Description of the Pavilion

Brahma said

Hari took counsel with Shankara and received his orders. Sage, he sent you ahead to the mountain's house, and urged by Hari, Narada, you lovingly bowed to Sarvesha and went on to Himachala's dwelling. There, sage, you saw your own artificial image made by Vishvakarma and were ashamed and astonished. Tired of staring at your own double, you began to look at the other things Vishvakarma had made. You entered Himachala's jewel-studded pavilion, hung with golden pots and many plantain trees, with a thousand pillars, wonderful and amazing. Sage, seeing the altar, you were so astonished that your mind was muddled and the knowledge in it was lost. Narada, you said to the lord of mountains:

Narada said

Lord of mountains, tell me: has Mahadeva, riding the bull, surrounded by his ganas and led by the divinity Vishnu, already arrived? Have all the great sages, siddhas and minor deities also come for the marriage?

Brahma said

Sage, hearing your question, full of surprise as you were, Mount Himalaya told you the truth.

Himalaya said

Narada, wise one, Shiva has not yet come for the marriage with Parvati, nor have the companions who will come with the groom. Understand that these are images made by Vishvakarma. Devarshi, give up your wonder and pull yourself together. Remember Shiva. Be kind to me, eat and rest gladly. Then go to Shankara with Mainaka and the other mountains. Wise one, go with these mountains and plead with Shiva, whose lotus feet are worshipped by hosts of great sages, gods and asuras. Bring him here quickly with the gods.

Brahma said

You agreed and swiftly did as he said. You ate and did all else that had to be done, and then went with the mountain's sons to great-minded Shiva.

You saw Mahadeva surrounded by gods and others. You bowed, and so did the devoted, glittering mountains. Sage, I, Vishnu, all the gods with Vasava and all of Rudra's followers questioned you. Seeing the mountains, our minds were full of suspicion. Mainaka, Sahya, Meru and the others were adorned with many ornaments.

The devas said

Narada, wise one, we are surprised to see you. Did Himalaya treat you well? Tell us in detail. Why have these excellent mountains come here? Mainaka, Sahya, Meru and the others are very powerful and bedecked with ornaments. Does the mountain really want to give his daughter to Bhava? Son, tell us what is going on now in Himalaya's residence. We residents of heaven have doubts, excellent in vows, which is why we ask. Tell us and remove our doubts.

Brahma said

You heard Vishnu and the other residents of heaven. Sage, you had been amazed by Tvashtri's maya, and you answered them. Sage, you took me and Vishnu aside and spoke to us. Shachi's consort, lord of all the gods, who had earlier cut off the mountains' wings, was there too.

Narada said

To confuse the residents of heaven Tvashtri has made distorted artificial images. Though made with love, he wants to bemuse all the gods. Shachi's consort, have you forgotten everything? Earlier you confused them and acted like a destroyer. Without doubt the great-souled mountain wants to defeat you in his own house in this way. I was bewildered by my own radiant image. Likewise Vishnu, Brahma and Shakra have been made. Lord of the gods, why say more? The whole host of gods has been sketched artificially, not one left out. This was done especially to bemuse all the gods. The artificial images have been built with maya, to laugh at us.

Brahma said

Hearing this, Indra of the gods was afraid and trembled from head to foot. He spoke at once to Vishnu Hari.

Indra said

Lord of the gods, Rama's consort, with this trick Tvashtri will kill me. He is tormented by grief for his son.

Brahma said

Hearing him, Janardana, lord of the gods, laughed and comforted Shakra.

Vishnu said

Shachi's consort, you were earlier confused by your former enemies, the nivatakavachas, who had the strength of great knowledge. Vasava, at my command you cut off the wings of Mount Himalaya and all the other mountains. Remembering that, let the mountains now show us their maya. Those fools want to defeat us. But the immortals should not be afraid. Shankara is kind to his devotees and Ishvara for all of us. Shakra, without doubt he will see that all is well.

Brahma said

He spoke so to Shakra, whose mind was agitated. Girisha, following worldly custom, spoke at that time to Hari.

Ishvara said

Hari, lord of the gods, what are you saying to each other?

Brahma said

Sage, having said this, Mahesha addressed you.

Mahesha said

Narada, say what the great mountain really said. Tell us everything that happened and hide nothing. Does he want to give the mountain's daughter or not? Answer quickly. Having gone there, what did you see and do? Son, tell us all.

Brahma said

Sage, seeing the divinity and so asked by Shambhu, you told him all the mysterious things you had seen in the pavilion.

Narada said

Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, hear my auspicious words. Lord, there is no obstacle of any kind to the marriage. The lord of mountains will certainly give you his daughter, without doubt. These mountains have come to take you there. But a wonderful maya has been made to bemuse the immortals. Omniscient one, it excites curiosity but causes no obstacle. Lord, on his command Vishvakarma, who has great maya, has built a wonderful pavilion in his house, full of marvels. All the gods have been created there to cause confusion. Seeing that, I was amazed and confused by the maya.

Brahma said

Son, the lord, intent on following worldly custom, was delighted to hear this. Shambhu laughed and spoke to all the gods.

Ishvara said

Mount Himachala wishes to give his daughter to me, so what have I to do with this maya? Vishnu, tell me the truth about it. Brahma, Shakra, sages, gods, tell me truly. Since the mountain is going to give his daughter, what have I to do with this maya? The learned who know good policy say that the aim must be achieved by whatever means. So with Vishnu leading we must go swiftly and accomplish the task.

Brahma said

So Shambhu, lord of the gods, spoke, overcome by Smara and acting like an ordinary man who has given way. At Shambhu's command Vishnu, the other gods and the great-souled rishis shook off their confusion and delusion. Sage, with you and the mountains in front they went on. They were amazed at the very wonderful residence of Mount Himalaya. Vishnu and the rest arrived happily with their companions, and Hara rejoiced on reaching Himachala's city.