Vishnu Offered, Shiva Chosen
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 80
Doha 80 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
The sages offer an alternative bridegroom: Vishnu, supremely beautiful, pure, gentle, giver of joy, praised by the Vedas, faultless treasury of every virtue, Lord of Lakshmi dwelling in Vaikuntha. They will bring this perfect match if Parvati abandons the ash clad ascetic.
Bhavani smiles. Their praise is true, but her resolve cannot be transferred. The body may fall before the vow leaves her. Gold does not abandon its nature in fire, nor will she abandon Narada's word through the burning force of ridicule.
Forest or palace, fulfilment or apparent ruin, she is not afraid. One who lacks faith in the Guru's teaching cannot attain happiness or spiritual accomplishment even in dream. Her devotion honours Vishnu without using his greatness as a reason to betray Shiva.
Vaikuntha shines in the sages' offer, and Parvati's heart remains upon Kailash.
Read the passage from the Manas
अजहूँ मानहु कहा हमारा। हम तुम्ह कहुँ बरु नीक बिचारा।। अति सुंदर सुचि सुखद सुसीला। गावहिं बेद जासु जस लीला।। दूषन रहित सकल गुन रासी। श्रीपति पुर बैकुंठ निवासी।। अस बरु तुम्हहि मिलाउब आनी। सुनत बिहसि कह बचन भवानी।। सत्य कहेहु गिरिभव तनु एहा। हठ न छूट छूटै बरु देहा।। कनकउ पुनि पषान तें होई। जारेहुँ सहजु न परिहर सोई।। नारद बचन न मैं परिहरऊँ। बसउ भवनु उजरउ नहिं डरऊँ।। गुर कें बचन प्रतीति न जेही। सपनेहुँ सुगम न सुख सिधि तेही।।
Even now, heed our words. We have thought of a fine bridegroom for you. Supremely beautiful, pure, delightful, and gentle of nature, whose glory and virtue the Vedas themselves sing.