Only the Fortunate Will Survive the Sight
Bala Kanda, Chhand 9
Doha 95 · Movement 2 of 3
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The children pour out details between frightened breaths: bodies smeared with cremation ash, serpents and skulls worn as ornaments, naked figures with tangled hair and terrible faces.
Bhutas, disembodied wanderers, pisachas, fierce yoginis, and creatures of the night crowd behind the bull. To youthful eyes, the sacred procession is indistinguishable from a nightmare released into daylight.
Anyone who survives the sight, they declare, must possess enormous merit. Only such a person will remain alive long enough to witness Uma's wedding. The warning races from house to house faster than the procession itself.
Across Himavan's city, children spread the news that survival itself is the wedding invitation.
Read the passage from the Manas
तन छार ब्याल कपाल भूषन नगन जटिल भयंकरा। सँग भूत प्रेत पिसाच जोगिनि बिकट मुख रजनीचरा।। जो जिअत रहिहि बरात देखत पुन्य बड़ तेहि कर सही। देखिहि सो उमा बिबाहु घर घर बात असि लरिकन्ह कही।।
Bodies smeared with ash, serpents and skulls for ornaments, naked, matted-haired, terrifying. With them march bhoots, prets, pisaachas, yoginis, and night-wanderers with hideous faces.