Maina Sees the Bridegroom
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 96
Doha 96 · Movement 1 of 3
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The welcoming party escorts the baraat into beautiful guest quarters. Maina prepares the aarti herself and walks forward with women singing auspicious songs, a golden plate and sacred water bright in her hands.
Then she sees Rudra. Serpents, ash, skulls, matted locks, three eyes, and the terrible company behind him overturn every image a mother carried toward her daughter's wedding. The women flee into the palace while Mahesh proceeds calmly to the lodging.
Heavy sorrow fills Maina. She calls Parvati, seats her tenderly in her lap, and weeps through dark lotus eyes. How could the Creator who gave her daughter such beauty make the bridegroom appear so wild and mad?
The aarti flame trembles in Maina's hand before the ash covered groom.
Read the passage from the Manas
लै अगवान बरातहि आए। दिए सबहि जनवास सुहाए।। मैनाँ सुभ आरती सँवारी। संग सुमंगल गावहिं नारी।। कंचन थार सोह बर पानी। परिछन चली हरहि हरषानी।। बिकट बेष रुद्रहि जब देखा। अबलन्ह उर भय भयउ बिसेषा।। भागि भवन पैठीं अति त्रासा। गए महेसु जहाँ जनवासा।। मैना हृदयँ भयउ दुखु भारी। लीन्ही बोलि गिरीसकुमारी।। अधिक सनेहँ गोद बैठारी। स्याम सरोज नयन भरे बारी।। जेहिं बिधि तुम्हहि रूपु अस दीन्हा। तेहिं जड़ बरु बाउर कस कीन्हा।।
The welcoming party escorted the baraat into the city. Everyone was given lovely quarters at the janvaasa. Maina prepared an auspicious aarti with her own hands. Women sang shubha mangala songs alongside her.