The perfect lovers

Shiva and Parvati are the embodiment of perfect harmony in the union of love- She prays for a hundred years to obtain his love as he is an renunciant himself. Parvati is described as beautiful with full, high breasts, a wasp waist and ample hips. Her gait is languorous and sensual. Here are a few portrayals of the goddess-

When she does finally marry her Shiva, their joy knows no bound. Here is a still of a cave relief portraying their wedding-

Notice how blissfully unaware he seems of the presence of the gods around him during the ceremony and how rightfully he grasps her hand. How she blushes at his public show of affection. I was lucky enough to see this cave relief when I was only 10- and the tour guide remarked, "Shiva Parvati were the original rebels- the ones who broke all the rules, fell deeply in love and got married." Indeed, Shiva would be a "Shava", a Sanskrit word that means "dead" without his Shakti (energy) Parvati.

They make the perfect household- and yet, their union is unabashedly amorous. Here, he is cupping her breast as she coyly wraps her arm around his shoulder-

Our Parvati is no weeping willow- she is her husband's equal- and even more powerful than him in some instances. When the gods came across a demon who could not be killed by a man, she turns into a warrior goddess and defeats him, thus saving humankind and gods from a horrific fate. She is ethereal, feminine, and motherly. She is also Shiva's equal in knowledge and spirituality. They argue, she leaves, fuming, he dances to seduce her back. They play this game of fight- then make up. Yet, she is soft and delicate, often turning to her husband for support, as in this instance-

Here, the demon Ravana lifts up their seat. Parvati, afraid, grasps at her husband's thigh, as he holds her waist with one hand to comfort her. She gazes at him, her head slightly turned towards him, expecting his protection. He stabilizes their seat by balancing on his right leg's toes.

Parvati and Shiva are so confident in their own sexuality that they join together and become one body- "Ardhanarishvara", which literally translates to "half woman god"- something so beautiful, so unique that every other form of love that I've seen on this earth pales in comparison. Here's to the perfect family of perfect gods who continue to inspire me everyday.