Chapter 12 of 55 · Rudra Samhita - Parvati Khanda · Overall chapter 107 of 464
Shiva and the Mountain Converse
Himalaya personally brings Parvati to Shiva and asks permission for her to serve him daily. Shiva, momentarily shaken by her beauty, immediately closes his eyes and refuses outright - citing the standard ascetic argument that a young woman is an impediment to austerities - leaving Himalaya agitated and uncertain.
Brahma said
The lord of mountains gathered an excellent heap of flowers and fruits and, taking his daughter with him, came to Gangavatara. There he bowed to Jagannatha, who sat absorbed in supreme meditation, and in his mind performed the wonderful act of giving his daughter Kali to him. With all the flowers and fruits he had his daughter stand in front of him, and, placing her ahead, spoke to Shambhu.
Himalaya said
Bhagavan Chandrashekhara, my daughter is eager to serve you. She wishes to worship you, so I have brought her here. With her two friends let her always serve Shankara. Protector, favour me and give her leave to do so.
Brahma said
At this Shankara looked at her. She was in the first bloom of youth, her face like a fully opened blue lotus or the full moon, dressed in an auspicious garment, with every grace spread through her body. Her throat was like a conch, her eyes large, her ears beautiful, her arms graceful as lotus stalks, her breasts full and firm with nipples like blue lotus buds. With a slender waist she dazzled, her belly lovely with its three lines, her two feet like land lotuses. She was like a crest-jewel among beautiful women, and her very sight could stir the minds of sages sunk in meditation. Son, her lovely form could make even those engaged in tantra and mantra stray, and increased desire. On seeing her, the great yogi quickly closed his eyes and meditated on his own excellent form, the supreme, undecaying truth beyond the three gunas. The lord of everything saw her in that form, and wishing to do austerity he shut his eyes. Kapardin, adorned with the crescent moon, known through Vedanta, sat in his supreme posture. Himachala was full of doubt, and distressed in mind he bowed his head. The lord of mountains, supreme among eloquent men, spoke to the universe's one friend.
Himachala said
Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, abode of compassion, Shankara, I have taken refuge in you. Open your eyes and look at me. Shiva, Sharva, Mahesha, lord who brings happiness to the universe, Mahadeva, you destroy every hardship, and I bow to you. Lord of the gods, all the Vedas and texts do not know you. Your greatness is always beyond thought and speech, so all the shrutis say little of you. In their fear they say what you are not, not what you are. What need to speak of others? Many devotees know you because they have devotion and have won your compassion. For devotees who take refuge in you there is never any cause for confusion. Please listen lovingly to me now. I am your servant, divinity, father. In my ignorance and lowliness I dare to say this. Mahadeva, Shankara, by your favour I have become fortunate. Protector, I bow to you. Taking me as your servant, show me compassion. Lord, every day I will come here to see you, with this daughter. Grant us leave.
Brahma said
Hearing this, Maheshvara opened his eyes. Giving up his meditation, the lord of gods thought a little and spoke.
Maheshvara said
Mountain, come to see me every day, but leave the maiden at home. She may not see me.
Brahma said
Shivaa's father heard Mahesha. He lowered his shoulders and spoke to Girisha.
Himachala said
Tell me why I should not come here with her. Why is she unfit to serve you? I do not know the reason.
Brahma said
Shambhu Vrishadhvaja laughed and spoke to the mountain, in particular showing him the worldly conduct of bad yogis.
Shambhu said
This maiden has beautiful hips, is slender and auspicious, and her face is like the moon. She should not be brought into my presence; I forbid it repeatedly. Those skilled in the Vedas say a woman is the form of maya, and especially a young woman. She creates obstacles for ascetics. I am an ascetic and a yogi, always untouched by maya. Mountain, what need have I of the company of a woman? Supreme ascetics resort to you, so you should not say such things again. You are wise and know the dharma of the Vedas. Mountain, you are supreme among the learned. Association with women leads to attachment and destroys detachment, and that causes a falling away from austerity. So ascetics should not associate with women. It is the root of great attachment to material objects and destroys knowledge and detachment.
Brahma said
Maheshvara, the great yogi, said this many times, and then Lord Girisha, supreme among great yogis, stopped. Divine rishi, hearing these beneficial words from Shambhu, indifferent and hard, Kali's father was somewhat shaken, but stayed silent. Bhavani, too, heard the ascetic's words and saw the mountain's distress. She reflected on them, bowed to Shiva, and began to speak.
Retold in our own words from Bibek Debroy's English translation of the Shiva Purana (Penguin Classics). Names, numbers and the order of events follow the source.