Shiv is symbolised in the image of a jyotirlinga

Shiv is symbolised in the image of a jyotirlinga. Some of the famed memorials to Shiva are Amarnath in Kashmir, Somnath in Gujarat, Vishwanath in Varanasi, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain and Pashupatinath in Nepal. The names of these Shiva temples define His divine functions, which also indicate that He is the Supreme Soul.

Legends tell us that Shri Rama invoked the Almighty Shiva at Rameshwaram and Shri Krishna offered his prayers to Him at Gopeshwar in Vrindavan . These legends are also indicators of the truth that Shiva is worshipped as the Supreme Father of all deities, even as the Supreme Father of Shri Rama and Shri Krishna.

The three lines marked on the Shiva linga symbolize His triple characteristics of Trimurti, Trinetri (one who has the third eye of wisdom), Trikaldarshi (one who sees the three aspects of time) and trilokinath (the Lord of three worlds). Shiva is also known as Shambhu or Swayambhu meaning that Shiva is the Supreme Soul who has no creator above Him.

The literal meaning of the word Shiva is benefactor (kalyankari). Supreme Soul Shiva brings benefit to all souls by performing the divine functions of creating and sustaining a new pure world(satyug) and destroying all vices and evil from the old impure world(kaliyug), i.e., He gives liberation and salvation to all human beings. Thus He is truly the Supreme Soul.

WHY SHIVA’S NIGHT

It is a subject to be pondered that when the birth of all corporeal deities, saints etc. are celebrated as birthdays, why is the night of Shiva remembered ? It is only for Shiva that His night is celebrated. What is its real significance?

In fact, the festival of Shiva ratri symbolises the divine incarnation of God Shiva on this earth. The night indicates the moral degradation that sets in due to the darkness of ignorance in this world. Shiva is the Ocean of knowledge who leads humankind from darkness to light, i.e. from untruth to truth by imparting true knowledge. as said in bhagvad geeta, “When religion is defamed on earth, I come to re-establish the true religion and thus transform the impure devilish world into a pure divine world.”

WHICH FAST IS NEEDED?

The true fasting (upvaas) on Shivaratri is that we link our intellect with God Shiva and stay in His Company. Upavaas (up + vass) means to stay close. The true Jagaran or awakening means to awaken from the slumber of ignorance and to protect the self from the evil influence of vices such as lust, anger, greed,attachment,ego.

shiv is also called shiv shambu, original word for shambu is swayambhu, swayambhu means who is born himself - THE CREATOR he is also called sadashiv means kalayankari. first temple which were built in bharat were jyotir - lingam temple. jyoti means light.
lord shiva the supreme soul is worshipped in all religions.
if we see in muslim religion, when they go for haj yatra at mecca there is holy stone of kaba, without saying this line their haj ki yatra do not get over, the line is 'hey parvardigar (i.e hey parmatma) noor-e-allah, mere hajj ki yatra Kabul ho. noor means light, jyoti. so shiva is also worshipped in name of allah in muslim religion
if we see in Christian religion, when mosses went on a mountain, he got ten commandments from lord, that time he saw akhand jyoti, divine light. on looking at that light he said, Jehovah(supreme light)
jesus never called himself as god, he said god is light & I am son of god.
today if we go in vetican city, st. peters basilica, above the throne of pope, you will se symbol of divine light which is kept there.hence there is evidence that lord shiva is also worshipped in name of godfather in Christian religion.
in sikh relegion, guru nanak said, ek omkar, nirakar, nirvair, akalmhoorat, gobindsingh also worshipped incorporeal god shiva.
in jain religion also shiv is worshipped
in japan they meditate upon a red stone.
in parsi religion, in their temple we can see akhand jyoti.
so all religion worshipped shiva in different names but same form i.e jyoti swaroop.
Lord shiva is ocean of knowledge, peace, bliss, happiness, purity, love, power.