Vishnupurana 5.27.4

The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition 5.27.4

Language: English

5.27.4

At this moment Krishńa, accompanied by Nárada, arrived; and the latter said to the delighted Rukminí, "This is thine own son, who has come hither after killing Sambara, by whom, when an infant, he was stolen from the lying-in chamber. This is the virtuous Máyávatí, his wife, and not the wife of Sambara. Hear the reason. When Manmatha, the deity of love, had perished, the goddess of beauty, desirous to secure his revival, assumed a delusive form, and by her charms fascinated the demon Sambara, and exhibited herself to him in various illusory enjoyments. This thy son is the descended Káma; and this is the goddess Ratí, his wife. There is no occasion for any uncertainty: this is thy daughter-in-law." Then Rukminí was glad, and Keśava also; the whole city resounded with exclamations of joy, and all the people of Dwáraká were surprised at Rukminí's recovering a son who had so long been lost.

5.27.4.n1

When he was reduced to ashes by a fiery glance from Śiva, in resentment of his inflaming him with passion for Umá. This legend is a favourite with the Śaiva Puráńas, and is told in the Linga and Káliká, also in the Padma P. and Káśí Khańd́a of the Skánda P. They do not say much about his resuscitation however; Śiva, in pity of Ratí's grief, restoring him only to a bodiless existence as Ananga, whose place is to be in the hearts of men. The Linga adds, that when Vishńu, in consequence of the curse of Bhrigu, shall be born as the son of Vasudeva, Káma shall be born as one of his sons.

5.27.4.n2

The daughter of Daksha, but not enumerated amongst those formerly specified (p. 54): she was born from his perspiration, according to the Káliká P.

Linked texts (1)

Viṣṇupurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit