The goddess, steadfast and resolute, spoke to the lord of the Grahas, “What has been given, I do not reclaim, O lord of the Grahas. What is ordained for you remains yours; no one should take back what has been offered to a Graha.” She declared, “This has been given by me to you, and I shall not take it back. Let it abide in you, and let this child be released.” Hearing these words, the Graha praised the goddess, released the child, and, bowing to her, vanished there, shining like the sun. The child, now freed by the Graha on the bank of the lake, disappeared as if a wealth of treasures had been obtained in a dream. Reflecting on the loss of her austerity, the goddess—daughter of Himavat, the king of the Himalayas—resumed her penance, steadfast and disciplined. Śaṅkara himself, knowing her intent, gently addressed her: “O Brahmin, do not undertake austerity again. This austerity, O goddess of great vows, has already been given to me by you; by that very act, it will become inexhaustible for you, a thousandfold.” Receiving this boon of supreme and inexhaustible austerity, the goddess stood joyful and delighted, awaiting the time to choose her own husband. It is said that whoever recites the account of these child-like deeds of Śaṃbhu, upon leaving this body, becomes purified and attains the status of Gaṇeśa, equal to Kumāra. In due course, on the broad, palace-crowded slopes of Himavat, the self-choice ceremony of the mountain king’s daughter was arranged. Himavat, wise and skilled in meditation, knew through the god of gods that this was divinely ordained for his daughter, and so he acted accordingly. Though he was aware of the divine plan, he wished to honor his word, and so he proclaimed the svayamvara—the self-choice ceremony—of the goddess throughout all the worlds. He announced, “Among all gods, demons, siddhas, and beings of every world, let my daughter choose Parameśāna openly, if she so wishes.” Thinking, “This alone is virtuous, praiseworthy, and beneficial for my prosperity,” the lord of mountains fixed Maheśvara in his heart. He prepared a place adorned with jewels for all the gods, up to Brahmā, and conducted the ceremony with great splendor. As soon as the svayamvara was announced, all the gods and residents of the worlds, taking on various forms, gathered for the mountain princess. Seated upon a blossoming lotus throne, surrounded by siddhas and countless yogis, I too was informed by the king of the mountains and arrived there with the celestials. The king of the gods, Indra, adorned with divine ornaments and garlands, radiant and splendid, came riding Airāvata, his mighty elephant, whose streams flowed with intoxicating ichor. Indra, holding his thunderbolt, ascended before the gods, his glory illuminating all directions like the sun. Mounted on a golden palace adorned with banners and flags, Indra’s form shone like fire and the sun. Bhaga, son of Kaśyapa and one of the Ādityas, arrived alone, robust and adorned with auspicious ornaments, his radiance and strength matching his splendor. Kṛtānta, bearing his staff, arrived swiftly on a formidable buffalo, his body massive like a great mountain, adorned with gold and precious gems. Samīraṇa, the wind god and sustainer of all worlds, ascended his palace and approached, his energy and brilliance surpassing all other gods and demons. Agni, the fire god, blazed among the gods, his limbs shining with many jewels, his divine palace the finest in the worlds. The lord of wealth, king of kings, arrived swiftly, his radiance filling all gods and demons, his form beautiful and resplendent. The moon god arrived, his body dark and splendidly adorned, seated upon a palace of wondrous gems, fragrant garlands draped upon his form. He who bore the mace, swiftly mounted on Tārkṣya, the great celestial bird, and, together with the two Ashvins—the foremost physicians—boarded a single celestial vehicle. The two illustrious gods, radiant and heroic, arrived, their bodies shining with fiery hues, blazing with the brilliance of fire and the sun, each bearing a thousand serpents. That great soul, with other serpents, ascended the celestial vehicle and approached the sons of Diti and the mighty demons, whose radiance rivaled fire, sun, Indra, and wind. All were adorned befitting their status. The king of the Gandharvas, handsome and splendid in divine ornaments, moved among the assembly in a celestial vehicle. He was accompanied by Gandharvas and Apsaras, arriving at Indra’s command; other gods too came from heaven, each beautifully attired. Gandharvas, Yakshas, serpents, and Kinnaras arrived, ascending celestial vehicles. Among the gods, the lord of Shachi shone forth, his form distinguished above all kings. Empowered by command and sovereignty, he joyfully conducted the svayamvara. She, the mother of all worlds, of gods and demons, the very cause of the universe’s birth, stood at the center. She, wife of Śaṃbhu, the wise Purusha, sung in the Purāṇas as the supreme Prakṛti, who, angered by Daksha, had left her father’s house for the sake of duty, now stood radiant among the dwellers of heaven. Standing upon a celestial vehicle adorned with jewels and gold, her limbs fanned by waving chowries, she took up a garland of fragrant, beautiful flowers from all seasons and boldly advanced. Holding the garland, as she stood in the assembly of gods with Indra and others present, the svayamvara commenced. Out of divine playfulness, Śaṃbhu manifested as a child with five tufts of hair, and suddenly lay asleep in her lap, displaying his divine power. Seeing the child with five tufts, the goddess recognized him as worthy and joyfully took him up. Pure in resolve, having attained her desired husband, she withdrew and remained, holding that Lord in her heart. But as the gods saw the child in her lap, they were filled with wonder and confusion. They began to deliberate among themselves, exclaiming, “Who is this here?”—their minds greatly bewildered by this divine mystery.