Skip to main content

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah 

The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 
I don't know who owns this site, for there is nothing on it in the About Us link. It merely says, the Nashik Corporation site  "is an educational and news website of the municipal corporation. Today, education and payment of tax are completely online."
It goes on to add, "So we provide some of the latest information about Property Tax, Water Tax, Marriage Certificate, Caste Certificate, etc. So all taxpayer can get all information of their municipal in a single place.some facts about legal and financial issues that different city corporations face, but I was least interested in them." 
Surely, this didn't interest me. I was left wondering: why was this site interested in telling its readers what's Maha Shivratri about?
I set my curiosity aside, and clicked on what interested me in the site. It was an assertion which came less than a week after the Valentine's Day -- that "Shiva and Parvati are known as the first love marriage couple in the universe, as per Hindu mythology." Apparently released on the Maha Shivratri day, which fell on February 18, it notes, "The love story of Shiv-Parvati is called Maha Shivratri, the day of love, and this union of love is called Maha Shivratri, which we celebrate every year as Mahaparv." 
Claimed to have been released "as per our readers’ demand and comments", the article defines love marriage "one which is driven solely by the couple, with or without consent of their parents, as opposed to arranged marriage." It adds, "While there is no clear definition of love marriage, the term was in common use globally during the Victorian era."
It appears to regret: that while "love marriage in European countries showed a peak from the 15-16th century, but in India and other Asian countries, it began to happen very slowly." Stating that some research (which, it does not say) "was conducted to find out when the first love marriage was conducted in India", and it was found to be that of "Shiv and Parvati".
India scored over Europe by 3500 years in originating love marriage, the article suggested, giving the date when Shiv and Parvati initiated it
The article insists, "The marriage of Lord Shiv and Mother Parvati was not a normal one but rather their definitive predetermination was to change the world’s most prominent romantic tales in a second. They couldn’t measure up to any of the affection sets... After marrying Shiv, Parvati went with him to Kailash and thus a love story going on for two lives had a happy ending."
Suggesting that India scored over Europe in originating love marriage, the article even gives the date, when, apparently, Shiv and Parvati tied into nuptial relationship -- "2350 B" (BC?, I don't know), as against Europe, where the first love marriage occurred about 3500 years later -- "in 1140 AD", about which "Rousseau wrote in his book."
It concludes, "The marriage of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati was not an ordinary one but their ultimate destiny will be to adjust the world’s greatest love stories in a moment. They cannot be compared to any of the love pairs." 
An effort to come up with an Indian (or Hindu, to be more precise) Valentine's Day? I don't know. 
Be that as it may, I found the much-desired quote elsewhere as I needed it to send across the message to think positive. This is what it says: "May Lord Shiva bless you with patience and a heart to see good in everything! Wishing you all a very happy Maha Shivratri!" 
I modified it little in order to suit my thinking a little and sent it across. Being a some sort of an atheist, instead of Lord Shiva, I said Maha Shivratri festival. Don't know how it was taken, positively or negatively. Expectedly, I didn't get a reply.

Comments

Dr Keshubhai Desai said…
Beautiful treatise
Unknown said…
Nicely explained the value of Mahashivratri with the meaning.
It should be known by all.
Indraneelmukherjee9@gmail.com said…
Pleasure reading your article. Whether we are atheists or not every lndian likes to read something which is praiseworthy and interesting your article is one like that it shud become viral !
Premkumar Gera said…
A wonderful interpretation for all to understand n appreciate it in India. There couldn’t have better way to explain the concept of Valentine’s Day celebrations for us in india. We must share a link in all social media for all of us to understand it
Ghizal Mahdi said…
Very interesting
ralph said…
Counterview.net" appears to be a platform for presenting alternative perspectives or opposing viewpoints. It may serve as a space for diverse opinions, discussions, or critiques on various subjects. Accessing counterview.net could provide users with a range of insights and analyses challenging mainstream narratives.
tax and estate lawyer
henrico traffic lawyer
ILAPUR said…
Now these hard core aandh bakths will link ADAM AND EVE to Shiv and Parvathi
Punyam said…
Very Nice Give Explanation Of Maha Shivaratri Lord Shiva.
ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Training
Scholarship said…
This was a nice read. Had no idea India had such interesting history.
bui quang thanh said…
This was a pleasant perused. Had no clue India had such fascinating history.
http://images.google.co.il/url?sa=t&url=https%3A%2F%2Fraozat.com%2F
hana said…
Well made sense of the worth of Mahashivratri with the significance.
It ought to be known by all.
Anonymous said…
Delight perusing your article. Regardless of whether we are agnostics each lndian likes to peruse something which is commendable and fascinating your article is one like that it shud become viral !
bui quang thanh said…
This was a nice read. Had no idea India had such interesting history.

