The Jesting of the Wedding Festival

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.113.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । ततश्चाहं मुनिगणैः शेषकृत्यं शिवाज्ञया । अकार्षं नारद प्रीत्या शिवाशिवविवाहतः

brahmovāca tataścāhaṁ munigaṇaiḥ śeṣakṛtyaṁ śivājñayā akārṣaṁ nārada prītyā śivāśivavivāhataḥ

Brahma said: "Then, O Narada, together with the groups of sages, by Shiva's command, I lovingly performed the remaining rites following the marriage of Shiva and Shivā."

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.113.2)

तयोः शिरोऽभिषेकश्च बभूवादरतस्ततः । ध्रुवस्य दर्शनं विप्राः कारयामासुरादरात

tayoḥ śiro'bhiṣekaśca babhūvādaratastataḥ dhruvasya darśanaṁ viprāḥ kārayāmāsurādarāta

"Then their heads were reverently anointed, and the brahmins reverently had them behold the pole-star Dhruva."

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.113.3)

हृदयालम्भनं कर्म बभूव तदनन्तरम् । स्वस्तिपाठश्च विप्रेन्द्र महोत्सवपुरस्सरः

hṛdayālambhanaṁ karma babhūva tadanantaram svastipāṭhaśca viprendra mahotsavapurassaraḥ

"After that came the rite of touching the heart, and, O foremost of brahmins, the recitation of blessings amid great celebration."

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.113.4)

शिवाशिरसि सिन्दूरं ददौ शम्भुर्द्विजाज्ञया । तदानीं गिरिजाभिख्याद्भुतावर्ण्या बभूव ह

śivāśirasi sindūraṁ dadau śambhurdvijājñayā tadānīṁ girijābhikhyādbhutāvarṇyā babhūva ha

"By the brahmins' direction, Shambhu applied vermilion to Shivā's head; then Girija's beauty became indescribably wondrous."

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.113.5)

ततो विप्राज्ञया तौ द्वावेकासनसमास्थितौ । लेभाते परमां शोभां भक्तचित्तमुदावहाम्

tato viprājñayā tau dvāvekāsanasamāsthitau lebhāte paramāṁ śobhāṁ bhaktacittamudāvahām

"Then, by the brahmins' direction, the two of them, seated together on a single seat, attained supreme beauty that delighted the hearts of their devotees."

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.113.6)

ततः स्वस्थानमागत्य संस्रवप्राशनं मुदा । चक्रतुस्तौ निदेशान्मेऽद्भुतलीलाकरौ मुने

tataḥ svasthānamāgatya saṁsravaprāśanaṁ mudā cakratustau nideśānme'dbhutalīlākarau mune

"Then, O sage, having returned to their place, those two performers of wondrous play joyfully partook of the sacrificial remains by my direction."

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.113.7)

इत्थं निवृत्ते विधिवद्यज्ञे वैवाहिके शिवः । ब्रह्मणे पूर्णपात्रं मे ददौ लोककृते प्रभुः

itthaṁ nivṛtte vidhivadyajñe vaivāhike śivaḥ brahmaṇe pūrṇapātraṁ me dadau lokakṛte prabhuḥ

"Thus, when the wedding rite was duly completed, Shiva, the Lord and maker of the worlds, gave me, Brahma, a filled vessel of gifts."

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.113.8)

गोदानं विधिवच्छम्भुराचार्याय ददौ ततः । महादानानि च प्रीत्या यानि मङ्गलदानि वै

godānaṁ vidhivacchambhurācāryāya dadau tataḥ mahādānāni ca prītyā yāni maṅgaladāni vai

"Then Shambhu duly gave the gift of a cow to the officiating priest, and lovingly gave the great gifts that bring auspiciousness."

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.113.9)

ततः शतसुवर्णं च विप्रेभ्यः स ददौ पृथक् । बहुभ्यो रत्नकोटीश्च नानाद्रव्याण्यनेकशः

tataḥ śatasuvarṇaṁ ca viprebhyaḥ sa dadau pṛthak bahubhyo ratnakoṭīśca nānādravyāṇyanekaśaḥ

"Then he gave a hundred pieces of gold separately to the brahmins, and to many others crores of jewels and manifold goods of every kind."

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.113.10)

तदानीममराः सर्वे परे जीवाश्चराचराः । मुमुदुश्चेतसातीव बभूवाति जयध्वनिः

tadānīmamarāḥ sarve pare jīvāścarācarāḥ mumuduścetasātīva babhūvāti jayadhvaniḥ

"Then all the immortals, and every other being both moving and unmoving, rejoiced greatly at heart, and a tremendous shout of victory arose."

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.113.11)

मङ्गलध्वनिगानं च बभूव बहु सर्वतः । वाद्यध्वनिरभूद्रम्यो सर्वानन्दप्रवर्धनः

maṅgaladhvanigānaṁ ca babhūva bahu sarvataḥ vādyadhvanirabhūdramyo sarvānandapravardhanaḥ

"Auspicious songs resounded abundantly on every side, and the delightful sound of instruments increased everyone's joy."

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.113.12)

हरिर्मयाथ देवाश्च मुनयश्चापरेऽखिलाः । गिरिमामन्त्र्य सुप्रीत्या स्वस्थानं प्रययुर्द्रुतम्

harirmayātha devāśca munayaścāpare'khilāḥ girimāmantrya suprītyā svasthānaṁ prayayurdrutam

"Then Hari, I, and all the other gods and sages, taking leave of the Mountain-king with great affection, quickly departed each to our own abode."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.113.13)

तदानीं शैलनगरे स्त्रियश्च मुदिता वरम् । शिवाशिवौ समानीय ययुः कुहवरालयम्

tadānīṁ śailanagare striyaśca muditā varam śivāśivau samānīya yayuḥ kuhavarālayam

"Then in the mountain city, joyful women, bringing the bride and groom, Shiva and Shivā, together, escorted them to the beautiful bridal chamber."

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.113.14)

लौकिकाचारमाजह्रुस्ताः स्त्रियस्तत्र चादृताः । महोत्साहो बभूवाथ सर्वतः प्रमुदावहः

laukikācāramājahrustāḥ striyastatra cādṛtāḥ mahotsāho babhūvātha sarvataḥ pramudāvahaḥ

"Those honored women there duly performed the worldly customs, and great enthusiasm and delight arose on every side."

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.113.15)

अथ तास्तौ समानीय दम्पती जनशङ्करौ । वासालयं महादिव्यं भवाचारं व्यधुर्मुदा

atha tāstau samānīya dampatī janaśaṅkarau vāsālayaṁ mahādivyaṁ bhavācāraṁ vyadhurmudā

"Then, bringing that couple who bless the world, the women joyfully led them through the customary rites into the great, divine bridal chamber."

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.113.16)

अथो समीपमागत्य शैलेन्द्रनगरस्त्रियः । निर्वृत्य मङ्गलं कर्म प्रापयन्दम्पती गृहम्

atho samīpamāgatya śailendranagarastriyaḥ nirvṛtya maṅgalaṁ karma prāpayandampatī gṛham

"Then the women of the mountain-king's city, drawing near, having performed the auspicious rite, led the couple to the house."

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.113.17)

कृत्वा जयध्वनिं चक्रुर्ग्रन्थिनिर्मोचनादिकम् । सस्मितास्सकटाक्षाश्च पुलकाञ्चितविग्रहाः

kṛtvā jayadhvaniṁ cakrurgranthinirmocanādikam sasmitāssakaṭākṣāśca pulakāñcitavigrahāḥ

"Smiling, glancing playfully, their bodies thrilling with joy, they raised shouts of victory and performed the untying of the wedding-knot and similar rites."

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.113.18)

वासगेहं सम्प्रविश्य मुमुहुः कामिनीवराः । प्रशंसन्त्यः स्वभाग्यानि पश्यन्त्यः परमेश्वरम्

vāsagehaṁ sampraviśya mumuhuḥ kāminīvarāḥ praśaṁsantyaḥ svabhāgyāni paśyantyaḥ parameśvaram

"Entering the bridal chamber, those loveliest of women became enraptured as they gazed upon the Supreme Lord, praising their own good fortune."

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.113.19)

महासुरूपवेषं च सर्वलावण्यसंयुतम् । नवीनयौवनस्थं च कामनीचित्तमोहनम्

mahāsurūpaveṣaṁ ca sarvalāvaṇyasaṁyutam navīnayauvanasthaṁ ca kāmanīcittamohanam

"They beheld him of most beautiful form and grace, endowed with every loveliness, in the freshness of youth, enchanting to the hearts of women."

