A Most Awaited Meeting- An SS- Completed- 2/4/18 - Page 18

HAND IN MARRIAGE

Shiva walked around Kailash, agitated.

"Mahadevaaa!

The cheery voice of Vishnu startled Him.

"Narayana!, said Shiva, agitated.

"You look lost. What's wrong?, asked Lord Vishnu, innocently.

"Nothing Narayana. Brahma Deva!, said Shiva, smiling lightly.

"Mahadev, you look agitated, repeated Brahma, calmly. "What are you thinking of?

"Nothing?

Shiva's word came out more in the form of a question.

"Oh!, said Vishnu, smirking. "You are missing my sister

"Maybe?, said Shiva, almost shyly, which was very uncharacteristic of Him.

"You definitely are, said Brahma, a half laugh coming out.

"Go and ask the good King Himavan to give her hand in marriage to you, said Vishnu, softly. "You yourself go. That is maryada

"That the one who wants to marry the woman has to go to her father to ask, and then the proposal will be sent through anyone trusted, said Lord Brahma.

"As you both say. But I will be needing Nandi and Narada, said Shiva, as a plan struck His head. Smirking gently, He told His plan to Brahma and Vishnu, who almost laughed at the partial mayhem in the plan Shiva had made.

Parvati hummed to herself softly, as she glided across her room, her mind on her Shiva. She smiled, as she thought of the fact that soon, she will be His wife. And she knew that no force in the Universe could stop it.

"Sister!

Parvati whirled around, a massive grin on her face! Her Bhrata Vishnu had come to see her.

"Bhrataaa!, screeched Parvati, excitement making itself known in her tone, as she rushed to Him.

Vishnu laughed, and hugged Parvati tightly, whose joy made Him incredibly happy.

"What you said came true Bhrata, said Parvati. "Your words are always true

"Are they sister?, asked Vishnu, eyes shining with happiness.

"And everything you, or any of the Tridevon do, is for a reason, said Parvati, reverentially.

"What has to happen will happen. Ultimately, it is for your own good, said Lord Vishnu. "Many won't see it, but that is the truth

"Bhrata, why the penance?, asked Parvati curiously.

"To teach the world. That to be an equal, one has to become an equal, said Lord Vishnu. "All the forms that Lakshmi will take, will show that, though people may not understand it, confused with the original story. But it would be there

"Then Bhrata, how did Lakshmi and you marry immediately after she came from you?, asked Parvati.

"She came as my equal, and when she split into Shri, Bhu and Nila also she stayed my equal. Thus, I married her immediately. The same with Brahma Deva and Saraswati. Saraswati, when she emerged from Brahma, was His equal, said Vishnu.

"And Shankara?, asked Parvati, softly.

"He and Shakti married each other in a different realm, and on my request, decided to start showing people what true love is, said Vishnu, softly. "And thus, Sati was born, and now, you

"Bhrata, but why is it Shiva and I, for all purposes? You are the Lord of all Lords, and Lakshmi is your equal, said Parvati.

"The time for that will come soon. After Shiva and you are married, said Vishnu, softly. "What is your role? As in, yours and Shiva's? In the cycle of Time?

"Destruction, said Parvati, softly.

"The Destruction you both cause will lead to Creation again, a truly fresh start, said Vishnu. "You are Shiva's female form. You both will show that without Love, Creation cannot exist. Thus, due to the loveless Nature that is inevitable at the end of every Yuga, you will become Kaali, and Mahadeva will become Kaal

"Bhrata, but you are MahaKaal, said Parvati, confused.

"I am All, and All are me, said He, a smile forming on His lips. "I will take the form of Kalki, to destroy Adharma at the end of the Kali Yuga. Yet, without Lakshmi, Mahadeva and you, Destruction is something I cannot achieve

Parvati sighed, knowing that Vishnu was All, and that if He thought, the entire Universes could dissolve into nothingness. But she knew He would say this as well, and she could understand why.

Vishnu shook His head, and said, "Stop those deep thoughts Parvati. I came here to tell you that Mahadeva Himself is coming to ask for your hand in marriage to your parents, except maybe not the way the expect

With a mischievous look, Vishnu vanished, before Parvati could question Him anymore.

Parvati huffed childishly. Her brother always did this to her! Smiling, she shook her head. She may be a Maha Tapasvini, as everyone called her. But with Lord Vishnu, she would still be childish and whine at Him for never telling her what she wanted to know.

"Om Namo Narayanayah!

Om Namo Narayanayah!

Jai Brahma Deva!

Jai Brahma Deva!

The music vibrated through the entire palace, and reached the ears of Raja Himavan's family, who were all sitting together to discuss Parvati's wedding.

Parvati almost swooned, for that baritone melody belonged to only one person, her Lord Shiva. Her Bhrata Vishnu was, as always, right. Shiva had come in the form of a singer and dancer to ask for her hand in marriage.

Quickly, the King and Queen of the Himalayas, along with Parvati, rushed to the doors of the palace, when the one who had sang so beautifully entered their doors.

Parvati stared, as she saw the original form of Lord Shiva. Tall, face shining like the moon, His body covered in ashes, wrapped in tiger ski, along with Nagaraj wrapped around His strong neck. One by one, Parvati saw every form of Shiva, and almost became unconscious due to the sheer beauty Shiva exuded. The reassuring twinkled in Shiva's eyes seemed to bring her back to reality, as she looked at her parents, who were requesting Him to sing and dance for them.

"Maa! Pitashree! I will go and prepare the Nrithyashala, said Parvati, throwing a look at Shiva before turning and walking toward the Nrithyashala.

Watching Him dance was sheer bliss, though Parvati, as He enacted out various events and deeds done by Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.

She looked at her parents, who were watching with awestruck rapture at the sheer beauty of the dance.

When He finished, Maharaja Himavan said, "Oh artist of artists! Your song and dance have pleased me incredibly. Please do ask us anything you want

"Riches I don't need, neither do I need clothes. I only need one thing, said the artist.

Parvati smiled softly, and mischievously, as she knew exactly what He was going to say.

"Name it, and it shall be yours, said the Queen.

"Your daughter Parvati's hand in marriage