SHIV PARVATI

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There was a time before Planet Earth came into existence when there was darkness and empty spaces all around. Neither there was the sun nor the moon; there were no planets and stars. In the darkness of space the huge bodies of astronomical masses inter acted with the elements, the cooking pot of NATURE was in full control as even it is today.
Days and nights had not come into being, fire, earth, water and air were not in existence-it was at this time that Lord Shiva's supreme authority ruled-the authority of One who has neither any beginning nor end. He is the humanized concept of NATURE.
Like NATURE itself Shiva, in Hindu mythology is portrayed as raw power. He was the creator. He was the destroyer. He was the judge, he was the jury and he was also the executioner. He was the one who gave all. He was the one who took away.
For trillions of year's creation of Earth, sun etc. was due to the elements interacting with one another. Finally Nature (Lord Shiva) finished the creation of our solar system and the Earth we live in.

Lord Shiva now wished to start creation on planet Earth. He thought of becoming multiform from one form. He immediately manifested supreme power, Mother Ambika, from his being and said to her, "We must now create a divine male being and give him the responsibility of shaping and creating the live forms on earth so that we can move around free”
Having thought of this, Lord Shiva absorbed Mother Ambika once again into his being and smeared nectar on the tenth part of his body on the left side of it. And so, manifestation of Lord Vishnu took place-a being with divine appearance, having conch, disk, mace and a lotus flower,in each of his four hands.
Lord Shiva named him Vishnu, and directing him to lead an austere life, he told him that it would be his responsibility to take care of the Creation of all things on earth. Lord Vishnu began leading a difficult austere life. This resulted in many streams of water flowing out from different parts of his body till the whole of earth was filled with water. Tired of leading an austere life, Lord Vishnu decided to relax. He submerged himself into the water. The main ingredient (water) for the creation of life was now in place.
Lord Vishnu remained in this state. Then there emerged a lotus flower from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Now Lord Shiva manifested four-faced Lord Brahma from the right part of his body, and placed him on the lotus flower. Lord Brahma began searching for his creator and kept wandering in the hollow tubular stalk of the lotus flower but to no avail. Then, guided by divine communication, Lord Brahma led a life of austerity for twelve continuous years. At the end of the twelfth year, Lord Vishnu appeared to him. Once again due to the divine inspiration of Lord Shiva, an argument started between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma about the beginning and the end of creation.
This went on uninterrupted for a long time. Suddenly a pillar of fire appeared between them. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma tried their level best, but neither could they find the beginning nor the end of the pillar of fire. At long last Lord Vishnu gave up and prayed with his folded hands-
'O God! We are not aware of your real 'Self. Whosoever you may be, please show yourself."
Lord Shiva appeared to them and said, "I am pleased with your austerity and devotion. Brahma! You will take up the responsibility of creation, and Vishnu will take care of all the animate and the inanimate in the world," and saying this Lord Shiva manifested 'Rudra' from his heart and gave him responsibility of destruction. He then disappeared.

Lord Brahma began with 'Mental Creation'. As mentally created being are virtual, they had no form and were not able to communicate with each other or to recreate themselves. He was worried about how to go about his responsibility of creation when another divine communication, directed him to start with creation as we see it now that is with a male and a female as partners. Brahma was once again in a dilemma as no female in physical form had been created by Lord Shiva. He now knew that creation as we have it today was not possible without the help of Lord Shiva. He once again began praying and leading a life of austerity. Pleased with his devotional prayers, Lord Shiva appeared to him in 'half male and half female' form. Lord Brahma prostrated himself before the new form of Lord Shiva.
"Brahma, my son! I am extremely pleased with you, and am aware of your purpose. Your wish will be granted," saying so Lord Shiva separated the half female form, Uma Devi, from his person.
Lord Brahma offered his salutations to her and explained his purpose to her.  He beseeched her to take birth as the daughter of his own son, Daksha. Uma Devi said, "Whatever you have wished will happen."