Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati
Parvati, the daughter of mountain, is the second incarnation of Shakti i.e. the Divine Feminine. As per Hindu mythology, she is the second wife of Lord Shiva after Sati. Soon after the death of Sati, it is believed that Shiva was disinterested from worldly affairs and started to live a life as an anchorite in a Himalayan cave. On requests of gods, shakti agreed to rebirth as Parvati, the daughter of himavan.
Parvati grew old as a stunningly beautiful and alluring woman. She was to lure lord shiva out of the ascetic life and convince him to marry her. Finally, after a lot of dedication she was successful in winning the love of Lord Shiva. The two moved to mount kailasa after marriage and kama was restored into the world.
Hindu tales portray that the relation of Lord Shiva and Parvati was serenely joyful as a couple. Lord Shiva, who had followed the path of self-mortification after death of Sati again became “the Householder”.
He was so much imbued and influenced by Parvati’s love, intelligence and beauty that he became the principal of the arts, dance and drama. Their intellectual conversations became the foundation of Vedas, Yoga Sutras and Tantras which are the three principles of Hindu religion.
Although shiva is revered as the most powerful god in Hindu religion, Shaktas convey that Parvati is superior in power to her consort. Despite being powerful, she has been projected as an obedient wife who has earned her status by the side of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati