What is the step of the god Shiva? Multi-armed god Shiva

The power of Shiva. Shiva was such a god. But, since the death of the world will not be soon, Shiva, like other gods, takes care of it for the time being.

Shiva surpasses both Brahma and Vishnu in his power. They say that one day these two gods argued about which of them was more powerful. Suddenly a pillar of fire appeared in front of them, which had no beginning, no middle, no end. This pillar looked like fire consuming the world at its destruction, and sparkled among the fiery wreaths. Brahma and Vishnu decided to find the end of this pillar. And so Brahma turned into a swan and flew up. For a thousand years he flew, but there was no end to the pillar. And Vishnu turned into a boar and began to dig up the pillar from below. He dug for a thousand years, but did not get to the bottom of the pillar. This pillar was Shiva - so he showed that he was more powerful than the Creator of the World and his Guardian.

The image of Shiva. Shiva's appearance is formidable: he has five faces and several hands - they said that he has four or eight of them, and maybe all ten: after all, no one can accurately describe his appearance. His red hair is decorated with a crescent moon, and through his hair the sacred river Ganges falls to the ground. When she fell from the sky to the bottom, Shiva was afraid that the earth would not bear her weight and took her on his head. His throat is decorated with a necklace of skulls, his collar is made of snakes, and his earrings are made of snakes.

Shiva has not two eyes on his face, like other gods, but three. The third eye, crowned with a silver crescent, is located in the middle of his forehead, but it is always closed. Woe to the one whom Shiva looks at with this eye! With its brilliance it will burn any creature, and even the immortal gods this look is dangerous. With his three eyes, Shiva sees the past, present and future. Shiva's third eye appeared like this. One day his wife, the goddess Parvati, came up behind him and, as a joke, covered his eyes with her palms. But a mighty god cannot remain invisible even for one moment! And a third eye immediately appeared in Shiva’s forehead. Therefore he is often called Trilochana - Three-Eyed.

Meditating Shiva -
patron of tantra and yoga.
Modern image

But, despite such a terrifying appearance, the name “Shiva” translated means “Bringer of Happiness” - after all, Shiva can be either formidable and terrible, or good and merciful. His anger overtook the gods more than once, but always, after the anger cooled down and the rage subsided, Shiva showed his merciful side.

Sacrifice of Daksha. Shiva's first wife was Sati, daughter of Daksha. Daksha himself did not recognize Shiva as a god and did not want his daughter to marry him. But when he arranged a celebration of choosing a groom, and Sati, according to ancient custom, had to present a wreath to the one whom she wanted to call her husband, Sati threw this wreath into the air, and it ended up on the neck of the unexpectedly appearing Shiva. This is what Sati wanted: she had long ago decided that Shiva and no one else would be her husband.

Daksha had to come to terms with his daughter’s choice, but he did not experience warm feelings for Shiva. One day all the gods gathered at Brahma, and Daksha also came. Everyone stood up to greet him, only Shiva remained seated. Daksha was offended by this - after all, Shiva refused to greet him, the father of his wife! He decided to repay this.

Soon, on the sacred mountain Himavat, Daksha arranged a sacrifice, but all the gods were invited. Only Shiva he did not call. A beautiful horse was sacrificed, and all the gods received pieces of sacrificial meat from Daksha. Sati, offended that her husband did not get the sacrifice, demanded that the meat be left for him too. When Daksha did not do this, the virtuous goddess, unable to bear such humiliation, threw herself into the fire lit for the sacrifice and burned in it. Since then, in India, the word “sati” was used to describe those wives who, after the death of their husbands, burned themselves along with them on funeral pyres.

Monster Virabhadra. Shiva, having learned about the death of his wife, was filled with terrible anger. From his mouth he created the terrible monster Virabhadra. He had a thousand heads, a thousand arms and a thousand legs, and in each hand was clutched a formidable weapon; Long fangs protruded from his thousand wide mouths, and he was dressed in a tiger skin stained with blood. Falling to his knees before Shiva, the monster asked: “What should I do for you, O greatest of gods?” The formidable Shiva answered him: “Go and destroy the victims of Daksha!” Having received this order, Virabhadra created thousands of monsters like himself. The earth trembled, the sea raged and the sun faded from the roar they raised. They overturned the sacrificial cauldrons, scattered all the utensils for the sacrifice, desecrated all the sacrificial food, and they beat and mocked the gods, who were speechless with horror. Many gods were then maimed or killed, and Daksha himself was cut off and thrown into the fire.

Thus Shiva satisfied his anger. When the anger passed, so did the gods. Having bowed before him and recognized his power, the Destroyer of the World had mercy. He raised all the dead and healed all the maimed. Only Daksha's head disappeared forever. Instead, Shiva gave him the head of a goat.

Shiva and Parvati. After the death of the faithful and virtuous Sati, Shiva plunged into deep sorrow. He retired to Mount Kailash and sat there, detached from the bustle of the world, immersed in sad thoughts. He was not interested in the world, nor in female beauty, nor in the prayers of his admirers addressed to him. So many hundreds of years passed.

Meanwhile, Sati was born again on earth in the form of the beautiful Parvati (Uma). The love that Sati felt for Shiva now passed on to Parvati, and she dreamed of marrying Shiva. Knowing that Shiva was not interested in worldly affairs, she decided to win his heart through severe penance. And so, going to the mountains, she took off her luxurious clothes, replacing them with clothes made from tree bark. Three times a day she bathed in the icy water of a mountain spring, for a hundred years she ate only leaves from trees, for another hundred years - fallen leaves, for a hundred years she strictly fasted and did not take a single crumb into her mouth. But all this could not soften the stern Shiva; he constantly thought about the deceased Sati.

Perhaps all her efforts would have remained in vain, but other gods decided to intervene. At this time, there was a fierce war between the gods and asuras. The leader of the asuras, Taraka, having led the life of a stern hermit for many years, exhausting himself with fasting and prayers, achieved from Brahma that none of the gods could defeat him. Only a seven-day-old baby could do this, and this baby had to be the unborn son of Shiva.

Kama tries to inspire Shiva with a new love. But if Shiva plunged into grief forever, it means he will never have a son. Therefore, the gods sent Kama, the god of love, to Shiva. Kama sat astride a parrot, in his hands he held a bow made of sugar cane with a string made of bees, and in his quiver he had arrows - flowers that, striking people right in the heart, brought them love.

