Again, though water of every description, pure and impure, flows into the Ganga, yet no one calls the heavenly stream foul. Like the sun, fire and the Ganga, the mighty, sire, incur no blame.

But if in their pride of wisdom stupid men emulate the great, they are cast into hell for a whole aeon (life-time of the universe). Can an embodied soul be compared to God?

Holymen would never taste wine, even though they know it is made of water from the Ganga; but the same wine becomes pure when it is poured into the Ganga. Such is the distinction between the individual soul and God.

Shiva is all-powerful by nature, for he is no other than God Himself. This union will therefore prove auspicious in every way. The great Lord Shiva is certainly difficult to propitiate; yet he is quickly appeased when austerity is practised.

If your daughter practises penance, the slayer of the demon Tripura, Mahadeva, can even annul her destiny. Though there may be many bridegrooms in the world, the only one for her is Shiva, and none else.

It is he who grants boons and relieves the distress of the suppliant; he is an ocean of benevolence and the delight of his devotee. Without propitiating Shiva the object of one’s desire cannot be won by a myriad austerities and prayers.’

So saying, and with his thought fixed on Hari, Narada gave his blessings to Parvati and added, ‘Shed all fear, O Mountain King, all will be well.’