Lord Shiva's Statue in Rishikesh

Vyom

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Just wanted to share this extremely serene and grand image of the Lord. Never seen a more engaging statue of Him. This, although, does not looks too old. Anyone has any idea how old is it?


 

Vyom

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How about this one then?
Even if you make the ugliest statue of our dear deities, they would still be incomparable. This one is good too, but still the one above expresses something more subtle and graceful. Look at the face and the posture of the statue - it's just an exceptional piece of art.
 

johnee

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Vyom,
thats beautiful statue! I also think that the first statue exudes serenity, calm and peace. It seems like symbolic of the deep meditation.

Here are few other impressive statues:

Lord Shiva of Murudeshwara, district of Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India



Lord Shiva statue. Nageshwar, near Dwarka. Gujarat. India




Shiva Statue, Bangolare




Shiva statue, Rishikesha(the night picture of the statue, Vyom had already posted in the first post):



Shiva statue outside Kashi Vishwanath temple



Shiva Statue, Bijapur, Karnataka, India



NATARAJ STATUE MADE FROM ALLOY OF FIVE METALS [PANCHA DHATHU]

 

johnee

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Ravanadarpavinasana Murthi(Lord who destroyed the ego of Ravana)


(the statue with several heads is ravana and the couple are Shiva and Parvati)

Somaskandara:



Urdva tandavar

 

johnee

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Nandi (Sanskrit: नंदी), is the bull which is the vehicle of Lord Shiva and the gate keeper of Kailash which is the abode of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. Temples venerating Shiva and Parvati display beautiful stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. There are also a number of temples dedicated solely to Nandi But here are some wonderful statues of Nandi across India:

Nandi, Shiva's vehicle, on Chamundi hills, Mysore


.

Gangaikondacholapuram Nandi




thanjore-nandi-brahadeeswarar-temple



Darasuram main Nandi




Nandi being given a divine bath in Brihadishwara temple




shivaganga_nandi_at_the_peak




Virupaksha temple, Nandi, Karnataka




Lepakshi Nandi


 

johnee

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The largest Hindu community outside India now has a monument of equal size: Trinidad recently received an 85 feet high statue of god Hanuman.





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johnee

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^^^Dark Prince,
the scene depicted in the above picture is when Lord Shiva is catching Ganga in his locks. This scene is part of Ganga avatarna within Ramayana. This episode of Ganga avatarna(Ganga taking an earthly avatar) is one of the celebrated episodes in Ramayana. Rishi Valmiki rarely gives phalashruti(gains of listening/reading a particular story/poem/song regarding a divinity). But he gives a phalashruti to this episode. He says that one who listens to Ganga avatarna, will have a full life, will achieve good fame, will have all his good desires fulfilled and his papam accounts will be cleared.

Ravana wrote a poem on Lord Shiva, where he describes how the Ganga within the hair-locks of Lord Shiva. It is a beautiful rendition with amazing lyrics.

Here it is:


Its meaning:

Śivatāṇḍavastotram

That Śiva, Who having held a long-garland of the best-snake (cobra) at the neck which is purified by the flow of trickling water-drops in the forest-like twisted hair-locks, Who danced the fierce Tāṇḍava-dance to the music of a sounding-drum, — May that Śiva extend my bliss.[1]

At every moment, may I find pleasure in Śiva, Whose head is situated in between the creeper-like unsteady waves of Nilimpanirjharī (Gańgā) which is roaming unsteadily in the frying-pan like twisted hair-locks, Who has crackling and blazing fire at the surface of forehead, and Who has a crescent-moon (young moon) at the forehead.[2]

May my mind seeks happiness in Śiva, Whose mind has the shining universe and all the living-beings inside, Who is the charming sportive-friend of the daughter of the mountain-king of the Earth (i.e. Himālaya), Whose uninterrupted series of merciful-glances conceals immense-troubles, and Who has direction as His clothes.[3]

May my mind hold in Śiva, by Whom — with the light from the jewels of the shining-hoods of creeper-like yellow-snakes — the face of Dikkanyās’ are smeared with Kadamba-juice like red Kuńkuma, Who looks dense due to the glittering skin-garment of an intoxicated elephant, and Who is the Lord of the ghosts.[4]