It was spring and nature was awakening when Kama arrived at Kailasa, where, not noticing the spring blossoms, Shiva was sitting among the trees, immersed in sad thoughts.

Kama carefully approached him and penetrated his head through his ears, distracting him from thoughts about Sati. Shiva felt that the beautiful image of his wife was fading in his memory, and began to revive it with the power of his thoughts - and then his wife returned to him again, again occupying all his thoughts. But Kama did not calm down and shot his arrow made from flowers into the heart of Shiva. Feeling her sting and seeing Kama, the Destroyer of the World directed his withering gaze at him, and not even a pile of ashes remained from the god of love. Later, Kama's wife persuaded Shiva to resurrect her husband, but it was impossible to restore his body. Since then, people call him Ananga - Incorporeal.

Shiva the Brahmin and Parvati. After this, Parvati-Uma again indulged in severe penance. In the summer heat she tormented herself with the heat of fires, in the winter cold she stood for hours in icy water. Many years passed like this. And then one day a young priest, a brahman, appeared in her hut. Parvati received him cordially, and he, having rested from the road, asked: “Why do you exhaust yourself so severely, O beautiful maiden?” “I have no joy from my beauty,” he heard in response. “I don’t need anyone in the world except Shiva, whom I have loved since childhood!”

The Brahman tried to convince Parvati that it was in vain that she was enduring such suffering because of Shiva, but she rejected all his words and continued to praise her love. Then Parvati saw how her young guest was transformed, and instead of the brahman she saw Shiva himself, who, with a voice like thunder, announced that he was touched by such love, and he joyfully takes her as his wife.

Birth and deeds of Skanda. The wedding of Parvati and Shiva was magnificent. Brahma himself presided over the wedding ceremony, and all the celestial beings were guests. After the wedding, the newlyweds rode on the great white bull Nandi to Mount Mandara, where their wedding night lasted for a whole year in the quiet forests. And when their son Skanda, the formidable god of war, whose strength surpassed the strength of other gods, was born, the earth and sky shook, and the world was illuminated with a wonderful radiance. Skanda was so powerful that already on the fifth day from birth he could easily pull his father’s bow and with arrows fired from it, he pierced through and crushed mountains into dust. His power was so great that he changed the paths of the celestial planets, moved mountains and forced rivers to flow along new channels. Even the gods were afraid of his power!

On the sixth day from birth, Skanda went out to fight Taraka. Their battle was fierce! The opponents fired thousands of arrows at each other, and inflicted thousands of blows with iron-bound clubs. But the strength of the mighty leader of the asuras was small compared to the power that Skanda possessed. With a blow of his club, he cut off the head of his enemy, and the gods rejoiced at this victory - after all, power over the Universe had returned to them again.

Shiva's sacred bull is Nandi.
XII-XIII centuries

Shiva is the destroyer of Tripura. The deceased Taraki had three sons, and each of them owned a city on earth. The eldest ruled the golden city, the middle - the silver, and the youngest - the iron. They lived peacefully for a thousand years, but then the skillful and powerful asura Maya came to them. He was the inventor of the art of witchcraft suggestion and a great builder. Once upon a time, subjecting himself to severe asceticism, he achieved from Brahma the fulfillment of one of his desires. “Let me build a fortress that no one can destroy!” - he asked. “But nothing exists forever, and even the world itself is destined for destruction! There cannot be such a fortress,” Brahma objected. - “Okay, then let only the great Shiva be able to destroy my fortress, and let him do it with just one arrow.” That's what they decided on.

Coming to the sons of Taraka, Maya convinced them to unite the three cities into one. And so the first of the fortifications was made of iron and dug into the ground, the silver stood on the iron, resting against the sky, and the gold rose above the silver, rising above the heavens. This city was called Tripura, each of its sides was a hundred yojanas in length and width, and the asuras who lived in it had unlimited power. Life in Tripura was sad. Along the road leading to the city gates there were vessels with wine and flowers, water gurgled in fountains in the streets, and music was always heard, the palaces were surrounded by beautiful shady gardens.

Rage of the Asuras. For many years the asuras lived in Tripura in peace and quiet, enjoying happiness and security, but one day envy, enmity, hatred entered their hearts - and peace disappeared forever. Discord and fights constantly broke out in Tripura, the asuras ceased to distinguish day from night: they slept during the day and feasted at night. Their violent attacks on their neighbors terrified the entire Universe.

Even the gods were thrown into confusion. When their attempt to capture Tripura failed and their army had to retreat, they turned to the progenitor Brahma with a request for help. After listening to them, Brahma said: “I gave Maya inaccessibility for the fortress he built, but he was unable to curb evil, and the asuras under his control bring misfortune everywhere. Their stronghold must be destroyed so that evil does not prevail over good. Go, oh gods, to Shiva and ask him to help you!”

Chariot of Shiva. The Destroyer of the World did not refuse the gods. “I will destroy Tripura,” he announced, “but you must help me equip myself for battle.” Then the gods began to prepare for Shiva a war chariot, which had no equal in the Universe. The earth was its foundation, Mount Meru was its seat, Mount Mandara was its axis, and the sun and moon were its shining wheels. The arrows in Shiva’s quiver were poisonous nagas - snakes, sons and grandsons of the great Vasuki, Samvatsara - the Year - served as his bow, and the Night of the End of the World served as his bowstring. Brahma himself became the driver of this great chariot, and at the head of the army of the gods, Shiva moved to Tripura.

Great battle. On the high walls of Tripura, hordes of asuras awaited battle. Looking at them, Shiva said, addressing the king of the gods Indra: “Take, O Indra, the whole army and all my retinue and attack Tripura, distract the asuras with a fierce battle, and I will wait for the right moment to release my arrow!” A fierce battle began. Indra's warriors stormed all three fortresses at once, and the inhabitants of Tripura bravely repulsed them, until finally the gods began to push them back. Then Maya resorted to witchcraft, and it began to seem to Indra’s warriors that a wall of raging flame was advancing on them from all sides, followed by thousands of predatory animals and poisonous snakes. The warriors fainted from fear, but Indra removed this obsession, and the battle began to boil with renewed vigor.

Thousands of asuras died, despondency crept into their souls, but Maya, with the power of his magic, created a pool of living water. Those killed, immersed in it, returned to life again and entered into battle, so that the power of the asuras no longer decreased. Then the gods turned to Vishnu and he, unnoticed, entered the fortress, turned into a bull and drank all the living water in one gulp, and then returned to Indra’s army. Victory again passed to the gods, and they began to press back the army of the asuras.

Once again Maya used magic. Tripura, moving from its place, plunged into the waves of the Ocean and disappeared from the eyes of the gods. But the omniscient Brahma showed Indra's army the way to where it was now, to the western shores of the ocean, so the battle immediately resumed. But inevitable death was already looming over the city: the stars in the sky came to a position that was favorable for Shiva’s shot. Taking his formidable bow in his hands, Shiva put an arrow on the bowstring and shot it at Tripura. A terrible thunder rang out, the sky above the fortress burst into flames, and it plunged forever into the abyss of the Ocean. None of the asuras who lived there were saved; only Maya Shiva allowed him to escape unharmed to the edge of the Universe, where he settled forever. And the gods, glorifying the great deed of Shiva, returned to their heavenly kingdom.

Shiva-Nataraja. Among the nicknames of Shiva is the nickname Nataraja - “King of Dance”. It comes from the fact that Shiva dances a frantic magical dance - tandava. He performs this dance every time at the beginning of the world, awakening it and setting it in motion, and with the same dance he will destroy the world when the time of its existence ends.

No one can resist Shiva's dance. They say that once Shiva wanted to convert ten thousand hermits who lived in the forest far from people. They were angry that Shiva was distracting them from pious thoughts, and they cursed him with a terrible curse. But it had no effect on the great god. Then they created a ferocious tiger from the sacrificial fire and sent it towards Shiva, but he tore off the skin from it with the nail of his little finger and threw it on himself. Like a precious robe.

Then the hermits set a terrible snake on Shiva, but Shiva wrapped it around his neck like a collar. The hermits sent the antelope, but Shiva grabbed it with his left hand, and has been holding it ever since. Then they sent the most formidable opponent against Shiva - the evil dwarf Mulayoku with a huge club in his hands. But Shiva threw him to the ground and danced his victory dance on his back. Then the hermits recognized the power of Shiva and began to worship him.

When Shiva dances on top of the sacred mountain Kailasa, the other gods not only enjoy his dance, but also help him. Indra plays the flute for him, Vishnu beats the drum, Brahma beats time, and Lakshmi sings. And while the sacred dance of Shiva lasts, peace and harmony reign in the Universe. [In India, it is believed that Shiva invented 108 different dances - slow, stormy and fast.]

Trimurti. So, we got acquainted with how in India they represented the three supreme gods with whom the fate of the world is connected. They are different in character, and Brahma cannot be confused with Vishnu, and Vishnu with Shiva; and the stories-myths that were told about them were also different. But in India they believed that these were not only three different gods, but also different manifestations of the same God, united in his greatness. When something is created in the world, this God manifests himself in the form of Brahma; when it is necessary to preserve the world order, to support it, he appears in the guise of Vishnu, and when the world comes to the point of its destruction, God appears as Shiva.

Shiva is sleeping and the third eye is closed...
Shiva woke up - well, so did the third eye... And once he woke up, that means we’re drying out the oars... No one is sailing anywhere anymore... Cleaning up, changing scenery, the unsuccessful old world is falling into ashes and the new one - the better one will be built on the ashes of the old one ...

Original taken from kactaheda V

Original taken from kactaheda in The Third Eye of Shiva or The Lost Gift of the Gods

I found a very interesting article on the Internet, which I share with you.

Legends say that people once possessed almost divine powers. They could live up to 800 years and easily communicate with the inhabitants of heaven - remember the biblical characters! That was the golden age of humanity... But modern science claims: there is nothing impossible in regaining the gift of eternal youth and supernatural psychic abilities. However, let's start from afar.

The hangover experience of Pierre Boucher

Parisian artist Pierre Boucher earned extra money by taking photographs, which became fashionable at the end of the 19th century. One evening the photographer got drunk “to hell” - in the most literal sense: according to personal confession, two devils with pitchforks in their hands were chasing him all night. In the morning he trudged to the darkroom. Chaos reigned on the table: exposed cassettes were scattered interspersed with clean ones. Boucher tried for a long time to figure out which of them needed to be shown, then he waved his hand and showed them all. And he was dumbfounded: those same disgusting faces of the “night guests” were looking at him from the records. Boucher's friend, a scientist, became extremely interested in the strange phenomenon and, after examination, even sent an article to the Academy of Sciences about the possibility of photographing alcoholic hallucinations. As one might expect, they did not dare to publish it. But articles soon followed about the “psychic photographs” of the famous astronomer and researcher of anomalous phenomena Camille Flammarion. New evidence of the reality of the phenomenon has also emerged. The famous Russian psychiatrist V.X. reported on “radiations from the head” and even their projection onto the screen. Kandinsky: “Projected pictures... are invisible in bright light, but once the room is darkened, they appear very clearly.”

The Ted Serios Phenomenon

The mystical turn of the century gave way to a stage of materialism, and there was a lull in the research of psycho-radiations. It was violated in the early 60s of the 20th century by the American sailor Ted Serios, who was written off ashore. He accidentally discovered that can project his own mental images onto film. For the amusement of the public, they pointed the camera at the sailor, clicked the shutter and... instead of the face of “drunkard Ted,” well-known buildings and landscapes appeared on the film...

Intrigued scientists persuaded Ted to become a “guinea pig” and conducted about eight hundred experiments. To avoid cheating, the scientists sealed the Polaroid and ordered the “pictures” from Ted themselves. He carried out the “order” with amazing accuracy. And what was absolutely surprising was that at some out-of-town and foreign objects there were new signs and other changes that Ted had no way of knowing about, since he had been stuck in Chicago for many years. Pundits were at a dead end... Even philosophers joined the discussion about mental images.

The venerable Soviet scientist A.M. Mostepanenko hypothesized that hallucinations - an objective reality that exists in space and time . It seems that the experiments were given the green light, but... Either the scientists were terribly afraid of the devils, or feared a result that could leave classical psychology unturned- no one wanted to take risks.

Some daredevils still dared to experiment. Perm psychiatrist G.P. Krokhalev in 1974 risked photographing the hallucinations of the “alcoholic contingent” of the clinic. The old Zenit regularly recorded everything, including the above-mentioned devils. Both amateurs from the media and fellow psychiatrists took up arms against the scientist. Meanwhile, Krokhalev, purely by chance, conducted another experiment: placed several patients suffering from hallucinations in a shielded chamber... and all the hallucinations immediately disappeared. The question is: and What does the brain have to do with it then?

"Knowing the Three Times"

Classical science is not yet able to explain this phenomenon. But ancient Eastern teachings do not see anything supernatural in it. According to them, The ability to receive and emit mental images is possessed by special energy centers of the body - chakras. Moreover, the so-called ajna chakra, which has long been called "third eye". In many beliefs, this amazing organ is a mandatory accessory of the immortal gods. Image third eye on the forehead of the deity Shiva can be found on paintings and sculptures of Hindu temples.

Adherents of Eastern religions claim that there was no time "Eye of Shiva" existed among all people as a gift from the heavenly ancestors of humanity. He, like a satellite dish, captured subtle cosmic energies. The consciousness of our ancestors was open to the flows of information permeating the Universe; they had access to the world “database”, and therefore the sphere of their perception was much wider than the three dimensions familiar to us.

Opening the third eye- the goal of life of many ascetics who spend years of spiritual improvement on this. The possibilities they achieve are amazing. So, yogis who have opened the “eye of Shiva” have not only the gift of clairvoyance, telepathy, overcoming gravity, etc., but can observe events occurring at great distances and in other eras - in the past, present or future. In India they are called Trikala jna - “knowing the three times”.

What is this? Mystic? A beautiful but unrealistic fairy tale? Apparently not. Prominent Soviet scientist Nikolai Kobozev, who studied mental processes at the atomic level, came to the conclusion that brain matter... by itself is not capable of providing thinking. For this you need external source of flows, so-called fermionic (information-carrying) particles. And if this hypothesis is correct, a very interesting picture emerges: a person does not think of his own free will. We are not the source of the mind, but our thoughts and images come from the Mind, which is immeasurably greater. Remember the version of the philosopher Mostepanenko about the independent existence of visions from the one whom they visit?

Let me say, yogis are one thing, but drunks with their hallucinations are something completely different. Are we confusing God's gift with scrambled eggs? Patience, dear reader. Everything will fall into place.

Still, Leonardo was right!

The point is that it's mysterious third Eye- not an abstract concept, but a very real organ that is formed in everyone during intrauterine development. This is the pineal gland, or pineal gland, located in the head of vertebrates and humans. In reptiles, in place of the pineal gland, there is a real parietal eye, for which there is even a hole in the skull. It is covered with skin and is able to perceive not only light. It is known that it is especially sensitive to the millimeter wave range, the magnetic field, and also, possibly, to a number of other (including information?) radiations.

(I think that zombification technologies are specifically designed to irradiate the third eye, i.e. the human pineal gland)

In humans, the pineal gland is located deep in the skull. This “atavism” is responsible for the production of melatonin and serotonin - the hormones of “sleep” and “joy”. Quite modest to claim to be the “eye of Shiva,” isn’t it?

But Leonardo da Vinci considered the pineal gland to be the seat of the human soul. And modern science has proven that he was probably right. It turned out that pineal gland hormones help fight cancer, have a rejuvenating effect and prolong our life. And if the functions of this gland are artificially maintained... old age will never come! And a few years ago, specialists from the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology managed to take the first step towards immortality: the drug they created based on pineal gland hormones triggered the reverse passage of time in the body of old macaques - they began to rapidly grow younger!

Microchips in the brain

Let us suppose. And yet, where is the connection with the “eye of Shiva”, the “antenna” into the cosmic information field, bestowing extrasensory qualities? I was prompted by a bold analogy the amazing ability of the pineal gland to rotate like the eyeball. Significant similarities with the eye have recently been found in the structure of this gland: there were found rudiments of the lens and... receptors for color perception.

And one more thing: in the pineal gland there is a so-called “brain sand” - mineral bodies ranging in size from fractions of a millimeter to two. The function of this sand remains not entirely clear to science. However, X-ray analysis showed that the grains of sand contain even smaller crystals with a large percentage of silicon, which is used to record information in microchips! The experiments allowed us to conclude: it seems brain sand stores in holographic form data about a person’s existence in space and time . Scientists believe that microcrystals are capable of capturing external radiation and reading information sent by cosmic bodies.

There is another (albeit indirect) evidence that the pineal gland is really connected with vision and information capabilities: in some Indian monks who devoted themselves to spiritual practices, the pineal gland significantly increases in size, as if swelling the brain. And the parietal bone becomes thinner, dissolves, the area of ​​the skull above the “third eye” becomes like a baby’s fontanel, which facilitates the penetration of cosmic energies.

According to researchers, the third eye explains the phenomenon of clairvoyance: The picture that appears before the mind's eye is projected from the pineal gland onto the retina of the eye, just as light from a movie installation is projected onto a cinema screen.

This version answers another question quite well: why did priests and soothsayers from ancient times resort to the help of children and virgins? It has been reliably established that pineal gland directly related to sexual functions, and abstinence greatly activates it. And in children who have not reached puberty, all the power of the pineal gland is directed, willy-nilly, not into the sexual, but into the spiritual sphere. It is no coincidence that hermits who have taken a vow of celibacy have such a great ability to perceive visions from above.

On the question of devils

And yet, what does Boucher and other hallucinating citizens who are not distinguished by righteousness have to do with it? Here it will be very useful to remember that in ancient civilizations Pythia and oracles predicted while intoxicated, and in Rus' holy fools prophesied - people with mental anomalies. Apparently, different paths lead to the opening of the “third eye” with visions and revelations. As for the quality of received information... We are only “showed” what we deserve. — returning to the question about devils...

Dark City (1998) You Have the Power

The awakening interest in the practice over the past 20 years shows how strong the influence of Hindu philosophy and lifestyle is in the modern world. In this article we will look at who Shiva is, what role he plays in religion, and what legends exist about his birth.

Who is Shiva

This is the name of one of the main Indian deities, at the same time it means the cosmic principle, and some kind of divine energy, and higher consciousness, and a symbol of a man. Shiva creates the world, the Universe - but he can also destroy it, which is why he is also called the Great Destroyer. The world will one day come to its end, to destruction, and Shiva is the one who will bring the Universe to its logical end. This is its purpose, its essence.

Did you know? Above the eyes of Shiva, there are 3 lines - a reminder that everyone has to destroy three vices: selfishness, karma and illusion.

Shiva is an almighty destroyer, with his strength and energy he surpasses such great deities as Vishnu and Brahma. In some Indian legends and traditions, Shiva is an absolute deity.

