Meaning of Shiva

When we say “Shiva,” there are two fundamental aspects that we are referring to. The word “Shiva” means literally, “that which is not.”

Shiva is Nothingness

Today, modern science is proving to us that everything comes from nothing and goes back to nothing. The basis of existence and the fundamental quality of the cosmos is vast nothingness. The galaxies are just a small happening – a sprinkling. The rest is all vast empty space, which is referred to as Shiva. That is the womb from which everything is born, and that is the oblivion into which everything is sucked back. Everything comes from Shiva and goes back to Shiva.

Shiva is known as “The Destroyer” within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu. Alial in Shaivism tradition, Shiva is one of the supreme beings who creates, protects and transforms the universe. He is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism. The iconographical attributes of Shiva are the serpent around his neck, the adorning crescent moon, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the third eye on his forehead, the trishula or trident, as his weapon, and the damaru drum. Shiva is considered the Great Yogi who is totally absorbed in himself — the transcendental reality. He is the Lord of Yogis, and the teacher of Yoga to sages. Shiva’s wife was Parvati, often incarnated as Kali and Durga. She was in fact a reincarnation of Sati (or Dakshayani), the daughter of the god Daksha. Daksha did not approve of Sati’s marriage to Shiva and even went further and held a special sacrificial ceremony to all the gods except Shiva. With Parvati, Shiva had a son, the god Ganesha. The boy was in fact created out of earth and clay to keep her company and protect her while. Shiva is closely associated with the Linga (or Lingham) – a phallus or symbol of fertility or divine energy found in temples to the god. In Asian art Shiva may be represented in slightly different ways depending on the particular culture: Indian, Cambodian, Javanese etc. but he is most commonly depicted naked with multiple arms and with his hair tied up in a topknot. He often has three horizontal stripes and a third vertical eye on his forehead.

Significance of Lord Shiva’s Damru – Damru symbolizes the Universe which is always expanding and collapsing. From an expansion it collapses and then it re-expands, this is the process of creation. If you see your heartbeat, it is not just one straight line but it is a rhythm that goes up and down. The whole world is nothing but rhythms; energy rising and collapsing to rise again. So the damru signifies that. Look at the shape of the damru, from expansion it collapses and again expands.

Significance of Serpent around Lord Shiva’s Neck-

According to the Puranas, during the churning of the ocean of milk (samudra manthan), the deadly poison (halahala) came out which Shiva had to drink to save the world. There were some snakes in the water who drank it with him and Vasuki was one of them. Vasuki also served as the rope that was tied to Mandar mountain during the churning of the ocean of milk. Shiva was impressed by this and hence accepted Vasuki (king of sarpas) around his neck. The Lord wearing the deadly snake like an ornament signifies that He is independent of time and death and as a matter of fact, is in control of the time.

Lord Shiva is also known as Pasupathinath, the lord of all creatures and as another story goes, it is believed that once when the snake species was in danger, they approached Lord Shiva for Shelter. Lord Shiva gave them shelter by letting them stay in Kailasa. But due to cold weather, the snakes used to approach Lord Shiva for warmth of Body. Thus, He as a protector used to wear these snakes as an ornament to provide warmth to them.

Being a Lord of the animals He also has a complete control on their behavior. Since a snake is one of the most feared and dangerous animals in the world, the garland of snakes around the neck firmly establishes this fact that even the snakes fear Him and remain under His control.

The snake stands for all the evil and demonical nature in the world. By wearing the snake around his neck, Lord Shiva gives us the assurance that no evil can touch us or destroy us once we surrender to him, seek his protection and worship him with deep devotion.

The snake also suggests the dormant energy, called Kundalini Shakti, that resides within one and is described as a coiled serpent lying dormant in the muladhara chakra of all human beings and descends upwards when one starts one’s spiritual journey and becomes increasingly divine oriented. The snake around the neck of Shiva, thus, conveys the meaning that in him the kundalini not only has arisen fully but is also actively involved in the divine activity by keeping an eye on all the devotees who approach Shiva with their individual problems.

The snake also stands for all passions and desires and by wearing the snakes around his neck, Lord Shiva conveys the message to all his devotees that He has overcome all desires and is in full control of Prakriti, or maya and its various machinations.

Significance of Lord Shiva’s Trishul (Trident)-Trishul represents the three aspects of consciousness – waking, dreaming and sleeping, and it represents the three gunas – satva, rajas and tamas. Holding a trishul (Trident) signifies that Shiva (the divinity) is above all the three states – waking, dreaming and sleeping, yet is the upholder of these three states.

