by Tulsidas
There, young trees of different kinds appeared,
Always in flower, always laden with fruit,
And upon that beautiful mountain became manifest
Mines of precious stones of many kinds.
(65)
The rivers all flowed with pure and clear water,
The birds, the deer and the bees all lived in happiness and harmony.
All creatures that dwelt upon that mountain gave up
Their natural enmity and regarded each other with affection.
With Girija’s arrival in Himalaya’s home, the mountain became a place of splendour
As a man finding devotion to Ram becomes suffused with light;
Every day new celebrations took place in his home,
As Brahma and the other gods sang his glory.
Upon hearing the news, Narad
Set off for Himalaya’s home in great joy;
The king of the mountains greeted him with great respect,
And washing his feet, gave him a seat of high honour.
With his wife, he bowed his head before the muni,
And had his whole house sprinkled with the water he had used to wash the sage’s feet.
The king declared in detail his own good fortune
And summoning his daughter, he placed her at the muni’s feet.
‘You are omniscient, and pervade all time, past, present and future,
Your reach is everywhere—
So consider carefully in your heart, great muni,
And tell me the virtues and faults of my daughter.’
(66)
The muni replied with a smile in sweet but enigmatical words,
‘Your daughter has an abundance of every virtue,
She is beautiful, amiable, good-natured and intelligent,
And her names will be Uma, Ambika and Bhavani.
The maiden is endowed with every good quality.
She will always be her husband’s beloved,
Who will be forever steady and firm by her side—
From this her father and mother will find fame and glory.
She will be worshipped throughout the whole world,
In her service, nothing will be impossible or difficult to attain.
Remembering her name, women in this world
Will walk the narrow, sword-sharp path of fidelity to their husbands.
O king of the mountain, your daughter is blessed with every good fortune and auspicious quality,
But hear now the two or three shortcomings—
Without virtue, without pride, without mother or father,
Indifferent to the world, without concern or care,
A yogi with matted locks, and a heart without desire,
Naked, in appearance disagreeable—
Such a husband will your daughter find,
For such are the lines on her palm.’
(67)
Hearing the muni’s words, and realizing their truth,
The father and mother were sorrowful, but Uma was delighted.
Even Narad did not see this difference,
For their outward reaction was the same, though their understanding was different.
Girija and her companions, and Himvat and his wife, Maina,
All trembled with emotion, and their eyes filled with tears.
A divine rishi’s utterance could not be wrong—
Knowing this, Uma held his words carefully in her heart.
Love for Shiv’s lotus feet sprang up in her heart,
Though in her mind she was apprehensive that finding him would be difficult.
Knowing it was not the right moment to declare it, she hid her love,
And went again to sit with her friends.
A divine rishi’s words are never untrue—
Thinking thus, her parents and her wiser companions grew anxious.
Steadying himself, the mountain king asked,
‘Tell us, O lord, what can we do to remedy this?’
Said the muni, ‘Listen to me, Himvant—
No god, no demon, no man, Naga, or muni
Can erase
That which Fate has written upon the forehead.
(68)
Even so, I will suggest a stratagem
Which may be successful if the gods help.
There is no doubt that Uma will get
A bridegroom such as I have described.
But each of the faults and shortcomings of the bridegroom that I have delineated,
May all be found in Shiv.
If she were to marry Shankar,
Everyone would declare these faults to be virtues.
Though Hari, reposing upon Sheshnag, uses a serpent as his bed,
The wise and learned do not hold it as a fault in him;
The sun and fire consume all moisture,
But no one calls them evil.
Clear as well as dirty water flows into her,
Yet no one calls the divine Ganga impure;
The mighty have no faults, O king,
Just as the sun, fire, or the divine river have none.
If foolish men, arrogant in their intelligence,
Try to emulate them,
They fall for an aeon into the mouth of hell.
Can any man be equal to the Supreme Lord?
(69)
Even if liquor was made with Ganga water,
Holy men would never drink it;
Yet, when poured into the Ganga, it becomes pure—
Such is the difference between God and man!
Shambhu is the inherently all-powerful Supreme Lord,
And in this marriage there is every kind of good.
Though it is certainly true that Mahesh is difficult to worship,
He is also quickly pleased by penance;
If your daughter practises penance,
Tripurari can erase what has been ordained.
Though there are many bridegrooms in the world,
For her there is Shiv and no other.
He is the giver of boons, the destroyer of the enemies of the humble;
An ocean of compassion, he delights the hearts of those who serve him.
