Agastya heard the story and said, “Hayagrīva! Kindly, let me know in detail which form of Parāśakti (The Divine Mother, the Supreme Power) will bestow both food and salvation to the devotees in the Kali Yuga”. Hayagreeva replied, “Lalitā Devī is the only Goddess who has the power to do so. Listen to Her story”.
In the distant past, Satī Devī, a daughter of Dakṣa was married to Śiva. However gradually, Dakṣa developed hatred towards Śiva. Due to this ill will, Dakṣa intended to perform a yajña (fire sacrifice) without making any offering to Śiva. He didn’t invite even his daughter Satī Devī to the yajña.
She came to know of the forth-coming great yajña to be done by Her father. She didn’t know other details. However, overjoyed by the news of the ritual Her father was going to perform, She went to the yajña in spite of Śiva’s disapproval of Her visit.
Satī Deha Tyāga (Self-immolation of Satī)
Ignoring the natural affection to his daughter, Dakṣa insulted Her and repeatedly abused Śiva. Unable to bear the insult to Śiva, Satī Devī burnt Her body in the fire created by Her power of yoga. Knowing about this calamity, Śiva became furious. Creating the terrific Vīrabhadra out of the locks of hair of his head, Śiva sent him to attack Dakṣa. Vīrabhadra destroyed the hall of yajña, swallowed even the Sudarśana cakra (the discus weapon of Viṣṇu) and beheaded Dakṣa. The wives of Dakṣa prayed to Vīrabhadra who was pacified and revived Dakṣa back to life by joining the head of a goat to the trunk. Dakṣa repented and prayed to Śiva for pardon.
Satī Devī was born as the daughter of Himavanta (Himalaya mountain) and Menakā (Menā), as the couple did penance for 150 million years with the intention to beget Her as their child. The newborn was named Pārvatī (daughter of Parvata-mountain) and brought Her up with love and affection.
One day, the sage Nārada visited Himavanta and said, “You are very fortunate. The Divine Mother is born as your daughter; Śiva is doing penance in your mountain range in his “Sthāṇu Āśrama” (abode of stones). After the departure of Satī Devī, he has become an ascetic. It will benefit you considerably if you send your daughter to serve him”.
Himavanta’s joy knew no bounds on hearing Nārada’s words. He went to the abode of Śiva along with his daughter. After taking Nandi’s (the attendant of Śiva) permission, he approached Śiva, worshipped him and prayed to him to allow Pārvatī to serve him. Śiva said, “Ok, She may do so”. Then onwards, Pārvatī used to render services to Śiva for hours together. However, Śiva used to be in a state of ecstasy of yoga continuously.
Kāma Dahana (Burning of Cupid)
This being so, a demon by name Tāraka invaded and occupied the heaven along with his army and started to hurt and pester the celestials. All of them approached Brahmā for relief, who said, “The son born to Śiva and Pārvatī only can kill the demon. Hence you make such efforts that the marriage will be performed”.
Indra, the Lord of the celestials called for Manmatha (Cupid-the god of love). He praised Cupid and asked him to see that Śiva’s ascetic attitude was lessened and that he would start to love Pārvatī. Manmatha was extolled by praises and agreed to do as directed. Ratidevī, the consort of Manmatha came to know of this new assignment and tried her best to dissuade cupid from embarking on the hazardous venture. In spite of it, Manmatha proceeded to Śiva’s abode “Sthāṇu Āśrama”.
There he suddenly created the alluring atmosphere of the spring season. The pramathagaṇas (the attendants of Śiva) were very much disturbed in their minds with the erotic feelings. Observing this, Nandi disciplined them. In the meantime, Manmatha entered the abode of Śiva stealthily and saw Śiva seated in the state of ecstasy of meditation. The very sight of Śiva in the posture suddenly unnerved him. At the same moment, Pārvatī came there. Looking at Her, Manmatha recovered his courage.
While Pārvatī was getting up after bending low to prostrate to Śiva, Her upper garment slipped a bit. Exactly at that moment, Manmatha aimed an arrow (of lust) on Śiva, whose mind was affected a bit. Observing this, Pārvatī felt a gush of joy inwardly.
However Śiva analysed his feeling immediately and looked around to know why it happened so. Śiva saw Manmatha hiding behind the bushes. At once, Śiva’s third eye opened and the fire rushing therefrom reduced Manmatha to ashes. Pārvatī closed Her eyes out of fear. By the time She opened Her eyes in a moment, Śiva disappeared with all his attendants. Himavanta came there, consoled Her and took Her home. Ratidevī wept bitterly due to the death of her husband Manmatha. Vasanta, the god of spring approached Ratidevī, consoled her and reminded her of the curse of Brahmā to Manmatha.
Curse of Brahmā to Manmatha
Once upon a time, there were two demons by name Sunda and Upasunda, who were brothers. They did penance meditating on Brahmā and obtained a strange boon that their death could not be caused by anyone else except by themselves only. They were very much fond of one another. Hence they expected that no mutual harm would be possible.
Thereafter they created havoc by their terrific acts in the three worlds. All the celestials prayed to Brahmā who thought of a strategy to destroy the demons. He accumulated the essence of beauty of all the fine things in the world and created a woman of exquisite beauty. As she was created with a gingelly aspect of beauty in everything, She was called Tilottamā (Tila-gingelly; Uttamā-best).
Her beauty enchanted even the celestials. Brahmā checked up keenly whether her beauty was superb in all aspects. Manmatha, who happened to be there at that time, wanted to play a practical joke. Hence he aimed an arrow (of lust) at Brahmā. Due to this, Brahmā forgetting that she was his daughter chased her lustily. As a last resort, Tilottamā started running taking the form of a deer. Brahmā also followed her in the form of a deer. The celestials were highly agitated by this untoward event.
Observing this impending danger, Śiva manifested as a hunter and holding a bow and arrows came near Brahmā who was in the form of a deer.
Looking at the fierce form of Śiva, Brahmā came to senses. He prostrated to his feet and prayed for pardon. By then, the celestials and Tilottamā arrived there. Everyone was pacified. After taking Śiva’s permission, the celestials sent Tilottamā to meet Sunda and Upasunda looking at Tilottamā going about in a garden, both Sunda and Upasunda competed to enjoy with her and at last the demons killed each other.
Tilottamā returned to Brahmā, who felt happy and sent her to the heaven with a permanent status as one of the Apsaras (celestial nymphs).
After the entire affair was over, Brahmā recollected what all had happened and sent for Manmatha and said “You fellow! Blinded by the power bestowed to you, how dare you aim your arrows (of lust) at one and all, disregarding their age? Do you intend to destroy the code of righteousness? I am saved of grievous sin due to the timely arrival and protection of Śiva. Hence, one day you will be burnt to ashes by the fire of Śiva’s third eye. Beware!”
Hearing the curse, Rati and Manmatha were frightened and prayed to Brahmā for relief of the curse.
Brahmā regained his composure and said, “The Divine Mother will manifest as Lalitā Devī. She will marry Śiva. After the marriage, She will revive Manmatha to life”.
After narrating the story, Vasanta (the god of spring season) consoled Ratidevī, saying, “Sister-in-law! It is a must for everyone, however great he is, to undergo the suffering of a curse. However as predicted by Brahmā, my brother Manmatha will be revived to life soon. Until then, be bold and continue to pray to Lalitā Devī.
Ratidevī left the place and followed the advice.
Source: 3rd Day (12-10-99) of Sri Devi Navaratri Festivals ’99, Avadhoota Datta Peetham – Mysore
