श्रीगुर पद नख मनि गन जोती। सुमिरत दिब्य दृष्टि हियँ होती॥

 

Jai Sri Ganesha

 

Wedding of Hara and Giriza was concluded.

  Jai Sri Ram,

At the direction of the sages Sambhu and Bhavani paid divine honors to Lord Ganesha, let no one puzzled to hear this, for one should bear in mind that gods have existed from time without beginning,The great sages have the nuptial ceremony performed in all its details as laid down in the Vedas, Taking Kusha grass in the hand and holding the bride by her hand, Himachal made over over to shiva, knowing her to be his eternal consort, 

When the Great Lord Shiva took the hand of Bhavani, all the gods were glad at heart, principle sages chant the Vedic formula, while the gods exclaimed, Victory to Shankara, Musical instruments were sounded and flowers were rained down by heavens, The Wedding of Hara and Giriza was concluded. A spirit of rejoicing pervaded the whole universe, dowry given was more than one could describe, then, Himachal joining his palms, said, I have nothing to give you, he could say no more and remained clasping the latter's feet, 

The ocean of mercy that Shiva reassured his Father In Law in every possible way, then mena with her heart overflowing with, clasped the lotus feet and Said,

Lord, Uma is dear to me as my life, take her as a made servant of your house and forgive all her faults, be pleased to grant this boon to me, 

Shiva comforted His Mother In Law in ways more than one and She returned home bowing her head at his lotus feet,

The mother then sent for Uma, and taking her into her lap gave her the following excellent advice, ever adore the feet of Sankara, this sum up the duty of a wife, 

Himavan then accompanied Shiva in order to escort him with great affection, Shiva, however, sent him back, consoling him in various ways, The mountain king returned home at once, and summoned all other mountains and lakes, greeted them with due attention, gifts, polite words and great honor and allowed them to depart, No sooner Shambhu reached Mount Kailash then all the gods return to their respective realms,

Divine pair lived on mount kailash along with their attendants,  Hara and Girija enjoyed new delight everyday, in this considerable time elapsed, thereafter was born a boy with six head, who later killed the demon king Taraka in battle, 

The tale of the Birth, glory, and surpassing strength of Sanmuka is known to the world, that is why it is briefly touched here 

Men and women who narrate this story of wedding of Uma and Shambhu shall ever rejoice in their auspicious undertaking as well as during festive occasions such as wedding etc, the exploits of Girija's Lord are immutable like ocean, Even vedas cannot reach their end, how Tulsidasa could succeed in describing them,

Jai Siya Ram

all will now turn out well

  Jai Sri Ram,

Shiva is known for being bestower of boons, is dispeller of the agony of the suppliant, an ocean of benevolence and the delight of devotees,Without propitiating Shiva the object of one's desire cannot ne attained through millions of Yogic practices, and Japa,

So saying and with thought fixed on Sri Hari  Jai Sri Ram,

Shiva is known for being bestower of boons, is dispeller of the agony of the suppliant, an ocean of benevolence and the delight of devotees,Without propitiating Shiva the object of one's desire cannot ne attained through millions of Yogic practices, and Japa,

So saying and with thought fixed on Sri Hari Narada gave his blessings to Girija, and said, Shed all fear, O lord of Mountains, all will now turn out well,Having spoken thus, the sage returned to the abode of Brahma, Maina said to Himachal, my lord I could not follow the words of Narada, Uma is dear to me as my life, if we fail to secure a match worthy of Girija, everyone will say Himalaya is dull by nature, Said Himachal, sooner shall the moon amit flames of the fire than the prophecy of Narada prove untrue, 

Put away all anxiety, my dear, said Himachal to his consort, fix your mind on the thoughts of Lord, He alone who has created the Parvati will bring her happiness, now if you cherish any love for your child, then go, and admonish her that she should practice austerity which will bring about her union with Shiva, there is no other way of overcoming sorrow, 

The words of Narada are pregnant and full of reason, Shiva is handsome and limit of beauty, mine of virtues, recognizing this truth do not entertain any misgiving, Shiva is irreprochable in everywayHearing the words from her consort Maina felt delighted at heart, she at once rose and went where Giriza Was, at the sight of Uma tears rushed to her eyes and she affectionately took the girl in her lap, 

Jai Siya Ram, and said, Shed all fear, O lord of Mountains, all will now turn out well,Having spoken thus, the sage returned to the abode of Brahma, Maina said to Himachal, my lord I could not follow the words of Narada, Uma is dear to me as my life, if we fail to secure a match worthy of Girija, everyone will say Himalaya is dull by nature, Said Himachal, sooner shall the moon amit flames of the fire than the prophecy of Narada prove untrue, 