No wish, no desire may be attained without propitiating Shiv,
Even if countless austerities and penances be practised or performed.’
So saying, and remembering Hari, Narad
Gave Girija his blessings, and said,
‘This good fortune will come to pass,
So now abandon all doubt, O lord of the mountain.’
(70)
Thus saying, the muni left for Brahma’s abode.
Now listen to what happened next—
Finding her husband alone, Maina said,
‘My lord, I did not understand the muni’s words.
If there be a family, a bridegroom, and a lineage without equal
Worthy of our daughter, let the wedding be performed,
Otherwise, let the girl remain unwed.
Husband, Uma is as dear to me as life itself—
If we cannot find a husband worthy of Girija
Everyone will say, “That Himvant is a blockhead and a fool.”
Bear that in mind, my husband, while arranging her wedding,
So that there be no grief or regret later on.’
Speaking thus, she fell at his feet and laid her head upon them.
The lord of the mountain lovingly replied,
‘Flames may appear and fire become manifest in the moon,
But Narad’s words can never be untrue.
Beloved, cast aside all worry
And meditate upon the Supreme God.
He who has created Parvati
Will also ensure her well-being.
(71)
Now, if you love your daughter,
Go to her and advise her that
She should practise those austerities by which she may find Mahesh—
There is no other way to get rid of this distress.
N
arad’s words are full of meaning and uttered for a reason—
Brishketu is endowed with every good quality.
Reflect upon this and abandon doubt—
Shankar is, in every way, without fault or blemish.’
Hearing her husband’s words she rejoiced in her heart,
And, rising, went at once to Girija.
On seeing Uma, her eyes filled with tears,
And lovingly she took her on her lap.
Again and again she hugged her to her bosom,
Her throat full, choking with emotion, unable to speak.
Then all-knowing Bhavani, mother of the universe,
Spoke in sweet tones to reassure her mother.
‘Listen, Mother, I had a dream
Which I will relate to you—
A noble Brahman, handsome, fair-skinned,
Instructed me thus:
(72)
“Go, practise penance, O daughter of the mountain,
Regard as truth Narad’s words;
Your mother and your father have liked this idea too,
For penance gives happiness and destroys sorrow and sin.
It is through the power of penance that Brahma creates this universe,
It is through the power of penance that Vishnu protects the whole world,
It is through the power of penance that Shambhu destroys it,45
And it is through the power of penance that Sheshnag supports the weight of the earth.
Upon penance rests all creation, Bhavani—
Knowing this in your heart, go then and practise it.”’
Hearing these words, her mother was wonderstruck,
And calling out for her husband, related the dream to him.
Reassuring her mother and father in many ways,
Uma, in great joy, set off to practise penance.
Her beloved family, her father and her mother,
Grew distressed and sorrowful and no words came to their lips.
Then came the great Muni Vedashira
And reassured them.
Hearing of Parvati’s glory,
They were comforted and consoled.
(73)
Uma, with devotion to her beloved lord’s feet in her heart,
Went into the forest and began her penance.
Her youthful body and delicate frame were not suited for such austerities,
But meditating upon her lord’s feet she gave up all comforts.
Each day, her love gained new strength,
She grew unmindful of her body, and fixed her mind only upon penance.
For a thousand years she ate only roots and fruits,
Then, eating only leaves and herbs, she passed another hundred years.
For some days, her food was air and water,
And for some days, she observed a strict and severe fast.
For three thousand years, she ate
The withered leaves of the bel tree46 scattered upon the ground.
Then she gave up even those dry leaves.
Thus did Uma’s name become ‘Aparna’, ‘she who is deprived of leaves’.
Seeing Uma’s body wasted by fasting,
Brahma’s deep voice filled the sky—
‘Listen, O daughter of the mountain!
Your heart’s desire has been fulfilled.
Abandon all these intolerable austerities,
For now you will find Tripurari.
(74)
No one has performed such penance, Bhavani,
Though there have been many saints, steadfast and wise.
Now keep in your heart these words from heaven,
Knowing them to be always true and forever holy.
When your father comes to call you
Give up your austerities and go home with him.
And when you meet the Saptarishi, the seven sages,
You will understand the truth of these words.’
Hearing Vidhi’s proclamation from the skies,
Girija, thrilled, rejoiced.
I have sung the enchanting story of Uma—
Now listen to the charming story of Shambhu.
From the moment that Sati had left, giving up her body,
Shiv’s heart had lost all interest in this world.
