The Third Eye Opens
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 87
Doha 87 · Movement 1 of 3
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Kamadeva climbs into the splendid branches of a mango tree, rage sharpening his final resolve. He sets a flower arrow upon the bow, draws the string back to his ear, and takes aim at the meditating Lord.
The shaft enters Shiva's heart. Samadhi releases, and a fierce agitation rises as Mahadeva opens his eyes upon the transformed forest. Among fragrant leaves and blossoms he sees the hidden archer.
Wrath shakes the three worlds. Shiva opens the third eye, and one glance turns Kama to ash. A cry passes through creation. Gods tremble, asuras rejoice, lovers grieve, and yogis discover their path suddenly without obstruction. The flower bow lies beside a form that no longer has a body.
From Shiva's brow comes one flame, and spring falls silent around a mound of ash.
Read the passage from the Manas
AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 87
Shiva opens his eyes and looks around with alert disturbance after samadhi breaks, before the later third-eye event.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 103, 104 · printed pages 101, 102. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-087. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- After samadhi breaks, Shiva's mind is disturbed and he opens his eyes, looking in all directions
- Selected part4 precedes later seeing Kama/third-eye event
Artistic choices
- Approved imaginative Shiva appearance reused, seated upright natural eyes-open gaze right/alert knit brow, separate resting hands, closed third-eye conventional mark, cream ochre drapery, simple stone/bough/hills/coral field added
- No earlier arrow action or later incineration/reactions montage; exact face/age/pose/geography/attributes not authenticated
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
देखि रसाल बिटप बर साखा। तेहि पर चढ़ेउ मदनु मन माखा।। सुमन चाप निज सर संधाने। अति रिस ताकि श्रवन लगि ताने।। छाड़े बिषम बिसिख उर लागे। छुटि समाधि संभु तब जागे।। भयउ ईस मन छोभु बिसेषी। नयन उघारि सकल दिसि देखी।। सौरभ पल्लव मदनु बिलोका। भयउ कोपु कंपेउ त्रैलोका।। तब सिवँ तीसर नयन उघारा। चितवत कामु भयउ जरि छारा।। हाहाकार भयउ जग भारी। डरपे सुर भए असुर सुखारी।। समुझि कामसुखु सोचहिं भोगी। भए अकंटक साधक जोगी।।
Seeing a fine mango tree with splendid branches, Kama, seething with fury, climbed upon it. He strung his flower-bow and fitted his arrow. With great anger he took aim and drew the bowstring against Shiva.