So, here we go. This is the story of Parvathi, the Mother Goddess who came to earth as Dakshayini. Daksha, the King of the mountains, had no heir. Along with his wife, he prayed to Lord Shiva to grant him a child of unsurpassed beauty and intelligence. Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi were pleased with the couple's penance. Parvathi descended to earth as a girl child.
They named her Dakshayini, daughter of Daksha. She was also known as Himavati, the daughter of Himavan (King of the Mountains). Dakshayini was everything they wanted in a daughter. She grew up to be an intelligent statesman, brave, compassionate and a beauty of such fame. The time came for her to be married. When Daksha started searching for a suitable bridegroom for this gifted daughter of his, he was sorely disappointed. For Dakshayini had grew up on tales of Shiva; and now she was bent on marrying only the Lord!!
Everyone was appalled. A mere mortal marrying the Lord; and to attain him through hard and punishing penance. It was unheard of ...! Himavan and his wife prevented her and implored her with heart-rending cries of "Don't go!" That is why Parvathi is also known by the name of "Uma" ("U"- Penance ; "Ma"- Don't tell it aloud).
But Dakshayini was not to be deterred. She made her way to the high cliffs with a few female friends and began a rigorous penance invoking Shiva. Lord Shiva, though pleased, decided to test her devotion. He descended to Earth as an old man and began talking to the young princess. He began blowing his own trumpet and generally ridiculed Shiva. "He is the Destroyer," he said, "smeared with ashes and garlanded with skulls. He will never make a good husband for one so gentle as you.' He implored Dakshayini to forget Siva and instead marry him, a rich old trader.
Dakshayini was so enraged that she decided to bodily throw out this upstart. Finally Lord Shiva revealed himself and blessed her. He asked Himavan for his daughter's hand and they were married amid great pomp and splendor.
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