HINDUISM KNOWLEDGE

 

  To understand Hindu Religion and Hindu Dharma, you have to go deep into the origin of this famous religion. The symbol of Hindu Dharma is AUM. AUM is more than an auspicious symbol. It is the divine sound, the first sound of creation from which life emerged. Its chanting generates creative, divine energy in all forms of existence and in all three states of mind, namely waking state, dream state and deep sleep state. Hindu religion is the world's oldest living religion. It is a very tolerant, resilient and peace loving religion. It's roots lie in the Indus Valley, in the Vast Indian Sub Continent. The people living around the river Sindhu(Indus) came to be known as the Hindus. There is no single founder. Through penance and prayers, intuition and introspection ancient seers gained the ultimate experience of God. These collective experiences formed the foundation of the Vedic Civilizations from which emerged the Hindu Dharma - that which sustains the universe.What makes the Hindu Dharma special, is that it respects all creation as it believes that the whole of creation is filled with the presence of God. Hindus believe that there are no headthems or enemies and that everyone has a limit of one life, but offers many lives. At the same time Hindu Dharma is strict and makes man responsible for every action he performs through the Law of Karma. One supreme all powerful God. He is the creator, has a divine form, believe, transcendent and is the giver of Moksha. The Hindus believe that the God assumes various forms and comes to earth to live amongst mankind to liveDharma and grant ultimate liberation, the Hindus believe that the mortal soul is continuously born and reborn in one of the species until in attained liberation. Ultimate liberation is the goal of human life. It is the liberation of the soul form the cycle of births and deaths to remain eternally in the service of God.

                   Hindu religion existed many years before the Civilizations Egypt and China and before the rise of Roman Empire. There is also evidence of Hindu astronomers mapping the skies, doctors performing surgery and seers composing scriptures before western civilizations. The growth and spread of Hindu religion lies in the fact that it is broad minded and encourages all scientific and social developments. It's more than a religion  and is rightly called the Hindu Dharma meaning 'that which sustains'. The truth of Hindu Dharma aims to sustain the whole of creation not just one particular species or group. It promotes a civilization founded on spiritual principles and not just reason and inquiry. Hence the Hindu culture has survived uninterrupted even by innumerable intrusions and invasions. The nonviolent peaceful of Hindu religion is such that without the aid of swords or mass conversations, its pure, libeating values attracted people all over the world. At present Hindus comprise 13.07% of the worlds population residing in over 150 countries. The vedic civilization flourished around the three major River Sindhu, then migrated to the shores of the River Saraswati and finally culminated along the banks of the River Ganga. The holy Ganga became the ultimate source of life, of intellect and of illumination. Here India's glorious culture reached its sublime heights and has since attracted travelers, traders, scholars, philosophers and kings to its golden shores which have never ceased to fascinate the world. Hindu Dharma concentrates on the individual to build the mind, not just the muscles, to mold the spirit not just surroundings, to increase the worth of a person by inner values of life. As George Bernard Show once said " The Indian way of life provides the vision of the natural real way of life." We veil ourselves with unnatural masks. On the face of India are the tender expressions which carry the mark of the Creator's hand. These divine expressions are the values of service love, sacrifice, humility, duty, devotion, fidelity, tolerance and others that help perfect the individual. The first scriptures of the human race are Vedas. The Vedas transcend recorded history and have not been created by any mortal. The Vedas are the Eternal truths revealed by God to the great seers of India. For generations they have passed on through experience and word of mouth until documented. There are 4 Vedas in Hindu Dharma, Veda means knowledge. The types of Vedas are necessary to perfect human life. They are knowledge of the world and knowledge of the Divine. Hence the Vedas are reservoir of all wisdom of the universe. They contain the knowledge of art, music, linguistics, literature economics, religion weaponry, space science, geometry, logic, technology, hypnotism, mathematics, philosophy, ritualism health and long life. Everything should be practiced and the soul will definitely attain the goal of Nirvana. 

