**Parvati: The Divine Consort of Shiva**
**Full Name:** Goddess Parvati, also known as Uma, Gauri, Shakti, and many other names.
**Origin/Culture:** Parvati originates from the Hindu culture, a principal deity in Hinduism, revered across India and beyond.
**Domain/Role:** Parvati is the goddess of fertility, love, beauty, marriage, children, and devotion; as well as of divine strength and power.
**Symbol/Iconography:** Common symbols associated with Parvati include the lotus flower, representing purity and spiritual power; the lion, denoting courage and strength; and the trident, symbolizing knowledge, desire, and implementation.
**Mythology/Stories:** One of the most famous stories involving Parvati is her penance to win Lord Shiva as her consort, embodying dedication and love. Another important narrative is her role as the mother of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.
**Family Relationships:** Daughter of the mountain king Himavan and Queen Mena. Consort to Shiva, the destroyer and regenerator, and mother to Ganesha and Kartikeya.
**Attributes/Qualities:** Parvati is known for her unwavering devotion to Shiva, her strength, her nurturing nature, and her role as a protective mother.
**Depictions/Representations:** Often depicted as a beautiful woman, Parvati is shown with two arms when alongside Shiva, and more when alone, symbolizing her multifaceted nature. Her representations also emphasize her role as a meditative ascetic and a loving, devoted wife and mother.
**Worship/Temples:** Parvati is worshipped widely across India, with notable temples in Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and many other regions. Festivals like Navaratri and Teej celebrate her stories and virtues.
**Symbols/Animals:** The lion or tiger is frequently associated with Parvati, symbolizing her ferocity and protective nature.
**Historical Influence:** Parvati has significantly influenced Hindu culture, art, and religious practices, shaping societal norms around marriage and womanhood.
**Sacred Texts:** Parvati is prominently mentioned in numerous Hindu scriptures, including the Puranas and the Mahabharata, detailing her divine acts and teachings.
**Evolution:** Over centuries, Parvati’s representation has evolved from a primarily ascetic figure to a more complex deity embodying various aspects of life and divinity, reflecting changes in societal values and religious practices.
**Modern Influence:** Parvati remains a central figure in contemporary Hindu worship and culture, symbolizing enduring values of love, devotion, and strength.
**Titles/Epithets:** Parvati is known by over a hundred names, each reflecting different aspects of her divine form, including Ambika (mother), Annapurna (feeder), and Durga (invincible).
**Sacred Sites:** The Kedarnath Temple and the Kamakhya Temple are among the many sacred sites dedicated to Parvati, drawing pilgrims from across the world.
**Attributes/Artifacts:** Parvati’s attributes include the trident, the mirror, and the flower, each representing elements of her divinity.
**Allies/Adversaries:** While largely depicted in harmonious relationships with other deities, Parvati’s adversaries often come in the form of demons and forces of disorder, against whom she battles fiercely.
**Cosmology:** Parvati holds a crucial place in Hindu cosmology as the divine feminine power, essential for the balance and functioning of the universe.
**Philosophical/Religious Significance:** Parvati embodies the concept of Shakti, the divine feminine energy, symbolizing the power and potential of women in the cosmos and society.
**Power Score:** Within the context of Hindu mythology and considering her multifaceted roles and divine power, Parvati could be assigned a power score close to 200, symbolizing her supreme status among deities.
**Weapons/Tools:** Parvati uses no specific weapons but is considered a source of Shakti, or divine energy, which is a potent tool in itself against negativity and evil.
**Weapon/Tool Score:** Given the symbolic and metaphysical nature of her “weapons,” Parvati’s score might be less about attack points and more about the power of transformation and protection. If measured, her score could be seen as transcending the scale, embodying the ultimate source of energy and power.
In the grand tapestry of Hindu mythology, Parvati’s stories and symbols weave through the cultural and spiritual fabric of countless lives, offering lessons of love, devotion, strength, and the power of the divine feminine.