The Marriage of Himalaya and Mena

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.64.1)

नारद उवाच । दाक्षायणी सती देवी त्यक्तदेहा पितुर्मखे । कथं गिरिसुता ब्रह्मन् बभूव जगदम्बिका

nārada uvāca dākṣāyaṇī satī devī tyaktadehā piturmakhe kathaṁ girisutā brahman babhūva jagadambikā

Narada said: "O Brahman, Daksha's daughter, the goddess Sati, gave up her body at her father's sacrifice — how did she become the mountain's daughter, the Mother of the universe?

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.64.2)

कथं कृत्वा तपोऽत्युग्रं पतिमाप शिवं च सा । एतन्मे पृच्छते सम्यक् कथय त्वं विशेषतः

kathaṁ kṛtvā tapo'tyugraṁ patimāpa śivaṁ ca sā etanme pṛcchate samyak kathaya tvaṁ viśeṣataḥ

And by performing what fierce austerity did she win Shiva again as her husband? Tell me this in full detail, as I ask you."

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.64.3)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शृणु त्वं मुनिशार्दूल शिवाचरितमुत्तमम् । पावनं परमं दिव्यं सर्वपापहरं शुभम्

brahmovāca śṛṇu tvaṁ muniśārdūla śivācaritamuttamam pāvanaṁ paramaṁ divyaṁ sarvapāpaharaṁ śubham

Brahma said: "Listen, O tiger among sages, to this supreme account of Shiva — sacred, supremely divine, auspicious, and the destroyer of all sin.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.64.4)

यदा दाक्षायणी देवी हरेण सहिता मुदा । हिमाचले सुचिक्रीडे लीलया परमेश्वरी

yadā dākṣāyaṇī devī hareṇa sahitā mudā himācale sucikrīḍe līlayā parameśvarī

When the goddess, Daksha's daughter, joined joyfully with Hara, sported at will upon the Himalaya, that Supreme Goddess —

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.64.5)

मत्सुतेयमिति ज्ञात्वा सिषेवे मातृवर्चसा । हिमाचलप्रिया मेना सर्वर्द्धिभिरनिर्भरा

matsuteyamiti jñātvā siṣeve mātṛvarcasā himācalapriyā menā sarvarddhibhiranirbharā

knowing 'she is as good as my own daughter,' Mena, the beloved of Himachal, abounding in every prosperity, served her with a mother's devotion.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.64.6)

यदा दाक्षायणी रुष्टा नादृता स्वतनुं जहौ । पित्रा दक्षेण तद्यज्ञे सङ्गता परमेश्वरी

yadā dākṣāyaṇī ruṣṭā nādṛtā svatanuṁ jahau pitrā dakṣeṇa tadyajñe saṅgatā parameśvarī

When Daksha's daughter, enraged and dishonored, went to her father Daksha's sacrifice and there gave up her own body, that Supreme Goddess —

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.64.7)

तदैव मेनका तां सा हिमाचलप्रिया मुने । शिवलोकस्थितां देवीमारिराधयिषुस्तदा

tadaiva menakā tāṁ sā himācalapriyā mune śivalokasthitāṁ devīmārirādhayiṣustadā

from that very moment, O sage, Mena, beloved of Himachal, resolved to worship that goddess dwelling in Shiva's realm, wishing to win her favor.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.64.8)

तस्यामहं सुता स्यामित्यवधार्य सती हृदा । त्यक्तदेहा मनो दध्रे भवितुं हिमवत्सुता

tasyāmahaṁ sutā syāmityavadhārya satī hṛdā tyaktadehā mano dadhre bhavituṁ himavatsutā

Sati, having relinquished her body, resolved in her heart, 'Let me be born as her daughter,' and set her mind on becoming the daughter of Himavat.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.64.9)

समयं प्राप्य सा देवी सर्वदेवस्तुता पुनः । सती त्यक्ततनुः प्रीत्या मेनकातनयाभवत्

samayaṁ prāpya sā devī sarvadevastutā punaḥ satī tyaktatanuḥ prītyā menakātanayābhavat

In due time, that goddess, again praised by all the gods — Sati, who had relinquished her body — lovingly became the daughter of Menaka.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.64.10)

नाम्ना सा पार्वती देवी तपः कृत्वा सुदुस्सहम् । नारदस्योपदेशाद्वै पतिं प्राप शिवं पुनः

nāmnā sā pārvatī devī tapaḥ kṛtvā sudussaham nāradasyopadeśādvai patiṁ prāpa śivaṁ punaḥ

That goddess, named Parvati, performed the most unbearable austerity, and by Narada's own counsel won Shiva once more as her husband."