For a long time, may Śiva — Whose foot-basement is grey due to the series of pollen dust from flowers at the head of Indra (Sahasralocana) and all other demi-gods, Whose matted hairlocks are tied by a garland of the king of snakes, and Who has a head-jewel of the friend of cakora bird — produce prosperity.[5]

May we acquire the possession of tress-locks of Śiva, Which absorbed the five-arrows (of Kāmadeva) in the sparks of the blazing fire stored in the rectangular-forehead, Which are being bowed by the leader of supernatural-beings, Which have an enticing-forehead with a beautiful streak of crescent-moon.[6]

May I find pleasure in Trilocana, Who offered the five great-arrows (of Kāmadeva) to the blazing and chattering fire of the plate-like forehead, and Who is the sole-artist placing variegated artistic lines on the breasts of the daughter of Himālaya (Pārvatī).[7]

May Śiva — Whose cord-tied neck is dark like a night with shining-moon obstructed by a group of harsh and new clouds, Who holds the River Gańgā, Whose cloth is made of elephant-skin, Who has a curved and crescent moon placed at the forehead, and Who bears the universe — expand [my] wealth.[8]

I adore Śiva, Who supports the dark glow of blooming blue lotus series at around the girdle of His neck, Who cuts-off Smara (Kāmadeva), Who cuts-off Pura, Who cuts-off the mundane existence, Who cuts-off the sacrifice (of Dakṣa), Who cuts-off the demon Gaja, Who cuts-off Andhaka, and Who cuts-off Yama (death).[9]

I adore Śiva, Who only eats the sweet-flow of nectar from the beautiful flowers of Kadamba-trees which are the abode of all important auspicious qualities, Who destroys Smara (Kāmadeva), Who destroys Pura, Who destroys the mundane existence, Who destroys the sacrifice (of Dakṣa), Who destroys the demon Gaja, Who destroys Andhaka, and Who destroys Yama (death).[10]

May Śiva, Whose dreadful forehead has oblations of plentiful, turbulent and wandering snake-hisses — first coming out and then sparking, Whose fierce tāṇḍava-dance is set in motion by the sound-series of the auspicious and best-drum (ḍamaru) — which is sounding with ‘dhimit-dhimit’ sounds, be victorious.[11]

When will I adore Sadāśiva with an equal vision towards varied ways of the world, a snake or a pearl-garland, royal-gems or a lump of dirt, friend or enemy sides, a grass-eyed or a lotus-eyed person, and common men or the king.[12]

Living in the hollow of a tree in the thickets of River Gańgā, always free from ill-thinking, bearing añjali at the forehead, free from lustful eyes, and forehead and head bonded, when will I become content while reciting the mantra ‘‘Śiva?’’[13]

Reading, remembering, and reciting this eternal, having spoken thus, and the best among best eulogy indeed incessantly leads to purity. In preceptor Hara (Śiva) immediately the state of complete devotion is achieved; no other option is there. Just the thought of Śiva (Śańkara) is enough for the people.[14]

At the time of prayer-completion, that who reads this song by Daśavaktra (Rāvaṇa) after the prayer of Śambhu — Śambhu gives him stable wealth including chariots, elephants and horses, and beautiful face.[15]

Poet: Rāvaṇa
Here is the audio:

 
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johnee

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Mamallapuram, about an hour south of Chennai along the East coast, hosts India’s largest and most dramatic relief-sculpture. It represents the celebrated episode in Ramayana of the descent of the river Ganga from heaven to earth. W can see Lord Shiva appearing before the Bhagiratha who is in deep penance.
It was King Bhagiratha(ancestor of Lord Rama) who is credited in the Ramayana as having brought the divine river Ganga to the earth. Ganga is said to exist in three worlds: in the heavens(where it is known as akasha ganga), on the earth(where it is known as bhagirathi) and in patala(the netherworld which is supposed to be the home of demons).

Here is the full sculpture picture:




Here is another sculpture of the ganga avatarna episode:



Hordes of Devas, Devis and other celestial beings follow.