Forms of deity

Despite the apparent limitations of this deity, its destruction, according to the laws of the Universe, always gives rise to new life, a new beginning. Therefore, Shiva is not only a destroyer - he prepares the ground for a new seed, new beginnings. Like other Indian gods, Shiva has several names, each of which reveals its individual facet, feature, uniqueness. Each of the names is the embodiment of the divine principle, greatness - therefore, they evoke special awe and reverence among followers of Hinduism. Let's consider them in more detail.

Mahayogi (Great Yogi)

God Shiva in this facet is depicted with long hair, dressed in animal skins and living in solitude in the Himalayas. He is always “immersed in the existing beginninglessness”, he is always surrounded by animals, but not people, as a result of which he is also called the God of asceticism. According to legend, it was in this place that Shiva was struck by love and inflamed with feelings for Parvati, his future wife.

The Great Yogi is the patron of everyone - both in ancient times and in the modern world. Often followers of Mahayoga depict Shiva sitting on a tiger skin, with his head and third eye sprinkled with ashes - a mendicant yogi, a god immersed in the deepest contemplation.

Important! Due to the fact that Shiva is a destroyer, they practice prayers to his wife, the goddess Parvati - in cases where a person is struggling with any difficulty that he no longer has the strength to overcome, she can intercede for him before God.

Nataraja (Lord of Dance)

In this facet, Shiva is a deity with four arms, circling in a continuous dance, with which he destroys the worlds and the Universe. Often his appearance is enclosed in a luminous circle - this is a symbol of samsara. In his upper right hand he holds a percussion instrument, with which he taps out the energy of the macrocosm; on the opposite side, in his upper hand there is fire (one of the periods of Rest). On the left hand, fingers crossed in a special way form a symbol of mercy, and on the right hand - a symbol of protection. The deity rests his feet on the freak, the dwarf, who is a symbol of ignorance.

While Nataraja dances, all the deities enjoy, listen to him and help him by playing various musical instruments.

It is believed that it is thanks to his tantric dance of ecstasy that Shiva maintains balance and equilibrium in the entire Universe.

Symbols of Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, are especially common in. They are presented in the form of images of all kinds of statues made of wood, glass and precious metals. In almost every home you can find such an icon of Nataraja - it symbolizes rhythmic movement, ecstasy, balance, symmetry and complete spiritual

Pashupati (Lord of Animals)

Pashupati is another identification of the deity, his name. Pashupatya is one of the oldest Hindu schools, perhaps even the oldest. The first followers were ascetics who completely devoted themselves to serving Shiva. Their first mention was found in pre-Vedic culture. It is noteworthy that the practice of the Pashupatas included tantric dances, imitation of animal behavior, orgies and very eccentric behavior. The Pashupati school suffered a decline towards the end of the 1st millennium AD.

This name reveals Shiva as the patron of all birds, fish, all living creatures existing in the Universe. Such patronage is shown in the images of Shiva-Pashupati - a doe is always with him, either in his hands or just next to him.

According to the philosophical implications, Pashupati is also the ruler, the shepherd of all living souls - including human ones. Sometimes the deity is depicted sitting on a white bull - this bull was previously a man, but his mortal body could not bear the fullness of ecstasy that covered him when approaching Shiva. So he took the form of a bull.

Other deities were so afraid of the greatness of Shiva that they deliberately called themselves “Pashu” - “animal”. This is how they showed their low position in relation to the almighty Shiva.

This name of the deity reveals the facet of Shiva’s great mercy and compassion. According to legend, in the ocean during churning (one of the mythological events in Hinduism), the most dangerous was born, which threatened imminent death not only for all living things, but also for deities and demons. The deities asked Shiva to drink the poison, because it could not harm him alone. Shiva took a sip of the poison and left it in his throat to save all living things - this caused his throat to turn black, but he himself did not die. Therefore, Nilakantha Shiva is depicted with a blackened or blue throat. Nilakantha is literally translated as “blue-necked.”

Bhairava (Terrible)

In this form, Shiva is depicted naked, sitting with a begging vessel created from the head of Brahma. According to legend, Bhairava cut off one of Brahma's heads for his destructive voluptuousness towards his youngest daughter. This is a particularly terrifying epithet of a deity, a manifestation of his anger. In this personification he is a scary, black, multi-armed ascetic who symbolizes going beyond and limiting the mind. Since this aspect of the deity includes the horrors, death and sins of the Universe and creation, it is also called the Terrible.

Mahakala (Great Black)

The name of Shiva, denoting his spatial and extra-spatial dimensions. It destroys any duality, tunes internal perception to universal infinity, eternal processes, macrocosm. It is believed that those who worship Mahakala get rid of fear and...

“Kala” literally means “black”, so Mahakala in his images has a menacing appearance: decorations made of snakes, a protruding belly, decorations made of human heads. Shiva takes on such a terrifying form in order to become like negative creatures, demons, and restrain their harmful, dangerous essence and influence. Mahakala exists in the places of the dead, and his body is covered with ashes from funeral pyres.

How did Shiva appear?

Based on legends, Shiva lived about 6 thousand years ago, he was an absolute avatar who achieved perfection. In parallel with him, Brahma and Vishnu existed, the first was the absolute creator, and the second was the custodian of the universe.

Birth legends

There are several legends about how this deity appeared:

1. Shiva is the son of Brahma. Brahma did not have a child for a long time, he prayed and meditated, and after some time he appeared at his feet with skin that shimmered blue, like Brahma. The boy asked to give him a name, and Brahma gave the child a name - Rudra. However, he did not calm down and demanded more names for himself. So Brahma gave eleven names, and the child received eleven reincarnations, one of which was God Shiva.
2. Shiva was born as a result of Brahma's anger, appearing between the latter's eyebrows, therefore his character and essence are mostly angry, destructive.
3. According to another version of the legend, Brahma, having emerged from Vishnu’s navel, was surrounded by demons who wanted to kill him. Then, due to the anger of Brahma, Shiva appeared between his eyebrows with a weapon in his hand and dispersed the demons.
4. Another legend: Brahma had four sons who did not want to have their own. Then Brahma became so angry with his descendants that a boy with bluish skin appeared between his eyebrows, who later received eleven names. It is noteworthy that the eleven reincarnations of God Shiva are the five most important human organs, as well as the four earthly elements, the Moon and.

Did you know? One of the main objects of worship of Shiva for his followers is the phallic symbol of this deity - the linga.

About family and wives

According to legend, Shiva had 3 wives.

