Comforting the Gods

Brahma said

Praised in this way by the gods, Devi Durga, remover of afflictions, the mother of the universe, appeared before them. She was extremely resplendent, seated on a divine jewelled chariot hung with nets of bells and spread with a soft, supreme cushion. The dazzle of her lovely limbs surpassed a crore of suns, and she looked like a supreme image standing in the midst of her own mass of light. Mahamaya, who always plays with Sadashiva, has no parallel. She has the three gunas and is also without gunas, eternal, a dweller in Shiva's world, mother of the three divinities, Chandi Shivaa, destroyer of every affliction, mother of everyone, the great slumber, the saviour of all people. Because of the power of that great mass of light the gods could not see Shivaa, so wishing to see her they praised her again and at once won her compassion. Vishnu and the host of gods then saw the mother of the universe, and all the residents of heaven were filled with great joy. They bowed to her again and again and extolled her specially.

The devas said

Shivaa, Sharvani, Kalyani, Jagadamba, Maheshvari, destroyer of all afflictions, all the gods bow to you. Deveshi, the Vedas and all the sacred texts do not know you. Shivaa, your greatness is beyond thought and speech. The shrutis, in their fear, are always uneasy and define you only by what you are not. What need to speak of others? By devotion, devotees win your compassion and know you in many ways. Devotees who take refuge in you never suffer fear of any kind. Ambika, we are always your servants; listen with affection to what we will say. Mahadevi, we, the lesser ones, will tell you. Beloved of Hara, you were born earlier as Daksha's daughter and destroyed the great vanity of Brahma and the others. By your pledge, when your father dishonoured you, you gave up your body. You caused Hara grief and returned to your own abode. Maheshvari, but the gods' task is not yet fully accomplished. We gods and sages are anxious and have taken refuge in you. Maheshani, make us well and fulfil our wishes completely. Shivaa, let Sanatkumara's words come true. Devi, descend to earth and become Rudra's wife again. Perform the fitting pastimes and let us be well and happy. Let Rudra on Mount Kailasa be happy too. Let everyone be happy and every misery be destroyed.

Brahma said

Lovingly, Vishnu and the other immortals said this and fell silent, standing humbly and full of faith.

Hearing the immortals' praise, Shivaa was greatly pleased. She remembered her lord Shiva and understood the whole reason for their coming. Devi Uma, affectionate to her devotees, smiled at them, with Rama's lord at their head, and spoke.

Uma said

Hari, Vidhatri, gods and sages, your distress is over; listen to my words. I am certainly pleased. My conduct is such that it brings happiness everywhere in the three worlds. It was I who induced delusion in Daksha and did all the rest. Without doubt I will take a complete avatara on earth, and there are many reasons for it, which I will tell you with great affection. Gods, long ago Himachala and Mena served me with great devotion, in my body as Sati, as a father and mother, and they still serve me so, Mena especially. Without doubt I will become their daughter. Like you, Rudra too wishes me to take an avatara in Himachala's house, so I will descend that way and your miseries will end. All of you return to your own abodes; you will soon be happy. I will take an avatara as her daughter, give Mena happiness and become Hara's wife. That is my great secret, though. Shiva's pastimes are wonderful and delude even those who have knowledge. Gods, seeing my father's disrespect, and that my husband had not gone to the sacrifice, I gave up my body as Daksha's daughter. Since then my husband Rudra has taken on the traits of the fire of destruction. Thinking of me alone, he quickly became Digambara. He saw Sati's rage when she went to her father's sacrifice, and he who knows dharma concluded that I had given up my body out of love for him. So he became a yogi and left his home, following a conduct opposite to custom. Maheshvara could not bear the separation from Sati. Greatly distressed for my sake, he took on unfitting attire and cast away all the excellent pleasures that come of desire.

Vishnu, Vidhatri, sages and gods, there is more; listen. The pastimes of the great lord Mahesha protect the world. Full of love and suffering from separation, he began to wear a garland made of my bones. Yet though he understands, he could not find peace anywhere. Lord Rudra wandered here and there as if he were not Isha, always roaming, unable to tell proper from improper. Hara wished to act out such pastimes to show what lovers go through. As if overcome by the pangs of separation he spoke the words of a lover. In truth Parameshvara is unchanging, free of distress and can never be conquered. My lord Shiva is complete, lord of maya and of everything. Otherwise what need has he to be deluded by desire? Why would he quickly fall into transgressions? The lord is untouched by maya. Lord Rudra wishes to take my hand again. So, gods, I will take an avatara on earth in the house of Mena and Himachala. To satisfy Rudra I will descend and follow worldly custom with Himachala and his wife Mena. I will become a devotee, do extremely intolerable austerities and become Rudra's beloved. I will accomplish the gods' task. This is true; there is no doubt. All of you go back to your homes and constantly worship Bhava. Through his compassion all your miseries will certainly be destroyed. He will become compassionate, and his compassion always gives what is auspicious. I am his wife, and so I am revered and worshipped in the three worlds.

Brahma said

So Jagadamba spoke to the gods. Son, while they watched, Shivaa vanished and swiftly returned to her own world. Vishnu and all the gods and sages rejoiced, bowed in her direction and went to their own abodes. Lord of sages, I have thus described Durga's excellent conduct. It always gives men happiness, objects of pleasure and liberation. A person who controls himself and constantly hears it, has it heard, reads it or has it read, obtains everything he wishes.