Signifiance of Vibhuti, Nandi

[Guest guest]

Dear Members,Namas sivaya is the Mantra of Lord Siva. `Na' represents earth andBrahma; `Ma' represents water and Vishnu; `Si' fire and Rudra; `Va'Vayu and Mahesvara; `Ya' Akasa and Sadasiva and also the Jiva.Lord Siva has white complexion. What is the significance of whitecolour? He teaches silently that people should have pure heart andentertain pure thoughts and should be free from crookedness,diplomacy, cunningness, jealousy, hatred, etc.He wears three white-lined Bhasma or Vibhuti on His forehead. Whatis the significance of this? He teaches silently that people shoulddestroy the three impurities, viz., Anava (egoism), Karma (actionwith expectation of fruits), and Maya (illusion), and the threedesires or Eshanas, viz., desire for landed property, desire forwoman, desire for gold, and the three Vasanas, viz., Lokavasana,Dehavasana and Sastravasana, and then attain Him with a pure heart.What does the Balipitha or altar which stands in front of thesanctum sanctorum of the Siva's temple represent? People shoulddestroy their egoism and mineness (Ahamta and Mamata) before theyattain the Lord. This is the significance.What does Nandi or the bull which is in front of Sivalingarepresent? Nandi is the attendant or doorkeeper of Siva. He is thevehicle of Lord Siva. He represents Satsanga. If you makeassociation with the sages, you are sure to attain God-realisation.Sages will show you the way to reach Him. They will remove pitfallsor snares that lie on your path. They will clear your doubts andinstil in your heart dispassion, discrimination and knowledge. Thereis no other safe boat than Satsanga to reach the other shore offearlessness and immortality. Even a moment's Satsanga orassociation with the sages, is a great blessing to the aspirants andthe worldly-minded persons. They get firm conviction in theexistence of God through Satsanga. The sages remove the worldlySamskaras. The company of sages is a formidable fortress to protectoneself from the temptations of Maya.Lord Siva represents the destructive aspect of the Godhead. He isseen absorbed on the mountain peak of Kailas. He is an embodiment ofserenity, renunciation and indifference to the world. The third eyein the centre of His forehead represents His destructive energywhich when let loose destroys the world. Nandi is His favourite. Heis the door-Keeper. He is seen hushing all nature, so that the Lordmay not be disturbed in His Samadhi. The Lord has five faces, tenhands, ten eyes, two feet.Vrishabha or the bull represents Dharma Devata. Lord Siva rides onthe bull. Bull is His vehicle. This denotes that Lord Siva is theprotector of Dharma, is an embodiment of Dharma or righteousness.Deer represents the Vedas. Its four legs are the four Vedas. LordSiva is holding the deer in His hand. This indicates that He is theLord of the Vedas.He has sword in one of His hands. This signifies that He is thedestroyer of births and deaths. The fire in one of His hands showsthat He protects the Jivas by burning all fetters.For more info please join us athttp:////RegardsKasturi Prasanna