Tapasya Given a Body
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 78
Doha 78 · Movement 1 of 2
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The seven sages find Gauri in the wilderness and behold what appears to be austerity itself given bodily form. They ask the mountain daughter why she has undertaken such severity, whom she worships, and what secret desire she carries.
Parvati hesitates. She imagines they will laugh when they hear the impossible longing. Her mind has refused every lesser counsel and seeks to build upon water, to fly without wings. Yet Narada's word is true, and concealment would betray the vow.
She names the desire plainly: Shiva and no other must be her husband. The frail ascetic stands before seven ancient seers with no argument but unwavering love.
In the silent forest, Parvati speaks the name Shiva before the seven sages.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 78
Uma shyly explains her resolve to seven sages, saying she trusts Narada's words and wishes for Shiva as husband.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 96 · printed pages 94. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-078. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Uma shyly tells the seven sages they will laugh at her folly
- She trusts Narada's words as true and desires Shiva as husband, using water-wall and wingless-flight comparisons in speech
Artistic choices
- Approved imaginative Uma and seven sage appearances reused, Uma low speaking palm/lowered shy gaze, three seated sages/four standing behind, resting poses and matte coral bough/hills/path added
- Count seven specified by source; individual sages' ages/faces/names not authenticated. Literary comparisons not literalized, no actual Shiva/Narada figure or completed marriage
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
रिषिन्ह गौरि देखी तहँ कैसी। मूरतिमंत तपस्या जैसी।। बोले मुनि सुनु सैलकुमारी। करहु कवन कारन तपु भारी।। केहि अवराधहु का तुम्ह चहहू। हम सन सत्य मरमु किन कहहू।। कहत बचत मनु अति सकुचाई। हँसिहहु सुनि हमारि जड़ताई।। मनु हठ परा न सुनइ सिखावा। चहत बारि पर भीति उठावा।। नारद कहा सत्य सोइ जाना। बिनु पंखन्ह हम चहहिं उड़ाना।। देखहु मुनि अबिबेकु हमारा। चाहिअ सदा सिवहि भरतारा।।
The rishis beheld Gauri there. What did she look like? Like tapasya itself given bodily form. The sages spoke: "Listen, O daughter of the mountain. What austerity do you practise, and for whom?"