In Kailash, within the mountain cave,
A Chaupar board was laid,
Gauri sat beside Lord Shiva,
As the dice were gently played.
A joyful mood filled all around,
Ganesha and Kartikeya smiled,
Nandi, the serpent, peacock and tiger
Watched the game like children wild.
After ages, Mother Gauri
Found some time to play and rest;
Even the ever-watchful Bhangeri
Was to be kept amused at best.
When the Goddess began to win,
She asked, “What will you stake?”
“Whatever belongs to me,” said Shiva,
“All of it is yours to take.”
The game of dice went on and on,
And Bholenath began to lose;
His moon, his serpent, trident and tiger-skin,
His damaru and water-pot he chose.
With every victory, Mother Gauri
Celebrated in delight;
But Shiva, hurt and displeased,
Left their home that very night.
Wearing garments made of leaves,
He wandered forth with nothing in hand;
While joyful Mother Gauri
Stayed home to manage all at hand.
To bring his father back again,
Skanda played with Mother there;
He won back all that Shiva had lost
And returned it with loving care.
Then devoted Ganesha came,
And played the game with Shiva too;
He won back everything once more
And brought it to his mother true.
But Shankara still stayed away,
With Vishnu and Narada he roamed;
Devotee Ravana also came,
To persuade him to return home.
Ravana frightened the little mouse,
While Narada offered his veena;
Then Vishnu turned himself to a dice,
And said, “Play with this, O Mahadeva.”
“You shall never lose this time,
You shall surely win the game;
Mother Gauri will be happy,
And you can return home again.”
Shiva played with those new dice,
And won the whole game at last;
But soon the secret was revealed—
The trick behind the dice was unmasked.
In anger, Mother Gauri then
Cursed them all in mighty rage;
None escaped her fierce decree—
Not Shiva, Vishnu, Ravana, nor Narada sage.
“Shiva shall bear the sacred Ganga,
Vishnu and Ravana shall be foes;
Skanda shall remain a little child,
And Narada shall forever roam.”
Such was the power of the Mother,
Such was the fury of her wrath;
Yet behind this cosmic play and drama
Stood her own beloved Shiva, Lord of the path.
— Vidya
vidus 
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