Hindu God Lord Shiva is also known as Lord of the Lords, Mahadev. He is one of the most popular gods of Hindus. The most sacred Hindu temple, Kashi Vishweshwara, is dedicated to him. He is one of the three most revered Hindu gods known as Tridev (Trinity). According to Hindu scriptures, this universe undergoes a continuous cycle of creation and destruction. Shiva destroys the universe; hence, he is also known as the destroyer. He destroys the world so that Brahma can recreate it after the end of each Yuga.
The Birth of Lord Shiva:
There are two stories related to his birth.
- Per the Shiva Purana, he is Svayambhu (self-manifested) and came out of the Lingam along with his consort Goddess Sati.
- Per the Vishnu Purana, Lord Vishnu created him from his forehead.
What does Shiva mean?
The name Shiva means “the auspicious one”.
Family of Lord Shiva:
He lives on Mountain Kailash, with his wife Parvati, son Ganesha, Nandi, and some ghosts. Mountain Kailash is under the control of China nowadays. Lord Kartikeya is his eldest son. Ashoka Sundari is the name of the daughter of Lord Shiva. Devi Manasa is his manasputri (mind-born daughter). Andhakasur was born from the sweat of Lord Shiva. Nandi (ox) is the carrier of Lord Shiva. Shiva’s first wife was Uma who burnt herself in the sacred fire as her father insulted him. She was then reborn as Parvati who did a strenuous Vrata to gain him as her husband.
What does Lord Shiva Look Like?
There is some confusion over the color of Lord Shiva if he is blue or white. The Shiva Purana says his color is white but it could also be the ash smear. He always carries a Trishul (trident) and a Damaru with him. He has a crescent moon on his forehead. His throat is blue because he had drunk poison, which erupted out of the sea during Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). Therefore, he always wears a cobra around his neck to mitigate the effects of the poison. The name Neelkantha (One who has a blue throat) has been awarded to him.
He is always depicted in pictures wearing and/or sitting on a tiger’s skin in Padmasana and the river Ganga flowing out of his hair. His skin is bluish. He wears garlands of Rudraksha beads around his neck and spends most of his time in meditation. He applies holy ash to his body and wears minimum clothes. You would not find any valuable ornaments on his body. He has three eyes. The third eye is situated between his eyebrows. When he gets angry, he opens his third eye and burns down everything that comes in its path.
How powerful is Lord Shiva?
Shiva is a great yogi and he is aware of the past, the present, and the future. He is the lord of all ghosts; hence, he is known as Bhootnath. A Hindu sect Aghori and Shaivites believe that Lord Shiva is the Supreme Being. The divine bow of Shiva is called Pinak. He spends most of his time in meditation and is also known as Mahayogi. It is believed that knowledge of Yoga was given to us by him. Lord Shiva is the most credulous of all deities and it is comparatively easy to get his favor, but if he gets angry, no one can save that person. He is Mahakala which means beyond time or death.
As a Dancer:
He is also the lord of the dance, known as Nataraja. The traditional dancers bow before the idol of Nataraja before initiating any type of dance. The dance of Shiva is known as Tandav Nritya.
Incarnations of Shankara:
Lord Shiva incarnates in the form of Rudras. There are 11 Rudras so far. Hanuman is considered as his incarnation. In the story of Ramayana, both Ravana and Rama were worshipers of Shiva. Ravana got many weapons from him.
The Names of 11 Rudras:
1. Shambhu.
2. Pinaki.
3. Girish.
4. Sthanu.
5. Bhaga.
6. Sadashiv.
7. Shiva.
8. Hara.
9. Sharva.
10. Kapali.
11. Bhava.
Festival of Mahadeva:
Mahashivaratri is the festival of Shiva, which is a major festival for Hindus. Monday is considered the worshiping day of Lord Shiva. If you fast on this day for him, you will get his blessings. The month of Shravan in the Hindu calendar is the most sacred month for Hindus. This month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Hindus observe Vrata during this month. People who want to start fasting on Monday for Lord Shiva start their fasting this month. Fasting on Monday in the month of Shravan is considered very beneficial.
