Gauri Kalyana Vaibhogame-

The letter of betrothal was written by Garga, the family priest of Himavān. He sent it to Śiva along with the articles of reverence through his kinsmen. Those people showed up at Kailāsa and gave over the letter to Śiva, applied saffron Tilaka on his forehead and returned to Himavān. On seeing them, he was delighted. Brāhmaṇa women, who knew all the tradition and customs, started performing auspicious rites to Pārvatī.

The entire city was cleaned and brightened. Plantain trees and mango leaves were attached to every door of Auṣadhiprāsta. Each house was enriched with flowers and lights, colourful rangolis were drawn in front. Himavata called Viśvakarma, the architect of gods and requested him to build a large and spacious maṇḍapa. 

There were sculptures of peacocks, lions, elephants, women holding lights, dancing ladies, gatekeepers, etc. Even specialists couldn't recognize what is sculpture and what is real. A magnificent idol of goddess Mahālakṣmī was placed at the main entrance, it seemed like the goddess had just emerged out of Kṣīrābdhi. There were icons of Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Indra and other gods as well. For the residence of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Indra and other gods, mansions similar to Śivaloka, Vaikuṇṭha, Satyaloka, etc, were designed. Himavān eagerly waited to welcome Śiva, the bridegroom of Pārvatī.

Then, in Kailāśa, Śiva acknowledged the letter with delight and honoured the messengers. He read it loudly with joy and was very happy, he joked "Those who do not take part in my wedding are not my people." And chuckled. Lord Viṣṇu along with his attendants appeared on Kailāśa, Śiva was overjoyed and embraced him. Lord Brahmā along with other Devās came there too. A great jovial festival was celebrated on Kailāśa, everybody was cheerful. After some time, Viṣṇu advised to start the rituals concerning the wedding.

Śaṅkara was anointed and bedecked as a part of a custom. The jewels and clothing attained lustre as Śiva wore them. The beauty of Śiva was beyond description, everyone shed tears of bliss on seeing him. Nobody even wanted to blink for they will lose the opportunity to behold the Lord for a millisecond.

The gods said, "O Mahādeva, be pleased to start the journey for wedding Mahādevī, our Mother who is born as the daughter of Menakā." Lord Viṣṇu and Śiva discussed the rituals followed in marriage, Śiva followed everything as instructed by Nārāyaṇa. All the rites were performed as per the Gṛhya Sūtras.

All the sages, who were well versed in Vedās performed the safety rite by reciting hymns from Rig, Sāma and Yajur to Śiva, who was himself the protector. Śiva looked at the security thread and smiled.

To avoid obstacles, the planets were worshipped under the instruction of Brahmā. After performing all the Vedic and social rites, Śiva bowed down to the Brāhmaṇas as a part of his play. The wives of the sages performed the Nīrājana ceremony (Waving of lights) and asked Śiva to begin his journey. 

Śiva started his journey to Auṣadhiprāsta seated on Nandi. The damsels danced, Gandharvas sang sweet songs, Brāhmaṇas recited Vedic hymns and other Devās played instruments to entertain Mahādeva. The attendants of Śiva yelled "Hara! Hara!" by beating drums etc. Not only Devās but there were ghosts and goblins with weird appearance too.  

On hearing the sound of drums, Himavān rejoiced. He promptly sent the Brāhmaṇas and His friends to invite the bridegroom. Śaṅkara's wedding procession arrived at the entryways of Auṣadhiprāsta, they were invited by the Brāhmaṇas reciting Vedic hymns. With his companions, Himavata showed up. On seeing Parameśvara, he praised his fortune but simultaneously felt terrible for the sensation of dissatisfaction he already had. His mind-melting with devotion, he bowed down to the Lord along with Lord Viṣṇu, Brahmā and other Devatās.

After welcoming, the Mountain king went ahead. He was followed by Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Devatās and the sages. In the meantime, Menakā enquired Naradā about her son-in-law. After hearing the description from Naradā, she was eager to behold the Lord. She went to the terrace along with Her friends and Naradā to see Mahādeva.

Śiva on realising the false pride of Menakā decided to play a divine sport. He called Lord Nārāyaṇa along with Brahmadeva and asked them to move forward with all others, while He and His Gaṇas will follow them from behind. Lord Viṣṇu knew what Śiva was up to and laughed within himself. After everyone moved forward, Śiva assumed a terrifying form. There was ash of cremation ground all over His body, He wore a crown of matted hair, There were snakes and garland of bones in the place of flowers and necklace, He was clad in tiger and elephant's hide, His earrings were scorpions, He had ten hands and five faces, He was accompanied by Bhūtas and Pretas. 