Significance of Shiva’s Blue Body-Blue means like the Sky. Blue signifies all pervading, infinity which has no limits. It has no shape. Shiva does not have a body. Shiva was never a person at all. To symbolize the unfathomable, the infinite Divinity and to make that Divinity comprehensible to people, the ancient Rishis made a form.

Maheshwara Murthams

Maheshwara murtas are forms of Shiva revered in the Shivagamas of southern Shaiva Siddhanta sect of Saivism. It is usually counted to twenty five. Sritattvanidhi calls these as Panchavimsatilīlāmūrti (twenty five sportive forms). These forms are based on Puranas and Ithihasa (history) in which Shiva’s divine play is explained with different stories. Most of these forms are present in South Indian temples as main deities of sanctum or sculptures and reliefs in the outer walls of Shiva temples. All these manifestations are based on Puranas like the Shiva Purana & Shiva Agama texts. Apart from the Panchavimshatililamurti described in the Sritattvanidhi, we’ll also be taking a look at few additional aspects of Lord Shiva which form the basis of the Ashdashta Murtas i.e. 64 different forms of Shiva as described in the Shaiva Siddhanta texts.

Here are the 64 Forms of Lord Shiva

1. Linga Murthy – In this form, Lord Shiva can be seen to be in a very formless shape
2. LinGodbhava Murthy – In this form of God Shiva emerging from formless.
3. Mukhalingam – In this form we can see Lord Shiva with 5 faces
4. SadaShiva Murthy –The secondary form of Lord Shiva with five faces
5. Maha SadaShiva Murthy- In this form Lord Shiva has twenty five faces
6. Umamaheshvara Murthy- This is the sixth form and in this the God Shiva with Goddess uma or Parvati.
7. Sukasana Murthy – Lord Shiva with his wife Goddess Uma in a pleasant mood If worshipped in this form he grants peace and happiness.
8. Umesha Murthy – Lord Shiva with his wife Goddess Uma and in a Varadana pose
9. Somaskandha Murthi- This is a popular form of Lord Shiva. The God Shiva is seen with Goddess uma and Lord skandha in this form.
10. Vrishabhantika Murthy- Lord Shiva with his mount Nandi bull
11. Chandrashekara Murthy- God Shiva with crescent is seen in this form. This was when the moon told him to keep him on his head after the moon was saved from the curse of his father in law by Lord Shiva.
12. Bhujanga Lalita Murthy – Lord Shiva with Moon and Snake
13. Sada Nritta Murthy – in this form the Lord Shiva is seen in the form of Natraj. He is seen with his wife and standing on the body of a demon.
14. Gangavisarjana Murthy – God Shiva releasing ganga in this form. This is the form in which the Lord Shiva held the Ganga on his head.
15. Ardanarishvara Murthy – God Shiva Goddess shakti together in one form is worshipped by many. In this form the Lord Shiva and his wife are seen together. The form is of half Lord Shiva and half of Goddess Parvati.
16. Vrishabharudar – Lord Shiva with sitting on Nandi Bull
17. Bhujanga Trasa Murthy – In this particular form the Lord Shiva is seen with a sanke in one hand and fire in the other. As usual there is damroo in one hand and with the fourth hand he is seen blessing the devotees.
18. Chandathandava Murthy — In this form the Lord Shiva is seen standing on a demon. it is considered to be one of the fierce forms of the Lord Shiva.
19. Tripurantaka Murthy – Lord Shiva with his wife Goddess Uma, riding a chariot driven by four horses
20. Gajasura Samlıara Murthy – Lord Shiva battling an elephant demon
21. Sandhya Nritta Murthy – This is an interesting form of the Lord Shiva. In this form he is seen with his wife and with a damroo in his hand. He is again seen killing an asura in this form.
22. Gangadhara Murthy – Lord Shiva with the Devi Ganga falling into matted locks
23. Kalyanasundhara Murthy – Lord Shiva in this form is seen getting married to Goddess Partvati the daughter of Himalaya.
24. Jvarabhagna Murthy – This form of the Lord Shiva is also called the jvarahara Murthy. In this form the Lord is seen withthree faces and three legs. The Lord is dancing in this pose.
25. Shardhula Hara Murthy – This is a form in which the God Shiva is seen with a tiger skin. This is a popular form of the Lord Shiva.
26. Keshavartha Murthy – This form of the Lord Shiva is also called the Shankaranarayana. You will see that in this form the Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are seen together in one body. You can see damroo in one hand and Chakra in the other. This is a very popular form of the Lord Shiva and is worshipped in many parts of the country even today.
