When Deceit Enters Like Sourness
Bala Kanda, Sortha 57
Sortha 57 · Movement 2 of 2
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Sati understands that the all knowing Shiva has seen everything. Her harsh thoughts about feminine nature are the language of self reproach, spoken inwardly by one who knows she deceived the person before whom concealment was impossible.
Tulsidas turns to milk and water. When joined in love, they mingle so fully that water is sold at the value of milk. But let the sourness of deceit fall between them, and separation begins. The taste is lost, the unity breaks, and what had become one divides again.
The image does not deny the former love. It reveals how falsehood changes the very medium in which trust had lived.
One drop of sourness enters, and milk releases the water it had embraced.
Read the passage from the Manas
सतीं हृदय अनुमान किय सबु जानेउ सर्बग्य। कीन्ह कपटु मैं संभु सन नारि सहज जड़ अग्य।।57क।। जलु पय सरिस बिकाइ देखहु प्रीति कि रीति भलि। बिलग होइ रसु जाइ कपट खटाई परत पुनि।।57ख।।
Sati guessed within her heart: "The All-knowing Lord has understood everything. I practiced deception upon Shambhu. A woman is by nature foolish and unaware."