Hinduism is a rich and diverse religion that has many gods and goddesses, each with their own attributes and functions. Among them, one of the most revered and influential is Parvati, the Hindu goddess of power, energy, nourishment, harmony, love, beauty, devotion, and motherhood. She is also known as Uma, Gauri, Durga, Kali, and many other names, depending on her aspect and role. In this article, we will explore the origin, mythology, and significance of Parvati, the Hindu goddess of power.

The Daughter of the Mountain

Parvati was born as the daughter of Himavan, the king of the Himalayas, and Mena, his queen. According to Wikipedia, she was the reincarnation of Sati, the first wife of Shiva, the god of destruction and transformation, who immolated herself during a fire-sacrifice conducted by her father Daksha, who despised Shiva Parvati was destined to marry Shiva and reunite him with his divine energy, or Shakti, which he had lost after Sati’s death.

However, Shiva was not interested in marriage and was immersed in meditation on Mount Kailash. Parvati, who was attracted to him since her childhood, decided to win his heart by performing severe penance and austerity in the forest. She endured the hardships of heat, cold, rain, and hunger, and impressed the gods with her devotion. Finally, Shiva agreed to test her and appeared before her in disguise, trying to dissuade her from marrying him. He criticized his own appearance, habits, and lifestyle, and praised other gods as better suitors. Parvati, however, recognized him and rebuked him for his deception. She declared that she loved him unconditionally and would not marry anyone else. Shiva was pleased with her sincerity and accepted her as his wife.

The Mother of the Gods

Parvati and Shiva had two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya, who became the gods of wisdom and war, respectively. Parvati also adopted a third son, Andhaka, who was born blind from a drop of Shiva’s sweat. Parvati was a loving and caring mother, who protected and nurtured her children. She also intervened on their behalf when they faced difficulties or conflicts with other gods.

For example, when Ganesha was beheaded by Shiva, who did not recognize him as his son, Parvati was furious and threatened to destroy the world. She demanded that Shiva restore Ganesha’s life and give him a new head. Shiva complied and replaced Ganesha’s head with that of an elephant, making him the elephant-headed god

Similarly, when Kartikeya was defeated by Ganesha in a race for a divine fruit, Parvati consoled him and explained that Ganesha had won by circumambulating his parents, who represented the whole universe. She also bestowed him with the title of Skanda, the leader of the celestial army, and gave him the peacock as his mount and the spear as his weapon

The Warrior Goddess

Parvati was not only a gentle and nurturing mother goddess, but also a fierce and formidable warrior goddess, who assumed various forms to vanquish evil beings and restore order in the cosmos. She was the source of all the female power in the universe, and manifested herself as Durga, Kali, the ten Mahavidyas, and the Navadurgas, among others.

One of the most famous stories of Parvati’s warrior aspect is the slaying of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, who had obtained a boon from Brahma, the god of creation, that he could not be killed by any man or god. He used this boon to conquer the three worlds and oppress the gods and humans. The gods approached Shiva and Vishnu for help, who advised them to combine their energies and create a new goddess, who would be able to defeat Mahishasura. The result was Durga, the invincible one, who was the embodiment of Parvati’s power. She rode on a lion and wielded various weapons given by the gods. She fought with Mahishasura for nine days and nights, and finally killed him by piercing his chest with her trident. She thus restored the balance of the universe and liberated the gods and humans from his tyranny.

Another story of Parvati’s warrior aspect is the creation of Kali, the dark and terrifying one, who was the embodiment of Parvati’s wrath. She emerged from Parvati’s forehead when she was enraged by the arrogance and ignorance of the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, who had captured the heavens and challenged the gods. Kali was a fearsome sight, with a black complexion, a garland of skulls, a skirt of severed arms, and a tongue dripping with blood. She was accompanied by a host of other goddesses, who were the manifestations of Parvati’s various attributes. She fought with the demons and their armies, and devoured them with her ferocious appetite. She also killed the two generals of the demons, Chanda and Munda, and presented their heads to Parvati, who gave her the name Chamunda. She finally confronted Shumbha and Nishumbha, and killed them with her sword and spear. She then danced on the corpses of the slain demons, and celebrated her victory.

The Conclusion

Parvati is the Hindu goddess of power, who represents the feminine aspect of the supreme being. She is the consort of Shiva, the mother of the gods, and the warrior of the cosmos. She is the source of all the energy, creativity, and diversity in the universe. She is also the embodiment of love, devotion, and compassion. She is worshipped by millions of Hindus across the world, who seek her blessings for various aspects of their lives. She is the Hindu goddess of power, and the power of the Hindu goddess.