“Uma, my lord, is dear to me as my own soul; take her as one of your servants, and pardon all her offences: this is the boon I beg of your favour.”
After Sambhu had in every possible way reassured his wife’s mother, she bowed herself at his feet and went home, there called for Uma, and taking her into her lap gave her this excellent instruction: “Be ever obedient to Sankara: to say ‘My lord and my god’ is the sum of all wifely duty.” At these words her eyes filled with tears, and again and again she pressed her daughter to her bosom—“Why has God created woman in the world, seeing that she is always in a state of subjection, and never can even dream of happiness?” Though utterly distracted by motherly love, she knew it was no time to display it, and restrained herself. Running to her again and again, and falling on the ground to clasp her feet, in a transport of affection beyond all words, Bhavani said adieu to all her companions, and then again went and clung to her mother’s breast.
Still clinging to her mother’s breast she cheered her weeping train,
Then with her handmaids, sought her spouse, and oft looked back again.
Midst beggars’ blessings, richly bought, forth rode the royal pair:
The glad gods rained down flowers, and sounds of music filled the air.
After Sambhu had in every possible way reassured his wife’s mother, she bowed herself at his feet and went home, there called for Uma, and taking her into her lap gave her this excellent instruction: “Be ever obedient to Sankara: to say ‘My lord and my god’ is the sum of all wifely duty.” At these words her eyes filled with tears, and again and again she pressed her daughter to her bosom—“Why has God created woman in the world, seeing that she is always in a state of subjection, and never can even dream of happiness?” Though utterly distracted by motherly love, she knew it was no time to display it, and restrained herself. Running to her again and again, and falling on the ground to clasp her feet, in a transport of affection beyond all words, Bhavani said adieu to all her companions, and then again went and clung to her mother’s breast.
Still clinging to her mother’s breast she cheered her weeping train,
Then with her handmaids, sought her spouse, and oft looked back again.
Midst beggars’ blessings, richly bought, forth rode the royal pair:
The glad gods rained down flowers, and sounds of music filled the air.