Note 11 — Chapter L

He himself went alone to Kailása the monarch of mountains, in order to invite Śiva and Ambiká. And as he was ascending that mountain, he saw that it gleamed white as ashes, looking like a second Śiva to be adored by the Siddhas, Ṛishis, and gods. After he had got more than half-way up it, and had seen that further on it was hard to climb, he beheld on one side a coral door. When he found that, though gifted with supernatural power, he could not enter, he praised Śiva with intent mind. Then a man with an elephant’s face opened the door, and said—“Come! enter! the holy Gaṇeśa is satisfied with you.” Then Súryaprabha entered, inly wondering, and beheld the god seated on a broad slab of jyotírasa,11 with one tusk, and an elephant’s proboscis, in brightness like twelve suns, with pendent stomach, with three eyes, with flaming axe and club, surrounded by many Gaṇas with the faces of animals, and falling at his feet, he adored him. The vanquisher of obstacles, being pleased, asked him the cause of his coming, and said to him with an affectionate voice—“Ascend by this path.” Súryaprabha ascended by that path another five yojanas, and saw another great door of ruby. And not being able to enter there either, he praised the god Śiva by his thousand names with intent mind. Then the son of Skanda, called Viśákha, himself opened the door, proclaiming who he was, and introduced the prince into the interior. And Súryaprabha, having entered, beheld Skanda of the brightness of burning fire, accompanied by his five sons like himself, Śákha, Viśákha and their brothers, surrounded by inauspicious planets, and infant planets,12 that submitted to him as soon as he was born, and by ten millions of Gaṇeśas, prostrate at his feet. That god Kártikeya also, being pleased, asked the cause of his coming, and shewed him the path by which to ascend the mountain. In the same manner he passed five other jewel-doors in succession, kept by Bhairava, Mahákála, Vírabhadra, Nandin, and Bhṛingin severally, each with his attendants, and at last he reached on the top of the mountain an eighth door of crystal. Then he praised Śiva, and he was introduced courteously by one of the Rudras, and beheld that abode of Śiva that excelled Svarga, in which blew winds of heavenly fragrance, in which the trees ever bore fruit and flowers,13 in which the Gandharvas had begun their concert, which was all joyous with the dancing of Apsarases. Then, in one part of it, Súryaprabha beheld with joy the great god Śiva, seated on a throne of crystal, three-eyed, trident in hand, in hue like unto pure crystal, with yellow matted locks, with a lovely half-moon for crest, adored by the holy daughter of the mountain, who was seated at his side. And he advanced, and fell at the feet of him and the goddess Durgá. Then the adorable Hara placed his hand on his back, and made him rise up, and sit down, and asked him why he had come. And Súryaprabha answered the god, “My coronation is nigh at hand, therefore I desire the Lord’s presence at it.” Then Śiva said to him, “Why have you gone through so much toil and hardship? Why did you not think of me where you were, in order that I might appear there. Be it so, I will be present.” The god, who is kind to his votaries, said this, and calling a certain Gaṇa who stood near him, gave him the following command: “Go and take this man to the Ṛishabha mountain, in order that he may be crowned emperor, for that is the place appointed for the grand coronation of emperors such as he is.” When the Gaṇa had received this command from the holy god, he took in his lap with all respect Súryaprabha, who had circumambulated Śiva. And he carried him and placed him on the Ṛishabha mountain by his magic power that very moment, and then disappeared. And when Súryaprabha arrived there, his companions came to him, and his wives with Kámachúḍámaṇi at their head, and the kings of the Vidyádharas, and the gods with Indra, and the Asuras with Maya at their head, and Śrutaśarman, and Sumeru with Suvásakumára. And Súryaprabha honoured them all in becoming fashion, and when he told the story of his interview with Śiva, they congratulated him. Then Prabhása and the others brought the water of consecration with their own hands, mixed with various herbs, in pitchers of jewels and gold, taking it from male and female rivers, seas and holy bathing places. In the meanwhile the holy Śiva came there, accompanied by Durgá; and the gods, and Asuras and Vidyádharas, and kings, and great ṛishis adored his foot. And while all the gods, and Dánavas, and Vidyádharas uttered loud cries of “Blessed be this day,” the ṛishis made Súryaprabha sit on the throne, and pouring all the waters over him, declared him emperor of the Vidyádharas. And the discreet Asura Maya joyfully fastened on his turban and diadem. And the drum of the gods, preceded by the dancing of lovely Apsarases, sounded joyfully in heaven, in unison with the cymbals of earth. And that assembly of great ṛishis poured the water of consecration over Kámachúḍámaṇi also, and made her the appropriate queen consort of Súryaprabha. Then, the gods and Asuras having departed, Súryaprabha, the emperor of the Vidyádharas, protracted his great coronation feast with his relations, friends, and companions. And in a few days he gave to Śrutaśarman that northern half vedi mentioned by Śiva, and having obtained his other beloved ones, he enjoyed for a long time, together with his companions, the fortune of king of the Vidyádharas.