Shiva approached Daksha and requested,“Your Highness, it has indeed been a long day of tremendous joy and festivity. We have enjoyed your great hospitality and now, as dusk falls upon us, I beg leave to take Sati along with me to Kailash. The journey is long and we should begin now.”
Upon hearing this, Prasuti began to weep, quickly coming to Sati’s side, and fixing Her bridal garments and hair with the deft hands of a mother who had done this every day for twenty years;
A mother who had brought up this miracle for all Her life.
A mother, who knew, as all mothers do, that this sort of chance of tidying up her daughter like a little doll, would now not come again.
Daksha was secretly impressed with Shiva’s immaculate manner, which was doubly contrasted by the mannerisms of His party of goblins.
“Yes, of course!” I shall command my armies to escort you…” began Daksha.
Shiva did not allow him to finish. He gracefully raised His right hand in a gesture of estoppel.
“Thank you, your Highness. We will not require any such escort. Do not hitherto worry about your princess Sati. She is now the Queen of the mountains, which we know only too well. We do not need any scouts, just your good wishes will favour us along the way.”
It was Daksha’s first experience of Shiva’s resolute authority, and a complete overruling of His own.
“Ah, yes…” he managed to mutter. “Sound the guard then, make way for the royal party…uh… mountain party… to depart,” he corrected himself.
Everyone started moving towards the hall exit, and Sati bent to hug Her mother and father, yet again.
Nandi started stretching his legs and making small but forceful grunts; it was like he was igniting his engines in readiness for the ride he had dreamt of: carrying both Shiva and Sati, to Kailash. He bordered on impatience, and was just a little short of asking the bride’s side to hurry up, but one look at his master and he held his peace, grunting and stretching a bit more.Shiva was very patient. He hugged all the family and His newfound brothers-in-law, the ministers, and rishis, In turn , as each of them moved up to greet Him.
Shiva and Sati then began to move to the gateway, where Nandi had already positioned himself. They moved gracefully in rhythm, as One. Brahma, Saraswati, Vishnu and Lakshmi, along with all the celestials, began to shower them with rose petals.The musicians began a farewell tune, and amidst tears and goodbyes, the newly married couple exited the hallway into the wide open, where the sun was sliding down like an inebriated but happy soul about to rest in his cosy bed.
Shiva gently put one arm around Sati and lifted Her easily off the ground. He seated Her on Nandi, and then looking at the wedding party one last time, sat on Nandi Himself.
Nandi let out a bellow that startled everyone with its tenor. It was like the call of a truly happy celestial elephant. He got up steadily to his full height, careful that Sati would not feel a jerk, and hoisted his riders to a majestic position of an exalted throne.
The royal drummers started beating their drums, breaking out into a lilting rhythm. The Shiv ganas promptly drew out their damarus and started playing them with equal vigour. The confluence of the palace music and that of the mountain men was, indeed fabulous—a divine jugalbandi.
And thus began Sati’s journey to Her abode in Kailash, amidst drums and trumpets, roars and fanfare. Kailash, where She hoped to live happily ever after with Her Lord, Shiva, who was also the beloved Lord of the world.
~ Shiva Sati art: Devdass, Ranbireshwar Shiva Temple artist, Jammu.
