Let's Talk About Shiva

[JustGeorge]

Looking over the religious threads, a fair amount of them are about Jesus or Christianity.

It seems unbalanced.

Let's talk about Shiva for awhile instead.

What do you know about him that feels relevant? What would you like to know about him? What's a favorite story about him? (Or other related questions or comments.)

 

[Spice]

Get the ball rolling. What is Shiva's backstory?

 

[Vinayaka]

You caught me. I thought I was a goner, but the cat came back.

As you know, I'm a non-intellectual practical Saivite. Hopefully I can contribute to this in some way. I've been playing with starting a 'Path to Siva' introductory class here in my city. That is the outreach my sampradaya does these days, although we're not big on outreach. I don't know how to find students.

So ... a personal testimony from the other night. It was the last night of the kumbabhishekham, which was 7 days back in July, followed by 45 days of homas. At the end of Saivite festivals. A 'thank you' puja is done for Bhairava, a more 'fierce' form of Siva, known as the gatekeeper, and in Agamic temples, stands right beside the main entrance, doing His duty. Now, I have spent some 40 years saying 'Thank you' for 1) allowing me into this particular temple, and 2) allowing me into the religion, for this lifetime. This happens during the aartis to Him, as I exit, etc. But my prayers get more concentrated especially when the puja is entirely focused on Him, which is what was happening 2 nights back.

So there I am, bawling my eyes out in gratitude, the bliss of the tears of bhakti overflowing, having to wipe my eyes. And then I hear it ... "You got this wrong. That is only the half of it. Not only do I control who gets in, but I'm also in control of who gets out, and now that you've proved yourself, I'm not letting you out."

So ... the metaphysical insights come rushing. Things like "All doors (metaphorically) have two directions." and much much more.

Aum Na Ma Si Va Ya ... May Siva's grace descend to all those open to it.

 

[Vinayaka]

Get the ball rolling. What is Shiva's backstory?

Is, was, always has been, always will be.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

In my experience with Hinduism, I was devoted to Kali Ma and only her. But I always had a respect for her Beloved, Lord Siva. I still respect them.

 

[Jimmy]

The destroyer! Sweet! So brahmas the creator. What exactly does Vishnu do?

 

[Vinayaka]

The destroyer! Sweet! So brahmas the creator. What exactly does Vishnu do?

In the very rare (rare in Hinduism, not so much in non-Hindu interpretations) trimurti, Vishnu is the sustainer.

 

[Jimmy]

In the very rare (rare in Hinduism, not so much in non-Hindu interpretations) trimurti, Vishnu is the sustainer.

The Hindu trinity

 

[Vinayaka]

The Hindu trinity

The only thing in common between the Christian trinity and the Hindu trimurti is the number 3, represented by the prefix tri, also present in trilogy, tricycle, and more.

 

[Spice]

You caught me. I thought I was a goner, but the cat came back.

As you know, I'm a non-intellectual practical Saivite. Hopefully I can contribute to this in some way. I've been playing with starting a 'Path to Siva' introductory class here in my city. That is the outreach my sampradaya does these days, although we're not big on outreach. I don't know how to find students.

So ... a personal testimony from the other night. It was the last night of the kumbabhishekham, which was 7 days back in July, followed by 45 days of homas. At the end of Saivite festivals. A 'thank you' puja is done for Bhairava, a more 'fierce' form of Siva, known as the gatekeeper, and in Agamic temples, stands right beside the main entrance, doing His duty. Now, I have spent some 40 years saying 'Thank you' for 1) allowing me into this particular temple, and 2) allowing me into the religion, for this lifetime. This happens during the aartis to Him, as I exit, etc. But my prayers get more concentrated especially when the puja is entirely focused on Him, which is what was happening 2 nights back.

So there I am, bawling my eyes out in gratitude, the bliss of the tears of bhakti overflowing, having to wipe my eyes. And then I hear it ... "You got this wrong. That is only the half of it. Not only do I control who gets in, but I'm also in control of who gets out, and now that you've proved yourself, I'm not letting you out."

So ... the metaphysical insights come rushing. Things like "All doors (metaphorically) have two directions." and much much more.

Aum Na Ma Si Va Ya ... May Siva's grace descend to all those open to it.

