 Other deviations from the texts may appear in the attributes held by the divine couple . Parvati may hold a mirror , instead of the lotus . Shiva may be shown holding the <unk> ( trident ) and <unk> ( drum ) in his back hands . Regional variations in iconography may also occur . In Bengal , Shiva holds a <unk> ( knife ) , the ceremonial weapon that a Hindu groom from Bengal is expected to carry in a wedding . 
