Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
Hard to tell by looking at the media. Every other picture is of kumbamala is a Sadhu who is naked or smoking Ganja, sometimes both.
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Who is Siva? (Shiva)
- Thread starter Vinayaka
- Start date
Hard to tell by looking at the media. Every other picture is of kumbamala is a Sadhu who is naked or smoking Ganja, sometimes both.
Oh yes, the media
that great tactic of Maya herself. If you just search on Kumbh Mela 2013, and look at the images taken by ordinary non-media folk who later posted them on the internet, it paints a different picture. http://mahakumbh13.blogspot.ca/2012/06/expected-crowd-in-kumbh-mela-2013-in.html says 85 million. That's almost one in ten Indians. I hardly think 10% of India is male Hindu sadhu.
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DreadFish
Cosmic Vagabond
Really? I have seen pictures of sadhus with the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya tilak.
As a Vaishnava, I've attended as many pujas and abhishekams to Ganesha, Shiva, even the Parvati & Shiva Kalyanam, as I have to Vaishnava pujas. I think the fact that Vaishnavas attend Shaiva events (and vice versa) undescores that people really are not all that sectarian. Even the priests at temple "cross-participate" in pujas. That is, Shaiva priests recite the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama and perform pujas to Sri Guruvayurappan, Sri Balaji and Satyanarayana pujas, and vice versa for Shivaling abhiskekams.
And all of them might well be Smarta priests. You just don't know. (You need to have a real discussion and find out where they get their authority. It is from the Kanchi Mutt, then you have your answer.) Sankara himself, who revived Smartism, is often considered a Saiva. Amazing what afew forehead marks can do. Does putting on a bindi make you a Hindu?
True, I was thinking of their tilaka.
I never tire of this [youtube]uW-qrBQABD0[/youtube]
Chidambaram Shri Shiva Nataraja Temple - YouTube
Chidambaram Shri Shiva Nataraja Temple - YouTube
Thanks. This helps to remember that the entire chidAkAsha -- the mind space, is the auspicious peace called shivam. This remembrance is peace.
ratikala
Istha gosthi
thank you , abolutely beautifull :namaste
prehaps you would like to explain more about the form of sri nataraj for the non siva's reading here :namaste
A google search will help anyone interested. I could never begin to explain it. There is a lot in Nataraja, and even the physicists recognised this as they put a murthi by the CERN accelerator in Switzerland.
But for simplicity ... All of God is there. His right hand holds the drum of creation, and other feet or hands hold dissolution, and preservation. Kundalini, the ego, 'feminine' balance, revealing and concealing grace are all there.
I have been to Chidambaram temple, but can't 'remember' most of it.
ratikala
Istha gosthi
I am sad I would far rather hear a devotee describe his lord than look in wickipidia
in one hand holds the dameru the drum which resounds the vibration of the universe the sacred sylable om symbolising creation , the central raised hand displays the mudras of Abhaya the gesture of fearlessness and the granting of blessings thus offering protection , whilst the third holds the flame of destruction .
one foot tramples the upon the dwaf apasmara thus he defeats the ignorance of embodied souls and facilitates the birth of knowledge , whilst his fourth hand gestures to his raised foot bestows eternal bliss and a reminder of his eternal grace (mercy) .
his flailing tresses hold mother ganga and the waxing and waining moon which support and regulate life , whilst the cobra cioled around his neck represents the cycle of birth and death .
he is encircled by a ring of fire and water representing cosmos and the suffering and pain of the illusiory universe ,sometimes bedecked with mahakala (the 'great time')
and the colied snake of the kundalini , he dances the cosmic dance of creation and dissolution displaying the transformational power of overcoming this illusiory existance ,
:namaste
you will be pleased I hope to know that we vaisnava's do at least discuss the golries of siva particularly at shivratri
but I am sure many different traditions have different stories to tell please tell me your stories
I am not into the symbols anywhere near as I'm into the darshan. Just staring at Him in this form or listening to the ancient Tamil songs of praise in the video affects me in so many ways. The first time I saw an activated Nataraja I was knocked (quite literally) off my feet, and fell forward in full prostration for about 5 minutes. Once a month on Ardhra days, at Chidambaram they do a huge abhishekham. He is the centerpiece on our humble shrine, needless to say.
So partly, Ratikala, I resist discussion on it too much because it's so personal, and beyond words. This song and many others like it bring tears of bhakti - not something many here would understand.
So partly, Ratikala, I resist discussion on it too much because it's so personal, and beyond words. This song and many others like it bring tears of bhakti - not something many here would understand.
What is an activated natraja? One that has been through prana prathisthan?
Regarding mantras, I am familiar with the Hare Krishna mahamantra since my mother often recites it. But personally I like "Om Namah Shivaya" more and chant it after getting up and before going to bed, as well as during the day
Yes. Most are practically just art objects.