Ahilyabai Holkar · Sanskrit Story
The Girl Who Bowed to a Stranger's Devotion
भक्तिः सर्वोच्चा
R.V. Ramdas — Ahilyabai Holkar; Laxman Shastri Joshi, Marathi chronicles, c.1730 · Beginner Sanskrit
Moral · नीतिः
भक्तिः सर्वोच्चं बलम्।
Bhaktiḥ sarvoeccaṃ balam.
“Devotion is the highest strength.”
A Village at Dawn
चोण्डीग्रामे, अहमदनगरमण्डले, एका बाला वसति स्म। तस्याः नाम अहिल्या — माङ्कोजिशिन्देस्य सुता। सा प्रतिदिनं प्रातःकाले शिवस्य पूजां करोति स्म। मनसि एकाग्रता, हस्तेषु पुष्पाणि, नेत्रेषु भक्तिः। ग्रामे सर्वे जानन्ति स्म — अहिल्या असाधारणा।
In the village of Chondi, Ahmednagar district, a young girl lived. Her name was Ahilya — daughter of Mankoji Shinde, the village patil. Every morning before sunrise she would perform puja (पूजा — worship) of Lord Shiva. Her mind was steady, her hands held flowers, her eyes were filled with bhakti (भक्ति — devotion). Everyone in the village knew — Ahilya was extraordinary.
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