1. Sati- the very first incarnation of the deity’s wife. Due to various circumstances, Sati had to sacrifice herself by entering the sacrificial fire. Shiva was sad and inconsolable for a long time; nothing made him happy. He traveled the world with the ashes of his beloved, for a long time in the Himalayas. In order to console God, the soul of Shiva's wife reincarnated as Parvati, the daughter of the mountain king.
2. . One of her names is Kali (“black”). Parvati seduced Shiva for a long time when he was mourning in the mountains, until finally his heart was pierced by her nobility and virtues. From their union two sons were born: Ganapati, the god of wisdom, and Skanda, the warrior god.
3. Ganga. The goddess personifies a river flowing in three worlds - heaven, underground and herself. This goddess has a special gift - to wash away the sins of all those living in these worlds. She fell in love with Shiva and asked him for the opportunity to always be with him. Shiva accepted her, and since then she has lived in his hair.

Attributes of many-armed and many-faced

Like most Indian deities, Lord Shiva has certain attributes that identify some facet of his essence. These include:

• deity body- it is sprinkled with ashes, which is an expression of the beginning of the Universe, which goes beyond the boundaries of everyday existence, without causing suffering;
• tangled hair on the head- connection of various types;
• Moon on the head (in the hair)- personification over understanding and understanding;
• presence of 3 eyes: 1 - Sun, 2 - Moon, 3 - fire;
• half-open eyes- infinity of processes and flow. If - a new life is born, if closed - the old one is destroyed;
• snakes on the neck- symbol of three stages: present, past and future;
• Ganga in her hair- a symbol of ablution, removal and cleansing from all vices;
• right hand of the deity- destroys evil, gives strength and blessing; It is noteworthy that it is not known exactly how many hands Shiva had, according to legend - from four to ten.
• bull accompanying Shiva- his constant means of transportation, his companion;
• tiger skin clothing- personification of victory over vices and passions;
• drum- identifies 2 ways of existence - physical and spiritual;
• halo around the figure of a deity- personification of the entire Universe;
• lingam- phallus, the embodiment of masculinity, fertility, fertility;
• trident- Shiva’s weapon, personifies the 3 essences of God: preserver, creator, destroyer.

Supreme god Shiva: role in Hinduism

Shiva (Siva), translated from Sanskrit as “merciful.” Despite the main destructive essence of the deity and formidable character, his main mission is to protect man, giving him all the benefits and virtues. Shiva is included in the category of deities most revered in Indian philosophy - the many-armed god of the Hindus is a great one who fully realized his Divine essence.

Sometimes Shiva appeared in the form of a bisexual creature - a multi-armed goddess. Such a clear contradiction perfectly highlights his divine nature, and endows his admirers with awe and delight. Its role in Hinduism is difficult to overestimate; moreover, it is the belief in a many-armed god that is the basis of the Hindu religion.

As followers of the Hindu religion believe, repeating the name of God Shiva with due respect enlightens the mind and imparts joy and tranquility, and during singing, the spiritual component of a person can take the form of God, be filled with him, become his reflection. Such unity with Higher powers has a beneficial effect on a person’s life, his success in society and much more. Therefore, various chanting mantras do not lose their relevance in the modern world.

Shiva

Shiva- in Hinduism, the personification of the destructive principle of the universe and transformation (creation); one of the deities of the supreme triad (trimurti), along with the creator and maintainer. According to the Shiva Purana, he is the creator of both Vishnu and Brahma. Represents both destructive and creative principles. The five divine roles of Shiva are: creation, support, dissolution, concealment and bestowal of grace. The tradition of worshiping Shiva is called Shaivism. Known by the names , Shankara, Shambhu, Mahadeva, Maheshvara.

Shiva is the creator god and at the same time the god of time, and therefore of destruction, the god of fertility and at the same time an ascetic who suppressed desires and lives high in the Himalayas on Mount Kailash. Sometimes he even acted as a bisexual creature.

He is most often depicted sitting in the lotus position, with white skin, a blue neck, with hair tangled or twisted into a bun on top of his head (jata), wearing a snake on his neck, head, arms and legs (like bracelets), on his belt and thrown over shoulder (as an analogue of the sacred cord). Dressed in tiger or elephant skin, seated on a tiger skin. On the forehead is the third eye, as well as tripundra (represents three transverse lines, most often applied on the forehead) made of sacred ash (bhasma or vibhuti).

One day, Shiva appeared to 10,000 rishi sages to worship him. In response, the rishis cursed the god and sent a ferocious tiger to attack him. Shiva tore off the skin of the beast with his fingernail and made himself a cape. The Rishis sent a snake, but Shiva put it around his neck as a necklace. The third eye, the eye of inner vision, is located in the center of the forehead. He wears a snake necklace around his neck, another snake encircles his body, and others wrap around his arms. There are images of Shiva with a blue neck; he was called Nilakantha, or "blue neck"; This is stated in the myth about the churning of the world's oceans. According to a well-known myth, the gods used the serpent Vasuki (Shesha) to create amtrita and used it to rotate Mount Mandara. However, the snake was so tired that it released poison that threatened to destroy the entire world. Shiva swallowed the poison and his neck turned blue.

According to legend, Shiva's third eye arose as a result of his wife's trick. Shiva was meditating on Mount Kailash, and Parvati crept up behind him and covered his eyes with her hands. Immediately the sun darkened, and all living things trembled with fear. Suddenly, an eye emitting flame appeared in Shiva’s forehead and dispersed the darkness. The fire that burst from the eye illuminated the entire Himalayas.

Shiva is often depicted dancing, he is also called the “Lord of Dance” (Nataraja), which symbolizes the eternal dance of the Universe - tandava. When he was attacked by the demon Muyalaka (Apasmara), Shiva broke his spine with his big toe and, standing on it, performed a cosmic dance showing the periods of destruction and reconstruction of the world. It was believed that as Nataraja, Shiva regulates the world order. Tired of dancing, he stops, and chaos reigns in the universe.

God Shiva is one of the supreme gods in Hinduism. Along with Brahma (Creator) and Vishnu (Preserver), he is one of the main trinity of main gods, in which he plays the role of the Destroyer. Other names of Shiva can be found in sacred manuscripts - Mahadeva, Maheshvar and Parameshvara. Lord Shiva controls the series of births and deaths in the world. Shiva represents the aspect of the supreme being who destroys in order to give rise to a new life cycle of the Universe.
At the same time, Shiva is the God of mercy and compassion. He protects his devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed and anger. He bestows blessings, grace and awakens wisdom. All the sacred scriptures like Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, Shruti and Smarti and others say that one who worships Lord Shiva can attain Supreme Bliss.
Attributes of Shiva
The main symbols that are used when depicting Lord Shiva are:

• A naked body covered in ash. Shiva is the source of the entire Universe, which emanates from him, but he transcends the physical world and does not experience suffering.


