The Chastity That Shields Jalandhara
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 123
Doha 123 · Movement 1 of 2
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Jaya and Vijaya cannot be freed after a single fall, even when slain by Bhagavan, for the word of the brahmin sages must stand true across three births. For their welfare, the devotee loving Lord repeatedly accepts a body. In one kalpa Kashyapa and Aditi become his parents, as Dasharatha and Kausalya will be known in another, and the deeds of the incarnation purify the world.
Shiva then recalls an age when Jalandhara overwhelms the gods in battle. The celestial hosts are driven back, and even Shambhu's vast war cannot bring the mighty demon down. Weapons strike, armies reel, and still the asura king remains beyond defeat.
The source of his strength abides away from the battlefield. Jalandhara's wife guards perfect fidelity, and the power of her chastity surrounds him like an unseen fortress. Even Purari cannot break through while her vow remains whole.
Beyond the clash of Shiva's weapons, one woman's unbroken fidelity keeps Jalandhara standing.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 123
Jalandhara's devoted wife portrait before later deception/curse
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 137 · printed pages 135. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-123. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Jalandhara's wife extremelydevoted/chaste; by herstrength Purari cannot conquerhim
- Verse leaves wife unnamed, adjoining witnessHindi callsVrinda; selected representedportrait before later vow/deception/curse
Artistic choices
- NEW imagined adultwarmbrownwoman darkbraid cream/emerald-green sariveil bindi/simplegoldheadjewel/earrings/necklace/bangles and hairflowers; exactface/age/likeness/body/robe/jewels artistconventions unauthenticated, notexistingMaina/Uma identity
- Serenequietupright seatedplaincreamstonebench ownhandsrestlap, exactgesture/floralbough/gardenlowwall/trees/distantpavilion artistsettingunauthenticated nothistoricalresidence
- No literal fidelityshield/magicpower/Jalandhar battle, actualdeception/intimacy/curse or Tulasi metamorph; portraitsourcewife-role only
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
मुकुत न भए हते भगवाना। तीनि जनम द्विज बचन प्रवाना।। एक बार तिन्ह के हित लागी। धरेउ सरीर भगत अनुरागी।। कस्यप अदिति तहाँ पितु माता। दसरथ कौसल्या बिख्याता।। एक कलप एहि बिधि अवतारा। चरित्र पवित्र किए संसारा।। एक कलप सुर देखि दुखारे। समर जलंधर सन सब हारे।। संभु कीन्ह संग्राम अपारा। दनुज महाबल मरइ न मारा।। परम सती असुराधिप नारी। तेहि बल ताहि न जितहिं पुरारी।।
Even though slain by Bhagavan, they were not liberated, for by the words of the Brahmins (the Sanakadi sages) they were bound to take three births. Once, for their sake, the Lord who loves His devotees (bhakta-anuragi) assumed a body.