Invitations and Arrival for the Wedding

Narada said

Father, wise one, show me your compassion. When the saptarshis had gone, what did Mount Himalaya do?

Brahma answered

After the seven sages and Arundhati left, lord among sages, I will tell you what Himachala did. He parted from his brothers Meru and the other mountains and rejoiced with his dear sons. Very glad, he asked his own priest Garga to write out the lagna patrika. He sent it to Shiva with many gifts offered gladly by his relatives and himself. The bearers went to Shiva on Kailasa, handed over the patrika and marked his forehead with the tilaka; the lord honoured them suitably. They returned delighted to the mountain, and when he saw how Mahesha had honoured the messengers the mountain was overjoyed. Rejoicing, he summoned his relatives, who came happily from every region.

Lovingly he had objects of gold made and gathered many things needed for the marriage. Heaps of rice, parched and flattened rice, molasses, sugar and salt were collected. Tanks were built for milk, ghee and curd. There was barley and other grain, sweetmeats and sweet balls. He had tanks built for shashkulis, svastikas, sugar, nectar-like sugar-cane juice, ghee for the fire offering, and asava. Arrangements were made for cooking large quantities of delicious rice. There were side dishes to please the ganas and gods, many kinds of priceless garments purified in fire, different gems and jewels, gold and silver. In the proper way all these were collected. On an auspicious day the mountain began the auspicious rites. The mountain's women performed the cleansing rites for Parvati, and the brahmana women of the city followed worldly custom. Adorning themselves with ornaments, they performed the auspicious rites. After the auspicious rites were undertaken there were many kinds of festivities. Cheerful in mind, Himalaya also performed the auspicious rites. He was happy in every way and eager for his relatives to arrive.

Meanwhile the invited relatives arrived with their wives, sons and companions. Devarshi, hear attentively about the mountains who came; it increases love for Shiva, and I will describe it briefly. Mount Mandara, an abode of the gods, large and divine in form, radiant with many jewels, came with his companions. He had carefully collected many jewels and great gems. Handsome, in excellent garments and ornaments, resplendent in every way, he came with his wife and sons. Astachala is divine in his atman; generous-minded, he came with many gifts. Udayachala, very handsome, came gladly with gems and jewels. Malaya, king among mountains, came with his family, very happy, with excellent companions. The divine mountain Durdura came cheerfully with his wife and many companions. Son, Nishada, very radiant, went to Himachala's house, glad of mind, with his companions. The fortunate Mount Gandhamadana went affectionately with his wives and sons. Karavira, full of great prosperity, and Mahendra, best of mountains, went to Himalaya. Pariyatra, a store of gems and jewels, came happy and radiant with companions, sons and wives. Krouncha, king among mountains, came with a large retinue and family. The best of mountains brought many gifts. Mount Purushottama came with his companions and great gifts. Nila went playfully and joyfully with his sons and women, bringing various things. Trikuta, Chitrakuta, Venkata, Shrigiri, Gokamukhi and Narada arrived at Himalaya's house. Auspicious Vindhya, best of mountains, came gladly with his wife and sons, full of prosperity. Great Kalanjara came with many companions, filled with joy. Great Kailasa came filled with joy, showing favour to everyone, because the lord lived on him. Brahmana, there were many other mountains from other dvipas, and all went to Himachala's house, having been invited earlier, all gladly, for the marriage of Shiva and Shivaa.

All the rivers came, adorned with many ornaments: Shona, Bhadra and the others, very radiant and happy, divine in form, for Shiva and Shivaa's marriage; Godavari, Yamuna, Brahmastri and Venika; they came to Mount Himalaya to attend the marriage. Ganga came very happy, bedecked with many ornaments, divine in form. Narmada, supreme among rivers and Rudra's daughter, delighted and full of joy, went quickly to the marriage. From every direction everyone arrived at Himachala's house. The divine city grew full and dazzled in every way. There were great festivities. Banners fluttered on the many gates, and there were many radiant canopies against the sun. Full of joy and affection Himalaya honoured and welcomed them in various ways, each as was due, and arranged separate residences for them. They were completely satisfied with the many things offered.