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.113.20)

ईषद्धास्यप्रसन्नास्यं सकटाक्षं सुसुन्दरम् । सुसूक्ष्मवासो बिभ्राणं नानारत्नविभूषितम्

īṣaddhāsyaprasannāsyaṁ sakaṭākṣaṁ susundaram susūkṣmavāso bibhrāṇaṁ nānāratnavibhūṣitam

"His face was gently smiling and radiant, his glance playful, most beautiful; he wore fine, delicate garments and was adorned with many jewels."

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.113.21)

तदानीं दिव्यनार्यश्च षोडशारं समाययुः । तौ दम्पती च सन्द्रष्टुं महादरपुरस्सरम्

tadānīṁ divyanāryaśca ṣoḍaśāraṁ samāyayuḥ tau dampatī ca sandraṣṭuṁ mahādarapurassaram

"Then divine women arrived there in their full array, with the utmost reverence, to behold that couple."

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.113.22)

सरस्वती च लक्ष्मीश्च सावित्री जाह्नवी तथा । अदितिश्च शची चैव लोपामुद्राप्यरुन्धती

sarasvatī ca lakṣmīśca sāvitrī jāhnavī tathā aditiśca śacī caiva lopāmudrāpyarundhatī

"Saraswati and Lakshmi, Savitri and Jahnavi (Ganga), Aditi and Shachi, Lopamudra and Arundhati --"

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.113.23)

अहल्या तुलसी स्वाहा रोहिणी च वसुन्धरा । शतरूपा च संज्ञा च रतिरेताः सुरस्त्रियः

ahalyā tulasī svāhā rohiṇī ca vasundharā śatarūpā ca saṁjñā ca ratiretāḥ surastriyaḥ

"Ahalya, Tulasi, Svaha, Rohini, Vasundhara (the Earth), Shatarupa, Samjna, and Rati -- these divine women were there."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.113.24)

देवकन्या नागकन्या मुनिकन्या मनोहराः । तत्र या याः स्थितास्तासां सङ्ख्यां कर्तुं च कः क्षमः

devakanyā nāgakanyā munikanyā manoharāḥ tatra yā yāḥ sthitāstāsāṁ saṅkhyāṁ kartuṁ ca kaḥ kṣamaḥ

"Daughters of gods, of serpents, and of sages, all enchanting, were present there — who indeed could count their number?"

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.113.25)

ताभी रत्नासने दत्ते तत्रोवास शिवो मुदा । तमूचुः क्रमतो देव्यः सुहासं मधुरं वचः

tābhī ratnāsane datte tatrovāsa śivo mudā tamūcuḥ kramato devyaḥ suhāsaṁ madhuraṁ vacaḥ

"On the jeweled seat they offered, Shiva sat there joyfully; and the goddesses spoke to him, one after another, sweet and smiling words."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.113.26)

सरस्वत्युवाच । प्राप्ता सती महादेवाधुना प्राणाधिका मुदा । दृष्ट्वा प्रियास्यं चन्द्राभं सन्तापं त्यज कामुक

sarasvatyuvāca prāptā satī mahādevādhunā prāṇādhikā mudā dṛṣṭvā priyāsyaṁ candrābhaṁ santāpaṁ tyaja kāmuka

Saraswati said: "O Mahadeva, you have now joyfully attained Sati, dearer than life itself; seeing your beloved's moon-like face, give up your longing, O lover."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.113.27)

कालं गमय कालेश सतीसंश्लेषपूर्वकम् । विश्लेषस्ते न भविता सर्वकालं समाश्रिता

kālaṁ gamaya kāleśa satīsaṁśleṣapūrvakam viśleṣaste na bhavitā sarvakālaṁ samāśritā

"Spend your time, O Lord of Time, in the embrace of Sati; there will be no more separation for you — she shall be with you for all time."

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.113.28)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच । लज्जां विहाय देवेश सतीं कृत्वा स्ववक्षसि । तिष्ठ तां प्रति का लज्जा प्राणा यान्ति यया विना

lakṣmīruvāca lajjāṁ vihāya deveśa satīṁ kṛtvā svavakṣasi tiṣṭha tāṁ prati kā lajjā prāṇā yānti yayā vinā

Lakshmi said: "O Lord of gods, cast aside your shyness and hold Sati to your breast; what shame can there be before her, without whom your very life departs?"

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.113.29)

सावित्र्युवाच । भोजयित्वा सतीं शम्भो शीघ्रं त्वं भुङ्क्ष्व मा खिदः । तदाचम्य सकर्पूरं ताम्बूलं देहि सादरम्

sāvitryuvāca bhojayitvā satīṁ śambho śīghraṁ tvaṁ bhuṅkṣva mā khidaḥ tadācamya sakarpūraṁ tāmbūlaṁ dehi sādaram

Savitri said: "O Shambhu, having fed Sati, eat quickly yourself — do not delay; then, having rinsed your mouth, offer her betel with camphor, reverently."

