Knowing through divine insight that his daughter’s destiny was ordained by the god of gods, the great mountain king, Himavat, skilled in meditation, acted with faith. Though he understood the divine will, Himavat wished to honor the agreement and so announced a grand self-choice ceremony for his daughter, the goddess, inviting all beings of every world—gods, demons, siddhas, and all inhabitants—to witness her choosing Parameśāna, should she so desire, openly and without concealment. Himavat thought, “This alone is virtuous and praiseworthy, and favored for my prosperity,” and thus fixed Maheśvara firmly in his heart. To honor all the gods up to Brahmā, the noble mountain lord prepared a splendid place adorned with jewels and conducted the self-choice ceremony for the goddess. As soon as word spread of this svayamvara, all the gods and residents of the worlds, assuming wondrous forms, gathered for the mountain princess. Seated upon a blossoming lotus throne, surrounded by siddhas and immeasurable yogis, I too was informed by Himavat and arrived, accompanied by the celestials. Indra, king of gods, bearing a thousand eyes and adorned with divine ornaments and garlands, came riding Airāvata, the foremost among elephants, whose streams flowed with intoxicating ichor. Ascending, the king of immortals, holding the thunderbolt, approached before the gods, his radiance surpassing all, illuminating every direction like the sun. Mounted upon a golden palace adorned with banners and flags, Indra arrived swiftly, his jewel-studded earrings shining, his form radiant like fire and the sun within the palace. Bhaga, son of Kaśyapa and one of the Ādityas, came alone, his robust body adorned with auspicious ornaments, possessing radiance, strength, and authority equal to his splendor. Kṛtānta, the lord of death, arrived, taking up his staff and mounting a formidable buffalo with speed; his body massive like a great mountain, adorned with gold and precious gems. Samīraṇa, the sustainer of all worlds, ascended his palace and approached, overwhelming all lords of gods and demons with his brilliance and energy, established in radiance. Fire came, blazing among the gods, standing in the midst with a splendid form, his limbs shining with various jewels, his foremost divine palace the best in the worlds. The lord of wealth, king of kings, arrived swiftly, his radiance and appearance filling all lords of gods and demons, beautiful in form. The moon, shining, arrived mounted upon a palace of wondrous gems, his body dark and splendidly adorned, his whole form wrapped in fragrant garlands. He who bears the mace swiftly mounted Tārkṣya, who was like a great mountain, and together with the two Ashvins, the foremost physicians, hurriedly boarded a single celestial vehicle. The two illustrious gods, radiant and splendid in form, arrived—valiant heroes, bearing a thousand serpents, their bodies shining with fiery hues, blazing like fire and the sun. That great soul, together with other serpents, ascended the celestial vehicle and approached the sons of Diti and the mighty demons, whose radiance equaled fire, sun, Indra, and wind. Adorned in attire befitting their status, the assembly gathered before the gods; the king of Gandharvas, handsome and adorned with divine ornaments, moved about in a celestial vehicle. Accompanied by groups of Gandharvas and Apsaras, he arrived at Indra’s command; other gods also came from heaven, each separately, beautifully attired. Gandharvas, Yakshas, serpents, and Kinnaras arrived, ascending celestial vehicles; amidst 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, was the very cause of the universe’s birth. She, the wife of Shambhu, the wise Purusha, sung in the Purāṇas as the supreme Prakṛti—who, angered by Daksha, left the wise one’s house for the sake of duty—arrived among the dwellers of heaven. Standing upon a celestial vehicle adorned with jewels and gold, her limbs fanned by waving chowries, the goddess seized a garland of flowers from all seasons, fragrant and beautiful, and boldly advanced. Having taken the garland, as the goddess stood in the assembly of gods, with Indra and others present, the svayamvara commenced. Out of curiosity, Śaṃbhu manifested as a child with five tufts of hair and suddenly lay asleep in her lap, displaying his divine power. The goddess saw the child with five tufts, recognized him as worthy, and joyfully took him up. Pure in resolve, having attained her desired husband, she withdrew, holding that Lord in her heart. Seeing the child in the goddess’s lap, the gods deliberated, “Who is this here?” and cried out, greatly bewildered. Vṛtrahā raised his arm and summoned the thunderbolt against him; yet the child’s arm rose and remained firm in the same way. By Śaṃbhu’s divine power, the child was immovable; Vṛtrahā could not hurl the thunderbolt nor move. Bhaga, the powerful son of Kaśyapa, raised his blazing weapon, wishing to strike, but was bewildered. The Lord likewise immobilized his arm, and at that moment, restrained his strength, radiance, and power. Viṣṇu, shaking his head, looked upon Śaṃkara; and while they remained thus, angered, so too were the other gods. I, greatly disturbed, took up meditation with reverence and perceived the Lord of gods, seated in the lap of Umā. Recognizing the Supreme Lord, I quickly rose with respect, bowed to Śaṃbhu’s feet, and praised him. With ancient hymns from the Sāma Veda, bearing auspicious and secret names, I declared: “You are unborn, ageless, O god, creator, all-pervading, transcending both the manifest and unmanifest. You are the primordial person, the imperishable Brahman to be contemplated; immortal, supreme soul, Lord, and the great cause. Creator of Brahma, originator of nature, maker of all, transcending nature; and this goddess Nature is ever the cause of creation for you.