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Aum namao śivāya
(ॐ 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
Vishnu 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. |
शिवंशान्तं सुन्दरम्
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Attributes of Lord Shiva
The images of Shiva vary significantly in their symbolism.
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 transcends 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 and 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 is 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. |
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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 the 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 Vishnu, 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.
During Samudra Manthan Lord
Shiva drank this poison and held it in his throat by binding it with a
snake
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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.
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. There are two other ice formations representing Parvati and Shiva's
son, Lord Ganesha (श्री गणेश) |
Shiva Linga
Natural Ice shivling Amarnath
The route to Amarnath |
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Other names of Shiva
In Shivasahastrnam 108
names of Lord Shiva are given. Some popular names of Lord Shiva are:
Shiva (शिव)
Pashupati (पशुपति)
Nīlakantha (नीलकण्ठ)
Chandraśekhara (चन्द्रशेखर)
Rudra (रुद्र)
Mahākāla (महाकाल)
Śankara ( शंकर)
Śambhu (शम्भु)
Nataraja ( नटराज)
Kailāsagirivāsī (कैलासगिरिवासी)
Mahadeva (महादेव)
Maheshwar (महेश्वर)
Tripurāntaka ( त्रिपुरान्तक)
Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र)
Bhootnatha (भूतनाथ)
Gangadhar (गगांघर)
Lord Shiva Family
Shiva Parivar: Lord Shiva with wife, Parvati (also known as Umā), and two sons, Ganesha and
Skanda. Lord Shiva is called Umāpati, Umākānta and Umādhava, also appear in the
sahasranama. Umā is identified with Devi, the Divine Mother, and with Shakti
Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Karthikeya and Ganesha. Karttikeya is
popular in southern India by the names Subrahmanya and Murugan, and in northern India he is more popular by the
name Skanda, Kumara, or Karttikeya.
Nandi
Nandi or the bull is associated with Shiva and is said to be His vehicle. The bull symbolizes both power and ignorance. Lord Shiva's use of the bull as a vehicle conveys the idea that He removes ignorance and bestows
power of wisdom on His devotees. The bull is called Vrisha means dharma. |
Shiva Parivar:
Nandi, the bull is associated with Shiva and is said to be His vehicle.
Rudraaksha bead
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Rudraaksha
According to the Padma Purana, a human being obtains a
lakh fold merit by seeing a Rudraaksha bead, a crore fold merit by touching it, and ten crores of merit by wearing it on his/her body. You can get spiritual merits by reciting hymns using the Rudraaksha mala. A human being that holds a
Rudraaksha on his body becomes free of all sins.
The different types of Rudraaksha seeds are found as:
1. Ek Mukhi (or one-faced): It is considered the mother of all
Rudraaksha. It gives all worldly enjoyments and finally salvation.
2. Two-faced: This bead represents Lord Rudra and his consort Goddess Parvati. This bead helps the wearer concentrate his/her mind, and increase spiritual power.
3. Three-faced: This bead represents the Lord of Fire, and is used for avoiding bad luck, disease-free bodies, and acquiring wealth and education.
4. Four-faced: This bead represents Lord Brahma. It purify the mind and removes all worries.
5. Five-faced: This bead is used to please the five Brahmaas. The wearer can have success in all walks of life, ward off disease, and acquire wealth.
6. Six-faced: This bead represents Lord Kartikeya. It have healing qualities to cure hysteria, fits, etc.
7. Seven-faced: This bead represents the Sapta Rishis, and helps the
wearer to attain wealth, respect, and spiritual power.
8. Eight-faced: This bead represents Lord Ganesh. The wearer of this bead is blessed with all the comforts of life, truthfulness, and longevity.
9. Nine-faced: This bead represents Bhairava, Yama, and Kapil Muni. It is worn on the left arm, especially during Navratri.
10. Ten-faced: This bead represents Lord Vishnu. The wearer is protected from the evil influence of all planets.
11. Eleven-faced: This bead represents Lord Indra. It has eleven strengths of eleven deities and gives and gives enormous wealth.
12. Twelve-faced: This bead also represents Lord Vishnu. It will provide him/her with all kinds of wealth and comforts.
13. Thirteen-faced: This bead represents the Vishwa-devaas. The wearer of this bead attains
moksha, and is able to fulfill all desires in life.
14. Fourteen-faced: This bead represents Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman. It cures several diseases. |
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Jyotilinga Shrines of Lord Shiva
The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines or the 12 shrines enshrining Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam, have been held in reverence since time immemorial in the Indian system of beliefs.
The 12 Jyotirlinga shrines are:
Somnath: Somnath is the foremost of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva, is located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.
Mallikarjuna:
Mahakaleshwar: Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga shrine
is located in the ancient and historic city of Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh.
Omkareshwar: Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar
temple is situated on an island in the course of the river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh.
Kedarnath: Kedarnath, nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition.
Bhimashankar: Bhimashankar - Jyotirlinga Shrine is located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra.
It is associated with the legend of Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura.
Vishweswar: The Vishwanath temple in Benares city in Uttar Pradesh.
