Kamadeva Smiles at His Doom
Bala Kanda, Doha 83
Doha 83 · Movement 2 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
The gods tell Kamadeva the whole calamity and the part he must play. He turns the request within his heart and understands its conclusion before the journey begins.
To oppose Shambhu will bring him no good. The flower bow has conquered gods, sages, creatures, and worlds, but the one seated beyond desire is not another ordinary target.
Kamadeva smiles as he speaks the warning aloud. The smile holds courage, resignation, and the strange dignity of one who sees death upon the road yet does not refuse those who need him.
Kamadeva lifts the flower bow and smiles toward the fire he already foresees.
Read the passage from the Manas
AI-created devotional illustration · Doha 83
Kama reflects with a restrained smile and replies to two representative gods, with his flower bow resting behind him.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 100 · printed pages 98. Reader passage: bala-kanda-doha-084. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Gods describe their distress; Kama reflects inwardly and smiles
- He says opposition to Shambhu will not be good for him; selected reflective reply precedes later events
Artistic choices
- Approved imaginative Kama and two representative devas' appearances reused, Kama hand at own chest/lowered thoughtful small smile, gods attentive resting hands, separate seated mats/forest/stream/hills and inactive flower bow/quiver/fish banner added
- No false foe-of-asuras epithet or future harm/actual Shiva conflict depicted; precise faces/ages/poses conventional imaginative not authenticated
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
सुरन्ह कहीं निज बिपति सब सुनि मन कीन्ह बिचार। संभु बिरोध न कुसल मोहि बिहसि कहेउ अस मार।।83।।
The gods told him all their troubles. After reflecting within his heart, the foe of the asuras smiled and said: "Enmity with Shambhu will not end well for me."