• Hindu Dharma says that the whole is one nest.
• We are the birds of the same nest.
• We may wear different skins
• We  may speak in different tongues
• We may believe in different religions.
• We may belong to different cultures.
• Yet we share the same home at the earth.
• We are born on the same planet.
• We are conversed on the same skies.
• We are grazing at the same stars.
• We are breathing the same air.
• Therefore we must learn to live happily and progress or miserably perish together.
• Man can live individually but can only survive collectively.

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Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivarathri (Great Night of Shiva or Night of Shiva) is a Hindu holiday for the festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil. Per scriptural and discipleship traditions, the penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's summum bonum steadily and swiftly.

Legends

Samudra manthan (the Churning of the Ocean)

Pralaya (the Deluge)

In another version, it is believed^[who?] that the whole world was once facing destruction and the Goddess Parvati worshipped her husband Shiva to save it. She prayed for the Jivas (living souls) remaining in space – like particles of gold dust in a lump of wax – during that long period of pralaya (deluge) night, should, upon becoming active again, have His blessings, but only if they worshipped Him just as she did then. Her prayer was granted. Parvati named the night for the worship of Ishwara by mortals Maha-Sivaratri, or the great night of Shiva, since Pralaya is brought about by Him.

Shiva's Favourite Day

After creation was complete, Parvati asked Lord Shiva which rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 13th night of the new moon, during the month of Maagha, is his most favourite day. Parvati repeated these words to her friends, from whom the word spread over all creation.

The Story Of King Chitrabhanu

In the Shanti Parva (chapter) of the Mahabharata epic, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma (righteousness), refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by KingChitrabhanu. The story goes as follows:

Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa (India), was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakracame on a visit to the court of the king.

The sage asked the king the purpose of his observing the fast. King Chitrabhanu explained that he had a gift of remembering the incidents of his past birth, and in his previous life he had been a hunter in Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. The day before the new moon, while roaming through forests in search of animals, he saw a deer, but before his arrow flew he noticed the deer's family and their sadness at its impending death. So he let it live. He had still not caught anything when he was overtaken by nightfall and climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. His canteen leaked water, so he was both hungry and thirsty. These two torments kept him awake throughout the night, thinking of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously waiting for his return. To pass away the time he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.

The next day he returned home and bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and then had his own.

At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of Lord Shiva, sent to conduct his soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there had been a Lingam (a symbol for the worship of Shiva) at the bottom of the tree. The leaves he dropped had fallen on the Lingam, in imitation of its ritual worship. The water from his leaky canteen had washed the Lingam (also a ritual action), and he had fasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously had worshipped the Lord.

As the conclusion of the tale the King said that he had lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for a long time before being reborn as Chitrabhanu.

This story is also told in the Garuda Purana^[1]

Rituals of Maha Shivratri

Pashupatinath Temple (Kathmandu, Nepal) one of the most important shrines of Lord Shiva hosts one of the biggest gatherings on Maha Shivaratri. Hindu worshipers all over the world gather at Pashupati to offer their pilgrimage.

Tripundra refers to the three horizontal stripes of holy ash applied to the forehead by worshippers of Lord Shiva. These stripes symbolise spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga), so also they represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva.

Wearing a rosary made from the rudraksha seed of the rudraksha tree (said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva) when worshipping Lord Shiva is ideal. A rudraksha seed is a mahogany-like color, sometimes black, and sometimes may have traces of sacred sandalwood powder, turmeric, kumkum, or holy ash if the rosary was used in worship ceremonies or anointed.

On Shivaratri, only cold water and bael leaves are offered to the Lingam. Other traditional offerings, such as bathing Him in milk and Panchamruta (milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey (symbols of sustenance) one after the other respectively, or anointing it with vermilion (kumkum) or white consecrated rice (Akshata) (symbols of fertility, or creation), are done on this day, when Lord Shiva is worshipped as the deity of dissolution. ^[2]..

Chanting the Rudram is considered very auspicious.

Other Traditional Worship of Lord Shiva

The twelve Jyotirlingas (lingams of light) are sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, and centres for his worship. They are known as Swayambhus, meaning the lingams sprung up by themselves at these places and temples were built there afterwards.

