PRAYERS TO SHIVA
“Bhujgendrahaaram,” said Suta loudly. “The one who wears snakes as garlands. Damrudhaaram—The One who rattles an hourglass drum to time all of life.” Then changing his tone to a musical note, he continued, “Nataraja Dum Dum—The one who dances in rhythm with the drum-beat created by Himself, as though to set a pace for us. Trinetra Devam—The Three-Eyed One, who is the most powerful. Yogi Dhyaanam—yet, unassuming like a recluse ascetic in the forest. Jai Shiva Trinetra Trisuldhaaram!” resounded Suta.
“Hail Shiva, the Three-Eyed One who wields in turn, the
three-pronged spear” repeated Shaunaka.
“So you see, my child, a prayer to Shiva, was the description of Shiva, repeated to Him.With the passage of time, these prayers of attribute became longer and more speculative; and somehow, fear showed a greater propensity to grow, than love,” Suta continued. “So, while He was accredited with dance, it was a dance of death; while He lived on the mountains, it was a hidden abode of a Warlord; if He was strong, it was a strength you must be defeated by, always.
Not to forget, that He was The Lord of the cremation grounds where, at the end of one’s life, His portals only just began.”
“I am beginning to understand, Gurudeva.”
“Ultimately, that Shiva was the God of destruction, became a label that found itself stuck in the majority of minds. Vinasham Aaghoram Samharam—the Terrible dissolver, who ends it all.
This description also crept into the string of epithets that made for prayer,” said Suta.
“But it doesn’t seem to me that Shiva is terrible!” cried Shaunaka.
"He is not my dear", smiled Suta, "And that is why i will commence the story of Shiva, the auspicious"
~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.
“Hail Shiva, the Three-Eyed One who wields in turn, the
three-pronged spear” repeated Shaunaka.
“So you see, my child, a prayer to Shiva, was the description of Shiva, repeated to Him.With the passage of time, these prayers of attribute became longer and more speculative; and somehow, fear showed a greater propensity to grow, than love,” Suta continued. “So, while He was accredited with dance, it was a dance of death; while He lived on the mountains, it was a hidden abode of a Warlord; if He was strong, it was a strength you must be defeated by, always.
Not to forget, that He was The Lord of the cremation grounds where, at the end of one’s life, His portals only just began.”
“I am beginning to understand, Gurudeva.”
“Ultimately, that Shiva was the God of destruction, became a label that found itself stuck in the majority of minds. Vinasham Aaghoram Samharam—the Terrible dissolver, who ends it all.
This description also crept into the string of epithets that made for prayer,” said Suta.
“But it doesn’t seem to me that Shiva is terrible!” cried Shaunaka.
"He is not my dear", smiled Suta, "And that is why i will commence the story of Shiva, the auspicious"
~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.
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