Love Is in the Air — But What Will You Settle For?

Come February, markets are flooded with soft toys, greeting cards, heart-shaped pillows, personalised mugs, and t-shirts, all screaming for your attention—'come buy, come buy.' Caught in the middle of intense advertising, it feels almost heartless not to do something for your beloved on 14 Feb, doesn't it?

Love is a very basic human emotion and need; ideally, every day should be a good day to express it. We love being in love. We love being loved back. That way, on Valentine's Day, when the whole world is going moony, we may want to pause and assess our notion of love itself. Which of our gestures qualify for it? Is love about self-love, love for family, friends, and pets, love for community and country, and maybe all of these rolled into one? The market may assign a day for love, but the expression can be our own—intimate and personal.

This year, Valentine's Day falls just a day before Mahashivratri.

Mahashivratri is a spiritually powerful occasion to invoke Mahadev. It is also the day to celebrate the divine union of Shiv (pure consciousness) and Shakti (creative energy).

The Indian tradition honours Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati as eternal lovers. In this blog, you will explore how the divine saga of Bhagwan Shiv and Ma Parvati has inspired Indian culture for ages and the love lessons it offers.

Highlights of this blog:

• Ma Parvati's Penance: Love as Self-Transformation
• No Outward Show but Deep Connection
• The Ardhnarishwar Aspect: Two as One
• Cultural Influences
  • Literature
  • Art and Sculpture
  • Wedding Venue
• Internalising Lord Shiv and Parvati

Ma Parvati's Penance: Love as Self-Transformation

(Ma Parvati's intense penance. Image source: created using AI)

The love story of Shiv and Shakti is like no other. Parvati, the daughter of King Himavan, gave up all comforts of royal life and did penance to reunite with Lord Shiv. To marry Param Yogi, she had to become a yogini herself. After Devi Sati's death, Lord Shiv withdrew from the Creation and became detached. The union of Mahadev and Parvati (Purush and Prakriti) was needed not for individual fulfillment but to restore the cosmic balance, for Shiv is 'shav' (lifeless and inert) without his Shakti.

Ma Parvati's journey is the journey of every sadhak. It shows the self-transformation one can achieve through patience, discipline, and persistence. Similarly, true love is not limiting; it has the capacity to transform; it frees us to realise our true potential.

No Outward Show but Deep Connection

(Shiv Parvati Baarat: A procession like no other. Image source: created using AI)

On the face of it, the wedding of Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati overthrows all acceptable notions of a wedding ceremony. Smeared in bhasm (sacred ash) and with matted hair, wearing a tiger's hide and adorned with snakes, Mahadev is an unlikely groom. Ghouls, goblins, and ghosts accompany him. And yet, their wedding is among the most celebrated in the Hindu tradition. Mahadev's outward appearance did not bother Ma Parvati, for she knew him deeply. But to comfort her nervous mother, she requests him to take on a favourable form. Mahadev, too, knows and honours her request and takes on the Sundareshwar Swaroop. The bond between Shiv and Parvati is characterised by deep love, trust, and spiritual companionship.

(Ma Parvati, and Mahadev as Sundareshwar. Image source: created using AI)

It is interesting to observe and learn how Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati expand and grow after marriage. He fulfils his duties as a householder while remaining a yogi and goes off for longer periods of deep meditation. Ma Parvati does not cling to him for comfort. She is a nurturer, a yogini, and a warrior who fights and defeats an entire demon army in Mahadev's absence (Ma Chandraghanta). Their love shows deep commitment along with freedom of action. Love is not about coming together of two halves, but the meeting point of two complete individuals.

(Ma Chandraghanta fighting Jatakasura. Image source: created using AI)

The Ardhnarishwar Aspect: Two as One

The most powerful aspect of Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati's union is their combined form—The Ardhnarishwar. They merge into each other—the right half signifying masculine energy and the left half feminine energy. Ardhnarishwar is not merely an artistic expression; it is a profound philosophical thought. Going beyond the notions of gender, Ardhnarishwar stands for equality, harmony, and balance between contrasting forces: male and female, spiritual and material.

As an ascetic, Lord Shiv represents the spiritual aspect, while Ma Parvati stands for the material world and nurturing aspects; both spheres are needed for a complete experience of life. The Ardhnarishwar form teaches us that, even though both partners are complete in themselves, their coming together gives them a completeness beyond themselves. Being together is not about being possessive and controlling; it's about balance, equality, and harmony. Two complete individuals, united, are a powerful force.

