A History of Sanskrit Literature c11.s6.6

c11.s6.6

The first throw has failed and Umā is bitterly disappointed, bitterly ashamed. She determines, despite all protests, to perform asceticism until she wins her desire; in summer she exposes herself to the appalling heat and smoke of four fires, in winter lies in icy water, in the rains sleeps on the naked rock. As she is engaged in these acts a hermit appears before her and questions her; from her sighs he learns that she loves, and from her maids who that lover is. He proceeds to depict in appalling colours the god of her desire, but she fiercely and bitterly rebukes his attacks; delighted he reveals himself as Çiva incarnate (v). All now is ripe for the wedding, but Kālidāsa detains us with a gay picture of the solemn scenes which lead up to it. The Seven Seers themselves with Arundhatī come as wooers from Çiva to seek the maiden’s hand; she stands, eyes downcast, counting the leaves on the lotus in her hand, at her father’s side, while his eyes wander to the face of his consort, for in matters affecting their daughters householders are wont to obey their wives’ desires (vi). The wedding follows, described, doubtless from the model of imperial ceremonies, with rich abundance of detail; the mother, in her excitement between joy and sorrow, cannot see to place correctly the painted mark on her daughter’s forehead, and misplaces the woollen marriage thread which the nurse, more calm and practical, sets aright.