"Like a wandering creeper bearing flowers," he whispered to himself, remembering Kalidasa's words. He thought about Parvati, the beloved wife of Lord Shiva, and how Charu reminded him of her beauty. The way she moved took his breath away, bringing warmth to his heart and breaking through the austerity and seclusion he was practising.
The Sanskrit phrase "संचारिणी पलविनी लतेव," meaning "like a wandering creeper bearing flowers," symbolizes spiritual growth. This imagery reflects Parvati's unwavering devotion to Shiva in "Kumarasambhava," as she gracefully navigates life's challenges to blossom into her full potential.
As the daughter of the Himalayas, Parvati deeply loves the ascetic god Shiva. Despite obstacles, including her father's disapproval, she remains steadfast in her devotion. Through penance and love, she eventually wins Shiva's heart.
Shiva, the ascetic god, is meditating when he senses an unfamiliar energy. He opens his eyes to behold Parvati, immersed in deep penance, radiating an ethereal glow. Captivated by her beauty and unwavering devotion, Shiva experiences conflicting emotions. To test her, he assumes the form of a fearsome ascetic, but Parvati remains undeterred.
Witnessing her unwavering love, Shiva is deeply moved. At this juncture, Kamadeva, the god of love, intervenes, piercing Shiva's heart with his flower-tipped arrows.
He glanced over at Yogi, both smiling as they felt a special connection. he said "Tasya rūpam vyajijñāsura iva" meaning "As if desiring to know her form". The young man then turned his focus back to Charu, mesmerized by her grace he smiled again.
He noticed an old man standing far away, watching them, and smiled at him. The old man looked confused. "How does he know we're here?" he wondered.
Charu paused, looked at the young man, and nodded. She wanted to speak but couldn't find the right words, so she took a step back, feeling unsure.
Nearby, another young man, who secretly liked Charu, scoffed loudly. "How can a beggar like him be good enough for Charu?" he shouted. "He has nothing to offer!" His words dripped with scorn, trying to turn Charu away from the young man.
The old man frowned, feeling torn. He wanted to dismiss the beggar, but he couldn't shake a nagging thought: how could this beggar know the words of a famous poet like Kalidasa? The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if there was more to the beggar than he appeared.
As Charu walked away, the young man went back to his meditation. Meanwhile, Charu's father and his disciple stood hidden in the shadows of the temple. The disciple, filled with disdain, spoke again. "How can a girl like her, the daughter of the chief priest, think about being with a beggar?" he mocked. "You are a great Brahmin of higher caste; this is unacceptable!"
"Master, we cannot allow this," he continued. How can he watch the girl he dreamed of all his life be taken away by a beggar? " I will call the boys from Brahmon Samaj here to beat him up," he said and was about to walk away angrily.
The beggar, however, entered a deep meditation filled with light. The calm day suddenly shifted; the bright sky darkened, and heavy clouds rolled in, casting shadows over the temple. Then, a flash of lightning struck toward the young man meditating inside, lighting up the darkness like an arrow.
Lost in her thoughts as she walked away, Charu felt a strong urge to turn back. "No!" she screamed, her voice cutting through the thunder. Her emotions echoed off the temple walls, filled with both fear and defiance as she faced the storm inside and outside her heart.