The Children See the Baraat
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 95
Doha 95 · Movement 1 of 3
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News reaches the city that the wedding party is near. Joyful uproar fills the streets, and the formal welcoming company sets out on decorated vehicles. They rejoice at the shining armies of the gods and the sight of Hari among them.
Then Shiva's own society comes into view. Vehicles rear and scatter. The wise force themselves to remain, but children flee for their lives and rush into their homes, trembling before their parents.
They can hardly describe what they saw. It looked like the army of Death arriving as wedding guests. The bridegroom seemed mad, riding a bull, covered in ash and adorned with serpents and skulls. The festive road has become, in their terrified telling, the approach of the end of the world.
Wedding drums sound outside while frightened children bolt the doors against the bridegroom.
Read the passage from the Manas
नगर निकट बरात सुनि आई। पुर खरभरु सोभा अधिकाई।। करि बनाव सजि बाहन नाना। चले लेन सादर अगवाना।। हियँ हरषे सुर सेन निहारी। हरिहि देखि अति भए सुखारी।। सिव समाज जब देखन लागे। बिडरि चले बाहन सब भागे।। धरि धीरजु तहँ रहे सयाने। बालक सब लै जीव पराने।। गएँ भवन पूछहिं पितु माता। कहहिं बचन भय कंपित गाता।। कहिअ काह कहि जाइ न बाता। जम कर धार किधौं बरिआता।। बरु बौराह बसहँ असवारा। ब्याल कपाल बिभूषन छारा।।
When the townspeople hear that the baraat has arrived near the city, a joyful commotion fills the streets, adding to the splendor. Adorning themselves and readying vehicles of every kind, the welcoming party sets out with respect to receive the procession.