SHIV PARVATI

PAGE 04

Goddess Sati was reborn as Himachal's daughter-Parvati.
As soon as she was born auspicious signs began emerging all around.
Himalaya became the abode of accomplishments and divine properties.
Coming to know about the birth of Parvati, Narada paid a visit to the house of Himalaya. Himalaya was extremely pleased to see Narada at his place and extended a very warm welcome to him. He asked Parvati also to offer salutations to him. Then with great respect he said , "O sage! You have knowledge of the past, present and future. Please tell us about her future and also please let us know about the good and bad planetary effects on her life."

Sage Narada said, "O king of mountains! Your daughter is full of virtue and bears all auspicious signs.
She will add to your name and Fame. She will be known as Uma in future.
Though her husband will be immortal, he will be a different type of bridegroom altogether. He will have no parents, will be found wandering about in nude form, and honour or dishonour will have no meaning for him. And all these points are in Lord Shiva only. And let me tell you that none other than Lord Shiva will prove himself to be the most suitable bridegroom for her. So, it will be in favour of your daughter if you encourage her to follow her leanings."
Gradually Parvati reached the age of adolescence. Day by day her inclination toward Lord Shiva grew. One day, Parvati, taking permission from her parents, left her home and went to a forest to lead an austere life and in mediation. Her only wish was  to get Lord Shiva as her bridegroom.
Parvati, despite being delicate and tender, following the demand of her soul, engrossed herself in deep meditation and began leading a difficult life of austerity, ignoring all pleasures of life.

She completely ignored her physical-self. She survived on roots and fruit for one thousand years. She spent a considerable period of time on total fast except that she breathed air and drank water only. Then again for three thousand years she survived on dry leaves.
And then a time came when she stopped taking dry leaves even. Her unflinching faith in Lord Shiva and selfless devotion brought results. One day there was a divine communication,
"O daughter of Himalaya! You have been successful in your endeavor. You will definitely get Lord Shiva as your bridegroom. There has been none in the world who has lived such a hard life of her own choice for getting a husband of her choice. Return when your father comes to take you home. The Saptarshis (the seven sages) will come on their own to meet you. That will be the sign that this divine communication is true."

One day Lord Shiva sent the Saptarishis to test Parvati's faith in him to test. They came and asked Parvati, "Devi! For whom is it that you are leading this kind of austere life?" To this Parvati replied, "O great sages! The only aim of my endeavor is to get Lord Shiva as my bridegroom." The sages listened to her patiently and then said, "Devi! We are sure that Narada has misguided you. You have sacrificed everything for a bridegroom who is indifferent under all circumstances, who has no auspicious signs, who is deprived of all good qualities and is one who garlands himself with serpents. We have chosen a husband for you who will suit your person in every respect. He is extremely good-looking, virtuous and is the king of heaven."
But Parvati remained undeterred. She said, "Sages! My body has come into existence from a mountain, I may die in my endeavor, but my determination will continue to lead me to my goal undeterred. Not only for this life, but for all of my lives to come, it is my firm determination that either I shall get Lord Shiva as my bridegroom or shall remain a spinster throughout this life and in the lives to come."
The sages found her true to her faith and devotion and considering her Mother of the universe, offered their salutations to her and returned to Lord Shiva.