And now you are led away by his words, and are longing to wed an inveterate ascetic, apathetic by nature, devoid of attributes, shameless, homeless and naked, who has an inauspicious look about him, wears a string of skulls around his neck, is without a family and has snakes for his ornaments.

Tell me now, what happiness is to be had from such a bridegroom as this? You have fallen an easy prey to the machinations of that swindler! Shiva married Sati only to satisfy public opinion, and then abandoned her and left her to die.

Now Shiva sleeps at ease without a care and lives on alms. Can women every stay in the homes of such confirmed solitaries?

Even now heed our words; we have thought of an excellent match for you, very handsome, pious, agreeable and amiable, whose glory and exploits the Vedas hymn.

Free from blemish is he and the perfection of all virtues, Lakshmi’s lord, who has his abode in the city of Vaikuntha. Such is the husband we shall bring to make him yours’. On hearing this Bhavani smiled and said,

‘You spoke truly when you said that this body of mine is born of a mountain! I would sooner die than give up my stubbornness. Gold, too, comes from the rock, but it does not abandon its natural quality even on being consigned to fire.

I shall not ignore Narada’s word; whether my house be full or desolate, I fear not. He who has no faith in the words of his guru cannot hope to win either happiness or success even in a dream.