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JULY, 1876.]
TRANSLATION FROM THE RAMAYANA OF TULSI DÂS.
219
having prepared an elegant sacrificial lamp, and lustrous water in a golden bowl, proceeded with much gladness to move it round and round over Siva's head, while her attendants sang festive songs. When they saw his terrible attire the women feared greatly, and ran inside the house all of a tremble. Mahadeva advanced to the guest-room, and Maina, sorely grieved at heart, called her daughter and in the most loving manner took her into her lap, while her lotus-eyes overflowed with tears :-" To think that the Creator should have made you so beautiful, and then given you such a raving fool for a bridegroom!"
Chhand 10. " How can God send such a raving groom for
such a lovely bride? What a thorn-bush is our wishing-tree, the
fruit for which we cried ! From mountain-top, in sea or fire, I cast me
down with theo : Welcome disgrace, so they be gone; this wedding ne'er shall be."
Dola 104. All the ladies were distrest when they saw the qucen so sad, who in her deep affection for her danghter began to weep and make great lamentation.
Champái. “What harm had I done to Narada that he should make my home desolate, and give Umi such advice, to undergo penance for the sake ofa mad bridegroom ? In good sooth he is fancyfree and passionless, an ascetic who wants neither money, nor house, nor wife, and therefore is destroying another's home; he has neither shame nor compunction; for what does a barren woman know of the pangs of childbirth ?" When Bhavani saw her mother's distress, she answered thus placidly and discreetly, "Be not troubled, my mother, with these thoughts, for God's plans are unalterable. If Fate decrees m3 a mad husband, then why should any one bo blamed P can you blot out the handwriting of the Creator; then refrain from profitless reproaches."
Chhand 11. “Cease from profitless reproaches, nor in vain
bemoan my fate; I must go where'er my destined joys and sorrows
for me wait."
Hearing Uma's pious answer, all her ladies felt
surprise, Much they talked of God's injustice, while the tears bedewed their eyes.
Dohá 105. At that timo came Narada, and with him the sages (for they had heard the news), and at onco betook themselves to the king's palace.
Claup@i. Then Nîrada instructed them all, and recited in full the past history, saying, "Hear, O Maina ! my words are true; your daughter is Bhavani, the mother of the world, the everlasting Female Energy; without birth or beginning; Sambhu's inseparable half; the creator, supporter and destroyer of the universe; who at will assumes the semblance of human form. First she was born in Daksha's house, Sati by name, of excellent beauty. Then as Satî she married Sankara, and her story is famous throughout the world,-how once with Siva she met the sun of Raghu's lotus-line (i.e. Rima), and in her infatuation was not obedient to Siva, but was beguiled into assuming the form of Sità.
Chhand 12. "For the crime of this assumption she was
widowed many a day, Till in the fire before her sire her sins were
burnt away. Now, born your daughter, for her lord in
penitence she stayed ; And Siva aye shall be her lord ; know this, nor be dismayed."
Dola 106. On hearing Narada's explanation, the sadness of all was dispersed, and in a moment his words were spread from house to house throughout the city.
Chaupai. Then Maina and Himavant were glad and fell again and again at Parvati's feet. All the people of the city, whatever their age, men and women alike, were equally delighted. - Songs of joy began to sound in the streets ; golden vases were displayed ; meats were dressed in various ways according to the rules of gastronomic science. But the banquet-table of Bhavâni and her mother was altogether beyond description. The marriage guests-Vishnu, Brahma, and all the heavenly orders-were courteously entreated, and took their seats line after line. Then the skilful servers began to serve, and the women,