• Tangled hair. They personify the ideal of yoga as the unity of physical, mental and spiritual energies.


• Ganga. Symbolically represented as a woman from whose mouth flows a stream of water falling to the ground. This means that Shiva destroys all sins, eliminates ignorance, bestows knowledge, purity and peace.


• Waxing Crescent. One of the decorations.


• Three eyes. God Shiva is also called Tryambaka Deva and is depicted as having three eyes. His first eye is the sun, his second is the moon, and his third is fire.


• Half-open eyes. When Shiva opens his eyes, a new round of creation begins, and when he closes them, the universe is destroyed, but only to be reborn again. The half-open eyes symbolize that creation is a cyclical process with no beginning or end.


• Snake around the neck. It wraps around Shiva's neck three times and looks towards the right side. Each of the snake's rings symbolizes time - past, future and present.


• Rudraksha necklace. The Rudraksha necklace symbolizes that Shiva adamantly maintains law and order in the universe without compromise.


• Varda is wise. The right hand of Shiva is depicted as simultaneously giving blessings, destroying evil, destroying ignorance and awakening wisdom in followers.


• Trident (Trishula). The trident depicted next to Shiva symbolizes his three main energies (shakti): desire (icchha), action (kriya) and knowledge (jnana).


• Damaru (drum). Symbolizes two extremely dissimilar forms of existence - obvious and non-obvious.


• Nandi the Bull. Shiva's vehicle.


• Tiger skin. Latent energy.


• Burnt earth. Shiva sitting on the scorched earth symbolizes that he controls death in the physical world.

"To the consort of Gauri, the Lord of the night, the bringer of mastery, the destroyer of time (death), the owner of snake bracelets, the bearer of the Ganga, the slayer of the king of elephants, the owner of his skin; the destroyer of poverty and misfortune, Shiva the Good - worship! Dressed in skin, smeared with cremation ashes, having eyes on the forehead, Decorated with snake rings, With feet adorned with bracelets, With hair twisted into jata, Destroying grief and poverty - bow to Shiva!

Shiva is most often depicted sitting in the lotus position, with white skin (smeared with ash), with a blue neck, with hair matted or twisted into a bun on the top of his head (jata), wearing a crescent moon on his head, entwined with snakes like bracelets (on his neck and shoulders) . Dressed in tiger or elephant skin, also seated on a tiger or elephant skin. On the forehead is the third eye, as well as a tripundra made from sacred ash (bhasma or vibhuti).

"...... In His throat there is a deadly poison, Halahala, capable of instantly destroying all living things. On His head is the sacred river Ganga, the waters of which can heal all diseases anywhere and everywhere. On His forehead is a fiery eye. On His on his head is the cool and comforting Moon. On his wrists, ankles, shoulders and neck He carries deadly cobras that live in the life-giving air. ... Shiva means "mercy", "goodness" (mangalam).... The very Image of Shiva reveals an example of great patience and endurance. He holds the poison halahala in his throat and wears the blessed Moon on his head...."

The Trishula (trident) in His right hand symbolizes the three gunas - sattva, rajas and tamas. This is a sign of supreme power. Through these three gunas He rules the world. The damaru which he holds in His left hand represents shabdabrahman. It symbolizes the syllable "om" from which all languages ​​are composed. The Lord created Sanskrit from the sounds of damaru.

The crescent moon signifies that He is in complete control of His mind. The flow of the Ganga symbolizes the nectar of immortality. The elephant symbolically represents pride. The elephant skin robe shows that He has subdued His pride. Tiger - lust, tiger skin bedding indicates conquered lust. The Lord holds a doe in one hand, therefore He has stopped the canchalata (impulsive movements) of His mind, for the doe is constantly moving. Snake jewelry signifies wisdom and eternity - snakes live for many years. He is Trilochana, the Three-Eyed One, and in the middle of His forehead is the third eye, the eye of wisdom.

"Haum" is the bijakshara of Lord Shiva.

He is Shivam (Good), Shubham (Auspicious), Sundaram (Beautiful), Kantam (Shining), "Shantam Shivam Advaitam" ("Mandukya Upanishad").

Countless times I, with folded hands in prayer, bow down to the lotus feet of Lord Shiva, the non-dual, Adhishthana - the support of the world and any consciousness, Sachchidananda, the Ruler, Antaryamin, Sakshi (the silent Witness) of all things, the One who shines with his own light, exists Himself in Self and Self-sufficient (Paripurna), Who removes the original avidya and is Adiguru, Parama-guru, Jagad-guru.

In my essence I am Lord Shiva. Shivo' boor, Shivo' boor, Shivo' boor.

Snake on Shiva's body

The snake is the jiva (personal soul) which rests on Shiva, Parsshatman (Supreme Soul). The five hoods represent the five senses or five tattvas, namely earth, water, fire, air and ether. They also symbolize the five pranas, which move hissing through the body like snakes. Inhalation and exhalation are like the hissing of a snake. Lord Shiva himself became five tanmatras, five jnanendriyas, five karmendriyas and other groups consisting of five. The personal soul enjoys the existing objects in the world through these tattvas. When the jiva attains knowledge by controlling the senses and mind, he finds his eternal safe shelter in Lord Shiva, the Supreme Soul. This is the esoteric meaning of the snakes that the Lord carries on His body.

Lord Shiva knows no fear. The Sruti says: “This Brahman is fearless (abhayam), immortal (amritam).”

"Namah Shivaya" is the mantra of Lord Shiva. “Na” stands for earth and Brahma, “ma” for water and Vishnu, “shi” for fire and Rudra, “va” for vayu and Maheshvara, “ya” for Akasha and Sadashiva, as well as jiva.

Lord Shiva's body is white. What is the meaning of this color? This is a silent teaching, the meaning of which is that one should have a pure heart and pure thoughts, get rid of dishonesty, pretense, resourcefulness, envy, hatred, etc.

On the Lord's forehead are three stripes of bhasma, or vibhuti. What does it mean? The meaning of this silent teaching is that it is necessary to destroy the three defilements: anava (egoism), karma (action with a view to the result) and maya (illusion), as well as the three desires for possession - land, woman and gold - and the three vasanas (local vasana, deha-vasana and sastra-vasana). By doing this, you can approach Him with a pure heart.

