May 8 - Sargas 35 and 36 of Balakanda.
We now read brief accounts of the river Goddess Ganga and her sister Parvati.
The entourage of sage Vishwamitra proceeds from the bank of Shona river after he explains that they are taking the course made sacred by rishis of yore.
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ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं गतेऽर्धदिवसे तदा।
जाह्नवीं सरितां श्रेष्ठां ददृशुर्मुनिसेविताम् ॥
तां दृष्ट्वा पुण्यसलिलां हंससारससेविताम्।
बभूवुर्मुनयः सर्वे मुदिताः सह राघवाः ॥
After travelling a considerable distance over half a day, they arrive at the bank of the great river Ganga, worshipped by sages.
Looking upon her, holy river, visited by swans and cranes, all the sages along with Sri Rama were delighted.
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They all perform their prayers and rest there. Sri Rama requests Vishwamitra to narrate the story and glory of Ganga that purifies the three worlds. Sage Vishwamitra begins by saying how the glorious mountain Himalaya, full of splendid fauna, flora and minerals, begot two daughters with his dear wife, the splendid Mena, daughter of the Meru mountain.
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तस्यां गङ्गेयमभवज्ज्येष्ठा हिमवतः सुता ।
उमा नाम द्वितीयाभूत्कन्या तस्यैव राघव ॥
ददौ धर्मेण हिमवांस्तनयां लोकपावनीम् ।
स्वच्छन्दपथगां गङ्गां त्रैलोक्यहितकाम्यया ॥
उग्रेण तपसा युक्तां ददौ शैलवरः सुताम् ।
रुद्रायाप्रतिरूपाय उमां लोकनमस्कृताम् ॥
Born to Mena Devi was this Ganga, the first daughter of Himavan.
His second daughter was Uma.
Himavan out of magnanimity and concern for the welfare of the three worlds, gave away to the gods in response to their request the sacred Ganga, who would become a great river that flowed where she wanted.
His second daughter Uma, who performed great tapas to win the hand of Shiva, the glorious mountain king Himavan duly gave in marriage to Rudra Shiva, of incomparable good looks, and she would be the Goddess worshipped by all in the world.
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Prodded on by Sri Rama, Vishwamitra briefly narrates the birth of Karttikeya.
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पुरा राम कृतोद्वाहः शितिकण्ठो महातपाः।
दृष्ट्वा त स्पृहया देवीं मैथुनायोपचक्रमे ॥
O Rama, after marrying Devi Uma, Shiva, who had performed great tapas before, looked at her amorously and engaged in coitus with her.
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The sage narrates how their union went on for a hundred years. The gods became very concerned that the great Shiva's energy, along with Devi's energy, would result in an outburst that the world would not be able to bear. So they approached Shiva and asked him to hold His energy within Himself and likewise Parvati should also contain her energy. Shiva graciously concurred but said He would not be able to hold it back for too long and they should tell Him where He should deposit his seed. They conferred and finally requested that He release His energy on earth. Perhaps they thought the earth was big and strong enough to bear the onslaught.
Shiva released His seed on earth. She was unable to bear the impact. Then god Agni along with God Vayu carried off the seed to the white mountain. There instantly arose a forest of grass, bright like fire and the sun.
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यत्र जातो महातेजाः कार्त्तिकेयोऽग्निसंभवः । अथोमां च शिवं चैव देवाः सर्षिगणस्तदा ॥
पूजयामासुरत्यर्थं सुप्रीतमनसस्ततः ।
अथ शैलसुता राम त्रिदशानिदमब्रवीत् ॥
अप्रियस्य कृतस्याद्य फलं प्राप्स्यथ मे सुराः।
अपत्यं स्वेषु दारेषु नोत्पादयितुमर्हथ ।
यस्मान्निवारिता चाहं संगता पुत्रकामया ॥
There was born endowed with great luminosity, the god Kartthikeya, born of fire. The gods, along with the sages, relieved and very glad in their hearts. They approached Shiva and Parvati Uma to offer their thankful prayers on fulfilling their request and for the positive outcome. However, Uma had something to say to the three worlds. She was highly enraged that the gods had interfered in her union with Shiva. She told the gods, " Listen from me what will be the fruit of your unpleasant deed for all of you.
None of you will be able to beget children from your wives. That is because you terminated by your intrusion my union with Shiva when my intention was to beget a child."
Uma goes on to curse the earth also, saying she will not have any children and will be exploited by all.
A curious story indeed. And just think, after all this, Uma is worshipped as the Universal Mother because She considers everyone Her child!
The next sarga tells the story of Kartthikeya in greater detail.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
