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
摩耶瓦蒂（Māyāvatī）实际上是爱神著名的妻子拉蒂（Rati）。在等待丈夫获得新身体的同时——他之前的身体已被烧毁——她被香巴拉（Śambara）指派去准备蔬菜和米饭。摩耶瓦蒂明白这个婴儿实际上就是爱神（Kāmadeva），因此她开始对他产生爱意。
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.