Matsarasura Ridicules Even Lord Shiva and Attacks Kailasa

Matsarasura was Indra's son. He did intense tapas and got a boon from Lord Shiva that he would become the ruler of the whole universe.

He conquered Earth, Patala, Varuna Loka, Yama Loka, Kubera Loka, and Swarga. Indra was held captive by his army. All the other Devas fled to their father Kashyapa and sought protection. Kashyapa said, 'Let's go to Brahma Loka.'

Brahma said, 'There is nothing much that I can do. He has got a boon from Lord Shiva. Let's go to Vaikuntha and talk to Sri Hari about this.' In Vaikuntha, Sri Hari told them that the situation was not in his hands either. They all went to Kailasa and prayed to Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva said, 'You all know I was helpless. When someone does very intense tapas, there is nothing that you can do but to give what he asks for.' He told Sri Hari, 'You are in charge of palana, sustenance of the world.'

Mahavishnu replied to Lord Shiva, 'I may be sustaining the world, but karta, akarta, and anyatha karta—all these three are you only. Doing, not doing, and also doing in a different way—these are all left to your discretion. If you say that you are helpless, what will we do? Having conquered Swarga, he will soon come to Brahma Loka and Vaikuntha. We are not going back there to face him. We will then stay here under your protection. At least, being your devotee, he will not come here.'

There, Matsarasura had become the ruler of Swarga. He started ruling, sitting on Indra's simhasana. He would move about sitting on top of Airavata. Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Apsaras all became his orderlies. All the powerful positions of Swarga, earlier occupied by Devas, he gave to Asuras. They all enjoyed heavenly comforts there.

One day, sitting on Indra's simhasana, Matsarasura told his people, 'Where is Brahma? Where is Vishnu? Where is Shiva? They have not come to wish me so far. Don't they know who I am? Why are they not paying respects to me?' He called Andhakasura, 'Go to Brahma Loka, Vaikuntha, and Kailasa and give the message that Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva should immediately report here. The Lord of the Universe, Matsarasura, wants to see them.'

Andhakasura went to Brahma Loka first. There was no one there. Then he went to Vaikuntha. Even Vaikuntha was empty. Then he went to Kailasa and walked arrogantly into Lord Shiva's court. He found Brahma and Vishnu also seated there. He said, 'I am Andhakasura, messenger of Matsarasura, the ruler of the universe. All three of you should immediately go to Swarga and report to our Lord.'

Lord Shiva started blazing in anger. 'How dare you come here and talk like this? Your master Matsarasura—all his power is because of a boon given to him by me. I can turn him to ashes in a moment. You are a mere messenger. It is not dharma to hurt a messenger; that is why I am leaving you alone. You go back and tell your master what I have told you now.'

Andhaka went back and reported to Matsarasura whatever had happened. He also told Matsarasura that the prosperity of Swarga was nothing compared to Kailasa. Hearing this, the other Asuras, such as Virochana, started instigating Matsarasura. 'Oh, in that case, your mission of becoming the ruler of the universe will not be complete unless you attack and conquer Kailasa also.'

Matsarasura said, 'That Shiva is arrogant. He has not given me anything for free. I did tapas and gained power. If he had given me the rulership without doing anything, then I would have accepted that he is powerful. My power is out of my own hard work. He has nothing to do with this. Just because it is written in some books, Shiva thinks that he is Parabrahma. He is under this false notion. Not only Shiva, Brahma thinks he is the creator. Vishnu thinks he is the sustainer. But be very clear, in this world, everything happens out of effort only. Just because some book has conferred you a title, you don't become Parabrahma or creator or sustainer or eliminator. Whatever I have gained, I have gained out of my own effort with the support of you all. I refuse to accept their positions. I am the creator. Whatever I want to create, I can create. I am the sustainer. Whatever I want to protect, I will protect. I am the eliminator. Whatever I want to destroy, I will destroy.'

Saying this, Matsarasura led his army towards Kailasa. They attacked Kailasa. All the guards of Kailasa—the Ganas and Pishachas—were beaten black and blue. Many of them died. The survivors rushed inside and reported to Lord Shiva what was happening at the entrance of Kailasa.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi