishnu forgot all his misery and went with them to Vaikuntha. All the gods were satisfied and bowed to him. Indra among brahmanas, in the month of Kartika dhatri and tulasi are known to be loved by all the gods, especially Vishnu. Great sage, of those two tulasi is the best and is blessed; except for Ganesha, she pleases everyone and gives everything desired. Seeing Hari installed in Vaikuntha, Brahma, Indra and the other immortals bowed low, praised great Vishnu and went to their abodes. Best of sages, understanding was kindled in him, his delusion was dispelled, and remembering Shiva he was happy. He was established in his own world as before. This account destroys all sins and gives men everything they want. It destroys every deviation caused by desire and extends every kind of vijnana. One who reads it devotedly every day or has it read, hears or has it heard, goes to the supreme goal. An intelligent, brave person who reads this account and then goes out to fight is victorious, without doubt. It gives brahmanas knowledge of the brahman, kshatriyas victory, vaishyas every kind of wealth and shudras every kind of happiness. Vyasa, it gives devotion to Shambhu and destroys all sins, and in this world and the next always confers a virtuous end.