The Story of Parvati, Wife of Shiva

The Hindu Goddess Parvati is one of the major aspects of Devi, the universal goddess. She is known as one of the benevolent forms (while Durga and Kali are the wrathful forms). Devi Parvati appears as Shiva's consort, considered in this form to be a mountain goddess.

In Hinduism, Shiva had become despondent over the death of his wife, so he turned to the life of a hermit. He sat concentrating his energies until he turned into a pillar of fire. The gods became worried over this, and begged the mother goddess Shakti for help. In response, the goddess took the form of Parvati, princess of the mountains, and sought to win Shiva's heart with the help of Kama, god of love. But when Kama shot his love-dart at Shiva, Shiva opened his third eye, let loose a fiery missile and reduced him to ashes.

Parvati then took on the life of a hermit as well, and mortified her body through austerities that won his admiration, and he accepted Parvati as his consort. Inspired by Parvati's beauty, he made music and began to dance. Parvati also cajoled Shiva to reveal the secrets of the cosmos locked in his mind. It is believed many seers were enlightened when they overheard their conversation between the two lovers. Parvati is highly revered for her ability to transform the austere ascetic into an amorous householder.

Depictions of Parvati in Statues and Artwork

The goddess Parvati is often shown in statues as being quite beautiful, and is sometimes depicted with her family (Parvati is the mother of Lord Ganesh - and can be shown sitting with him).

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