Test by the Saptarshis

Narada said

Happy, the gods, Vidhatri, Vishnu and the sages went away. What happened after that? Father, what did Shambhu do? After how long did he go to give the boon? How did it happen? To please me, tell me.

Brahma replied

Brahma and the other gods went home. Bhava, to test her austerities, sank into samadhi, resting in his own atman and thinking only of it; he is beyond the greatest, self-ruling, without maya or obstacle. That is truly how Bhagavan Ishvara Vrishadhvaja is; his ways cannot be traced. Hara Parameshvara is the source of prosperity.

Son, Girija was tormenting herself in supreme austerities. Rudra was filled with great wonder at her austerities and was dislodged from his samadhi; it could not be otherwise for one who is subject to his devotees. Hara, the cause of prosperity, remembered the seven sages, Vasishtha and the others. As soon as he remembered them the seven sages arrived swiftly. Their faces looked pleased, and all praised their good fortune in many ways. Full of delight they bowed to Mahesha and praised him, hands joined and shoulders lowered, their words faltering.

The saptarshis said

Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, ocean of compassion, lord, we are extremely blessed that you have remembered us now. Why have you remembered us? Command us. Lord, we are like your servants. We bow to you; show us compassion.

Brahma said

The ocean of compassion heard them, smiled, and spoke, his eyes widening like blossoming lotuses in delight.

Maheshvara said

Seven sages, sons, listen. All of you have knowledge and discrimination, and you do what benefits me. Deveshi Parvati Girija is performing austerities now. Firm in resolve, she is on the mountain called Gouri-Shikhara. Brahmanas, she wants me for her husband and is served by her friends. She has given up all desires and is set on this aim and nothing else. Excellent sages, follow my command and go there. With love for me in your minds, test the firmness of her resolve. Use deceitful words in every way and be harsh. Excellent in vows, by my command you must do this without doubt.

Brahma said

Told so, the sages hurried to the spot and found the mother of the universe, the mountain's daughter, blazing with radiance. They saw Shivaa as success in austerity made visible, a form of pure energy shining with that energy. In their minds the seven rishis, excellent in vows, bowed to her. Bending low, they greeted her with special honour and spoke.

The rishis said

Devi, mountain's daughter, listen. Why are you tormenting yourself with austerities? Is there some god you desire? What fruit do you wish for now?

Brahma said

Devi Shivaa, daughter of the Indra among mountains, had been spoken to by the brahmanas. It was a deep secret, yet since they stood before her she told them the truth.

Parvati said

Lords among sages, with affection in your hearts listen to my words. I have thought it through with my own intelligence and decided, and I will tell you. When you hear it you will laugh, thinking it impossible. Brahmanas, I hesitate to tell you, but what else can I do? This mind is helpless and firmly fixed on a great undertaking. It is like wishing to build a great foundation with lofty walls in water. Having received the divine rishi's instructions I am engaged in these firm austerities. My wish is that Rudra should become my husband. My mind is like a wingless fledgling that wants rashly to fly into the sky. May Lord Shankara, ocean of compassion, fulfil that desire.

Brahma said

The sages laughed at this. They loved and honoured Girija, but they answered with false and deceitful words.

