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THE HINDU GOD SHIVA WITH GODDESS PARVATI
Introduction.
Shiva is a Hindu god, among the most complex of the Hindu pantheon. He is recognized by the Hindu as the most complex and respected God; earning his shrine a position separate from the other gods in the temple (Chandrakant, 2007). Parvati is the beloved wife of Shiva, in myths she is often depicted as a daughter of the mountain and the Himalayan ranges (Storl, 2004). In most sculptures, they are often put together side by side as a symbol of the matrimonial union that is regarded as highly sacred (Laser, 2014).
Shiva
Alongside Brahma and Vishnu, they are members of the sacred trinity, ‘Trimurti’ of Hinduism (Wangu, 2009). Often visualized as a complex character, Shiva represents courage, goodness, kindness and is a protector of the realms for his believers (Storl, 2004). He also guarded the sacred texts, ‘the Vedas’. In one of the statues of Shiva, he is placed inside a circular ring that is a representation of his manifestation period. Shivas reign is endless; it is a belief that he regenerates every 2,160,000000 years. These numerous years are termed as cycles and at the end of every cycle, he destroys the universes leaving room for a new creation (Doniger, 2009).
            As a great ascetic, shiva avoided all forms of pleasurable absolutions and devoted a greater part of his time meditating and in deep concentration in an attempt to find and gain perfect happiness. It was during this era that he collected vast quantities of knowledge that gave him an understanding of the universe and its diverse forms of life (Dececco, 2014).
On the contrary, it is believed that he had
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an affiliation with the dark forces, and it is believed that he was the lead of malicious men such as villains and ghosts (Handelman, 2014). This thought prevails since Shiva was known for his rage and short temper during moments of danger, risk and stress (Laser, 2014).
Shiva met Parvati when she served him during his atonement, and it was during this time that they became engaged (Storl, 2004). Shiva became a complete family man. But that did not dissuade him from his norms as a solitary man: he relentlessly continued meditating and engrossing himself in lucid dreams filled with visions and revelations (Storl, 2004). Being a jolly man, he sometimes failed to shoulder responsibilities and this infuriated Parvati but being a caring wife, she always calmed down and reasoned with him eventually understanding him. Parvati’s empathy brought peace and stability to their marriage (Handelman, 2014).
Parvati
She is the great wife of Shiva and a reincarnate of ‘Sati’, the daughter of the god Daksha. She is the mother of all the creation and takes care of all the faithful (Storl, 2004). She is a goddess of affection, consecration and abundance. She is the goddess of divine power and gentle strength (Storl, 2004).
Visual analysis.
The authentic appearance of the god Shiva is also distinctive and different from other gods of other Hindu Deities. His hair is assembled at the top of his head in a bun roll. A glistening crescent is attached to his hair that falls around his head freely. In one of the statues a five-headed green cobra stays alert, the body of the serpent is coiled around his neck, and this is a representation of ‘Kundalini’
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which is an empirical symbol of the spiritual energy of life (Wangu, 2009).


Figure 1: The statue of Shiva immersed in water.
In one of the prominent statues of Shiva, he is seated on a tiger skin. He is also presented while wearing a tiger skin that is wrapped around his body. Figuratively, the beast’s skin is a representation of the powers that Shiva control and this suggests that he is the regulator of all the authority of the Universe. He puts on the ‘Rudraksha’ which is a beaded ornament. His whole body is a smeared with holy ash (Handelman, 2014).
Goddess Parvati.
Often placed on the left-hand side of Shiva, she is carved with detail. Their offspring often escorts them and offer lotus sprouts to the deities at the middle (Doniger, 2009).
The benefactors have their progenies by their flanks, so the offspring of Shiva and Parvati are revealed by the small symbol of Ganesh at the foot. He has a human body and an elephant head (Wangu, 2009).