Temples are listed in the India tourist guides.

Mahashivaratri in Southern India

Mahashivaratri is celebrated widely in the temples all over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Shiva is considered the Adi (first) Guru from whom the yogic tradition originates. According to tradition, the planetary positions on this night are such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system. It is said to be beneficial for one's physical and spiritual wellbeing to stay awake and aware throughout the night.^[3] On this day, artists from various fields such as music and dance perform the whole night.

Sahasrakalasabishekam

This is a very special and rare puja conducted during 10 days of Mahasivarathri festival. It is well known that Lord Siva is abhishekapriya (lover of ablutions). Lord Parasurama and Kroshta Muni, during their worship of the Lord here, are believed to have bathed the deity with Sahasrakalasam or a thousand pots of holy water according to Vedic rites. Now during Mahasivarathri festival days the Head Priest (Thanthri) and his team perform this puja. It is a ten day function, each day an offering of 101 Kalasam or pots of holy water (100 being made of silver, while one is made of gold), surcharged with mantras recited by learned Brahmins seated on the Mukhamantapam. These are emptied on the deity, the golden pot Brahmakalasam being the last one. A magnificent light is the indication or identity of Lord Shiva and the Shiva Lingam is considered to be the symbol of it. Hence, the formal worship on Maha Shivaratri consists of bathing the Shiva Lingam. Lord Shiva is said to be burning with the fire of austerity and so only those items are offered to Him that have a cooling effect. A cool water bath is believed to propitiate Him best. There is a belief among devotees that participation in Sahasrakalasam and offering holy worship materials, will lead to blessings with prosperity and peaceful life. Hundreds of devotees thronging the shrine with chants of “Namah Shivaya”, “Hara hara Mahadeva”, and “Sambho Mahadeva”. This year Mahasivarathiri is observed on 2nd March 2011 in all of South India's temples.

Sivarathri Nrutham

Sivarathri Nrutham at Thrikkuratti temple, according to religious scholars, resembles the cosmic dance of Shiva, called ‘Anandatandava,' meaning, ‘the Dance of Bliss’ symbolizing the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy - creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion.

The Priest keeps sheeveli vigraha (idol) fixed on decorated frame on his head. He makes seven rounds on Pradakshina Vazhi (holy walkway made of granite around Sanctum Santorum). When the fifth round is reached at the west nada (Parvathi nada), the door opens for just 10 minutes. This is an annual ceremony. Thousands of Pilgims rush to have a glance of this auspicious moment. At this time all the pradakshina vazhi will be lit with camphor and brass temple lamps by thousands of devotes who stay awake through the night while chanting “Nama Sivaya”, “Hara Hara Mahadeva” and “Sambho Mahadeva”. Older devotees sing “Hara sankara siva sankara duritham kala sivane”. In this enlightened serene mood, the Priest performs Nrutham and runs the pradakshina vazhi towards the east nada. During the next two rounds he accepts “Valiya kanikka”. The Sivarathri Nrutham is followed by the well known magnificent display of fireworks.

Mahasivarathri Procession

On Sivarathri day evening a grand procession starts from Kadapra Kainikkara Temple. It includes, several decorated floats, Kaavadi Aaatam, Mayilattom, Amman Kudom, Thaiyyam, Vela Kali, Kuthiyotta Chuvadu, richly caparisoned elephants and folk art forms etc. attracts thousands of devotees and tourists. When the main procession reaches Market Junction, other mini processions from Kurattikkadu Mutharamman Temple, Kurattissery Kannamkavil Mutharamman Temple, Thrippavoor Mahavishnu Temple, Vishavarsherikkara Subrahmanya Swami temple and Alumoodu Sivaparvathy Temple joins and makes the procession quite livening. The marvellous as well as magical effect of the Sinakari melam and Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed. Among the varieties of festivals celebrated in Kerala, Thrikkuratti Sivarathri Procession is one of the most thunderous, spectacular and dazzling. It is an expression of popular fascination for sound and colour, and because of the pageantry, it appeals to all people including foreigners. Once the procession reaches the temple, Deeparadhana is followed by colourful display of fireworks.

