Parvati and all her playmates, Himalaya and his wife, Maina, were all thrilled and their eyes were filled with tears. The words of the divine seer Narada could not be untrue; Parvati cherished them in her heart.

Love for Shiva’s lotus feet sprouted in her heart, but she feared it would be difficult to find him. Thinking the time was inopportune for its disclosure, she concealed her love and then went back to the lap of one of her playmates.

The prophecy of the divine seer could not be false. The thought made the Mountain King and his wife as well as the wise playmates anxious. Collecting himself, the lord of the mountains said, ‘Tell me, holy sir, what remedy should now be employed?’

The great sage, Narada, replied, ‘Listen, O Himavan, whatever has been decreed by fate no one can undo, - not even gods, demons, human beings, serpents or sages.

Nevertheless I tell you one remedy: this may avail if heaven helps you. Uma will surely wed such a husband as I described to you.

But what demerits I mentioned in the bridegroom exist, so I told, in Shiva. If she be married to Shiva, everyone will call the demerits as good as virtues.

Though Hari uses the serpent-god Shesha as his couch and sleeps thereon, the wise account it no fault in him. The sun and fire absorb moisture in all forms, but no one blames them for it.