In honor of Navratri…

Parvati is a family Goddess, known for her wifely devotion to Lord Shiva. She has many other names and aspects. Often Durga, Shakti, and Kali might be considered other forms of Parvati.

 Why Worship Parvati * Stories * Symbolism * Holidays * How She Is Worshiped * Mantras and Bhajans

Why Worship Parvati?

As a Goddess of family and love, she is the one to turn to for help with marriage, parenting, and fertility. She has remarkable strength and determination. Some say that a worship of Shiva is useless without also worshiping Parvati.

Stories

How Shiva and Parvati Married

Shiva’s first wife killed herself and distraught Shiva withdrew from the world, meditating alone in a cave (some stories say that the original wife is reborn as Parvati). While Shiva was withdrawn, the demons were getting up to too much trouble making. The other Gods went to Shakti, pure female energy, who agreed to draw Shiva out again. She manifested as Parvati, daughter of the mountains, and set to work seducing Shiva.

For a while she tried beautifying his home and taking care of him quietly. She decorated the cave with flowers, sweep the floor, and bring fruits to Shiva. He would not stop meditating to even look at her.

She tried calling on Kama (a Cupid-like God) and he shot Shiva with arrows of desire, but Shiva just opened his third eye and turned Kama to dust (he was reborn later once Parvati won Shiva over).

Finally Parvati realized that to win Shiva’s heart, she had to relate to him by his interests and show him what she was made out of.

She began severe austerities, meditating naked in the harsh elements, eating nothing. Her austerities were every bit as severe as Shiva’s and she also mastered her mind and body. Shiva was very impressed and accepted her as a wife. She inspired him to care about the world again.

Mother of Ganesha

There are a few different stories of Ganesha’s birth, but the most well known one is that Shiva’s wife Parvati wanted to take a bath while Shiva was away but there was no one to guard the door. So she formed a little boy from clay and breathed life into him. She instructed him not to let anyone in while she bathed.

A little while later Shiva returned and was furious that the boy at the door would not let him in to see his wife. In his rage, he cut off the boy’s head. Parvati came rushing out and was horrified by what Shiva had done. She told him that this was their son.

Full of remorse, Shiva hurried to find a replacement head and a young elephant was the first creature he came across. So he took the elephant’s head to restore Ganesha and brought him back to life.

The Churning of the Ocean

Parvati has a role in the famous churning of the ocean story also. When Shiva swallows the poison that the churning released, Parvati rushes in to catch hold of his throat. She prevents him from swallowing the poison and it stays in his throat, turning it blue.

Symbolism

There are many different styles of picture of Parvati. Often she can be seen as the family woman, with Shiva at her side and young Ganesha in her lap.

Other times she is in the form of Durga: dressed in red, riding a lion, her arms full of weapons. The red represents purity and powerful destruction of evil. The weapons destroy ignorance, evil, and ego.

At times she is shown carrying the trishula trident, same as Shiva. Its three prongs are said to represent the three gunas/qualities: tamas, rajas, and satwa.

“Fertility, marital felicity, devotion to the spouse, asceticism and power are different virtues symbolized by Parvati.” –http://www.iloveindia.com/spirituality/goddesses/parvati.html

Holidays

Navratri seems to be the only holiday in which forms of Parvati are explicitly worshiped. Durga, Shakti, and Kali might all be honored during Navratri and they and Parvati are all connected.

How She Is Worshiped

One thing that people turn to Parvati for is to solve any delays in marriage. The Swayamvara Parvathi Mantra is said to bring marriage, or resolve conflict between couples, or help prevent miscarriage.

Instructions say to recite this mantra 1008 times for 108 days in a row, so it is quite a commitment. It is said that this will build up the high amount of energy needed for the mantra to work.

Start with a Sankalpa, a vow, promising to do this practice for the full 108 days.

Recite the 1008 repetitions focusing only on God and peace, avoiding thinking about any problems:

“Om Hreem Yoginim Yogini Yogeswari Yoga Bhayankari Sakala Sthavara

Jangamasya Mukha Hridayam Mama Vasam akarsha Akarshaya Namaha “

Mantras and Bhajans

More Parvati mantras here: http://lifegivingmantras.blogspot.com/2010/07/parvati-swayamvara-mantra.html

Parvati Maa Ki Aarti Lyrics – Arti of Goddess Parvathi Devi

Jai Parvati Mata, Maiya Jai Parvati Mata,
Brahm Sanatan Devi, Shubh Phal Ki Data.
Om Jai…

Arikul Padm Vinasani, Jai Sevak Trata,
Jag Jivan Jagdamba, Harihar Gun Gata
Om Jai…

Singh Ko Vahan Saje, Kundal Hai Satha
Dev Vadhū Jaha Gavat, Nritya Karat Ta Tha
Om Jai…

Satyug Shil Susundar, Nam Sati Kahlata
Hemanchal Ghar Janmi, Sakhiyan Rangrata
Om Jai…

Shumbh Nishumbh Vidare, Hemanchal Syata
Sahas Bhuja Tanu Dharike, Chakr Liyo Hatha
Om Jai…

Srishti Rup Tu Hi Janani, Shiv Sang Rangrata
Nandi Bhrangi Been Lahi, Sara Madmata
Om Jai…

Devan Araj Karat Ham, Chit Ko Lata.
Gavat De De Tali, Man Mein Rangrata
Om Jai…

Shri Pratap Arati Maiya Ki, Jo Koi Gata
Sada Sukhi Nit Rahta, Such Sampati Pata
Om Jai…

–http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2009/02/parvati-maa-aarti-lyrics-hindi-bhajan.html

More information:

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/parvathi.asp

http://vedicgoddess.weebly.com/3/post/2013/01/parvatis-weapons-by-yogi-ananda-saraswathi.html