RE: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Bhaktisandesam / Shiva- The Fascinating Deity

[Guest guest]

!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

 

Yes, Sri Parameshwara is undoubtedly the most fascinating deity.

His beloved 'Kailasam' represents a perfect state of internal & external balance

of mind, the sole shelter to all. On visualizing the scenario of Sri Kailasam,

one can observe Sriman Mahadeva sitting in an all-charming poze enjoying the

most auspicious association of his eternal consort Sri Ambika with Ganapati,

Murugan, Nandi, Bhrungi, Bhoota ganas, Yogis, Narada, Sanath Kumaras,

Saptharshis, Yakshas, 64 yoginis (supposed to be daughters of Siva), Devas,

Asuras, Kinnaras, Gandharvas, dikpalas & countless in number ....

 

I bet we cannot find such an enormous variety of members under one umbrella in

the whole universe as of Siva family. Sri Sathya Sai makes an important note on

the Siva family & it goes like this ---

" You will find Lion & Bull sitting together, snake unperturbed by the presence

of peacock, rat residing close to it's biggest fear (snake), fire & moon in

perfect harmony, nectar & poison in total balance... " where else one will find

such a unmatchable blend of attributes. That is the supremenes of Siva family

..... " Unity in Integrity " . Man cannot learn any big lesson than this !

 

 

Hara Hara Mahadeva ShambhO !

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama

 

 

 

 

 

 

guruvayur [guruvayur ]On

Behalf Of krishnanujan

Friday, February 24, 2006 6:46 AM

guruvayur

[Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Bhaktisandesam / Shiva- The Fascinating

Deity

 

 

Hari-Om

 

The Powers Of Lord Shiva!

 

 

There are a number of mythological tales and legends surrounding Lord

Shiva. Here're a few popular ones:

 

The Ganges Comes Down To Earth

 

A legend from the Ramayana speaks of King Bhagirath who once

meditated before Lord Brahma for a thousand years for the salvation

of the souls of his ancestors. Pleased with his devotion Brahma

granted him a wish. He requested the Lord to send the river Ganges

down to earth from heaven so that she could flow over his ancestors'

ashes and wash their curse away and allow them to go to heaven.

Brahma granted his wish but asked him to pray to Shiva, for he alone

could support the weight of her descent. Accordingly he prayed to

Shiva and he allowed the Ganges to descend on his head, and after

meandering through his thick matted locks, the holy river reached the

earth. This story is re-enacted by bathing the linga.

 

The Tiger & The Leaves

Once a hunter while chasing a deer wandered into a dense forest and

found himself on the banks of river Kolidum when he heard the growl

of a tiger. To protect himself from the beast he climbed up a tree

nearby. The tiger pitched itself on the ground below the tree

fostering no intention to leave. The hunter stayed up in the tree all

night and to keep himself from falling asleep, he gently plucked one

leaf after another from the tree and threw it down. Under the tree

was a Shiva Linga and the tree blessedly turned out to be a bilva

tree. Unknowingly the man had pleased the deity with bilva leaves. At

sunrise, the hunter looked down to find the tiger gone, and in its

place stood Lord Shiva. He prostrated before the Lord and attained

salvation from the cycle of birth and death.

 

Why Shiva Is Worshipped In His Phallic Form

 

According to another legend, once Brahma and Vishnu, two other

deities of the holy Trinity, had an argument as to their supremacy.

Brahma being the Creator declared himself to be more revered, while

Vishnu, the Preserver, pronounced that he commanded more respect.

Just then a colossal lingam, known as Jyotirlinga, blanketed in

flames, appeared before them. Both Brahma and Vishnu were awestruck

by its rapidly increasing size. They forgot their quarrel and decided

to determine its size. Vishnu assuming the form of a boar went to the

netherworld and Brahma as a swan flew to the skies. But both of them

failed to accomplish the self- assumed tasks. Then, Shiva appeared

out of the lingam and stated that he was the progenitor of them both

and that henceforth he should be worshipped in his phallic form, the

lingam, and not in his anthropomorphic form.

 

***************

 

Jai Shree Krishna !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Om Namo Narayanaya:

 

[Guest guest]

Brilliant.

