Siva, the last of the Trinities is the God of destruction & he is assisted in this by his consort
Parvathi,the Goddess of disintegration.Parvathi represents prakriti, which means perishable
matter, in the absence of which true and complete destruction by Siva becomes impossible.
( As we are all aware of today, only bio-degradable matter can be destroyed ). This could
possibly be the meaning of the idea that Siva becomes nothing in the absence of Sakthi
Siva is generally worshipped in the form of the phallus (linga) fixed on a pedestal. Energy
can neither be created nor destroyed & the Linga symbolises this scientific fact. The Linga
denotes the primeval energy of the Creator Siva Lingams worshipped in temples are mostly
made of stone & consists of three parts. The lowest portion in the shape of a square
symbolises Brahma (the God of Creation). The middle part in the shape of an octagon
symbolises Vishnu (the God of Maintenance). These two portions are embedded inside a
pedestal. The cylindrical portion projecting from the pedestal symbolises Shiva
(the God of Destruction).
Siva resides high up on snowy mountain ranges. Image of Siva in his physical form presents
him as a soothing meditative figure. His ornaments are not gold & precious stones.
He wears a necklace made of skulls signifying his role as destructor. He has snakes coiling
all over his body & his hair is matted and long extending over the whole sky & space. The
crescent moon adorns his crown, signifying his control on the time cycle.(Amavasay &
Pournami).He smears his body with ashes & wears a tiger skin and elephant skin. He has a
third eye on his forehead which is the source of knowledge & wisdom. The holy Ganges is
imprisoned in his flowing locks. In his two arms he holds the Trisulam (the three prongs
representing the three gunas of sattva, tamas & rajas) in one & Damaru in the other.
His vahana is the Nandi, who is also his chief disciple to whom Siva passed on all his
immense knowledge in arts. The above description should convey him as an angry &
destructive image, yet being the source of all knowledge he is often in a meditative pose
with half closed eyes looking out into the universe as well as in to his self, signifying that
his act of destruction is in itself an act of creation for in the absence of destruction there
can be no creation.
Other names & manifestations of Lord Siva
Natarajar
Dakshinamurthi
Lingodhbavar
Haryardhamurthi
Ardhanariswarar
Bhikshatanamurthi
How to pray
Merciful Lord Shiva appears with 5 faces , 10 hands
and 3 eyes.Performing the sacred 5 duties of creation,
protection, destruction, Maya and bestowal if we pray
sincerely we will get the sacred knowledge.
Best day to offer prayers
Monday
Pradosham
Pournami (Thithi)
Amavasai (Thithi)
Thiruvadharai (star)
Maha Sivarathiri
Monthly Sivarathiri
The best offerings are The same as Lord Shiva.
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