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.113.30)

जाह्नव्युवाच । स्वर्णकान्तिकरां धृत्वा केशान्मार्जय योषितः । कामिन्याः स्वामिसौभाग्यसुखं नातः परं भवेत्

jāhnavyuvāca svarṇakāntikarāṁ dhṛtvā keśānmārjaya yoṣitaḥ kāminyāḥ svāmisaubhāgyasukhaṁ nātaḥ paraṁ bhavet

Jahnavi said: "Take up this golden-hued woman's tresses and comb them with your hand; for a beloved wife there is no greater joy than her husband's tender favor."

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.113.31)

अदितिरुवाच । भोजनान्ते शिवे शम्भुं मुखशुद्ध्यर्थमादरात् । जलं देहि महाप्रीत्या दम्पतिप्रेम दुर्लभम्

aditiruvāca bhojanānte śive śambhuṁ mukhaśuddhyarthamādarāt jalaṁ dehi mahāprītyā dampatiprema durlabham

Aditi said: "O Shiva (Parvati), after the meal, reverently give Shambhu water to cleanse his mouth, with great love — the love between husband and wife is a rare thing."

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.113.32)

शच्युवाच । कृत्वा विलापं यद्धेतोः शिवां कृत्वा च वक्षसि । यो बभ्रामानिशं मोहात् का लज्जा ते प्रियां प्रति

śacyuvāca kṛtvā vilāpaṁ yaddhetoḥ śivāṁ kṛtvā ca vakṣasi yo babhrāmāniśaṁ mohāt kā lajjā te priyāṁ prati

Shachi said: "You who wandered day and night in grief and delusion for her sake, and now hold Shivā to your breast — what shame can you have before your beloved?"

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.113.33)

लोपामुद्रोवाच । व्यवहारोऽस्ति च स्त्रीणां भुक्त्वा वासगृहे शिव । दत्त्वा शिवायै ताम्बूलं शयनं कर्तुमर्हसि

lopāmudrovāca vyavahāro'sti ca strīṇāṁ bhuktvā vāsagṛhe śiva dattvā śivāyai tāmbūlaṁ śayanaṁ kartumarhasi

Lopamudra said: "O Shiva, it is the custom among women that, having eaten in the bridal chamber, one should give betel to Shivā and then retire to rest."

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.113.34)

अरुन्धत्युवाच । मया दत्तां सतीम्मेनां तुभ्यं दातुमनीप्सिता । विविधं बोधयित्वेमां सुरतिं कर्तुमर्हसि

arundhatyuvāca mayā dattāṁ satīmmenāṁ tubhyaṁ dātumanīpsitā vividhaṁ bodhayitvemāṁ suratiṁ kartumarhasi

Arundhati said: "This Sati, whom Mena gave to you though loath to part with her, consider her now entrusted by me; teach her gently in many ways, and unite with her in love when the time is right."

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.113.35)

अहल्योवाच । वृद्धावस्थां परित्यज्य ह्यतीव तरुणो भव । येन मेनानुमन्येत त्वां सुतार्पितमानसा

ahalyovāca vṛddhāvasthāṁ parityajya hyatīva taruṇo bhava yena menānumanyeta tvāṁ sutārpitamānasā

Ahalya said: "Set aside your appearance of great age and become truly youthful, so that Mena, her heart devoted to her daughter, may approve of you."

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.113.36)

तुलस्युवाच । सती त्वया परित्यक्ता कामो दग्धः पुरा कृतः । कथं तदा वसिष्ठश्च प्रभो प्रस्थापितोऽधुना

tulasyuvāca satī tvayā parityaktā kāmo dagdhaḥ purā kṛtaḥ kathaṁ tadā vasiṣṭhaśca prabho prasthāpito'dhunā

Tulasi said: "O Lord, Sati was once forsaken by you, and Kama was once burned to ashes by you; how then was Vasishtha sent forth just now?"

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.113.37)

स्वाहोवाच । स्थिरो भव महादेव स्त्रीणां वचसि साम्प्रतम् । विवाहे व्यवहारोऽस्ति पुरन्ध्रीणां प्रगल्भता

svāhovāca sthiro bhava mahādeva strīṇāṁ vacasi sāmpratam vivāhe vyavahāro'sti purandhrīṇāṁ pragalbhatā

Svaha said: "O Mahadeva, remain steady now under the women's teasing words; at a wedding it is the custom for married women to be bold in their jesting."

