Then Narada went to Shiva, greatly proud of his victory over Love, and told him all Love’s doings. Knowing him to be his most beloved friend, the great Shiva warned him thus:

“O sage, again and again I beg of you never to repeat this story to Hari as you have repeated it to me. Should it happen to be brought forward, keep silence!”

Good as Shiva’s advice was, it did not please Narada. Bharadvaja, now hear what interesting thing happened and see the omnipotence of Hari’s will.

Rama’s will alone prevails, and there is no one who can alter it. As Shiva’s advice fell flat on the sage, he went straight to Brahma’s realm.

Singing the glories of Hari to the accompaniment of the excellent lute he had in his hand, the high sage, Narada, who was skilled in music, once repaired to the Ocean of Milk, where dwells Vishnu, Lord of the Vedas.

In great joy rose Lakshmi’s lord to meet him, and shared his seat with the sage. The Lord of all creation, animate as well as inanimate, said with a smile, “It is after a long time, O sage, that you have showed me this favour.”

Narada told him all the doings of Kama, though Shiva had already warned him not to do so. Most formidable is the delusive power of the lord of Raghus; is there a mortal whom it does not mislead?