has been already decided by the Creator, but efforts can be made to select the best
possible choice from the available options. In the present set of circumstances, the
best line of action for Parvati was to marry Lord Shiva because the Lord is all-
powerful and almighty, and therefore his majestic presence by the side of Parvati
would neutralise all the negative effects that her bad stars portend for her future. So
what wrong was he doing? All these events are narrated in Ram Charit Manas, Baal
Kand, from Chaupai line no. 1 that precedes Doha no. 65—to Chaupai line no. 1 that
precedes Doha no. 71.
*A girl of a marriageable age and her parents try their best to get a good groom
for her. After all, the girl has to spend the rest of her life with the chosen man. If the
girl is pretty like Parvati was, it is natural to expect that her future husband would be
smart and handsome, and not as odd as Lord Shiva is. This was the precise point that
the Spata-rishis had raised when they tried to prevail upon Parvati to abandon the idea
of having Shiva as her husband because he would not fit to be by her side, and instead
opt for Lord Vishnu who is fabulous to behold and is praised even by the Vedas, the
holy scriptures. Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line nos. 1-4 that
precede Doha no. 80.]‚Êø„È°U ©Uã„U ∑¥§ ◊Ù„U Ÿ ◊ÊÿÊ – ©UŒÊ‚ËŸ œŸÈ œÊ◊È Ÿ ¡ÊÿÊH 3H
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sācēhum̐ unha kēṁ mōha na māyā. udāsīna dhanu dhāmu na jāyā. 3.
para ghara ghālaka lāja na bhīrā. bām̐jha ki jāna prasava kai pīrā. 4.
Indeed it is true that he (Shiva, the groom) has no worldly attachments and attractions
of any kind (because neither does he long for respect and expect honour, nor does he
show-off his powers and majesty by external pomp and pageantry like the other gods
were doing)^1. He is dispassionate and detached so much so that he has no (yearning
for) wealth, a home, or an off-spring. (3)
[Now, turning her ire on Narad, Maina pours scorn at him—] Really, he
(Narad) has no shame or any fear worth the name in ruining the home of others^2. Say,
what does a barren woman know about the pain of childbirth?^3 (4)
[Note—^1 Shiva’s external appearances and demeanours clearly showed that the Lord
had no attractions for worldly things and materials of comfort and glamour. He
appeared to be an incarnate ascetic who is not at all concerned about what to wear
and how the world treats him. Shiva showed his true nature and life-style by coming
to the bride’s place dressed in his usual attire, and surrounded by his usual
companions. There was no trace of pretension or glamour with Shiva. This in itself is
a wonderful character and shows honesty and trustworthiness.
When Maina went to perform Shiva’s “Aarti”, her companions ran away in terror
at the Lord’s sight—because he was half-naked, had ash and serpents all over his
body, wore a garland around his neck. Obviously, no one would expect a
‘bridegroom’ to be dressed like this. Even Maina did not perform the Aarti to
welcome Lord Shiva. Let alone the Lord being her daughter’s future husband, not
doing Aarti is an insult to a guest; it is highly uncivil and uncourteus not to do Aarti
of a guest. Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line nos. 2-5 that precede
Doha no. 96.
The remarkable thing to note here is that Lord Shiva did not mind and take
offense at this apparent rude reception that he received at Himwaan’s place. Earlier
also, when the marriage party had arrived on the outskirts of the city, the children had
run away screaming when they saw Lord Shiva, an action that would normally be
deemed as being highly rude and insulting for the guest and his companions. Refer: