Gauri Kelkar - Little Monks Parvati

Original text, Gauri Kelkar, 2011
Series Editor: Richa Jha

Illustrated by Shilo Shiv Suleman
Cover design by Shilo Shiv Suleman and Sandhya Sethumadhavan

ISBN: 978-81-8328-273-4

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Contents
........

Preface 5

1. The Birth of Parvati 6

2. The Rise of Tarakasura 10

3. Kamadeva Turns to Ash 13

4. Parvatis Penance 17

5. The Birth of Kartikeya 21

6. The Creation of Kali 26

7. Demons Vidala and Utpala 30

8. Ganesha Gets an Elephant Head 34

9. Parvati Tests Lord Rama 39

10. Fisherwoman Parvati 42

Glossary 46

Preface
.......

arvati is considered to be the most prominent avatar of Goddess Durga. Parvati is the wife of Lord Shiva, the destroyer. She is the gentler and maternal version of the warrior-goddess, yet, skilled and powerful enough to destroy evil on Earth. In this avatar, she is a home-maker and a mother to gods Ganesha and Kartikeya, therefore easily identiable with humans.

Parvati is the daughter of the lord of the mountains, Himavat, and a reincarnation of Lord Shivas rst wife, Sati, another avatar of Goddess Durga.

Parvati is variously referred to as Shailaputri, Ambika, Gauri, Shyama, Uma,Aparna among several othersShyama, in her dark-skinned form, and Gauri, the golden-skinned one after having shed her skin following an intense penance.

She is depicted with two hands when she is with Lord Shiva, and with four when by herself.

The Birth of Parvati

......................

nce upon a time, Lord Shiva, who was part of the holy trinity, decided to forego his life as a householder. The great Lord had been utterly devastated by the death of his beloved wife, Sati. He lost interest in everything else. He went to a small grove in the Himalayas and began to live the life of a hermit.

A lot of time passed like this. Lord Shiva was deeply absorbed in meditation. He did not even notice the celebrations that were being organised one day near the grove where he was seated. Lord Himavat, the lord of the mountains and his wife, Menaka, had been blessed with a beautiful baby daughter. Everyone was rejoicing on this happy occasion. Lord Himavat could not contain his joy. He looked lovingly upon his daughter and told his wife Menaka, What a beautiful child! Our wish has been granted. We shall call her Parvati. Everyone came to know her and love her as Parvati. But she was known by several other names as well. One of these was Shailaputri. And what was more, this was not her rst birth! This beautiful girl had been Sati in her previous birth. The same Sati who was Lord Shivas consort !

Sati herself was no ordinary girl. She was an avatar of Devi Durga herself. The Goddess had been pleased with King Dakshas penances. She had granted him the boon that she would be born to him. So it came to pass that Goddess Durga took birth as Sati. But King Dakshas arrogance knew no bounds when he acquired riches and became a powerful ruler. He had hurt and insulted Lord Shiva by not inviting him to a ceremonial sacrice. Sati, enraged by this, had vowed to be reborn to a father she could be proud of, and had killed herself!

And so to fulll Satis pledge, the Goddess was born to Lord Himavat as Parvati.

However, Parvatis birth not only meant the fulfillment of Satis wishto be a daughter of a gentle, kind and affectionate father. It was also a sign of several things to come

Parvati soon grew to be a beautiful young girl with charming manners. One day, the divine sage, Narad Muni visited Lord Himavat and saw Parvati. He instantly recognised that this young girl had in fact been born earlier as Sati! Narad Muni blessed her and told Himavat, O lord of the mountains, your daughter is destined to marry Lord Shiva.

Himavat was thrilled to hear this. But he was also puzzled. After all, for several years Lord Shiva had been living a life of an ascetic. How was he ever going to notice his Parvati and fall in love with her?

Then Himavat had an idea. He spoke to Parvati, My dear child. I want you and your friends to serve Lord Shiva. He has spent many years meditating and I am sure he will appreciate some help so he can concentrate better. Parvati readily agreed and went with her friends to attend to Lord Shiva. After gaining his permission, Parvati and her friends began to look after his needs.

Lord Shiva himself was only focusing on meditation and was unaware about the happenings around him. Even though he had allowed Parvati to serve him, he did not even notice her. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to both of them, frightening events were unfolding in Heaven or devalok !