A damaru is a small drum, which is shaped like an hourglass. It is popularly known as the instrument of Shiva.

A damaru is a small drum, which is shaped like an hourglass. It is popularly known as the instrument of Shiva. Shiva is also called Damarudhari. Traditionally, it is used by the Kapalikas, an ancient sect of Shaivism, and Tantrik Sadhus and Babas, who worship Shiva. They use it to announce their visit or to attract attention, when they make rounds in the streets.

In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, damaru is part of a collection of sacred implements and musical instrument was adopted from the tantric practices of ancient India. These reached the Himalayas from the 8th to 12th century, persisting in Tibet as the practice of Vajrayana flourished there, even as it vanished.

Damaru was first created by Shiva to produce spiritual sounds by which this whole universe has been created and regulated. The sound of Damaru is the sound of Omkara. The beat of Damaru symbolizes the sound of OM, the all pervading sound, which also has the only one beat without any variations, that is existing since the infinity. When Shiva plays Damaru, he playes Omkara, and when he dances with it, he is called Natraja. The damaru generates spiritual energy. Sanskrit language was recognized by the drumbeats of the Damaru and Shivas performance of the cosmic dance of tandava.

Shiva is believed to be the progenitor of all sounds, languages, music, and vibrations in creation. The damaru symbolizes his connection with them. The two triangles in the damaru represent the Purusha and Prakrithi, and their union, which results in creation (srushti), movement (chaitanyam), speech (vac), and sounds (shabda). When they are separated, everything comes to a standstill, and the mind lapses into total silence. Damaru also symbolizes Jiva, the embodied soul, who is helplessly caught in the play of Shiva and moves according to his will and force. He is active as long as Shiva moves his hands, but goes into rest when he is withdrawn. The two triangles in the damaru represent the mind and the body, while the chord represents the twin states of birth and death, to which it is bound. Just as the being is bound to the cycle of births and deaths, the damaru is bound to the chord. ✨⏳🎶🕉📿✨

Sankar Rahe Na Bhay ~ Sada Raho Nirbhay ~ Bum Bum Bhole ! ✨🕉✨