Preparations for Shiva's Return

Brahma said

Vishnu and the other gods and the sages, stores of austerity, finished the remaining rites and told the mountain they wished to return. The supreme mountain bathed and attentively worshipped his chosen deity, summoned his relatives from the city and went gladly to where the guests were lodged. He worshipped the lord gladly and made a request.

Himalaya said

Please stay on in my house a few more days, with the others. Shambhu, since you have glanced at me I have certainly achieved my aim. Since you have come to my house with the gods, I am blessed.

Brahma said

Joining his hands and bowing, the lord of mountains said many such things, pleading with the lord and with Vishnu and the other gods. The sages, Vishnu and the other gods remembered Shiva lovingly and replied cheerfully.

The devas said

Tiger among mountains, you are blessed and your deeds are great. In the three worlds no one has such a store of merit as you. Mahesha is the supreme brahman, the goal of the virtuous, kind to his devotees. Out of compassion for you such a being came to your door with his servants. The lodgings you made for the people are lovely, and you have shown us honour in many ways. Lord of mountains, the many kinds of food you offered cannot be described in detail, though that is no wonder where Devi Shivaa Ambika lives. We are complete in every way and blessed to have come.

Brahma said

So those excellent ones praised each other. There were many festivities with cries of "Victory" and Vedic chanting, auspicious songs and dancing apsaras. Bards sang praises and many gifts were given. The mountain took leave of the lord of the gods and went home. Following the various rules he arranged for different foods to be prepared and, with respect and enthusiasm, invited the lord Ishvara and his companions to eat. With great respect he washed Shambhu's feet, and Vishnu's and mine. Helped by his relatives, the lord of mountains gladly invited all the immortals, sages and others to enter the pavilion and sit in due order. The mountain satisfied the gods with diverse foods, and with Shambhu, Vishnu and me all of them ate. The city women cheerfully teased the guests with mock abuse and then laughed at them in gentle words, watching what they did. Narada, invited by the mountain so, they ate, rinsed their mouths and went back, happy and content, to their lodgings. Sage, on the third day too the mountain honoured them with many gifts. On the fourth day the chaturthi karma rites of purification were observed; without them the departure could not have taken place. There were many festivities, cries of "Victory", praises, gifts, excellent sons and many kinds of dancing.

On the fifth day, full of love, the pleased gods told the mountain they wished to leave. Hearing it, the lord of mountains joined his hands and begged the gods to stay a few days more. Addressed so affectionately, the lord, Vishnu and the others stayed a few more days, honoured respectfully every day. So many days passed while we stayed there. Then the gods sent the saptarshis to the lord of mountains. They made him and Mena understand what was fitting at the time and gladly told them, with praise, everything about Shiva's supreme tattva. Sage, they made them understand the pledge Paresha had made. With the immortals, Shambhu told the lord of mountains he wished to leave. The lord of gods had pledged to go to his own mountain with Shivaa and the immortals. Hearing it, Mena wept loudly and spoke to the ocean of compassion.

Mena said

Ocean of compassion, be kind to Shivaa and make your pledge come true. You are quick to be satisfied and must forgive a thousand of Parvati's faults. From birth to birth my child has been devoted to your lotus feet. In her sleep, in her knowledge and in her memory there is no one but the lord Mahadeva. As soon as she hears of devotion to you her body hair stands up in delight. Mrityunjaya, as soon as she hears you criticised she falls silent, as if dead.

Brahma said

Saying this, Menaka gave her daughter to him. She wept loudly and lost her senses before him. He made Mena understand and took leave of her and the mountain. With the gods, amid great festivities, he made arrangements to leave. With the lord and his ganas, all the immortals began to leave quietly, wishing the mountain well. In a grove outside Himachala's city, with Ishvara, the glad gods waited amid those festivities for Shivaa to come. Lord among sages, I have told you of Shiva's departure with the gods. Now hear of Shivaa's journey, and of her parting from her parents amid the festivities.