A long time ago, Himavan, the king of the mountains, used to rule over the land. When a daughter was born to him, he named her Parvati, after the word, “Parvat” meaning mountains. She was extremely precious to him, and he showered her with love and affection.

Lord Shiva used to live a life of asceticism in the mountains of Kailash. How could they marry their beloved daughter who was born and raised in palaces? How could she ever adjust to such a harsh lifestyle?

But as it is said, when one truly desires something, nothing or no one can stand in their way. Success only comes to those who are willing to work for it. Parvati too set out on her path, leaving behind all the worldly pleasures that she was born into. She knew what she desired and wouldn’t settle for anything else.

She left the palace and came to a jungle where she started her extreme penance, a Tapasya that no one had ever seen before. For thousands of years, she only ate fruits, vegetables, and fallen leaves. She slept on the cold, harsh forest floor in order to complete her Tapa.

To become equal partners with of Shiva, she engaged in the same activities as Shiva. She followed his way of asceticism, yogin and tapas. This form of Parvati is known as Brahamacharini, the youthful phase where the determination and patience to work for what you want, becomes extremely important.

It is said that the throne of God is bound with a thread to their devotee’s devotion. When a devotee seeks the god with a true heart, the throne trembles. Due to the Brahamacharini form of Parvati and her extreme devotion, the Kailash mountain, where Shiva resided, rocked.

Lord Shiva finally had to take notice. He went to meet Parvati in disguise. When he met her, he told her about a lot of shortcomings in Shiva and told Parvati to give up her Tapasya. But Parvati was firm in her resolve. Her devotion wasn't to be shaken.

When working on a path where there’s no guarantee of success, a lot of distractions and obstacles arise along the way. However, one mustn’t waver. Maa Brahamacharini’s resolve was so strong that Lord Shiva had to return back, failing to convince her to give up on him. Rather, seeing her strong will and years of ascetic life, he was moved and decided to take her as his wife in the end.

Her years of Tapasya finally paid off, and she was married to Lord Shiva. Even her parents, who had been searching for her for years, agreed to desire and married her off to Lord Shiva in a grand procession.

Now, Parvati rules Kailash with Lord Shiva and is considered the divine energy between a man and a woman. Even though she has a kind, nurturing behaviour, she has a fierce, determined side that we see in her form of Maa Brahmacharini.

She is worshiped with great reverence as she helps you get rid of negative thoughts that may derail you from your path. She also blesses you with happiness, prosperity, wisdom, and success.

After all, success is a slave to hard work and determination. Even Lord Shiva had to bow down to Goddess Parvati, and her manifestation, Maa Brahmacharini.