Day 23 – Shivji burns Kaamdev
Kaamdev goes where Shivji is meditating. Goswami Tulsidasji describes this katha beautifully!
The demi-gods approached Kaamdev and said, ” We need your help please.”
Kaamdev replied, ” I am honoured that you would like me to do something for you. What is the command?”
“Awaken Shivji from his meditation please.”
Kaamdev was disappointed. Kaamdev knew that if this is the job then he will surely die. However, the demi-gods explained that he must do this to protect the world and Kaamdev agreed.
Kaamdev reached Kailash and spread the spring season everywhere. Flowers blossomed, bees buzzed, rivers flowed, the wind blew cool, calm and scented air, beautiful women from heaven sang and danced and melodious music played. Kaamdev spread his magical effect over the entire universe.
Madan andh vyaakul sab loka, nisi dinu nahi avalokahi koka.
Ascetics, those detached from the world, Yogis and great Munis were all bound by the spell of lust.
Bhae kaambas jogis taapas, paavaranhi ki ko kahe,
dekhahi – charaachar naarimay je bhramamaya dekhat rahe;
Abalaa bilokahi purushmay jagu purush sab abalaamayam,
dui danda bhari bhramand bheetar kaamkrut kautuk ayam.
If great Yogis and ascetics came under the influence of lust, then what is the chance of people attached to worldly pleasures escaping? Those who saw the world as God were now attached to worldly passions. Women saw men everywhere and men saw women.
Dhari na kaahu dheer sabke man mansij hare, je raakhe Raghubir te ubare tehi kaal mahu.
Only those saved by Shri Ram were saved from the influence of lust. It is not possible to save oneself from lust without the grace of Shri Ram. Shri Vishwamitra was moved by one move from Menka despite having recited the Gayatri for many years. Hence, don’t you think it is necessary to take refuge in Lord Ram to save ourselves from lust? On the contrary, Shankarji was not affected by the power of Kaamdev at all.
Ubhay dhari as kautuk bhayau, jo lagi kaamu Sambhu pahi gayau;
Sivahi biloki sasankeu maaru.
Kaamdev was scared on seeing Shivji. He was ashamed to return defeated after trying everything and finally decided that he will have to die.
Sakal kala kari kotibidhi haareu sen samet, chali na achal samadhi Shiv kopeu hradayniket.
When Shivji’s deep meditation did not waver, Kaamdev was furious. He climbed a beautiful mango tree, took his bow and aimed carefully with his flowery arrow. After a great effort he hit Shankarji with his arrow and Shankarji opened his eyes. The blue and peaceful eyes with mercy flowing from them began looking for the person who had awakened him.
Saurabh pallav madanu biloka.
“Kaamdev, you have broken my meditation!” said Shivji furiously.
Tab Shiv teesar nayan ughaara, chitvat kaamu bhayau jari chaara.
Shivji opened his third eye and on glancing at Kaamdev, Kaamdev was burnt into ashes! Kaamdev was not burnt with the two eyes but with the third eye. Lust increases with the two eyes but burns with the third eye of knowledge. Kaamdev was burnt with the third eye because lust is in third place in the four objects of life: righteousness, wealth, lust and emancipation. This third eye is very special. It leads to the destruction of the universe when it opens.
On the other hand, you see that in Mithila, when Shri Ram and Sitaji are getting married, Shivji opens his third eye to do darshan. Here, Tulsidasji refers to Shivji with five heads that is therefore doing darshan with fifteen eyes. But we see at this time that Ramji did not burn whereas when Kaamdev is seen with the third eye, Kaamdev burns. This means that when the third eye of knowledge opens, that which burns is lust, unreal and destructive whilst what remains is only Ram, the omnipresent and immortal.
Now, all the ascetics were free from worry that lust will not interrupt their religious practices.