Arrival of Saptarshis

Brahma said

Hearing the brahmana, Mena's heart broke. Tears of sorrow flowed from her eyes and she said to Himalaya:

Mena said

Indra among mountains, listen to my words, which lead to happiness. Ask the foremost of all Shiva's devotees about what the brahmana said. The brahmana devoted to Vishnu has criticised Shambhu, and hearing him my mind is very troubled. Lord among mountains, so I will not give my daughter to Shiva. He is wicked in form and conduct, and our daughter has every auspicious mark. If you do not heed me I will certainly die. I will leave the house at once or eat poison. I will tie Ambika to my neck with a rope and go into the empty forest. I will drown myself in the great ocean. But I will not give my daughter to him.

Brahma said

Having said this quickly, grieving Mena went into the chamber of sorrow, threw off her necklace, lay on the ground and wept.

Son, meanwhile Shambhu's mind was stirred by the pangs of separation and he suddenly remembered the seven rishis. As soon as Shambhu himself remembered them they appeared, like wish-trees, and Arundhati, success personified, came too. Seeing them blaze like the sun, Hara stopped his japa. Sage, the best of the rishis stood before Shiva, lowered their heads and praised him. The ascetics felt their aim achieved. Greatly surprised, they bowed again, joined their hands and spoke to Shiva, whom the worlds revere.

The rishis said

Best of all, great king, emperor of the residents of heaven, how can we describe our complete, supreme good fortune? We have tormented ourselves in the three kinds of austerity, studied the excellent Vedas, poured offerings into fire and visited many tirthas. By what we have done in thought, word and deed we have gathered some merit. But now that you have remembered us, we have gained everything. You have shown us favour by remembering us. A man who constantly worships you always succeeds in his aim. Who can describe the merit of those you remember? Sadashiva, since you remembered us we have become the best of all. When people wish, you do not usually show yourself. Lord, you are extremely hard to see, like fruit bending down to a dwarf, like sight to one born blind, like speech to a mute, like a treasure seen by a poor man, like a lame man crossing a great mountain, like a barren woman giving birth. Since we have seen you today, from now on the world will worship and honour us as lords among sages. You yourself have given us refuge at your feet. Why say more? Lord of the gods, Ishvara of all gods, seeing you has made us revered in every way. If you show us compassion and give us a supreme task, we will be complete. We are your servants; give us a fitting, auspicious task.

Brahma said

Shambhu Maheshvara, following the world's custom, heard them and replied pleasantly.

Shiva said

Rishis must always be worshipped, and especially such as you. Brahmanas, there is a reason I have remembered you. You know I am always occupied with good turns, and whatever must be done for the welfare of the worlds must be done. The gods are suffering because of the evil-souled Taraka. Since Brahma has given him a boon, what can I do against that unassailable one? Supreme rishis, my eight forms are spoken of; they appear for the welfare of others, not for any selfish aim. I wish to marry Shivaa. She has performed austerities hard even for supreme rishis. At Parvati's word I took the form of a mendicant and went to the mountain's house. Skilled in play, I made Kali pure. When the couple learned that I am the supreme brahman, they were full of devotion and wished to give me their daughter by the Vedic rites. Urged by the gods, I took the form of a devotee of Vishnu and criticised myself, to lessen their devotion. Sages, hearing it they were troubled and no longer want to give me their daughter. So you must go to Himachala's house. Go and kindle understanding in the supreme mountain and his wife, speaking words in line with the Vedas. Do everything so that the excellent task is accomplished. Excellent ones, I wish to marry their daughter. I have agreed and have already given her that boon. Why say more? Understanding must come to Himalaya, and for the gods' welfare Mena too must be made to understand. Whatever method you devise will be more than enough. This is your task, and you will share the merit of it.

Brahma said

The sages were without blemish. Hearing this, since the lord had favoured them, they were filled with joy: "We are blessed; we have succeeded in every way. He is revered by all and specially worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu. He is worshipped because he accomplishes every aim. He sends us himself, and the sending is for a task that will bring the world happiness. He is held to be the lord of the worlds, father and mother. Any connection with him always grows, like the waxing moon." Saying this, the divine rishis bowed to Shiva and made their way through the sky to Himalaya's city.

Seeing that divine city, the rishis were amazed. They said they were sanctified, and talked together.

The rishis said

Having seen Himalaya's city we are blessed and sanctified. Shiva has engaged us on a task that concerns the gods. This excellent city is plainly better than Alaka, heaven, Bhogavati and Amaravati. There are very beautiful houses of many kinds of excellent crystal, wonderful halls of many jewels, and in every house wonderful suryakanta and chandrakanta gems. Celestial trees have grown. Gates and Lakshmi can be seen in every house. There are many wonderful vimanas yoked to parrots and swans, wonderful canopies and cloth-covered gates, many waterbodies and ponds, wonderful groves full of happy people. All the men are like gods and all the women like apsaras. In the world of action, followers of the Puranas perform many sacrifices wishing for heaven. Since they have left Himalaya's city, all those efforts are in vain. Brahmanas, men want heaven only as long as they have not seen this. What need is there for heaven?

Brahma said

So the rishis described the city, and all went to Himalaya's house, which had every kind of prosperity. From a distance Himalaya saw those seven extremely energetic sages, like suns, coming through the sky, and was filled with wonder. He said: "These seven, like the sun, are coming to me. I must now try to honour the sages. When such great-souled ones come to a householder's house they bring happiness. We are blessed." Meanwhile they came down from the sky and stood on the ground. Seeing them before him, Himalaya went forward to honour them, joined his hands, lowered his shoulders and bowed to the seven sages. With great respect he worshipped them. For Himalaya's welfare the seven sages took him by the hand and with pleasant faces pronounced auspicious blessings. Full of devotion he put them in front and said, "Since you are before me my householder's status is blessed." Saying so, he offered them seats, and when they were seated he stood waiting for their command. Himalaya spoke to the radiant sages.

Himalaya said

I am blessed. My tasks are accomplished and my birth is made successful. People regard me as worth seeing, and I am held equal to many tirthas. But you, forms of Vishnu, have come to my house. You are complete in all your aims, so why have you come to a lesser person's house? Still, I am like a servant. Is there some task to be done? Show me compassion and tell me, that my birth may bear excellent fruit.