The Grand Wedding of Shiva and Sati

The Devas desired Shiva to marry so his son could vanquish future Asuras. They approached Daksha Prajapati, who prayed for Devi to be born as his daughter, Sati. Growing up devoted to Shiva, Sati performed penance and worshipped him fervently. Pleased, Shiva appeared and granted her wish to marry him. Sati informed her parents, who rejoiced. Shiva, yearning for Sati, requested Brahma to seek Daksha's consent for their marriage. Brahma conveyed Shiva's proposal, and Daksha agreed happily. Preparations for their union began, delighting the Devas and Rishis as the marriage of Sati and Shiva was set to bring cosmic joy.

Lord Shiva insisted on the presence of Brahma and Narada at his wedding. He wanted all the mind-born sons of Brahma also to be present. Upon Lord Shiva remembering him, Lord Vishnu together with Lakshmi Devi arrived seated on Garuda. Thus the grand procession of the bridegroom together with devas, rishis, siddhas, and millions of his ganas began towards Sati’s home on the Shukla Paksha Trayodashi of the month of Chaitra. It was Purva Phalguni nakshatra and a Sunday.

Lord Shiva was seated on his bull, Nandi wearing tiger skin, and the crescent on his forehead. He was sporting jata and wearing serpents as ornaments.

Looking at the rand arrival of the bridegroom, Daksha had goosebumps. He received all of them with respect. Daksha worshiped devas, and rishis starting with Mahadeva himself. Then Daksha requested Brahma, his father, to conduct the wedding ceremony. Daksha performed kanyadanam and gave the hand of his daughter in the hands of Lord Shiva (panigrahanam). Everyone praised the divine couple.

Lord Vishnu told Lord Shiva, ‘Deva of Devas, Mahadeva! You are the father of the entire universe, and Devi Sati is the mother of all. Both of you take incarnations playfully for the welfare of virtuous beings and the destruction of the wicked.You, with the blue-complexioned Sati, appear graceful, Sati is blue-hued, and you are fair, whereas I am blue-hued, and Lakshmi is fair.’

The ceremony continued with sapta padi, parikrama of Agni, etc. and concluded. It was a grand celebration with a lot of singing and dancing.

Lord Shiva asked Brahma what acharya dakshina he would like to have for having conducted the wedding. Brahma said, ‘O Lord of the Gods! If you are pleased with me, kindly fulfill what I humbly ask with joy. O Mahadeva! May you always remain seated on this vedi in this form so that, by beholding you, people's sins may be washed away. O Chandrashekhara! I wish to build a hermitage near this altar and perform penance in your presence - this is my desire. On the thirteenth day of the Shukla Pakksha of Chaitra, under the Purva Phalguni Nakshatra, on a Sunday, whoever worships you with devotion shall have all their sins destroyed instantly. Their punya will increase greatly, and all diseases will be completely eradicated. Any woman who is unfortunate, childless, or lacking beauty shall also be freed from all defects merely by beholding you on this day.

Sati Devi sat together with Lord Shiva on top of Nandi and the grand procession returned to Kailasa.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi