Baal Kaanda
26 - Siva's peculiar marriage procession and preparations for the wedding (undertaken by the other party)
Chaupais
Description
When it was heard that the bridegrooms procession was close at hand, there was commotion in the city, which added to its charm. Adorning themselves and decorating their vehicles of various kinds, a party proceeded in advance to receive the procession with due honour. They were gladdened at heart to see the gathering of the immortals. And they were all the more happy to behold Sri Hari (Visnu). But when they started looking at Sivas retinue, every animal they rode started back and fled in panic. The adults recovered themselves and remained where they were, while every child that came ran for its life. On their reaching home when their parents questioned them, they spoke as follows, their limbs still shaking with fear, What shall we say? The sight was such as could not be described. We wonder whether it was a bridegrooms procession or the army of Death. The bridegroom is a maniac, riding on a bull; serpents, skulls and ashes are his ornaments.