Philosophy of SYMBOLS & ABHISHEKHA

PHILOSOPHY OF SYMBOLS

Philosophy Of Symbols

Lord Siva represents the destructive aspect of Brahman. That portion of Brahman that is

enveloped by Tamo-Guna-Pradhana Maya is Lord Siva who is the all-pervading Isvara and who

also dwells in Mount Kailas. He is the Bhandara or store-house for wisdom. Siva minus Parvati or

Kali or Durga is Nirguna Brahman Himself. With Maya-Parvati He becomes the Saguna Brahman

for the purpose of pious devotion of His devotees. Devotees of Rama must worship Lord Siva for 3

or 6 months before they take to worship of Rama. Rama Himself worshipped Lord Siva at the

famous Ramesvaram. Lord Siva is the Lord of Ascetics and Lord of Yogins, robed in space

(Digambara).

His Trisul (trident) that is held in His right hand represents the three Gunas—Sattva, Rajas

and Tamas. That is the emblem of Sovereignty. He wields the world through these three Gunas. The

Damaru in His left hand represents the Sabda Brahman. It represents OM from which all languages

are formed. It is He who formed the Sanskrit language out of the Damaru.

The crescent moon indicates that He has controlled the mind perfectly. The flow of the

Ganga represents the nectar of Immortality. Elephant represents symbolically pride. His wearing

the skin of the elephant denotes that He has controlled pride. Tiger represents lust; His sitting on

tiger’s skin indicates that He has conquered lust. His holding a deer on one hand indicates that He

has removed the Chanchalata (tossing) of the mind. Deer jumps from one place to another swiftly.

His wearing of serpents denotes wisdom and eternity. Serpents live for a large number of years. He

is Trilochana, the three-eyed One, in the centre of whose forehead is the third eye, the eye of

wisdom.

‘Hoam’ is the Bija Akshara of Lord Siva.

He is Sivam (auspicious, Subham), Sundaram (beautiful), Kantam (effulgent). “Santam

Sivam Advaitam” (Mandukya Upanishad).

I bow with folded hands crores of times at the lotus-feet of that Lord Siva who is non-dual,

who is the Adhishthana, or support for the world and all minds, who is Sat-Chit-Ananda, who is the

Ruler, the Antaryamin, the Sakshi (silent witness) for everything, who is self-effulgent,

self-existent and self-contained (Pari-purna), who is the remover of the primitive Avidya and who

is the Adi-Guru or Parama-Guru or Jagad-Guru.

That Lord Siva I am in essence. Sivoham, Sivoham, Sivoham.

Snake On The Body Of Siva

Serpent is the Jiva or the individual soul which rests upon Siva, the Paramatman or the

Supreme Soul. The five hoods mean the five senses or the five Tattvas, viz., earth, water, fire, air

and ether. They also represent the five Pranas, which hiss in the body like the serpent. The

inhalation and exhalation are like the hissing of the serpent. Lord Siva Himself became the five

Tanmatras, the five Jnanendriyas, the five Karmendriyas and other groups of five. The individual

soul enjoys the worldly objects through these Tattvas. When the individual attains knowledge

through control of the senses and the mind, he finds his eternal resting abode in Lord Siva, the

Supreme Soul. This is the esoteric significance of Lord Siva wearing the snake on His body.

Lord Siva is absolutely fearless. Srutis declare, “This Brahman is fearless (Abhayam),

Immortal (Amritam).” Worldly people are afraid even at the very sight of a snake but Lord Siva is

wearing serpents as ornaments on His body. This indicates that Lord Siva is absolutely fearless and

immortal.

Generally serpents live for hundreds of years. Wearing of serpents by Lord Siva signifies

that He is Eternal.

Significance of Bhasma, Nandi, Etc.

Namassivaya is the Mantra of Lord Siva. ‘Na’ represents earth and Brahma; ‘Ma’

represents water and Vishnu; ‘Si’ fire and Rudra; ‘Va’ Vayu and Mahesvara; ‘Ya’ Akasa and

Sadasiva and also the Jiva.

Lord Siva has white complexion. What is the significance of white colour? He teaches

silently that people should have pure heart and entertain pure thoughts and should be free from

crookedness, diplomacy, cunningness, jealousy, hatred, etc.