What does Lord Shiva like?
Apart from our devotion, Mahadeva likes certain things such as:
1. Bael leaves.
2. Milk.
3. Datura fruit.
4. Curd.
5. Sandalwood paste.
6. Honey.
7. Ash.
8. Bhang.
9. Cow ghee.
10. Sugar.
11. Saffron.
, etc. Hence, devotees offer these things to him to please him.
Things Prohibited in the Worship of Lord Mahadeva:
1. Tulsi.
2. Turmeric.
3. Kumkum.
4. Coconut water.
5. Ketaki flower.
6. Champa flower.
7. Bronze pot.
8. Broken rice.
9. Infected bael leaves.
10. Conch.
Asuras killed by Lord Shiva:
He killed many demons who went against Dharma. The names of some of them are listed below.
1. Jalandhar.
2. Andhakasura.
3. Tripurasura.
4. Sankachooda.
5. Gajasura.
6. Nirhad Daitya.
7. Vidal and Utpal.
8. Mani and Malla.
Famous Temples of Shiva:
Twelve Jyotirlingas are the famous temples of Shiva in India. It is a very famous pilgrimage. Overall, there are thousands of small and big temples of him. Kashi Vishweshwara is the most famous temple of Lord Shiva. It is also the most sacred Hindu temple as is Mecca for Muslims. Kashi is the most favorite place of Lord Shiva. It is believed that every Hindu should visit this temple at least once in a lifetime. It is also believed that if someone dies in Kashi, the person attains nirvana. Amaranth is another famous temple (cave) of him. A Shivlingam of ice is naturally formed in the cave of Amarnath during a particular time interval every year. Millions of people visit the shrine every year. Many of them die on the way as the pilgrimage is very strenuous and requires great strength.
Twelve Jyotirlinga Temples:
1. Somnath (Gujarat)
2. Mallikarjun (Andhra Pradesh)
3. Mahakaal (Madhya Pradesh)
4. Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
5. Rameshwaram (Tamilnadu)
6. Kashi-Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh)
7. Kedar Nath (Uttar Pradesh)
8. Nagesh (Maharashtra)
9. Bhima Shankar (Maharashtra)
10. Ghruneshwar (Maharasthra)
11. Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra)
12. Vaijnath (Maharashtra)
Mantras for Shivshankar:
1. ओम नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivay)
Meaning: I bow to Lord Shiva.
It is a very popular mantra. As it is very short and sweet, many people chant it continuously while bathing or doing chores. It is also a very powerful mantra. The persons who chant it wholeheartedly get the favor of Lord Shiva and he protects them in perils.
2. Om Tryambakam:
ओम त्र्यम्बकम यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टीवर्धनम
उर्वारुकमिव बंधनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मा मृतात् ||
Om Tryambankam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam|
Urvarukamiv Bandhanat Mriturmikshayamamrutat|
Meaning: We Meditate on the three-eyed reality, which permeates and nourishes all like a fragrance. May we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality, Even as the cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper.
Slogans:
1. Har Har Mahadev.
2. Bam Bam Bhole.
3. Jai Shiv Shankar.
4. Jai Baba Barfani.
Hindu Scriptures Dedicated to Lord Shiva:
Puranas:
2. Linga Purana.
3. Bhavishya Purana.
4. Skanda Purana.
5. Markandeya Purana.
Upanishads:
1. Kaivalya.
2. Atharvashiras.
3. Atharvashikha.
4. Brihajjabala.
5. Kalagni Rudra.
6. Dakshinamurti.
7. Sharabha.
8. Akshamalika.
9. Rudrahridaya.
10. Bhasmajabala.
11. Rudrakshajabala.
12. Panchabrahma.
13. Jabali.
14. Sharabha.
Other Texts:
Shivalilamruta.
