Bestowing of the Daughter

Narada said

What happened after you went to Rudra, father? What did you tell him, and what did he do?

Brahma replied

I went happily to Parameshvara, who was living in the Himalayas, wanting to bring Mahadeva. Vrishadhvaja saw me coming, his mind full of doubts about whether he would get Sati. In his play Hara had gladly taken on ordinary conduct, and because of Sati's devotion he spoke to me like an ordinary man.

Ishvara said

Best of the gods, what has your son done about giving Sati to me? Tell me, or Manmatha will shatter my insides. This pain of separation from Sati rushes at me alone; it does not touch her, and she still keeps her life. Brahma, tell me what I must do. Sati is always present, and there is no difference between her and me. Tell me what to do to get her.

Brahma said

Hearing Rudra, whose words fitted worldly conduct, I comforted him. I said: "Vrishadhvaja, hear what my son said about Sati. Know that whatever you wanted is accomplished. He said: 'My daughter will be given to him; she was born for him. That is my wish and your words have strengthened it. My daughter herself worshipped Shambhu for this alone. He is asking me for her whom I must give to Hara. Let him come to me at an auspicious lagna and muhurta, and when Shambhu comes and asks for alms, I will give him my daughter.' Daksha said this to me, Vrishadhvaja. At an auspicious muhurta go to his house and bring her here." Rudra, following ordinary conduct, smiled and replied: "I will go to his house with you and Narada. Creator of the universe, you and I should remember Narada, and also your mind-born sons, Marichi and the others. With them and the ganas I will go to Daksha's house." Such was Isha's instruction to me in keeping with ordinary conduct. I remembered you, Narada, and Marichi and my other sons, and as soon as I remembered, you and all my mind-born sons came quickly, glad to see me. As soon as Rudra remembered, Vishnu, king of Shiva's devotees, came quickly on Garuda with Kamala and his soldiers.

It was the bright fortnight of Chaitra, with Bhaga as the nakshatra's deity. When the sun rose on trayodashi, Maheshvara set out, with all the gods, Brahma and Vishnu leading. Shankara went with the sages and shone along the road; the gods and others arranged festivities on the way, and Hara's ganas were full of joy and did the same. In obedience to Shiva's wishes his ornaments went with him: the elephant and tiger hides, the snakes, the matted hair and the crescent moon. With Vishnu leading and Hara on his powerful bull, he reached Daksha's house in a short while. Daksha's hair stood on end with delight. He came humbly with all his relatives and welcomed him, honoured the many gods himself, and had the best of the sages seated in order along the side. He took Shiva and all his companions, gods, ganas and sages, inside. Pleased, Daksha himself gave Sarveshvara Hara an excellent seat, honouring him by the norms. With devotion and proper form he worshipped Vishnu, me, the brahmanas, gods and all the ganas, with the objects of worship, and in front of the assembled mind-born sons he made the announcement. Then he looked happily at me, his father, bowed and said: "Lord, it is your task to conduct the marriage." I agreed gladly. We rose and conducted all the rites at an auspicious muhurta and a lagna when the planets were strong. Daksha gladly gave his daughter Sati to Shambhu, and Vrishadhvaja, following the marriage norms, took the hand of beautiful-limbed Dakshayani. I, Hari, you, the gods, sages and ganas bowed, praised and satisfied the lord of the gods. There were great festivities with singing and dancing, and the sages, ganas and gods were full of joy. Daksha was successful in giving his daughter. Shiva and Shivaa were happy and everything was an abode of all that is auspicious.