As I Know: The Lord of the Mountains – Shiv Purana: 81

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Maina is agitated and averse to the suggestion of marrying Parvati to Rudra and now, Seven Sages arrive in the capital of Himavana on the advice of Shiva

Brahmin’s words did not look heartening. When he went away and disappeared, Maina was quite upset and disturbed. In a distressed frame of mind, she told, “O king, a vaishanava brahmin did not speak well of lord Shiva. After I heard, anguish perturbs and now, I feel not very happy and am disinterested. Rudra’s figure, fine quality and name are tainted. I shall never give the hand of my daughter to him. If you do not agree, I shall die. I shall leave the house just now or I shall take poison. I shall put a noose around the neck of Parvati and then go to the jungle. It is possible I push her deep into the depth of ocean but I would not marry her to Rudra.”

She said unkindly and somberly. She could no longer put up such terse and humiliating words and therefore, in pain and disgust, went to the palace and wept.

Shiva learnt about the development and consequently, he deputed the great seven sages and Arunadhiti to go to Himavana, and convince Maina.

All the sages and Arunadhiti arrived in the capital of Himavana through the sky path. When they saw the divine town, they were surprised on beholding the beauty and grandeur of the town and were very happy.

Himavana saw seven sages from a distance and said, “The seven sages of divine brilliance are coming. At this moment, I must worship.” He was quite happy. Thereafter, he looked after the sages in an imperial way, extended majestic welcome, greetings and worship. He was happy that he got an opportunity to serve the holy men.

He said, “I am blessed…I am pure …the place is like a sanctified tirtha on earth, O holy souls. Tell anything and I would serve you.” He wanted to serve holy men. The conduct of the king pleased the saints immensely.

The sages disclosed the sacred objective and told the king to marry off Parvati to Shiva. It would greatly delight the lord of universe they told. Himavana heard meekly and then told about the visit of a vaishnava brahmin and revealed each word the brahmin had said. Shiva was not the right choice he counseled and spoke of the qualities of Rudra. Wise brahmin convinced Maina and so, she was not ready to marry Parvati to a man, who was without a name, family, beauty, virtue and sense of discipline. He was a beggar and an ugly man, living in a cremation ground. Harsh truths changed the mind he told.

“O sages, even I do not want any relation with Maheshwara.” The king told honestly.

The sages observed silence because they were aware of the delusory powers of Shiva and so, praised thelord and the enormous supremacy he enjoyed and asked Arunadhiti to go and convince the queen. Arunadhiti went to Maina and Parvati and spoke pleasantly. She explained everything and emphasised the need to marry off Parvati to Shiva. Thereafter, the three arrived at the place where the seven holy sages were staying. The sages revealed the purpose behind the divine relation. It ought to cheer up everybody, as it was the sacred wish of Supreme Brahma. Ruin of Taraka was essential, and therefore, a son born of Parvati through Shiva only could kill him. To achieve the objective Brahma had requested Shiva to attain the purpose. Hence, yogi Shiva agreed to marry goddess Parvati.

Himavana was not ready to offer daughter Parvati to Shiva, who had nothing with him. He was a recluse with nobody to depend upon. Himavana told of the negative characteristics and flaws of Shiva and therefore, rejected the pleas of sages humbly. Later on, sage Vasistha told Himavana about the virtues of Shiva and explained the hallowed intent of scriptures and wise men. Vasistha told that endearing language is good to listen but often proves untrue and untrustworthy in the end.

Sermons often appear bitter and unpleasant in the beginning but are beneficial in the end, and the words of eternal wisdom flow nectar like and pervade the entire living beings with truth, dharma and virtues. He told Himavana to make the right choice after deep thought.

Three options appeared certain to test Shiva’s delusory powers he said. He told lord was a storehouse of knowledge of the three worlds and was the lord of all gods and further told that he was an infinitely wise lord in the universe. They praised profusely the multidimensional virtues and powers of the great lord and if they emphasised certain virtues, it was reassertion of the eternal values essential for created beings to live meaningfully.

After a thought, they added, “O Himavana, who knows Sankara is not happy? Kubera is lord’s kinkara, and with the vast power of delusion, he creates and destroys the world. He is beyond virtue, paramatma and nature (prakriti) and therefore, is the lord of all gods. Creation, Preservation and Destruction are the images of Supreme Brahma, Vishnu and Sankara, the great trinity. They are one but appear three. One must understand maya of the Supreme lord. Decorated with three names you may say but he is One. Who says he is poor or suffering? Brahma, the lord of Brahmaloka, Vishnu the lord of the ocean of Milk and the lord of Kailasa are the images of Shiva. Prakriti born of Shiva is also adorned with three images.” The sages continued and thereafter, a long pause disturbed each one.

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