Put away all anxiety, my dear, said Himachal to his consort, fix your mind on the thoughts of Lord, He alone who has created the Parvati will bring her happiness, now if you cherish any love for your child, then go, and admonish her that she should practice austerity which will bring about her union with Shiva, there is no other way of overcoming sorrow, 

The words of Narada are pregnant and full of reason, Shiva is handsome and limit of beauty, mine of virtues, recognizing this truth do not entertain any misgiving, Shiva is irreprochable in everywayHearing the words from her consort Maina felt delighted at heart, she at once rose and went where Giriza Was, at the sight of Uma tears rushed to her eyes and she affectionately took the girl in her lap, 

Jai Siya Ram

Sun, fire and Ganga incur no blame

 Jai Sri Ram,

Sage Said to Himalaya, O Himavan, whatever has been decreed by fate no one can change it, no one can undo it, not even gods, human, Nagas or sages, Nevertheless I tell you one remedy, this may avail if heaven helps you, Uma will undoubtedly get such husband as I have described you, but whatever demerits I have shown in her bridegroom exist in Shiva,  if her marriage takes place with Shiva, everyone will call the demerits as good as virtues, 

Even though Sri Hari uses the serpent god as his coach and sleeps thereon, wise not blame, even so the sun and the fire absorbs moisture in all forms, but no one calls them name, again water of every description, pure as well impure, flows into the Ganga yet, no calls the celestial stream impure, Even the Sun, fire and Ganga incur no blame, if in pride of wisdom foolish men emulate the great, they are cast into the hell of Kalpa, Can embodied soul vie with God, 

Holy men never drink wine even if to know that it has been made of water from Ganga, but the same wine becomes pure when it is poured into Ganga,The difference between the individual soul and the God should be similarly explained, Shiva is all powerful by nature, for he is no other than God, 

Hence matrimony with him will prove to be auspicious in everyway, Shiva is difficult to propitiate but is known for quickly please if earnest prayer is made,Shiva alone can erase the lines of fate, even though there are many suitors in the world, there is no match for her except Shiva,

Jai Siya Ram

all the rivers bore holy waters,

 Jai Sri Ram,

While dying, Sati asked a boon from Sri Hari that she might remain devoted to Shiva in all successive births, That is why she was born as Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya king Himachal, Ever since Uma was born in the house of Himalaya, the mountain become an abode of blessings and prosperity, sages built their hermitages there to ensure their gracious abode,

Young trees of different verities were endowed with never falling blossoms, and fruits and mines of jewels of various kinds appeared on the beautiful mountain, all the rivers bore holy waters, Birds, beasts and bees, all rejoiced, animal gave up their natural antipathies and all dwelt on mountain loved one another, advent of Giriza wore cheerful look, everyday brought a new delight, whose glory sung by the Brahma, Narada eagerly went to the house of Himachal, Himachal received the sage with honor, washing sage's feet with spirit, bowed his head to sage, then requested Sage to relate the destiny of his daughter with mature consideration, 

The sage smilingly replied, your daughter is a mine of virtues, pretty, amiable, and intelligent by nature, shall win unfailing love of her husband, bring glory to her parents, She shall command the respect of the whole universe, he who waits upon, shall lack nothing, just thought of her name women in the world shall tread the path of fidelity, 

Your Daughter is endowed with auspicious marks, with few drawbacks, Her spouse shall be more a renounced entity, free from pride or so,, without father or mother, An ascetic with matted hair and heart devoid of longing, stark half naked with hideous accoutrements, such one shall be her Husband, as I can read the lines on her palm, this made Himalaya and his consort unconsolable but Parvati felt delight eternally, Narada could nor perceive it, Mother of Parvati was in wet eyes, as words of the sage can never be untrue, Uma cherished as love for Lord Shiva sprout in her heart as much as it could be, 

Jai Siya Ram

universal spirit by nature, beneficent to all

  Jai Sri Ram,

When Bhavani reached her Father's house, no one greeted her, except her Mother, sisters meet her with profuse smiles, Daksha would not even inquire about her health, burn all over with rage at the sight of Sati, then Sati went to the place of sacrifice, did not find any share of oblations set apart for Shiva,

Here Sati Realize the warning imparted by Shiva, her heart was at hidden fire as if the blaze the universe, her grief was beyond words, now she felt the insult of Shiva by her own family,Although there are terrible agonies of various kind in this world, the insult offered to one's own people is the most painful of them all, it made Sati furious beyond horizon, her mother tries all to pacify her in many ways,