<a href="https://raozat.com>raozat.com</a>
harperpaul said…
While Valentine's Day has become synonymous with romantic love in many parts of the world, some individuals and communities seek to celebrate love in different ways that align with their cultural and religious beliefs. In Hinduism, the story of Shiv-Parvati serves as a powerful symbol of love, devotion, and partnership, offering a compelling alternative narrative for those who wish to honor love within the framework of their faith.
dui lawyer southampton va
lucask110198 said…
As an alternative to Valentine's Day, "Shiv-Parvati: The Divine Love Story" honors the quintessential Hindu love story. This sacred story establishes the standard for love marriages throughout the cosmos by embodying unending love and dedication. Valentine's Day may be all about short-lived romance, but celebrating Shiv-Parvati's heavenly relationship highlights long-term devotion and spiritual connection. Hindus, inspired by the ageless wisdom of their tradition, reaffirm the sacredness of love and marriage by celebrating this epic love tale. On this day, following Shiv-Parvati's path cultivates a greater understanding of profound, unending love that knows no bounds in this world.
virginia personal injury law
BhaGujarati said…
Shatavdhani Shree R.Ganesh said this very long time ago during his 18 hours (3 hours each over 6 days) titled "Foundation of Indian Culture" but unfortunately IDIOTINDIANS can't come out of their Perfected Brown Macaulay SUIT (TIED to their neck). Merely suggest to drop SUIT+TIE to our IDIOTINDIANS and there may ba a nationwide havoc. Don't U even DARE to drop English language!
prabha said…
Nice information thanks for sharing...
Polygame Studio said…
Nicely explained the value of Mahashivratri with the meaning.
PolyGame Studio
Bk said…
Lord Shiv and Mother Parvati's marriage was and will always remain one of the most beautiful love stories of mankind.
anushiya said…
Counterview.net" gives off an impression of being a stage for introducing elective viewpoints or contradicting perspectives. It might act as a space for different suppositions, conversations, or investigates on different subjects. Getting to counterview.net could furnish clients with a scope of experiences and examinations testing standard stories.
https://www.counterview.net/2023/02/now-hindu-alternative-to-valentines-day.html
Rigveda supports love marriages
sgi said…
Wow this is so beautiful. That means St. Valentine's Day isn't really the only Love day that should be celebrated afterall.
PM Kisan said…
thanks for share amazing blog it's really intarested
charloteequeen1 said…
"Embracing love, tradition, and joy in a new light! Celebrating the Now-Hindu Alternative to Valentine's Day is a beautiful testament to cultural richness and the power of love in all its forms. Here's to honoring timeless values with a fresh perspective!"

New Jersey Domestic Violence Lawyer
prabha said…
Nice Article Thanks for Sharing

TRENDING

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative  The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani*  India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas*  November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.  

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad*  On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. 

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad*  The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Green Revolution’s reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides contributing to Punjab's health crisis

By Bharat Dogra, Jagmohan Singh*  Punjab was once synonymous with robust health, particularly in its rural areas, where farmers were known for their strength and vitality. However, in recent years, reports from these villages tell a different story, with rising cases of serious health issues, including cancer. What led to this decline? The answer lies largely in the erosion of good nutrition, once a hallmark of Punjabi village life. The health of a population is closely tied to its nutrition, and Punjab's reputation as a provider of high-quality nutrition has suffered greatly. The loss of biodiversity in agriculture has led to a decrease in the variety and quality of crops, resulting in poorer nutrition. Pulses, a key source of protein, have seen a steep decline in cultivation due to the disruption of traditional farming practices by the Green Revolution. This has had a detrimental effect on both soil and human health. Although pulses are still available in the market, they are exp

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor*  Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.