Incarnation of Shiva as Sunartakanata – Shiva Purana

In the chapter 34, Section 3 of Satarudra Samhita of Shiva Purana, the story of incarnation of Shiva as Sunartakanata is mentioned.

​When goddess Parvati, daughter of Himavat, performed the pious penance in order to attain Shiva, after going to the forest, Shiva was much delighted at her austerity. He approached to test her conduct and out of pleasure to grant her the desired boon. The delighted Shiva revealed his real form to her and told Parvati, “Mention the boon you wish to have.”

On hearing the words of Shiva and on seeing his excellent form, Parvati was delighted. She spoke to him after paying her homage. Parvati said:--

“O lord of gods, if you are delighted, if a boon shall be granted to me, O Shiva, you be my lord and husband. Please take pity on me. With your permission I shall go to my father’s abode. O lord, you shall approach my father. In the form of a mendicant and making your spotless fame known, beg me of my father and make the householder’s life fruitful. O lord Shiva, it behoves to marry me with due rites for the fulfilment of the task of the gods. O lord, you are without aberrations. Please fulfil my desires. You are favourably disposed to the devotees. I am always your devotee.”
Thus requested by her, Shiva who is favourably disposed towards his devotees said “So be it” and vanished from there. He returned to his mountainous abode. After making her beauty fruitful, Parvati returned to her father’s abode jealously in the company of her female friends. On hearing Parvati’s return, Himavat accompanied by his attendants and his wife Mena joyously came to see his daughter. On seeing her delighted, both of them received her suitably and made gifts to Brahmins and others* the auspicious mantras of the Vedas were chanted.

In the meantime Shiva, favourably disposed towards his devotees and indulging in good sports, assumed the form of a dancer and approached Menaka. He held the horn in his left hand and the small drum in his right. He carried a bundle of patched garments on his back. He wore a red cloth. He appeared to be an expert in dance and music. Then the lord in the form of a dancer performed various dances joyously in the yard of Menaka and sang sweetly. With great pleasure he exhibited a variety of splendid sports. The citizens including men, women, children and old women gathered there suddenly to see him.

The people were fascinated and Mena too was highly delighted. Immediately Mena whose mind was in exultation, thanks to his clever feats, went to give him potfuls of gems and jewels. He did not accept those gems. He wished to have Parvati for his alms. Eagerly he began to dance and sing again. On hearing bis words Mena was surprised. She became furious as well. She rebuked the mendicant and wanted to drive him out.

In the meantime the lord of the mountains returned from the Ganges. He saw the mendicant in the form of a man standing before him in the yard. On hearing from Menā all the details he too was infuriated. He ordered his attendants to drive out the mendicant. No one could drive him out. He was blazing and brilliant like a big fire and could not be touched. The mendicant exhibited his infinite power to the mountain. Immediately the mountain saw him assuming the form of Vishnu, then the form of Brahma and in a trice that of the sun. Then he saw him in the excessively wonderful form of Shiva accompanied by Parvati. He was exquisitely handsome and brilliant. He was laughing. Thus he saw him in various forms. He was much surprised and extremely delighted. Perfect knowledge then dawned on Mena and the lord of mountains. They thought: “The lord Shiva has deceived us and returned to his abode.

Our Parvati, who has performed a hard penance, shall be given to him, thinking thus they became extremely devoted to Shiva. Shiva performed the marriage rites duly with Parvati delighting all devotees. Thus, the incarnation of Shiva as Sunartaka naṭa fulfilled the desire of Parvati.