Shiva Begs Food from Parvati

South face of the tower
Parashurameshvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar

In this story from the Puranas, Shiva has neglected his duties as a husband by failing to get food for the household. To teach him a lesson, Parvati sends him out naked to beg for food, but again he returns empty-handed. Taking pity, at last she gives him food from her own hands, and so husband and wife are reconciled.