He wears three white-lined Bhasma or Vibhuti on His forehead. What is the significance of

this? He teaches silently that people should destroy the three impurities, viz., Anava (egoism),

Karma (action with expectation of fruits), and Maya (illusion), and the three desires or Eshanas,

viz., desire for landed property, desire for woman, desire for gold, and the three Vasanas, viz.,

Lokavasana, Dehavasana and Sastravasana, and then attain Him with a pure heart.

What does the Balipitha or altar which stands in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the

Siva’s temple represent? People should destroy their egoism and mineness (Ahamta and Mamata)

before they attain the Lord. This is the significance.

What does Nandi or the bull which is in front of Sivalinga represent? Nandi is the attendant

or doorkeeper of Siva. He is the vehicle of Lord Siva. He represents Satsanga. If you make

association with the sages, you are sure to attain God-realisation. Sages will show you the way to

reach Him. They will remove pitfalls or snares that lie on your path. They will clear your doubts and

instil in your heart dispassion, discrimination and knowledge. There is no other safe boat than

Satsanga to reach the other shore of fearlessness and immortality. Even a moment’s Satsanga or

association with the sages, is a great blessing to the aspirants and the worldly-minded persons. They

get firm conviction in the existence of God through Satsanga. The sages remove the worldly

Samskaras. The company of sages is a formidable fortress to protect oneself from the temptations of

Maya.

Lord Siva represents the destructive aspect of the Godhead. He is seen absorbed on the

mountain peak of Kailas. He is an embodiment of serenity, renunciation and indifference to the

world. The third eye in the centre of His forehead represents His destructive energy which when let

loose destroys the world. Nandi is His favourite. He is the door-Keeper. He is seen hushing all

nature, so that the Lord may not be disturbed in His Samadhi. The Lord has five faces, ten hands, ten

eyes, two feet.

Vrishabha or the bull represents Dharma Devata. Lord Siva rides on the bull. Bull is His

vehicle. This denotes that Lord Siva is the protector of Dharma, is an embodiment of Dharma or

righteousness.

Deer represents the Vedas. Its four legs are the four Vedas. Lord Siva is holding the deer in

His hand. This indicates that He is the Lord of the Vedas.

He has sword in one of His hands. This signifies that He is the destroyer of births and deaths.

The fire in one of His hands shows that He protects the Jivas by burning all fetters.

Philosophy of Abhisheka

Salutations and adorations to the blissful Lord Siva, the lover of Uma or Parvati, the Lord of

all beings (Pasupati).

“Alankarapriyo Vishnuh, Abhishekapriyah Sivah—Lord Vishnu is very fond of Alankara

(fine dress, beautiful ornaments, etc.); Siva is fond of Abhisheka.” In Siva temples, a pot made up of

copper or brass with a hole in the centre is kept hanging over the image or Linga of Siva, and water

is falling on the image throughout day and night. Pouring over the Linga, water, milk, ghee, curd,

honey, cocoanut water, Panchamrita, etc., is Abhisheka. Abhisheka is done for Lord Siva. Rudra is

chanted along with the Abhisheka. Lord Siva is propitiated by Abhisheka.

Lord Siva drank the poison that emanated from the ocean and wore the Ganga and moon on

His head to cool His head. He has the fiery third eye. Constant Abhisheka cools this eye.

The greatest and the highest Abhisheka is to pour the waters of pure love on the Atmalinga

of the lotus of the heart. The external Abhisheka with various objects will help the growth of

devotion and adoration for Lord Siva and eventually lead to internal Abhisheka with pure abundant

flow of love.

Abhisheka is a part of Siva Puja. Without Abhisheka, worship of Siva is incomplete. During

Abhisheka Rudra, Purushasukta, Chamaka, Maha-mrityunjaya Japa, etc., are chanted in a

particular rhythm and order. Monday is very important day for Lord Siva and the thirteenth day of

the fortnight (Pradosha) is very sacred. On these days, devotees of Siva worship Him with special

Puja, Abhisheka with Ekadasa-Rudra, Archana, offering plenty of Prasad, and illumination.

In Ekadasa-Rudra Abhisheka, every Rudra is chanted with distinctive articles for

Abhisheka. Ganga water, milk, ghee, honey, rose-water, cocoanut water, sandal paste,

Panchamrita, scented oil, sugarcane juice and lime juice are made use of for Abhisheka. After every

Abhisheka, pure water is poured over the head of Siva. When Rudra is repeated once, the different

articles of Abhisheka are made use of after every stanza of the Rudra. The Abhisheka water or other

articles used for Abhisheka are considered very sacred and bestow immense benefits on the

devotees who take it as the Lord’s Prasad. It purifies the heart and destroys countless sins. You must

take it with intense Bhava and faith.

