[Advaita-l] Stories from the Shiva Purana - 11 (The Wedding of Shiva and Parvati)

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Continued from the previous post. Parvati is fully reunited with her husband Shiva:
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226093.html
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226112.html
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226119.html
Section 2.3, Chapters 29-55)
 
 
Parvati said, “O Lord, O Lord of gods, You are my husband. Formerly as Daksha’s daughter I was offered to You by my father. But the marriage rites were not
duly performed then. The customary procedures of the marriage shall certainly be followed. Let Himavat know that an auspicious penance has been performed well
by his daughter.”
 
Shiva said, “O Great Goddess, listen to My important statement. See that Our marriage rites are performed in the proper manner without deficiency. O gentle lady,
I, the independent, have been made subservient by You. You alone are the Great illusory power, the Primordial Nature that creates. This entire universe has been
made of illusion; it is held by the Supreme Soul with His great intellect. It is united and enveloped by the Ganas of the nature of pervading souls of meritorious
deeds, akin to the nature of supreme soul. You are indeed the subtle primordial nature consisting of Rajas, Sattva and Tamas. You are capable of perpetual activity.
You are both possessed and devoid of attributes.”
 
Parvati said, “You are the Cosmic Soul and I am the Cosmic Nature. There is nothing to deliberate on this. We two are independent and subservient to the devotees.
We two are both possessed and devoid of attributes. I am your devotee forever. I am your Wife forever in ever birth. You are Brahman, the Great Soul, devoid of
attributes greater than primordial nature, without abberration, free from yearnings, independent, Great Lord. Still You are possessed of attributes too and
enthusiastic in the uplift of the devotees. You sport about in Your own Soul engrossed in it and You are clever in Your different sports.”
 
Lord Shiva, accompanied by His Ganas, gods and others, went to the city of Himagiri for the celebration of His marriage. Himavat gave his daughter Parvati,
the Mother of the three worlds, to Shiva the Great, repeating the mantra, “Tasmai Rudraya Mahate”. Placing the hand of Parvati in the hand of Shiva, the mountain
rejoiced much mentally. He had the satisfaction of crossing the ocean of his ambition.
 
Shiva grasped the lotus-like hand of Parvati in His hand repeating the Vedic mantras. Lord Shiva was greatly delighted. Thus Himavat attained perfect satisfaction
after giving his daughter Parvati to Shiva, the Great Lord, in accordance with the rules.
 
At the behest of the Brahmins, Shiva applied Red powder (Sindoor) on the head of Parvati. The lustre of Parvati at that time was beyond description and very wondrous.
On the Kailasa mountain, Shiva stayed with Parvati and continued His divine sports with joy. The Ganas too were happy and they worshipped the married couple.
 
The auspicious story of the marriage of Shiva, dispels sorrow, generates delight and increases wealth and longevity. He who hears this story with pure mind
fixed on them or narrates the same, shall attain Shivaloka.
 
 
(To be Continued)