Ayodhya Kaanda
104 - Dialogue between king Janaka and Bharata; Indra's anxiety; Goddess Sarasvati'ss admonition to Indra
Chaupais
Description
The gods invoked goddess Sarada and praised her. They said,"O goddess, we celestials have sought refuge in you; pray protect us. Change Bharata's mind by exerting your Maya (deluding potency) and preserve the heavenly race from ruin by taking them under the cool shade of some deceptive trick." When the wise goddess heard the gods' prayer, she understood that selfishness had robbed them of their senses, and accordingly replied (turning towards Indra in particular), " You ask me to alter Bharata's mind! It is a pity you cannot see Mount Meru even though you possess a thousand eyes. The Maya (deluding potency) even of Brahma (the Creator), Hari (the Preserver) and Hara (the Destroyer of the universe), exceedingly powerful as it is, cannot even face Bharata's reason. And yet you ask me to pervert it. What! Can the moonlight steal away the sun? Bharata's heart is the abode of Sita and Sri Rama; can darkness enter where the sun shines?" So saying goddess Sarada returned to Brahma's heaven, leaving the gods as distressed as the Cakravaka bird at night.