Devi Becomes Gouri Continued

Vayu said

Gouri made Koushiki and gave her to Brahma. Then she asked for a good turn in return.

Devi said

Have you seen the tiger that took refuge with me? It protected the forest of my austerities from wicked beings. Its mind is absorbed in me, and with unwavering understanding it has worshipped me. Without doubt, protecting it will bring me great joy. It will be given a place in my inner quarters. Out of affection for me, Shankara will make it a ganeshvara. When I go back to my friends I will put it ahead of me. Please give it the status of a Prajapati.

Vayu continued

Addressed in these charming words by Devi, Brahma smiled and described its former fierce and wicked conduct.

Brahma said

Devi, animals and deer are cruel. Why should your auspicious favour turn to them? Does anyone sprinkle amrita in front of a poisonous snake? All tigers are seen to be wicked and roam at night. This one has devoured cattle, brahmanas and stores of austerity. It satisfies itself as it likes, roaming in any form it likes. It should surely enjoy the fruits of its wicked karma. So why show affection to such an evil-souled creature? Why should Devi act this way toward a creature whose mind is naturally polluted?

Devi said

Everything you say is true and just so. Yet it has taken refuge with me, and I cannot abandon one who has taken refuge with me.

Brahma said

I spoke of its earlier conduct without knowing its devotion. If there is devotion, what can sins do? For your devotee they are destroyed. If a person does not know you, what will his good deeds achieve? You are unborn. You are wisdom, the ancient one, Parameshvari. Everything depends on you: bondage, liberation and existence. You are the supreme Shakti. Without you, what success can karma achieve? You are the many kinds of Shakti. Without you, what agent could carry out any karma? What would he do? Vishnu, I and the other devas, danavas and rakshasas have gained prosperity. What else is the cause but your will? There have been countless Brahmas, Haris and Bhavas in the past, and countless will come. All follow your commands. Deveshi, without worshipping you not even the best of gods can achieve the four purusharthas. You instantly decide everything, whether the state of Brahma or the state of the immobile. You also establish good deeds and bad. Shiva, the paramatman, lord of the whole universe, is your husband. You are his eternal, primordial Shakti, without beginning, middle or end. For the progress of the worlds you take different forms and play in many ways. Who knows the truth about you? This tiger, evil in conduct, has gained your favour. Let it gain supreme success. Who can obstruct it?

Vayu continued

So Brahma reminded her of her supreme feelings and true nature, and at his request Gouri stopped her austerities.

Having Devi's leave, Brahma vanished. Devi went and visited her mother Mena and Himalaya. She bowed and comforted her parents, who had suffered from separation, in many ways. While Devi was doing austerities, the many large trees in the forest shed wet flowers, grieving deeply at separation from her. The birds on the branches cried out in sorrow, anxious and dejected, and lamented in many ways. She spoke with these friends and left, eager to see her husband. She put the tiger in front, treating it lovingly like her own son. The radiance of her body lit the ten directions. Gouri went to Mandara, where her husband Maheshvara was, the maker, keeper and destroyer of the whole universe.