Aum namao śivā नमं: शिवायं)
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Lord Shiva Lord Shiva is one the supreme deity in Hinduism. Shiva is one of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Lord Vishnu विष्णु) the Preserver. Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga. In Hindu scriptures it is called Mahadeva (महादेव), Maheshwar (महेश्वर) and and Parameśvara the Supreme Lord. Lord Shiva is revered as the ultimate controller of birth and death in the phenomenal world. Lord Shiva represents the aspect of the Supreme Being that continuously dissolves to recreate in the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the universe.
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The unclad body covered with ashes:
The unclad body of Lord Shiva covered the ashes signify that shiva is the source of the entire universe which emanates from Him,but He transcent the physical phenomena and is not affected by it.
Matted locks:
The three matted locks on the head of the Lord convey the idea that integration of the physical, mental and spiritual energies is the ideal of yoga. Ganga: : Ganga, symbolically represented on the head of the Lord by a female (Mother Ganga) with a jet of water emanating from her mouth and falling on the ground, signifies that the Lord destroys sin, removes ignorance, and bestows knowledge, purity and peace on the devotees. The crescent moon: The crescent moon is only one of His ornaments. Three eyes: Lord Shiva, also called Tryambaka Deva , is depicted as having three eyes: the sun is His right eye, the moon the left eye and fire the third eye. Half-open eyes: When the Lord opens His eyes, a new cycle of creation emerges and when He closes them, the universe dissolves for creation of the next cycle. The half-open eyes convey the idea that creation is going through cyclic process, with no beginning no end. Kundalas (two ear rings): Two Kundalas, Alakshya and Niranjan in the ears of the Lord symbolize the Shiva and Shakti (male and female) or Ardha-Nariswara principle of creation. Snake around the neck: The snakes to symbolize the yogic power of Lord Shiva with which He dissolves and recreates the universe. A snake (Vasuki Naga): The snake is shown curled three times around the neck of the Lord and is looking towards His right side. The three coils of the snake symbolize the past, present and future - time in cycles. Rudraksha necklace: Rudra is another name of Shiva. Rudraksha necklace worn by the Lord illustrates that He uses His cosmic laws firmly - without compromise - to maintain law and order in the universe. Varda Mudra: Lord Shiva's right hand is shown in a boon- bestowing and blessing pose, which annihilates evil, grants boons, bestows grace, destroys ignorance, and awakens wisdom in His devotees. Trident (Trisula): A three-pronged trident shown adjacent to the Lord symbolizes His three fundamental powers (shakti) of will (iccha), action (kriya) and knowledge (jnana). Damaru (drum): Damaru symbolizes the two utterly dissimilar states of existence, unmanifest and manifest. . Kamandalu: A water pot (Kamandalu) made from a dry pumpkin contains nectar and is shown on the ground next to Shiva signifies that, an individual must break away from attachment to the physical world and clean his inner self of egoistic desires in order to experience the bliss of the Self. Nandi: The bull is associated with Shiva and said to be His vehicle. Tiger skin: A tiger skin symbolizes potential energy. Cremation ground: Shiva sitting in the cremation ground signifies that He is the controller of death in the physical world. |
Shiva as supreme deity
Lord Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees. Veda, Purans, Upnishdas, Sruti and Smarti, Brahmins and all Hindu scriptures accepts that ay one who worships Lord Shiva can attain The Supreme Bliss and Moksha. Rig Veda: Rudra is mentioned along with a litany of other deities in Rig Veda 7.40.5. The RV 6.49.10 calls Rudra as " The Father of the Universe". (bhuvanasya pitarah) भुवनस्य पितरं गीर्भिराभी रुद्रं दिवा वर्धया रुद्रमक्तौ | बर्हन्तं रष्वमजरं सुषुम्नं रधग घुवेम कविनेषितासः || bhuvanasya pitaram ghīrbhirābhī rudram divā vardhayā rudramaktau | brhantam rshvamajaram sushmnam rdhagh ghuvema kavineshitās 'Rudra by day, Rudra at night we honour with these our songs, the Universe's Father. Him great and lofty, blissful, undecaying let us call specially as the Sage impels us ' The RV 2.33.9 calls Rudra as "The Lord or Sovereign of the Universe" (īśānādasya bhuvanasya) सथिरेभिरङगैः पुरुरूप उग्रो बभ्रुः शुक्रेभिः पिपिशेहिरण्यैः | ईशानादस्य भुवनस्य भूरेर्न वा उ योषद रुद्रादसुर्यम || sthirebhiranghaih pururūpa ughro babhruh śukrebhih pipiśehiranyaih | īśānādasya bhuvanasya bhūrerna vā u yoshad rudrādasuryam || 'With firm limbs, multiform, the strong, the tawny adorns himself with bright gold decorations: The strength of Godhead never departs from Rudra, him who is Sovereign of this world, the mighty.' Yajur Veda: In the various recensions of the Yajur Veda is included