A bottle-neck like narrow belly with mild folds, slender waist and heavy thighs, elegantly cast tall arms coming down to knees and broad curving shoulders define the exceptional beauty of Devi's form. This statue, cast in a posture of celestial dance, is the finest model of beauty as per Indian aesthetic tradition. The curves and knots of fingers, cast for giving expression to the desired 'bhava' or emotion, impart to the figure its exceptional appeal and effects. The figure of the goddess is so life-like that, while looking at it, one feels that she will step down the pedestal and will begin walking any moment.

In Indian tradition, Devi, the manifestation of primordial female energy, has often been identified as one or the other of the Puranic deities, usually either as Parvati or as Lakshmi, and sometimes as both. However, before Devi emerged as Parvati or Lakshmi, she has, in scriptural tradition, her own cult also. As this tradition has it, Mahavishnu, soon after the great deluge subsided, emerged as a child floating on a fig leaf. The dismayed Mahavishnu questioned himself as to who he was and whatfor he was there.

The silence broke and there emerged a voice: 'Sarvam khalvidamevaham nanyadasty sanatanam', that is, 'All that is, it is me. There is nothing lasting but me'. When Vishnu was yet in trance, he saw a female form, Devi, appear before him. She was attended by many powers representing primarily riches and prosperity, wisdom and intellect and love and womanhood. These three faculties incarnated respectively as Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Parvati. In later Trinity cult, Laksmi got associated with Vishnu, Saraswati with Brahma and Parvati with Shiva. Subsequently, there evolved other Devi forms and Mahavidyas, first five, then seven, then nine and then gradually more than fifty. The number of Mahavidyas was first seven and then ten.

Later, when there developed Shaivism and Vaishnavism as two devotional cults, Devi forms, too, despite a single origin, took two different lines, the Shaivite and Vaishnavite. Lakshmi, the custodian of riches and prosperity, came to be the principal Vaishnavite deity and Parvati, representing perfect womanhood and perpetual love, Shaivite. In iconographic representations Parvati got associated with her attributes of Shiva and Laksmi those of Vishnu. Of the two Parvati has been more popular with sculptors and artists. Hence, in art, Devi merged with Parvati.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.

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Exploring the Symbolism and Significance of Parvati in Hinduism

Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, is one of the principal deities of Goddesses in Hinduism. She appeared in the material world as the daughter of Himavan, king of the Himalayan mountains. The Vedic scriptures describe her as a young, beautiful woman who is chaste and faithful to her husband, Lord Shiva. She is always engaged in the loving service of her family; her two sons Ganesha and Kartikeya. Goddess Parvati is the embodiment of devotion, love, power, and beauty. The followers of the Shakta tradition (Shaktism) describe her as Adi Shakti or the energy behind the creation of material nature. She is very merciful toward all living entities like a mother who cares for her children and manifests many forms to protect them from miscreants. Her most venerated and important powerful forms are Durga and Kali that she took to vanquish demons who created havoc in the material world.

The Vedic scriptures talk of her beautiful form in detail. She wears a red saree and is generally seated, having two or four arms, beside Lord Shiva. Her younger son Ganesha sits on her knee, while Kartikeya sits or stands near Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is typically decorated with gold ornaments and a crown on her head and also carries a lotus flower in one of her hands.

What does Parvati symbolize?

Goddess Parvati is gentle and loving toward everyone. She never fails to help and guide those who approach her out of helplessness. Just as a mother is always kind toward her children, Goddess Parvati, being mother nature, is forgiving to all living entities. But when the time comes, she assumes different terrible forms such as Durga and Kali to defeat demons in order to protect the material world. She took the form of Durga and killed the demon Mahishasura. Kali, the most ferocious form, slayed the demon Raktabija. Thus, Goddess Parvati not only symbolizes love, fertility, motherhood, and harmony, but is also the Goddess of power, energy, and destruction.

Can we keep Shiv Parvati statue at home?

It is stated in Srimad Bhagavatam, the most glorious Vedic literature, that Lord Shiva is the topmost Vaishnava (devotee of Lord Vishnu): vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ. In order to get the mercy of the Supreme Lord Vishnu, it is important for us to serve His pure devotees. Thus, worshiping Lord Shiva along with his consort Goddess Parvati at home is the way to the heart of Lord Vishnu. But you must also know the standards of worshiping them so that no offense is committed at their lotus feet. If Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are pleased with your devotional service, you will easily get the causeless mercy of Lord Vishnu and thus the ultimate goal of your life will be achieved.