Gauri Kalyana Vaibhogame- The divine wedding of Shiva Parvati.

The auspicious time for the wedding was near, Garga asked Śailarāja to bring Śiva to His palace for the marriage. Himavān's face beamed with joy, He sent Brāhmaṇas and some of His companions to fetch Śiva from His apartment. The mountains and Brāhmaṇas with auspicious items in their grasp blissfully went to the place where Mahādeva stayed, the sound of the Vedic hymns, instruments, songs and dances cheerfully rose there. On hearing the chants and songs, Śiva Gaṇas rejoiced and said "O here come the Brāhmaṇas to take Śiva! The favourable hour for marriage ceremonies has come." Everyone yelled "Jaya! Jaya!" 

Śiva was very happy as he could see Pārvatī again but kept it inside His mind and kept His face calm. Then the ceremonial anointment was performed to Mahādeva and He was decorated with fine clothes and jewels. 

With the Lord in the front everyone entered Himavān's palace. The musicians sang songs and ladies danced. Conches were blown, drums were beaten and various musical instruments were played. Śiva was eulogised with many hymns. In the entrance of the altar, Himavān waved lights and offered Pādya and Arghya to Śiva, Viṣṇu and other gods and welcomed them. Śiva was offered honey and curd as a part of the ritual.

Pārvatī was already seated over the platform. She was clad and embellished with Sāri and ornaments which were given by Śiva. She bent Her head in shyness as Śiva looked at Her. 

Garga was seated before the Chronometer and waiting for the Muhūrta. By repeating the Puṇyāha mantras, Garga lifted handful rice mixed with curd and Dharba water and handled it to Pārvatī and made Her shower it on Śiva, Śiva followed the same and worshipped Pārvatī. By looking at Śiva, Pārvatī shone beaming with pleasure and love. Devī Lakṣmī along with Devī Sarasvatī and other women performed Nīrājana rite to the couple again with great pleasure.

Urged by Garga, Himavān and Menakā offered water, clothes, ornaments, sandal paste and other items to Śiva and adored Him. 

When the auspicious time for the Kanyādāna had come, the Brāhmaṇas started the rituals after narrating the Tithi, month etc. Himavān said, "O Śiva, please mention your Gotra with your family, name and your branch of Vedās." On hearing this, Śiva turned towards Viṣṇu with 'What's happening?' expression, With His sweet face turned into a confused one, He without a sorrow attained a pitiable plight. Viṣṇu and Pārvatī chuckled. Himavān was confused and worried. Śiva mentally remembered Nāradā and smiled. Urged by Śiva, Nāradā gladly played Vīna. Himavān was irritated by this as He was already worried. He said angrily, "Stop playing Vīna now!" 

Nāradā said, "O Śailarāja, Śrīman Mahādeva is unborn. He is Brāhman itself. He, though without a form and attributes takes form as a part of His divine sport. He is one with good Gotra as well as one without a Gotra. He is not a relative of anyone at the same time there is no one who is not related to Him. Thanks to our mother, Pārvatī's penance, He has become your son-in-law now. The divine sound alone is His Gotra and family when He takes a form. Śiva is Nāda (sound) and Nāda is Śiva, there is no difference between them. O father of Pārvatī, give your daughter to Śiva without any doubt in your mind." 

On hearing Nāradā's words Himavān was delighted and all his doubts vanished. Everyone realised, who Śiva really is and said, "Well said! Well said!" and paid their obeisance to Śiva. 

After being satisfied, Himavān performed the Kanyādāna of Pārvatī saying, "O lord Śiva, I am giving my daughter, Pārvatī as your wife, please accept Her." and repeated the mantra "Tasmai Rudrāya Mahate" while placing the hand of Pārvatī on Śiva's hand. Śiva was delighted on holding the lotus like hands of Pārvatī, Pārvatī too celebrated mentally. Everyone showered flowers and rice on the divine couple. Himavān and attained satisfaction after offering Umā to Hara, He eulogised Śiva with the hymns of Yajurveda.

Paryukṣaṇa rite was then performed by chanting Śiva's names. The sacred sacrificial fire was lit, Śiva performed the Homa with Pārvatī seated on His lap. Śiva offered offerings to the Fire by reciting Vedic mantras. Agni Deva remembered how goddess Umā graced Him by placing Her lotus feet on Him and now the divine couple is offering ghee and other offerings from their red roseate hands and blessing Him, He was blessed to be the witness of the wedding of Pārvatī Parameśvara. Pārvatī's brother Maināka too offered hand full of fried grains into the fire. Śiva and Pārvatī circumambulated around the fire of Homa.

Śiva then tied the Māṅgalyasūtra with the glow similar to that of the moon, to Pārvatī. While adorning Her neck with the sacred wedding thread He said, "Māṅgalyam tantunānena jagat jīvana hetuna" instead of "Māṅgalyam tantunānena mama jīvana hetuna", This divine play of marriage performed by Bhagavatī and Bhagavān was for the welfare of the whole world, Śiva replaced the word "mama" with "jagat" because he adorned Pārvatī's neck with the sacred thread for the well being of the world and not for himself. Śiva is 'Svātmārāma', one who is satisfied with himself and Pārvatī is His Śakti who inseparable from Him. Everyone with tears of joy filled in their eyes showered rice mixed with turmeric on them and sang "Gaurī Kalyāna Vaibhogame! Śiva Kalyana Vaibhogame! Our life is fruitful now, on beholding the Mother and Father of the universe as the bride and groom." Viṣṇu was overjoyed on seeing His sister and His dearest Śiva. Himavān and Menā weren't able to control their happiness but were also a bit sad at the same time since they had to bid farewell to their beloved daughter.

Śiva applied Sindhura on the head of Pārvatī, the lustre of Umā was beyond description. Śiva held the lotus feet of Pārvatī and kept it on the stone and adorned it with toe ring. Śiva was worried and hurried as the hard stone may hurt the soft feet of Umā. Umā and Maheśvara were shown the pole star Dhruva and the concluding rites were performed with respect by Brahmā.

After everything, Śiva and Pārvatī was made to sit on a floral swing and spend time with each other.

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Well wishes of Śiva Pārvatī Kalyāna Utsava!! May the divine couple of Kailāśam show lots of love towards us.

To be continued...

Namaḥ Pārvatīpataye Hara Hara Mahādeva!

Yours,

Śivapādahṛdaya.