Chapter 48 - Birth of Uma—Her marriage with Siva

Jaimani [Jaimini] said,

“Worthy Suka, you have told us how Ganga who is one-half^[1] of the deceased Sati became reunited with Siva. Be pleased to tell us now how Uma, the other half, attained the same object.”

Thereupon Sukadeva. narrated as follows:—

After the departure of Ganga to Heaven^[2], Menaka bore another daughter in her delight at whose birth she forgot the grief caused by the separation from her first daughter.

This child rapidly grew into a fair blooming-girl of transcendent beauty and divine accomplishments.

One day the great Rishi Narada came to Himalaya’s house, and, calling Menaka aside, related to her the whole history of Sati from the very beginning, and Menaka then learnt that her daughter was none other than the primeval and; eternal Prakriti^[3], Bhavani^[4].

Thereafter Narada went to the king of mountains, (Himalaya,) and, addressing him, said,

“King, your daughter is now of a marriageable age, and I should like to know if you have selected a suitable bridegroom for her.”

Himalaya said,

“My daughter is herself practising Tapasya^[5] in the forest with the object of getting a suitable husband, and I am convinced that she will get the same husband as she had in her former birth. It is needless, therefore, for us to trouble ourselves in the matter.”

Narada answered,

“You may be right, but, at the same time, it is man’s duty to make necessary efforts for the attainment of his object, because an effortless man falls a victim to the demon known as Karya Rakshasa (the slayer of works). As a father, it is your bounden duty to select a husband for your daughter and thereafter to give her over to him. The house-holder who does not bestir himself, thinking that he is sure to get what fate has in store for him, and that it is useless for him to make any efforts, is a fool and a heretic. I advise your therefore, to hold a consultation with Brahmanas and your ministers in connection with your daughter’s marriage.”

Himalaya said,

“My Lord, you are the wisest among the wise, and, therefore, fit to advise me in the matter. Do you suggest a suitable bridegroom who would make my daughter happy.”

Narada answered,

“I know of a bridegroom who is suitable for your daughter. In fact, your daughter is herself anxious to secure him. His residence is the Kailasa, and he dwells in you also, because he is the Supreme Self. (Atma). Kubera^[6] is his servant, and he is worshipped by the gods. I wish you to marry your daughter to him.”

Himalaya at once agreed to Narada’s proposal, and requested him to bring the bridegroom.

Narada thereupon, went to Siva, and, after bowing down to him, said,

“Lord, your desire has been fulfilled. The remaining half of the goddess Sati has been born at the same place where the gods found Ganga, and is practising Tapasya^[7] in the midst of a dense forest with the object of obtaining you as her husband. I have spoken to Himalaya and Menaka about you, and they have agreed to bestow their daughter on you. All you have to do now is to go to Himalaya and live there and Uma will serve you.”

Siva said,

“I have already regained my Sati in Ganga whom I deem it an honour to hold on my head. Of what other Sati do you speak?”

Narada said,

“Sati has divided herself into two parts, viz. Ganga and Uma. The former you are already holding on your head, and the latter will now grace your left side.”

When the above conversation was over Narada took leave of Siva who proceeded forthwith to Himalaya to practise Yoga. On arriving there he disguised himself as a Brahmana and appeared before the goddess, Sati, who was deeply engaged in Tapasya.

Accosting her, he said,

“Beautiful maiden, who art thou, and why art thou practising Tapasya which ill befits thy age and beauty?”

The goddess said,

“Good Brahmana, I am the daughter of Himalaya, and am performing Tapasya with the object of getting the great ana mighty Siva as my husband? In my former life I was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha who abused Siva in my presence, and thereby became the cause of my death.”

Siva said,

“Why shouldst thou who seemest to be the very treasure-house of beauty and accomplishments, undergo such severe penances for the sake of that ugly Siva whose favourite haunts are the cremation grounds? Thou art fit for Indra and his peers. Siva does not deserve all this trouble He would be only too glad to fall down. at thy feet and serve thee as a slave.”

Devi said,

“Remember, Brahmana, that I once gave up my life because I could not bear to hear Siva decried. Pray do not use such words. Come, expiate the sin you have committed, by singing a hymn in his praise. By hearing it I too shall be absolved from the sin which I have incurred by hearing your unholy words.”

Thereupon Siva who himself was in the disguise of the Brahmana chanted a hymn in which Lord Siva was so truly and correctly described that the Devi cried out with joy saying,

“I fall down at your feet, O Brahmana for I have learnt that you are the Lord Siva himself in disguise. O my lord, may I find favour in your sight.”

Siva, thereupon, assumed his own form and appeared before her mounted on his bull. He assured her that she should be his wife and then disappeared from sight.

Uma then came back to her father’s house, and Siva, with Ganga on his head, installed himself on the summit of Himalaya, and practised Yoga. Himalaya, under the instructions of Narada, assigned his daughter to Siva’s service, and she went and served him with all her heart.

Siva, however, was absorbed in deep meditation, and had not, therefore, the slightest desire for a wife at the time. So Brahma ordered Kandarpa, the god of love, to go and disturb Siva’s meditation.

Kandarpa, accordingly, went with his wife, Rati, to the place, and shot a flowery arrow with his bow at Siva. No sooner was this done than the season changed into spring and all the trees were laden with flowers, making the air of the forest redolent with their perfume.

Siva’s trance was broken, and he opened his eyes to find out the cause of his disturbance. When he saw Kandarpa standing on one side, with bow and arrow in hand, ready for use, he cast an angry look at him, and, lo! he was at once consumed to ashes! Re forthwith entered into the body of Uma, and was thereafter called “Ananga” or bodiless.

Siva rubbed the ashes of Kandarpa on his own body, and when Uma looked at him he became enamoured of her.

Brahma and the other gods were delighted at this, and Himalaya gave his daughter in marriage to Siva in their presence.

Sometime after this the gods came to Siva in a body, and, representing to him the sorry plight they had been reduced to on account of the depredations of a great demon named Tarakasura, requested him to beget a boy who would be the leader of their host, and deliverjthem from the hands of the demon.

Siva agreed to do so, and, in due time, a boy was born whose name was Kartikeya. Siva and the other gods taught him the use of arms.

Kartikeya killed Tarakasura and delivered the gods from his tyranny.

Siva continued to live with Uma on the Himalayas where he instructed her in the Mantras^[8] and Tantras^[9] of the gods.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

See page 124.

[2]:

See page 127.

[3]:

Nature.

[4]:

The goddess of the world.

[5]:

Austerities.

[6]:

The god of riches and treasure, and the regent of the northern quarters.

[7]:

Austerities.

[8]:

See footnote (2) at page 17.

[9]:

See footnote (1) at page 17.