Rati Before the Lord Who Burned Her Husband
Bala Kanda, Chhand 6
Doha 87 · Movement 2 of 3
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Yogis rejoice in a path cleared of its thorn, but the cosmic victory becomes intimate grief when Rati hears what happened. She falls unconscious, then rises into lamentation for the husband whose body has vanished.
Weeping, she goes directly to Shankara. The one who burned Kama is also the only refuge capable of answering the loss. With joined hands she stands before him and pleads in many ways, love stripping all pride from her voice.
Shiva looks upon the grieving woman. The easily pleased Lord does not harden himself behind the justice of wrath. Compassion turns toward the consequence of his own fire.
Rati kneels beside the ashes, and Shiva's anger gives way before her tears.
Read the passage from the Manas
जोगि अकंटक भए पति गति सुनत रति मुरुछित भई। रोदति बदति बहु भाँति करुना करति संकर पहिं गई। अति प्रेम करि बिनती बिबिध बिधि जोरि कर सन्मुख रही। प्रभु आसुतोष कृपाल सिव अबला निरखि बोले सही।।
The yogis were freed from all obstruction, for Kama's power was destroyed. Hearing her husband's fate, Rati fell senseless to the ground. Weeping, lamenting, pouring out her grief in countless ways, she went before Shankara and pleaded for his mercy.