Daksha's Boon

Narada said

Brahma, wise one, supreme among Shambhu's devotees, you have described Shiva and Shivaa's conduct and purified my birth. Now tell me of the austerities Daksha, firm in his vows, performed. What boon did he get from Devi, and how did she become his daughter?

Brahma replied

Narada, you are blessed and all the sages honour you. Hear how Daksha tormented himself and won a boon. On my instruction the great lord Daksha controlled himself and began to worship Devi, mother of the universe, to fulfil his wish. He went to the northern shore of the ocean of milk and fixed her in his heart. Wishing to see Ambika directly he began austerity, three thousand divine years, firm in his vows and self-controlled. He lived on air, then fasted, then took water only, then only leaves, thinking all the while of the one who pervades the universe and meditating on Durga. He followed many niyamas, kept the yamas and other rites and worshipped the mother of the universe, and Shivaa appeared directly before him. Prajapati Daksha felt he had succeeded. Kalika sat on a lion, dark and beautiful-faced, four-armed, with the boon and fearless gestures, a blue lotus and a sword in her hands, red-eyed, her beautiful hair loose. He bowed and praised her in eloquent, wonderful words.

Daksha said

Mother of the universe, Mahamaya, Maheshvari, ruler of the universe, I bow to you. Out of compassion you have shown your form to me. Original one, Bhagavati, show favour and be pleased. You who are Shiva's form, give your grace to me, you who give boons to devotees and pervade the universe with maya. I bow to you.

Though she knew what he wanted, Devi said: "Daksha, your great devotion has satisfied me. Ask for your boon; nothing is beyond your reach." Daksha was filled with joy and, saying her name repeatedly, said: "Mother of the universe, Mahamaya, if you will give me a boon, listen. My lord Shiva has been born as Brahma's son under the name Rudra, a complete avatara of the paramatman. If you are not born in an avatara, who can be his wife? Shivaa, to entice Mahesha, take an incarnation on earth. No one but you can delude him. Become my daughter and Hara's wife. Show your pastimes and be the one who deludes Hara. This is the boon I want. I have told you the truth. It serves my own purpose, but also that of the whole universe, of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma sent me."

Hearing Daksha, the mother of the universe remembered Shiva in her mind, smiled and answered: "Prajapati Daksha, I am very pleased with your devotion and will give you everything. I will be born as your daughter and become his wife Maheshvari; you have won me by devotion, so there is no doubt. I will undertake very difficult austerities. I can become Hara's wife only after obtaining a boon from him; otherwise there is no means of success. The lord is indifferent. Sadashiva is complete and to be worshipped by Vidhatri and Vishnu. Birth after birth I have always been his beloved and his servant. My lord Shambhu takes many forms. By the power of his boon he appeared from Vidhatri's eyebrows, and following his command and that boon I too will be incarnated on earth. I have understood the matter. Go back home. Soon I will be your daughter and Hara's wife." Having obtained Shiva's permission in her mind, and remembering his lotus feet, Devi spoke again: "But you must take a pledge in your mind, and know that it is true. When I am born again, if you do not show me respect I will cast aside my body and take a different form. This is the boon granted to you in every secondary cycle of creation. I will be your daughter and Hara's beloved." Having said this to Daksha, foremost of Prajapatis, she vanished as he watched. Delighted that she would be his daughter, Daksha returned home.