Hindu Society of North Carolina

Author(s): Hindu Society of North Carolina
Publisher: Hindu Society of North Carolina

Page 44

42 Page
SHIV PARIVAR
Lord Shiva
LH: fare
TEU : ॐ शम्भवे नमः ।
JOM NAMAH SHIVAYA--- ¡OM SHANKARAAYA NAMAH ¡OM SHAMBHAVEY_NAMAHMY
DAANAMI
Shiva is one of the trimurthi (Trinity) - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, respectively incharge of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the world. He is known by many other names in the various parts of India. Shankar, Mahadev, Mahesh, Shiv Shankar, Bhole Nath are some of his popular names. He has his abode on Kailash mountain and is also know as Kailashpati.
He is depicted in Yoga Mudra performing Samadhi. He has a drum and Trishul, the Trident next to him. He wears Vaghambar (the tiger skin) around his waist, and Rudraksha garland and snakes around his neck. Holy river Ganga is said to have been locked up in his long matted hair to break the destructive power of her torrential flow. It was later released by him for the benefit of mankind.
The matted hair proclaims the length and intensity of his Tapasya (meditation). The Cobra around his neck signifies that even the most poisonous desires are subdued by a yogi. One who has identified himself with the Supreme, has gone beyond all the effects of matter relating to his sense organs and has become immune even to the deadliest of the poisons. The third eye in the midst of the forehead represents the concentration of Jnana (knowledge) and absolute power to destroy Tama (evil). The blue color of the nect symbolizes the pervasiveness of Maya or Avidya up to the neck, and beyond the neck is the seat of Jnana leading to immortality. The ashes on his body symbolize that the body of which we are proud is ultimately bound to end up as ashes. The trident stands for Sama, Dama, and Vairagya which dispel and destroy the six weaknesses - Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, and Matsara (passion, anger, covetousness, attachment, arrogance and jealousy) which pull us down. By directing the trident against these weaknesses, and winning over them one can attain the Moksha or liberation. The tiger skin apparel stands for Vairagya (renunciation). Shiva's half closed eyes while in meditation, signify a yogi's detachment even in the midst of a material world.
शिव-वन्दना वन्दे शम्भुमुमापतिं सुरगुरुं वन्दे जगत्कारणं वन्दे पत्रग भषणं मृगधरं वन्दे पशनां पतिम् । वन्दे सूर्य शशाङ्क वहिनयनं वन्दे मुकुन्द प्रियं वन्दे भक्त जना श्रयं च वरदं वन्दे शिवं शङ्करम् ॥
December 2006
HINDU SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA CELEBERATION AND APPRICIATION (1976-2006)