‘Last time you would not listen to us, but rather took Narada’s advice; your vow has failed now, for the great Lord Shiva has burnt up Kama!’

When she heard this, Parvati smiled and said, ‘ O illumined sages! You have said well. You imagine that Shambhu has burnt up the god of love only now and that until this day he has been a prey to passion.

To my mind, however, Shiva has always been an ascetic, unbegotten, irreproachable, passionless and without enjoyment! and if, knowing him to be such as he is, I have served him lovingly in thought and word and deed,

-then listen. O great sages, the gracious Lord will bring my vow to true fruition. Your statement that Shiva has burnt up the god of love betrays great want of judgment.

Fire, my friends, possesses this inherent property that frost can never approach it; if it does, it must inevitably perish; and so it is with the god of love and Mahadeva.

When they heard Parvati’s words and marked her devotion and faith, the sages were gladdened at heart. They bowed their heads to Bhavani and went to Himalaya.

They told him the whole story. He was much grieved to hear how Shiva had burnt up Love, but when the sages told him of the boon granted to Rati, Himavan was much relieved.