Names  |  Dictionary  |  Locations  |  Tidbits

Back to S

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P-Q  R  S  T-U  V-W-X  Y-Z

Shiv
see also    Ling     Jyotirling      Shiv's Names

This term started as a name of the formless God, in Yajur Ved Sanhitaa (see Vaajsaneyee Sanhitaa, 16-41). Later on it was associated with Rudra of Rig Ved Sanhitaa and Yajur Ved sanhitaa. Shwetaashwatat Upanishad used Rudra, Har, and Shiv - all the three words synonymously in the sense of Brahm - the formless Supreme Soul. (see 1-10, 3-2, 3-5, and 3-11).

As time went on Shiv became one of the main names of God, instead of Rudra; and Shiv was given a form and various attributes. Many stories were written about the doings of Shiv. When all the stories were complete - he was a resident of Kailaash Mountain, his wife was Paaravatee (daughter of Himaalaya), he had two sons - Ganapati and Kaartikeya, he rescued the world from Halaahal poison at the time of Saagar Manthan and was called Neelkanth, he took Gangaa on his head and was called Gangaadhar, and lastly he burnt Kaam Dev when he disturbed Shiv while he was in Samaadhi (deep meditation).

Shiv's temples are all around India. In most of his temples he is represented by a stone symbol called Ling. This Ling does not represent phallus as most westerners claim. Ling has two meanings - symbol and phallus. Unfortunately the westerners being ignorant of the language have taken the incorrect meaning of the word. Shiv temples always have the idol of Nandee, the bull - his ride. It is difficult to know where the concept of the bull came from. His complexion is white.

In Pauraanik theology, Shiv is one of the holy Trinity of Brahmaa, Vishnu and Shiv - the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer respectively. Beginning 600 AD, many stories were created and inserted in the Puraan about Shiv. Shiv Raatri, is considered the most important day for Shiv's worship.

Shiv Temples

There are many Shiv Temples around. First there are 12 Jyotirling Temples. Then there are some others -

(1) Kailaash Parvat
This is the most revered and important Shiv pilgrimage. Kailaash is situated in Tibbat (China). It is a tough pilgrimage and the governments of both the countries have to arrange it.

(2) Amarnaath Temple
This is located in Kaashmeer. It is not open year round. Its Yaatraa (visit) starts on Rakshaa Bandhan (Shraavan Poornimaa), and is a month long. It is located in a cave, on a very high mountain, where an ice Ling is forms naturally every year.

(3) Panch Mahaabhoot Shiv Ling
They all are situated in South India, where Lord Shiv is worshipped in basic five elements -
--Aakaash (Space) - Chidaambareshwar - in Chidaambaram, Tamilnaadu
--Vaayu (Air) - Kaalaahasteeshwar - in near Tirupati
--Agni (Fire) - Arunaachalam - in Tiruvanmalai, Tamilnaadu
--Jal (Water) - Jambookeshwar - in Shree Rangam
--Prithvi (Earth) - Shiv Kaanchee - in Kaanchee, Tamilnaadu

(4) Lord Pashupatinaath
This temple is very revered and is located in Nepaal, on the southern side of the River Vaaghmatee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panch Kedaar
There are 5 Kedaar temples (Panch Kedaar) in Himaalayas -
(1) Kedaar Naath,    (2) Madmaheshwar,    (3) Tungnaath,    (4) Rudranaath, and     (5) Kalpeshwar.

These vary in altitude from 1500m to 3680m in the Rudra Himaalaya. The myth of the "five Shivs"  relates how parts of the shattered Nandee Bull fell in five places - the humped back at Kedaar Naath, the stomach at Madmaheshwar, the arms at Tungnaath, the face at Rudranaath, and the hair at Kalpeshwar. Since all but Kalpeshwar are inaccessible in the winter, each deity has a winter seat in a temple at Ukheemath, where the images are brought down in the autumn. They are returned to their principal temples in the Spring.
[India Handbook, p 254-255]

Shiv has 5 faces, and their names are - Eeshaan, Vaamdev, Sadyojaat, Aghor, and Tatpurush; and they should be worshipped by five Mantra.
[Agni Puraan, p 35]

Shiv Sahasranaamaakam: Eight Collections of Hymns Containing One Thousand and Eight Names of Shiv.
by Ram Karan Sharma. Dehlee, Nag Publishers, 1996. This work compares eight versions of the Shiv Sahstra Naam Stotra. The Preface and Introduction (in English) by Ram Karan Sharma provide an analysis of how the eight versions compare with one another. The text of the eight versions is given in Sanskrit language.

Shiv's Mantra

There are two Mantras of Shiv, which are very popular -

(1) Shiv's 5-letter Mantra       "Aum Namah Shivaaya"
(2) Mahaamrityunjaya Mantra

Back to S

Names  |  Dictionary  |  Locations  |  Tidbits