bound to arise in his heart. But Lord Shiva has full control over his senses and urges,
and is a renunciate hermit. So it did not matter to him who is serving him, and
whether the server is a woman or a man. If the Lord is pleased by his devotee, it is
because of the latter’s devotion and service, and not because he is either a girl or a
boy!]
Indeed, those who can exercise control or establish a tight leash on Kamdeo-
cupid symbolising natural urges such as love, passions, desires, longing,
lasciviousness, amorous tendencies, physical attractions etc. towards the other sex
even while the cause for such faults exist in the vicinity, are really deemed to be
courageous, self-restrained, patient, calm, strong-willed and brave.
[In other words, it is next to impossible to exercise self-control over one’s
passions and lust when one is in close proximity of the opposite sex. If one is able to
actually practice such restraint then he is surely praise-worthy as a man who has self
control. The term ‘being brave’ implies that passion and lust or sexual desires are
such a strong force that one who can conquer them is a true warrior. It is easy to win
an opponent in battle but it is impossible to overcome these negative urges.
Parvati was serving Lord Shiva at close quarters. She was handsome, young,
pretty and attractive. The fact that her presence did not stir Lord Shiva a bit proves
that he has exemplary self-restraint.]^2 (Chanda no. 3)
[Note—^1 Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line no. 3 that precedes Doha
no. 74.
(^2) Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line nos. 3-4 that precede Doha
no. 82.]
nso nsf[k Hky le; eukst cqyk;mA
dgsm dfjv lqj dktq lktq lft vk;mAA25AA
ckensm lu dkeq cke gksb cjrsmA
tx t; en funjsfl Q# ik;fl Qj rsmAA26AA
dēva dēkhi bhala samaya manōja bulāya'u.
kahē'u kari'a sura kāju sāju saji āya'u. 25.
bāmadē'u sana kāmu bāma hō'i baratē'u.
jaga jaya mada nidarēsi pharu pāyasi phara tē'u. 26.
25-26. The Gods saw an opportune moment and summoned Kamdeo-cupid (the
patron God of love, passions, desire and longing) and asked him to do the job of the
Gods. At their instruction (or rather, request), he made all the necessary arrangements
and arrived at the site (where Lord Shiva was meditating and was being served by
Parvati).^1 (25)
Kamdeo behaved mischievously with Bamdeo (Shiva)—he showed disrespect
to the latter with the arrogance of the one who has conquered the world and is proud
that no one can ever dare stand his onslaught.
Kamdeo received the fruits of his arrogance that led him to commit
unpardonable mischief. He was duly rewarded (i.e. punished) for his misdeeds and
misdemeanours.^2 (26)
[Note—^1 What was the ‘job of the Gods’ that was to be done? This is clearly
mentioned in Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, from Chaupai line no. 5 that precedes
Doha no. 82—to Chaupai line no. 7 that precedes Doha no. 83. Briefly it is that a
demon named Tarakaasur was causing havoc in creation, tormenting the gods as well
as all other creatures of creation. It was destined that he could only be killed by the