The Threat of Taraka
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 82
Doha 82 · Movement 1 of 2
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The sages send Himavan to the forest, and the mountain king brings Girija home through loving entreaty. Then they return to Shiva and recount every word of Uma's steadfast reply. Hearing the depth of her love, Mahadeva becomes absorbed in tenderness. The messengers depart rejoicing, and Shiva steadies his mind in meditation upon Raghunayak.
At that same time, terror expands through the worlds. The asura Taraka rises with immense strength, splendour, and the force of unconquered arms. He defeats rulers of every realm and strips the gods of happiness and prosperity.
No battle can overcome one shielded from age and death. After repeated defeat, the devas go to Brahma and cry out. The Creator looks upon the celestial assembly, once radiant, now exhausted beneath the power of a single enemy.
While Shiva meditates upon Ram, the defeated gods gather before Brahma beneath Taraka's shadow.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 82
Himavan accompanies Uma home after respectfully requesting her return, walking gently beside her along a mountain path.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 99 · printed pages 97. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-082. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- At sages' prompting Himavan respectfully requests Uma to return and brings her home
Artistic choices
- Return-home portion selected, later sages' Shiva report/meditation and Taraka material outside frame
- Approved imaginative Himavan/Uma appearances reused, father a halfstep ahead with low open guiding palm, daughter's willing calm walking/resting hands, ordinary foothill path/stream/tree/mountain gateway added; no physical coercion or precise authenticated geography/ages/faces
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
जाइ मुनिन्ह हिमवंतु पठाए। करि बिनती गिरजहिं गृह ल्याए।। बहुरि सप्तरिषि सिव पहिं जाई। कथा उमा कै सकल सुनाई।। भए मगन सिव सुनत सनेहा। हरषि सप्तरिषि गवने गेहा।। मनु थिर करि तब संभु सुजाना। लगे करन रघुनायक ध्याना।। तारकु असुर भयउ तेहि काला। भुज प्रताप बल तेज बिसाला।। तेंहि सब लोक लोकपति जीते। भए देव सुख संपति रीते।। अजर अमर सो जीति न जाई। हारे सुर करि बिबिध लराई।। तब बिरंचि सन जाइ पुकारे। देखे बिधि सब देव दुखारे।।
The sages went and sent word to Himavan, who brought Girija home with loving entreaty. Then the seven rishis (saptarishi) went to Shiva and told him the entire story of Uma.