Baal Kaanda
31 - Princess Visvamohini's self-election of a husband; Narada's pronouncing a curse on the attendants of Siva as well as on the Lord Himself and his subsequent freedom from the spell of infatuation
Chaupais
Description
Seeing her beauty the sage forgot all about his dispassion and remained gazing on her for a long time. When he read the auspicious marks on her body, he was lost in reverie. He was gladdened at heart, but he would not openly mention the happy characteristics. "He who weds this girl," he said to himself, "Shall become immortal; and no one shall be able to conquer him in battle. He whom Silanidhi's daughter selects for her lord shall be adored by the entire creation, both animate and inanimate." Having read these characteristics the sage kept them to himself, and mentioned a few fabricated ones to the king. Telling the king that his daughter was of good promise, Narada left. He thought within himself, "Let me devise and try some means whereby the princess may choose me for her husband." He had no more zeal to practise Japa (muttering of sacred formulas) or austerity. "Good God, how am I to get the girl?" he said to himself.