Conversation between Narada and Himalaya

Brahma said

Narada knows Shiva and is foremost among those who know his pastimes. Sent by Shiva, he came gladly to Himachala's house. Sage, seeing you, the lord of mountains bowed and worshipped you, called his daughter and had her fall at your feet. Lord among sages, Himachala bowed again and, thinking he should follow the proper forms, joined his hands and bowed his head repeatedly.

Himalaya said

Sage Narada, lord of knowledge, supreme son of Brahma, you are omniscient, compassionate and devoted to others' welfare. Tell me the virtues and flaws of the daughter born to me. Whose beloved will my fortunate girl become?

Brahma said

Addressed so by Himalaya, the noble sage examined Kalika's palm and in particular her limbs. Son, you are wonderfully skilled in speech, with knowledge and an understanding of how everything ends. Pleased in mind, Narada spoke to the mountain.

Narada said

This daughter of yours and Mena's will grow like the moon's digits, beginning from the first phase. King of mountains, she has every auspicious sign. She will give her husband infinite happiness, spread the fame of her parents, be greatly virtuous and always bring great joy to everyone. Mountain, your daughter's palm bears all the most auspicious marks. There is only one inauspicious line; hear the truth about what it means. It concerns her husband. He will be a naked yogi, without qualities and without desire, without father or mother, not honoured, dressed in inauspicious clothes. Her husband will be like that.

Brahma said

Hearing this, the couple took it as true, and Mena and Himachala were unhappy. But Shivaa Jagadamba, hearing the same words, concluded that it was Shiva who had these attributes, and joy rose in her heart. She thought Narada's words could not be false, and so she turned her love and mind to Shiva's two feet.

Narada, the mountain, sorrowful in mind, said to you: "Sage, this is a cause of great sorrow. What can be done?" Skilled in speech, you heard him and spoke auspicious words that filled him with joy and wonder.

Narada said

Mountain, listen lovingly; my words are true and never false. The lines in the palm are drawn by Brahma and cannot be false, so she will certainly have such a husband. But hear how you may gain happiness. Lord Shambhu, who takes forms full of pastimes, is that kind of groom. In him wicked qualities become good ones. Faults in such a lord do not lead to grief; they cause misery only in one who is not such a lord. The sun, fire and Ganga are examples. So use your discrimination and give your daughter Shivaa to Shiva. Shiva is the Sarveshvara to be served, the undecaying lord without change. Shiva's favour can certainly be won quickly, especially by austerity. Let Shivaa do austerities. In every way Shiva, Ishvara of all, is a fitting husband. He cannot be destroyed, even by the vajra. He is the one who keeps Brahma under his control.

Brahma said

Brahmana sage, son, you spoke again to the king of mountains, delighting him: "She is meant to be Shambhu's beloved, and Hara will always be kindly disposed to her. She is extremely virtuous and excellent in her vows. She will increase her parents' happiness. She will become an ascetic and make Shambhu's mind devoted to her. He will marry no woman but her. A love like theirs has not existed in the past, does not exist now and will not exist in the future. Best of sages, together they will accomplish the gods' task and bring the dead back to life. Mountain, this maiden will be half of Ardhanarishvara Hara. Their union will give rise to delight. By the power of her austerities she will satisfy Mahesha, everyone's lord, and take half of Hara's body. Satisfying Hara by her austerities she will turn golden and become Svarnagouri; your daughter will be fairer than lightning. This daughter will be famous as Gouri. She will deserve worship from all the gods, Hari, Brahma and the rest. Supreme among mountains, you must not give her to anyone else. This is a secret of the gods and must never be told."

Narada, skilled in speech, hearing your words Himalaya answered: "Sage Narada, wise bringer of happiness, I have something to say; listen lovingly and act on it. I have heard that Mahadeva has mastered his atman and abandoned attachment. He is constantly engaged in austerity, and even the gods cannot approach him. He follows the path of meditation and his mind is immersed in the supreme brahman. Devarshi, how can he be made to deviate? I have a great doubt about this. The supreme brahman is undecaying, like the burning wick of a lamp. His own form is called Sadashiva, unchanging, without origin and beyond the brahman, with and without qualities, with no distinguishing attribute and no desire. He always looks inward and never toward anything outside. Sage, this is what we have always lovingly heard from the kinnaras when they have come here, and why would they lie? Their words must be true. We have also heard that Hara once made a pledge; hear it from me. 'Dakshayani, beloved Sati, I will accept no one but you as wife. The words I have spoken are true.' That is the pledge he made to Sati in earlier times. How could he himself make it false and accept someone else?" Having said this in your presence the mountain fell silent.

Devarshi, son, hearing him you told him the truth. Narada answered: "King of mountains, wise one, you should not worry on this score. Earlier your daughter Kali was Daksha's daughter, named Sati, who always brought everything auspicious. Sati, Daksha's daughter, became Rudra's beloved. At her father's sacrifice she was dishonoured and saw Shankara dishonoured, and in rage Sati gave up her body. Ambika Shivaa has been born in your home again. There is no doubt Parvati will be Hara's wife." You explained all this to the mountain in detail, Parvati's earlier form and conduct, all of which increases delight. Hearing it from the sage, the mountain, his wife and his sons had no more doubts. When Kali heard this account from Narada she lowered her head in shame, but a long smile stayed on her face. Hearing of her past, the mountain touched her with his hand. He breathed the fragrance of her head for a long time and seated her on his own seat. Sage, seeing her seated there, you spoke again, delighting the king of mountains, Menaka and their sons: "King of mountains, why have you seated her on your throne? Her seat will always be Shambhu's thigh. Once she has Hara's thigh as her seat, your daughter will go to a place no eye or mind can reach." Narada, saying this to the lord of mountains, you at once went happily to heaven. The mountain's mind was filled with joy and he returned to his home, full of every kind of wealth and prosperity.