Shiva Warns Narada Not to Tell Hari
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 127
Doha 127 · Movement 1 of 2
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Narada feels no anger toward Kama. He answers with sweet words, relieves the god's distress, and grants him leave to depart with his companions. In Indra's assembly the sage recounts what occurred. Wonder passes among the gods, praise rises, and heads bow to Hari whose protection made the victory possible.
Then a subtler movement begins. Narada goes to Shiva with pride hidden in his mind and tells the story as the conquest of Cupid. Mahesha knows the danger and offers loving counsel. Again and again he asks the sage never to present the episode to Hari in this way.
Shiva's warning is precise because grace, not personal invulnerability, guarded the meditation. If Narada claims the victory as his own, the concealed root will be exposed. The sage hears the words, but the sweetness of triumph has already gathered around his self image.
Shiva repeats his warning while pride quietly retells the victory inside Narada.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 127
Narada visits Shiva and tells Kama episode; Shiva affectionately warns beloved sage never to tell Hari, even if topic arises
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 140 · printed pages 138. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-127. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Earlier Narada noanger and kindly reassuresKama, Kama departs withhelpers and himselfreports sagegoodconduct/hisactions inIndracourt, listenerspraisesage/bowheadsHari; not Naradareporting/Vishnuwordworship
- Narada then visitsShiva inwardlythinking conqueredKama; tells episode. Shiva considersNarada dearlybeloved and gives affectionatecounsel
- Shiva repeatedly urges never tellHari thisaccount, conceal evenwhenconversationarises; selected kindadvice, not rage or genericwarningagainstboasting
Artistic choices
- Approved ivoryash Shiva blueonlythroat shortsymbolicGanga hairwave/crescent/third-eye serpent/rudraksha and imaginednaturalbrownclean-shaven longknottedhair Narada Vaishnavmark creamochre/darkbeads retained; exact likeness age dress notauthenticated
- Shiva left and Narada right crosslegged on separate lowrocks, Shiva gentleopen speakingpalm Narada handsownlap quietconfidentlistening; exactpostures/hidecoveredrocks artistchoices
- Floweringbanyan mountains forest nearbyriver and customary vina besideNarada artistimaginedsetting/topography, no literal innerpride apparition or actualHari/court/Kama montage
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
भयउ न नारद मन कछु रोषा। कहि प्रिय बचन काम परितोषा।। नाइ चरन सिरु आयसु पाई। गयउ मदन तब सहित सहाई।। मुनि सुसीलता आपनि करनी। सुरपति सभाँ जाइ सब बरनी।। सुनि सब कें मन अचरजु आवा। मुनिहि प्रसंसि हरिहि सिरु नावा।। तब नारद गवने सिव पाहीं। जिता काम अहमिति मन माहीं।। मार चरित संकरहिं सुनाए। अतिप्रिय जानि महेस सिखाए।। बार बार बिनवउँ मुनि तोहीं। जिमि यह कथा सुनायहु मोहीं।। तिमि जनि हरिहि सुनावहु कबहूँ। चलेहुँ प्रसंग दुराएडु तबहूँ।।
No anger arose in Narada's heart. He consoled Kamadeva with kind words. Bowing his head at the sage's feet and receiving permission, Kamadeva then departed, still trembling with fear.