He constantly chanted Raghunayak’s name,
And wandered here and there, listening to the recitation of Ram’s virtues.
Shiv, who is knowledge, joy, and bliss embodied,
Who transcends love, desire and passion,
Wanders the earth, holding Hari,
The delight of all the worlds, in his heart.
(75)
Here he discourses to the munis upon knowledge and true wisdom,
There he relates and describes the virtues of Ram.
Though he is forever detached and free from desire,
The all-wise Supreme Lord suffered the grief of separation from his devoted wife, Sati.
In this manner many ages passed,
And each day Shankar’s love for Ram was renewed.
Seeing his great piety and love,
And the steadfast devotion he held in his heart,
Ram appeared before him.
Compassionate, ever mindful of former favours,
Full of beauty and grace, and radiant in his majesty,
He praised Shankar in many ways,
‘Who but you could have sustained such a vow?’
Ram consoled Shiv in every way he could,
And told him the story of Parvati’s birth.
The compassionate Lord related at length
Her exceptionally pure and virtuous actions, then said,
‘Now listen to my plea, Shiv—
If you have love for me,
Go and marry the daughter of the mountain.
Grant me this request of mine.’
(76)
‘Though this is not appropriate,’ replied Shiv,
‘The Lord’s words, once spoken, cannot be denied.
Holding your wish in deepest reverence, I will do as you desire,
For this, Lord, is my greatest duty.
The words of one’s mother, one’s father, one’s teacher and the Lord
Must be regarded as right and obeyed without thought or question.
You are in every way my greatest benefactor—
Your command, Lord, I honour.’
The Lord heard Shankar’s words with satisfaction,
Imbued as they were with devotion, wisdom and righteousness.
Said the Lord, ‘Har, your vow has been fulfilled.
Now keep in mind what I have said.’
So saying, he disappeared,
But Shankar kept his image in his heart.
At that very moment the Saptarishi came to Shiv,
And the god addressed them in pleasant tones.
‘Go to Parvati, all of you,
And test her love;
Then send the mountain king to her and have her brought home,
And remove her anxiety and uncertainty.’
(77)
When the rishis saw Gauri there,
She looked like penance personified.
Said the munis, ‘Tell us, daughter of the mountain,
Why do you practise such harsh penance?
Whom do you worship and what do you desire?
Why don’t you tell us the truth hidden in the recesses of your heart?’
‘I shrink from telling you my secret,
For you will laugh to hear of my foolishness.
My heart is obstinate and heeds no counsel—
It would raise a wall on water!
Taking Narad’s words as truth,
Without wings I want to fly.
Look at my foolishness, O munis—
I long constantly for Shiv as my husband.’
Hearing her words, the rishis laughed and said,
‘You have truly been begotten of the mountain!
Tell us, who has ever attained home and hearth
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Listening to Narad’s words?
(78)
He had instructed the sons of Daksh
Because of which they never saw their home again,47
He ruined Chitraketu’s home,48
And reduced Kanakakasipu to the same state.49
The men and women who listen to Narad’s advice
Most certainly lose their homes and become beggars.
Though outwardly he bears all the signs of a good man, his heart is deceitful—
He would make everyone like himself!
It is his words you have believed, and trusting them,
You want a husband who is inherently disinterested in everything,
Who is without attributes, cares nothing for the world, and has neither lineage nor a home;
With only the sky for a robe, skulls around his neck and serpents wound upon him, his attire is most inauspicious.
Tell us, what happiness will you get with such a husband?
It best that you forget the ravings of that thug Narad!
Shiv married Sati because the elders said he should,
And then he abandoned her and caused her to die.
Now he has no care and sleeps in peace,
And lives on the alms that he begs.
Can a woman ever stay and be happy
In the home of one so inherently solitary?
(79)
Even now, listen to what we say:
We have thought of a very good husband for you,
Exceedingly handsome, honest, courteous, who will make you happy,
The glory of whose deeds even the Vedas sing,
Without fault or blemish and the sum of every virtue—
He is Shri’s lord, who resides in the celestial city of Vaikunth.
We will bring that bridegroom to meet you.’
Hearing this, Bhavani laughed and said,
‘You are right that this body of mine has been begotten from the mountain—
I will die, but I will not give up my resolve!
Gold, too, is born of rock,
And does not give up its essential nature even if thrown into fire.
I will not disregard Narad’s words—
Whether my home will flourish or be ruined, I am not afraid.
The one who has no faith in his guru’s words
Does not attain to happiness even in dreams.
Mahadev may be the home of all vices,