Shiva: The Auspicious One
| Written By: Denice Zengo |
“Shiva in his diverse names, forms and actions is meant to be challenging for us to grasp. Lord Shiva is not meant to be easy to understand, nor can we present his reality in a simple manner that resolves all doubts as to what he actually represents.” – David Frawley
When I read that quote I understood why I was having such a hard time conveying who or what Shiva is. In simple terms, Shiva is the great Hindu Deity known as the destroyer. Shiva will destroy your limiting beliefs to spark your inner transformation. He destroys in order to renew.
1008 Names of Shiva
Shiva takes on many names while expressing different energies and principles. He is Bhudeva – Lord of the Earth, Chandrapal – Master of the Moon, Gurudeva – Master of All, Mahadeva – Greatest God, Nataraja – King of the Art of Dancing… just to name a few. The ancient texts of Shiva Purana list 1008 names.
Whenever we focus on a particular deity it’s important to learn the underlying message of the myths. However, the real understanding comes from a deeper experience and awakening. Shiva asks us to recognize our own unbounded nature.
Shiva as Part of the Holy Trinity
In Hinduism, Brahman is considered to be the Supreme Being, the ultimate…everything that is, was and will be. Brahman is the manifested and unmanifested. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva represent aspects of Brahman.
- Brahma is the deity who creates the universe
- Vishnu is responsible for preserving the universe
- Shiva is the destroyer of the universe
Shaivism, a sect of Hinduism, regards Shiva as the Supreme Being. He is the Brahman. However, even in Hinduism, Shiva is considered more powerful that Brahma and Vishnu. Some say Shiva incarnated to guide the Rishis when needed and that he actually lived on Mount Kailash in the Himalayas. There seem to be as many stories about Shiva as his many names. Shiva is so much more than any explanation. He is being and non-being.
Why Care About Shiva?
When you are on a spiritual journey it’s of value to use the tools and guidance from the ancient teachings. Shiva is considered to be the Adi Guru of Yoga (Adi meaning first/beginning). We approach Shiva through our practice of going deep within to discover the truth of who we are. Beyond past, present and ego. We touch the Shiva within.
“Shiva is not a creation of the human mind, rather the human soul is a portion of Shiva’s light cast into the outer world of time and space. To discover Shiva is to reclaim our true nature that is all-pervasive and unbounded, within all and yet ever free.” – Dr. Frawley
Mantra to Shiva
If you have spent anytime around yoga, you’ve probably chanted “Om Nama Shivaya.” This is a powerful healing mantra which calms the mind and develops spiritual insight. Consistent mantra practice with “Om Nama Shivaya” helps us to access higher awareness and live a more conscious life.
Each sound vibration in the mantra corresponds to one of the 5 elements which are the building blocks of creation.
- Na = Earth
- Ma = Water
- Shi = Fire
- Va = Air
- Ya = Ether
Shiva’s Dance of Subatomic Matter
Geneva Switzerland boasts the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. It is the European Organization for Nuclear Research. They seek the answers to what is the universe made of and how did it start? In front of the building is a 12 foot statue of the Dancing Shiva.
“Every subatomic particle not only performs an energy dance but also is an energy dance; a pulsating process of creation and destruction… without end. For the modern physicists, then, Shiva’s dance is the dance of subatomic matter.” – Fritoj Capra
This is Shiva in his wild ecstatic dance as Nataraja. This is the cosmic dance of bliss. It symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction.
Shiva Lingam
A rounded upright stone is used as a symbol of Shiva. This is called a lingam. There are countless of these symbols all over India, the most important of which are called jyotirlingas. It is said that most of these 12 jyotirlingas were formed on their own with only a few created by humans. It is an honor to make a pilgrimage to one of these sites. Shiva lingams are a symbolic representation of Shiva and used in ritual and worship. They are seen as a symbol of the energy and potential of Shiva.
Small Shiva lingam stones from the Narmada River are easily available. This river is one of 7 Holy sites in India. There are a lot of claims regarding the healing properties of the stone. I would encourage you to explore that for yourself.
Carrying the stone with you during your day can be a nice reminder to connect to Shiva. These would be small, smooth stones that can fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.
Shiva Exposes Our Ignorance
Shiva seems to be filled with contradictions, just like we are. He teaches us to let go of preconceptions of who we think we are and what life is all about. Through Shiva we are encouraged to stop identifying with our ego. He shakes us up to discover our higher Self. This is not always a pleasant process – but necessary for our ever evolving consciousness. Try not to hold fast to a particular image or idea of Shiva. Do you see how that reflects back to releasing ideas of who you are?
