Skulls, Blood, and Joy
Bala Kanda, Chhand 7
Doha 93 · Movement 2 of 3
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The retinue surges into view in violent contrasts. Some attendants are skeletal, others immense. Pure and impure appearances travel side by side without hierarchy.
Fearsome ornaments cover them. Skulls hang from hands, fresh blood streaks bodies, and faces take the shapes of donkey, dog, boar, and jackal. No count can contain their variations.
Ghosts, restless spirits, flesh eating beings, yoginis, and strange ascetics join the wedding company. These are not enemies conquered by Shiva. They are beloved members of his household, welcomed exactly from the margins where ordinary society placed them.
The outcast hosts march beneath Shiva's banner as honoured guests of the wedding.
Read the passage from the Manas
तन खीन कोउ अति पीन पावन कोउ अपावन गति धरें। भूषन कराल कपाल कर सब सद्य सोनित तन भरें।। खर स्वान सुअर सृकाल मुख गन बेष अगनित को गनै। बहु जिनस प्रेत पिसाच जोगि जमात बरनत नहिं बनै।।
Some ganas are bone-thin, some enormously fat. Some wear forms of purity, some take on impure shapes. All bear fearsome ornaments, carry skulls in their hands, and their bodies are smeared with fresh blood.