Parvati
Speak with Parvati →Also known as: Uma · Gauri · Annapurna · Shakti
Parvati is the daughter of the mountains — the consort of Shiva and the gentle face of the cosmic mother (whose fierce form is Durga, whose dark form is Kali).
Tradition
Shakta / Puranic
Domain
Marriage · Fertility · Devotion · Domestic life · Power (shakti)
Sacred day
Monday
Sacred colors
Red, Green
Number of arms (typical)
2
Consort
Shiva
Parents
Himavat (king of the mountains) & Mena
The story
Parvati was born to win Shiva. After Shiva's first wife Sati immolated herself at Daksha's yajna, the deity withdrew into deep meditation and would not be moved. The gods, beset by the demon Tarakasura who could only be killed by Shiva's son, sent the young Parvati — Sati reborn — to penance. She practiced austerities so severe that the snow itself melted around her. Eventually Shiva, tested first as a mocking brahmin and then drawn out by Kama (the god of love, whom Shiva burned to ash with his third eye), agreed to marry her. Their union produced Ganesha and Kartikeya, and Parvati's presence eventually drew Shiva back into the householder's dharma. As Annapurna, she is the goddess who feeds the world; even Shiva is said to beg his food from her.
Iconography
Fair-skinned consort of Shiva; usually two-armed in domestic forms; seated beside Shiva on Mount Kailasa; sometimes holding a child Ganesha.
Mantras
ॐ पार्वत्यै नमः
Om Parvatyai Namah
Recommended count: 108
Festivals
Teej
Shravana Shukla Tritiya (Jul-Aug)
Festival celebrating the union of Shiva and Parvati; married women fast for their husband's welfare; unmarried women pray for a worthy spouse.
Gauri Vrat
Five-day vrat performed by unmarried women for marital fortune.
Recommended practices
- Recite Lalita Sahasranama on Fridays for marital harmony.
- Observe Mondays of the month of Shravan for relief from marital conflict or delays.
Scriptural references
- · Skanda Purana
- · Shiva Purana — Parvati Khanda
- · Devi Bhagavatam