Stories Related to Lord Shiva:
1. The Story of Bhikshatana (Shiva Purana, 4.12):
Once upon a time, there was a forest named Daruvana. There were many sages, who were great devotees of Lord Shiva. One day, some of them went into the jungle to bring sacrificial twigs. To test their devotion, Lord Mahadeva assumed a very hideous form. He was stark naked and had smears of ashes all over his body. He came to the houses of his devotees, held his penis, and started showing all sorts of vicious tricks. The wives of the sages got scared at this sight, but the other women, excited and surprised, approached him. Some embraced him, and some held his hand.
Meanwhile, sages returned and were infuriated at this sight. Therefore, they cursed the Lord that his penis would fall on the ground. The curse was immediately fulfilled and the Lord’s penis fell, but that penis started moving randomly and burnt down everything that came in its path. It went to all three worlds (Earth, heaven, and the netherworld), and the people were distressed. Even after this, they did not recognize Lord Shiva and went to Lord Brahma for help. He told them that the person they cursed was Lord Shiva, and the problem would not be solved until the penis became stationary. He also told them that only the goddess Parvati could do this.
Then, all gods propitiated the goddess Parvati, and she held Lord Shiva’s penis in her genitalia and the penis became static. When the phallus was stabilized, there was welfare throughout the world. Therefore, the people who worship Lord Shiva in this form become happy in all respects.
The same story with slight variations is mentioned in the Vamana Purana, Skanda Purana, and Matsya Purana, but the story in the Linga Purana is a bit different. According to the Linga Purana (1.29), the sages said harsh words to Lord Shiva but could not curse him because their power of austerity was ineffective against him. Lord Shiva disappeared from there then.
All the sages with perplexed minds went to Lord Brahma and informed him about the incident in the morning. Lord Brahma told them that he was Lord Shiva to whom they spoke harsh words and told them to worship Shiva lingam and take penance. So, the sages took penance for a year, and then Lord Shiva forgave them and appeared in Daru forest again. Then, Lord Shiva told them that he took this hideous form to teach people not to ill-treat the ascetics even if they roam naked around.
2. The Curse of Bhrigu (Padma Purana, 6.255):
One day, on Mount Mandara, all the great sages had assimilated for a sacrificial session. After the session, they discussed who is the greatest among the trinity, but they could not come to a consensus. Therefore, they requested Sage Bhrigu to meet the trinity and find who possessed the pure sattva guna, would be friendly to Brahmins, and would be a holy place and favor for Brahmins.
Then along with Vamadeva, Sage Bhrigu went to Mount Kailash to meet Lord Mahadeva. When they reached there, Nandi told them that Lord Shiva was sporting with Goddess Parvati and could not meet them. He also spoke harsh words to them and threatened them in their lives. Still, Sage Bhrigu waited there for many days, but he could not meet Lord Shiva. Therefore, the infuriated sage cursed Lord Shiva saying, “Since he, arrogant due to the company of a woman, thinks lightly of me, he shall have the form of a clitoris. Approached (i.e., overcome) by vice he slights me, a brāhmaṇa! Reduced to an impious state, he will not be adored by brāhmaṇas. Therefore, all the food, water, flowers, and oblations offered to him will undoubtedly be useless.”
In another version of this story in the Bhagavata Purana (10th canto, Ch. 89), when Sage Bhrigu went to meet Lord Shiva, the Lord wished to embrace him, but the sage refused to do so and called him a deviant heretic. This infuriated Lord Shiva and he wanted to kill him, but the goddess Parvati intervened and pacified him. In this story, there is no mention of the curse to Lord Shiva.
3. Why Does Lord Shiva Wear a Snake Around His Neck?
When gods and demons started to churn the ocean of milk to get Amrita (elixir of life), the first thing that appeared from the sea was Halahala (poison). This poison was so deadly that it could destroy all creation. Therefore, gods and demons requested Lord Shiva to help them. Lord Shiva accepted their request and started drinking the Halahala. Seeing this, snakes also started drinking the poison to help him and became poisonous in the process. Therefore, as a token of appreciation, Lord Shiva wears a snake named Vasuki around his neck.
Different names of Lord Shiva.
Aarti of Lord Shiva in Marathi.
Similarities Between Lord Shiva and a Black Hole