Today is Mahashivaratri, a celebration of the union of consciousness and creative energy as symbolized by Shiva and Shakti. There are various rituals associated with this festival, a celebration of austerity and purity but for many yogis, it is a night of uninterrupted meditation. The fourteenth night of the waning moon of this month is dedicated to the Adi Yogi or Prime Yogi, Shiva. It is believed that the mind slips easily into a conducive meditative state on this day and thus everyone can attempt to overcome negative mental patterns and blocks if they choose to, on this night.
Of all the gods, I find Shiva the most elusive and fascinating - living the life of an ascetic atop Mount Kailash. He of the matted locks adorned by a crescent moon, who holds a trident in one hand and a drum (he is also the Lord of Dance) in the other. He rides the mythological bull Nandi and has a fiery temper. His temples are present at the peak of every mountain especially in the north.
Although this is how he is often worshipped (symbolized by a linga in temples), I prefer to think of him as an embodiment of all the wisdom of yoga and knowledge contained within the soul.
Of all the gods, I find Shiva the most elusive and fascinating - living the life of an ascetic atop Mount Kailash. He of the matted locks adorned by a crescent moon, who holds a trident in one hand and a drum (he is also the Lord of Dance) in the other. He rides the mythological bull Nandi and has a fiery temper. His temples are present at the peak of every mountain especially in the north.
Although this is how he is often worshipped (symbolized by a linga in temples), I prefer to think of him as an embodiment of all the wisdom of yoga and knowledge contained within the soul.
1 comment:
After reading what you wrote about Shiva, Sujata, I think you would enjoy a lovely book which I have just been reading. It is by Colin Thubron, the travel writer, and is called To a Mountain in Tibet. The mountain in question is Mount Kailash. It is a very spiritual book, and Colin Thubron is a lovely, spiritual man, who I was fortunate enough to hear speaking about the book in London.
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