||Om Nama: Shivaya||

 

Chapter –78  – Rudra Samhitha/Sati Khanda – 17

Lord Bhrama speaks “ Oh! Mune, we have visited Devi Sati who was engaged in extreme penance, we have praised her Tapasya and returned to Mount Kailash, and informed Lord Shiva about Devi Paramba, Bhagavathi, Jagathjanani, who was engaged in extreme penance to achieve him as a wedded husband. Devi Sati continued her penance, worshiped Lord Shiva on the eighth bright day of the month Ashwin, at the completion of Nandavritha, Lord Shiva appeared before Devi Sati who was in a transcendental state.  The Supreme Lord Shiva who has attractive limbs, fair complexion, five faces, Agni, Surya, and Chandra as three eyes on each face, he was adorned in the crescent moon on the matted hair locks, he has a bluish neck, pleasant face, four arms holding a trident, two hands are in Abhaya, Varada Hastha posture, his body was smeared in sacred ashes, he has attractive stature, marvelous appearance, his beautiful face has the brilliance of crores of Sun, he has the loveliness of crores of Manmatha. Devi Sati awe-sparingly looked at the charming appearance of Lord Mahadeva, she shyly lowered her look and fixed her gaze at the feet of that supreme Lord Mahadeva. She reverentially prostrated before the Lord, who was already pleased with her loveliness and virtues, Lord Mahadeva spoke “ Oh! Dhakshanandhini, I am pleased with your Tapasya, and the Vrathas observed with utmost faith and devotion. Therefore, I am willing to offer a boon to you, ask for a boon as you have desired.” Lord Mahadeva who is the knower of all, was already know her desire, still wanted to hear from her.  Devi Sati who was already drenched in shyness could not utter a word; she was delighted to listen to the pleasant words of supreme Lord Mahadeva who is compassionate to his devotees. Lord Shiva who is the knower of the heart of the devotees, watching her devotion, prompted Devi Sati to ask for a boon. Devi Sati coyly replied “Oh! Bhagavan, Oh! Vrishadhvaja, you are the provider of an abundance of boons to your devotees, kindly grace me with the boon you have desired.” Lord Mahadeva, watching her meekness, before she could speak anything, uttered ‘Be my wife.” Devi Sati transported to a state of ecstasy, listening to the lovely words that were desired all her life. She kept quiet, her mind raced in great enthusiasm, she beautifully smiled at the Lord with full of love, both of their hearts filled with the Sringararasa for each other, they both had the mesmerizing appearance of the full moon of Chaithra. Devi Sati who has a dark complexion stood near Lord Shiva like the rain clouds gracefully circled around close to the full moon. Devi Sati extremely delighted spoke to Lord Shiva with folded hands “Oh! Devadeva, Oh! Mahadeva, Oh! Jagathpathe, Oh! Prabho, kindly accept me as your wedded wife from my father, following those prescribed rules.”

 

Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh! Mune, Lord Mahadeva accepted her sincere request and looked at her affectionately. Devi Sati offering her humble salutation at the lotus feet of Lord Mahadeva returned to her palace. Lord Mahadeva returned to Mount Kailash, but he could not take back the loving memories of Devi Sati from his mind, he lost attention in meditation, his mind was chasing after the lovely appearance of Devi Sati. Immediately, Lord Shiva remembered me, I have presented before him with Devi Saraswathi, and Sages, he was seated on the peak of Mount Himalaya.  Lord Mahadeva spoke “Oh! Bhraman, I have pleased with the devotion of Devi Sati, and her excellent austerities penance and Nandavrath, I have granted a boon which is favorable to both of us. We both have promised each other to remain as wedded wife and husband, further Devi Sati requested me to accept her as wedded wife from her father Dhakshaprajapathi, following the elaborate rituals. She has returned to her parental home, kindly proceed to the abode of Dhaksha and request him to offer Devi Sati in Kanyakadhanam to me. Oh! Bhrama, you are well-versed in Shastras, kindly do the needful to remove the pain of separation in us.”

 

Lord Bhrama speaks to Narada “Oh! Mune, we have noticed the slightest ache of separation on the face of Lord Shiva from Goddess Paramba, Bhagavathi, Jagathjanani. We felt immensely pleased to watch that Mahayogi, getting drawn towards the Samsara. I spoke to Lord Mahadeva “Oh! Vrishabhadhvaja, whatever you have spoken were to please the deities and for the welfare of the Universe, Oh! Bhagavan, I will speak to Daksha about your desire to get married to Devi Sati.” Oh! Mune, immediately I have traveled to the abode of Dhaksha in a fast-moving chariot.”

 

Maharishi Narada speaks “Oh! Vidhe, Oh! Mahaprajja, Oh! Mahabhaga, kindly narrate what was that happened after Devi Sati returned to the abode of Dhakshaprajapathi.”

 

Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh! Narada, Devi Sati returned to the abode of Dhakshaprajapathi after receiving the desired boon from Lord Mahadeva, she reverentially prostrated before her parents. Further, Devi Sati informed her parents reverentially, the boon that has received from Lord Shiva, she sends one of her attendants to convey that auspicious message to her parents. Her parents were extremely happy to know the remarkable boon she has achieved from Lord Maheshwara, the moment they received the auspicious news, the celebration began in the abode of Daksha. He received several Bhramins and offered an abundance of charities; Devi Virni gave away charities to beggars and poor people. Devi Virni rushed to her daughter and embraced her in extreme bliss, she praised Devi Sati’s austerities and Tapasya. Daksha immersed in various thoughts, “how did I approach Lord Mahadeva with the request to marry my daughter? If I send respected members of the family and if he refused to their pleas the whole efforts would become futile, otherwise I will worship that Lord and reveal my desire to him, the compassionate Lord will not discourage his devotees”. Exactly, at that moment, I have landed in the abode of Dhaksha with Devi Saraswathi and Sages, he received us with great reverence and offered a seat. Daksha was a little bit anxious, even though he did not reveal the reason for it, began to converse us pleasantly.  Daksha spoke “ Oh! Shrishtikartha, Oh! Jagathguro, kindly describe the purpose of your visit. Is there anything specific reason for your arrival or is it a casual visit to your son’s home? In either way, I am highly pleased to receive both of you and Sages.”

 

Lord Bhrama speaks to Dhakshaprajapathi “Oh! Prajapathi, I have visited to inform you about the welfare of your clan, your daughter Devi Sati has received a marvelous boon from Lord Mahadeva, and in addition to that, Lord Mahadeva appealed to you to find an auspicious time to offer Devi Sati in marriage. Hence, make an early arrangement to perform the grand wedding of Devi Sati with Lord Mahadeva, finally, that great Yogi who is unconquerable, and unblemished has agreed to become a Samsari. It is for the welfare of the Universe and removes the trepidations of the Samasara, and the troubles of deities as well. The Jagathjanani, Paramba, Bhagavathi, is inseparable from that supreme Lord Shiva, she has personified as your daughter to achieve that supreme Lord Mahadeva as wedded husband and she has performed several austerities and penance to achieve him as a wedded husband. Hence, do not make any delay in performing the wedding of this couple; I shall bring the supreme Lord Shiva along with Narada to perform the wedding of Devi Sati with Lord Mahadeva.”

 

Lord Bhrama speaks to Narada “Oh! Vathsa, Dhaksha was highly pleased to hear the news which was eagerly desired to hear, Dhaksha and Devi Virani felt that they have attained nectar-like news about their daughter. He agreed to perform the celestial wedding of the couple at the earliest; I have returned to the abode of Lord Shiva and explained the conversation took place between me and Dhaksha.”