Chapter 18 - Marriage of Śiva and Satī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:—

1. When you approached Śiva, what was it that transpired? What were the events? What did Śiva Himself do?

Brahmā said:—

2. I approached lord Śiva who was staying in the Himālayan mountains in order to bring Him (to the house of Dakṣa). I was in a joyous mood.

3. On seeing me, the creator of the world, approaching, the bull-emblemed Śiva had doubts about the acquisition of Satī.

4. Due to His real affection or as a part of His divine sports in conformity with the conventions of the world or due to the devotion of Satī, Śiva immediately spoke to me like an ordinary man.

Śiva said:—

5. O eldest of devas, what did your son (Daṣka) do in the matter of Satī. Tell me lest my heart should be severed by the cupid.

6. This anxiety of separation, O eldest of devas, running between Satī and me attacks only me, leaving the other, the woman, who very well sustains her life.

7. O Brahmā, respect the name Satī. Let me do what shall be done. She is not different from me. She has to be attained by me. O Brahmā, act accordingly.

Brahmā said:—

8. O sage Nārada, on hearing the words of Śiva best speaking of His strict adherence to the conventions of the world I told Śiva, consoling Him.

9. O bull-emblemed God, hear what my son told me regarding Satī. Rest assured that what you wanted to achieve has been achieved.

10. Dakṣa has said “My daughter shall go to Him. She has been intended for Him. This has been my desire.” Now that you also say, it is all the more necessary that it shall be carried out.

11. For this purpose Śiva had been propitiated by my daughter. Now He too seeks her. Hence She has to be offered to Him by me.

12. Let Him come to me in an auspicious conjunction of stars. Then, O Brahmā, I shall offer my daughter to Him in the form of Alms.

13. O bull-emblemed God, Dakṣa has told me so. Go to his house in an auspicious hour and bring her here.

14. O sage, on hearing these words of mine, Rudra, who is favourably disposed to His devotees, spoke with a smile, strictly adhering to the conventions of the world.

Śiva said:—

15. I shall go to his house accompanied by you and Nārada. Hence, O creator of the universe, you remember Nārada.

16. Remember your mental as well as physical sons—Marīci and others. O Brahmā, with all my attendants and with them I shall go to Dakṣa’s house.

Brahmā said:—

17. Thus commanded by Śiva following the conventions of the world, I remembered you, Nārada and the other sons—Marīci etc.

18. Immediately after I remembered them, all of my mental sons and you arrived in a happy mood.

19. Remembered by Śiva, Viṣṇu, the foremost of Śiva’s devotees, came there along with the Goddess Lakṣmī seated on Garuḍa^[1] and accompanied by his army.

20. In the bright half of the month of Caitra (March-April) on the thirteenth day when the star was Uttarā Phalguni on a Sunday, lord Śiva started.

21. Going ahead, with all the devas, led by Brahmā and Viṣṇu and accompanied by the sages, Śiva shone brilliantly.

22. Great festivities were arranged by Devas and the attendants of Śiva who were in the happiest mood, on their way.

23. The hides of elephant and tiger, the serpents, the crescent moon and the matted hair, all became fitting ornaments and embellishments at Śiva’s will.

24. Then in a trice, Śiva reached Dakṣa’s abode seated on his speedy bull and along with Viṣṇu and others.

25. With great humility and boundless joy, Dakṣa along with his people welcomed Him.

26. The Devas and their attendants were honoured by Dakṣa. The sages were seated in their due order.

27. Then Dakṣa took Śiva within the house along with the devas and the sages.

28. The delighted Dakṣa worshipped lord Śiva, after offering him an excellent seat.

29. He worshipped Viṣṇu, me, the brahmins, devas and the Gaṇas of Śiva, with great devotion and in a fitting manner.

30. After performing the suitable worship, Dakṣa in the presence of respectable sages announced the marriage agreement.

31. Then Dakṣa, my son, knelt before me, his father, with pleasure and said—“O lord, the marriage rites shall be performed by you.”

32. Saying ‘Amen’ I got up with a delightful heart and performed the preliminary rites.

33. Then in an auspicious conjunction of stars with the planets in a propitious position, Dakṣa joyfully gave his daughter Satī to Siva.

34. As a part of the rites of marriage the delighted Śiva grasped the hand of Satī of comely appearance.

35. We all, Viṣṇu, I, you and other sages, bowed to Śiva and delighted Him with laudatory hymns.

36. There were great festivities with songs and dances. The sages and the devas were in a gay mood.

37. After offering his daughter, Dakṣa, my son, was extremely satisfied, Satī and Śiva were in happy mood. Everything concluded auspiciously.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Garuḍa, the chief of birds, is descended from Kaśyapa and Vinatā—one of the daughters of Dakṣa. He is the Vehicle of lord Viṣṇu. He is represented as having the head, wings, talons and beak of an eagle and the body and limbs of a man. His face is white, his wings red and his body golden. For details, sec Legends in the Mahābhārata PP. 1-153.