Shiva's Beautiful Form

Brahma said

Sage, at this time, urged by Vishnu, you went quickly to Shambhu so as to make his feelings favourable. There, to win Rudra over and accomplish the gods' task, you praised him with many hymns. Hearing them, Shambhu was pleased. Showing compassion, he took a divine, excellent, wonderful and handsome form, surpassing Manmatha's and full of great charm. Sage, seeing it you were greatly delighted, praised him with many hymns in great joy, and went back to where Mena and the others were. Full of great joy and supreme love, you went there and delighted Mena, the mountain's wife, with these words:

Narada said

Mena, large-eyed one, behold Shiva's excellent form. Out of compassion and pity for you Shiva has made it.

Brahma said

Hearing this, Mena, beloved of the mountain, was astounded. She saw Shiva's supreme form, which gave bliss, beautiful in every limb and like a crore of suns. He wore colourful garments and many ornaments, with an excellent smile, agreeable and enchanting, fair and resplendent, adorned with the lines of the moon. All the host of gods, Vishnu and the rest, served him cheerfully. The sun held an umbrella over his head and the moon made him shine. He was handsome in every way and adorned. The great radiance of his mount could not be described. Ganga and Yamuna fanned him with whisks. Before him the eight siddhis danced excellently. Vishnu, I, Indra and the other immortals dressed in our best garments and followed Girisha. Ganas of many forms cried "Victory." Ornamented and greatly rejoicing, they walked in front of Girisha. Extremely happy, the siddhas, minor gods, delighted sages and all others walked with Shiva. The gods and everyone else were full of wonder. With their adorned wives they sang of the supreme brahman. In front of him Vishvavasu and others, with hosts of apsaras, sang Shankara's supreme fame. Supreme among sages, so there were many great festivities there, and Mahesha reached the gate of the mountain's house.

Lord among sages, who can describe the special radiance of the paramatman then? Seeing him in that form, Mena for a while stood as still as a painting. Sage, then full of joy she spoke.

Mena said

My daughter is blessed. She tormented herself with great austerities, and by their power Mahesha has come to my house. Earlier I used intolerable words to criticise Shiva. Husband of Shivaa, pardon those and be pleased with me now.

Brahma said

So Mena spoke to and praised the moon-wearer. The mountain's beloved joined her hands and bowed, full of shame. A great number of women left whatever they were doing and gathered there, townswomen coming out of their houses to see Shiva. One woman had been bathing and came out still holding the bath powder, very eager to see Shankara, Girija's groom. Another was serving her husband and left that task with her friend. Full of affection and eager to see Shambhu, she came still holding the whisk in her hand. Another was lovingly feeding her child at the breast; though the child was not yet content, eager to see Shankara she left it and came. Another was still tying her girdle cord and came holding it. Another came with her garment on back to front. One husband had sat down to eat, but his wife left him and came, full of eagerness and curiosity to see Shiva the groom. Another wife held the stick she used for collyrium in her hand; she had applied it to only one eye, but she left to see the mountain's daughter's groom. Another lovely lady was putting lac dye on her feet; hearing the noise she gave it up and came, eager to see. So the women left various tasks and their houses and came. Seeing Shankara's beauty they were bewildered. Shaken and full of love, delighted to have seen Shiva, they fixed his image in their hearts and said:

The women of the city said

The eyes of the city's people have been made successful. Having seen this form our births are successful. A person's birth and rites are successful only if he sees Shiva directly, the destroyer of every sin. By austerities for Shiva Parvati has accomplished everything. She is blessed and has fulfilled every aim. Shivaa has got Shiva as a husband. If Brahma had not happily joined this pair, Shiva and Shivaa, all his efforts would have been in vain. Since he has joined this excellent couple he has done well. All the tasks are made successful. Without austerities men cannot see Shambhu. Having seen Shankara, all of us have accomplished our aims. Long ago Lakshmi got Narayana as her husband, and so now Devi Parvati is adorned by getting Hara. Sarasvati got Brahma as husband, and so now Devi Parvati is adorned by getting Hara. All of us, men and women, are supreme and blessed. We have seen Sarvesha Shankara, Girija's husband.

Brahma said

Saying this, they worshipped Shiva with sandal paste and akshata and lovingly showered him with puffed rice. All the women who were eagerly waiting with Mena called the fortunes of Mena and the mountain exceedingly great. Sage, hearing the auspicious words the women used in their descriptions, the lord, Vishnu and everyone rejoiced.