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Lord Shiva, the ocean of compassion, takes Ganga, who is flowing forth in the form of mighty waves, and places her in his matted locks of hair. This great act of Shiva wins the praise of one and all. Bhaghiratha then humbly requests Shiva to release Ganga to finish her assigned task. Consequently, the Ganga that emerges from Shiva's locks gets divided into seven streams. Three streams: Pavani, Hladini and Nalini flow eastwards, while three others: Suchakshu, Sita and Sindhu flow northwards. The remaining one stream follows Bhaghiratha and directs its course over his ancestor's piles of ashes. Therefore enabling them to attain their desired status in Heaven.
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Meanwhile, Gowri, the consort of Lord Shiva, is seen in the company of her companions to whom she pours out her heart, saying that Lord Shiva, by placing Ganga on his head, has caused her unimaginable insult. After going to Shiva, Gowri's friends reveal to him her agony and agitation. Parameswara, explaining to the adamant Gowri his numerous reasons of placing the Ganga in his locks, receives a deaf ear. Gowri, learning of Shiva's marriage to Ganga, becomes extremely indignant and infuriated. Nonetheless Nandi, Bhrungi and the Pramadhaganas approach Shiva and offer their salutations to him. Gowri, totally shaken and shattered by this sight and the wedding of her beloved Shiva and Ganga, leaves her abode of Kailasa and proceeds to perform penance.
Sage Gauthama, in his hermitage, is
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| seen educating his pupils in to the intricacies of the Upanishads. Gowri, a picture of sorrow and humiliation, enters and expresses her displeasure at Kailasa where Lord Shiva humiliated her by placing Ganga on his head, and because Shiva's devotees did not acknowledge her presence, and bowed and prayed solely to Shiva. Gauthama sympathizes with her, and consoles her by explaining the innocence of Shiva actions. He places Ganga on his head only to serve Bhaghiratha's purpose and he explains that Ganga is only a very pious lady and not his mistress. He compares this act of Shiva to that in the past when the Lord swallowed the dreaded poison for the protection and preservation of mankind. The sage then suggests the Kedaareswara puja to relieve her of her pain and bestow peace and happiness. Gowri, convinced, performs the puja with heart felt devotion. Shiva appears before her
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and acquiesces to her by granting her
half of his being. Gowri, repenting for her
indifference, accepts the left half of his body with pleasure.
Nandi, Bhrungi, Pramadhaganas, Brahma and other divinities offer their salutations to the divine couple-- Parvathi and Parameswara. Then enters ARDHANAREESWARA in the authentic dance drama tradition. The celestials perceive the glory and magnificence of the ARDHANAREESWARA form, which is symbolic of the concept of non-duality or Advaita. They partake in the dance with the Lord and become recipients of his grace and blessings.
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The ballet begins with a Verse of Valmiki at the hunter’s merciless shooting of one of a couple of birds. Brahma appears and orders him to write the story of
Rama. The characteristics of the hero are described.
The technique of narration of the story is presented in the second scene. Here, the story is narrated
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until the birth of Rama and his brothers. Later Vasishta the Guru is asked to give them names.
This scene takes us to the finding of Sita by Janaka while plowing a piece of land for a sacrificial ritual advised by
Satananda. Satananda also tells Janaka the earlier story of
Sita. He tells Janaka that only the one who can string Siva’s bow can marry her.
Rama and his brothers are shown learning archery. Viswamitra comes to the court of Dasaratha and requests him to send Rama and Lakshmana with him to the forest to protect his sacrifices. Rama and Lakshmana go with
Viswamitra.
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