Underground Shrine Queens Stepwell Patan

Author(s): Jaikishandas Sadani
Publisher: B J Institute of Learning & Research

Page 31

5. ŚIVA
Siva is the great benefactor of entire mankind in the vast cosmic creation. He is the mahākāla who keeps rotating the cycle of birth, sustenance and annihilation. From him commences the creation and in him it returns. He is the supreme Godhead among the gods. In the prehistoric figurines the God is surrounded by the animals. The oldest image is found in the Mohenjodaro excavations. The famous sturdy Bull with an imposing hump has the most attractive beauty. He is the 'Vrsabha' the vehicle or vāhana of Lord Siva. Later on the bull sybolised Dharma. His four feet are : austerity, purity, compassion and truth. Siva is the outstanding Godhead among the Vedic Gods. In Vedas both his dreadful and the benevolent aspects have been described. Behind his dreadful veil the Rsi sees his compassionate heart gra soothing grace. The Rși seeks protection from the powerful forces of nature and his blessings for the well being of mankind.
मा त्वा रुद्र चुकुधामा नमोमिर्मा दुष्टुती वृषभ मा सहूती । उन्नो वीरां अर्पय भेषजेमिभिर्षक्तमं त्वा भिषजां शृणोमि ।
_(ऋग्., 2-33.4) Moreover, Rsi Vāgrimbhini in his Vāc Sūtra offers nine rcās or verses in which he realises that the vāc-speech element is the source of Saiva āgamas.
अहं रुद्रेभिर्वसुभिश्चराम्यहमादित्यैरुत विश्वदेवैः । अहं मित्रावरुणोमा विभ→हमिन्द्राग्नी अहमश्विनो भा ।
(ऋग्., 10.125.1) In Yajurveda along with Rudra the name 'Siva' has also been stated. Thus the almighty Rudra becomes the all compassionate Siva. In the 16th Chapter, several names of Rudra are enumerated in which Śiva and Rudra become one.
नमः शम्भवाय च मयोभवाय च नमः शङ्कराय च ।
मयस्कराय च नमः शिवाय च शिवतराय च ॥ (यजु., 16.41) • या ते रुद्र शिवा तनूः शिवा विश्वाहा भेषजी । (यजु., 16.49)
नीलग्रीवाः शितिकण्ठा दिवं रुद्रा उपश्रिताः । (यजु., 16.56)