Prayer to Girisha Continued

The rishis asked

Hara vanished with Devi and his followers. Where did he go? Where did he live? What did he do and what did he refrain from doing?

Vayu answered

There is a prosperous, excellent mountain, Mandara, with many colourful caves. The lord of the gods lived there with his beloved as an ascetic. The mountain had performed great austerities so that it could bear Shiva and Shivaa on its head. After a long time it gained the joy of touching their lotus feet. Even a person with a thousand mouths speaking for a crore of years could not fully describe that mountain's beauty. Even if I were able, I am not inclined to describe it. There are other beautiful mountains, and they should not be made to seem ordinary by comparison. But I can say this much: by some means the lovely mountain had the prosperity and beauty that made it worthy to be Ishvara's dwelling. The divinity wanted to do what would please Devi, and so he made his inner quarters on that beautiful mountain. The land around was like a girdle, full of shining rocks and trees. Because Shiva and Shivaa were always present, it was the best place in the whole universe. The mountain's expanse constantly offered clean water for bathing and drinking to the parents of the universe, and by this merit it became famous among mountains. Its mountain streams were gentle and cool to touch. So that mountain was made emperor of all mountains.

At night the moon rose over the many peaks near the end of the summit, and seemed to hold a radiant white umbrella over the emperor. When the wives of the immortals walked on the mountain, their loosened tresses moved, as if, as a sign of its rule over all mountains, it were being fanned with whisks. When the sun rose in the morning, adorned with all its jewels, it was as if the mountain stood wishing to see the beauty of its body in a mirror. When the wind moved the creepers they looked like arms, and many birds called on them. The creepers shed flowers in every direction and the soft sprouts were like snakes. The canopy of creepers was like the matted hair on the heads of ascetics. They seemed to serve and honour the king of mountains and speak words of blessing over him. Some peaks faced downward, some rose up, some jutted sideways, as if some wanted to descend to Patala, others to fall to the ground, and some to rise and travel in the sky. The peaks stuck out in every direction, as if looking at the whole world and always dancing. There seemed to be large bellies, and the mouths of the caves were like mouths gaping open every day. The mountain seemed to yawn, its beauty never digested, ready to swallow the world and drink the ocean. It seemed to vomit the darkness inside and cover the sky with clouds. Its ground had places to live that were like mirror surfaces. There were gentle hermitages shaded by large trees that seemed to reproach the sun's scorching. There were rivers, lakes and ponds, and touching them made the breeze cool. Because Shiva and Shivaa rested there, these places were made successful.

Tryambaka vanished with Amba from near Raibhya's hermitage and came to this place, remembering that it was among the best. With Devi, Maheshvara reached a garden there. That ground was like divine inner quarters and he amused himself in that lovely spot.

A long time passed and beings multiplied. Two daitya brothers, Shumbha and Nishumbha, were born. By the strength of their austerities Parameshthi Brahma gave the two a boon: no man anywhere in the universe could kill them. They asked Brahma for this: "There should be a maiden, not born of a womb, who arises as a portion of Ambika. She must not have touched any man, and her valour must be unassailable. When desire for her overcomes us, only she will be able to kill us in battle." Brahma agreed. From then on they defeated Shakra and the other gods in battle. Study and the sound of the vashatkara vanished from the world, and sacrifices gradually stopped. Brahma repeatedly asked the lord of the gods that they be killed: "Give the gods the woman who will kill Shumbha and Nishumbha, a maiden not born of desire but from the sheath of Shakti's body, with her complexion. When she is enraged in private, this will come about."

So Bhagavan Nilalohita was asked by Vidhatri. In private he addressed Kali, seeming to criticize her though he smiled inside. Devi, of excellent complexion, grew enraged that her husband seemed to laugh at her colour. She answered him firmly.

Devi said

You no longer feel any attraction for this complexion of mine. If that is so, why did you hold yourself back for so long? If you are not drawn to me, why are you playing with me now? You are Ishvara, lord of the universe. Nothing in the universe is impossible for you. For you, joy comes from your own self. Union is not a means to happiness. That is why you grew angry and reduced Smara to ashes. Even if a woman is beautiful in every limb and has every other quality, it is all futile if her husband does not respect her. The making of women rests entirely on whether their husbands enjoy them. If the truth is otherwise, what is the point of being a woman? Since you criticized me in private, I will give up this complexion. Whether you love me or not, I will change to a different one myself.

Vayu continued

Saying these faltering words, Devi got up from her bed. She asked her husband's leave to go, having decided to perform austerities. Bhutapati himself was afraid their love would be broken. He bowed at her feet and answered Bhavani.

Ishvara said

Beloved, you did not realize I spoke in jest. Why are you angry with me? If my love is not for you, where else would I find love? You are the mother of the universe and I am lord and father. How can it be true that I have no love for you? Is our love due to Kama? What has Kama done? We are the origin of the universe and existed before Kama was born. In my own self I thought of Kama, to bring pleasure to other people. So why did you speak this way of my burning Kama? Manobhava took me for an ordinary god. Because he tried to conquer my mind, I reduced him to ashes. Our play is meant to save the universe. That is why I spoke those words to you in jest. The reason will soon be clear to you.

Vayu continued

Hearing this, she still remembered the words that had caused her rage, and answered accordingly.

Devi said

Bhagavan, I have heard your clever words before. Though I am very patient, you have deceived me with them in the past. A woman may love her husband more than her own life, but if he forsakes her, even if she is of noble family, auspicious and virtuous, she is condemned. Your great displeasure is because my body is not fair. Otherwise why would you use the word "Kali," even in jest? The virtuous condemn this complexion, and you too do not approve of being dark. Unless I give it up by yoga and austerities, I have no wish to stay here.

Shiva said

If you are so tormented, why do you need austerities? Through my will and yours, change to some other complexion.

Devi said

I do not wish to take any other complexion by your will or mine. By austerities I will worship Brahma and quickly become Gouri.

Ishvara said

Long ago Brahma gained his rank as Brahma through my favour. Mahadevi, summon him. Why undertake austerities?

Devi said

Brahma and all the other gods gained their positions from you. But because you urged me, I did austerities and worshipped Brahma earlier. In earlier times I was Daksha's daughter, named Sati. I did that to win you, lord of the universe, as my husband. In the same way I will now please the brahmana Vidhatri with austerities. I want to become Gouri. What is wrong with that?

Vayu concluded

When Mahadevi said this, Vamadeva seemed to smile. Wishing to accomplish the task of the devas, he did not put obstacles in her way.