O goddess of radiant beauty, the Lord of all gods promised that, for the delight of the virtuous, he would be present at her svayaṃvara—the ceremony where she would choose her own husband. Assuming a gentle and pleasing form, he assured her that he would unite with her, and, having spoken these words, he gazed upon her with divine vision. Afterwards, the god departed for his desired celestial city, while the goddess, too, went her own way. When Menā, the snowy mountain, saw his daughter, he was filled with joy. He embraced her, smelled her hair, and honored her with affectionate gestures, for the ascetic mountain did not realize she had been enchanted by the Lord of gods. At that moment, news of the goddess’s self-choice ceremony spread throughout all the worlds. The venerable Brahmā and Viṣṇu, Janardana himself, arrived. Indra, Agni, Sūrya, Bhaga, Tvaṣṭar, Aryaman, Vivasvān, Yama, and Varuṇa also came, each eager to witness the sacred event. Vāyu, Soma, Ishāna, the Rudras, sages, the Ashvins, the twelve Ādityas, Gandharvas, and Garuda joined them. Yakṣas, Siddhas, Sādhyas, Daityas, Kimpuruṣas, serpents, oceans, rivers, the Vedas, mantras, hymns, and moments of time itself were present. Nagas, all the mountains, sacrifices, the Sun and other planets, the thirty-three gods, and three times three hundred divine beings assembled. Three times three thousand and many more gods gathered for the unparalleled svayaṃvara of the mountain king’s daughter. The goddess, daughter of the mountain, ascended a splendid golden chariot, auspicious and adorned with every jewel. She was surrounded by dancing Apsaras, all decorated with ornaments, and by Gandharvas, Siddhas, and various Kinnaras, each beautiful in their own way. Praised by bards, the mountain’s daughter stood radiant; a white parasol, shimmering with jewel rays, was brought forth. Malini held a garland for the goddess; Sandhya carried the full-moon disc, and divine women surrounded her, holding fly-whisks. Jaya stood nearby with a garland from the celestial tree, and Vijaya held a fan, attending to the goddess. As the goddess stood among the gods with the garland in her hands, Mahādeva, the bull-bannered, transformed himself into a playful child. The venerable Bhava lay asleep in her lap, and as the gods observed the child resting there, they wondered, “Who is this?” Their confusion turned to agitation, and Indra, the slayer of Vritra, raised his arm, readying his thunderbolt. But as Indra’s arm approached the child, it was halted by the god of gods, who, in his playful form, prevented any action. Indra could neither throw his thunderbolt nor move his arm; Agni, too, was unable to unleash his power. Yama could not wield his staff or sword; Nirriti, Varuṇa with his serpent noose, and Samira with his banner staff stood motionless. Soma with his mace, Dhanesha with his staff, the best among staff-bearers, and Ishāna with his fierce trident—all were restrained. The Rudras held their tridents, the Ādityas their clubs, and the Vasus their hammers; all the gods dwelling in heaven were instantly restrained by the Lord. Other gods, too, found themselves powerless before the Lord of gods. Even Viṣṇu, shaking his head with his discus raised, could not hurl it or move his arms, for the boy caused his head to remain steady. Pūṣan, gnashing his teeth in confusion, looked at the boy, and at Śambhu’s mere glance, Pūṣan’s teeth fell out. The mighty Lord restrained the strength, brilliance, and power of all the gods. As they stood there, filled with anger and frustration, Brahmā, greatly disturbed, entered meditation upon Śaṅkara and realized the Lord seated on Umā’s lap. Recognizing the Lord of gods, Brahmā quickly rose, astonished, and bowed at Śambhu’s feet. He praised him, saying, “You are the intellect of all worlds; you are the ego, O Lord. You alone are the initiator of beings and their senses, O ruler. I was created from your right hand, O ancient one; from your left hand, O mighty-armed, Nārāyaṇa, the Lord, was brought forth. And this goddess Prakṛti is always your creative cause; assuming the form of your consort, she has become the cause of the world. Salutations to you, O great god; repeated salutations to the great goddess. By your grace and command, O Lord of gods, I have created beings. These gods and others were created by me, but now they are deluded by your power; grant them your favor so they may become as they were before.” Having thus informed the great god Maheśvara, Brahmā spoke about those who had been restrained by him. He explained, “All these gods are deluded and do not recognize Śaṅkara, the god of gods, who has come here, honored by all. Go quickly for refuge, O gods, with Indra at your head, together with Nārāyaṇa and all the sages, to Śaṅkara, the Lord. With me, approach the Lord of gods, the supreme self, the ruler, along with this supreme Prakṛti, the daughter of Himavat.” Thus, the foremost gods, still restrained, bowed in their minds to the Lord, together with Nārāyaṇa. Then, pleased with their humility, the three-eyed Lord of gods, at Brahmā’s word, quickly restored them to their original state.