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Lord Shiva
Shiva
is 'Shakti', Shiva is power, and Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god
of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity. Known by
many names - Mahadeva, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Vishwanath,
Bhava, Bhole Nath - Lord Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities.
Hindus recognize this by putting his shrine in the temple separate from those of
other deities.
Shiva
As Phallic Symbol
Shiva, in temples is usually found as a phallic symbol of
A Different Deity
The actual image of Shiva is also distinct from other deities: his hair piled
high on the top of his head, with a crescent tucked into it and the river Ganges
tumbling from his hairs. Around his neck is a coiled serpent representing Kundalini
or the spiritual energy within life. He holds a trident in his left hand in
which is bound the 'damroo' (small leather drum). He sits on a tiger skin
and on his right is a water pot. He wears the 'Rudraksha' beads and his
whole body is smeared with ash.
The Destructive Force
Shiva is believed to be at the core of the centrifugal force of the universe,
because of his responsibility for death and destruction. Unlike the godhead
Vishnu, the Creator, Shiva is the dissolving force in life. But Shiva dissolves
in order to create, since death is the medium for rebirth into a new life. So
the opposites of life and death and creation and destruction both reside in his
character.
The Most Fascinating of Gods
He is also often portrayed as the supreme ascetic with a passive and composed
disposition. Sometimes he is depicted riding a bull called Nandi decked in
garlands. Although a very complicated deity, Shiva is one of the most
fascinating of Hindu gods.
The God Who's Always High!
Since Shiva is regarded as a mighty destructive power, to numb his negative
potentials he is fed with opium and is also termed as Bhole Shankar, one
who is oblivious of the world. Therefore, on Maha Shivratri, the night of Shiva
worship, devotees, especially the men, prepare an intoxicating drink called Thandai
(made from cannabis, almonds, and milk) sing songs in praise of the Lord and
dance to the rhythm of the drums.
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