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 sebenarnya adalah Rati, isteri Dewa Kama yang terkenal. Semasa menunggu suaminya memperoleh tubuh baru—kerana tubuh sebelumnya telah hangus—dia telah ditugaskan oleh Śambara untuk menyediakan sayur-sayuran dan nasi. Māyāvatī memahami bahawa bayi ini sebenarnya adalah Kāmadeva, dan dengan itu dia mula berasa cinta kepada-Nya.
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.