The rishis said

You are proud of your learning for nothing, mountain's daughter. You do not know the devarshi's habits: he passes for learned but is cruel at heart. Narada speaks crookedly and likes to unsettle other people's minds, and whoever heeds him is harmed one way or another. Listen to a wonderful old story, told gradually because we love you and want you to understand. Daksha is Brahma's son. At his father's command he had ten thousand sons by his wife, loved them, and told them to take up austerity. They went west to Lake Narayana, having vowed to do austerity, and Narada went there too and gave them wicked advice. They obeyed him, and not one came home. Daksha was angry, but his father calmed him, and he had another thousand matchless sons. They too went to that place on their father's order to do austerity, and Narada came again with his own counsel. Instructed so, they followed their brothers' road, never returned to their father's house and took up the life of mendicants. Such, mountain's daughter, is the famous good conduct of Narada. Hear another of his deeds, which breeds detachment in men. There was a vidyadhara called Chitraketu; he advised him and left his house empty. He advised Prahlada and made him suffer terribly at Hiranyakashipu's hands. He muddles other people's minds. Whenever the sage says something out of his own knowledge it sounds sweet, but the listener soon leaves home and generally becomes a wanderer. Though Narada's body always glows, his atman is dirty. We have lived with him, so we know it best. People call a stork virtuous because they do not know it eats fish; one always knows the habits of those one lives with. You are honoured as wise, yet you too have taken his advice. You have turned foolish and are performing these austerities in vain. Child, you are doing all this for one who is forever indifferent and without change, certainly Madana's enemy, of inauspicious form and no shame, with no home or family, dressed badly, in the company of pretas and bhutas, naked, trident in hand. He is crooked and will use his maya to wreck your vijnana. Fine-sounding words have confused you, and so you are doing these austerities. What happiness will such a husband bring you? Deveshi, think it over yourself. He first married virtuous Sati, Daksha's daughter, a woman of excellent intelligence, but the fool kept her only a few days. Finding a fault in her, the lord himself gave her up. Without any fault or sorrow about it, he went on meditating on his own form. He is alone, seeks nirvana and keeps no company. Devi, which woman could put up with him? Do as we say. Drop this wicked notion and go home. The moment you leave us you will find welfare. Vishnu is the right groom for you: the lord has every good quality, lives in Vaikuntha, is Lakshmi's lord, and is skilled in many pastimes. We will arrange the marriage and you will have every happiness. Parvati, give up this rashness and be happy.

Brahma said

Parvati, mother of the universe, listened. Then she laughed and replied to the sages, who were learned in knowledge.

Parvati said

Lords among sages, by your knowledge you have spoken the truth. Brahmanas, but I will not free myself from my rashness. Since I was born of a mountain my body is hard by nature. Think about this with your excellent intelligence. You should not hold me back. I will never give up the divine rishi's words. They are like medicine. Those who know the Vedas say the words of gurus are like medicine. Those who are firm in mind that the words of gurus are the truth gain supreme happiness in this world and the next, never unhappiness. Those whose minds do not accept the words of gurus as truth meet unhappiness in this world and the next, never happiness. Brahmanas, in every way the words of gurus must not be ignored. Whether I live in a home or not, my rashness will always give me happiness. Supreme among sages, there is a hidden meaning in what you have said. Let me briefly set it out with discrimination. You have described Vishnu as an abode of qualities who sports. That is true. Sadashiva is spoken of as without qualities, and there is said to be a reason for it. Shiva is the brahman, unchanging, and takes different forms for his devotees. He does not wish to show the usual signs of lordship, and so he takes a form that is the beloved goal of the Paramahamsas. Shambhu finds supreme bliss in his form as an avadhuta. Beautiful ornaments are found in those contaminated by maya, not in those who have found the brahman. The lord is without qualities and without origin, free of maya, and his great movements cannot be discerned. Brahmanas, Shambhu's favours are not given on the basis of dharma and jati. By my guru's favour I know the true nature of Shiva. Brahmanas, if Shiva does not marry me, I will always remain unwed. This is true; I speak truly. Even if the sun rises in the west, even if Meru moves, even if fire turns cold and even if a lotus blooms on a rocky mountain peak, I will not give up my rashness. I speak the truth.

Brahma said

Saying this, the mountain's daughter quickly bowed to the sages. She stopped and, indifferent in mind, remembered Shiva. Understanding that Girija was firm in her determination, the rishis cried "Victory" and pronounced excellent blessings on her. Pleased, the sages bowed to Devi. Sage, having tested her, they quickly returned to Shiva's abode, bent low before Shiva and reported what had happened. With his leave they lovingly went back to their own world.