Questions tagged [shiva]
Shiva (The auspicious one) is the "Destroyer" among the Trimurti. He is considered as supreme Brahman according to Shaivism. Use this tag to ask questions that concern about Shiva in any of his forms
1,148
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6
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2answers
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Since the existence of many universes is said to be valid and true, are there different trimurtis for each universe
I have read that there are multiple brahmas; One each for a universe. Also heard that there are multiple vishnus too. So does that mean there are multiple shivas as well?
P.s :I know that the concept ...
4
votes
1answer
72 views
Who is god Kala and who was the king released by Lord Shiva from god Kala?
In Skanda Purana Kedara Khanda Chapter 1, There is a mention of a god named Kala who was burnt down and thereafter a king was released.
16-18. Blessed are they, noble-souled are they, who always ...
3
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0answers
49 views
Are any descriptions of Rudra's aspect?
Are any descriptions of Rudra's aspect ? If yes, where we can find them?
4
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1answer
55 views
Did the demon Hiranyaksha receive Andhaka from Lord Shiva?
If Hiranyaksha received Andhaka from Lord Shiva, does that mean Shiva and Parvati were already married long before Lord Vishnu's Varaha Avatar where Hiranyaksha was killed?
2
votes
1answer
96 views
Help translating this stotram
At the end of Dakshinamurty Stotram is written :
Angushtha Tarjanee Yoga Mudraa Vyaajena Dehinaam Shrutyartham Brahma
Jeevaikyam Darshayanno Vataat Shivaha (...) Mounavyaakhyaa prakatita
para brahma ...
3
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0answers
49 views
Which is the actual abode of Shiva-Parvati: Manimahesh Kailash in Himachal Pradesh or Mount Kailash in Tibet?
This is what I am referring to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manimahesh_Kailash_Peak
1
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0answers
33 views
Actual references in scriptures which says Lord Shiva consumes cannabis? [duplicate]
Since we know that Lord Shiva exists in many different forms and worshiped through various forms throughout history, I've heard quite a few stories from people where they say, Lord Shiva consumes ...
2
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0answers
60 views
Bhagvata Purana contradicts the fact that Lord Shiva is unborn
Bhagvata Purana Canto 3 chapter 12 describes the birth of Lord Rudra. Brahma gives him many names:
(Brahma said) The following are your names: Manyu, Manu, Mahinasa, Mahan, Shiva, Ritudhvaja, Ugra-...
4
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1answer
153 views
Are there any events when Lord Shiva tested his devotees?
I know that Lord Shiva tests his devotees' devotion towards him, but I would like to know the references in any Hindu texts that confirm this.
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1answer
125 views
Can I put Shivalinga in refrigerator to create Himalaya like conditions? Will Lord Shiva be pleased? [closed]
Can I put Shivalinga in refrigerator to create Himalaya like conditions? Will Lord Shiva be pleased?
I got this random thought whilst reciting Shiva Chalisa...I want to do something different that ...
1
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0answers
50 views
Which Shaiva / Shaivite sect was started by or joined by Vishnu & Brahma?
According to Skanda Purana 1.3b.16 this happened after Shiva commanded his 2 creations - Vishnu & Brahma - to worship him as per the Agamas:-
Viṣṇu and Brahmā wore matted hair and applied sacred ...
1
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0answers
73 views
Vishnu & Brahma worshiped Shiva in which cremation grounds (Shamshan Ghat) for 16000 years?
Shiva's supremacy was established after the Fiery Linga incident and he commanded Vishnu & Brahma to worship him using the Agamas. They did so for sixteen thousand years. Skanda Purana 1.3b.16.62 :...
0
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0answers
39 views
Who is an “Adhishtathri”?
I have heard that Lord Shiva made Mother Parvati the “adhishtathri” of tantra sidhdhi.
I have also heard ISKCON Acharyas saying that Mother Parvati is the “adhistathri” of maya.
I would like an answer ...
0
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0answers
55 views
Drona pleasing Lord Shiva
I heard this description of Drona:
He that pleased Lord Shiva using a shower of arrows
Is this true?Please give scriptural references.
1
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0answers
58 views
Which Aghori practices are different from Kapalika (Skull-Bearer) practices?
The legendary Kapalika sadhus, mentioned in Shaiva scriptures (including Puranas) were known for their rituals which took place with skulls and bones involved. Human dead body meat, blood, sacrifice ...
2
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0answers
32 views
Have sects like Kaulas, Nath, Aghoris and Kamakhya got skull/bone mantras and rituals from the Kapalikas?
Or did their skull/bone mantras and skull/bone rituals originate on their own?
8
votes
1answer
394 views
What is the story of Parvati closing the eyes of Shiva?
There is a story in our scriptures where Goddess Parvati closes the eyes of Lord Shiva and the entire Universe went dark due to it. Lord Shiva has been described as Tryambakam (one with three eyes) in ...
2
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0answers
63 views
What is the story of the “Shaiva Itihasa” or Shiva Rahasya Itihasa?