a litany of stanzas praising Rudra: (Maitrāyanī-Samhitā 2.9.2, Kāthaka-Samhitā 17.11, Taittirīya-Samhitā 4.5.1, and Vājasaneyi-Samhitā 16.1–14). Forms of Shiva Aspects of Lord Siva: Siva is known by several names and worshipped in various forms as: Panchanana Siva: In some temples Siva is shown with five faces. These five faces are Isana, Tatpurusa, Aghora, Vamadeva and Sadyojata. Isana faces south east and represents Iswara aspect of Siva known as Sadasiva, or the Eternal Siva. Tatpurusha faces the east. He is Siva in his aspect as a deluded purusha or ego. Aghora faces the south and represents the destructive and regenerative aspect of Siva that, like fire, first devours life and then prepares the ground for its renewal. Vamadeva faces north. He is healer and preserver. Sadyojata faces west and represents creative power of Siva. Anugrahamurthy: This is the milder or peaceful aspect of Lord Shiva when he is in the company of his beloved devotees or his family members. Ugramurthy: Also known as Raudra , Bhairava, Kankala or Samharamurthy, this is the ferocious or angry form of Siva, generally associated with the events during which Siva assumed his terrible form to slay the demons or the wicked. Tandavamurthy: Lord Siva in the Tandav dance forms. Dakshinamurthy: This is Siva in his aspect as the universal teacher, teaching the secrets of yoga, tantras, yantras, alchemy, magic, occult knowledge, arts and sciences, ancient history or knowledge of the future to the sages and saints, gods and goddesses and his devotees. Lingodhbhava-murthy: This image signifies the importance of Siva in the form of Linga as the Supreme Self, without a beginning and without an end. Bhikshatana-murthi: This is Siva in his ascetic aspect, wandering from place to place, with a begging bowl made of human skull, doing penance or lost in his own thoughts. Hridaya-murthy: This is Siva in a mood of reconciliation and friendship with Vishnu. Natraja : Shiva Nataraj's dance represents both the destruction and the creation of the universe and reveals the cycles of death, birth and rebirth. His Dance of Bliss is for the welfare of the world. Under his feet, Shiva crushes the demon of ignorance called Apasmara Purusha, caused by forgetfulness. Stories of Lord Shiva There are many stories related to Lord Shiva Samudra manthan During the samudra manthan by the Gods and demons, a poison (haalaa-hala) came out of the ocean, which was so toxic that its effect would have wiped out the entire creation. With the advice of Lord Vishnu विष्णु) , the gods approached Mahadev and prayed to him to protect their lives by consuming this poison. Pleased with their prayers, out of compassion for living beings, Lord Shiva drank this poison and held it in his throat by binding it with a snake. The throat became blue due to the poison (Thus Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha) and Shiva remained unharmed. This shows that shiva is also the protector. Shiva linga Shiva Linga is the holy symbol of Lord Shiva. The Shiv linga is Maheswara Himself, the Highest Self and the Lord of the universe. Spiritually it represents the union between Purusha and Prakriti, the highest principles of the manifest universe. It has three parts. The lower part represents Brahma. The middle part, which is octagonal in shape, represents Vishnu. The upper part, which is cylindrical in shape, represents Rudra. Shivaling the body of Shiva is the most powerful and popular symbol in entire Hinduism. In almost all the Shiva temples, worship is generally made to Shivalingas only.   Tallest Shiva Linga in India Shiva Linga A temporary Maha Shivalingam of 108-foot is ready for Shivaratri Puja in Gymkhana Grounds, Secunderabad (Hyderabad). This Maha Shiva Lingam is funded by the Sri Vijayananda Guru Seva Samiti Charitable Trust. It is known to be the tallest Shivalingam ever to be built in India. Amarnath ice shiva linga Amarnath caves (अमरनाथ गुफा) are one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism, dedicated to the Lord Shiva, located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The shrine is claimed to be over 5,000 years old and forms an important part of ancient Hindu mythology. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,760 ft), about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice Shiva Linga. This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival. The cave is about 150 feet high and 90 feet long. According to Hindu mythology, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati. Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice stalagmite, worshipped by devotees as the Shiva Lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva), which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. There are two other ice formations representing Parvati and Shiva's son, Lord Ganesha (श्री गणेश) According to the sources,Over 37,000 pilgrims have had darshan of the holy ice Lingun of Lord Shiva as on July 01, 2011 . |
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