(click for larger image)

This sculpture depicts gandharvas, apsaras and ganas racing to catch a glimpse of this miracle(of descent of Ganga); the bent knees create the impression of everyone flying. Even sages, a hunter and a laborer are drawn in. In the center of the tableau above, you see Kinnaras, heavenly musicians with the upper body of humans and the legs of birds, holding a stringed instrument and cymbals. Various ducks, birds and deer too, rush to partake of this miracle.

Link

Here is the full view :

 

johnee

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Statue of Shiva as Gangadhara




Gangadhara (descent of the Ganges) sculpture on Elephanta cave near Mumbai (Bombay) India

Shiva takes Ganga - the heavenly river - on his head before it falls down to earth. This form of Shiva is known as Gangadhara. Parvati, his consort is shown beside him, and River Ganga is shown as a three headed goddess above his crown


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johnee

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Deity of Lord Shiva at the Madurai Meenakshi Temple India.

 

johnee

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^^^The above murthi is the Dakshinamurthi pose of Lord Shiva. Here is another one:


Sri Dakshinamurthi on the outside wall of Kadambar Koil in Narthamalai on the Tiruchi-Pudukottai route, which houses nine small hillocks, speaks volumes about the sculptural excellence during the period of the Cholas and the Pandyas. Link


A rare depiction of Jnana-mudra at Ilambyankottur:



Lord Shiva in chin mudra:



Vyakhyana mudra (Pallava sculpture):



Dakshinamurthi(Lord Shiva) as Yoga Murthi:





Rishabharudha Dakshinamurthy



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johnee

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Here is a pictorial depiction of Dakshinamurthi as Vyakhyana-murti:



Dakshinamurthy is perhaps the only Hindu deity that sits facing the southern direction. This fact is implicit in the name itself. The great seer Ramana Maharshi, has interpreted the name as "Dakshina amurty", meaning one who is capable but without form. Both names refer to Lord Siva and represent Him as the Supreme Teacher. Dakshinamurthy's uniqueness as a teacher lies in the fact that he teaches through silence, through his all-pervasive Consciouness. The traditional image that portray Him thus is described by Sankara with a poetic play of words in the seventh verse of this work as "mudraya bhadraya".

None can equal Sankara when it comes to the combination of the highest philosophical truths with brevity, simplicity and beauty of Sanskrit verse. In a short compass of ten verses he leads us to understand the oneness of the individual self and Brahman, the Ultimate Reality. Deep devotion to a personal God provides the way to seeing and attaining that Reality despite the limitations and illusory perceptions of the psycho-physical organism, that cloud that reality.

Adhi Sankara has written very many great Stotras (prayers) but the Dakshinamurthi Stotram(prayer to Dakshinamurthi) is a unique prayer, which is not only a prayer but the summary of all the philosophy that he has taught. Even during his time, this stotra was difficult to comprehend and it became necessary for one of his disciples, Sureshwaracharya to write a commentary called Manasollasa to this stotra. There are large number of books and commentaries on this commentary itself.

Here is the Dakshinamurthi Stotram:

Mouna Vyakhya prakatitha, para,
Brahma thathwam yuvanam,
Varshishtha anthevasad rishiganai,
Ravrutham brahma nishtai,
Acharyendram kara kalihtha chin,
Mudram ananda roopam,
Swathmaramam mudhitha vadanam,
Dakshinamurthim eede.

I praise and salute that Dakshinamrthy,
Who faces the south,
Who explains the true nature of the supreme Brahman,
Through his state of silence,
Who is young in looks,
Who is surrounded by disciples who are old Sages,
Whose minds are fixed on Brahman,
Who is the greatest of teachers,
Who shows the Chinmudhra[1] by his hand,
Who is personification of happiness,
Who is in the state of extreme joy within himself,
And who has a smiling face.