Figure 2: Goddess Parvati
Parvati's son, Ganesh is a god of better fortune and often believed to be a god of good luck. Faithful believers often invoke his presence before beginning any act that needs chance or luck to be achieved, or during critical activities such as businesses and celebration festivities.
The symbol of Shiva is a phallus that is rigid; it is a symbol of procreative power in Mother Nature.
During meditation periods in the mountains, he engaged himself in many adventurous events but he always came out unscathed and victorious, as a significant and distinguished god, he is a perfect model of a life well lived (Wangu, 2009). For instance, he emphasized
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the importance of self-sacrifice; when ‘Vasuki,' the sovereign of Serpents, threatened to spew snake venom across the broad oceans that the universe bordered. Shiva assumed the form of a giant tortoise or turtle and took all the venom in his palm and imbibed it thus saving the world with a great deed of self-sacrifice. After swallowing the poison, it severely burnt his throat and left a large blue gash that is still depicted in some of Shiva's statues.
Shiva is often represented alongside a great bull, Nandi. During one of his sessions of meditation, a great bull, the mother of all the cows commenced giving birth to a large number of pure white cows (Handelman, 2014). She produced enormous amounts of milk that flooded the land around her with some seeping into Shiva's compound (Storl, 2004). Filled with great rage, Shiva struck the cows with supernatural flames from his third eye and brown patches were formed on the sides of the white cows. The other gods were concerned and pursued to calm him by offering him a great bull. Shiva accepted the gift, mounted it and rode off with great flamboyance. His beast, Nandi later became the caring protector of all animals (Chandrakant, 2007).
Discussion.
The general depiction of Shiva and Parvati brings out a perfect model of the Hindu gods of great virtue. Their compassionate marriage is a good example of how humans should live in matrimony. Parvati, who has the great understanding of her husband, often treats him well regardless of the situation (Doniger, 2009). It was Parvati that coerced Shiva to accept pleasure into his life; this leads him on to becoming the patron of
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arts. Shiva, who was a great conqueror of wars and great battles known for his gallant nature, became the lord of the dance (Doniger, 2009).
Parvati also led Shiva to have regard for the world by asking his opinion on the issue of many matters that concerned the world at large. Shiva's knowledge was awakened and led him to utilize that knowledge for the sake of the universe. Shiva also realized that he had gathered much information during his meditation ritual and ascetic moments (Storl, 2004).
Conclusion.
In conclusion, Parvati is an excellent representation of a god that brings out spiritual satisfaction and encouragement. She strived hard at being the best wife for her husband, Shiva, and it is through this special moment and intense periods she managed to make a logical foundation for her marriage. She positively affirms that there are no boundaries to what a woman can achieve. Modern day believers can emulate her spiritual energy and wisdom to use it for the betterment of their lives (Wangu, 2009).
Similarly, the faithful can also follow the boldness of Shiva and his strong will to achieve colossal greatness through meditation and constant prayer (Chandrakant, 2007). He also possessed a great virtue of accepting new ideas and sentiments from his dear beloved wife. One should be able to accept a new ideology that is positive to one’s life, and this would be beneficial. Shiva also maintained strong matrimonial ties with his wife and it was the basis of such a healthy marriage (Wangu, 2009).





Bibliography
Chandrakant, K. (2007). Shiva Parvati. Mumbai: india Book House.
Dececco, P. (2014). The Man Who Was a Woman and Other Queer Tales from Hindu Lore. .
Doniger, W. (2009).
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The bedtrick: Tales of sex and masquerade. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Handelman, D. (2014). One god, two goddesses, three studies of South Indian cosmology.
Ollhoff, J. (2012). Indian mythology. Edina, MN: ABDO Pub. Co.
Wendy, D. (March 03, 2014). The Submarine Mare in the Mythology of Shiva.
Haule, J. R. (2010). Divine madness: Archetypes of romantic love. Hamilton, Ont.: Fisher King Press.
Laser, I. (2014). Gods & goddesses of ancient India. Gods & goddesses of ancient India.
Storl. (2004). Shiva: The wild God of power and ecstasy. Rochester: Vt: Inner Traditions.
Wangu, M. B. (2009). Hinduism. New York:: Chelsea House Publishers.