MahaDev & Parvati Devi

Brahma created Daksha and his wife Prasuti from his right and left thumb respectively. He instructed them to increase the population, by copulative creation. They had many children, who were married to various Davas and Sages. Sati was one of their daughters. She was deeply devoted to Shiva. But Prajapati Daksha never liked Shiva for cutting his father’s fifth head. Despite this Sati married Lord Shiva against her father’s wishes, which is known as Gandharva Vivah.

One day Prajapati Daksha organized a grand yagna (sacred fire ritual). He invited all Devas except Shiva. Feeling insulted, out of anger, Sati decided to attend the yagna uninvited. When she arrived, Prajapati Daksha disparaged Shiva in front of all causing Sati immense grief and humiliation. Unable to bear the disrespect towards her husband Sati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire.

When Shiva heard of Sati’s death, he was enraged and sent his fierce attendants, led by Virabhadra, to destroy the sacrifice and kill Prajapati Daksha and his associates. Virabhadra and his army fought with the Devas and Sages who were present at the ceremony. They defeated them and severed Daksha’s head, throwing it into the fire.

Later, Shiva arrived and mourned for Sati. He carried her corpse on his shoulder and wandered around the world in grief. He became reclusive and detached from the world. The Devas appealed to Vishnu to pacify Shiva and restore order in the universe. Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to cut Sati’s body into pieces, which fell on different places on earth. These places became holy shrines of Shakti, known as Shakti Peethas.

The Devas also requested Shiva to forgive Daksha and revive him, as he was needed for the continuation of creation. Shiva agreed, but could not find Daksha’s original head, which was burnt in the fire. He ordered Virabhadra to bring the head of a goat from the sacrifice. He then attached the goat’s head to Daksha’s body as a punishment for his arrogance and disrespect towards him and Sati and, brought him back to life. He also restored the other Devas and Sages who were injured or killed by Virabhadra.

Tarakasura was a demon who had a boon from Shiva that he could only be killed by a son of Shiva. Tarakasura was the son of the asura Vajranga and his wife Vajrangi. He had three sons: Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali, and Kamalaksha, who were known as the Tripurasura. Tarakasura always attempt to bring hindrance in the union of Shiva. He asked demons to defile or take away the parts of Sati’s corpse.

Shiva visited Shakti Peethas to mourn for Sati and perform penance. Kamakhya was one of the Shakti Peethas. Agastya, one of the Saptarishis, was protecting the part of Sati’s corpse from Demons, at Kamakhya. Agastya found Himavan (King of Mountains) passing by and urged him to protect the part of Sati’s corpse from the Demons. Himavan and his daughter Ganga guarded the place and fought against demons until Shiva appear.

Ganga saw Shiva grieving for Sati and proposed Shiva to marry her. Shiva rejected her proposal and remained faithful to his consort.

Parvati, as reincarnation of Sati, was born to Himavan and Menaka. She was born with a dark complexion and also referred to as Kali. She wanted to lighten her skin color, so she approached Ganga for help. Parvati became fair and radiant and also referred to Gauri.

Parvati performed severe penance to please Shiva. However, Shiva was her Guru. She married Shiva with the blessings of her parents and the Devas. They gave birth to Kartikeya, the god of war.

Kartikeya was appointed as the commander of the Devas and charged with his destiny of vanquishing Tarakasura. He fought a fierce battle with Tarakasura and his army, and finally pierced him with his spear.

Once Parvati was at Mount Kailash preparing for a bath, she did not want to be disturbed by anyone. She created a boy from the turmeric paste that she used for bathing and gave him life. She named him Ganesha and asked him to guard the door while she bathed. Meanwhile, Shiva reached Mount Kailash, but Ganesha stopped him, saying that his mother had instructed him not to let anyone in.

Devas including Shani enlightened Ganesha about Shiva but Ganesha was adamant. With the sight of Shani at Ganesha, the trident of Shiva accidentally cut off his head.

When Parvati came out of her bath and saw what had happened, she was enraged and threatened to destroy the whole creation. She demanded that Shiva bring Ganesha back to life and make him the leader of all the gods. Shiva agreed, but he could not find Ganesha’s original head, which had been burnt in the fire. He asked his attendants to bring the head of the first creature they find facing north. They brought back the head of an elephant, which Shiva placed on Ganesha’s body and revived him. He also declared Ganesha to be his own son and gave him the status of being the god of wisdom.