Viswam darpana drusyamana nagari,
Thulyam nijantargatham,
Pasyannathmani mayaya bahirivoth,
Bhutham yatha nidraya,
Ya sakshath kuruthe prabodha samaye,
Swathmanameva dwayam,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree Dakshinamurthaye., 2

Similar to the image of a town as seen in the mirror,
When one sees the image of the world within him,
The world appears as if it is outside.
It is similar to his seeing due to illusion,
During the state of sleep,
That the one real fact appears as many different truths,
And he realizes,when he wakes up and sees the reality,
That he is really the one and only one soul.
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.


The above stanza tells us that the world which is outside us is same as our soul but we see them as different entities due to the veil of ignorance. As soon as we wake up, we realize that the dream is false and even while seeing our image in the mirror, we know that we are not seeing us in the mirror but our image. When we get knowledge from the guru we are in the wakeful state without the veil of ignorance.

Beejasyanthari vankuro jagadhidham,
Prang nirvikalpam puna,
Mayakalpitha desa kala kalanaa,
Vaichithrya chithrikrutham,
Mayaveeva vijrumbhayathyapi maha,
Yogeeva yah swechaya,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree dakshinamurthaye., 3

Like the germ inside the seed is its part,
But becomes different after development
The many places and time which are before us,
Are drawn by illusion in the board of life in a peculiar manner,
By a great savant or an expert Siddha,
Who can create them as per their will,
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.


When the net of illusion is lifted and when we reach the stage of manifestation, we would find that what we think as different is but one and the same.

Yasyaiva sphuranam sadathmakamasath,
Kalparthagam bhasathe,
Sakshaath thathwamaseethi veda vachasa,
Yobodhyathyasrithhan,
Yath saksht karanath bhavenna punara,
Aavrithir bhavambhonidhow,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree dakshinamurthaye., 4


He who exists as the real light of truth,
And shines in the false world of appearance,
And He who teaches disciples the great saying,
“Thou art that”[2] after realizing its import,
Gets away from this cycle of life and death.
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.

Nanachidhra ghato dhara sthitha maha,
Deepa prabha bhaswaram,
Jnanam yasya thu chakshuradhi karana,
Dwara bahi spandathe,
Jaanameethi tham eva baandham anubathi,
Yethath samastham jagat,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree dakshinamurthaye., 5


Like the light emanating from a lamp,
Kept in a pot with many holes,
Goes out in all directions,
In the person in whom the wisdom goes out
Through the openings of ear, eye , mouth and thought,
And when that person realizes that ‘I know myself”,
This whole universe shines after Him alone,
Who shines in the consciousness as the knower.
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.

Our body prevents us from seeing the truth(the light from outside) that we are the Brahman and lets out light though the sensory organs and makes us deceive ourselves by feeling that we are happy. This simile of a pot with holes for the body occurs in many places in Indian philosophy.

Deham pranam api indryanyapi chalaam,
Budhim cha soonyam vidhu,
Stree balandha jadopamasthvaha mithi,
Brandha brusam vadhina,
Maya sakthi vilasa kalpitha maha,
Vyamoha samharine,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree dakshinamurthaye., 6

Those great philosophers , who think that,
The body, the soul and the fickle intellect,
The concept of emptiness and all other nothingness,
Are nothing but themselves,
Are similar to the women children , blind and the ignorant.
It is only He who can destroy, this veil of ignorance,
And wake us up from this state of deceit.
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.

This is a sample of the approach of negation in identifying the truth about the concept of self. Senses, the body etc cannot be the absolute truth as they are transient.

Rahu grastha divakarendu sadrusho,
Maya samachadanath,
Sanamthra karanopa samharanatho,
Yo abhoot sushuptha pumaan,
Pragaswapsaamithi prabodha samaye,
Yaa prathyabignayathe,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree dakshinamurthaye., 7


Similar to the Sun when being masked by the serpent Rahu,
Knows that it was existing, once the eclipse is over
That man whose senses are suppressed
When he is asleep,
Because of the veil of illusion,
Realizes that he was in the state of sleep,
When he wakes up.
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.

Similar the sun existing even when there is eclipse, we exist when we are sleeping. This is denial of the Buddhist theory that, when we are asleep there is nothingness.

