With a gentle smile, though her heart brimmed with shyness, the supreme goddess spoke, “Let there be no jest in this matter.” She turned to the lord of gods, the master of the three worlds, and addressed him with reverence, “O God of gods, all my efforts are for you alone. In a previous birth, O great Lord, I worshipped you as my husband. Now, you alone shall be my husband—no other. Yet my father, Himavat, the lord of mountains, is my master; I must go to him. With his blessing, you may then take my hand according to custom.” Having spoken thus, the radiant goddess approached her father, Himavat, joining her palms in respect, and spoke, “Father, in a previous birth, Rudra, destroyer of Daksha’s sacrifice, was my husband. Through austerity, I have now fixed my heart on him as my goal. Once, the lord of the universe came to my hermitage in the guise of a Brahmin, asking for food. When I told him to bathe first, he went to the Jahnavi. There, assuming the form of an old Brahmin, Shankara was suddenly seized by a crocodile and, uttering words unbefitting a Brahmin, called out to me. Fearing the sin of Brahmin-killing, I took his hand; and as soon as I did, Shankara revealed his true form.” She continued, “Then the great god spoke to me, who had come for the hand-taking: ‘O goddess, adorned by your austerity, do not hesitate in any way.’ Thus addressed by Shankara, I have now come to you, father, seeking your permission. Whatever is proper, let it be done swiftly.” Hearing these heartfelt words, Himavat, the king of mountains, was filled with joy. He spoke to his luminous daughter, “Daughter, I am truly blessed, for Rudra himself, Hara, will be my son-in-law. Through you, O goddess, I shall have descendants, and you have raised me above even the gods themselves.” He then said, “Wait but a moment until I return,” and set out to see Brahma, the grandsire of all the gods. Bowing before Brahma, Himavat addressed him, “O gods, this daughter is mine; I wish to give her to Rudra. With your permission, I do this—grant me your approval.” Pleased, Brahma replied, “Go and give her to Rudra.” Thus instructed, Himavat quickly returned to his abode and summoned all the gods, sages, and hosts of siddhas. He called also for Tumburu, Narada, Haha and Huhu, and gathered the Kinnaras, asuras, and even the rakshasas. Mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, and herbs—all came in embodied form, along with the sacred confluence stones, to witness the marriage of Himavat’s daughter with Shankara. The earth itself became the altar, the seven oceans served as ritual pots, the sun shone as the lamp, the moon was present, and the rivers brought water for the rites. With all preparations in place, Himavat sent Mandara Mountain to invite Rudra. As Mandara announced the invitation, Shankara swiftly arrived. According to sacred custom, the supreme lord took Parvati’s hand, with Soma as witness. At that joyous festival, Parvata and Narada sang, the siddhas danced, trees showered auspicious flowers, and celestial women danced with delight. Amidst the flowing waters, the four-faced Brahma, absorbed in his divine state, blessed the maiden: “O daughter, be the foremost woman in the world; let other men have wives through you.” Having spoken thus, Brahma returned to his city, accompanied by Uma and Rudra. Himavat, honoring his new son-in-law Soma with due respect, also honored all the gods, asuras, and sages with gifts, ornaments, fine garments, and excellent food. He then respectfully dismissed them, as well as the mighty mountains who had assembled. Freed from sorrow, pure and serene, the great-souled Himavat, having given his auspicious-faced daughter Uma to the best of gods, shone with the radiance of the grandsire at a great sacrifice. Thus, O best of kings, this is your noble lineage, a story unknown even to gods and asuras. The self-born Daksha, the lord, and the threefold birth of Gauri’s marriage have been well recounted. Sri Varaha continued: For this reason, she who is called Gauri took form, as has been told, when the great sage, his mind purified by austerity, asked the protector of creatures. The origin of Gauri and her marriage have thus been related as they truly happened. All these events concerning Gauri were accomplished on the third lunar day; therefore, on this day, one should avoid salt. Whoever, man or woman, observes this fast attains good fortune. Any woman who is unfortunate, or any man who is exceedingly unfortunate, upon hearing this, should avoid salt on the third lunar day. By doing so, one attains all desires, good fortune, abundant wealth, constant health, beauty, and nourishment. The protector of creatures then asked, “O noble one, how was Ganesha, the Lord of the hosts, born with a form? Please dispel this doubt of mine, which troubles my mind.” The great ascetic replied: “In former times, all the hosts of gods and the sages, rich in austerity, undertook many endeavors; their righteous actions always succeeded. Just as actions performed by the virtuous succeed without obstacles, so too, unrighteous deeds inevitably encounter hindrances.” “Then the gods, together with their ancestors, contemplated how to create obstacles for all unrighteous acts, and invoked this intention together. As they performed their rite, the thought arose among them to approach Rudra, the great-minded one.” “They went to Rudra, the preceptor dwelling on Mount Kailasa, and, with humility and respectful salutations, spoke: ‘O God of gods, great god, wielder of the trident, three-eyed one, you should create obstacles for those not distinguished by virtue.’” Thus addressed by the gods, Bhava—filled with supreme joy—gazed intently and without blinking at Uma.