Narada's Instruction to Parvati

Narada said

Wise Vidhatri, Vishnu's disciple, maker of the three worlds, you have told a wonderful account of great-souled Shankara. The fire that came from Shambhu's third eye reduced Smara to ashes and entered the ocean. What happened afterwards? What did Devi Parvati, the mountain's daughter, do, and where did she go with her friends? Ocean of compassion, tell me.

Brahma replied

Son, wise one, hear the conduct of the moon-crested one, my lord, who brings great welfare; hear it lovingly. The fire from Shambhu's eye purified Madana. At that moment a loud, wonderful sound rose and filled the sky. Hearing it and seeing Kama burned, she was frightened, and, shaken, went home with her two friends. Himalaya and his family were amazed at the sound. Remembering that his daughter had gone there, he was uneasy. The mountain lord saw his daughter badly shaken and miserable, weeping at being parted from Shambhu. He went to her and wiped the tears from her eyes with his hands. "Do not be afraid, do not weep," he told the auspicious one. The lord of mountains lifted his very upset daughter onto his lap, comforted her and brought her into his house.

When Smara was burned Hara vanished, and Shivaa, parted from him, was deeply distressed and could find no peace. Shivaa went to her father's house and met her mother. The mountain's daughter felt she had been born again. She scorned her own beauty and cried, "Alas, I am ruined." Her friends tried to make her understand, but the daughter of the Indra among mountains would not. Asleep, drinking, bathing, walking or among her friends, she found no joy. "Shame on my beauty, my birth and my deeds," she said, remembering all that Hara used to do. So, suffering from separation from Shambhu, Parvati's mind was in turmoil. Unable to find joy, she kept saying, "Shiva! Shiva!" and lived in her father's house with her mind on the wielder of Pinaka. Son, Shivaa grieved again and again and lost her senses. The king of mountains, Menaka and the sons, Mainaka first among them, tried to comfort her, but she was low in spirits and did not forget Hara.

Divine sage, intelligent one, sent out by the slayer of Bala and roaming as you pleased, you came to the Himalayan slopes. The great-souled mountain worshipped you. Seated on an excellent seat, you asked after his welfare. The lord of mountains told you everything about his daughter's conduct, how she had served Hara and how Hara had burned Kama. Sage, hearing this you told the mountain lord, "Worship Shiva." Having advised him so, you rose and remembered Shiva in your mind. Sage, you are loved by Shiva, learned and engaged in the worlds' welfare. Taking leave of him, you quickly met Kali in private, and, concerned for her welfare, affectionately kindled her understanding. Supreme among the learned, you said to her:

Narada said

Kali, listen to my words. I am compassionate and tell you the truth. They are beneficial in every way, free of deviation, and will lead to great happiness. You served Mahadeva without doing austerities. He is the one who shows compassion. Because you were proud, he destroyed it. The lord Maheshvara is a great yogi and is indifferent toward you, though he is kind to his devotees. Having burned Smara, he left you. So you should perform excellent austerities and worship Ishvara for a long time. When you have been cleansed by austerity, Rudra will accept you a second time. Never abandon Shankara Shambhu. Devi, you will accept no husband other than Shiva.

Brahma said

Sage, hearing this, Kali, the mountain's daughter, sighed in relief, joined her hands and spoke to you cheerfully.

Shivaa said

Lord, you are omniscient and engaged in the worlds' welfare. Sage, give me a mantra for worshipping Rudra. Without a virtuous guru no rite ever succeeds. I have heard this before; it is the eternal truth stated in the shrutis.

Brahma said

Hearing Parvati, the excellent sage followed the rules and taught her Shambhu's panchakshara mantra. Sage, with your words you awakened faith in her and told her of the powers of this king of mantras, the greatest of them all.

Narada said

Devi, hear the supreme and extraordinary powers of this mantra. As soon as he hears it, Shankara is greatly pleased. This mantra is the emperor of mantras and yields what is wished for. It is dear to Shankara and gives objects of pleasure and liberation. Fortunate one, if one does japa and worship with it properly, Shiva quickly appears before that person without delay. Think of his form and keep the niyamas. Shivaa, do japa with the syllables of the mantra and Shiva will be swiftly satisfied. Virtuous one, practise austerities in this way. Maheshvara can be won through austerity. Every fruit is won through austerity and not otherwise.

Brahma said

Narada, loved by Shiva, told Kali this at that time. Then, engaged in the welfare of the gods, you went to heaven as you wished. Narada, hearing you and having received the excellent panchakshara mantra, Parvati rejoiced.