Panchaakshari

Shiva, as the god of destroying evil, is the third among the divine trinity of Hindu mythology. The holy mantra consisting of five-syllables: "Na" "Ma" "Shi" "Vaa" "Ya" (Om NamaH Shivaaya) in praise of Lord Shiva is chanted incessantly on special occasions like Shivaratri. His thousands of names, each of which describe His greatness, may also be chanted. Shiva means "auspicious". As Shankara, He is the giver of happiness to all. Nataraja (the king of dancers) is a favourite form adored by dancers and musicians.

Rudra Abhisheka

There is a special mantra in the Vedas (the most ancient scripture in the history of human race and which forms the fountain-head of the Hindu culture) - Rudra Sukta - which is recited by pundits while they offer a holy bath to Lord Shiva by way of washing a Shiva-linga or a Shaligrama which are the symbols of god with the waters of sacred rivers like the Ganges. This ritual is known as "Rudrabhisheka". A Shaligrama constitutes a sacred pebble that often conceals ammonite fossils within. Such precious stones are brought from the river Gandaki at the frozen summits of the Himalayas.

Washing the Shaligrama as a part of Shiva-puja symbolises the removal of impurities from our mind. It also means washing off false ego. Unless we attain self-realization, we all become the victims of a false-self or an ego. False-self is due to an illusion (or ignorance), a covering upon our real soul, of our mind, which then acts from mistaken identity. According to Vedanta (philosophical doctrines), this accumulation of false-self upon our real Self is often the root cause of our bondage and sufferings in life. This notion of purification (of Shaligram stone by holy waters) also symbolises at the philosophical level, the eradication of the accumulated material interests (of us) which often blur the inherent spiritual hard core or Reality.

Mysticism

According to the mystic mythology of the Puraanaas, the Kailasa peak of the Himalayas is the abode of Shiva and He bears the Ganges on His head. As the Lord of creatures, He is metaphorically called as Pashupathi (with Nandi, the bull, His favourite animal) and His fearful nature is euphemised as Sarpabhushana. Shiva's posture in the meditation is ascribed to Him as the head of Yogis (Yogiraja) who practises various spiritual feats to attain salvation. Lord Shiva's divine consort, Goddess Parvati (who is also the daughter of Himalaya), is the deity of strength. Numerous stories in mythology describe the births of their two sons - Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya (or Guha or Shanmukha or Skanda or Murugha) and their various significances.

Mrtyunjaya Mahaa Mantra

The Mrtyunjaya-maha-mantra, which is found in the Rudram, eradicates diseases, pain, sufferings and death:

Om Tryambakam Yajaamahe SugandhiM Pushti-vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaan- Mrityor-muksheeyamaamRtaat

Om. O three-eyed one (Lord Shiva), we worship you, the One of sublime fragrance who is the source of all vitality, growth and splendour. Just as a ripe cucumber is plucked from its vine, May we transcend death and gain Immortality.

Lingashtakam - Sanskrit Verses and Its English Translation

Brahma Murari Sura architha Lingam,

Nirmala bashitha Shobitha Lingam,
Janmaja dukha vinasaka lingam.
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,
Which is pure and resplendent,
And which destroys sorrows of birth.


Deva Murari pravarchitha Lingam,
Kama dahana Karunakara lingam,
Ravana darpa vinashana lingam,
That pranamami sad shiva lingam.




I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is worshipped by great sages and devas,
Which destroyed the god of love,
Which showers mercy,
And which destroyed the pride of Ravana.



Sarva sukandhi sulepitha lingam,
Budhi vivarthana karana lingam,
Siddha surasura vandhitha lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.




I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is anointed by perfumes,
Which leads to growth of wisdom,
And which is worshipped by sages, devas and asuras.



Kanaka mahamani bhooshitha lingam,.
Panipathi veshtitha shobitha lingam,
Daksha suyagna vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is ornamented by gold and great jewels,
Which shines with the snake being with it,
And which destroyed the Yagna of Daksha.