The insult to Shiva was something unbearable, Sati's heart could not, therefore, be pecified, then, sharply reproaching the whole assembly, She Spoke in Angry Accents,

Hear ye elders of the assembly and all great sages, you have reviled Sankara or heard his reviled must forth reap the fruit of your sin, my father shall repent, Shiva is slayer of great demons of time and ages, universal spirit by nature, beneficent to all, to him my father vilified, and this body of mine has sprung from his loins, She installing Shiva in her heart spoke thus, burnt her body with the fire of Yoga, Plaintive cry rose from the whole assembly, 

Hearing the death of Sati, attendants of Shiva began to destroy the sacrifice, great Sage Bhrigu protected it, Sankara got all the news and in his wrath sent Virabhadra, he made havoc to the sacrifice and requited all gods according to their deserts, 

Jai Siya Ram,

Narada's explanation

 Jai Sri Ram,

When they heard Narada's explanation, the sadness of all was dispersed, in a trice the new spread from house to house, Himachal and Mena rejoiced and bowed at Parvati's feet again and again, all citizens were immensely delighted, Festive songs began to be sung in the city, Himachal respectfully summoned all the members of bridegroom party, the dinner guest sat in many rows, expert cook began to serve, Finding the gods dining, women began to banter and rail at them in pleasant strain, gods feel much amused to hear them, 

Seven sages called once more Himachal and read out to Himalaya note recording the time fixed for the wedding, perceived that hour has arrived, the latter sent for gods, Himachal politely sent for all the gods and assigned an appropriate seat to each of them, Vedic rituals being performed midst of charming festal strains from women, Bowing his head to Brahmans, Shiva took his seat on the throne that embodiment of divinity, great sages then sent for Uma, who was brought in by her girl companions richly adorned, Divinities mentally bows to her, The perfection of the beauty of Bhavani that mother of the universe is beyond description, Mother Bhavani the mind of beauty, walked to the middle of pavilion, where Shiva was, out of shy she could not gauge her lord's lotus feet, although her heart was fixed there like a bee,

At the direction of the sages Sambhu and Bhavani paid divine honors to Lord Ganesha, let no one puzzled to hear this, for one should bear in mind that gods have existed from time without beginning,The great sages have the nuptial ceremony performed in all its details as laid down in the Vedas, Taking Kusha grass in the hand and holding the bride by her hand, Himachal made over over to shiva, knowing her to be his eternal consort, When the Great Lord Shiva took the hand of Bhavani, all the gods were glad at heart, principle sages chant the Vedic formula, while the gods exclaimed, Victory to Shankara, Musical instruments were sounded and flowers were rained down by heavens, 

The Wedding of Hara and Giriza was concluded. A spirit of rejoicing pervaded the whole universe, dowry given was more than one could describe, then, Himachal joining his palms, said, I have nothing to give you, he could say no more and remained clasping the latter's feet, 

Jai Siya Ram

Hare Rama

 

barren woman

 Jai Sri Ram,

Bridegroom is a maniac, riding on a bull, serpents, skulls and ashes are his ornaments, smeared with ashes, naked, has matted hair, dreadful at look with frightful countenance, He who survive on seeing such procession and bridegroom, is a man of great luck, parents smiles, for they knew that the children were talking about Shiva's retinue,The party which had gone ahead to receive returned with procession and assigned beautiful  lodgings to all the guests, Mena kindled auspicious lights wavering round the bridegroom, women accompanying her sang melodies songs, proceeded to welcome Shiva with great delight, all were seized with excessive fear when saw Shiva in frightful accoutrements, great panic captured them all, mena was sore at heart, sent for Parvati, 

With great affection seated her in her laps, tears rushed to her eyes, when resembled the pair of blue lotus, who made you so beautiful, should have been stupid enough to give you such a raving madman for bridegroom, How strange that the creator who has made you so lovely, should have given you a crazy bridegroom, Taking you in my arm, I would sooner fall from a mountain top, cast myself into the flames or drown into the sea, let my home be ruined and let me earn a bad reputation but in case would I marry you with this manix so long there is life in me,All the ladies assembled there were distressed when saw Maina distressed, Maina said What harm I have done to Narada that he should ruined my happy house, Why he destroy other's home, has neither shame nor fear, what a barren woman known the pain of childbirth,Bhavani addressed Mother with prudent words, whatever is ordained by the providence cannot be altered, if I am destined to have a crazy husband, why should anyone be blamed for it, 