Balyadishwapi jagaradhadishu thadha,
Sarva sva avasthasthaswapi,
Vyavrutha swanuvarthamanamaha,
Mithyanth sphurantham sada,
Svathmaanam pragatikarothi bajatham,
Yo mudraya bhadraya,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree dakshinamurthaye., 8


Salutations to him who shines and exhibits,
Himself by the beatific Chinmudhra of the hand,
That he exists within the humans as self,
Forever and non changing,
Even during the changing states of childhood, youth and old age
And even during the states of sleep, dream and wakefulness.
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.

The truth as represented by the concept of Brahman, exists always.

Viswam pasyathi karya karana thaya,
Swa swami sambandatha,
Sishyacharya thaya thadaiva pithru,
Puthradhyathmana bedatha,
Swapne Jagrathi va ya esha purusho,
Maya Paribramitha,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree dakshinamurthaye., 9


The world sees as cause and effect,
The differences between us and our lord,
The distinction between teacher and the taught,
The distinction between father and son,
And so the man is confused by illusion,
And believes in these differences,
During the times of dream and wakefulness.
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.

The ignorance of the truth because of the veil of ignorance Maya is reemphasized.

Bhoorambaamsya anilo ambhara,
Maharnadho himamasu puman,
Ithyabhathi characharathmakamidham,
Yasyaiva murthyashtakam,
Nanyath kinchana vidhyathe vimrusathaam,
Yasmath parasmath vibho,
Thasmai sri guru murthaye nama idham,
Sree dakshinamurthaye., 10


To the sake of which supreme Brahman,
The universe is shining as self,
Which is Movable and immovable, with its aspects?
Of water, fire, air, space,
The sun, moon and the individual soul,
And also to those who examine the truth behind,
The meaning of this universe and find,
That it Consists of nothing but,
The God who is every where.
Salutation to the God facing the south,
Who is the greatest teacher.

Sarvathmathvamithi sphutikruthamitham,
Yasmadamushamin sthave,
Thenasya sravanath thadartha mananath,
Dyanascha Sankeerthanath,
Sarvathmathva maha vibhuthi sahitham,
Syadheeswarasthvam svatha,
Siddhyeth thath punarashtadha parinatham,
Chaisvaryamvayhatham., 11


The concept of the Athma,
Which is explained in this poem of praise,
Hearing which, understanding which,
Meditating which and singing which,
One would attain the state of the godliness,
And the great state of self realization,
And also you would get the eight powers of occult,
Without any problems in between.
Appendix

The following three stanzas as well as the first stanza are chanted after the main stotra:-

Chitram Vata tharor mole vruddha,
Sishya, Guror Yuva,
Gurostu mounam vykhyanam,
Sishyasthu china samsaya

It is strange to see,
The very old disciples,
And the very young teacher,
Who sit under a banyan tree,
With the teacher always observing silence,
And the students getting all the doubts cleared.

Om nama pranavarthaya,
Suddha jnanaika moorthaye nama,
Nirmalaya prasanthaya,
Sri Dakshinamurthaye nama.

Salutations to that Dakshinamurthy,
Who is the meaning of the pranava, “om”,
Who is the personification of unalloyed wisdom,
Who is crystal clear in his thought,
And who is the epitome of peace.

Gurave sara lokaanam,
Bishaje bhava roginaam,
Nidhaye sarva vidhyanam,
Sri Dakshinamurthaye nama.

Salutations to that Dakshinamurthy,
Who is the teacher of the entire world,
Who is the doctor to those,
Afflicted by the disease of birth and death,
And who is the treasure hose of all knowledge.
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johnee

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Here is picture of Adi Shankaracharaya:



He wrote the Dakshinamurthi Stotram in praise of Lord Shiva. He is also credited with reviving Hinduism when it was on its last crutches. He consolidated the Advaita Vedanta. Shankara travelled across India and other parts of South Asia to reinstall and consolidate Hinduism(or Santana Dharma) through discourses and debates with other thinkers. He founded four mathas ("monasteries"), which helped in the historical development, revival and spread of Hinduism.