When you do Abhisheka with Bhava and devotion, your mind is concentrated. Your heart is

filled with the image of the Lord and divine thoughts. You forget your body and its relation and

surroundings. Egoism gradually vanishes. When there is forgetfulness, you begin to enjoy and taste

the eternal bliss of Lord Siva. Recitation of Rudra or Om Namassivaya purifies the mind and fills it

with Sattva.

If you do Abhisheka with Rudrapatha in the name of a person suffering from any disease he

will be soon freed from that disease. Incurable diseases are cured by Abhisheka. Abhisheka bestows

health, wealth, prosperity, progeny, etc. Abhisheka on Monday is most auspicious.

By offering Panchamrita, honey, milk, etc., to the Lord, thoughts of your body diminish.

Selfishness slowly vanishes. You derive immense joy. You begin to increase your offerings unto

the Lord. Therefore, self-sacrifice and self-surrender come in. Naturally, there is an outpouring

from your heart, “I am Thine, my Lord. All is Thine, my Lord”.

Kannappa Nayanar, a great devotee of Lord Siva, a hunter by profession, did Abhisheka

with the water in his mouth for the Linga at Kalahasti in South India and propitiated Lord Siva. Lord

Siva is pleased by pure devotion. It is the mental Bhava that counts and not the outward show. Lord

Siva said to the temple priest: “This water from the mouth of Kannappa, my beloved devotee, is

more pure than the water of the Ganga”.

A devotee should be regular in doing Abhisheka for the Lord. He should get by heart Rudra

and Chamakam. Ekadasa Rudra is more powerful and effective. In Northern India, every man or

woman takes a lota of water and pours it on the image of Siva. This also causes beneficial results

and brings about the fulfilment of one’s desire. Abhisheka on Sivaratri day is very effective.

May you all recite Rudrapatha which describes the glory of Lord Siva and His

manifestations in every living being, in every animate and inanimate being! May you do Abhisheka

daily and thus obtain the grace of Lord Siva! May Lord Visvanatha bless you all!

Fruit of Abhisheka and Rudra Japa in Siva’s Temple

Chamaka is divided into eleven sections. Each of these is then combined with Namaka

(Rudra) and repeated. This is called Rudra. Eleven such Rudras make one Laghu Rudra. Eleven

Laghu Rudras make one Maharudra. Eleven Maharudras make one Atirudra.

Rudra is to be repeated after performing the initial Sankalpa, Puja, Nyasa, Anga.

Panchamritasnana and Dhyana. The fruit of Rudra Japa is stated as shown below:

No. of Japa Fruit of Japa

1 Rudra           Freedom from Bala graha (diseases common to children).

3 Rudra           Freedom from imminent difficulties with which one is faced.

5 Rudra           Freedom from the evil effects of certain planets occupying

unfavourable positions.

7 Rudra           Freedom from great fear.

9 Rudra           The fruit of one Vajapeya sacrifice; and also attainment of peace of

mind.

11 Rudra         Getting the favour of kings and great wealth.

33 Rudra         Attainment of wishes for objects and having no enemies.

77 Rudra         Enjoyment of great happiness.

99 Rudra         Attainment of son, grandson, wealth, grain, Dharma, Artha, Kama and

Moksha and freedom from death.

1 Maharudra    Attainment of the favour of kings and becoming the Lord of great

wealth.

3 Maharudra    Fulfilment of impossible tasks.

5 Maharudra    Acquirement of vast lands.

7 Maharudra    Attainment of the seven worlds.

9 Maharudra    Freedom from births and deaths.

1 Atirudra       Becoming God.

Materials for Abhisheka: Pure water, milk, sugarcane juice, ghee, honey, waters of sacred

rivers, sea water.

For getting rain, Abhisheka should be done with pure water. For freedom from diseases, and

for begetting a son, Abhisheka should be done with milk. If Abhisheka is done with milk, even a

barren woman begets children. The person also attains plenty of cows. If Abhisheka is done with

Kusa water, one becomes free from all diseases. He who desires wealth, should perform Abhisheka

with ghee, honey and sugarcane juice. He who desires Moksha, should do Abhisheka with sacred

waters.