6

Can non-Hindus worship Lord Shiva?

Specifically:

  1. Can they chant his name?
  2. Can they listen to the chanting once in a while?

I thought it's okay for anyone to listen to and pray even though they are not Hindu, but I'm afraid that it would make Lord Shiva displeased.

Can anyone cite a scriptural opinion on this?

Improve this question
12
  • 1
    Welcome to Hinduism.SE! Personal advice questions are not allowed on this site, so I'm closing your question for the time being. If you want to edit your question and make it more general, like "Are non-Hindus allowed to worship Hindu gods?", that may be more acceptable.
    – Keshav Srinivasan ♦
    Commented Jan 9, 2016 at 16:56
  • 2
    Vedas, Varna System are eternal and applies to all 7 billion people on earth. Lord Shiva is not only God for Hindus but He is God for every species on this planet. He is called as PASHUPATINATH (Lord of Animals). Religion has nothing to do with Gods. Knowledgeable Hindu saints accept other Gods. Theoretically there is only one God called as BRAHMAN by common name. All 33 types of Gods in Hinduism are different aspects of Him. Some Hindus worship Shiva as Supreme while some others worship Vishnu and Devi as Supreme. Name doesn't matter here. (1/2)
    – The Destroyer ♦
    Commented Jan 10, 2016 at 4:43
  • 1
    Hinduism is not Original name of this Religion. Moreover, Hinduism is not a religion. See here origin of word HINDU. It is called as SANATANA DHARMA (eternal Righteousness) or simply DHARMA (Righteousness). Vedas are essence of Sanatana Dharma. If you live outside India and you don't know methods to worship Shiva, just chant his five syllable mantra "OM NAMAH SHIVAYA" 108 times during mornings. This is enough. Else, just chant his name SHIVA when you are free. This works like charm. (2/2)
    – The Destroyer ♦
    Commented Jan 10, 2016 at 4:49
  • 5
    God is never displeased with anyone when His name is chanted. In fact, He is only pleased. A mother is not displeased with her baby child when he first tries to call her, even if it is mispronounced. Indeed, she is even more pleased with the baby who mispronounces than the older child that pronounces correctly.
    – Swami Vishwananda
    Commented Jan 10, 2016 at 10:56
  • 2
    God is One. Ekam Sat Viprah Bahuda Vadanti (The Truth is One, the sages call it in various names). It doesn't matter whether you call Him Allah, Jehova, Jesus, VIshnu or Shiva. All praise goes to the same eternal One, who is the in dweller of heart and lover of His Devotees. Thus there is no need to assume that Lord Shiva (or any other God) will exclude you as non-Hindu or non-Christian. All religions are One and all Gods are One. He is in fact the creator of all religions. This is the view of modern saints such as Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, Sivananda, Sai Baba, etc.
    – Sai
    Commented Jan 11, 2016 at 1:42

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

To answer the title question:

Can a non-Hindu worship a Hindu deity?

Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavada Gita that he is equally disposed to all living beings and is partial to none.

Shloka:

समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रिय: |

ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या€मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम् ||

Translation:

I am equally disposed to all living entities; there is neither a friend or foe to Me; but those who with loving sentiments render devotional service unto Me, such persons are in Me and I am in them.

http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-09-29.html

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .