गिरिजापति

Meaning

Husband of Girija. This name emphasizes the choice made by Parvati. Shiva is Girijapati because he accepted the daughter of the simple mountain folk. It represents the union of the wild, infinite sky (Shiva) with the solid, nurturing earth (Girija). He is the protector of her honor and the one who delights in her origins. To call him Girijapati is to acknowledge that the highest god is proud to be identified by his connection to his beloved.

Story · From tradition

When Parvati's mother, Mena, saw Shiva arriving for the wedding on a bull, covered in ash, with ghosts as his retinue, she fainted in horror. She refused to give her daughter to this 'uncouth' ascetic. Shiva, to please his beloved and her family, transformed into 'Sundaramurti'—the most handsome being imaginable, dressed in royal robes and gold. He showed that for the sake of love, even the absolute is willing to play a role and follow social customs. He became the perfect groom for the daughter of the mountain. Source: Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita.