101-102. There is a lot of fun and merry-making en-route to the bride’s place. One
cannot describe/narrate the joys and happiness of that time. The marriage party
arrived near the city to the accompaniment of music and singing of songs. (101)
There was a noisy tumult in the city and the whole of the mountain kingdom
erupted with exhilaration and joy.^1 It resembled the ocean which heaves and surges
ahead on watching a full moon. (102)
[Note—^1 Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line no. 1 that precedes Doha
no. 95.]
Shock waves in the city upon seeing Shiva and his companions
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pramudita gē agavāna bilōki barātahi.
bhabharē bana'i na rahata na bana'i parātahi. 103.
calē bhāji gaja bāji phirahiṁ nahiṁ phērata.
bālaka bhabhari bhulāna phirahiṁ ghara hērata. 104.
103-104. Those who were assigned with the duty to welcome the marriage party came
forward cheerfully, but when they saw the party they became horrified. At that time
they were in a fix—they could not decide whether to stay or run away. (103)
The elephants and horses (of the welcoming party that was sent to receive the
guests) ran away terrified (upon seeing the ghosts and phantoms in Shiva’s party), and
they could not be controlled. Even the children lost their nerves and ran away. They
lost their way back home, so much shocked they were at the fearful sight of ghosts
and phantoms that consisted of Shiva’s party. [It was a staggering and awesome sight.
The children were terrified; they ran back to their homes but lost the way in the melee
and hurry.]^1 (104)
[Note—^1 Refer: Chanda no. 7 above.
The frightening scenario is described in Ram Charit Manas, Chaupai line nos. 1-8
and Chanda that precede Doha no. 95. Let us see what happened:
“When the groom’s (Shiva’s marriage) party arrived near the city (of the bride,
Parvati), there was a joyous tumult in it, and this increased its charm and vibrancy.
Those who were assigned the task of receiving and welcoming the groom’s party
arranged all the necessary paraphernalia and went out to receive the guests. (1-2).
When they saw the Gods and their companions they felt very happy, and this
happiness increased manyfold when they saw Lord Vishnu with his retinue. [The
Gods and Lord Vishnu led the marriage party.] But as soon as they saw the groom
and his unconventional party (consiting of ghosts, spirits, phantoms etc.), they were
horrified, and the animals they rode (such as elephants, horses, bulls etc.) ran away
terrified. (3-4). Some amongst the group who were older in age gathered courage and
remained there, but youngersters were so scared at the sight that all of them ran away
from there and entered the city. When these youngsters reached home, their parents
asked them what happened. They answered with a trembling body—‘What can we
say; we don’t know what to say. Is this a marriage party or the army of the God of
Death? The groom (Shiva) is crazy and he rides a bull. He is adorned with serpents,
skulls and ash (of the fire sacrifice which he has smeared all over his body). (5-8).
Ash is smeared all over the groom’s body. His ornaments consist of serpents and