Devas Arrive

Narada said

Wise Vidhatri, father, Vishnu's disciple, I bow to you. Ocean of compassion, you have truly let us hear a wonderful account. Now I wish to hear the conduct of the moon-crested one and his extremely auspicious marriage, which destroys heaps of sins. When he received the auspicious patrika, what did Mahadeva do? Let me hear the divine account of Shankara the paramatman.

Brahma replied

Child, wise one, hear Shankara's great glory and what Mahadeva did when he received the auspicious patrika. Shambhu gladly accepted it. Pleased in mind, the lord smiled and honoured the bearers. He read it as the norms require and accepted the proposal. With great respect he informed others too: "Sages, you have done the auspicious task properly. I have accepted the marriage proposal and you must come to my wedding." Hearing Shambhu the messengers were delighted, bowed, walked round him, praised their good fortune and went home. Sage, after that Shambhu, lord of the gods, at once remembered you. The lord plays great pastimes and was following worldly custom. Praising your good fortune, you came full of joy, bowed humbly with joined hands, and repeatedly praised and worshipped him with cries of "Victory." Praising your good fortune you asked for orders. Pleased, Shambhu showed that he followed worldly custom, and spoke to you, the noble sage, with auspicious, affectionate words.

Shiva said

Best of sages, listen lovingly. I speak to you because you are dear to me, the crest-jewel of all my devotees. By your instructions Devi Parvati undertook great austerities. Satisfied with her, I gave her the boon that I would be her husband. I am subject to my devotees and I will marry her. The saptarshis have fixed the perfect lagna, Narada, seven days from now. Following worldly practice, I will arrange great festivities.

Brahma said

Son, hearing Shankara the paramatman, your mind was pleased. You bowed to the lord and said:

Narada said

In my view you follow the vow of being subject to your devotees. You have acted rightly in granting Parvati the wish in her mind. Lord, tell me a task fit for me to do. Knowing I am your own servant, show me compassion. I bow to you.

Brahma said

Lord among sages, so addressed by you, Shambhu Shankara, kind to his devotees, was pleased and replied lovingly.

Shiva said

Sage, do as I say: invite Vishnu and the other gods, the sages, siddhas and everyone else. Let them all come full of enthusiasm and radiance. Out of respect for my words and love, let them come with their wives, sons and companions. Sage, those among the gods and others who do not come to the great wedding festival are not my own and can be disregarded.

Brahma said

Dear to Shankara, you accepted Isha's command, Narada, and left quickly to invite everyone. You swiftly did your duty as messenger and came back to Shambhu, waiting for his word. Shiva stayed there eagerly awaiting everyone's arrival. In every direction his own ganas celebrated with singing and dancing.

At this time Achyuta, in excellent garments, came quickly to Kailasa with his attendants. With his wife and followers he happily bowed to Shiva in devotion and, with his leave, stayed pleased in an excellent residence. With my own companions I too came quickly and gladly to Kailasa, joyfully bowed to the lord and stayed. Indra and the other guardians of the world came with their companions. All adorned and with their wives, they came for the festival. The sages, nagas, siddhas and minor divinities came, and others who had been invited arrived for the festivities. Rejoicing, Maheshvara separately honoured and welcomed all who had come, immortals and others. There were great and wonderful festivities in Kailasa, and celestial women danced as was fitting.

Sage, at this time Vishnu and the others who had come wanted to arrange everything for Shambhu's wedding procession. We were all like instruments following Shiva's command, serving Shiva and doing his tasks. Delighted, the seven Matrikas did the right things in dressing Shiva. Best of sages, he has natural garments and ornaments, but by his wish they grew radiant. The moon approached him and took the place of a crown. His beautiful third eye became the auspicious tilaka. Sage, two serpents came and became his earrings, studded with many gems. The serpents on his other limbs became ornaments there, beautiful and studded with gems. The ash on his limbs turned into sandal paste. The elephant hide became a beautiful divine girdle. All of these took such handsome forms that words cannot describe them. Ishvara himself has every kind of prosperity. All the gods, danavas, nagas, birds, apsaras and great sages came to Shiva and joyfully proclaimed that the great festivities had begun. All said, "Go, Mahadeva, Maheshvara! Go to the wedding with Girija Mahadevi. Show us compassion." Vishnu, who has vijnana, was pleased and bowed devotedly to Shankara and made a suitable proposal.

Vishnu said

Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, kind to those who seek refuge, you carry out your devotees' tasks. Lord, listen to what I say. Shambhu, Shankara, you should hold your marriage with the mountain lord's daughter by the norms laid down in the grihya sutras. Hara, perform your marriage by those rules, and they will become very famous in the worlds. Following the dharma of the lineage, build a pavilion and perform a nandimukha ceremony. Lord, if you do this lovingly you will establish your fame in the world.

Brahma said

Addressed so by Vishnu, Shambhu Parameshvara, devoted to worldly custom, performed all those rites. With his permission I lovingly performed all the fitting rites, helped by the sages: Kashyapa, Atri, Vasishtha, Goutama, the guru Bhaguri, Kanva, Brihaspati, Shakti, Jamadagni, Parashara, Markandeya, Shilapaka, Arunapala, Akritashrama, Agastya, Chyavana, Garga, the great sage Shilada, Dadhichi, Upamanyu, Bharadvaja, Akritavrana, Pippalada, Kushika, Koutsa and Vyasa with his disciples. Many others also came to Shiva's presence. On my instruction they performed the proper rites. All were expert in the Vedas and Vedangas and knew the Vedic rites. To protect Mahesha they performed all the auspicious rites. Many hymns of the Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas were recited. All the rishis gladly performed many other auspicious rites. On Shambhu's and my instruction they lovingly worshipped the planets. The gods were worshipped in the pavilion so that every obstacle might be calmed. Shiva was very satisfied that everything had been done properly, by worldly custom and Vedic rites, and happily bowed to the brahmanas.

Sarveshvara then put the brahmanas and gods in front and, rejoicing, left the excellent mountain Kailasa. Once outside Kailasa with the gods and brahmanas, the lord stopped happily and accepted many kinds of offerings. The gods and others held great festivities there, with singing, dancing and music to please Mahesha.