The charming ladies jested in sweet strains and began to indulge in good-humoured raillery. The gods felt so amused to hear them that they prolonged the feast. The joy that swelled at the dinner cannot be described even with a myriad tongues. Having rinsed their hands and mouths at the end of the dinner, they too betel-leaves, and then returned, each to his own lodging.

Then the sages returned and read out to Himavan the note recording the time fixed for the wedding; and when he saw that it was time for the ceremony, he sent for the gods.

Himavan courteously sent for all the gods and assigned to each an appropriate seat. An altar was prepared in accordance with the Vedic ritual and the women chanted charming festal songs.

A divinely beautiful throne was placed on the altar; being the handiwork of Brahma himself, it was beyond all description. Bowing his head to the Brahmans and calling to his mind his own Lord Raghunatha, Shiva took his seat upon the throne.

Then the high sages sent for Parvati, who was brought I by her maidens, richly adorned. All the gods were enraptured at the sight of her beauty. What poet in the world could describe such loveliness?

Recognizing in her the Mother of the world and Shiva’s spouse, the divinities did obeisance to her in their hearts. Bhavai, who is the crown of beauty, possesses a loveliness which not even a myriad tongues could tell.

The matchless grace of the Mother of the world could not be described even with a myriad tongues. When even the Vedas, Sesha and Sarasvati shrink from describing it, of what account is the dull-witted Tulasidasa? Bhavani the Mother, the mine of beauty, walked to the middle of the pavilion where Shiva sat. She could not look upon her lord’s lotus feet for modesty, although her heart hovered about them like a bee.