No Portion for Shiva
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 63
Doha 63 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bhavani enters her father's house and finds no homecoming. Only her mother receives her with genuine warmth. Her sisters meet her with smiles edged by mockery, while Daksha does not ask after her welfare. At the sight of his daughter, anger burns through his body instead of affection.
Sati walks into the sacrificial arena. Fires blaze, priests move in order, and offerings stand prepared for the gods. She searches the ritual arrangement and finds nowhere a portion consecrated for Shambhu. The empty place makes Shiva's warning suddenly present in every detail.
Her own humiliation had not pierced so deeply. The insult to her Lord becomes an unbearable fire. Among the world's many sufferings, contempt directed at what one holds sacred cuts with singular force. Her mother tries repeatedly to console her, but grief has already hardened into wrath.
Among the ordered offerings, one empty place burns brighter than every altar.
Read the passage from the Manas
पिता भवन जब गई भवानी। दच्छ त्रास काहुँ न सनमानी।। सादर भलेहिं मिली एक माता। भगिनीं मिलीं बहुत मुसुकाता।। दच्छ न कछु पूछी कुसलाता। सतिहि बिलोकि जरे सब गाता।। सतीं जाइ देखेउ तब जागा। कतहुँ न दीख संभु कर भागा।। तब चित चढ़ेउ जो संकर कहेऊ। प्रभु अपमानु समुझि उर दहेऊ।। पाछिल दुखु न हृदयँ अस ब्यापा। जस यह भयउ महा परितापा।। जद्यपि जग दारुन दुख नाना। सब तें कठिन जाति अवमाना।। समुझि सो सतिहि भयउ अति क्रोधा। बहु बिधि जननीं कीन्ह प्रबोधा।।
When Bhavani arrived at her father's house, Daksha, out of hostility, offered her no honour at all. Only her mother greeted her with warmth and respect. Her sisters met her with broad, mocking smiles.