Kunkuma chandana lepitha lingam,
Pankaja hara sushobitha lingam,
Sanchitha papa vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is adorned by sandal paste and saffron,
Which wears the garland of lotus flowers,
And which can destroy accumulated sins.


Deva Ganarchitha sevitha lingam,
Bhavair bakthi pravesa lingam,
Dinakara koti prabhakara lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.




I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is served by gods and other beings,
Which is the doorway for devotion and good thought,
And which shines like billions of Suns.




Ashta dalopari veshtitha lingam,
Sarva samudbhava karana lingam,
Ashta daridra vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.



I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is surrounded by eight petals,
Which is the prime reason of all riches,
And which destroys eight types of poverty.


Suraguru sura vara poojitha Lingam,
Sura vana pushpa sadarchitha lingam,
Parathparam paramathmaka lingam,
That pranamai sada shiva lingam.




I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is worshipped by the teacher of gods,
Which is worshipped by the best of gods,
Which is always worshipped by the flowers,
From the garden of Gods,
Which is the eternal abode,
And which is the ultimate truth.




Lingashtakam, Idam Punyam padeth Shiva Sannidhow,
Shivalokam avapnothi shive na sahamodathe.




Any one who chants the holy octet of the Lingam,
In the holy presence of Lord Shiva,
Would in the end reach the world of Shiva,
And keep him company.


Lord Shiva meditating at the waterfall Screensaver download

About Lord Shiva

Shiva (Sanskrit: Auspicious One) is one of the main deities of Hinduism that is worshipped as the paramount lord by the Shaivaite sects of India.

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is regarded as the representation of the Supreme Being. He is known as the third element in the Hindu Trinity(Trimurti), the other two members being Lord Brahma - the creator and Lord Vishnu - the protector. Shiva is the destructive form of the Almighty. As the cycle of destruction and recreation is always in a circle, Shiva’s primary responsibility is maintaining the life cycle. Scholars say, as the Mahakaal, Shiva destroys and dissolves everything into nothingness but as Shankara, he also reproduces that which has been destroyed and dissolved. His symbol of Lingam or the phallus represents this reproductive power.

Lord Shiva is also considered to be the most unique of all Hindu gods and also the God of all. A great ascetic, Shiva is the only godhead who is forever in deep meditation, totally absorbed in contemplation in His abode, Kailaasa Mountain in the great Himalaya. Lord Shiva is also said to be inseparable from Shakti -Parvati the daughter of Himavaan - Haimavati. There is no Shiva without Shakti and no Shakti without Shiva, the two are one - or the absolute state of being.

Shiva is often shown with many faces, as creator, destroyer and preserver in total command of the cosmos. He contains both good and evil. He is moody, free of inhibitions, easy to please, protector of the down trodden, and has the power to alter the laws of destiny. Thus, it is Lord Shiva is known as the God of mercy and kindness. He protects his devotees from all evil that are always around us. He blesses his followers with grace, knowledge and peace.

Shiva as Ardhanareeswara
Lord Shiva is said to be half man and half woman. In the full figure of Siva the male and female principles are united. Shiva Linga - the symbol of Lord Shiva which consists of both Lingam (phallus) and yoni (the female organ) represent the totality of his nature and the totality of all created existence.

Appearance and Attributes of Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva is shown either in meditating or in the form of a Dancing God Nataraj where his dance is to the beat and rhythm of creation. He is also shown in sculptures with many hands. One pair of hands, for example, represents the balance between life and death. Shiva is 'tri netra' or three eyed, and is 'neela kantha' - blue-necked (having consumed poison to save the world from destruction). Besides, there are a lot many attributes associated with Lord Shiva. Here is a brief description of some of the important symbols that depict Lord Shiva. Each of his depiction signifies a different aspect of his Supreme Being.

Unclad body covered with ashes: This form of Lord Shiva depicts that Lord Shiva’s presence is much higher than this physical phenomenon. According to some scholars, Shiva’s body smeared with cemetery ash points to the philosophy of the life and death and the fact that death is the ultimate reality of the life.

