Sati was reborn as Parvati in the home of Himalaya, king of the mountains, and his wife Mena. From childhood she longed to have Shiva as her husband. Meanwhile, grieving the loss of Sati, Shiva was lost in deep meditation.
A demon named Tarakasura had been granted a boon that only a son of Shiva could kill him. At the request of the gods, Kamadeva, the god of love, shot his flower arrow to break Shiva's meditation. Enraged, Shiva opened his third eye and Kamadeva was burned to ash.
Parvati did not give up. For years she performed fierce penance, at last giving up even eating leaves, and so she came to be called "Aparna". Shiva came disguised as a young ascetic to test her and spoke ill of Shiva, but Parvati stood firm. Pleased, Shiva revealed his true form.
With ghosts, spirits, his ganas and Nandi, Shiva's extraordinary wedding procession arrived at Himalaya's door, and the marriage was celebrated with great joy. Later their son Kartikeya slew Tarakasura. Shiva and Parvati are a symbol of the ideal married couple.