(The Ardhnarishwar Swaroop: balance of masculine and feminine. Image source: created using AI)

One of the verses of the Ardhnarishwar Stotram by Adi Shankara mentions thus:

"Her (Devi's) graceful, gentle dance (Lasya) gives birth to the universe. His (Shiva's) furious dance (Tandav) dissolves and takes all cosmos back into them. She is the mother of the world, and he is the father. Such is the wonderful nature of Ardhnarishwar. Salutations to Goddess Parvati and salutations to Lord Shiv."

Cultural Influences

Literature

Since ancient times, the eternal lovers, Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati, have inspired Indian art, poetry, literature, and cultural consciousness. Legendary Sanskrit writer Kalidas immortalised their divine love story in his epic poem Kumarsambhava, written in the 5th Century CE. Regarded as the greatest work of classical Sanskrit poetry (kavya), Kumarsambhava continues to inspire literary works not just in India but across the world to this day. Kalidas portrays Ma Parvati as an active agent of her own destiny.

(Kalidas writing Kumarsambhavam. Image source: created using AI)

Her spiritual strength wins over Mahadev. Famous for its natural imagery and powerful language, Kalidas's work is not just a depiction of divine romance. In fact, he highlights the power of penance, devotion, and how divine love serves the cosmic purpose.

Art and Sculpture

The depictions of the Shiv-Parvati wedding, Shiv Parvati as eternal lovers, parents, and householders, adorn many temple walls, such as the Elephanta Caves (Mumbai), the Badami Caves (Karnataka), and several Chola Dynasty temples in Tamil Nadu.

(Kalyansundaram: depiction of Shiv-Parvati wedding in Ellora Caves: 753-982 CE. Original Image source: Wikimedia commons. Recreated using AI)

(Bronze statues from the Chola era. Image source: The Cleveland museum of Art)

(A tender moment etched in stone: Mahdev trying to placate Ma Parvati angry with Suryadev: Lalitambigai Temple: Thirumeeyachur, Tamil Nadu. Image source: Created using AI)

The Wedding Venue

While many temples across India are dedicated to Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati, one place served as the actual venue of their wedding—Sri Triyuginarayan temple in Uttarakhand. Located 5 km away from Gauri Kund, where Devi Parvati performed penance, the Triyuginarayan temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. He is the presiding deity along with Ma Lakshmi. 'Tri' means three. For three yugas and more, Lord Narayan has been a witness to the sacred havan kund where Shiv-Parvati's wedding took place in this temple. Pilgrims offer samidha and wood to the eternal flame (Akhand Dhuni), a sweet reminder of the Divine Wedding. To this day, Triyuginarayan temple remains a popular destination for wedding ceremonies.

(Triyuginarayan Temple. Image source: Created using AI)

(Akand Dhuni in Triyuginarayan Temple. Image source: Created using AI)

Internalising Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati

There are familiar forms of Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati: he, the eternal yogi, and she as the nurturing mother. More profound is experiencing them within. They are there in the ever‑present play of stillness and energy, awareness and love. Mahadev is our consciousness, untouched by life's ups and downs. Ma Parvati is the dynamic shakti—feeling, creativity, will, and devotion that constantly moves us toward growth. With awareness and discipline, when we learn to harmonise the stillness and movement, our heart itself becomes Kailash. We feel love and completeness.

(Image source: Created using AI)

This could be the secret to real love: it does not exist anywhere outside but lives deep within us. Gifts and merchandise do not nourish it. Love flows when we experience a sense of wholeness. It grows through selfless acts of kindness, when our behaviour and conduct are motivated by joy and social welfare. The love we share comes back to us manifold.

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate
Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
                                       
-Shanti mantra: Ishavasya Upnishad

(That is complete; this is complete. From the complete, the complete emerges. When the complete is taken from the complete, what remains is also complete. Om, peace peace, peace.)

This Valentine's day, allow your heart to give and grow in love!

And Love Flows On….

15 Feb. is Mahashivratri—a powerful night to connect with the Shiv Tattva and begin your inward journey of Sadhana. Invite the grace and protection of Mahadev in your life by participating in these two events on the Sadhana App:

Mahashivratri Rudrabhishekam

On 15 Feb, 2026, join the Live telecast (6:00 PM IST) of Rudrabhishekam by Om Swami Ji from Sri Badrika Ashram. You can perform this abhishekam on the Sadhana App at the same time as Swami ji. Read our blogs about the Rudrabhishekam event to know more.

Maharudra Sadhana

Sadhana Dates: 15 Feb 2026 to 26 Feb 2026.

Perform this powerful 12-day sadhana with Mantra Jap, and Yagna (with Om swami ji) on the app. The yagna will be telecast Live at 5:00 AM (IST) from 16 Feb—26 Feb.

Note: Om Swami Ji will reveal the Maharudra Sadhana mantra after the Maha Shivaratri Rudrabhishekam event.

To participate in these events, download the Sadhana App today!