Baal Kaanda
27 - Siva's nuptials
Chhands
Description
The great sages had the nuptial ceremony performed in all its details as laid down in the Vedas. Taking sacred Kusa grass in his hand and holding the bride by Her hand, the mountain-king Himlaya made Her over to Bhava (Siva) knowing Her to be His eternal consort. When the great Lord Siva took the hand of the bride, all the great gods were glad at heart. The principal sages chanted the Vedic formulas, while the gods exclaimed, Victory, victory, all victory to Sarkara ! Musical instruments of various kinds were sounded and flowers of different varieties were rained down from the heavens. The wedding of Hara and Girij was thus concluded. A spirit of rejoicing pervaded the whole universe. Men-servants and maid-servants, horses and chariots, elephants and cows, raiment, jewels and various other articles and even so cart-loads of foodgrains and gold utensils were given as dowry, which was more than one could describe.