In the sacred assembly, the thousand-eyed Indra, together with his consort Shachi, held aloft the grand, extended canopy, honoring the occasion. Seated majestically upon a tortoise, Indra took the pure white umbrella in his hand and departed with regal grace. Sarasvati, foremost among rivers, mounted a splendid elephant and took her honored place in the procession. The beings who roam freely through the worlds made their way to Maheshana, the Lord of five colors. Prithudaka, bearing fragrant ointments, also arrived. The melodious Kinnaras, playing their enchanting instruments, followed in the wake of Mahadeva. The Gandharvas, celestial musicians, proceeded to the three-eyed Lord of the gods, the mighty wielder of the trident. The twelve Adityas and an immense host of eighty million Vasus joined the gathering. Alongside them came twenty-four sages of pure vows, all eager to witness the divine wedding and following in the footsteps of Maheshana. From every direction, mountains themselves arrived, bearing elephants upon their peaks as if to pay homage. These mountains bowed before Ishana, filling him with joy. Led by Nandi, the devoted bull, the entire retinue reached the great city of the king of mountains. All assembled there, abandoning their own tasks, wholly absorbed in witnessing the auspicious event. Among the gathering were women of many kinds: one with her hair beautifully braided approached Shankara; another, without the customary red dye, came to see Hara; a third, holding a collyrium stick, hurried swiftly; another, as if mad, came naked, filled with longing to see Hara. A slender-waisted maiden, vexed by her own youthful beauty, reproached herself in anger. Shiva himself, mounted upon the bull, proceeded to the divine house of his father-in-law, the mountain king. Indeed, the severe penance performed by Ambika was truly fitting, for Shambhu, the great god, was its fruit. He, the destroyer of Daksha’s sacrifice, the remover of Daksha, the one who took Bhaga’s eyes, the trident-bearer, and wielder of Pinaka, was now present. Again and again, all offered salutations to the one adorned with mighty serpent earrings, the beloved of Parvati. Then Vishnu, his heart filled with joy and accompanied by his elder brother, led the radiant bride to the auspicious wedding altar, aglow with the sacred fire. The mountains themselves became restless, and the gods, engaged in worship and sacred rites, were agitated—like friends eager for a maiden’s wedding. When her brother Sunabha had arranged the festive ceremony, the bride was brought near to Shankara. Even the gods, together with Kushangi, beheld that place, honored throughout the world. For sport, the mountain’s daughter joyfully scattered pearl necklaces, and with continuous heaps of vermilion, the earth was made deeply red. Shiva approached the southern altar, firm and attended by sages. Taking purifying water in hand, he offered the shining madhuparka. The lord of the mountains, seated comfortably, gazed upon the seven great sages and spoke words that established his own righteousness: “May you accept this granddaughter, offered by me, even on behalf of the ancestors.” With a loud voice, he declared, “O blessed one, I give her—accept this! I am without support, dwelling on the mountain peaks; accept my daughter, O king of mountains.” As Parvati touched Shambhu, she attained supreme joy, O sage among the gods. After offering the white grains of rice and the husked barley, Brahma addressed the mountain’s daughter: “With steady and equal gaze, perform the circumambulation of the fire. Just as the earth, scorched by the rays of the sun, receives the rain…” Out of modesty, Parvati slowly replied to Brahma, “I have looked.” Thus, the divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati was celebrated, blessed by gods, sages, and all creation.