Ram Asks One Boon from Shiva
Bala Kanda, Doha 76
Doha 76 · Movement 2 of 2
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Ram turns praise into a tender request. If Shiva holds affection for him, let that love take the form of one act: go to the daughter of the mountain and marry her.
The Supreme Lord does not command by force. He asks as a beloved asks, making Parvati's fulfilment and Shiva's healing the boon he desires for himself.
The ascetic stands before the one held always in his heart. Behind Ram's words wait the tapas of Aparna, the sorrow of Sati, and the future joy of the worlds. Love asks him to become a bridegroom.
Ram asks for no kingdom or sacrifice, only that Shiva receive Parvati's hand.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Doha 76
Rama respectfully asks Shiva to marry Shailaja, while Shiva listens attentively.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 95 · printed pages 93. Reader passage: bala-kanda-doha-077. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Rama asks Shiva to listen to his request if Shiva has love for him
- He requests Shiva to go marry Shailaja, granting this favour; no wedding occurs in the verse
Artistic choices
- Approved conventional Rama/Shiva appearances reused; Rama low open requesting palm, Shiva resting hands, ground seats, bow/quiver, bough/hills/coral field added
- Precise faces/ages, poses and conventional divine attributes imaginative, not authenticated; source speaker Rama, no Brahma/four-armed Vishnu
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
अब बिनती मम सुनेहु सिव जौं मो पर निज नेहु। जाइ बिबाहहु सैलजहि यह मोहि मागें देहु।।76।।
"Now hear my prayer, O Shiva, if you hold any affection for me. Go and wed Sailaja, the daughter of the mountain. Grant me this one boon."