 

" PS, Vinod K (GE Infra, Energy) " <vinod.ps wrote: !! Sri Rama Jayam !!

 

Yes, Sri Parameshwara is undoubtedly the most fascinating deity.

His beloved 'Kailasam' represents a perfect state of internal & external balance

of mind, the sole shelter to all. On visualizing the scenario of Sri Kailasam,

one can observe Sriman Mahadeva sitting in an all-charming poze enjoying the

most auspicious association of his eternal consort Sri Ambika with Ganapati,

Murugan, Nandi, Bhrungi, Bhoota ganas, Yogis, Narada, Sanath Kumaras,

Saptharshis, Yakshas, 64 yoginis (supposed to be daughters of Siva), Devas,

Asuras, Kinnaras, Gandharvas, dikpalas & countless in number ....

 

I bet we cannot find such an enormous variety of members under one umbrella in

the whole universe as of Siva family. Sri Sathya Sai makes an important note on

the Siva family & it goes like this ---

" You will find Lion & Bull sitting together, snake unperturbed by the presence

of peacock, rat residing close to it's biggest fear (snake), fire & moon in

perfect harmony, nectar & poison in total balance... " where else one will find

such a unmatchable blend of attributes. That is the supremenes of Siva family

..... " Unity in Integrity " . Man cannot learn any big lesson than this !

 

 

Hara Hara Mahadeva ShambhO !

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama

 

 

 

 

 

 

guruvayur [guruvayur ]On

Behalf Of krishnanujan

Friday, February 24, 2006 6:46 AM

guruvayur

[Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Bhaktisandesam / Shiva- The Fascinating

Deity

 

 

Hari-Om

 

The Powers Of Lord Shiva!

 

 

There are a number of mythological tales and legends surrounding Lord

Shiva. Here're a few popular ones:

 

The Ganges Comes Down To Earth

 

A legend from the Ramayana speaks of King Bhagirath who once

meditated before Lord Brahma for a thousand years for the salvation

of the souls of his ancestors. Pleased with his devotion Brahma

granted him a wish. He requested the Lord to send the river Ganges

down to earth from heaven so that she could flow over his ancestors'

ashes and wash their curse away and allow them to go to heaven.

Brahma granted his wish but asked him to pray to Shiva, for he alone

could support the weight of her descent. Accordingly he prayed to

Shiva and he allowed the Ganges to descend on his head, and after

meandering through his thick matted locks, the holy river reached the

earth. This story is re-enacted by bathing the linga.

 

The Tiger & The Leaves

Once a hunter while chasing a deer wandered into a dense forest and

found himself on the banks of river Kolidum when he heard the growl

of a tiger. To protect himself from the beast he climbed up a tree

nearby. The tiger pitched itself on the ground below the tree

fostering no intention to leave. The hunter stayed up in the tree all

night and to keep himself from falling asleep, he gently plucked one

leaf after another from the tree and threw it down. Under the tree

was a Shiva Linga and the tree blessedly turned out to be a bilva

tree. Unknowingly the man had pleased the deity with bilva leaves. At

sunrise, the hunter looked down to find the tiger gone, and in its

place stood Lord Shiva. He prostrated before the Lord and attained

salvation from the cycle of birth and death.

 

Why Shiva Is Worshipped In His Phallic Form

 

According to another legend, once Brahma and Vishnu, two other

deities of the holy Trinity, had an argument as to their supremacy.

Brahma being the Creator declared himself to be more revered, while

Vishnu, the Preserver, pronounced that he commanded more respect.

Just then a colossal lingam, known as Jyotirlinga, blanketed in

flames, appeared before them. Both Brahma and Vishnu were awestruck

by its rapidly increasing size. They forgot their quarrel and decided

to determine its size. Vishnu assuming the form of a boar went to the

netherworld and Brahma as a swan flew to the skies. But both of them

failed to accomplish the self- assumed tasks. Then, Shiva appeared

out of the lingam and stated that he was the progenitor of them both

and that henceforth he should be worshipped in his phallic form, the

lingam, and not in his anthropomorphic form.

 

***************

 

Jai Shree Krishna !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Om Namo Narayanaya: