Brahma and Vishnu Pray to Shiva

Brahma said

Shankara heard the praise of Hari and the others; the origin of creation was pleased and smiled. He saw that Brahma and Vishnu had come with their wives, greeted them suitably and asked why they had come.

Rudra said

Hari, Vidhatri, gods, sages, my sons, tell me without fear the real reason you have come. What task must be done? I want to hear it all. Your praise has pleased my mind.

Brahma said

So asked, and urged by Vishnu, I spoke to Mahadeva: "Lord of the gods, ocean of compassion, hear why we have come with the gods and rishis. There is a special reason for our coming and praise: we need your help. Otherwise all will not be well with the universe. Maheshvara, some asuras must be killed by me, some by Hari, and others by you. Some will be killed by the son born of your seed. Some asuras can be killed only through maya. So the gods can find ultimate happiness only through your favour. Until the terrible asuras are destroyed the universe's welfare will be afraid. You are always in yoga, free of attachment and hate, so some, being objects of your compassion, can never be killed by you. Vrishadhvaja, until they are restrained how can the balance of creation, preservation and destruction be held? It will be unstable. We carry out these tasks, and only those free of maya see that our forms are not different. We are one in form; the differences are only because of the tasks. Had the tasks not differed there would be no need for different forms. The paramatman Maheshvara is one but divides himself into three, and the reason is maya; the lord is independent in his play. Hari was born from his left side, I from the right, and you from Shiva's heart as Shiva's complete form. So we arose in three forms with different powers and forms. Eternal one, you know in your heart that we are the sons of Shiva and Shivaa. Vishnu and I were born with our wives to do our tasks, and on your command we do them for the worlds. For the universe's welfare and the gods' happiness you should take a beautiful, auspicious lady as wife.

"Please hear something more. I remember what happened in ancient times, when you said as Shiva yourself: 'Brahma, this is my supreme form, and it will arise from your body and be known in the worlds as Rudra. Brahma will do creation, Hari preservation. As Rudra I will take on gunas and do dissolution. I will also do the excellent worldly task of taking a woman as wife.' I have recalled what you said. Now please fulfil your pledge. You ordained that I create and Hari preserve, and for dissolution Shiva himself appeared through your form. Without you we cannot do our tasks. We do ours for the worlds, but you are alone. Please accept a woman. The lotus-dweller is Vishnu's companion and Savitri is mine. Shambhu, accept a beloved in the same way." Hearing me before Hari, Hara, lord of the worlds, smiled.

Ishvara said

Brahma and Hari, I love you most, and seeing you has filled me with joy. You two are the best among the gods and lords of the three worlds. Since you work for Bhava's tasks, what you say matters. But marriage is not fitting for me. I am known as an indifferent yogi, always in yoga, on the virtuous path of nivritti, delighting in my own atman, without blemish, with the body of an avadhuta. I have knowledge, am myself the witness, free of desire and change, never enjoying objects. I am always counted impure and inauspicious. This being so in the world, what need have I of a woman? I am immersed in yoga and always feel bliss. Only a man without knowledge desires many things. In the world marriage is known as a cause of great bondage, so I have no inclination to it. I tell you truly, I have no interest in pravritti. But I have thought it over without selfish motive, and for the welfare of the universe I will do as you say. I think your words weighty, and I must also fulfil my pledge. Since I am always controlled by my devotees, I will marry. Hari and Brahma, hear what kind of woman I will accept, in line with my pledge. She must be able to bear parts of my energy. Show me a yogini of desirable form, united with me in yoga, who will share acts of desire with me. Shiva is undecaying; those who know the Vedas call him energy in form and think on him as eternal. When I am immersed in thinking of the brahman, this lovely lady must not be an obstacle or destroy my meditation. You, Vishnu and I are portions of Shiva, whose form is the brahman; we are very fortunate and should meditate on him. Lotus-dweller, because I have thought this I have stayed away from marriage. So tell me of a wife who will always follow what I practise. And hear another part of my pledge: if she does not trust me or my words, I will abandon her.

Brahma said

Hearing Hara, Vishnu and I smiled, delighted. I replied humbly: "Lord Mahesha, on the path you show I will gladly tell you of such a woman. She is Uma, who has been born in another form to accomplish this task. In ancient times she divided herself into two, as Sarasvati and Lakshmi. Beautiful Padma is to Vishnu what Sarasvati is to me. For the welfare of the worlds she has now taken a third form. She has been born as Daksha's daughter, named Sati. She will suit you as wife and ensure your welfare. Lord of the gods, firm in her vows, she is tormenting herself in austerity for you; she wants you as husband. Sati is great in her energy. Maheshvara, be kind to her. Go and give her the boon with affection, and marry her. She is fitting. Shankara, Hari, I and all the gods want this. Fulfil our wishes and let us lovingly see the festivities. It will be very auspicious for the three worlds and will dispel every anxiety anyone suffers."

When I finished, Achyuta Madhusudana spoke to Ishana, who is affectionate to devotees and takes many forms in his play: "Lord of gods, Mahadeva, Shankara, reservoir of compassion, what Brahma said is all I have to say. Show compassion to me and act on it. Look favourably on the three worlds and be their protector. Marry her." Having said this, the wise Vishnu fell silent. The lord, affectionate to his devotees, smiled at the praise and agreed. With his permission the sages, gods and both of us were greatly delighted. We took leave of Isha and went off with our wives.