The Ganas Dress Their Lord
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 92
Doha 92 · Movement 1 of 2
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Shiva's ganas prepare the bridegroom with complete devotion and no interest in royal convention. They raise his matted locks as a crown and wind a serpent where another groom would wear a jeweled crest. Snakes become earrings, bracelets, and sacred thread. Ash covers his limbs, and a tiger skin serves as wedding silk.
The crescent shines upon his brow, Ganga moves through his hair, three eyes face the worlds, poison darkens his throat, and a garland of human heads rests across his chest. The seemingly inauspicious attire belongs to Shiva, compassionate abode of every auspiciousness.
Holding trident and damaru, he mounts the bull as instruments sound. Celestial women smile, wondering where a bride fit for such a groom could be found. Vishnu, Brahma, and the gods join in magnificent array, yet no part of the stately procession resembles the one at its centre.
Beneath the serpent crown, the wild bridegroom rides toward the palace of snow.
Read the passage from the Manas
सिवहि संभु गन करहिं सिंगारा। जटा मुकुट अहि मौरु सँवारा।। कुंडल कंकन पहिरे ब्याला। तन बिभूति पट केहरि छाला।। ससि ललाट सुंदर सिर गंगा। नयन तीनि उपबीत भुजंगा।। गरल कंठ उर नर सिर माला। असिव बेष सिवधाम कृपाला।। कर त्रिसूल अरु डमरु बिराजा। चले बसहँ चढ़ि बाजहिं बाजा।। देखि सिवहि सुरत्रिय मुसुकाहीं। बर लायक दुलहिनि जग नाहीं।। बिष्नु बिरंचि आदि सुरब्राता। चढ़ि चढ़ि बाहन चले बराता।। सुर समाज सब भाँति अनूपा। नहिं बरात दूलह अनुरूपा।।
Shiva's ganas lovingly adorn their Lord for the wedding. Matted locks are piled high as a crown, a serpent coiled upon it as the crest-jewel. Snakes serve as earrings, snakes as bracelets on his wrists. Sacred ash covers every limb; a tiger skin is his wedding garment.