Chapter 42 - Description of the meeting of the lord and the mountain

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:—

1. On hearing that the all-pervading Śiva had come very near his city, the lord of mountains Himavat rejoiced much.

2. Then, gathering all the requisite things he sent mountains and the brahmins to welcome Siva.

3. With his mind melting with devotion and joyously praising his luck, the mountain personally went to see Śiva as dear as the very vital air.

4. On seeing the army of the gods Himavat was struck with wonder. Considering himself blessed he appeared in front of them.

5. The gods too were struck with wonder on seeing his army. The gods and the mountains became delighted.

6. The vast army of the mountains and the gods, O sage, on coming together shone like the eastern and western oceans in juxtaposition.

7. Meeting each other, the gods and the mountains considered themselves blessed. They were greatly delighted.

8. Seeing Śiva in front, Himavat bowed to Him. The mountains and the brahmins bowed to Sadāśiva.

9-14. He was seated on his bull, fully bedecked in ornaments and beaming in the face. The beauty of his divine person illuminated the quarters. His body shone in the delicate silken garments. His crown was lustrous with the gems set in it. He was smiling shedding pure brilliance everywhere. Serpents had transformed themselves into ornaments on his body. He had a wonderful lustre and a divine refulgence. Gods served him with chowries in their hands. Viṣṇu was standing to the left, Brahmā to the right, Indra at his back. Behind on either side, the gods were standing. He was being eulogised by the gods and others. He looked benevolent to the people. Being one He had assumed different physical bodies for his own reasons. He was Brahman itself, the lord of all and the bestower of boons. He was both with or without attributes, subservient to the devotees, merciful, greater than primordial Being and primordial nature, Existence, Knowledge and Bliss itself.

15. The mountain saw Viṣṇu, bedecked in ornaments and seated on Garuḍa to the right of lord Śiva.

16. O sage, to the left of the lord stood I, the fourfaced deity, shining brilliantly and accompanied by my attendants.

17. On seeing us both, great favourites of Śiva for ever, the lord of mountains with all his retinue respectfully bowed to us.

18. Similarly, on seeing the gods and others brilliantly shining behind lord Śiva and at his sides, the lord of mountains bowed to them.

19. At the bidding of Śiva the mountain went ahead to his city. Behind him went Viṣṇu, Brahmā, the sages and the gods.

20. O Nārada, the sages, the gods and others accompanying the lord, praised the city of Himavat with great delight.

21. Stationing the gods and others on his beautiful summit specially arranged for them, Himavat went to the place where the altar for the rites had been erected.

22. After causing squares and quadrangles to be made with festoons, he performed the ceremonial ablutions, gave charitable gifts and supervised everything.

23. Then he sent his sons to Śiva accompanied by all his attendants and followers, Viṣṇu and others.

24. The extremely delighted lord of mountains in the company of his kinsmen desired to perform the reception to the bridegroom with great pomp and ceremony.

25. The sons of the mountain accompanied by their relatives went to Śiva and acquainted him with the request of the mountain.

26. The sons of the mountain came back to their abode with his permission and informed the king of mountains gladly that the bridegroom and the party were on their way there.

27. O sage, on hearing the request thus made, Viṣṇu and other gods with the lord rejoiced much.

28. Dressed richly and exquisitely the gods, the gaṇas, the sages and others started towards the abode of lord Himavat.

29. In the meantime, Menā desired to see Śiva. O sage, through her lord, you, the excellent sage, were requisitioned there.

30. O sage, urged by the lord who desired to fulfil the task of Śiva you went there.

31. O sage, after bowing to you, Menā with her heart full of surprise told you that she wanted to see the real form of lord Śiva that dispels haughtiness.