The goddess in this form is the constant companion of her husband, but few independent actions are ascribed to her. In the Puranas, Siva and Parvati are generally represented as engaged in making love to each other, or (rather a singular change) as seated on Mount Kailasa discussing the most abstruse questions of Hindu philosophy. Occasionally, however, quarrels arose between them, and on one occasion Siva reproached her for the blackness of her skin. This taunt so grieved her that she left him for a time, and, repairing to a deep forest,

performed a most severe course of austerities, until Brahma granted her as a boon that her complexion should be golden, and from this circumstance she is known as Gauri. [**]

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SIVA AND PARVATI.

The following legend from the "Varaha Purana" [*+] describes her origin. Brahma when on a visit to Siva

on Mount Kailasa is thus addressed by him: "Say quickly, O Brahma, what has induced you to come to me?" Brahma replies, "There is a mighty asura named Andhaka (Darkness), by whom all the gods, having been distressed, came for protection, and I have hastened to inform you of their complaints." Brahma then looked intently at Siva, who by thought summoned Vishnu into their presence. As the three deities looked at each other, "from their three refulgent glances sprang into being a virgin of celestial loveliness, of hue cerulean, like the petals of a blue lotus, and adorned with gems, who bashfully bowed before Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. On their asking her who she was, and why she was distinguished by the three colours black, white, and red, she said, "From your glances was I produced; do you not know your own omnipotent energies? " Brahma then praising her, said, "Thou shalt be named the goddess of three times (past, present and future), the preserver of the universe, and under various appellations shalt thou be worshipped, as thou shalt be the cause of accomplishing the desires of thy votaries. But, O goddess, divide thyself into three forms, according to the colours by which thou art distinguished." She then, as Brahma had requested, divided herself into three parts; one white, one red, and one black. The white was " Sarasvati, of a lovely, felicitous form, and the cooperator with Brahma in creation; the red was Lakshmi, the beloved of Vishnu, who with him preserves the universe; the black was Parvati, endowed with many qualities and the energy of Siva." In the preceding legend it was narrated how Parvati, originally black, became golden-coloured.

The "Vaivarta Purana" [**] relates the circumstance