Shiva or Lifetimes of Solitude
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 81
Doha 81 · Movement 1 of 2
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Parvati answers the sages with courtesy as firm as stone. Had they reached her before Narada, she would have received their counsel upon her bowed head. But this birth has already been offered for Shambhu. Praise and blame can no longer calculate the value of what has been surrendered.
If the sages insist upon arranging another marriage, the world holds countless maidens. For Parvati there is one vow across millions of births: she will marry Shiva or remain unmarried. Even if Mahesh himself speaks against it a hundred times, she will not abandon the Guru's instruction.
The Mother of the world bows at their feet and gently dismisses them, noting how late it has become. The test has reached its end. Seeing her love, the wise sages drop the disguise of ridicule and acclaim Jagadambika Bhavani.
The laughter ceases, and seven sages bow before the devotion they could not move.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 81
Seven sages recognize Uma's love and praise Jagadambika Bhavani while she sits calmly in the grove.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 98 · printed pages 96. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-081. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Seeing Uma's love, the wise sages praise Jagadambika Bhavani
Artistic choices
- Final recognition/praise selected before bow/departure; all seven source-count sages included with imaginative individual ages/faces/hair/robes
- Approved Uma/sage appearances reused, whitebearded sage small low speaking palm, remaining resting hands and softly reverent faces, seated/standing arrangement, mat/stream/trees/mountains/distant small pavilion added; no literal future marriage/rebirth montage
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
जौं तुम्ह मिलतेहु प्रथम मुनीसा। सुनतिउँ सिख तुम्हारि धरि सीसा।। अब मैं जन्मु संभु हित हारा। को गुन दूषन करै बिचारा।। जौं तुम्हरे हठ हृदयँ बिसेषी। रहि न जाइ बिनु किएँ बरेषी।। तौ कौतुकिअन्ह आलसु नाहीं। बर कन्या अनेक जग माहीं।। जन्म कोटि लगि रगर हमारी। बरउँ संभु न त रहउँ कुआरी।। तजउँ न नारद कर उपदेसू। आपु कहहि सत बार महेसू।। मैं पा परउँ कहइ जगदंबा। तुम्ह गृह गवनहु भयउ बिलंबा।। देखि प्रेमु बोले मुनि ग्यानी। जय जय जगदंबिके भवानी।।
Had you met me first, O lords among sages, I would have placed your teaching upon my head. But now I have surrendered this very birth for Shambhu's sake. Who then is virtuous, and who is of poor conduct? My resolve is set.