Shiva's Maya and the Brahmana

Brahma said

Narada, Shakra and the other gods learned of the mountain's supreme, unwavering devotion to Shiva and began to worry. They said among themselves: the mountain is single-minded in devotion, and if he gives his daughter to Shiva he will at once attain nirvana and vanish from Bharata. He is a store of jewels, but he will leave the earth and disappear, and any claim that this land is a mine of jewels will be proved false. He will give up his immobile body for a divine one, and by giving his daughter to the trident-bearer he will go to Shiva's world and gain likeness of form with Mahadeva, enjoying excellent pleasures there and then reaching liberation. After this consultation the gods, much confused, decided to send their guru. So, Narada, humbly and affectionately, wishing to gain their aim, Shakra and the other gods went to their guru's house, bowed to him with Vasava, and told him all that had happened. They asked him to go to Himalaya's house and criticise the trident-bearer, since Durga would accept no groom but the Pinaka-bearer anyway. Even if the mountain gave his daughter unwillingly, he would still reap the full fruit, only later. For the moment, they said, let the mountain stay on earth, a store of many jewels.

Hearing the gods, the guru remembered Shiva's name, covered his ears with his hands and refused. Then Brihaspati, pervasive in understanding, thought of Mahadeva and rebuked the noble gods again and again: "You gods are selfish and ruin the aims of others. If I criticise Shankara I will certainly go to hell. One of you should go to the mountain and make the Indra among mountains understand what you want: let him give his daughter reluctantly and stay in Bharata happily. If he gives her devotedly he will certainly be liberated. After that let the seven sages go and persuade the mountain. Durga will take no groom but the Pinaka-wielder in any case. Or else let all the gods with Vasava go to Brahma's world and tell him everything, and he will accomplish your task."

Having heard this and talked it over, the gods came to my assembly, bowed, and humbly and affectionately reported everything. Sage, I utter the Vedas, and when I heard the gods' proposal to criticise Shiva I lamented and said to them: "Children, criticism of Shiva is very hard to bear. I cannot do it. It destroys prosperity and beauty and is like a seed that brings calamity. Gods, go to Kailasa and satisfy Shankara, and let him go quickly to Himalaya's house and criticise himself before the lord of mountains. Criticising others leads to ruin, but criticising oneself is held to add to fame." Hearing me, the gods were glad and bowed. They went quickly to Kailasa, the lord of mountains, saw Shiva, lowered their heads and bowed, and with joined hands praised Hara: "Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, abode of compassion, Shankara, we have taken refuge in you; show us compassion. You are kind to your devotees, always busy with their tasks, the saviour of the distressed, an ocean of compassion, the saviour of devotees from calamity." So Mahesha was praised by all the gods and Vasava, and they lovingly told him everything. Hearing them, Maheshvara consented, smiled, comforted the gods and sent them back. All the gods, delighted, went to their homes, feeling their aim achieved, and praised Sadashiva.

Bhagavan Mahesha, kind to devotees, indifferent and lord of maya, set out for the lord of mountains' house. The mountain was happily seated in an assembly of mountains, surrounded by his relatives, with Parvati there. Then Sadashiva arrived with a staff and umbrella, in divine garments, a bright tilaka mark on his forehead, a string of crystal beads in his hand and a shalagrama round his neck. The brahmana was dressed as a virtuous man and was devotedly repeating Hari's name. Seeing him, Himalaya and all his companions stood and, in devotion to a guest, fell flat like rods on the ground before him. Parvati, in devotion, bowed to the lord she loved like her own life, though he was disguised as a brahmana; she knew him in her mind, was filled with joy and praised him. Son, Shiva in the brahmana's form happily pronounced blessings on everyone, especially on Shivaa, that she might gain the wish of her heart. The brahmana gladly accepted the madhuparka and all else offered with great love by the mountain whose body is covered in ice. Himalaya, supreme among mountains, asked after his welfare. Sage, following the proper norms, he worshipped the Indra among brahmanas with great affection, and then asked, "Who are you?" The Indra among brahmanas replied to the Indra among mountains in friendly words.

The brahmana said

Best of mountains, I am a brahmana devoted to Vishnu and supreme among the intelligent. I roam the earth and my trade is matchmaking. I can go wherever I wish. By my guru's power I know everything. I am pure in my atman, intent on others' welfare, an ocean of compassion who removes transgressions. I have learned that you wish to give your daughter to Hara. She is divine and supreme in form like a lotus, with all auspicious marks. He is without support and keeps no company. He is misshapen and without qualities, lives in cremation grounds, and his form is like that of a predator that catches snakes. He is a yogi with the directions for clothing, terrible limbs and snakes for ornaments. His name and lineage are unknown, his conduct is vile and he has nothing to amuse him. His body is smeared with ashes. He is prone to anger and has no discrimination. His age is unknown. He always wears fearful matted hair. He is the refuge of all who wander, a mendicant with a garland of snakes, devoted to a wicked path, deceitful and a deserter of the Vedic path. Mountain, this intention of yours will certainly bring nothing auspicious. Supreme among the learned, born in Narayana's line, understand this. He is not a worthy recipient for the rite of giving Parvati. As soon as people hear of it, the mouths of the great will break into smiles. Lord of mountains, look: he does not have a single relative. You are a store of great jewels and he has no riches. Lord of mountains, consult your relatives, Menaka, your sons and learned people at once, everyone but Parvati. Supreme among mountains, medicine never appeals to a sick man; he prefers bad food, which always worsens his affliction.

Brahma said

Having said this, the brahmana ate quickly. Serene Shiva, who plays in many ways, cheerfully went back to his own abode.