Who is Lord Shiva and what is a Shiva Linga? 3 Life-Changing Shiva Mantras
Who is Shiva?
If you're familiar with Hinduism, then you've probably heard of Lord Shiva. He's one of the most important gods in the religion, and he's often worshipped in the form of a linga.
But who is Lord Shiva, and why is he so important?
In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the things that make Lord Shiva so special. We'll also explore why he's often worshipped in the form of a linga and 3 favorite Shiva Mantras that are life changing! So if you're curious about Lord Shiva, and why he is so amazing, stick around:) We have a lot to cover and a ton of resources to share!
The Many Names of Shiva
Shiva is known by many names - Mahadev, Rudra, Bholenath - and is considered to be the supreme god in Hinduism. Shiva is the destroyer of the world, but he is also the creator and protector.
He is represented in many ways, but most commonly Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Linga, which is a symbol of his energy and power.
Shiva is a merciful god, and He even says Himself that he can be easily pleased with even the simplest of offerings. By worshiping Shiva in his Linga form, we honor him as the creator and destroyer of all things, and ask for his blessings and protection. He can truly help us raise our vibrations and live our most fulfilling life!
Shiva’s Family
Shiva's wife is Parvati, and his son is Ganesha. Lord Shiva is a god who loves his devotees and provides them with everything they need. He is kind and compassionate, and he always listens to their prayers.
If you're looking for a god who will always be there for you, then Lord Shiva is the perfect choice. I can truly attest to this in my own personal life. I was very fortunate to receive a very large Linga that has been lavishly worshiped by prominent pundits.
Loving, learning about, and worshipping Lord Shiva is an age old way to raise the vibrations. This is tested, tried and true!
Shiva Shakti
The topic of Shiva is not complete without talking about His Shakti, aka the Divine Mother and the Divine Consort of Shiva. She comes in many forms. Some of her most popular are Kali and Parvati. But what exactly is Shiva Shakti?
Shiva Shakti is the divine energy of Shiva. Shiva is the supreme god in Hinduism, and Shakti is his consort and according to some traditions, she is also the universe itself. Shakti manifests in many forms, such as Kali and Parvati, and is often depicted as being very powerful and fierce.
Shiva Shakti represents the duality of Shiva and his consort, which represents the dual nature of reality itself. On one hand, Shiva is absolute consciousness, while on the other hand Shakti is absolute energy.
Together they represent the complete reality of existence. Shiva Shakti is often depicted as being very fierce and powerful, but she is also beautiful and loving.
Shiva Shakti represents the perfect balance between opposites, and Her power lies in her ability to unite all things into one.
Shiva’s Symbols -THE DARK-SKINNED ASCETIC WITH A BLUE THROAT
Shiva has a remarkable and unforgettable appearance. Simply put, he just looks cool. He is that timeless hipness that draws people to him no matter what age, sect or creed. He is the hemp-smoking ascetic who also dances the Great Cosmic Dance!
”Shiva is believed to exist in many forms. His most common depiction is as a dark-skinned ascetic with a blue throat. Usually seated cross-legged on a tiger skin, Shiva’s hair is matted and coiled on his head, adorned with a snake and a crescent moon. Ganga is always depicted flowing out of his topknot.
Shiva has four arms and three eyes. The third eye, in the middle of his forehead, is always closed and only opens to annihilate an evil doer. A garland of skulls, rudraksha beads, or a snake hang from his neck. Shiva also wears snakes as armlets and bracelets.
The serpent race, despised and feared by all other creatures, found a place of honour on Shiva’s sacred person, simply because he was moved by their plight.
In one hand, Shiva holds his trishul, the Pinaka. The trishul usually has a damaru or waisted drum tied to it. In another hand, he holds a conch shell, and in the third, a rudraksha rosary, a club, or a bow.
One hand is usually empty, raised in a gesture of blessing and protection. The other points to his feet, where the devotee is assured of salvation.” from Shivashakti.com
What is a Shiva Linga?
The Shiva Linga is the symbolic stone of Lord Shiva and is worshipped by millions. Its worship predates written history but it is also found in Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The linga is most commonly made out of stone, crystal, and brass and comes in various shapes related to a pillar or egg shape.
The Linga is often placed on a pedestal in front of Shiva's image or statue, and devotees will offer flowers and prayers to it.
Shiva worshipers know that by worshipping the Linga they will be rewarded with Shiva's blessings.
He simply brings peace to any space. I highly recommend getting one for your Meditation Room or Sacred Space and placing him on your altar, in gardens or any place in your home to bring the calming energies of Lord Shiva into your space.
Meaning of Shiva Linga
The Shiva Linga stone has many meanings but it is most known as the formless aspect of Shiva and represents the cessation of desires and merging into the formless One. "In the Sanskrit language, the word linga refers to a ‘chief mark’ or ‘characteristic’ of something. Linga indicates what is outstanding and determinative." David Frawley
Worship of Shiva
During great festivals in India as well as temples and home shrines, Mahadev is worshipped daily through ritualistic worship by millions of Hindus.
A Shiva temple is prominent in so many villages, towns and cities. Worshipped from Northern India all the way to the South and then into Sri Lanka. One of the most popular ways the Linga is worshipped is by pouring water over Him and chanting His name or one of His many mantras.