27. Chandisha Anugraha Murthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen gifting the Kamdhenu cow to a Sage. Kamdhenu was a mystical cow and it would fulfil all the wishes of its master.
28. Vinadhara Dakshina Murthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen holding a musical instrument that is called the Vina. He is seen standing on a demon and is surrounded by Gods.
29. Lakulishvara Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen sitting in a composed form as Lakutishvara Murthy. He as usual holds his damroo and trishool
30. Vaduka Murthy – This form of the Lord Shiva is called the Bhairava. In this particular form the Lord is seen holding a snake and a bowl In this form the Lord is seen as a simple hermit that he was.
31. Agorastra Murthy – Lord Shiva in an Aghori form
32. Guru Murthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen as a sage who is teaching others. This was the form in which the Lord used to share his knowledge with the sages in the Gyan sabha.
33. Jalandharavata Murthy – In this particular form you can see the Lord Shiva killing Jalandhara. Jalandhara was a part of Lord Shiva but as he was creating havoc in heaven and earth the Lord Shiva was forced to kill him.
34. Ekapadha Murthy – This is a form of Lord Shiva where he is seen standing on one leg.
35. Gaurilila Samanvita Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen sitting with his wife in this pose. He was the only God who had a family and in this he is shown as a family man.
36. Brahma Shirachetha Murthy – Lord Once Lord Vishu and Brahma had a fight and they wanted to know who was greater. The Lord Shiva in this form is seen cursing Lord Brahma saying that he will never be worshipped in spite of being the creator of the world.
37. Varaha Samhara Murthy -As the name clearly says the Lord Shiva is seen killing a Varaha in this form.
38. Shishyabhava Murthy- The Lord Shiva is seen in this form with his devotees and his wife Goddess parvati.
39. Pasupatha Murthy – This is a form of Lord Shiva he is seen with some Gods and he is in a larger than life form
40. Bhikshatana Murthy – God Shiva asking for alms
41. Vvakvana Dakshina Murthy – In this form again the Lord is seen killing a demon who would not allow the sages to do their duties
42. Kalanthakar- in this form the Lord Shiva is also called the KalasamharaMurthy. In this the Lord came out of a fire to kill a demon.
43. Bhairav Murthy – Lord Shiva with a dog
44. Kshetrapaala Murthy – In this form Lord is also called the Bhairavar. He is again seen with a dog in this form
45. Dakshayagyahara Murthy – We all know about the Daksha yagna where Lord Shiva was insulted and his wife Sati killed herself in this form the Lord Is seen killing the king Daksha.
46. Ashvaruda Murthy – Lord Shiva sitting on a horse
47. 47. Ekapad triMurthy – Lord Shiva seen taking the forms of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma
48. Gaurivaraprada Murthy – Lord Shiva with his wife Devi Gauri
49. 49. Vishapaharana Murthy – Lord Shiva is seen resting with Devi Partavi sitting beside him
50. 50. Kurma Samhara Murthy – The Lord Shiva with Lord Vishnu
51. Prarthana Murthy – Lord Shiva with Devi Parvati in a very happy mood
52. 52. Kankala Murthy Lord- Shiva seen in a standing pose
53. Simhaghna Murthy – Lord Shiva with three heads of lion and killing a demon
54. Yoga Dakshina Murthy – This is a pose in which the Lord Shiva is seen in yogic posture. The Lord in this form is also called dakshinaMurthy.
55. Kama Dahana Murthy –Lord We have already explained that Lord Shiva once burnt down Lord Kama. In this form he is seen burning cupid
56. Apatuttarana Murthy – The Lord is seen as a simple hermit in this form with a stick and a bow.
57. Virabhadra Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen as a warrior in this form loaded with weapons.
58. Kiratha Murtliy – The Lord Shiva is seen with bow and arrow in this form. He looks like a hunter in this form
59. Gajantika Murthy – Lord Shiva with an elepliant
60. Tripada Trimurthi –The Lord Shiva is seen standing on one leg with Vishnu and Brahma on both his sides.
61. Chakradanasvarupa Murthy – Lord In this particular form the God Shiva is seen giving sudarshana chakra to Lord Vishnu.
62. Garudanthika Murthy The Lord Shiva is seen in this form with his wife and he is being worshipped by a number of Gods including Garur.-
63. Matsya Samhara Murthy – In this form Lord Shiva is seen with a fish. It was a form he took when Lord Vishnu took the form of fish.
64. Rakthabhiksha Pradana Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen with Lord Vishnu in this form. The Lord Shiva is seen using his Trishool to get some blood from the body of Lord Vishnu.