The Shaiva Linga Mahapurana mentions the Shaiva Itihasa in Chapter 1.26
For the propitiation of eighteen Puranas beginning with Brahma, for the propitiation of eighteen Upapuranas beginning with ...
5
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0answers
71 views
What is Tvarita Rudra? Where is it found?
Linga Purana (chapter 64) states worship of Lord Shiva done by Parashara using various Vedic Suktas which I also mention in my answer here. The verses are as:
अदृश्यंति वशिष्ठं च प्रणम्यारुन्धतीं तत ।...
5
votes
1answer
69 views
Exact difference between Rudras and Ksetrajnas
Ksemaraja, a disciple of Abhinavagupta, opens the commentary on the Shiva Sutras with this statement:
I surrender my body and mind to that supreme God consciousness of Siva, who is the whole universe ...
4
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0answers
64 views
Is listening to music bad for moksha?
Many people listen to music,this is a fact,Carnatic Music being one among them.
A spiritual aspirant is advised to shun all sense pleasing actions.
Since listening to music that he/she likes,...
3
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0answers
74 views
Does Vishnu serve & worship Shiva only using the Agamas?
After Shiva's complete supremacy was established during the Fiery Linga incident shortly after creation, Shiva instructed Vishnu & Brahma to worship him using the Agamas and they obeyed well. From ...
4
votes
1answer
137 views
Can someone please list some Linga shaped mountains/hills? What are their stories?
To give an example, here are 2 Linga peaks - Kailash (which is associated as abode of Lord Shiva) and the birthplace of Hanumanji, Anjaneri
How many more mountains and hills have this kind of shape ...
1
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0answers
56 views
Why are only temples of Lord Shiva open,even during eclipse?
The following sentence was seen in Quora(If the reader wants,I can give the link)
“Only Lord Shiva temples kept open During Solar , moon Eclipse, beacause nothing can effect lord Shiva , beacause lord ...
1
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0answers
28 views
What is the story about origin of the chandaal or dom caste? [duplicate]
In the below video a dom caste man is saying that they were once brahmins by caste but were made untouchable by a curse of Lord Shiva .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5a4iq2T4xw
The same thing is ...
5
votes
3answers
224 views
Who is Yogeshwara? Is it Lord Krishna or Lord Shiva?
I have heard that Lord Shiva is the source of Yoga, the one who taught it to Mother Parvati, and then later on to others, and hence is called Adiyogi.
But Wikipedia says that Lord Krishna is ...
0
votes
0answers
44 views
Relation between Riddhi,Siddhi and Lord Shiva
From the lecture of Swami Mukundanand
5:22-5:37
Swamiji says:
Lord Shiva said:”I don’t want material things.Kuber,is my servant.Riddhi and Siddhi are my maidservants.......
Is the part in bold,true?
...
2
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0answers
39 views
Is there any difference between Mantra-Brahmin and other kinds of Brahmin?
The following is from Shiva Purana's Vidyeśvara-saṃhitā (Chapter 17). It is about how Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras can become Brahmins.
क्षत्रियः पञ्चलक्षण क्षत्रत्वमपनेष्यति । पुनश्च पञ्चलक्षण ...
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0answers
77 views
Why is the Gayatri Mantra so important?Who is Gayatri Devi?What is Her relation with Lord Shiva?
I have seen this question
Someone had pointed out a quote of sage Yajnavalkya saying that Gayatri (Mantra) is the mother of the Vedas.
a)We know that the Vedas emerged from the four faces of Brahma.
b)...
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0answers
91 views
Why didn't Rudra incur any sin for killing Vishnu?
When Shiva's form (Kaal Bhairav) just cut off one of Brahma's heads he incurred the great sin of Brahma-Hatyaa and became a skull-bearer who lived by begging in Brahma's skull. But it looks like no ...
0
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0answers
45 views
Lord Shiva and Brahmavadis
From the lecture of HG Anogh Lila Prabhu
3:25-5:01
HG makes mention of Lord Shiva training Brahmavadis in 4 courses.Can someone give a reference to this claim?
1
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0answers
22 views
Is Guru tatva and Shiva tatva the same?
From the lecture of HG Amogh Lila Prabhu
3:08-3:13
HG says that :
Guru tatva and Shiva tatva are the same.Like how the guru aids the student to reach Sri Krishna,so also Lord Shiva aids a devotee to ...
0
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0answers
81 views
Maya and Lord Shiva
From the lecture of HG Amogh Lila Prabhu
2:49-3:03
Quoting HG:
This tatva(Lord Shiva’s) is unaffected by Maya;it is neither beyond(transcending) Maya,neither is it polluted by Maya,it is pure.
...
2
votes
1answer
117 views
Is Lord Shiva both Creator and Destroyer?
(From the lecture by HG Amogh Lila Prabhu)
1:29-1:58
HG says that “all beings enter the Brahmand through the union of Lord Shiva and Prakirti” (Mother Parvati?).
Is this true, can someone elaborate?
...
2
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0answers
30 views
Is there any reference to Panch Kedar in Scripture?