Here is the audio of Dakshinamurthi Stotram:


Here is the English translation of Dakshinamurthi Stotram:

I worship that south - facing god who revels in his own self, the prime-preceptor, who sports the symbol of consciousness and is the very personification of bliss, surrounded by groups of sages and seers established in the Ultimate Reality, who is of tender age and expounding the concepts of philosophy by silence, so eloquent although.

Seated on the floor and under the banyan tree, purveyor of the valid knowledge to all the groups of sages and seers directly, the lord of all the three worlds and the south facing god, the one who cuts asunder the cycle of births and deaths, I bow down in supplication.

What a wonderful picture it is that is there under the banyan tree, where the preceptor is young and the disciples are old., the explanation of the preceptor is silence but yet the disciples have their doubts shattered.

I bow down in salutation to the south-facing god, who is the repository of all knowledge, the physician for those who are struck with the disease of transmigration and the preceptor of all the worlds.

I salute that south-facing god, who represents the import of the mystic syllable "OM" and represents the absolute reality, who is blemishless and of quietitude.


Who sees within himself, the universe which is in him, by the illusory power (maya), similar to a city that is seen in a reflecting mirror, but which is manifested outside, as though, for a perceiver
at the time of waking, his own self without a second, may this adoration be to him, that Lord incarnated as the preceptor; in physical form.

Out of his own will, who like a magician or a great yogi displays this universe which was undifferentiated earlier like the sprout in the seed but later is rendered differentiated under
different situations like the time, space and activities, all due to the play of illusory power- maya-to him be this adoration, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in physical form.

Whose luminosity is existence itself, entering all objects which are non-existent, as it were, shines forth; who instructs those who seek refuge in him that they are that supreme reality,
as in the scriptural text; by realizing whom these will occur no more entry into the ocean of transmigration of the soul, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in
physical form, be this adoration.

Who is effulgent like a lamp glowing within a pitcher with many apertures; whose knowledge goes out through the eyes and the other organs of perception; whose perception is that
"I know" whom the entire universe reflects as it glows following him; to him be this adoration, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in physical form.

Those who think that the physical body or the vital airs within it or the sense organs or the intellect or the nothingness as Supreme Reality, are labouring under an illusion like children, women and the sightless and blabber too much. May this adoration be to him, the annihilator of the delusion caused by the expansive might of the power of illusion, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in physical form.

He who is in the state of sleep due to dissolution of the mind caused by the veiling power of Maya- like the sun or the moon eclipsed by (ketu) or Rahu, upon waking recalls self-existence in the manner of "I have slept till now, " to him be this adoration, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor
in physical form.

In all states of flux like the childhood (youth and old age) and the waking (sleeping and dreaming ) state, with the consciousness within shining as "I" , at all times, that one who also reveals the real nature of the self to those who seek refuge in him as by means of the symbol that is auspicious, him as seekers of knowledge, to him be this adoration, the one who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor in physical form.

Due to the illusoryAdi Shankara power of Maya, he who sees the universe with distinctions and in a disparate state like cause and its effect, master and vassal, preceptor and seeker, father and son etc., in the states of dream and waking, to him be this adoration, who is the Lord incarnate as the preceptor in physical form.

Who has this universe that moves and also moves not and comprises in appearance as the earth, water, fire, air, the space, the sun, the moon and the individual soul as his manifestation in an eightfold manner, and for those who comprehensively analyse there exists nothing beyond these, to him may this adoration be, who is that Lord incarnate as the preceptor, in physical form.

As it has been clarified like a crystal in this hymn, that everything has the lord as the soul, by listening to, by cogitating upon the import of what has been listened to, meditating contemplatively upon it and singing this hymn, by these practices will occur the knowledge of the universal self with all its glory and over-lordship, on its own (or therafter) and the supernatural faculties in their eight forms without let or hindrance.
 
