Shiva Agrees to the Marriage

The devas said

We bow to the divinity Rudra, destroyer of Madana. We praise the one of far-spreading radiance. We bow to the three-eyed one, to the one clad in hides, the terrible one with the terrible eyes. We bow to mighty Mahadeva, lord of the three worlds. You protect all the worlds. You are father and mother, Ishvara, Shambhu, Isha and Shankara, and above all compassionate. You are the creator of all the worlds; lord, save us. Maheshvara, who but you can destroy miseries?

Brahma said

Hearing the gods, Nandikeshvara was filled with great compassion and lovingly informed Shambhu.

Nandikeshvara said

Noble divinity, Vishnu and a host of gods, sages and many siddhas have come to see you. They have a purpose in mind. They are being harassed by noble asuras, and after great defeat they have come to you as their great refuge. Sarvesha, save the gods and sages. You are specially called the friend of the distressed, kind to your devotees.

Brahma said

Full of compassion, Nandi informed Shambhu in this way. Gradually Shambhu came out of his deep meditation and slowly opened his eyes. Isha Shambhu, the all-knowing paramatman, withdrew from samadhi and spoke to all the gods.

Shambhu said

Lords among gods, Hari, Brahma and all the rest, why have you all come to me together? Quickly tell me the reason.

Brahma said

Hearing Shambhu, the gods were filled with great joy. They glanced toward Vishnu's excellent face so that he might explain. Vishnu is a great devotee, and wishing the gods' welfare, he explained the great task to be done for the gods, which I have already told.

Vishnu said

Shambhu, what Taraka has done to the gods is very unusual, and their miseries have grown greater and greater. All the gods have come here to tell you. Shambhu, the son born of you, and no one else, will kill the daitya Taraka. Mahadeva, reflect on what I have said and show compassion; I bow to you. Lord, save the gods from the misery caused by Taraka. Divinity Shambhu, therefore you should take Girija with your right hand. Please accept the hand of the great-minded one when the Indra among mountains offers it.

Brahma said

Hearing Vishnu, Shiva was pleased. Immersed in yoga, he revealed himself, the goal of the virtuous, to all of them.

Shiva said

If I take Devi Girija, beautiful in every limb, all the Indras among gods, sages and rishis will be filled with desire and lose the capacity to follow the other path. The moment I take Durga's hand, Smara will revive. To accomplish everyone's task I burned Madana, on Brahma's word. Vishnu, so there is nothing to think about. In deciding what to do and what not to do, one should keep this in mind. All of you, and Indra of the gods, should not be rash. Vishnu, having burned Kama, I performed an extremely great act for the gods. With me, all of you should be determined to be free of desire. Like me, all the gods can strive for supreme austerities and very hard deeds. Gods, with Madana gone, you can sink into samadhi. You are indifferent and full of great bliss. Vidhatri, Hari, great Indra, gods, all of you have forgotten what Smara did earlier. You should not forget. Gods, Madana is a great archer and a deceiver. In earlier times he destroyed the meditation you were engaged in. Kama leads to hell and anger comes of it; delusion comes of anger and anger destroys austerity. Since you have given up desire and anger you have become the best of gods. All of you should reflect on my words and not act contrary to them.

Brahma said

Having made them hear this, Bhagavan Mahadeva Vrishadhvaja asked the gods, Vidhatri, Vishnu and the sages to speak. But Shambhu fell silent and sank into meditation again, as motionless as before, surrounded by the ganas. Immersed in his own atman, Shambhu thought of his atman and nothing else. He is without blemish, without false appearance, change or ailment, greater than the greatest, eternal, without sense of ownership or hindrance, beyond what speech can say, without qualities, reached through knowledge, beyond the supreme. In meditation he thought of his own supreme form, submerged in supreme bliss with many kinds of prosperity.

All the residents of heaven saw that Sarvesha was absorbed in meditation. Hari, Shakra and the others bowed to Nandi and asked.

The devas said

What shall we do now? He is indifferent and sunk in meditation. You are Shambhu Shankara's friend and know everything; you are a pure attendant. Lord of ganas, by what means can Girisha be pleased? We have taken refuge in you. Tell us the means.