Tryambakeshwar - Tryambakeshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is situated near Nasik in Maharashtra on the origin of the river Godavari.
Baidyanath: Baidyanath Jyotirlinga shrine is situated in Jaisidi in West Begal.
Nageshwar: Nageshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is situated near Dwarka, Gujarat.
Grishneshwar: Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Shrine is a temple located in the vicinity of the tourist town of Ellora.
Rameswaram: This vast temple in the island of Rameswaram, in Southern Tamilnadu enshrines Ramalingeswarar, and is revered as the
southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of India.
This Shivastalam is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in India. This temple is associated with the Ramayana and Rama's victorious return from Sri Lanka.
Maha Shivratri ( महाशिवरात्रि)
Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri (Night of Shiva) is
a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 14th day in the Krishna
Paksha of the month Maagha in the Hindu Calendar. That day when Shiva manifested himself in the form of "Lingum" was the fourth day of the dark night in the month of
'Magha." This year Maha Shivratri is on 12th February
2010. The most significant practices on this day are offerings of
Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, fasting and all night long vigil.
Once Goddess Parvarti asked Lord Shiva, Lord! You are the
only source of dharma, artha, kama and moksha. Lord tell me how a person can please you.
कर्मणा केन भगवन् व्रतेन तपसापि वा |
धर्माथकाममोक्षाणां हेतुस्त्वं परितुष्यसि ||
Lord Shiva replied, "the dark night of chaturdashi of Falgun Krishna paksha is called Shivaratri". The person who
observe fast on that day will satisfy me...."
फाल्गुने
कृष्णपक्षस्य या तिथिः स्याच्चतुर्दशी |
तस्यां या तमसो रात्रिः सोच्चते शिवरात्रिका ||
तत्रोपवासं कुर्वाणः प्रसादमति मां ध्रुवम् |
न स्नानेन न वस्त्रेण न धूपेन न चार्चया ||
तुष्यामि न तथा पुष्पेर्यथा तत्रोपवासतः ||
Shiva Sloka
The main Mantra of Lord Shiva is
Aum namao śivāya (ॐ नमं: शिवायं)
Daily prayer of Lord Shiva
कर्पूरगौरं करूणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम्।
सदा वसन्तं ह्रदयारविन्दे भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि।।
Other important Lord Shiva Prayer
is
Om Sarva Mangal Manglaye Shivay Sarvaarth Sadhike
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayaani Namostu Te
[Meaning: Oh the divine couple Shiva Parvati !
O ! Thee, the protectors of this universe, Along with Lords Brahma and Vishnu, We pray to You for our well-being, prosperity and the enlightenment of our souls.] |
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Temples of Lord Shiva
The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple:
It is located in the holy city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. According to Hindu legends, Lord Shiva, in the form of Sundareswarar, with his
divine group of followers, appeared here in Madurai, to marry Pandya King
Malayadwaja Pandya's daughter, Meenakshi, believed to be an incarnation of Hindu
Goddess Parvati.
Bradhi Siva
Temple -Tanjjor
Pakshi Tirtha - Near Chennai
Ellora and Elephanta Caves - Shiva Temples
Mahabaleshwaram Shiva Temple Mumbai
Baidnath Temple - Kangra
Tarkeshwar Temple - West Bengal
Lingraja Temple - Bjhuwaneshwar, Orissa
Kujrahoo - Lord Shiva Temples
Kedar Nath Temple
The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple
Lord Shiva in other countries
Nepal:
Shiva Ratri is celebrated on the 14th day of Krishna Pakshha in the Nepali month of Falgun
in the famous Pasupatinath temple of Nepal. Thousands of people make their way to the Pashupati temple on this day to pay their respects to the lord of
death. Women and men alike fast for the whole day and sing chants and hymns in praise of Shiva, including ‘Om Nama
Shivaya’, till late into the night.
Trinidad: Long lines of Hindu devotees clad in white cotton took turns
performing the ritual worship of Lord Shiva, at the Arouca Hindu
Temple They offered containers of milk, honey, sugarcane, special sweets, coconut water and a variety of fruits at the Shiva lingam, as mantras were recited and the sound of conch shells and temple bells broke the silence of night.
FIJI: Hindus around the country converged on their nearest temple
yesterday to celebrate Maha Shivratri, or the Night of Shiva.The most significant practice on the day was the offerings of Bael leaves to the
Lord Shiva, fasting and staying up for an all-night vigil. |
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Lord Shiva Nataraja
Shiva Nataraj's dance represents both the destruction and the
creation of the universe and reveals the cycles of death, birth and rebirth. Nataraja
is a depiction of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make
preparations for god Brahma to start the process of creation.
This dance is called the Dance of Bliss, ananda tandava.
As the Lord of Dance, Nataraja, Shiva performs the tandava, the dance in which the universe is created, maintained, and dissolved.
Nataraj is a visual interpretation of Brahman and a dance posture of Lord Shiv.
It is the representation of reality at the time of cosmic destruction. The dwarf on which Nataraja dances is the demon Apasmara, which symbolises Shiva's victory over
ignorance |
Bronze Chola Statue depicting
Shiva dancing as Nataraja. |
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