Shiva, who is Mahadeva or
the Greatest God, is also known as Sarvajna and Vageesha. Sarvajna means one who
knows all, Omniscient. Vageesha is the lord of knowledge. Parvati had, during her days as
a student, learnt the material as will as the spiritual branches of knowledge through
well-qualified teachers. Still she had the desire to learn more. She was not only proud
that her husband was Sarvajna, but also had the learner's curiosity to know more.Through
her own learning she desired the spread of knowledge the arts and the intellect all
over the world. In Shiva's assembly, not only Parvati but the angels and other divine
beings as well as sages learnt wisdom by listening to the educative stories, the morals
and doctrines, and histories and poems, narrated by Shiva. The one who requested Him to
narrate all those was Parvati.
Parvati learnt the Sanskrit language and grammar from Shiva. The rules of grammar
taught by Shiva are famous as "Maheshwara Sutras." Later a sage by the
name of Panini publicised them on the earth. It is well known as Paninis Grammar ('Paniniya
Vyakarana').
Prosody, or metrical science, important for poetry. It explains poetical structure. As
Parvati desired to know it, Shiva taught that to Parvati first Then a sage by name Pingala
learnt it and made it known on the earth. His work on 'Chandas' or prosody was
written in Kannada as'Chandombudhi' (in 990 A. D.) by the poet Nagavarma. Similarly
several other branches of knowledge like dance, architecture, astrology, spells, painting
and so on - are said to have been taught by Shiva to Parvati and then became known to
others. Parvati had great curiosity to know philosophy also. She wanted the Ramayana to be
taught to her with its philosophical content. Pleased with this request, Shiva taught her "Adhyatma
Ramayana.' Brahma learnt it and in turn taught Narada. Narada narrated the story to
sage Valmiki who passed it on to Lava and Kusha the twin sons of Sri Rama. This is known
as "Srimadlyana." Later the sage Vedavyasa composed Adhyatma
Ramayana in Sanskrit. It is well known to this day.
The 'Panchatantra' also, which is full of moral stories eagerly listened to and
enjoyed by children even today, is also believed to be a collection of talest told by
Shiva to Parvati in the first instance.
No only was Parvati often discussing philosophy and matters of this world with Shiva,
but was also sometimes venturing into deeds of bravery. The Mahabharata says that when
Shiva went to Indrakeelaka in the guise of a tribal king of huntsmen to see Arjuna's
valour directly, Parvati also went with him as his tribal wife.
Goddess Chamundeswari is believed to be one of the incarnations of Parvati She took
that form to kill a rakshasa by name Mahishasura. The wicked Mahishasura was harassing
human beings and the angels. Chamundeswari killed him on the Vijayadashami day. Then she
took abode on a hill in Mahishamandala where the demon ruled earlier. This is the Chamundi
Hill near Mysore City in Karnataka. The hill is 3489 feet above sea level. The present-
day Mysore is theMahishamandala over which Mahishasura reigned.
Kali and Durga are also incarnations of Parvati. As her devotees believe, Parvati
assumed all these forms to kill the wicked in the w6rld and protect the virtuous.