Jata (Matted Hair): The flow of his matted hair represents Shiva as the Lord of Wind or Vayu, who is the subtle form of breath present in all living beings. Thus it is Shiva which is the lifeline for all living being. He is Pashupatinath.

Sacred Ganga: The holiest of the holy rivers, Ganga flows from the matted hair of Shiva. According to alegend, Shiva allowed an outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring purifying water to human being. Ganga also denotes fertility - one of the creative aspects of the Rudra.

The Third Eye: Lord Shiva is known as the three eyed Lord or Tryambaka Deva. The sun is his right eye, the moon left while the third eye of Shiva on his forehead is the eye of wisdom. It is the eye that looks beyond the obvious. The third eye can search evil from anywhere and destroys it completely.

Half-Open Eyes: The half-open eyes show that the universes cycle in process. When the eyes are completely closed it signifies the dissolvent of the universe and when it is completely open a new cycle of creation begins. 


Download Lord Shiva at the Mount Kailash 2.0

MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA - ITS MEANING AND AUDIO

Aum Trayambakam Yajamahe,
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam;
Urva Rukamiva Bandhanaan,
Mrityor Mokshiye Maamritat.

ॐ त्रियम्बकं यजामहे, सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनं
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मोक्षिय मामृतात्

OM triyambakam yajāmahe sugandhim pushTivardhanam,
urvārukamiva bandhanān mrrityormokshiya māmrritāt.

Summary of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

We worship Shiva - The Three-Eyed (tryambakam) Lord (yajamahe);
Who is fragrant (sugandhim) and nourishes (pushti) and grows (vardhanam) all beings.
As the ripened cucumber (urvarukamiva) is automatically liberated (bandhanaan) (by the intervention of the "farmer") from its bondage to the creeper when it fully ripens;
May He liberate us (mokshiya) from death (mrityor), for the sake of immortality (maamritaat).

We pray to Lord Shiva whose eyes are the Sun, Moon and Fire
May He protect us from all disease, poverty and fear
And bless us with prosperity, longevity and good health.

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a prayer to Lord Shiva (part of the hindu trinity, the lord of destruction, penance and meditation) for help in overcoming "death". The seeker is more concerned with avoiding spiritual "death" rather than physical "death". The mantra is a request to Lord Shiva to lead us to the mountain of meditation, which is indeed Lord Shiva's abode. Legend has it that Lord Shiva appeared before his devotee Markandeya (who was destined to die at the age of sixteen) and stopped his aging process a few days before he was supposed to turn sixteen. Thus, death would never be able to claim him! Hence, this mantra is also referred to as the Markandeya mantra in classical hindu studies. The mantra should ideally be repeated 108 times, twice daily, at dawn and at dusk. It is particularly useful for meditation and yoga practice.

Spiritual Significance of the Shiva Mahamantra

Lord Shiva is referred to astryambakam, the three-eyed one, because his third-eye has been "opened" by the powers of penance and meditation. The third eye is said to be located in the space between the eyebrows, and is "opened" when one experiences spiritual awakening. So, when we pray to Lord Shiva, we are in essence asking for his blessings and assistance in opening our third eye of spiritual knowledge. The natural consequence of this awakening is that we will be led towards spiritual liberation ormoksha, and attain freedom from the cycles of death and rebirth. The goal of chanting this mantra is to spiritually "ripen" so that we can free ourselves Lord Shiva can free us from our bondage to all the material things that bind us!

Lord Shiva Mahamantra Audio mp3 download

Listen to or Download the Mrityunjaya Mantra (mp3 260K) for yoga and meditation

This rendition of the Mrityunjaya Mantra is from the "Chants of India" CD by Ravi Shankar. This CD is a must for anyone interested in exploring other mantras. All the tracks are excellent, including the Gayatri Mantra.Chants of India by Ravi Shankar

Listen to or Download the Tryambkam Mahamantra (mp3 204K) for yoga and meditation

This rendition of the Mrityunjaya Mantra is a short extract of a 5:21min rendition from the "Mahamantras" CD by Pandit Jasraj. This CD contains several other mahamantras dedicated to Ganesha, Lakshmi and many more!

