SHIVA or “the auspicious” is the third of the Trimurti. He is also called Mahadev (Great God). Shiva has lots of names :
- Neel Kanth – Neel Kantha means “blue throat” from the poison he drank.
- Shankar – As Shankar he is “giver of joy”.
- Natraj – As Nataraj he is “king of dances and music”.
- Trilochan – As Trilochan, he has “three eyes.” One was created on his forehead when Parvati, his wife, playfully covered his eyes.
- Yogi-Raj – As Yogi-Raj he is “King of the Ascetics” and master of the technique of Yoga.
Who is Shiva? (in Hindi)
Significance of various Symbols associated with Lord Shiva –
- Tiger Skin – Lord Shiva sits on a tiger skin, ripped from a tiger which was sent to destroy him.
- Matted Hair or Jata – His matted hair, the flowing Jata, represents the Vayu, Lord of the wind.
- Crescent moon – The crescent (on his hair) or fifth day moon represents the Soma or sacrificial offering and signifies Shiva’s power to effect co-existence; powers of procreation with power of destruction.
- Ganga – Ganga flowing from his head was to purify and control the flow of the river.
- Mount Kailash – Shiva as on the Mount Kailash, the source of Ganges.
- Snake – Around his neck is a cobra, Naga Kundala and skulls of demons he killed, hence, he is called Mundamala (garland of Mundas). Kundalini or snake powers represents dormant energy that sits in a snake-like manner at the bottom of the spinal cord.
- Trishul – The Trident or Trishul represents the three functions – creating, sustaining, destroying, as well as the three planes of life – spiritual, subtle, and physical.
- Bull Nandi – The vehicle or carrier of Shiva is a bull Nandi (Joyful). It is white, has a huge body and brown eyes. He represents sexual impulses.
- Parvati & Ganesha – Shiva’s consort is Parvati, “mountain born”, and his son is Ganesh. He is often represented as male-female energy, Ardhanari.
- Shiva’s faces – Shiva has five faces:
- Eastern Face – The one looking upward is called Ishana, the ruler. It is copper-colored and embodies all leaning and is the enjoyer of nature (Kshetrajan). Looking east is Tat-Purush (Supreme Man) is in yellow color and represents the senses.
- Western Face – The western is Vandev (left-hand deity) and represents the ego(Ahamkara) and corresponds to the elements of fire and light.
- Southern Face – The southern face is blue or blue/black and is called Aghora (non-fearful) ans represents the intellect (Buddhi).
- Northern Face – The Eternal Laws (Dharma) represents hearing and speech; the northern face is called Sadyojat (“suddenly born) and is white in color. It represents the mind and corresponds to the elixir (Soma).
- Linga – Linga represents gender because one is born from a linga and returns to the linga, hence the symbol of Supreme Creator, Purushottam. The three parts are the lower or Brahma, middle is Vishnu, the upper is Rudra Shiva.
