The fathers and mothers smiled, for they recognized Siva’s familiars, and reassured the children in every possible way, saying, “Do not be afraid; there is no cause for fear.”
The heralds brought in the procession and assigned them all pleasant quarters. And Maina, having prepared an elegant sacrificial lamp, and lustrous water in a golden bowl, proceeded gladly to move it round and round over Siva’s head, while her attendants sang festive songs. When they saw his terrible attire the women feared greatly, and ran inside the house all of a tremble. Mahadeva advanced to the guest-room, and Maina, sorely grieved at heart, called her daughter, and in the most loving manner took her in her lap, while her lotus eyes overflowed with tears: “To think that the Creator should have made you so beautiful, and then give you such a raving fool for a bridegroom!
How can God send such a raving groom for such a lovely bride?
What a thorn-bush is our wishing-tree, the fruit for which we cried!
From mountain-top, in sea or fire, I cast me down with thee:
Welcome disgrace, so they be gone; this wedding ne’er shall be.”
The heralds brought in the procession and assigned them all pleasant quarters. And Maina, having prepared an elegant sacrificial lamp, and lustrous water in a golden bowl, proceeded gladly to move it round and round over Siva’s head, while her attendants sang festive songs. When they saw his terrible attire the women feared greatly, and ran inside the house all of a tremble. Mahadeva advanced to the guest-room, and Maina, sorely grieved at heart, called her daughter, and in the most loving manner took her in her lap, while her lotus eyes overflowed with tears: “To think that the Creator should have made you so beautiful, and then give you such a raving fool for a bridegroom!
How can God send such a raving groom for such a lovely bride?
What a thorn-bush is our wishing-tree, the fruit for which we cried!
From mountain-top, in sea or fire, I cast me down with thee:
Welcome disgrace, so they be gone; this wedding ne’er shall be.”