A Boon for Rati
In response to Rati’s grief, she receives consolation and a boon concerning Kamadeva’s future. The episode reveals divine compassion in the midst of loss.
Bal Kand · Episode 24 / 59
Episode Text
हाहाकार भयउ जग भारी। डरपे सुर भए असुर सुखारी॥ समुझि कामसुखु सोचहिं भोगी। भए अकंटक साधक जोगी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hāhākāra bhayau jaga bhārī। ḍarape sura bhae asura sukhārī॥ samujhi kāmasukhu socahim bhogī। bhae akaṃṭaka sādhaka jogī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
A great uproar spread through the world. The gods were frightened, and the demons rejoiced. Those devoted to pleasure grew anxious, thinking of sensual delight, while the yogis and seekers became free from obstruction.
जोगी अकंटक भए पति गति सुनत रति मुरुछित भई। रोदति बदति बहु भाँति करुना करति संकर पहिं गई॥ अति प्रेम करि बिनती बिबिध बिधि जोरि कर सन्मुख रही। प्रभु आसुतोष कृपाल सिव अबला निरखि बोले सही॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jogī akaṃṭaka bhae pati gati sunata rati muruchita bhaī। rodati badati bahu bhāṃti karuṇā karati saṃkara pahiṃ gaī॥ ati prema kari binatī bibidha bidhi jori kara sanmukha rahī। prabhu āsutoṣa kṛpāla siva abalā nirakhi bole sahī॥
Meaning:
With the yogīs now left untroubled, Rati fainted on hearing of her husband’s fate. Weeping and lamenting in many ways, she went to Shankara. With great love she made many kinds of entreaties and stood before him with folded hands. The gracious Lord Shiva, ever quick to be pleased, looked upon the helpless woman and spoke kindly.
अब तें रति तव नाथ कर होइहि नामु अनंगु। बिनु बपु ब्यापिहि सबहि पुनि सुनु निज मिलन प्रसंगु॥ ८७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba teṃ rati tava nātha kara hoihi nāmu anaṅgu। binu bapu byāpihi sabahi puni sūnu nija milana prasaṅgu॥ 87 ॥
Meaning:
From now on, Rati, your husband’s name will be Ananga, the bodiless one. Without a body, he will pervade all. Now listen to the account of your reunion with him.
जब जदुबंस कृष्न अवतारा। होइहि हरन महा महिभारा॥ कृष्न तनय होइहि पति तोरा। बचनु अन्यथा होइ न मोरा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaba jadubaṃsa kṛṣna avatārā। hoihi harana mahā mahibhārā॥ kṛṣna tanaya hoihi pati torā। bacanu anyathā hoi na morā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
When Krishna takes birth in the Yadu dynasty and removes the great burden of the earth, your husband will be born as his son. My word will not prove false.
रति गवनी सुनि संकर बानी। कथा अपर अब कहउँ बखानी॥ देवन्ह समाचार सब पाए। ब्रह्मादिक बैकुंठ सिधाए॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rati gavanī suni saṃkara bānī। kathā apara aba kahauṃ bakhānī॥ devanhaṃ samācāra saba pāe। brahmādika baikuṃṭha sidhāe॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Shiva’s words, Rati departed. Now I shall tell another story. When the gods received this news, Brahma and the others went on to Vaikuntha.