Shiva and Parvati: Symbol of Love, Devotion, and Faithfulness

Table of Content

•  The Power of the Shiva and Parvati

• The Incarnation of Shakti

• The Ultimate Devotion of The Princess

• The Balance of Nature - Ardhnarishwar

• More Tales from the Hindu Mythology?

• Conclusion

Shiva and Parvati are inseparable companions. A true devotee needs to venerate both and have equal adoration for both. On the off chance that one worships Shiva without worshipping Parvati, such worship will be in vain. The Lord won't acknowledge such a prayer. It is to show the world the significance that Shiva and Parvati hold in each other's life.

This article is a deep dive into their beautiful relationship as a representation of Love, Devotion, and Faithfulness-

The Power of the Shiva and Parvati

Goddess Parvati's delicate and soft touch represents the glow of parenthood. Her affection is overpowering and sweeping. She embodies various forms. The love of Parvati (and her other famous forms Durga and Kali) began on the Indian subcontinent prior to the Common Era. However Parvati isn't referenced unequivocally in the Vedas, the antiquated texts that established the frameworks for the present Hinduism, the names of her other forms truly do show up in these sacred scriptures. Parvati can manifest in many forms, every one of which is revered as a separate goddess because of their unique aura. Durga is the hero and defender goddess. She rides on the back of a brutal tiger, surging into a fight and obliterating evil. Kali is the maker and destroyer goddess. Her blood-drenched sword cuts the obligations of obliviousness and ego, which are represented by the cut-off head she holds in one of her many hands. Other famous forms of Goddess Parvati are Love Goddess, Kamakshi, and Goddess of abundance, Annapurna. What's more, there are a lot more faces to the goddess, which are all venerated in states across South and Southeast Asia; and even in several religions. Goddess Parvati is the dotting mother taking care of all her children. Parvati’s worship is incomplete without taking her husband’s name, Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva exists in various forms- as a great husband, as Nataraja, as a yogi, as a Dalit, and as half-male and half-female, Ardhanarishvara. As Pashupata, he is the kind herder or, now and again, he slays "monsters".  Together Shiva and Parvati are a force to reckon with.

"Uma-Maheshwara" Large Wooden Shiva Parvati Seated on Nandi with Kirtimukha Arch

The Incarnation of Shakti

Different Hindu sacred texts portray the Shiva and Parvati story, in different ways. After Lord Shiva's first wife Sati passed away, Shiva barred any sort of social interaction and engaged himself in profound reflection. Exploiting the circumstance, the asura (evil spirit) lord Tarakasura procured a blessing from the god Brahma the shelter that he could be killed simply by Shiva's son. Believing that he was invincible, Tarakasura threatened the creatures of the universe and crushed the divine beings.

Parvati, Sati’s resurrected form, was brought into the world to Himavan, Himalaya's Lord, and Apsara Mena. She went through extreme severities to persuade Shiva to accept her as his wife. The divine Gods, frantic to hurry the birth of Shiva's child, sent Kamadeva, the lord of affection, to stir disturbance in Shiva's reflection.  Shiva was stirred, but Kamadeva was wrecked by Shiva's anger. Begged by different to accept marriage, Shiva concurred, yet chose to test Parvati's commitment first. Shiva himself, masked as an old austere man, visited Parvati and criticized himself in front of her. As an irate Parvati was going to leave, Shiva uncovered his actual self to her and accepted her hand in marriage, satisfied with her affection and commitment. The couple was blessed with a male child, Kartikeya, who later slew Tarakasura.

The Ultimate Devotion of The Princess

The Shiva and Parvati story began when Sati reincarnated as Parvati. Her entire life, Parvati felt this strong love for Lord Shiva. As a child, she sat in the forest glade setting blossoms at his feet, cooing his name, and wandering off in a fantasy land where he woke up to her and embraced her. However, all her staring off into space was not doing any good.

Parvati chose to act, and thus began the final fight of the princess to create the Shiva and Parvati story as we know it today. She approached the Kama, the God of Love, and requested that he shoot a bolt into Shiva's heart to stimulate him. She was certain this would work. The Kama, down all of the time for anything related to love and affection, shot a bolt into Shiva's heart and woke him out of contemplation. He woke up and on feeling the enthusiasm in his body, became infuriated that he was disturbed once again from his reflection. With thunder, he opened his third eye, which shot an arrow burning Kama instantaneously. Shiva shut each of the three of his eyes and withdrew into himself again. Parvati, troubled that her arrangement fizzled, sat and contemplated what to do straightaway.

Parvati started to reflect. For a millennium, she remained on one leg on hot coals.  For another millennium, she stood on one leg on the cold snow. During these reflections, she assembled tapas, internal heat, and her own power developed further that Shiva, somewhere down in his contemplation, felt her essence and was stirred from his reflection. Shiva and Parvati were married thereafter.

The Balance of Nature - Ardhnarishwar

Shiva was always very happy and hence, Parvati was attracted to him. After Parvati did numerous things to charm him, Shiva and Parvati were blissfully married to each other. Because of his immense love for Parvati, Shiva needed to share whatever was his experience. Parvati said, "This ecstasy within you, I need to encounter it as well. How would it be advisable for me to feel the same way? Tell me. I'm willing to do anything." Shiva said, "There is no requirement for you to do any extraordinary feat. You come and sit on my lap." Parvati came and with definitely no opposition towards him, sat to his left side lap. Since she was so willing since she had set herself absolutely in his grasp, he just pulled her in and she turned out to be half of him. Lord Shiva had to leave half of himself out, as he let Parvati take up that space, thus Shiva and Parvati were truly merged into one. 

Ardhanareeshvara is a mix of three words "Ardha," "Nari," and "Ishwara" signifying "half," "lady," and "lord," individually, which when consolidated means the Lord whose half is a lady. It is accepted that the God and the female part is Lord Shiva and Parvati respectively. The Ardhanareeshvara depicts a productive and generative power. Ardhanareeshvara represents male and female standards that can't be isolated. It stands for the solidarity of contrary energies in the universe. The male half represents Purusha and the female half is Prakriti. Ardhanareeshvara orchestrates the two clashing lifestyles of Lord Shiva and Parvati: The profound method of the austere as depicted by Shiva, and the materialistic method of the householder represented by Parvati. It teaches that Shiva and Parvati are indeed the very same, and Shiva and Parvati together embody the great qualities of the feminine and masculine.

More Tales from the Hindu Mythology?

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Key Takeaways

• Shiva and Parvati represent the perfect union of masculine and feminine energies and symbolize the ideal of a harmonious relationship.

• Shiva is the embodiment of detachment and spirituality, while Parvati represents devotion and nurturing.

• The story of their union and marriage, as depicted in Hindu mythology, inspires devotion, faithfulness, and love.

• The symbolism of their relationship has been celebrated in art and literature for centuries, and continues to inspire devotees and admirers alike.