Worship can also get very complex and elaborate including but not limited to milk, ghee, yogurt, honey and other articles. This is poured over the Lord repeatedly often with elaborate chanting of the Vedas or hymns going on in the background or by the pujari (priest of the temple).
Shiva is also worshipped on the night of the full moon. Read my step by step guide on how to incorporate Shiva into your full moon ritual here.
Famous Shiva Mantras that Will Change Your Life
1. Om Namah Shivaya
The Most Famous Shiva Mantra is to simply chant Om Namah Shivaya. I have linked a video below so you can listen to this sublime chant. I highly recommend chanting this 108 times before you meditate for a deepened meditation practice. This Mantra is known to change people’s lives…for the better! I can attest to that in my own life.
If you don’t have a solid meditation routine yet, just play the video below and see how it quickly raises the vibrations.
This one is easy to chant and you can quickly pick it up.
2. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Another popular mantra to worship Shiva or bathe Him with is the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. Also known as Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Mantra, it is a verse of the Rigveda (one of the four canonical sacred texts).
The sacred verse also recurs in the Yajurveda.
This mantra is sometimes known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra because it is a part of the “life-restoring” mantra practice given to the primordial sage Shukra (the Sanskrit for “brightness, clearness”) after he had finished an exhausting time of severity.
It is also called Rudra mantra, referring to the furious aspect of Lord Shiva (Mahadeva), and Tryambakam mantra, alluding to Lord Shiva’s three eyes.
oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe
sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam .
urvārukamiva bandhanān
mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt ..
English translation: We worship Lord Shiva the three-eyed one, the one who is the master of all senses and qualities and the one who is the sustainer of all growth. May he release us from the bondage of death, just as a ripened cucumber is released from its stalk, and may he (not deprive us of immortality) grant us immortality.
This one is a bit of a tongue twister in the beginning, but with practice, you will get it! And feel it’s amazing effects.
Play the video below and follow along. This one is most efficacious in my opinion. It is often recommended for health problems, disease, depression and money problems. Chant and pray to Lord Shiva, remember He is the easiest to please. You will know it and feel it.
3. The Rudram
Chants such as The Rudram are age-old, deeply reverent songs and pleasing to Shiva. This is an excellent rendition I have embedded below. This was recommended to me by an expert chanter. Just play this and close your eyes and you will be taken to another land. The Rudram is extremely important and one of the most potent.
Within the Rudram are many, many famous Shiva mantras.
Although this one is hard to learn (I’ve been studying it for years), you can simply let it play in your home. I even leave it running sometimes in my meditation room or my bedroom while I’m not even in there so I know that these important vibrations are filling the space.
Feel the loving and peaceful vibes enter your home with an auspicious Linga and playing these Mantras.
Again, you don’t have to memorize all of them or chant them correctly from day 1. Mantras take practice but there benefits are too many to even attempt to discuss. Just play the videos I have linked and feel the vibrations rise and change for the better!
A Simple Worship of Your Very Own Linga
I highly recommend getting a Linga and placing it in your sacred space or meditation space. It is highly beneficial to give it care including keep it clean. You can simply smudge or sage it in a clockwise direction with your right hand chanting Om Namah Shivaya. If you are new to Shiva worship, don’t be afraid to jump right in! Shiva is very forgiving and you will see that the peace you gain from doing this simple worship is quite tangible!
You can start worshipping him with a simple bathing ritual known as Abishek, you simply place him on a plate on in a bowl that will hold or catch the water as you bathe him. Its best if have this plate or bowl only meant for this purpose.
Step by Step Simple Shiva Linga Worship
The basic idea of the worship is to have your water pitcher or special cup filled with water and simply pour over the Linga while chanting Om Namah Shivaya.
Here is a step by step below of simple worship of the Linga with a few items.
Start your music-one of the chants I linked above works great to play in the background.
Put Shiva in the bathing plate. It is best to have copper but any plate that is reserved just for Him would be great.
Fill water pitcher with water.
Pour over Shiva chanting Om Nama Shivaya or any other Shiva Chant, or just Om.
Do this as many times as you want, you can pour milk a few times then wash it away with several rounds of water and chants.
Once you are done bathing, remove Shiva from the plate.
Use a cloth just meant for Shiva to dry him off or clean papertowels.
Use some oil on him after he is dried. You can use sesame oil, Nag Champa oil, essential oils.
Put him back on his place of residence.
Add flowers if you have them.
Wave incense around him chanting (clockwise direction with the incense).
Sit and relax in the peacefulness.
Now that you know a little bit more about Shiva and His form as a Linga, I hope you are encouraged to take up some Shiva worship and see how it will change your life…for the better! We are here for only a little while, let’s do all we can to raise the vibrations.
Need more resources?
Check out my e-commerce store, The Deva Shop. I have linked the lingas in this post to my store in case you want to check them out.
I am a trained pujari (ritualistic worshipper) and student of Vedanta and Hinduism. I offer these suggestions from the wonderful teachers and training I have received.
Visit my most-read blogs and get tons of good info and tips
Much Love! Much Light! I’m cheering you on!
Heather Hathaway, M.Ed.
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