Mena Holds the Mother of the World
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 72
Doha 72 · Movement 1 of 2
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Himavan tells Mena that true love for their daughter must now become wise counsel. Parvati should perform the tapasya by which Mahesh may be attained, for no other path will end the sorrow. Narada's words are filled with purpose, and the bull bannered Lord is a treasury of beauty and virtue, spotless in every way.
Hope returns to Mena. She rises and goes at once to Girija. At the sight of her daughter, tears fill her eyes. She draws Uma into her lap and presses her repeatedly against her heart, but emotion closes her throat before counsel can emerge.
The one held as a daughter is the all knowing Mother of the world. Bhavani understands the words Mena cannot speak and answers first, gently making room for the mother's burden.
Mena holds the Mother of all beings and finds herself unable to speak.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 72
Maina holds Uma close with tearful affection while Uma gently comforts her mother; the lower seating position is outside the close frame.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 91 · printed pages 89. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-072. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Maina is tearful and affectionate with Uma, repeatedly embraces her and cannot speak
- Uma speaks gently to comfort her mother
Artistic choices
- Select close maternal embrace and gentle speech; exact lower seated/lap alignment outside crop, chosen adult age/likenesses not authenticated or source-specified
- Approved conventional Maina/Uma appearances reused, close waist-up framing, arm around shoulder and small speaking/resting hands, tender expressions, modest sari arrangements, plain mountain-home wall, bough, mountain glimpse and warm paper ground added
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
अब जौ तुम्हहि सुता पर नेहू। तौ अस जाइ सिखावन देहू।। करै सो तपु जेहिं मिलहिं महेसू। आन उपायँ न मिटहि कलेसू।। नारद बचन सगर्भ सहेतू। सुंदर सब गुन निधि बृषकेतू।। अस बिचारि तुम्ह तजहु असंका। सबहि भाँति संकरु अकलंका।। सुनि पति बचन हरषि मन माहीं। गई तुरत उठि गिरिजा पाहीं।। उमहि बिलोकि नयन भरे बारी। सहित सनेह गोद बैठारी।। बारहिं बार लेति उर लाई। गदगद कंठ न कछु कहि जाई।। जगत मातु सर्बग्य भवानी। मातु सुखद बोलीं मृदु बानी।।
"Now, if you truly hold love for your daughter, go and offer her this counsel: let her undertake such tapasya by which Mahesh Himself may be won. Go, tell her to worship the Lord and practice austerity with steadfast resolve."