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.64.11)

नारद उवाच । ब्रह्मन् विधे महाप्राज्ञ वद मे वदतां वर । मेनकायाः समुत्पत्तिं विवाहचरितं तथा

nārada uvāca brahman vidhe mahāprājña vada me vadatāṁ vara menakāyāḥ samutpattiṁ vivāhacaritaṁ tathā

Narada said: "O Brahma, O Creator, most wise, best of speakers, tell me of Menaka's origin, and likewise the account of the marriage.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.64.12)

धन्या हि मेनका देवी यस्यां जाता सुता सती । अतो मान्या च धन्या च सर्वेषां सा पतिव्रता

dhanyā hi menakā devī yasyāṁ jātā sutā satī ato mānyā ca dhanyā ca sarveṣāṁ sā pativratā

Blessed indeed is the goddess Menaka, in whom Sati was born as a daughter; and so she, devoted to her husband, is honored and blessed by all."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.64.13)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शृणु त्वं नारद मुने पार्वतीमातुरुद्भवम् । विवाहं चरितं चैव पावनं भक्तिवर्धनम्

brahmovāca śṛṇu tvaṁ nārada mune pārvatīmāturudbhavam vivāhaṁ caritaṁ caiva pāvanaṁ bhaktivardhanam

Brahma said: "Listen, O sage Narada, to the origin of Parvati's mother, and to the account of the marriage — sacred, and one that increases devotion.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.64.14)

अस्त्युत्तरस्यां दिशि वै गिरीशो हिमवान्महान् । पर्वतो हि मुनिश्रेष्ठ महातेजाः समृद्धिभाक्

astyuttarasyāṁ diśi vai girīśo himavānmahān parvato hi muniśreṣṭha mahātejāḥ samṛddhibhāk

In the northern direction there stands the great lord of mountains, Himavat — a mountain, O best of sages, of immense splendor and abounding prosperity.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.64.15)

द्वैरूप्यं तस्य विख्यातं जङ्गमस्थिरभेदतः । वर्णयामि समासेन तस्य सूक्ष्मस्वरूपकम्

dvairūpyaṁ tasya vikhyātaṁ jaṅgamasthirabhedataḥ varṇayāmi samāsena tasya sūkṣmasvarūpakam

His twofold form is renowned — moving and unmoving — I shall briefly describe his subtle true nature.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.64.16)

पूर्वापरौ तोयनिधी सुविगाह्य स्थितो हि यः । नानारत्नाकरो रम्यो मानदण्ड इव क्षितेः

pūrvāparau toyanidhī suvigāhya sthito hi yaḥ nānāratnākaro ramyo mānadaṇḍa iva kṣiteḥ

He stands stretching between the eastern and the western ocean, delightful, a mine of manifold gems, like the measuring-rod of the earth.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.64.17)

नानावृक्षसमाकीर्णो नानाशृङ्गसुचित्रितः । सिंहव्याघ्रादिपशुभिः सेवितः सुखिभिः सदा

nānāvṛkṣasamākīrṇo nānāśṛṅgasucitritaḥ siṁhavyāghrādipaśubhiḥ sevitaḥ sukhibhiḥ sadā

Covered with all manner of trees, richly adorned with many peaks, ever frequented by contented beasts such as lions and tigers.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.64.18)

तुषारनिधिरत्युग्रो नानाश्चर्यविचित्रितः । देवर्षिसिद्धमुनिभिः संश्रितः शिवसम्प्रियः

tuṣāranidhiratyugro nānāścaryavicitritaḥ devarṣisiddhamunibhiḥ saṁśritaḥ śivasampriyaḥ

A treasury of snow, most formidable, adorned with manifold wonders, resorted to by gods, seers, siddhas, and sages, beloved of Shiva.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.64.19)

तपःस्थानोऽतिपूतात्मा पावनश्च महात्मनाम् । तपस्सिद्धिप्रदोऽत्यन्तं नानाधात्वाकरः शुभः

tapaḥsthāno'tipūtātmā pāvanaśca mahātmanām tapassiddhiprado'tyantaṁ nānādhātvākaraḥ śubhaḥ

A place of austerity, of a most purified nature, sanctifying to great souls, ever granting success in penance, auspicious, a mine of many minerals.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.64.20)

स एव दिव्यरूपो हि रम्यः सर्वाङ्गसुन्दरः । विष्ण्वंशोऽविकृतः शैलराजराजः सतां प्रियः

sa eva divyarūpo hi ramyaḥ sarvāṅgasundaraḥ viṣṇvaṁśo'vikṛtaḥ śailarājarājaḥ satāṁ priyaḥ

That very mountain, of divine form, delightful, beautiful in every limb, an unchanging portion of Vishnu, king of the kings of mountains, beloved of the virtuous.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.64.21)

कुलस्थित्यै च स गिरिर्धर्मवर्द्धनहेतवे । स्वविवाहं कर्तुमैच्छत्पितृदेवहितेच्छया

kulasthityai ca sa girirdharmavarddhanahetave svavivāhaṁ kartumaicchatpitṛdevahitecchayā

For the continuance of his lineage and for the increase of dharma, wishing the welfare of his ancestors and the gods, that mountain desired to marry.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.64.22)

