Lord Shiva is the only ascetic among Gods, abstaining from all forms of indulgence and pleasure, concentrating rather on meditation as a means to find perfect happiness.

Lord Shiva is the only ascetic among Gods, abstaining from all forms of indulgence and pleasure, concentrating rather on meditation as a means to find perfect happiness. He is the patron of Yogis, Sadhus and Brahmins, and also protector of the Vedas. Shiva choses a life of Sanyasi and Sadhana, life of meditation and hardships. He has a 'jata' or heap of matted hair that is typically considered to be a sign of uncleanliness. But when it comes to Lord Shiva, 'jatadhari' is a positive adjective. He is beyond such worldly ideas. His matted hair or 'jata' shows that He is beyond the standard definitions of beauty and holiness. Among some Sadhus and Sadhvis, locks are sacred, considered to be a religious practice, an expression of disregard for profane vanity. The public symbol of matted hair, known as jata, is re-created each time an individual goes through these unique experiences. About Shiva and his flowing locks, there is a continual interplay of extreme asceticism and virile potency, which link the elements of destruction and creation, whereas the full head of matted hair symbolizes the control of power. Gangadhara Shiva captures and controls the river Ganges with his locks, as its descent from the heavens would have deluged the world. The river is released through the locks of his hair, which prevents the river from destroying earth. As the Lord of Dance, Nataraja, Shiva performs the tandava, which is the dance in which the universe is created, maintained, and resolved. Shiva's long, matted tresses, usually piled up in a kind of pyramid, loosen during the dance and crash into the heavenly bodies, knocking them off course or destroying them utterly.! 🙏🏻✨✏️👁🐍💀🔱🕉📿🌀🎨🐚🔔🌿🖌

Hari Om Tat Sat ~ Om Namah Shivaya! 🌀👁🌀
Shubh Ratri ~ Good Night! ✨🙏✨