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.113.38)

रोहिण्युवाच । कामं पूरय पार्वत्याः कामशास्त्रविशारद । कुरु पारं स्वयं कामी कामिनीकामसागरम्

rohiṇyuvāca kāmaṁ pūraya pārvatyāḥ kāmaśāstraviśārada kuru pāraṁ svayaṁ kāmī kāminīkāmasāgaram

Rohini said: "Fulfill Parvati's desire, O you who are skilled in the science of love; being yourself full of passion, cross the ocean of your beloved's longing."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.113.39)

वसुन्धरोवाच । जानासि भावं भावज्ञ कामार्तानां च योषिताम् । न च स्वं स्वामिनं शम्भो ईश्वरं पाति सन्ततम्

vasundharovāca jānāsi bhāvaṁ bhāvajña kāmārtānāṁ ca yoṣitām na ca svaṁ svāminaṁ śambho īśvaraṁ pāti santatam

Vasundhara said: "You know the heart, O knower of hearts, of women tormented by desire; O Shambhu, does not a lord ever cherish and protect his own?"

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.113.40)

शतरूपोवाच । भोगं दिव्यं विना भुक्त्वा न हि तुष्येत्क्षुधातुरः । येन तुष्टिर्भवेच्छम्भो तत्कर्तुमुचितं स्त्रियाः

śatarūpovāca bhogaṁ divyaṁ vinā bhuktvā na hi tuṣyetkṣudhāturaḥ yena tuṣṭirbhavecchambho tatkartumucitaṁ striyāḥ

Shatarupa said: "One who is hungry is not satisfied without partaking of enjoyment; O Shambhu, it is fitting to do for a woman whatever will bring her contentment."

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.113.41)

संज्ञोवाच । तूर्णं प्रस्थापय प्रीत्या पार्वत्या सह शङ्करम् । रत्नप्रदीपं ताम्बूलं तल्पं निर्माय निर्जने

saṁjñovāca tūrṇaṁ prasthāpaya prītyā pārvatyā saha śaṅkaram ratnapradīpaṁ tāmbūlaṁ talpaṁ nirmāya nirjane

Samjna said: "Quickly and lovingly send Shankara together with Parvati; prepare a jeweled lamp, betel, and a bed in a secluded place."

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.113.42)

ब्रह्मोवाच । स्त्रीणां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ता उवाच शिवः स्वयम् । निर्विकारश्च भगवान्योगीन्द्राणां गुरोर्गुरुः

brahmovāca strīṇāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tā uvāca śivaḥ svayam nirvikāraśca bhagavānyogīndrāṇāṁ gurorguruḥ

Brahma said: "Hearing the women's words, Shiva himself — the changeless Lord, teacher of the teachers of the greatest yogis — spoke to them."

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.113.43)

शङ्कर उवाच । देव्यो न ब्रूत वचनमेवम्भूतं ममान्तिकम् । जगतां मातरः साध्व्यः पुत्रे चपलता कथम्

śaṅkara uvāca devyo na brūta vacanamevambhūtaṁ mamāntikam jagatāṁ mātaraḥ sādhvyaḥ putre capalatā katham

Shankara said: "O goddesses, do not speak such words in my presence; you are the virtuous mothers of the worlds — how can there be such playfulness toward a son?"

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.113.44)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शङ्करस्य वचः श्रुत्वा लज्जिताः सुरयोषितः । बभूवुः सम्भ्रमात्तूष्णीं चित्रपुत्तलिका यथा

brahmovāca śaṅkarasya vacaḥ śrutvā lajjitāḥ surayoṣitaḥ babhūvuḥ sambhramāttūṣṇīṁ citraputtalikā yathā

Brahma said: "Hearing Shankara's words, the celestial women were abashed and, out of embarrassment, fell silent, like painted dolls."

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.113.45)

भुक्त्वा मिष्टान्नमाचम्य महेशो हृष्टमानसः । सकर्पूरं च ताम्बूलं बुभुजे भार्यया सह

bhuktvā miṣṭānnamācamya maheśo hṛṣṭamānasaḥ sakarpūraṁ ca tāmbūlaṁ bubhuje bhāryayā saha

"Having eaten sweet food and rinsed his mouth, Mahesha, his heart full of joy, partook of camphor-scented betel together with his wife."