What does the balipitha (altar) standing in front of the sanctum sanctorum in the Shiva temple symbolize? A person must destroy egoism and selfishness (ahamta and mamata) before he can come to the Lord. This is the meaning of the altar.

What does the presence of Nandi bull in front of the Shivalingam mean? Nandi is a servant, guardian of the threshold of Shiva’s abode. He is also the vehicle of the Lord. It symbolizes satsanga. By being among the sages, you will definitely come to know God. The sages will show you the way to Him. They will destroy the treacherous pits and traps that lie in wait for you along the way. They will dispel your doubts and strengthen dispassion, knowledge and discrimination in your heart. Satsanga is the only reliable boat that can take you across the ocean to the shore of fearlessness and immortality. Even if it is very short, satsanga (association with sages) is a great blessing for those who are studying and also for people with worldly consciousness. Through satsang they become firmly convinced of the existence of God. Sages destroy worldly samskaras. The society of sages is a powerful fortress that allows a person to protect himself from the temptations of Maya.

Lord Shiva is the destructive aspect of the Divine. On the mountain peak of Kailasa He indulges in absorption into Himself. He is the embodiment of severity, renunciation and indifference to the world. The third eye in the middle of His forehead indicates His destructive energy, which, when released, destroys the world. Nandi is His favorite, the guardian of His threshold. He makes everything around him quiet so that no one disturbs the Lord in His samadhi. The Lord has five faces, ten arms, ten eyes and two legs.

Vrishabha or bull symbolizes the god Dharma. Lord Shiva rides this bull. The bull is His vehicle. This means that Lord Shiva is the protector of dharma (law), He is the embodiment of dharma, justice.

The four legs of the doe symbolize the four Vedas. Lord Shiva holds a doe in His hand. This means that He is the Lord of the Vedas.

In one of His hands He holds a sword, as He is the destroyer of death and birth. The fire in His other hand indicates that He protects the jivas by burning all bonds.

According to the sacred texts, Shiva is a master of dance and music, and an excellent dancer and musician (vinahar). Bharata's Natya Shastra mentions 108 dance poses and the Tandava Lakshan dance.
He has four arms. In His matted hair are the Ganges and the crescent moon. In His right hand He holds a damaru (an hourglass-shaped drum - a symbol of cosmic rhythm and sound). It is believed that all the rhythms of the Cosmos can be extracted from this drum. The sound of the drum calls individual souls to fall at His feet. It symbolizes omkara (the syllable “om”, the most sacred mantra of Hinduism, another name is pranava). The entire Sanskrit alphabet was formed from the sound of damaru. Creation arises from damaru.

In one of His left hands He holds a flame. Fire produces destruction. The figure of God is often enclosed in a bronze halo with tongues of flame, personifying the Universe in which the Great God dances - a destroyer and a creator at the same time, creating a dynamic evolutionary balance in the Cosmos with his dance. With His raised left hand, He demonstrates abhaya mudra (the mudra of protection and blessings of fearlessness to overcome the fear of death) for His devotees. “My devotees, do not be afraid! I will protect all of you!" - this is its meaning. With his free right hand He points down to the asura Muyalaka, who is clutching a cobra. His left leg is gracefully raised. The raised leg means maya (illusion). The downward-pointing hand is a sign that His feet are the only refuge for individual souls. Shiva's head is decorated with a crown with a skull - a sign of victory over death.

He dances very calmly. If He becomes angry while dancing, the world will instantly disappear. He dances with his eyes closed because the sparks from His eyes can burn the entire universe. The five activities of the Lord (panchakriya) - creation (srishti), preservation (sthiti), destruction (samhara), illusion (tirobhava) and grace (anugraha) - are His dances.

At the appropriate time, Lord Shiva, while dancing, destroys all names and forms with the help of fire. And again there is silence.

The dance of creation also has important numerological symbolism - the total number of movements is 108. This is both the number of beads on the rosary and 108 sacred names of Shiva. The same number of movements is used in both Indian martial arts (Karali Paittu in the Kerala system) and Chinese Tai Chi. However, the very last movement cannot be conveyed, since it has a multidimensional nature and is the very act of creation of the universe.

All 108 movements only create an energy channel and prepare the ground for Creation.

The next phase is aimed at maintaining balance and harmony in the created world. At this stage, Shiva dances facing South, holding Damara in his lowered right hand. This personifies overcoming the fear of death, one of the most destructive passions that interferes with the full realization of a person and humanity as a whole.

In the destruction phase, Shiva dances with a flame in his raised left hand. This symbolizes fire, destroying everything in an outdated world.

The fourth form of dance represents victory over the power of illusion (Maya). Here Shiva dances, trampling with his right foot a prostrate dwarf (a symbol of the demonic energy of illusion). The lowered left hand points to the left leg raised in the dance, recalling the path of personal and universal salvation, deliverance from illusory existence.

The most amazing dance of Nataraja is Urdhva Tandava. In this dance, the left leg is raised up so that its toes point towards the sky. This is the most difficult type of dance. With this dance pose, Nataraja defeated Kali. According to legend, a dispute arose between the god Shiva and his wife Uma about which of them was the better dancer. A competition was organized to the accompaniment of a divine orchestra, in which goddess Saraswati (patron of arts and knowledge) played the veena (lute), god Indra played the flute, god Brahma played the cymbals, god Vishnu played the drum, and goddess Lakshmi sang soul-touching songs . In all other ways of dancing, Kali successfully competed with Shiva. While dancing, Nataraja lost His earring. By dancing in this way, He was able to return the decoration to its original place with the finger of His foot, without the audience noticing.

Nataraja danced with his right leg raised up. This is the Gajahasta pose in Nritya dance. He danced for a very long time, without once changing the position of his feet. Goddess Uma decided that in this case one should show modesty and admit that the winner is Shiva.

There is another dance pose of Shiva - “on the head of an elephant”. Lord Shiva in this form is called Gajasana Murthy. The head of an elephant-like monster is visible at the foot of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva has eight arms. In His three right hands are a trident, a drum and a noose. In two hands He holds a shield and a skull, the third left hand is in the vismaya pose.

One asura took the form of an elephant to kill the brahmins who were sitting around the Visvanatha Lingam in Benares, completely immersed in meditation. Suddenly Lord Shiva appeared from the Linga, killed the monster and adorned Himself with its skin.