Shloka 8
Pradyumna’s Abduction, Mahā-māyā, and the Slaying of Śambara
सा च कामस्य वै पत्नी रतिर्नाम यशस्विनी । पत्युर्निर्दग्धदेहस्य देहोत्पत्तिं प्रतीक्षती ॥ ७ ॥ निरूपिता शम्बरेण सा सूदौदनसाधने । कामदेवं शिशुं बुद्ध्वा चक्रे स्नेहं तदार्भके ॥ ८ ॥
sā ca kāmasya vai patnī ratir nāma yaśasvinī patyur nirdagdha-dehasya dehotpattim pratīkṣatī
Māyāvatī war in Wirklichkeit Rati, die berühmte Gemahlin des Liebesgottes. Während sie darauf wartete, dass ihr Ehemann einen neuen Körper erhielt – da sein früherer verbrannt war –, wurde sie von Śambara beauftragt, Gemüse und Reis zuzubereiten. Māyāvatī begriff, dass dieser Säugling tatsächlich Kāmadeva war, und so begann sie, Liebe für Ihn zu empfinden.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains this story as follows: When Cupid’s body was burned to ashes, Rati worshiped Lord Śiva to obtain another body for Cupid. Śambara, having also come to Śiva for a benediction, was recognized by the lord first, who told him, “You should now ask for your benediction.” Śambara, struck with lust at seeing Rati, replied that he wanted her as his benediction, and Śiva complied. Lord Śiva then consoled the sobbing Rati, telling her, “Go with him, and in his very home you will attain what you desire.” Thereupon, Rati bewildered Śambara with her deluding power and, taking the name Māyāvatī, remained in his house untouched.
FAQs
Rati is the wife of Kāmadeva. In this verse she recognizes the infant as Kāma himself (manifesting again) and therefore becomes affectionately attached to him.
Śambara appointed her to kitchen service, but by divine arrangement she was placed near the child (Pradyumna/Kāma) so she could protect and nurture him until the time came for the demon’s destruction.
Even in difficult or seemingly mundane duties, a devotee can perceive the Lord’s arrangement and respond with sincere care and service, turning hardship into devotional purpose.