Feeding the Groom's Party

Brahma said

Son, the best of mountains, fortunate and discerning, next arranged in the hall for feeding his guests. He had the floors swept and scrubbed and used many kinds of fragrant things lovingly. Through his sons and others, the mountains invited all the gods and Ishvara to the meal. Sage, hearing the mountain's invitation, the lord, Achyuta and all the gods set out cheerfully to eat. The mountain honoured the lord and everyone properly, and with delight seated them all on fine seats inside the house, where many kinds of excellent food were served. With joined hands he respectfully bade them eat. The gods, Vishnu at their head, were honoured so; with Sadashiva placed first, they all ate, seated in separate rows, smiling as they ate. Fortunate Nandi, Bhringi, Virabhadra and the ganas sat in a row of their own and ate with zest. Indra and the guardians of the world among the gods looked splendid, and those fortunate ones joked as they ate. All the sages and brahmanas, Bhrigu and the other rishis, ate happily in their own row, and all Chandi's companions ate with enthusiasm too, joking in various ways. When they had eaten gladly, all rinsed their mouths and went to rest. Rejoicing, Vishnu and the others went to their lodgings.

At Mena's bidding the virtuous ladies devotedly asked Shiva to come to the fine bedchamber, where every kind of great festivity was going on. Mena gave Shambhu a handsome, jewelled throne, and sitting on it he looked around the chamber happily. Hundreds of bright jewelled lamps lit it. There were jewelled vessels and pots, gems and pearls scattered about, shining jewelled mirrors, white whisks studded with jewels, and costly gem-and-pearl necklaces everywhere. It was great and divine and without parallel, wonderful and very beautiful, built in wonderful ways and pleasing to the mind. The unmatched wealth came from the power of Shiva's own boon. Since it resembled Shiva's world, he looked at it and was pleased. It was scented with many fragrances and well lit, with sandalwood and aloe. The bed was spread with flowers. Vishvakarma had built it in many excellent colours, using the essence of the best jewels and fine necklaces. In places the divinity had made lovely Vaikuntha, in others Brahma's world, in others the cities of the guardians of the worlds, in some lovely Kailasa, and in another Shakra's residence, and above them all shining Shivaloka. Maheshvara saw this wonderful bedchamber, was content, and praised Himachala, lord of mountains. There was an excellent jewelled bed there, and in his play Parameshvara lay down on it gladly.

Himachala fed all his brothers and others and, very happy, completed the remaining rites. While Ishvara slept, this is what the lord of mountains did. The night passed and morning came. Full of eagerness, the people began to play all kinds of instruments. Vishnu and the other gods woke happily, remembered the lord of the gods and respectfully got ready. At Vishnu's command Dharma went to the bedchamber and spoke to Shankara, lord of yogis, in words fitting the moment.

Dharma said

Bhava, arise. Lord of the pramathas, arise. Come to where the people are lodged and please them.

Brahma said

Hearing Dharma, Maheshvara laughed, cast a compassionate glance and rose from his bed. Smiling, he told Dharma, "You go ahead; I will certainly follow soon." So addressed, Dharma went to where the people were lodged, and the lord Shambhu too prepared to follow. Learning of it, all the women came eagerly, looked toward Shambhu's feet and sang auspicious songs. Following worldly custom, Shambhu performed his morning ablutions and, with Mena's leave, went with the mountain to where the people were lodged. Sage, there were great festivities there, with Vedic chanting. People played the four kinds of instruments. Following the world's customs, Shambhu came to the spot and honoured the sages, Hari and me. The gods and others honoured him in turn. There were cries of "Victory" and "I bow", the auspicious sounds of Vedic chanting, and a great tumult.