Can you alter the decree of providence, cease lamenting, not an occasion for, on hearing the news Himachal came to the house along with Narada, Then Narada reassured them all, narrating the past history of Uma, He said, Mena hear my true words, your daughter is none other than Bhavani, the eternal consort of Shiva, mother of the universe, 

She is unborn and imperishable divine energy, which has no beginning, is Shiva's inseparable half, First she was born in the house of Daksha in the name of Sati, there she had married to Shiva,, Beheld Rama in way while returning home, did not listen to Shiva's advice and was beguiled into assuming the disguise of Sita, Shiva repudiated her, she visited sacrifice undertaken by her father and burnt herself in Yoga Agni, incarnated as Parvati now in your home,

Jai Mahadev 

splendour of the city was captivating,

 Jai Sri Ram,

The procession is now quite worthy of bridegroom, the processionist indulged in gaieties of various kinds as they went along, on otherside Himachal erected a most wonderful Pavilion which is beggared description, The whole host of woods, seas, rivers and ponds were invited, capable of taking any form they like it, assumed handsome figures and repaired to the house of Himalaya along with their retinue and fair consorts, sang festive songs out of affection, 

Mountain king already caused a number of houses to be tastefully decorated, the guest were lodged therein, each occupying a house befitting one's status, the splendour of the city was captivating, A glance at the beautiful city made the creative art of Brahma himself pale into insignificance, The City in which mother of the universe had embodied herself forth baffled all description, prosperity and success, wealth and happiness were always on the increase there and presented a new aspect,  when it was that the procession of the bridegroom close at hand, there was commotion in the city, which added to its charm, 

Adoring themselves and decorating their vehicles, a party proceeded in advance to receive the procession with due favor,gladdened to heart the gathering of immortals, Happy to behold Vishnu, but when they started looking at shiva's retinue, it was alike a scene of horror, they flied in panic,

Adults recovered themselves and reamined where they were, while every child that ran for its life, reaching home, their parents questioned them, still shaking with fear, said, What shall we say, the sight was such as could not be described, they wanders as if it is bridegroom procession of procession of death,

Jai Siya Ram, 

fire possesses this inherent property that frost can never approach it,

  Jai Sri Ram,

Gearing this, Bhavani said, O great sages, you have spoken aright, according to your belief it is now that Shiva has burnt love god and till now he was smitten with love, To my mind Shiva is eternally in rapport with the infinite, unbegotten, irreprochable, passionless and without enjoyment, knowing him as such if I have served him, the gracious lord will accomplish my vow, 

Your version that Hara has burnet the love god betrays woeful lack of thought in you, fire possesses this inherent property that frost can never approach it,In case it does it must inveriable perish, similar is the case with love god and the great Lord Shiva, hearing the words of Bhavani and perceiving her devotion and faith, the sages were gladened at heart, bowing their head to her, they went to Himachal,

They relate the whole episode to him and he was much grieved to hear how Shiva burnt love god, sages then told him of the boon granted to Rati, himvan was much relieved to learn, Recalling the glory of Shiva Himachal respectfully summoned great sages, speedily got the exact time of wedding fixed, He handed over the note to seven sages, calling on Brahma they delivered the note, All gods began to adorn their vehicles and ariel cars, auspicious omens were visible all around, the attendants of Shiva began to adorn their lord, his matted locks were formed in to crown, decked with crest of serpents, had serpents for his ear rings, bracelets, smeared his person with ashes and wrapped a lion's skin round his lion, bore the crescent on his charming brow, and river Ganga on the crown of his head and had three eyes and a serpent in the sacred thread,

His throat was dark with poison swallowed by him at the beginning of creation and had a wreath of human skulls about his neck, thus clad in a ghastly attire, was nonetheless an embodiment of blessing and merciful to the core, a trident and a Damaru adorned in hands, rode on a bull while musical instruments played, female divinities smiled to see him, the world has no bride worthy of bridegroom, they said to one another,Vishnu, Brahma, and hosts of other gods joined the bridegroom's procession and rode on their respective vehicles, gathering of immortals was incomparable in every respect, however, was worthy of the bridegroom, God Vishnu then called all guardians of the different quarters and smilingly said, everyone of you should march separately, each with his own retinue, the procession, is no worthy of the bridegroom, hearing the words of Vishnu, gods smiles and parted, each with his won group, Shiva laughed in his sleeves and noticed Sri Hari's humour, 

Jai Siya Ram