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johnee

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Adi Shankara travelled across India and other parts of South Asia to reinstall and consolidate Hinduism(or Santana Dharma) through discourses and debates with other thinkers. He founded four mathas ("monasteries"), which helped in the historical development, revival and spread of Hinduism.Sri Sharada Peetham in Sringeri is the first and foremost of the four Peethams established by the renowned 8th century philosopher saint Sri Adi Shankara, the principal exponent of Advaita (non-dualism). The Divinity of Knowledge, Goddess Sharada, installed at Sringeri by Sri Adi Shankara, graces the Peetham as the presiding deity. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal, the 36th in the illustrious and unbroken lineage of Acharyas presently adorns the throne of transcendental wisdom - the Vyakhyana Simhasana, the title associated with the Pontifical Seat of the Peetham. The Jagadguru upholds the activities of the Peetham towards the propagation and sustenance of Sanatana Dharma while pervading the lives of many thousands of disciples as their spiritual guide.


Here is the picture of Goddess Sharada(she is the presiding deity of Sharada Peetham). She is the goddess of knowledge/wisdom/learning:



Link to website of Sharada Peetham
 

johnee

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108 Names of Lord Shiva



S.No. Shiva Name Meaning
1 Aashutosh One Who Fulfills Wishes Instantly
2 Aja Unborn
3 Akshayaguna God With Limitless Attributes
4 Anagha Without Any Fault
5 Anantadrishti Of Infinite Vision
6 Augadh One Who Revels All The Time In Meditation
7 Avyayaprabhu Imperishable Lord
8 Bhairav Lord Of Terror
9 Bhalanetra One Who Has An Eye In The Forehead
10 Bholenath Kind Hearted Lord
11 Bhooteshwara Lord Of All Beings
12 Bhudeva Lord Of The Earth
13 Bhutapala Protector Of All The Beings
14 Chandrapal Master Of The Moon
15 Chandraprakash One Who Has Moon As A Crest
16 Dayalu Compassionate
17 Devadeva Lord Of The Lords
18 Dhanadeepa Lord Of Wealth
19 Dhyanadeep Icon Of Meditation And Concentration
20 Dhyutidhara Lord Of Brilliance
21 Digambara Ascetic Without Any Clothes
22 Durjaneeya Difficult To Be Known
23 Durjaya Unvanquished
24 Gangadhara Lord Of River Ganga
25 Girijapati Consort Of Girija(daughter of mountain: Goddess Parvati)
26 Gunagrahin Acceptor Of Gunas
27 Gurudeva Master/Teacher Of All
28 Hara Remover Of Sins
29 Jagadisha Master Of The Universe
30 Jaradhishamana Redeemer From Afflictions
31 Jatin One Who Has Matted Hair
32 Kailas One Who Bestows Peace
33 Kailashadhipati Lord Of Mount Kailash
34 Kailashnath Master Of Mount Kailash
35 Kamalakshana Lotus-Eyed Lord
36 Kantha Ever-Radiant
37 Kapalin One Wears A Necklace Of Skulls
38 Khatvangin One Who Has The Missile Khatvangin In His Hand
39 Kundalin One Who Wears Earrings
40 Lalataksha One Who Has An Eye In The Forehead
41 Lingadhyaksha Lord Of The Lingas
42 Lingaraja King Of The Lingas
43 Lokankara Creator Of The Worlds(Shiva as Brahma)
44 Lokapal One Who Takes Care Of The World(Shiva as Vishnu)
45 Mahabuddhi Extremely Intelligent
46 Mahadeva Greatest God
47 Mahakala Lord Of All Times
48 Mahamaya Great Illusion
49 Mahamrityunjaya Great Victor Of Death
50 Mahanidhi Great Treasure
51 Mahashaktimaya One Who Has Boundless Energies
52 Mahayogi Great Yogi
53 Mahesha Supreme Lord
54 Maheshwara Lord Of Gods
55 Nagabhushana One Who Has Serpents As Ornaments
56 Nataraja King Of The Art Of Dancing
57 Nilakantha Blue Necked Lord
58 Nityasundara Ever Beautiful
59 Nrityapriya Lover Of Dance
60 Omkara Creator Of OM
61 Palanhaar One Who Protects Everyone
62 Parameshwara First Among All Gods
63 Paramjyoti Greatest Splendour/Light
64 Pashupati Lord Of All Beasts(including man).
65 Pinakin One Who Holds Trishul(a weapon) Named Pinaka
66 Pranava The First Sound:OM
67 Priyabhakta Favourite Of The Devotees or One Who Favours The Devotees
68 Priyadarshana One Whose Form Is Pleasing To The Eye.
69 Pushkara One Who Gives Nourishment
70 Pushpalochana One Who Has Eyes as Beautiful/Soft as Flowers
71 Ravilochana Having Sun As The Eye
72 Rudra The Terrible(a aggressive form of Lord Shiva)
73 Rudraksha Eyes Of Rudra
74 Sadashiva One Who Always Does Good
75 Sanatana Ancient
76 Sarvacharya Preceptor Of All
77 Sarvashiva One Who Does Good To All
78 Sarvatapana Scorcher Of All
79 Sarvayoni Source Of Everything
80 Sarveshwara Lord Of All Gods
81 Shambhu One Who Bestows Prosperity
82 Shankara One Who Gives Happiness
83 Shiva Pure or Good
84 Shoolin One Who Holds A Shooll(Pike)
85 Shrikantha Of Glorious Neck
86 Shrutiprakasha Illuminator Of The Vedas
87 Shuddhavigraha One Who Has A Pure Body
88 Skandaguru Preceptor Of Skanda(Skanda is a name of Murugan/Kumara Swami. He is the second son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and younger brother of Lord Ganesha)
89 Someshwara Lord Of All Gods
90 Sukhada Bestower Of Happiness
91 Suprita Well Pleased
92 Suragana Having Gods As Attendants
93 Sureshwara Lord Of Gods
94 Swayambhu Self-Manifested
95 Tejaswani One Who Had Great Energy/Glow/Illumination
96 Trilochana Three-Eyed Lord
97 Trilokpati Master Of The Three Worlds
98 Tripurari Enemy Of Tripura
99 Trishoolin One Who Holds A Trishul(Trident) In His Hand
100 Umapati Husband Of Goddess Uma(another name of Goddess Parvati)
101 Vachaspati Lord Of Speech
102 Vajrahasta One Who Has A Thunderbolt In His Hands
103 Varada Granter Of Boons
104 Vedakarta Originator Of The Vedas
105 Veerabhadra Supreme Lord Of The Nether World
106 Vishalaksha Wide-Eyed Lord
107 Vishveshwara Lord Of The Universe
108 Vrishavahana One Who Has Bull(Nandi) As His Vehicle
Link