I know that Dwadash Jyotirlingas are mentioned in Shiv Puran. What about Panch Kedar? In which scripture importance of these tirthas are mentioned?
0
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0answers
86 views
Is the story of Kapalikas (skull-bearers) killing Krishna, Narasimha etc. found in sacred scripture?
From New World Encyclopedia -
A mythological origin for the Kapalikas is given in the Goraksa-siddhanta-samgraha, which tells of an occassion upon which the 24 avatars of Vishnu became intoxicated ...
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0answers
36 views
Is it possible for a person living in the Kaliyug to perform austerities so as to invoke deities like Lord Brahma or Lord Shiva?
https://www.quora.com/If-I-start-doing-Tapasya-in-this-modern-world-will-lord-Shiva-come-in-front-of-me
This is one answer I saw on Quora.
5
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0answers
62 views
Explanation of the terms Pinda, Pada, Rüpa and the Rūpātīta
In Ullasa 13 of Kaularnava Tantra, verse 76, Shree Shiva says to Shree Devi one of the characteristics of Guru:
पिण्डं पदं तथा रूपं रूपातीतं चतुष्टयम यो वा सम्यग्विजानाति स गुरुः कथितः प्रिये ।। ७६ ।।...
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0answers
29 views
Are there any mantras similar to the Mahā-Mṛtyunjaya Mantra, but dedicated to deities other than Rudra (Śhiva)?
The Mahā-Mṛtyunjaya Mantra is one of most famous mantra, said to provide immediate protection to the devotee from death and other problems, and ultimately bestow Moksha to the chanter, if chanted ...
4
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1answer
133 views
What's the difference between the Popular, Long and Short versions of the Mahā-Mṛtyunjaya Mantra in terms of usage, benefits and theology?
I have come across three variations of Mahā-Mṛtyunjaya Mantra. One is the Popular Version, then there is a Long Version and the other is called as the Short Version.
Here goes,
"Popular Version&...
2
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0answers
62 views
If Kundalini awakening is the most potent form of Yoga and requires intense sadhana, what is this ‘westernised version’ being followed by just anyone?
This is rather a confusing stance for me. It’s usually said Kundalini awakening needs proper receptivity and grace, guru initiation is one out of the many necessary methods to reach there and ...
2
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0answers
58 views
Is there a written Aghori/Aghor Shastra or are teachings based purely on guru-shishya transmission?
If there are shastra that are specific to Aghora can you please name it or them? I know Aghoris have their own mantras but I don't know if they are written down and based purely on memory.
1
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0answers
39 views
Do the same energies live in Graveyard (Kabristaan) and Cremation Grounds (Shamshaan Ghaat) or are they different?
Like Bhoot, Pret, MASAAN and other beings?
What about dead bodies there? Do they have different energies?
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Can some Stuti mantras give siddhis? Do these verses need initiation & Guru Diksha if they start with OM?
Like the famous "Om Jayanti Mangla Kali Bhadra Kali Kapalini" verses.
ॐ जयंती मंगला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी
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1answer
141 views
Is Kurma Purana really both highly praising and degrading Shaivas at the same time? [closed]
Here I am giving unconfirmed sources. In Kurma Purana II.39.56-62, Shiva says
Indeed the holy Pasupata vow has been formerly designed by me for the achievement of liberation. It is the greatest of ...
2
votes
1answer
190 views
Is Nandī, the vehicle mount (vāhana) of Śhiva, a Bull or an Ox?
Nandī, the vehicle mount (vāhana) of Śhiva, is commonly referred to as "Nandī baila" (नंदी बैल), in the popular hindi jargon.
However, there's a difference between a Bull (सांड) and an Ox ...
7
votes
2answers
346 views
Which 4 Vishnu / Vaishnava Puranas are called Tamasic and not meant for Brahmins?
Sholkas 45-50 in the 2nd Adhyaya of Sambhav Khand which is part of Shiv Rahasya Khand of Sankara Samhita of Skanda MahaPurana, plainly state that the 10 Shaiva Puranas are Sattavik and 4 Vishnu ...
-3
votes
1answer
73 views
Do some Shaiva sects think that Rudra is different from Shiva?
I have heard from some Shaivas that Shiva is another being from Rudra. They say that Rudra is tamasic whereas Shiva is sattvic.
Is this really what some Shaiva scriptures say?
4
votes
0answers
58 views
What is the meaning of three-headed Bhairav idols and Shiva Purana 3.8.2?
Shiva Purana 3.8.2 states:
Bhairava is the prior form of Siva, the great soul. Fools who are deluded by Śiva’s Māyā do not know about it.
Bhairavaḥ pūrṇarūpo hi śaṃkarasya parātmanaḥ | mūḍhāstaṃ vai ...
2
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0answers
45 views
Scriptual references for Adi Shankaracharya and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj being Lord Shiva's avatars
I have read about Adi Shankaracharya being incarnation of Lord Shiva, similarly in many articles, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is shown as a
Avatar of Lord Shiva. I want to know about the scriptural ...