Listen to or Download the Tryambkam Mahamantra (mp3 165K) for yoga and meditation

This rendition of the Mrityunjaya Mantra is a short extract from the "Garland of Moksha Mantras" CD by Yogi Hari. US visitors can purchase the full song (track 18) or the full Garland of Moksha Mantras album

Paarvati Devi Mantra

Sarva-mangal-maangalye, Shive Sarvaarth-saadhike
Sharanye-triyambake Gauri, Naaraayani Namo-stute

The Goddess Paarvati (or Gauri), the consort of Lord Shiva, is praised through this mantra. Paarvati is the one who brings good fortune and prosperity (-mangal-maangalye) to all (-sarva) her devotees. She is the one who is always and forever (-sarvaarth) accompanying Lord Shiva in all his meditations (-saadhike). O beautiful and fair-colored one (-gauri), please give us refuge (-sharanye) in the protection of the three-eyed one (-triyambake). We bow to you repeatedly as we sing the praises (namo-stute) of our protector, Goddess Paarvati (-naarayani), the consort of Lord Shiva.

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Birth of Lord Shiva.

Birth of Lord Shiva.

Birth of Lord Shiva.

According to one legend, shiva initial materialize when Brahma and Vishnu were arguing regarding which of them was more powerful. Their quarrel was interrupted by the unexpected look of a large burning pillar whose roots and branches complete outside sight into the earth and sky. Brahma became a goose and flew up to locate the top of the pillar, even as turned into a boar and dug in to the ground to appear for its roots. Unsuccessful in their search, the two god’s arrival and saw Shiva surface from an opening in the support. Recognize Shiva’s huge power, they established him as the third ruler of the universe.

Lord Shiva-God of formation of universe and he is as well referred has destructor. His huge position is to balance the good and evil events. Though this balance gets disturb he destroys the creation for the formation of next cycle. He is a deity of exercise in the cyclic practice of formation.


Lord Shiva is the lord of mercy. He guards the devotees since evil forces, trouble and suffering of their devotees.

He materialize with unclad body through tiger skin in his body, three matted locks on his head, Goddesses Ganga on his chief and he has a third eye and has a snake on his correct shoulder and he wear Kundalas, Rudraksha necklace.

He materialize with unclad body through tiger hide in his body, present matted locks on his skull, Goddesses Ganga on his skull and he has a third eye and has a snake on his correct accept and he wears kundalas, Rudraksha necklace.



His exterior symbolizes his behavior. The unclad body shows that he is a resource of whole universe. 3 metted locks are the integration of material, mental and spiritual energies. Goddesses Ganga shows destruction of sin, knowledge and bestows with information, peace and cleanliness. The third eye indicates the religious information and power. While he opens the third eye, the rotation of construction starts. The 108 beads represent the elements used in making of the earth. The tiger skin represents his potential power.

Lord Shiva has 1,008 names, including Mahadeva, Mahesh, Rudra, Neelkantha, and Ishwar. He is also called Mahayogi, or the huge ascetic, who represent the main form of serious penance and abstract thought, which results in salvation Shiva is supposed to survive in many variety. His mainly regular illustration is as a dark-skinned severe with a blue throat. Typically seated cross-legged on a tiger skin, Shiva’s hair is matted and coiled on his chief, adorned with a snake and a crescent moon. Ganga is forever depicted smooth out of his topknot.

Shiva has four arms and three eyes. The third eye, in the center of his forehead is forever closed and simply opens to destroy an evil doer. A garland of skulls, rudraksha bead, or a snake hangs from his neck. Lord Shiva also carries snakes as armlets and bracelets. The serpent, contest, despised and fear by all further creatures, establish a place of honour on Shiva’s holy being, just because he was enthused by their plight.



In single offer, Shiva hold his trishul, the Pinaka the trishul regularly has a damaru or wait beat joined to it. In a different hand, he holds a conch defense, and in the third, a rudraksha rosary, a club, or a bow. Individual hands are typically empty, raised in an indication of approval and defense. The added points to his foot, anywhere the devotee is certain of salvation. He carries a tiger or leopard skin around his waist, and his high body is typically bare, but dirty with ashes, as befits an ascetic.


