Be the SHIVA of your PARVATI this Sawan

Not all women are as dedicated as Goddess Parvati was to Lord Shiva. At the same time many men are equally or more loyal and dedicated to their wives but this doesn’t mean that the wives who are less able or less dedicated shall be mistreated. This blog does not wish to paint a particular gender with the same brush.

Elders in India bless couple with words like “Shiv-Parvati” ki jodi. The respect Goddess Parvati received from Shiva knew no bounds. We shall never forget that respect is a form of love. We worship Lord Shiva to be blessed with a committed wife like Parvati but some of us forget to treat our wives with basic humane behaviour.

In the sacred month of Sawan we worship Lord Shiva for success, prosperity, health and marriage. It is considered to be the most sacred month for a new beginning. We all know about the concept of “Ardhanarishwara”, one of the 64 manifestations of Shiva, it is the concept that Shiva stands for. Shiva and Shakti together forms the universe. But,

What do we learn from Shiva?

Shiva treated Parvati with respect and equality. Shiva made Parvati sit beside him not near his feet. But today, in India the lack of respect for women has made domestic violence against women very common. Domestic violence is the most common form of gender biased violence and the domestic violence cases have doubled during the lockdown. According to National Family Health Survey of 2015, only 12% of woman who have suffered violence from husband have sought any form of help. Men felt increasingly anxious and out of control over their jobs and financial security they beat their wives. Women had to be trapped with their abusers in the same house. Due to the lockdown it further became more difficult for women to register complaints.

Shiva through his “Ardhanarishwara” manifestation proved that women are equal to men. But

Is it very common to see wives having an equal say in any family decision?

Some wives are under such subjugation that their husbands feel that they are not worthy enough to be consulted while making a family related decision. The lack of wife’s opinion in family decision is very common.

Goddess Kali (manifestation of Parvati)  is often portrayed as dancing or standing on her consort, Shiva lies inertly below her. Shiva is a husband who keeps aside his ego, treats his beloved with patience. Today some of our men have ego filled to such an extent that they do not allow their wives to continue their jobs after marriage or after having a baby. According to a survey conducted in Delhi only 18-34% of married women continued working after having a child.

Inspite of many advancement in our society women still crave for a more equal world. Dear husbands, please follow the following words –

She leaves her family and stays with you while adjusting herself in her new dwelling. Sometimes she is forced to quit her job while sometimes she is forbidden to even meet her own parents after marriage. She raises a child sacrificing her sleep and gives it its father’s name.

So, this Sawan, worship Lord Shiva, chant Om Namah Shivay and try to inculcate his qualities so that your wife may feel blessed to have her Shiva.

This blog is not against any particular gender instead it just intends to point out the unjustified and wrongful practices prevailing in the society. We wish to compel people to introspect so that the world becomes a better place for living.

HAR HAR MAHADEV!