Shiva | Ancient Story of Lord Shiva | How to Please Mahadev | All About Lord Shiva

Shiva Mantra: Om Namah Shivaye

Lord Shiva is also known as Mahadev, Shakar, Shiv Shankar, Bholenath and much more. He is one of the most important Gods in Hinduism and one of the members of the Holy Trinity (Trimurti). He is one of the supreme beings in Shaivism tradition who creates, protects and transform the world. Shiva is a complex character who may represent goodness, benevolence and serve the universe as a Protector.

But Mahadev also has a darker side as the leader of evil spirits, vampires, ghosts and as the master of thieves, villains & beggars. You will get all about Shiva/ Lord Shiva through this article i.e. the Significance of Lord Shiva in Hinduism, Appearance & Attributes God Shiva, Shiva, Parvati & Ganesha and much more.

Appearance & Attributes God Shiva

The iconographical attributes of Mahadev or Lord Shiva are the serpent around his neck, the holy river Ganga flowing through his matted hair, 3rd eye on his forehead, adorning crescent moon, Damru or drum in his hand and a Trishul as his weapon. His body covered with ashes/ Bhasma/ Vibhuti. Lord Shiva is also known as Nilkantha (having consumed poison to save the world from destruction) because the colour of his neck is blue.

He is the Lord of Yoga and he often appears in a Yoga pose or meditating. He is also shown in the form of dancing God Natraj. Where the dance of God Shiva is to the beat and rhythm of creation. Generally, Lord Shiva is Worshipped as his aniconic form i.e. Shivling/ Shivling.

Significance of Shiva in Hinduism

Mahadev or Bholenath is associated with the time as he is the destroyer of all thing but he is also associated with creation. In Hinduism, it is believed that the universe is regenerate in the cycle in every 2,160,000,000 years. At the end the of the cycle Shiva destroys everything and allows the universe for a new creation.

Shiv Shankar is worshipped in the form of linga i.e. Shivlinga. Some of the Shivlingas is Jyotirlinga which is at numerous places across India. Basically, the Linga of Shiva Linga is a sign of masculinity and symbolises the role of Lord Shiva in the creation, sustainance and withdrawal of the Universe.

Shiva, Parvati & Ganesha

Goddess Parvati is the wife of Shiva. She was a reincarnation of Sati also known as Dakshayani), the daughter of the god Daksha. Shiva had a son Lord Ganesha with his wife Parvati. Bal Ganesha was created out of earth and clay to keep her mother Parvati company and protect her while Lord Shiva went on his meditative wanderings. Once Mahadev returned and found him guarding the room where Goddess Parvati was bathing and he inquired who he was. He did not believe that he is his son and think him an impudent beggar.

Then Shiva called up the Bhutaganas demons who fought the boy and lopped off his head. When Parvati rushed from her bath she screamed that her son (Bal Ganesha) had been killed. After realising his fault, Shiva sent for a new head with which to make the boy whole again but the nearest at hand was of an elephant. And in this way, Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, was born. Other sons of Bholenath are Skanda or Karttikeya who is the god of war.

Shiva Shaligram / Shivling Shaligram

Actually, the Shivling Shaligram is the symbol of auspiciousness. According to Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva (while talking to His son Skanda) has mentioned that I do not accept the worship of any devotee until he worships the Shaligram Shila first. The worshipper of this Shivlinga Shaligram gains health & peace. It is also extremely good for normalising troubled family life.

Shivlinga or Shivling represents Sivah - The One who is Eternally Pure. In Lord Shiva or Maha Deva can never be any contamination of the imperfection of Rajas & Tamas. Basically, non-apprehension of Reality is Tamas and misapprehensions of Reality constitute the Rajas. In the Reality Itself there can be neither of them He is Brahman. He is Siva, so the Upanishad declares of the Absolute Oneness, which is Vishnu.

This Shiva ShaligramShiva Shaligram is very exotic, powerful, extremely attractive, brilliant, auspicious, emits very high radiance and has an extraordinarily high energy level. This Shila is a perfectly round shape. The Shivling Shaligram is the symbol of auspiciousness. The worshipper of this Shaligram gains very good health, immense peace and family harmony. You will be immensely protected from sudden accidents & thefts.

Along with this Shila, you should also worship Shiva Parvati Shaligram, Shiv Nabh Shaligram, MahaMrityunjay Yantra, Shiva Yantra etc for better results. The Shila is extremely smooth, perfectly shaped, lustrous, small sized, cold to touch, has flawless impressions which make the Shila a very unique Shivlinga Shila.

Why Worship Lord Shiva

The worshipping of Shivling Shaligram increases the family harmony and the environment of the house and the workplace of the beholder becomes like a temple. Shivalinga Shaligram is Sakshat "Shiva" and it takes the devotee to spiritualism besides giving him prosperity & mental peace. All the wishes of the devotee are fulfilled. Sincere Lady worshippers of this Shila can get the husbands of their choice and the devotee can lead a very happy life. All the benefits of worshipping Shiva Shaligram are-

- To increases the family harmony and the environment of the house and the workplace
- For good health and peace
- For prosperity and mental peace & to fulfil wishes
- For a peaceful environment & harmony in the family
- For early marriage and good life partner