Menakā was tired of waiting. Whomever she thought to be Śiva was not Śiva but His devotee. Menā saw Viṣṇu, the dark-hued lord. Menakā said, "This is Śiva!", Naradā denied and said He was Śiva's friend. Menāvati was overjoyed hearing that but it was just for a few moments. After Viṣṇu, Śiva showed up, Menakā couldn't believe what she saw, She was terrified and confused. Naradā happily said, "He is Śiva, the bridegroom of your daughter, Pārvatī." After hearing this she enlarged her eyes and shouted "What?" and fell oblivious. Her friends and maids brought Her inside the palace and treated Her. After some time, Menakā regained consciousness. She saw Pārvatī beside Her and immediately caught hold of Her and thrashed Umā with her fists and elbows and started scolding Her. From Brahmā to the seven sages, everyone tried their best to convince Menā but failed.

Nāradā said, "O queen, Śiva's beauty cannot be surpassed by anyone. Śiva has taken this form as a part of his divine play. O Devī, give Umā to Hara."

On hearing this Menā said, "O wicked Nāradā, you are the base of everything, go away from here!" After saying this, she cried loudly. Himavata had seen the form of Śiva, he tried to explain it to his beloved wife but she didn't listen. Then Pārvatī herself talked to Her mother. She said, "O mother, Śiva in his playfulness takes various forms, but in reality, He is formless and attributeless. He is the source of everything, He is beautiful, pleasing and praised by the Vedās. O mother, give me to Him. Śiva has been loved by me, yes, loved by me mentally, verbally, and physically. You can do what you please." Menakā on hearing this became angry and hit Her again. No one could convince Devī Menā, if at all someone could it was Hari. Lord Viṣṇu came there and spoke to Menā, Menā's mind was somewhat softened on hearing Lord Viṣṇu's words. She said, "If Śiva takes a lovely form, Pārvatī may be given to him." 

Urged by Viṣṇu, Nāradā pleaded Mahādeva to come back to his original form. Śiva laughed and nodded His head. Śiva joyously assumed a wonderfully excellent and divine form and showed His mercifulness. He had the complexion of Campaka flower, His face was radiating with a sweet smile, He was embellished in jewels and gold and wore a garland of Mālatī flowers, a heavy gemset majestic crown adorned His head, it was beautified with peacock feathers and others, He was clad in silk Pītāmbara, He wore a Makara Kuṇḍala (Earring shaped like a crocodile) in His right ear and a round one in His left ear, He was adorned in bracelets and armbands of fine workmanship, His hair was silky and curly, Sandalwood paste mixed with musk and saffron was applied on His body, He wore a sacred thread made out of pearls, He held a gem-studded mirror in one of His lotus-like hand, kohl was applied on his large beautiful eyes, tinkling anklets were tied on His feet. Even millions of Suns couldn't match the brilliance of Śiva. 

The Sun became His royal umbrella, The Gaṅgā and the Yamunā lovingly waved the Chowries, the Asta Siddhis danced in front of Him, the Gaṇas shouted the cries of "Jaya" "Jaya" and walked in front. Everyone's filled with tears, the eyes of the residents of this town have become fruitful. The life of the persons who have seen this comely form has become meaningful. To behold His beauty, a lady who was feeding Her baby left him and rushed out to see the groom. A woman who was serving her husband by fanning him forgot her husband and came out. A lady who was bathing came out to see Śiva with shampoo in her hair. 

Menā shed the tears of joy and regretted what she was going to do. Menā's friends praised the luck of Menakā and the Mountain king. Menā came to the entrance with Her companions and lovingly performed Nīrājana rite to Śiva. She thought, "The beauty of Mahādeva is far more beautiful than what Pārvatī had to me before."

Menā then enquired about the health of Lord Vaidyanātha and gladly went into the house. Meanwhile, Pārvatī was brought out by Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Jayā, Vijayā and other friends for the worship of the family deity. Her beauty surpassed the beauty of Maheśvara. She was as dark as collyrium, fully embellished with all kinds of ornaments, Her lotus eyes looked at the three-eyed Lord, Her thick and shiny hair was plaited and beautified with all kinds of blossoms and jewels, there was a Tilaka of saffron and musk on Her forehead, gem-studded necklace shone over Her chest, Armbands and bangles of diamonds and gems shone splendidly, with jewel studs her mirror-like cheeks seemed brilliant, Her teeth shone like diamonds, Her lips were as red as Bimba fruit, She held a mirror and lotus in Her hands, sandalwood paste, aguru musk and saffron were spread over the body by her, red lac was applied on Her feet which were already red, tinkling anklets added to their magnificence. 

The Devatās and Gaṇas bowed their heads down to Ambā, Śiva saw her with the corner of His eyes, he forgot everything else after seeing her. Hairs stood on ends all over his body, as he continued seeing her with delight. Then Pārvatī went out of the city to worship the family goddess, who was none other than Pārvatī and returned with Her friends. Śiva went to his apartment as indicated by Himāncala with Lord Viṣṇu, Brahmā and other Devatās and Gaṇas.

To be continued...

Hara! Hara!

Yours,

Śivapādahṛdaya.