Lord Shiva
Author : Peter Vredeveld
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is venerated as an all-knowing Yogi who leads a simple life on Mount Kailash.
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"Om Namah Shivaya"
One of the ancient chants at the heart of the Vedas is "Om Namah Shivaya." This powerful mantra holds deep roots in Hindu culture, dedicated to extolling the greatness of Lord Shiva, who is known as "the Destroyer" among the Trimurti deities.
Different Names for Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva is known by several holy names, including "The Auspicious One," "Mahadev," "Shankar," "Maheshwor," and "Devendra" (Chief of Gods). Mahadev is a primary deity among the Trimurti, a divine trio in Hinduism. Each of these deities has a specific role: Lord Brahma as the Creator, Lord Shiva as the Destroyer and Lord Vishnu as the Preserver.
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is revered as an all-knowing Yogi leading a simple life on Mount Kailash in the Himalayas, which is situated in modern-day Nepal. He is often depicted with a third eye on his forehead, signifying his immense power. Lord Shiva is known for the snake Vasuki around his neck, a crescent moon adorning his hair, the Holy River Ganga flowing from his matted locks, and his symbols, the Trishula and Damaru. He is also recognized for his blue throat, giving him the name "Nilkantha." Legend has it that he consumed the "Halahala" poison that emerged during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) to protect humanity. Lord Shiva's third eye represents both his destructive power and spiritual wisdom.
Different Form of Lord Shiva
There are different forms Lord Shiva has taken in order to save humanity or for his personal reason.
Panchavaktra Form: Mahadev is often portrayed in five aspects: aghora, Ishana, Tat purusha, vamadeva and Rudra. The Panchavaktra (Panchamukhi) form embodies these aspects.
Nataraj Form: This form represents Lord Shiva's dance, symbolizing the creation and destruction of the universe. It is revered for its powerful symbolism, even among gods.
Hanuman: Lord Shiva also appears as Hanuman, the ultimate karma yogi, who serves Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This selfless form of Lord Shiva aids in defeating evil forces for the welfare of the world.
Mahamrityunaya Form: This form of Lord Shiva conquers death itself.
Ardhnarishwara: Ardhnarishwara is a form of Shiva that combines both Shiva and Shakti, representing the union of masculine and feminine energies.
The Shiva Linga
Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of the Shiva Linga. The Linga symbolizes the formless Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, and is used for worship in Hindu temples. In Hindu tradition, the Shiva Linga represents the energy of Lord Shiva, often depicted alongside the Yoni, symbolizing the energy of Goddess Shakti or Parvati.
According to Hindu scriptures, the Shiva Linga is described as the cause of all causes in the universe. It is believed that Lord Shiva emerged from the Shiva Linga. In some Puranas, the Linga is considered the first form to appear during creation and the last form before the complete destruction of the universe.
The Shiva Linga consists of three parts: the base (Brahma-Pitha), the middle (Vishnu-Pitha), and the upper part (Shiva-Pitha). In India, there are 12 Jyotir Lingas and 5 Pancha-Bhuta Lingas, considered the holiest Shiva Lingas. The 12 Jyotir Shiva Lingas include Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath, Somnath, Bajinath, Rameswar, Ghrusneswar, Bhimshankar, Mahakal, Mallikaarjun, Amaleshwar, Nageshwar and Trymbakeshwar. The five Pancha-Bhuta Lingas are Kalahastishwar, Jambukeshwar, Arunachaleshwar, Ekambareshwar and Nataraja.
Types of Shiva Lingas
There are various types of Lingas, including:
- Mukhalinga: This type features one to five faces of Lord Shiva carved on the sides and top of the Linga.
- Svayambhuva Lingas: These self-originated Lingas are made without human assistance and are worshipped in around 70 locations across India.
Festivals
One of the most celebrated festivals to honor the greatness of Mahadev is Maha Shivaratri. This festival is observed on the 13th night and 14th day of Purnima (New Moon) during the Magha or Phalguna month. Hindus celebrate by decorating the Shiva Linga and it is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva performed the "Tandava" dance and got married to Parvati.
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