Parvati: The Goddess of Love and Devotion

The name Parvati in Sanskrit means mountain, which not only makes sense because she is known as the "daughter of the mountains", but also because it's a name that speaks to the strength and stability she provides to all those who worship her. 

According to Hindu scripture, the Great Goddess is the reincarnation of the first wife of Shiva, Sati. However, it's important to know that the mother goddess has been reincarnated many times and taken on various forms,  from the fearsome goddess of death, Kali, to the devoted goddess of food and nourishment, Annapurna, each reincarnated form of Parvati represents a facet of her vast and divine power. 

Great Goddess

Divine Energy

Mother of the World

Light

As the mother goddess of love, fertility, and devotion, it serves as no surprise that Parvati is the goddess to pray to when it comes to matters of bringing joy and abundance into the lives of families (Wikipedia Contributors). Whether through bestowing blessings upon couples looking to have children or bringing love and understanding to those hoping to have marital happiness. The same feminine energy that breathes life into the cosmos, is the very same, yet divine energy that is believed by many to answer the prayers of all those who confide in the mother goddess.

However, Parvati’s most formidable strength lies in her ability to assume various forms (“Parvati – New World Encyclopedia”), whether it is in the form of the powerful Durga, Uma the devoted, or Gauri, who is known for her grace, the ability to shapeshift makes it possible for Parvati to fulfill the unique needs of her devout followers.

In most depictions of Parvati, she is often characterized by dark hair that flows past her waist, fair skin, and almond-shaped eyes and is adorned in a variety of gold jewelry around her ankles, along her wrists and neck, and sometimes even atop her head. Always in traditional Indian attire, Parvati typically wears flowing saris in colors that are often regal and royal. 

All the things that make Parvati a devoted consort, a loving mother, and a compassionate deity are the very virtues that resonate with those who adore her. Her unwavering loyalty to Shiva, relentless determination to keep her family safe, and her faith serve as inspiration to her followers to become stronger in character and more compassionate in the way in which they love. Parvati's revered influence transcends time, offering guidance and inspiration to those who see her as a beacon of hope. 

Lotuses represent spiritual enlightenment and purity and in almost every depiction of Parvati, they are found nestling in the safety of her palms. Alongside the lotus, other symbols associated with the great goddess include the trident and the lion. The trident representing creation and preservation is associated with the sacred union of Parvati and Shiva. As for the lion, it not only serves as a chariot for the goddess but also symbolizes the role she plays in courageously protecting her followers against harm. 

From Diwali to Maha Shivaratri, Hindus celebrate Parvati in many different festivals, but the festival most closely associated with the mother goddess is Teej. During Teej, women honor the bond between the Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva by fasting and praying to Parvati for the well-being of their husbands. 

Since the festival takes place between July and September, it's also a time to commemorate the monsoon season, as the heavy rain offers a much-needed reprieve from the summer heat. During the lively celebrations, women wear traditional clothing in various shades of green, singing and dancing, praising the mother goddess. Some even play out amongst the fields to swing on flower-adorned swings in excitement for the coming rain

There are various legends surrounding Parvati, and because she has reincarnated many times and is a reincarnation of another goddess, navigating her legends can sometimes be overwhelming. However, the legends that speak to her divinity are the story of her birth, which is said to be from the ashes of Sati, the legend of her union with Lord Shiva, and most strikingly, Parvati's transformation into the formidable Kali. 

Legends vary amongst regions and religious traditions, and as time passes, they seem to gain a life of their own. According to legend, Sati was devoted to Lord Shiva and could not bear the shame of her father disrespecting him due to Shiva's unconventional and nonconforming lifestyle. Overwhelmed by grief, Sati self-immolated herself and was then reborn as the Goddess Parvati (Wikipedia Contributors). 

It is important to note that there are various legends of the birth of Parvati. Some believe her birth came from the union of Himavan, the guardian and king of the Himalayas, and his queen consort, Menavati. Others associate Parvati’s birth with the primordial spiritual energy in Hinduism, Adi Shakti. Regardless of the version you believe in, each narration adds depth and nuance to the divine mother, enriching her intrigue. 

Parvati who is believed to be a reincarnation of Sati, shared not only souls with the daughter of Daksha but also the same devotion to Lord Shiva. So much so, that in hopes of capturing the affection of Lord Shiva, Parvati renounced worldly attachments and immersed herself in prayer and fasting. It was said that her determination and unwavering commitment not only gained the recognition of Lord Shiva but also earned his affection (“Parvati”). Their divine union serves as a symbol to many that passion, perseverance, and commitment whether that be spiritually or to your partner are things to strive for to have fulfilling relationships. 

During the golden age, Raktabija, a formidable demon, laid siege on the world alongside other demons at the command of demon kings Shumbhu and Nishumbhu. However, Raktabija had his boons, which allowed him to multiply with every drop of his blood that fell on the ground. This ability had all the gods in fear, and the gods then went and asked Lord Brahma to save them, but he said that only a woman could defeat him. And despite having no interest in defeating Raktabija, the goddess Parvati took on the duty at the insistence of Lord Shiva. 

Parvati defeated the demons and killed the demon kings Shumbhu and Nishumbhu with her tridents. Throughout the fight, her anger only increased until only Raktabija was left, and by then, her anger had become so lethal that it all but consumed her, and thus she transformed into the formidable Kali. Kali then went on to finish the battle and save the world by ferociously and unyieldingly defeating Raktabija by killing his duplicates, collecting his blood drops in a bowl, preventing his blood from spreading further (“Parvati”) and then proceeded to chop off his head. 

The worship of the Mother Goddess is not just found within Hinduism because interactions with other religions and cultures have influenced her perception around the world. Within certain groups of Buddhism, the Buddhist equivalent of Parvati is the Goddess Tara, who is associated with compassion and enlightenment. Additionally, when Parvati takes the powerful form of the goddess Durga, many may be reminded of the Mahayana Buddhist deity Guanyin, who is known for her compassion and role as a protector against evil, paralleling Parvati’s depiction as a powerful and protective figure (“Parvati – New World Encyclopedia”).

Parvati’s divine presence extends to modern times, where she remains a significant fixture appearing in diverse cultural and artistic expressions. The mother goddess has inspired artists who depict her in sculptures, paintings, and religious iconography. Dance performances like the Bharatanatyam often include dedicated pieces to honor Parvati. Musical compositions are composed and performed to evoke her divine qualities,  and theatrical productions, dramas, and modern adaptations bring her stories to life on stage. Through these varied cultural and artistic expressions, Parvati’s mythology and teachings continue to resonate with people in modern times (“Parvati”).

The Goddess of Love and Devotion embodies a rich tapestry of legends, and despite it being difficult to navigate her legends since she is a reincarnated form of other gods, and because she can take many different forms: all the legends that involve her only add to her reverence. From her conception to her divine union with Lord Shiva, and then her transformation as Kali, Parvati symbolizes the eternal feminine power within the universe. Her enduring presence in worship and cultural expressions ensures the integral part she plays in religious practices and rituals. Parvati’s essence embodies the divine feminine energy, nurturing and empowering devotees throughout their spiritual journeys. 

“Parvati.” Mythopedia, mythopedia.com/topics/parvati.

“Parvati – New World Encyclopedia.” Www.newworldencyclopedia.org, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Parvati.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Parvati.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Sept. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvati.