Sunartaka-Nata Avatara

Nandishvara said

Sanatkumara, hear of the lord Shiva's avatara called Sunartaka-nata. To get Shiva, Devi Kalika Parvati, Himalaya's daughter, went to the forest to torment herself with bright austerities. Shiva was pleased with them, went to test her, and happily gave her a boon. Very pleased, he showed her his own form, and Shankara told Shivaa to ask for a boon. Hearing Shambhu and seeing his excellent form, Shivaa was extremely happy, bowed and said: lord of the gods, Isha, if you are pleased and a boon is to be given, show me compassion and become my husband. With your proper leave I will go to my father's house. Protector, lord, you should also come to my father's presence as a mendicant and ask him for me, making him auspicious, famous and illustrious. Make my father happy and let his householder's life succeed in every way. Mahesha, to accomplish the gods' task you should marry me by the rules. Lord, you are always indifferent, but please fulfil my wishes; you are known as kind to devotees and I am always devoted to you. Addressed so, Shambhu Mahesha, kind to devotees, spoke words of assent, vanished and went to his own mountain. Young Parvati was pleased. With her friends she went back to her father's house, making her beauty successful. Hearing that Parvati had come, Himalaya, with Mena and his family, went happily to see his daughter. Seeing her they rejoiced, honoured her and took her into the house, and held great festivities. Mena and the supreme mountain gave riches to brahmanas and lovingly had auspicious Vedic chants recited. Delighted, Mena stayed in the courtyard with her daughter. Meanwhile Mount Himalaya went to the Ganga to bathe.

Shambhu, kind to devotees and engaged in play, then took the form of Sunartaka-nata, a dancing actor, and came before Menaka. He held a horn in his left hand and a damaru in his right, wore a red patchwork garment of rags on his back, and was skilled in singing and dancing. In the actor's form he happily danced in Menaka's courtyard and sang many enchanting songs, sounding melodious notes from horn and damaru, and lovingly did many great, charming things. To see him all the citizens, men and women, gathered quickly, young and old, heard his lovely singing and saw his charming dancing. All were captivated, Mena too. Delighted at his skills, Mena quickly brought a golden vessel full of jewels to give him. He did not accept it but asked for Shivaa as alms. He danced and sang again and got ready to perform more enchanting acts. Hearing his words Mena was amazed and enraged, scolded the mendicant and wished to throw him out. At that time the king of mountains came back from the Ganga and saw a mendicant in human form in the courtyard. Hearing all that had happened from Mena, he grew angry and ordered his attendants to throw the mendicant out.

But the mendicant blazed with energy like a great fire and could not be touched, and no one could throw him out. Skilled in many kinds of play, he showed the mountain his own infinite powers. The mountain saw him at once take Vishnu's form, the next moment Brahma's, in an instant Surya's, and next Rudra's great and wonderful form, full of energy and laughing with beautiful Parvati. He saw many such forms there. He was amazed and at once overwhelmed with supreme bliss. Having shown his powers, the noble mendicant again asked for Durga as alms and said he would take nothing else. Then Parameshvara in the mendicant's form vanished and, urged by Durga's words, swiftly returned to his own abode. True knowledge dawned on Mena and the lord of mountains. They thought they had been deceived by Shiva, who had gone back to his own abode, and that they must give their daughter Parvati, who had done these great austerities, to him. Full of great devotion to Shiva, the two thought so. Thus Rudra brought great joy to his devotees, and in due form happily married Parvati. Nandi said he had told of Shiva's avatara called Sunartaka-nata, in which he fulfilled the pledge made to Shivaa. A person who lovingly hears this supreme, unblemished account gains a happy destination.