The gods were troubled, for a prophecy foretold that a child born ten days hence would bring about the death of the dreadful demon Tāraka. They sought counsel from Nārāyaṇa, who spoke with humility, saying, “O gods, neither I nor my lord nor any of you shall be the cause of Tāraka’s demise. His death will not come from us.” Yet Nārāyaṇa revealed a path: “If a child of great power is born from Īśvara, then Tāraka’s end will come.” With renewed purpose, the gods resolved to act. “Let us all, O gods, together with the sages, make every effort to obtain a wife for Śiva. The mighty ones must lead this endeavor,” Nārāyaṇa urged. The gods agreed, and together they journeyed to the splendid mountain Himavat, adorned with jewels, where Menā, Himavat’s beloved, resided. Before the snowy mountain and his wife, the gods spoke: “Dakṣā’s daughter, Śakti—the mother of the world—abides here. She is intellect, wisdom, fortitude, intelligence, modesty, nourishment, and Sarasvatī herself, manifest in many forms to purify the worlds. For the fulfillment of our purpose, she shall enter your womb.” They proclaimed, “She who is born will be the mother of the world, destined to be Śambhu’s wife, and protector of us all.” Delighted by the gods’ words, Himavat and Menā, filled with enthusiasm, consented: “So be it.” Thus, Gaurī, the sustainer of the world, was born in Himavat’s house. Ever devoted to Śiva, steadfast in meditation, Gaurī absorbed herself in contemplation of the Lord. The hosts of gods approached her, saying, “Undertake austerity for the sake of the Lord.” On the slopes of Himavat, Gaurī performed great austerity. Yet, the gods deliberated among themselves, uncertain of Śiva’s thoughts: “Does the Lord contemplate her, himself, or something else? We do not know Bhava’s mind.” They resolved, “Let the Lord of gods fix his mind upon Menā’s daughter. Let us devise a plan, and then supremacy will be attained.” The wise and noble-minded Lord of Speech spoke: “Let Madana, Kandarpa, the bearer of the flowery bow, strike peaceful Śiva with his auspicious arrows made of flowers. Struck thus, even the three-eyed Lord will set his mind upon the Lady, and surely Hara will marry Girijā. The arrows of Madana are never blunted; thus, from the world-supporting goddess, a son of Śiva will be born. He will slay Tāraka, and for assistance, let the beautiful season of spring, the bringer of blossoms, be present. With joy in your hearts, offer this to Kāma.” The gods agreed, undisturbed and subduers of enemies, and sent Madana and the bringer of blossoms to Śiva. Kāma, eager and with his flowery bow, accompanied by Rati, went to perform this exceedingly difficult task. Yet, as he took up his bow, a thought arose: “I can pierce all, but Śiva, the lord and teacher of the worlds, cannot be pierced by me. Are my arrows, which conquer the three worlds, firm or not against Śiva?” When Kāma attempted to strike, Śiva, with his fiery third eye, reduced Kāma to ashes. The gods gathered to witness this extraordinary act, struck with wonder. Seeing Kāma turned to ashes, they were filled with fear and praised Śiva with joined hands, pleading, “Relieve the fear caused by Tāraka—take the daughter of the mountain as your wife.” Hara, whose mind had been pierced, accepted the gods’ words, as did Arundhatī, Vasiṣṭha, Nārāyaṇa himself, and the wielder of the discus. The immortals sent word to each other for the marriage, and thus the alliance was established between the lords of the Himavat region. On the excellent mountain Himavat, adorned with jewels and covered with trees, creepers, and frequented by many birds, the scene was set. Rivers, streams, lakes, wells, and ponds surrounded it, and gods, gandharvas, yakṣas, siddhas, and cāraṇas attended. Auspicious winds brought joy, and the mountain was encircled by Meru, Mandara, Kailāsa, and Maināka. Vasiṣṭha, Agastya, Pulastya, Lomaśa, and others were present, and a great festival began. The marriage altar was made of jewels, adorned with gold, and beautified by pillars of diamond, ruby, and beryl. Jaya, Lakṣmī, Śubhā, Kṣānti, Kīrti, Puṣṭi, and others surrounded the scene, and the mountains Meru, Mandara, Kailāsa, and Raivataka further beautified it. Honored by Viṣṇu, the Lord of worlds, the mighty Maināka shone golden and bright. The sages, guardians of the worlds, the Ādityas, and the hosts of Maruts prepared the wedding altar for Śiva, the god of gods, wielder of the trident. Viśvakarmā and Tvaṣṭṛ made the altar with a gateway, and Surabhī, Nandinī, Nandā, Sunandā, and Kāmadohinī were present. Adorned by all these, the wedding took place. The oceans, rivers, nāgas, medicinal herbs, and mothers of the worlds attended. All the seeds of trees gathered; Ilā performed the rites of the earth, and the herbs performed the rites of food. Varuṇa prepared the drinks, the lord of wealth performed the giving rites, and Agni made the food as desired by the lords of the worlds. Thus, in the presence of all creation, the divine marriage of Śiva and Gaurī was celebrated, fulfilling the gods’ purpose and heralding the birth of the one who would vanquish Tāraka.