Sati was reborn as the daughter of the great mountain Himalaya, when her name was Uma, surnamed HaimavatI from her birth ; another name she had was ParvatI, daughter of the mountain. Her elder sister was the river Ganga. From her childhood Uma was devoted to Shiva, and she would steal away at night to offer flowers and fruits and to burn lights before the lingam. A deva, too, one day predicted that she would become the wife of the Great God. This awakened her father’s pride, andhe was anxious that she should be betrothed; but nothing could be done, for Shiva remained immersed in profound contemplation, oblivious of all that went on,all his activity inward-turned. Uma became his servant and attended to all his requirements, but could not divert him from the practice of austerities or awaken his love. About this time a terrible demon named Taraka greatly harassed the gods and the world, perverting all seasons and destroying sacrifices ; nor could the gods defeat him, for in a past age he had won his power from Brahmahimself by the practice of austerities. The gods therefore proceed to Brahma and pray for his help. He explains that it would not be fitting for him to proceed against the demon, to whom he himself had given power ; but he promises that a son should be born to Shiva and ParvatI,who should lead the gods to victory. The chief of the gods, Indra, next betook himselftoKamadeva, or Desire, the god of Love, and explainedthe need of his assistance. Desire agreed to give his aid,and set out with his wife Passion and his companions the Spring to the mountain where Shiva dwelt. Atthatseason the trees were putting forth new flowers, the snow had gone, and birds and beasts were mating ; only Shivastayed in his dream unmoved.
Goddess Shakti is the wife of Lord Shiva. But much like matter and energy are but different manifestation sof one another, so are Shiva and Shakti. Shiva is the consciousness that drives the energy of the whole universe (and other universes, if they exist), and Shakti is the ability/energy/authority of Shiva through which is will is manifestated.
Now, much like energy in day-to-day life changes rapidly, from electrical to light and heat in an electric bulb, from mechanical to electrical in a power station etc, so does goddess Shakti take many forms — Parvati, Durga, Kaali, Sati and Uma (another name for Goddess Parvati herself, because of her penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband).
According to Puranic tales, Menaka, the mother of Parvati and wife of Himavan, remarked 'Uh Maa!’ (akin to “OH MY …”), when she saw how Parvati's divine body had suffered because of all the penance, since she had forgotten everything else but Lord Shiva. That's why the Goddess is called Uma.
In the picture above, the Goddess is shown as Brahmacharini, the form who is worshipped on rhe second day of Navaraatri, and is amongst the nine primary forms of Goddess Durga (aka Navadurga). Here, she is performing penance to please Lord Shiva.
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Dinesh said:
Dinesh said:
Now, much like energy in day-to-day life changes rapidly, from electrical to light and heat in an electric bulb, from mechanical to electrical in a power station etc, so does goddess Shakti take many forms — Parvati, Durga, Kaali, Sati and Uma (another name for Goddess Parvati herself, because of her penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband).
According to Puranic tales, Menaka, the mother of Parvati and wife of Himavan, remarked 'Uh Maa!’ (akin to “OH MY …”), when she saw how Parvati's divine body had suffered because of all the penance, since she had forgotten everything else but Lord Shiva. That's why the Goddess is called Uma.
In the picture above, the Goddess is shown as Brahmacharini, the form who is worshipped on rhe second day of Navaraatri, and is amongst the nine primary forms of Goddess Durga (aka Navadurga). Here, she is performing penance to please Lord Shiva.
Dinesh said: