The Mountain King Opens His Daughter's Palm
Bala Kanda, Doha 66
Doha 66 · Movement 2 of 2
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Himavan sits before Narada with a father's reverence and concern. The sage knows past, present, and future; his sight travels where ordinary love cannot follow.
The mountain king asks him to look inwardly and speak without concealment. What virtues will flower in his daughter? What faults or hardships are written into the life ahead of her?
Parvati waits within the gathered household while her future rests symbolically in the lines of her hand. The father who can support forests and rivers cannot by strength alone see where those fine marks lead.
A hand rests open before Narada, small enough to hold and marked with a cosmic destiny.
Read the passage from the Manas
त्रिकालग्य सर्बग्य तुम्ह गति सर्बत्र तुम्हारि।। कहहु सुता के दोष गुन मुनिबर हृदयँ बिचारि।।66।।
"O great sage, you know all three times and are all-knowing; your sight reaches everywhere. Tell me, reflecting within your heart, the faults and virtues of my daughter."