PARVATI

(Sanskrit: Daughter of the Mountain), wife of the Hindu god Siva (Shiva). Parvati is the benevolent aspect of the goddess Sakti and is sometimes identified with Uma. The legendary account of her marriage relates that she won Siva's notice only after severe ascetic discipline. The couple had two children, the elephant-headed Ganesa and the six-headed Skanda. Parvati is often represented in sculpture with Sivaas an attendant figure, or looking on as he performs a miraculous feat, or engaged in a game with him in their mountain kingdom Kailasaand is always depicted as a mature and beautiful woman. The Tantrastexts of sects worshiping Sivaare written as a discussion between Parvati and Siva.