Lord Shiva

The Word Shiva means auspiciousness and prosperity. The reverse of Shiva is Vash meaning to enlighten, therefore the one who enlightens is Shiva. Shiva is absolute, self radiant, and illuminates the world. The following are the forms of Lord Shiva known to us.

Forms of Lord Shiva

Rudra Rudra was known as a destroyer and a fearful God. Rudra means the one who cries (Ru) and the one who runs away while crying (dry). The one who vanquished and overcomes it is called Rudra. Rudra’s subordinates are many and are known by different names. These subordinates reside in heaven, destroy evildoers, protect the righteous, vanquish obstacle of the yogis, and serve Lord Shiva Perpetually. The 11 Rudras as per Shrimad Devibhagwat is Har, Bahuroop, Trayambak, Aoarajit, Shambu, Vrishakapi, Kapardi, Kaivat, Mrigiyadh, Sharva, and Kapaali. Ardhanareeshwar Creation and Life Cycle of this universe is not possible without the unification of male and female forms of human. Lord Shiva took the Ardhanareeshwar form in order to represent this aspect of this mankind. This Ardhanareeshwar form of Lord Shiva has equal male and female powers. Kalbhairav:  is one of the eight Bhairavs and was created from Lord Shiva’s anger. After Lord Shiva has severed the head of Daksha (Son of Brahma) through Kalbhairav, he directed Kalbhairav to stay at Kashi, Kalbhairav is thus the guardian of Devi peeth. Virbhadra: has made Vetal his vehicle. It is believed that Virbhadra is the first to worship Shiva in the linga form. Vetal: literally means the one who can dance to his tune. Vetal is also called Agyavetal, Jwalavetal, or Pralayvetal. Idols of vital are made of wood and many villages he acts as a village deity. Nataraj Shiva as Natraj is a promoter of dance and He is a pioneer among actors. Just as he is the dancer he is also the observer. The Nataraj’s dance form is to liberate a person from the great illusion. The dance in which sound (naad) in every cell of the body is that of Shiva is called Tandav dance. Kirat This is the Kapalik form of Lord Shiva. He is engrossed in various sports of pleasure and Bhagwati Uma accompanies him.

 Shiva Family

Wife – Parvati Known by several names like Shakti and as Sati (daughter of Daksha), She is worshipped along with Lord Shiva wherever He is worshipped in human form. In the linga form, Shakti is placed on the backside of the Linga and is also worshipped. Sons (two) Kartikeya: He is known as Skand and in southern India known as Subramanya or Murugan. He had killed the powerful demon Tarakasur. Ganesh: He is first among all the Gods to be worshipped due to his great mind and devotion to his parents. He is a great writer of the epics as told by Maharishi Vyas and is a lovable God by all and helps in removing obstacles from one’s life.

Nandi

Nandi in the form of a bull is Shiva’s vehicle. He is paid obeisance before Shiva. In temples of Shiva, Nandi stands one leg and the other three are bent at the knees. This signifies that in Kaliyug, righteousness exists only to the extent of one fourth. Lord Shiva is known by several names because of his multifold qualities and attributes. A thousand names of Shiva are recited in Shiva sahasranaam.

Physical features of Lord Shiva

Ganga – The Stream of consciousness of Ganga comes from the combined energy of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The energy has its origin in the toe of Vishnu and then is collected by Brahma and given a charming divine form. She is cursed by Durvasa Rishi for her impertinence and is forced to descend from the higher lokas to Earth as a river. Before Ganga descends on Earth, She is held captive in the locks of Shiva and becomes charged with the energy of Shiva. Moon – Lord Shiva adorns Chandrama (moon) on his forehead. The one which gives pleasure is the meaning of Chandrama. It is also known that Moon (Som) is responsible for the growth and internal powers of all herbs. It is a powerful ornament adorned by Lord Shiva. The Third Eye The Third Eye of Shiva is located above the middle point of the eyebrows. It is also the greatest seat of extrasensory energy.  everything in the universe. He can perceive events in the past, present, and future as well. The Ajna chakra gets activated by the Third eye.

The Serpent

Serpents are ladders in the yog science whereby the sadhak holds the tail of the serpent and climbs up. Shiva adorns serpents at nine sites on his body. One on the head, one around the neck, one on each arm, one on each wrist, one around the waist and one at each thigh. Holy Ash All those who take birth blend with ash. Bhasma is the ash of the one who is born. In Shiva pooja, the application of bhasma on the body after bath is the desired ritual. Tiger Skin as a garment Tiger Skin represents rajas and tamas attitudes and Lord Shiva wears this skin after killing a tiger. It is to establish that the mind must follow the satvik mode with purity only to achieve peace and tranquility.

Flowers of Dhatura

Dhatura is a wildflower having intoxicating properties but in appearance it is beautiful. The use of this flower only indicates the same feature of rajas and tamas and that Lord Shiva symbolizes the power to capture all that is harmful to the ordinary people. Damru It is a musical instrument and resembles a hand drum with two strings and drubbing balls. Sound from this drum had created the Maheshwari sutras, which are also known as the 14 pratyahara of Sanskrit language.  As Pashupati Shiva adorns pinaka, parasu (axe), pas (sling), yog sand, Trishul fire, and Khatwang. He wears Rudraksha mala which is an essential part of his ornaments. The rudraksha malas decorate his wrists, neck, biceps, and head, like all chosen ornaments of the lord, rudraksha has a meaningful application and it is from a power class.

Lord Shiva is

(1) Yogi – Performs severe penances and is a great yogi. He is one God who chants the supreme Lord’s name continuously. He is always seated in a bandha or mudra. (2) Helpful – He goes to any extent to help others. He drank the poison that came out of the churning of the oceans as he knew if it falls on the universe, it will be the end of the universe. (3) Ashutosh – The one who can be most easily pleased. (4) Master of Spirits – Worshipper of Shiva is not possessed by the spirits. (5) Resides as a deity in most serene but difficult locations – The locations of all famous Shiva temples and Jyotirlingas are in the most difficult terrain and difficult to reach. Mount Kailash (Nepal), Amaranth (India), Mansarovar (china) and 12 Jyotirlingas are typical examples,

Namah Shivaya Mantra

Chanting the name of Lord Shiva “Namah Shivaya” is a Panchakshari mantra, which finds mention in rudradhyaye. When it is prefixed with sacred syllable Om, it becomes Om Namah Shivaya, the six-letter Shadakshari mantra. The Spiritual Meaning of this mantra is Na: The foremost deity of all the regions Ma: The bestower of Supreme spiritual knowledge and destroyer of the greatest sins Shi: Benevolent, serene and responsible for the initiation by Lord Shiva Va: the representative of a bull as the vehicle Ya: the auspicious abode of supreme bliss and Lord Shiva. Usage of Om with panchakshari mantra is helpful in gaining energy to blend Sagun with Nirgun. Om Chanting should be done with great devotion and patience. Some of humankind’s most beautiful poems, shlokas, verses, and mantras in Sanskrit, as well as other languages in India, have been composed in praise of this beautiful God whose appearance, deeds, and charm is fascinating. Intellectuals will realize how their creative minds can get boost and skills sharpened if they can meditate keeping Shiva in their focus.