His third eye is supposed to have emerged when Parvati, in a playful mood, covered his eyes with her hands. At once, the universe was plunged into darkness and there was chaos. To restore arrange, Shiva created a different eye on his forehead, from which emerged fire to return light.
The light from this eye is supposed to be extremely influential, and as a result destructive. Shiva opens his third eye only in anger, and the criminal is burnt to cinders.

The name Lord Shiva does not emerge in the Vedas. Though he is recognized with the Vedic god Rudra, lord of songs, sacrifice, and nourishment, the healer of diseases and provider of property. According to the Shiva Purana Shiva is said to contain five faces, related to his five tasks, the panchakriya formation, organization, destruction, awareness, and grace. His five faces are related with the formation of the holy syllable Om.

Shiva is supposed to live o Mount Kailash, a mountain in the Himalayas. His vehicle is Nandi the bull and his weapon, the trishul.Shiva’s wife is Parvati, who is as well thought to be a part of Shiva. One of the mainly well-liked forms of Shiva is that of Ardhanarishvara.


According to a legend in the Puranas, Brahma was ineffective of making. He propitiated Shiva who catch this form and separated Parvati from his body. Parvati has numerous incarnations, like Kali, Durga, and Uma. Their sons are Kartikeya and Ganesh.

Bhagwan God Shiva is invented to contain a huge number of attendants, called ganas. These mythological beings have human bodies with animal heads. Bhagwan Shiva’s son Ganesha is the head of the ganas.

Across the state, present are hundreds of holy place and shrines devoted to shiva. He typically worshipped in the structure of a Shivalinga, and also as a deity. He is worshipped by offering flowers, except the Ketaki Brahma Bel trees, milk, and sandalwood attach are also nice to him. Present is a particular arati to shiva and numerous hymns and poems in his praise.

Present there is lot of stories in the Puranas about the origin of Shiva According to the Vishnu Purana, at the establishment of this kalpa Brahma required a child and meditated for one. At present, a child appeared on his lap and started crying. While asked by Brahma why he was crying, the child replied that it was because he did not have a name Brahma then named him Rudra, meaning “howler”.

Though the child cried seven added times and was given seven more names. Shiva as a result has eight forms: Rudra, Sharva, Bhava, Ugra, Bhima, Pashupati, Ishana, and Mahadeva, which, according to the Shiva Purana, write to the earth, water, fire, wind, sky, a yogi called Kshetragya, the sun, and the moon respectively. Throughout the samudra manthan, when poison was churn out of the ocean, Shiva is said to have swallowed it to save the planet from destruction. Since he drank the poison, Parvati clasped his throat securely so that the poison was churned out of the ocean, Because of this, he is known as Neelkantha, the blue-necked one.


Bhagwan Shiva decided an irregular boon to a demon called Bhasmasura who wish that if he situated his hand on anyone’s leader, that person would turn to ashes. No earlier was his need resolute than he menaced Shiva himself, who took to his heels and was saved by Vishnu in the form of Mohini, mutual their energies and formed Hari-hara putra later, recognized with Sasta or Aiyappa, a celibate tribal deity in kerala, whose cult is currently huge in India. He lives on in Mohiniattam, the feminine equal of Kerala’s dance theatre, Kathakali.

Bhagwan Shiva is the maker of dance and of the initial 16 rhythmic syllables still uttered, since which the Sanskrit language was born. His dance of anger is called the Roudra Tandava and his dance, and they begged him to dance over. Lord Shiva promised to do so in the heart of his devotees and in a blessed grove in Tamil Nadu, everywhere the great temple of Chidambaram was build, the merely one in all Indian devoted to Shiva as Nataraja, the lord of dance. It is supposed that on the 13th day of every bright lunar fortnight after 6 o’clock in the evening, falls a blessed hour called Pradosha Worshipping Lord Shiva at this time is akin to worshipping all the powers.