Festivities Inside Himalaya's House

Brahma said

In delight the supreme mountain had sacred threads made for Durga and Shiva with Vedic mantras. At Himachala's request Vishnu, the other gods and the sages went eagerly into his house and carried out the rites of the shrutis and the customs of the earth. Shivaa was dressed in the ornaments Shiva had given her; she was bathed first, then decked in all of them. Her friends and the brahmanas' wives performed the lamp-waving rites. The fair-complexioned one was radiant in a pair of new garments, and Shankara's beloved, the great mountain's daughter, shone. Her kanchuki was wonderful and divine, set with many jewels, and wearing it Devi became yet more radiant. Round her neck was a divine gem-studded necklace, and her bangles, of pure gold, were very costly. The fortunate one stood meditating on Shiva in her mind, the mother of the three worlds in the great mountain's daughter's form, resplendent. Both families were happy and held great festivities. Brahmanas received many pure gifts and others many fine things. There were festivities and entertainments of many kinds, with song and music. Vishnu, I, Shakra, the immortals and the sages were full of joy and took part in all of it. Remembering Shiva's lotus feet they bowed devotedly to Shivaa, took leave of Mount Himalaya and went to their lodgings.

Then Garga, expert in the astronomical texts, spoke to the Indra among mountains.

Garga said

Himachala, lord of the earth, for the taking of the hand, bring Shambhu, Kali's lord and husband, to your house.

Brahma said

The mountain understood that the right time to give his daughter had come, and Garga's words delighted him. Eager to bring Shiva, he sent mountains, brahmanas and others carrying auspicious things. Amid the festivities they went to where Maheshvara was. Instruments sounded and the brahman was chanted over and over, with singing and dancing in great enthusiasm. Hearing the music, Shankara's servants, the gods and the rishis all rose together, glad, and said to each other: "The mountains have come to take Shiva. The time for the taking of the hand has surely come. We think the hour of our great fortune is near. We are specially blessed, for we will see the marriage of Shiva and Shivaa, which will bring great joy and everything auspicious to the world." So they spoke affectionately. The Indra among mountains' ministers came and asked Shiva, Vishnu and the rest to go, since the time for giving the daughter had come. Sage, hearing it, all the gods, Vishnu and the others were very glad in their minds and cried "Victory" toward the mountain. Shiva was happy too, longing for Kali, but he hid these wonderful signs in his mind. The trident-bearer, greatly pleased, bathed with all the auspicious things for the sake of compassion toward the worlds, put on excellent garments and, surrounded by all, mounted the bull's shoulders, served by the guardians of the worlds. With the lord at the front they all set out for Mount Himalaya's house, with many instruments played eagerly. The brahmanas Himalaya had sent and the excellent mountains went ahead of Shambhu, joyful. A great umbrella shaded his head, whisks fanned Maheshvara and a canopy rose above him. I, Vishnu, Indra and the guardians of the world went on ahead, radiant, handsome and brilliant. Conches, kettledrums, patahas, anakas and gomukhas sounded again and again, and at the festival many other instruments played. All the singers sang supremely auspicious chants, and the dancers danced to many talas. Radiant Paramesha, the one friend of the universe, came on with them, attended by every lord among the gods, who gladly showered him with flowers. So honoured, Shambhu entered the sacrificial pavilion; even before he came in, Parameshvara was being praised. The great mountains helped Mahesha down from the bull and, very happily, amid great celebration, led him into the house. When Ishvara arrived with the gods and ganas, Himalaya bowed to him in devotion, performed the nirajana by the norms, and in the midst of the festivities bowed to all the gods and sages, praised his own good fortune and honoured them. He offered padya and arghya to Achyuta and Ishana and took the foremost gods into his house. In the middle of the arena he seated them all, above all Vishnu, me and Isha, on jewelled thrones. With her friends, Mena, the brahmana women and the other women of the city gladly performed nirajana. The learned priest offered madhuparka and the rest to great-souled Shankara and gladly did everything else that was needed. Sage, at my proposal and urging the priest carried out all the auspicious rites and, delighted, led him to the altar Himalaya had prepared. The bride Parvati was already there, adorned with every ornament, slender and very radiant, seated on the altar. Mahadeva was brought there with me and Vishnu. Seeing that the auspicious lagna for giving the bride was near, Brihaspati and the other priests were delighted. Garga sat by the water clock, and until the exact moment came the Pranava mantra was chanted. Then Garga declared that the auspicious moment had come. Filling his cupped hands with akshata, he showered it on Parvati and Shiva. With a lovely face Parvati honoured Rudra with fine curds, akshata, kusha and water, looking intently at Shambhu, for whom she had done supreme austerities. Shivaa was radiant and very glad. Shambhu, devoted to worldly practice, was urged by me, Garga and the sages, and so, sage, he honoured Shivaa in turn. So Parvati and Parameshvara, who pervade the universe, worshipped each other and shone, with the whole wealth of the three worlds in them, gazing at each other. Lakshmi and the other women performed a special nirajana, and afterward the brahmana women and the women of the city did the same, looked at Shivaa and Shambhu and were delighted. There were great festivities.