When Divinity takes birth in human form, it accepts many imperfections of the human body and emotions. The human form cannot merge with the Universal Consciousness by any normal means of liking or lust. Only tapas – stringent mantra japa and meditation over a period of time brings purification which enables man to finally merge with the Cosmic Purity. There is nothing in the Universe which cannot be obtained by tapas. Tapas is the means to obtain material as well as spiritual goals, heights and perfection. Divinity assumes human forms many times and teaches us by example about how to do tapas and attain purity and perfection. The Union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva is one such example.
Lord Shiva went into extremely long period of meditation after Maa Sati left Her Body. It was essential that Shakti (power of action) and Shiva ( Eternal Consciousness) be united for right action and welfare of world. At the intense prayers of Gods, Shakti manifested Herself as a girl child at the home of Himavan – the King of Mountains. Goddess Parvati is the personification of Adi Shakti – the Primeval Power of the Universe. She is the power that holds all the galaxies in their place without dashing into each other. She is the source of all Forms of Divinity. She is the Mother of all humanity and creation. She is the heat of our body, She is the warmth of our breath, She is the Kundalini Shakti who takes us back to our home. In Her righteous anger, She manifests Herself as Durga and Kali, in Her blessings of wealth as Lakshmi and in wisdom and knowledge as Saraswati. The means by which She transformed Herself from Her human form into Her original divine form is through intense tapas.
Parvati visited the place where Shiva sat in meditation and did service to Him by bringing water, sweeping and cleaning, collecting flowers and fruits for worship etc. But Shiva never noticed Her. So She enlisted the help of Kama the God of Love and his consort- Rati, to help Her. When Shiva’s meditation was disturbed, the blaze emanating from His Third Eye reduced Kama to ashes. Parvati realised that the only way of winning over Shiva was not through Kama or Lust but by intense tapas or austerities. She obtained permission from her parents and went to the sacred spot of Gangavatara. Today this spot is also known as Gowri Peak. Her penance was rigorous. During summer, in the sweltering heat, she lit fire on all four sides and sat in between them and did tapas. In rainy season, She sat on a rock in the pouring rains and howling winds and meditated with Shiva as her sole focus. In winter, She stood neck deep in cold water of the pond and immersed in the form of Shiva. Heat, cold, rain, pain, sorrow – nothing affected Her. Her mind was fixed on Shiva and She had full control of Her senses and emotions.
Parvathi wore simple flaxen cloth and twisted Her Hair on top of Her Head. She performed the most rigourous self mortification. She chanted mantras with full focus and concentration which enabled her to conquer hunger and thirst. In the early days, She ate only fruits and gradually gave up that also. Then She lived on leaves or ‘parna’. Soon She left that also and lived on air. The Rishis of the forest name Her ‘Aparna’. She now rivalled Shiva in Her ability to control Her physical needs and cut Herself off from the world. The emanation of power from Her Tapas changed the entire environment around Her. The creatures of the forest became mild and peaceful. The area around Her was full of love, peace and kindness. The power of heat from Her tapas shook Shiva out of His meditation and made Him accept Her as His better half. Shiva married Parvati in the presence of all the Gods and took Her to Kailas which is the pivotal centre of the universe. Her love conquered and enslaved the austere, ascetic Shiva who became a loving partner to Parvati.
The tapas of Parvati transformed Her from a human to God and manifested the full stature of Her Inner Divinity. Shiva taught Her the secrets of Vedas, yoga shastras, tantra and worship which are written in book forms and the sacred knowledge was spread to the world due to Parvati. It is only by power of tapas we can overcome our karmas, purify this human existence and attain enlightenment.
