In ancient times, Brahmā, the Lotus-born creator, spoke to Maheśvara, the great god. He recalled, “O ancient one, I was created from your right hand, and from your left hand, O mighty-armed, the god Nārāyaṇa, the Lord, was brought forth. This goddess Prakṛti, ever your creative cause, has assumed the form of your consort and become the origin of the world itself.” With reverence, Brahmā offered salutations: “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. Though I created these gods and others, they are now deluded by your power. Grant them your favor, so they may return to their former state.” Having thus addressed Maheśvara, Brahmā explained the plight of those who had been restrained by the great god. “All these gods are deluded and do not recognize Śaṅkara, the god of gods, who has come here, honored by all the gods. 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.” Led by Brahmā, the gods, though still restrained, bowed in their minds to the Lord, together with Nārāyaṇa. Pleased by their humility, the three-eyed Lord of gods, at Brahmā’s word, swiftly restored them to their original state. As joy returned to all, the Lord of the gods manifested a divine and wondrous form, restraining all the deities. His radiance encompassed the gods—Indra, the Moon, the Sun, Brahmā, the Sādhyas, and Nārāyaṇa. With Yama and the Rudras, they sought vision of the Lord, and he granted them supreme sight, enabling them to see all. The Lord Śarva, master of waters, bestowed vision upon Bhavānī and Cala. Having received this sight, the gods, led by Indra and Viṣṇu, together with Brahmā, Śakra, and others, beheld Maheśvara. Brahmā and the foremost hurried to bow, as did Bhavānī and the Lord of the Mountain. The sages, the leaders of Śiva's hosts, and those esteemed by Śiva showered flowers upon him. The sky-dwellers, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas did likewise. Divine drums resounded, the sages praised the Lord, chief Gandharvas sang, and groups of Apsarases danced. All the hosts rejoiced, and Pārvatī, the mother, was delighted; the goddess was thrilled in the presence of the dwellers of heaven. Pārvatī placed a divine, fragrant garland at Śaṅkara’s feet, saying “Excellent, excellent,” and worshipped him there. Together with the goddess, all the gods—including Brahmā—bowed with their heads touching the ground, along with Yakṣas, Nāgas, and Rākṣasas. Then Brahmā, with joined palms, bowed to Mahādeva and said, “Let the wedding be performed, O Lord,” addressing Maheśvara. Hearing Brahmā’s words, the supreme lord, master of beings, replied, “Let it be as you wish.” At that very moment, for the wedding of Maheśa, the virtuous ones witnessed a divine, splendid city made of jewels, created by Brahmā. Then, the mothers of the gods appeared: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kadru, Sukālikā, Pulomā, Surasā, Siṃhikā, and Vinatā. Siddhi, Māyā, Kriyā, Durgā the goddess herself, Sudhā, Svadhā, Sāvitrī the mother of the Vedas, Rājanī, Dakṣiṇā, and Dyuti arrived. Svāhā, Svāhāmati, Buddhi, Ṛddhi, Vṛddhi, Sarasvatī, Rākā, Kuhū, Sinīvālī, the goddess Anumatī, and others came forth. Dharaṇī, Dhāraṇī, Celā, Śacī, Nārāyaṇī, and others—mothers and wives of the gods—also appeared. Saying, “This is Śaṅkara’s wedding,” all went forth joyfully—serpents, Garuḍas, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and hosts. The oceans, mountains, clouds, months, years, the Vedas, mantras, sacrifices, hymns, and all the laws of righteousness, the utterance ‘huṅ’, the sacred syllable ‘Om’, countless gatekeepers, myriad celestial nymphs and their attendants—all gathered. All the rivers in every island and in the realms of the gods took on feminine forms and came forth, their hearts filled with joy. The exalted hosts of attendants, revered by all worlds, arrived there, delighted, for Śaṅkara’s wedding. Hosts of attendants with conch-colored forms and the lords of hosts, numbering in the millions, assembled: Kekarākṣa with ten, Vidyut with eight; Viśākha with sixty-four, Pārayātrika with nine, Sarvāntaka the illustrious with six, and Vikṛtānana. Jvālākeśa, leader of hosts, came with twelve million, Samada the illustrious with seven, Dundubha with eight. Kapālīśa with five, Saṃdāraka the auspicious with six, Gaṇḍaka and Kuṃbhaka each with countless millions. Viṣṭambha, the foremost among attendants, with eight, Pippala with a thousand, and Saṃnāda. Āveṣṭana with eight, Candratāpana with seven, Mahākeśa with a thousand, surrounded by millions of attendants. Kuṇḍī with twelve, Vīra and Parvataka the auspicious, Kāla and Kālaka, and Mahākāla with a hundred. Āgnika with a hundred million, Agnimukha with a million, Ādityamūrdhā with a million, and Dhanāvaha. Thus, the divine hosts, the mothers, the rivers, the mountains, and all celestial beings gathered joyfully, preparing for the sacred wedding of Śaṅkara and Pārvatī, filling the heavens and earth with celebration and reverence.