Brahma said

So the gods, sages, Hari and the rest asked him. Nandi, Shambhu's beloved gana, answered the gods.

Nandishvara said

Hari, Vidhatri, Shakra and the other immortals, sages, listen. This will satisfy Shiva. If you are rash enough to insist that Shiva take a wife, you should become very miserable and praise him lovingly. Gods, Mahadeva cannot be conquered by ordinary devotion, but if the devotion is proper, Parameshvara will do even what he should not. Gods, led by Vidhatri and Vishnu, all of you must do this. Otherwise, without delay, go back by the road you came.

Brahma said

Sage, hearing him, Vishnu and the gods thought they should agree. Full of great joy, they praised Shankara: "Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, ocean of compassion, lord, save us from this great calamity. We have taken refuge in you." So the gods praised Shankara in many ways. Their minds overwhelmed by love, they all wept loudly. Hari and I spoke to him in many piteous tones. Full of supreme devotion we remembered Shambhu in our minds. The gods, Hari and I praised Shambhu greatly. Out of affection for his devotees Maheshvara ended his meditation. Pleased in mind, Hara spoke to Hari and the others and delighted them. Shankara, kind to his devotees, glanced at them with eyes full of compassion.

Shankara said

Hari, Vidhatri, Shakra and other gods, why have you all come to me together? Now that you are before me, tell me the truth.

Hari said

Mahesha, you are omniscient. Lord of everything, you are inside everything. Do you not know what is in our minds? Still, on your command I will tell you. Mrida, through Tarakasura we have suffered many miseries. It is for everyone's sake that the gods have tried to please you. Shivaa has been born as Mount Himalaya's daughter. His death will come through the son born to you and her, and no one else; this is the boon Brahma gave that daitya. Because he cannot be killed by anyone else he has obstructed the whole universe. On Narada's instructions Shivaa has been performing difficult austerities and her energy has spread through everything in the three worlds, moving and still. Parameshvara, please go there and give her a boon. Lord, destroy the gods' sorrows and bring us happiness. Shankara, there is great eagerness in my heart and in the gods' to witness your marriage. Please act accordingly. Greater than the greatest, you gave Rati a boon. The time has come for you to make your pledge come true quickly.

Brahma said

Having said this, Vishnu, the gods and maharshis bowed to him. They all stood before him and praised him with many hymns. Shankara, subject to his devotees, heard the gods. The protector of the Vedic ordinances smiled and quickly replied.

Shankara said

Hear me, Hari, Vidhatri and gods, and hear me kindly; what I say is meant and comes from discrimination. The rules say marriage is not good for men, and its firm ties are called a heavy fetter. Of all the world's bad connections the worst is the tie to a woman, for every other bond can be escaped, iron or wooden chains can be broken, but a man tightly tied to a woman never gets loose. Attachment to objects of pleasure deepens those chains, and one so attached cannot free himself even in a dream. A wise person who wants happiness must therefore throw all such objects away; they are called poison, and they ruin a man. Indra, even talking with someone who clings to them makes one fall at once. Preceptors compare them to sita, tali and varuni liquor. I know all this, and I have knowledge besides. Even so, I will see that your wishes are met, for I am bound to my devotees and will do any deed for them. Throughout the three worlds I am known for doing what ought not be done. I made good the pledge to the king of Kamarupa, and I rescued King Sudakshina when Bhima held him prisoner. I am Tryambaka in my own self and bring happiness, yet I brought hardship on Goutama; I give pain to the wicked, above all to those who curse others. I am full of tender feeling for my devotees, and for the gods I drank poison. Gods, I have always worked to take away the afflictions of the gods and have borne many sufferings for my devotees. To end the sage Vishvanara's sorrow I became Grihapati. Hari, Vidhatri, why say more? You all know the truth of my pledge: when a calamity falls on devotees I remove it that very moment. I know everything about the trouble caused by the asura Taraka and I will remove it; this is true. I have no leaning toward pleasure, but for the sake of having a son I will marry Girija. Gods, go home without fear. I will do the task, and you need not worry over it.

Brahma said

Having said this, Hara fell silent and sank into meditation. Sage, Vishnu and all the gods went back to their abodes.