Many varieties of lotus flowers sprouted in the countless ponds and lakes; they
were abuzz with the hum of bees hovering over them in search of nectar^2. (Chanda
line no. 3)
Swans, cuckoos and parrots sang in merry abundance^3 , while the Apsaras
(celestial damsels) sang and danced alongside to add charm to the composite scene^4.
(Chanda line no. 4)
[Note—A similar description is found in Ram Charit Manas, Aranya Kand, from
Chaupai line no. 7 that precedes Doha no. 39—to Doha no. 40.
(^1) More specifically, refer: Ram Charit Manas, Aranya Kand, Chaupai line no. 8
that precedes Doha no. 40.
(^2) Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Aranya Kand, Chaupai line no. 1 that precedes Doha
no. 40.
(^3) Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Aranya Kand, Chaupai line no. 2 that precedes Doha
no. 40.
(^4) Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line no. 4 that precedes Doha no.
61.]
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ø‹Ë Ÿ •ø‹ ‚◊ÊÁœ Á‚fl ∑§Ù¬©U NUŒÿÁŸ∑§ÃH 86H
dōhā.
sakala kalā kari kōṭi bidhi hārē'u sēna samēta.
calī na acala samādhi siva kōpē'u hṛdayanikēta. 86.
No matter how hard Kaamdeo and his army of followers^1 tried to disturb Shiva’s
meditative trance with all the nasty tricks they were aware of, they failed miserably in
their nefarious designs.
This utter defeat infuriated the god of passion who lives in a subtle manner in
the hearts of all living beings^2. (Doha no. 86)
[Note—^1 Kaamdeo’s followers are the tempting features of Nature listed in the above
verses—viz. fragrant and colourful flowers, breeze that is cool, sweet-scented and
soft, lush-green gardens and forests laden with trees bearing flowers and succulent
fruits, dancing and singing birds, insects and damsels, water bodies that lure a person
with their cool and crystal clear nectar-like water, and so on and so forth.
These verses tell us how difficult it is to be able to remain dispassionate and
detached when one is surrounded by a world of immense physical charm. These
countless charms of the world are like the symbolic army of Kaamdeo.
These verses also tell us that when an ascetic is submerged in meditation he is
unconcerned about his surroundings, and the bliss and peace that he gets when he
reaches higher stages of transcendental existence during meditation are more robust
and sustainable as compared to the pleasures and comforts obtained from the objects
of this material world. Therefore, an ascetic is unmoved by the temptations of the
world just like Lord Shiva remaining steadfast in his meditation inspite of all the
tricks that Kaamdeo played to disturb him.
(^2) This is a very important point: It tells us that Kaamdeo resides in our own selves,
inside our own hearts, and not somewhere in the imaginary heaven. It is a warning to
all of us to be wary of negative traits as lust and passions that may lead to ruin and
rob a person’s peace and calm if the person falls in their trap and fails to exercise self-
restraint. Kaamdeo is an integral part of every living being’s nature just like the
virtues of wisdom and the ability to discriminate between the good and the bad is. So
long as Kaamdeo is kept under check he will not attack a person and leave him in