And the opposite is also true, at least for me. I somehow simply cannot fathom how Christians think. Outside my mindset completely.
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Let's Talk About Shiva
- Thread starter JustGeorge
- Start date
I made us a thread to (hopefully) learn more.
That's a good point.
I have a couple of Christian friends, so I've tried to grasp a bit of it. It can be confusing, though.
There is the concept of mahapralaya, the "great dissolution" and the 311+ trillion year lifetime of Brahma. But there is that which is eternal.
I should have read all posts before posting mine. I just saw that mahapralaya has already been mentioned.
Its alright. That'll help it stick in our memories.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
I like the story where he lops off Ganeshas head.
Me too!
For those who don't know how Ganesh got his head:
One day, Maa Parvati(Shiva's wife) was lonely. Shiva had been gone for some time, and she wanted companionship. So, she made for herself a son from the dust of her body. He was a beautiful boy. After the work, she decided she wanted to bathe. She sent young Ganesh to guard the path while she did so.
Father and son had never met. So, when Shiva returned and saw this boy standing in the way of his wife, he commanded him to move along. The boy would do no such thing, so Shiva lopped off his head. Maa Parvati come running, horrified. Shiva saw his wife was distraught and furious. He realized he needed to move NOW! A search was made for a new head. The first creature came upon was a young elephant. His head was removed and placed on Ganesh's body.
All better!
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
For a god he's such a guy, lol.Me too!
For those who don't know how Ganesh got his head:
One day, Maa Parvati(Shiva's wife) was lonely. Shiva had been gone for some time, and she wanted companionship. So, she made for herself a son from the dust of her body. He was a beautiful boy. After the work, she decided she wanted to bathe. She sent young Ganesh to guard the path while she did so.
Father and son had never met. So, when Shiva returned and saw this boy standing in the way of his wife, he commanded him to move along. The boy would do no such thing, so Shiva lopped off his head. Maa Parvati come running, horrified. Shiva saw his wife was distraught and furious. He realized he needed to move NOW! A search was made for a new head. The first creature came upon was a young elephant. His head was removed and placed on Ganesh's body.
All better!
I love Shiva. He's relatable.
I always found it ironic that he embodies the Sannyasi life, yet is such a family man.
Ah but He is The Guy. Adipurusha. The embodiment of the eternal male principle in Shaivism.
The extremely simple "Om Namah Shivaya" is my favorite. It's something I can keep in mind when life is hectic.
And this one is my favorite bhajan:
There is the Shiva Purana, and, if my understanding is right, Saivas focus on the Agamas as well. @Vinayaka may be able to tell you more about the Agamas.
Like Paganism*
The Agamas are a vast group of scriptures that complement the Vedas. While the Vedas are general, the Agamas are specific. There are Siva agamas, Vaishnava agamas, and Shakta agamas. When you see detailed stuff, like when to use specific mudras in a puja, or how to best make the layout of a house, chances are it's from the agamas. They permeate the culture, yet few would know that that is where it came from. Many have never been translated, but they (and the Vedas) were the source of many traditions that were passed down generation to generation.
Not being a Puranic Hindu, I'm not a fan of that one. Anthropomorphism isn't much of a part of my understandings. That one also seems to condone violence, as do many Puranas, and epics.
Well...not all Hindus.
Adding you to my ignore list now. Your **** about Judaism is repulsive and what you just said to Vinayaka was extremely ignorant and arrogant. I won’t miss a damn thing you post on RF in the future.
The mantra combined with my curiousity led me to Wikipedia and interesting to me discussion. It of course illustrates the differences in various HIndu groups Part of that page is:
In Siddha Shaivism and Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism traditions, Namah Shivaya is considered as Pancha Bodha Tatva of Lord Shiva and his universal oneness of five elements:[5]
The five-syllable (Panch Akshara) form, omitting the Om In Shaiva Siddhanta, the five letters also represent:[5]
en.wikipedia.org
Translations among different traditions
Namah Shivaya means "Adoration to Lord Shiva"; this is preceded by the devotional syllable "Om".In Siddha Shaivism and Shaiva Siddhanta Shaivism traditions, Namah Shivaya is considered as Pancha Bodha Tatva of Lord Shiva and his universal oneness of five elements:[5]
- Na sound represents earth[5]
- Ma sound represents water[5]
- Śi sound represents fire[5]
- Vā sound represents Pranic air[5]
- Ya sound represents sky or ether[5]
The five-syllable (Panch Akshara) form, omitting the Om In Shaiva Siddhanta, the five letters also represent:[5]
- Na is the Lord's concealing grace[5]
- Ma is the world[5]
- Śi stands for Shiva[5]
- Vā is His revealing grace[5]
- Ya is the Ātman or soul[5]
Om Namah Shivaya - Wikipedia
Jaya Śiva!
My Śiva, my Maheśvara is the one in whom opposites are fulfilled. He is known for doing tapas or religious austerity for a vast span of time, and he is known for marrying Pārvatī and fathering Gaṇapati and Kārtikeya. My Śiva bestows both bhukti (physical enjoyment) and mukti (liberation from the cycle of life, death, and rebirth). There is nothing to me greater than Śiva. I want to know him deeper and deeper. I want to merge into him. I want to see what he sees, hear what he hears, know what he knows. He is Sadāśiva.