Humans hardly possess the intellectual capacity to understand, much less explain, Bhagwan Shiva. He is known by several names and worshipped in various forms. He is not just the destroyer but also the transformer. Everything emerges from Him, everything is sustained by Him and merges in Him in the end. To put a form to Him or describe him is practically impossible. Yet, the human mind has tried to perceive Him as much as their limited intellect would permit.

Bhagwan Shiva – the auspicious one

The literal meaning of the word Shiva is the auspicious one. According to Hindu beliefs, He is not just beyond time and form but beyond gender as well. Shiva is Bhagwan’s masculine form, Siva is feminine and Shivam is neuter gender. Thus, He transcends all boundaries and exists in all three states known as Nirgun, Sagun and Nirgun-Sagun. In the Nirgun (formless) form, He is the energy all around us. As Sagun (with form), He is present in every being (both living as well as non-living) in this universe. The Shivalinga represents Bhagwan’s Nirgun-Sagun form.

Pictorially Bhagwan is shown with His throat in blue commemorating the consummation of Halahala vish (poison) at the time of Samudra Manthan. Many images show His entire body painted in blue which is the colour of the sky. The sky represents eternity since it has no birth, death or limits. Moreover, it is everywhere and in every direction, as Bhagwan is omnipresent. The blue molecules from the sun are scattered more than the other colours giving the sky its blue colour which is also the last colour that we see. Similarly, Bhagwan Shiva is the last that our eyes perceive.

Important symbols of Bhagwan Shiva

Some of the important symbols associated with Devadidev Mahadev are listed below:

1) Bhasma: Bhasma (holy ashes) is a constant reminder volatile life is and also that at the end of our lives, the physical body will turn to ashes merging with the Pancha Bhootas. Death doesn’t discriminate and the ashes of every being is the same.

2) Trishul: Devadidev Mahadev is Mahakaal, the slayer of time (Kaal) who is timeless. He existed before time, is present now and will exist in the future. The Trishul is a depiction of how He is beyond the past, present and future.

3) Tripundra: Tripundra, sported by Bhagwan Shiva and His bhakts, is the three-striped Bhasma. It represents the Sattva, Rajas and Tamas Gunas. Sattva refers to harmonious gunas, Tamas is self-centred and Tamas guna is lazy & destructive. The three Gunas are present in varying degrees in every human being.

4) Damru: is a musical instrument associated with the Pranava Mantra OM. It is called the primordial from which the entire universe has emerged. Additionally, grammar, the basis of any language and music, emerged from this sound. Hindu Dharma says when Bhagwan Shiva plays the Damru, His Damru vibrates 14 times giving birth to the 14 basic formulae on which Sanskrit grammar is based and organised. Om is the sound one hears while the person is in deep meditation or the state of samadhi.

5) Trinetra (third eye): This eye stands for rising above desires and being equanimous. Meditation helps a sadhak (meditator) to open the third eye or pineal gland which causes the person to perceive and see beyond time and space. It takes an individual to a higher level of consciousness and Mahadev is the highest level of consciousness destroying one’s ignorance. The chemicals melatonin and serotonin connected with happiness and well-being are associated with the Pineal gland.

6) Rudraksha: meaning the eye of Shiva is a combination of the words Rudra (another name for Bhagwan) and Aksha (eye). It is also said to be the teardrop of Bhagwan. Wearing the Rudraksha helps a person balance their chakras and energies. In addition to being used as prayer beads, it helps to cure health issues such as stress, anxiety, blood pressure, palpitations etc.

7) Ardha Chandra (Crescent moon): Both scientifically and philosophically the half-crescent moon on Bhagwan Shiva’s forehead is related to time. In earlier times, days and months were calculated on the basis of the waxing and waning of the moon. Additionally, the moon controls the tides and one having control over the moon signifies that He controls nature as well. Thus, Shiva is the controller of both time and nature.

8) Vasuki the snake: The snake Vasuki is shown wrapped around Devadidev Mahadev’s neck. It indicates that all things arise from Him and merge with Him in the end. It is also representative of the equality with which everyone is treated by Bhagwan.  

9) Baghambar Chaal (tiger skin) and Yogic posture: Mahadev is shown seated cross-legged on a mat of tiger skin. It shows that a devotee can find His true form through yoga and meditation and those who seek refuge in Him are able to overcome all their fears.

10) Ganga: The life-giving river flows down from the locks of Bhagwan Shiva symbolizing the eternal flow of mental energies and knowledge which is the source of the highest bliss.

All that is associated with Bhagwan Shiva is auspicious and transcends the boundaries of time, space and nature. The essence of Shiva bhakti is to look beyond the physical plane into the spiritual one. A devotee seeking refuge at His feet conquers all his fears and reaches a higher level of consciousness.

(Featured Image Source: News 18)