तस्मिन्नवसरे देवाः स्वार्थमाचिन्त्य कृत्स्नशः । ऊचुः पितॄन्समागत्य दिव्यान्प्रीत्या मुनीश्वर

tasminnavasare devāḥ svārthamācintya kṛtsnaśaḥ ūcuḥ pitṝnsamāgatya divyānprītyā munīśvara

At that time, O lord of sages, the gods, having fully considered their own purpose, came together to the celestial ancestors and spoke to them with affection.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.64.23)

देवा ऊचुः सर्वे शृणुत नो वाक्यं पितरः प्रीतमानसाः । कर्तव्यं तत्तथैवाशु देवकार्येप्सवो यदि

devā ūcuḥ sarve śṛṇuta no vākyaṁ pitaraḥ prītamānasāḥ kartavyaṁ tattathaivāśu devakāryepsavo yadi

The gods said: "Listen, all of you glad-hearted ancestors, to our word; if you desire the accomplishment of the gods' work, it should be done at once, just as we say.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.64.24)

मेना नाम सुता या वो ज्येष्ठा मङ्गलरूपिणी । तां विवाह्य च सुप्रीत्या हिमाख्येन महीभृता

menā nāma sutā yā vo jyeṣṭhā maṅgalarūpiṇī tāṁ vivāhya ca suprītyā himākhyena mahībhṛtā

Your eldest daughter, named Mena, of auspicious form — let her be married with great affection to the mountain-lord named Hima.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.64.25)

एवं सर्वमहालाभः सर्वेषां च भविष्यति । युष्माकममराणां च दुःखहानिः पदे पदे

evaṁ sarvamahālābhaḥ sarveṣāṁ ca bhaviṣyati yuṣmākamamarāṇāṁ ca duḥkhahāniḥ pade pade

Thus a great benefit shall come to all, and at every step sorrow shall vanish, both for you and for us immortals."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.64.26)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्यामरवचः पितरस्ते विमृश्य च । स्मृत्वा शापं सुतानां च प्रोचुरोमिति तद्वचः

brahmovāca ityākarṇyāmaravacaḥ pitaraste vimṛśya ca smṛtvā śāpaṁ sutānāṁ ca procuromiti tadvacaḥ

Brahma said: "Hearing this speech of the immortals, the ancestors deliberated, and recalling the curse upon their daughters, spoke that word, 'Om, so be it.'

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.64.27)

ददुर्मेनां सुविधिना हिमागाय निजात्मजाम् । समुत्सवो महानासीत्तद्विवाहे सुमङ्गले

dadurmenāṁ suvidhinā himāgāya nijātmajām samutsavo mahānāsīttadvivāhe sumaṅgale

They duly gave their daughter Mena to Himachal; there was a great festival at that most auspicious wedding.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.64.28)

हर्यादयोऽपि ते देवा मुनयश्चापरेऽखिलाः । आजग्मुस्तत्र संस्मृत्य वामदेवं भवं धिया

haryādayo'pi te devā munayaścāpare'khilāḥ ājagmustatra saṁsmṛtya vāmadevaṁ bhavaṁ dhiyā

Vishnu and the other gods, and all the other sages besides, came there, calling to mind the gracious Lord Bhava in their thoughts.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.64.29)

उत्सवं कारयामासुर्दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकशः । सुप्रशस्य पितॄन्दिव्यान्प्रशशंसुर्हिमाचलम्

utsavaṁ kārayāmāsurdattvā dānānyanekaśaḥ supraśasya pitṝndivyānpraśaśaṁsurhimācalam

They held the festivities, giving many gifts, greatly praising the celestial ancestors, and extolling Himachal.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.64.30)

महामोदान्विता देवास्ते सर्वे समुनीश्वराः । सञ्जग्मुः स्वस्वधामानि संस्मरन्तः शिवाशिवौ

mahāmodānvitā devāste sarve samunīśvarāḥ sañjagmuḥ svasvadhāmāni saṁsmarantaḥ śivāśivau

All those gods, together with the great sages, filled with great joy, departed each to his own abode, remembering Shiva and Shiva.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.64.31)

यौतुकं बहु सम्प्राप्य सुविवाह्य प्रियां च ताम् । आजगाम स्वभवनं मुदमाप गिरीश्वरः

yautukaṁ bahu samprāpya suvivāhya priyāṁ ca tām ājagāma svabhavanaṁ mudamāpa girīśvaraḥ

Having received abundant dowry-gifts and duly married his beloved, the lord of mountains returned to his own dwelling, filled with joy.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.64.32)

ब्रह्मोवाच । मेनया हि हिमागस्य सुविवाहो मुनीश्वर । प्रोक्तो मे सुखदः प्रीत्या किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि

brahmovāca menayā hi himāgasya suvivāho munīśvara prokto me sukhadaḥ prītyā kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi

Brahma said: "Thus, O lord of sages, I have told you with delight of the joyous marriage of Himalaya and Mena. What more do you wish to hear?"