In India, the term Trimurti is used in reference to the three faces of god. They are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They are collectively known as the Trinity. Together they represent the oneness of the universe while retaining their distinctive nature and are known for their ability to grant boons. Hymns are chanted every day all over India, in temples and homes, and countless stories abound in their praise.

Here is the tale of the Birth Of Parvati

Taraka was a powerful and ambitious demon, and a devotee of Lord Brahma. One day he began a severe penance for Brahma, living on a mountain for a long period of time: Pleased with Taraka’s devotion, the creator appeared before him.

‘O my lord!’ Taraka cried. ‘My life’s purpose has been fulfilled now that I have felt your presence.’

Brahma smiled. ‘Tell me what your heart desires.’

Also Read: Brahma is Worshipped Only in the Most Ancient City of Pushkar

‘I want to live forever, replied Taraka.

‘My dearest devotee, you know that such a boon is not possible. Why don’t you ask me for something else?’

Taraka thought for sometime. ‘I don’t want to die at the hands of just any man or god. If I must perish, I would rather want that it happens at the hands of the son of Shiva, ‘he said, knowing fully that Shiva, being a grief-stricken Yogi, smeared in ashes, living all by himself on the top of mountains will never marry again. So the boon would actually make Taraka invincible and keep him safe from Yama, the god of death.

Brahma understood Taraka’s intention. Nevertheless, he said, ‘So be it.’

His penance now complete, Taraka descended from the mountain and returned to his abode. Over time, he created a powerful army headed by ten generals, who soon went on a cruel rampage, conquering kingdoms, abusing living beings on earth as well as the gods above. He terrorised them all so much that everyone began praying to Lord Vishnu.

Vishnu heard their pleas. ‘Shiva and Parvati’s son will be the cause of Taraka’s doom. ‘he declared.

Himavat or Parvatraj, the king of the Himalayas, had a wife named Menaka. The queen really wanted a daughter who would grow up to become Shiva’s consort. When Menaka heard about Dakshayani, she instinctively knew that Shiva’s wife would be reborn as her daughter. She thus decided to go into deep meditation, convinced that destiny would soon take its course.

Menaka gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, whom she named Uma. As Uma was the dughter of parvatraj, she was also known as Parvati, or Himani(from her father’s other name, Himavat), or Girija (meaning the daughter of the king of mountains), or Shailaja (meaning the daughter of the mountains).

In olden times, in India, daughters usually got their names from their fathers names or the kingdoms they belonged to. For instance, in the Ramayana, King Janaka’s daughter, Sita, was popularly known as Janaki. Her other names include Vaidehi (derived from Videha, her father’s kingdom) and Maithili (from Mithila, the capital of Videha). Similarly, in the Mahabharata, King Drupad’s daughter was called Draupadi or Panchali, as Drupada ruled over the kingdom of panchala.

Parvati was a charming child and unusually devoted to Shiva right from her birth. Even as an adult, she was always found either praying to Shiva or just talking about him. News of her beauty and intelligence spread far and wide. Though suitors came in hordes with the hope of winning her heart, Parvati could only think of Shiva and refused to entertain the idea of marrying anyone else.

The devas were watching all this with great interest. They eagerly awaited the arrival of parvati and Shiva’s son- the harbinger of Taraka’s death.

Shiva, on the other hand, deep in meditation atop the cold mount Kailash, remained unaware of what was going on. Much to the concern of her parents, a determined Parvati made the arduous journey to Kailash and began serving Shiva. She took care of his surroundings, brought him fruits and made garlands for him every day. She wanted to be there the moment he opened his eyes so they could marry as soon as possible.

The gods sighed with relief and hoped that Shiva would soon awaken from his penance.

Days, months and years passed but Shiva showed on signs of emerging from his meditation. If he did not open his eyes, he would never see Parvati, which meant that he wouldn’t marry her or have a son. And if the current state of affairs continued, Taraka’s cruel reign would be the end of everybody.

Frustrated, the gods decided to take matters into their own hands. All the realms were in grave danger. They had to intervene and force Shiva to awaken, but who would take the risk? No one dared offer to be the one to disturb Shiva’s penance and become the target of his infamous temper. Everyone knew if he ever became extremely angry, his third eye would open and immediately spew a great fire that could destroy everything which would come in its path.

And yet the task needed to be done.

The gods decided to approach the diplomatic Lord Vishnu and beseech him to find a way to guarantee Shiva and Parvati’s marriage.

‘All right, let’s see how things turn out,’ Vishnu said with a mysterious smile.

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