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| Om Namah Shivaya |
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Shiva called some sages and said, "I wish to marry Parvati. You may please go to her father Himalaya and get his consent. Only then, further steps will be taken to solemnise the marriage."
The sages went to Himalaya and proposed Shiva's marriage to his daughter. Himalaya was very happy at this offer that Shiva was asking for his daughter's hand. Soon the necessary preparations were started. The Gods also joined the marriage-party. Many sages were there also to grace the occasion along with Gandharvas and the nymphs of the heaven who were singing and dancing. The marriage procession set off from the Kailash Mountain. On his side, Himalaya, the father of the bride, had made elaborate arrangements for the reception of the bride-groom and his party.
Fifty six kinds of delicious dishes had been prepared. All kinds of drinks were there. Sweets and salt dishes were in plenty. All the heavenly fruits were there. Dishes catered to every taste. Decoration was superb.
When the news of Shiva's arrival was announced, Parvati's mother Mena rushed out to have a look at the procession. She was eager to see the bride-groom.
Parvati's mother saw first of all Vishwavasu, the King of Gandharvas. She was very glad to see him. She took him to be Shiva. When she learnt that he was not Shiva, she wondered how handsome Shiva would be. She expected Shiva to be more handsome. Then she saw Kuber. She thought he was Shiva. At last Narad said, "He is Brahma, he is Vishnu and he is Brihaspati. They are all his attendants who have joined his marriage. Just wait as Shiva should be here in a moment."
When she saw Shiva wearing ornaments of snakes all over his body, Mena was horrified.
She said, "I am willing to kill my Parvati by giving her poison but cannot allow her to be married to Shiva. I am after all her mother not her foe. If you cannot stop this marriage, I shall commit suicide."
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