Each of these names deserves a book, to explain their complete meaning, so here, only a very simple meaning is being given.
 
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johnee

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Om Namah Shivaya (Shiva Sahasranama Mantra)



 
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johnee

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The following mantram appears at the start of the Shiva Sahasranama mantram in the above video. This mantram is also part of Sri Rudram. It is a very powerful mantram. It is said that chanting it gives great advantages.

Shiva Upasana Mantram:


Namaste astu bhagavan vishveshvaraya mahadevaya tryambakaya
tripurantakaya trikagni kalaya kalagnirudraya nilakanthaya
mrutyunjayaya sarveshvaraya Sadashivaya shriman mahadevaya namah.


Meaning of the mantram:

May (our) salutations be to You, O Bhagavan, who are Vishveshvara (the lord of the universe), mahadeva (the great God), trayambaka (the three-eyed One), tripurantaka (the destroyer of the three cities), trikagnikala (the time of the agnihotra when the three fires garhapatya, dakshinagni, and Ahavaniya, are used), kalagnirudra (the Rudra who consumes everything as the fire of kalagni at the time of destruction), nilakantha (the blue-throated One), mrityunjaya (the conqueror of Death), sarveshvara (the Lord of all), sadashiva (the ever-auspicious One), and sriman mahadeva (the celebrated and great God).


How and When to chant the Mantram:

It is advised that chanting this mantram three times at the pradosha time will accrue great benefits to the people. Pradosha time means dawn, dusk and noon. So, one may chant this mantram three times at dawn or/and dusk or/and noon. One can also meditate on this mantram by chanting it mentally or only on lips(without sound coming out) or vocally for 108 times. This is considered to give extraordinary benefits and blessings of Lord Shiva.
 

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