I hope I can learn enough to truly appreciate this sharing. Enough is relatable for me to feel your epiphany, if that is an appropriate term fir your experience.

 

[Jimmy]

The only thing in common between the Christian trinity and the Hindu trimurti is the number 3, represented by the prefix tri, also present in trilogy, tricycle, and more.

Both religions have a beginning and an ending

 

[Spice]

So SHIVA and SIVA are the same?

 

[sun rise]

To my understanding the Trimurti symbolize the fundamental truth of existence. Brahma: the universe is born, babies are born, trees are born, planets are born. Vishnu represents the maintenance of life: everything grows and develops: planets, nations, people, plants; everything.

History tells us that not only do people and plants die, but also civilizations and planets. This is the realm of Shiva. The old must die for something new to be born. "This too shall pass" honors the role of Shiva.

 

[Vinayaka]

So SHIVA and SIVA are the same?

Yes. Neither 'sh' or 's' is correct, according to my friend who was an expert on Indian sounds. He described it more as a blend of the English 'sh' and the English 'ch'. So we go with either transliteration, and the spelling. None of this changes His/Her nature, of course.

 

[Vinayaka]

Both religions have a beginning and an ending

Not according to the proponents of Sanatana Dharma, as the word 'Sanatana' literally means 'eternal'. But people are free to differ ... rather obviously.

 

[Vinayaka]

I hope I can learn enough to truly appreciate this sharing. Enough is relatable for me to feel your epiphany, if that is an appropriate term fir your experience.

Thank you. Yes, that is an appropriate term. You certainly seem to be on the right track for getting intuitive insights.

 

[Jimmy]

Not according to the proponents of Sanatana Dharma, as the word 'Sanatana' literally means 'eternal'. But people are free to differ ... rather obviously.

Is this eternal view the majority of Hindus?

 

[Jimmy]

Not according to the proponents of Sanatana Dharma, as the word 'Sanatana' literally means 'eternal'. But people are free to differ ... rather obviously.

Is this eternal view the majority of Hindus?

Not according to the proponents of Sanatana Dharma, as the word 'Sanatana' literally means 'eternal'. But people are free to differ ... rather obviously.

then what the point of a creator and destroyer if things are eternal?

Not according to the proponents of Sanatana Dharma, as the word 'Sanatana' literally means 'eternal'. But people are free to differ ... rather obviously.

or is like Christianity that has a beginning and an ending, but also has the concept of eternal life in heaven?

 

[Vinayaka]

Is this eternal view the majority of Hindus?

Yes. Sanatana Dharma is the actual correct name for what is known as Hinduism today. Hinduism is a term coined by outsiders to the religion. We're stuck with it now.

 

[JustGeorge]

You caught me. I thought I was a goner, but the cat came back.

As you know, I'm a non-intellectual practical Saivite. Hopefully I can contribute to this in some way. I've been playing with starting a 'Path to Siva' introductory class here in my city. That is the outreach my sampradaya does these days, although we're not big on outreach. I don't know how to find students.

That's an excellent idea. I'm not sure how to get students, either... bulletin boards at universities, or other relevant places, perhaps?

So ... a personal testimony from the other night. It was the last night of the kumbabhishekham, which was 7 days back in July, followed by 45 days of homas. At the end of Saivite festivals. A 'thank you' puja is done for Bhairava, a more 'fierce' form of Siva, known as the gatekeeper, and in Agamic temples, stands right beside the main entrance, doing His duty. Now, I have spent some 40 years saying 'Thank you' for 1) allowing me into this particular temple, and 2) allowing me into the religion, for this lifetime. This happens during the aartis to Him, as I exit, etc. But my prayers get more concentrated especially when the puja is entirely focused on Him, which is what was happening 2 nights back.

Can you tell me some about Bhairava? I don't know much about him.

So there I am, bawling my eyes out in gratitude, the bliss of the tears of bhakti overflowing, having to wipe my eyes. And then I hear it ... "You got this wrong. That is only the half of it. Not only do I control who gets in, but I'm also in control of who gets out, and now that you've proved yourself, I'm not letting you out."

So ... the metaphysical insights come rushing. Things like "All doors (metaphorically) have two directions." and much much more.

That's beautiful beyond what I can say.

Aum Na Ma Si Va Ya ... May Siva's grace descend to all those open to it.