The story begins with Goddess Shakti’s first incarnation as Sati, the daughter of King Daksha. Despite her father’s immense hatred towards Lord Shivan; who he saw as an ascetic and unworthy of his daughter, Sati was deeply in love with Shiva. She defied societal norms and chose him as her husband. However, her marriage to Shiva only fueled Daksha’s arrogance and resentment.
When Daksha held a grand yagna (sacrificial ritual) and deliberately excluded Lord Shivan, Sati felt deeply insulted. Overwhelmed by grief and humiliation, she renounced her ties to her father and immolated herself, vowing to be reborn in a family that would honour her love for Shivan. Her sacrifice marked the end of her life as Sati but paved the way for her rebirth as Parvati.
Rebirth as Parvati: A journey of love and devotion
Born as the daughter of King Himavan and Queen Mena, Parvati grew into a woman of unparalleled beauty, wisdom, and grace. Her presence was compared to a masterpiece crafted by a divine artist, and her voice was likened to the enchanting melody of the Veena.
The sage Narada prophesied that Parvati was destined to marry Lord Shivan. Filled with devotion, she sought to win his heart. However, Shiva, lost in his grief for Sati, had withdrawn from worldly affairs, deep in meditation on Mount Kailash. Undeterred, Parvati dedicated herself to serving Shivan, preparing his place of penance with utmost care and reverence.
While Parvati continued her devotion, the universe faced a great threat. The demon Tarakasura had obtained a boon that he could only be defeated by Shivan’s son. Desperate for balance to be restored, the gods turned to Kamadeva, the deity of love, to awaken Shivan from his meditation.
Kamadeva shot an arrow of love at Shivan’s heart, but instead of awakening desire, he invoked the wrath of the mighty Lord. Enraged by the disturbance, Shivan opened his third eye and reduced Kamadeva to ashes. Seeing this, Rati, Kamadeva’s wife, was heartbroken and wished to join her husband in death. However, the gods assured her that once Shivan and Parvati united, Kamadeva would be resurrected.
Shivan’s realisation and acceptance of Parvati
Though Shivan had initially distanced himself, the sincerity of Parvati’s devotion eventually melted his heart. Realizing that she was the reincarnation of Sati, he acknowledged her love and agreed to marry her.
On the day of the wedding, Goddess Parvati adorned herself in exquisite garments and dazzling jewellery, a sight of divine beauty. However, Lord Shiva arrived in his usual ascetic form, clad in tiger skin, smeared in ash, with a garland of skulls. Overwhelmed by his appearance, Parvati’s mother, Queen Mena, fainted. In her love for her husband and respect for her mother, Parvati requested Shivan to assume a more regal form. He obliged, transforming into the enchanting Sundaramurti; the most beautiful being in all the three worlds.
The divine marriage..
Their sacred wedding took place at the Triyugi Narayan Temple, officiated by none other than Lord Vishnu. This celestial union was not just the merging of two souls but the balancing of masculine and feminine energies, destruction and creation, consciousness and power.
Following their marriage, Lord Shivan resurrected Kamadeva, though he could only be seen by Rati’s eyes. Kamadeva was later reborn as Pradyumna, the son of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, where he reunited with Rati.
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Source : ethnictanjorearts