Shiva represents the universal power of destruction, which has two facets – the end of physical existence, and the liberation from its subtle bonds (by the destruction of ignorance).

 

Shiva represents the universal power of destruction, which has two facets – the end of physical existence, and the liberation from its subtle bonds (by the destruction of ignorance).

The story of Shiva is the story of God dwelling in human consciousness. He is the Great Yogi, severe and serene in meditation, ever absorbed in superconscious Reality (samadhi). He is the Supreme Guru (spiritual guide) who teaches always in silence the oneness of one’s higher Self (atman) with the ultimate Reality (Brahman).

Shiva is ever the great Destroyer of Ignorance, endowed with infinite compassion, longing only to burn the miseries of the world, to illumine the world, to reveal within each being the highest Truth.

The ignorance referred to here is not lack of knowledge of the world, but the ignorance of our true nature. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali it is said that this ignorance (avidya) is the cause of all suffering. Avidya is not just an ignorance but a very deep illusion which colours all our perceptions. Because of that, we live in an illusory world of our own creation.

The purpose of rituals like Shiva Ratri is to shift our focus, quiet our minds and open ourselves to the possibility of the end of ignorance and to awakening to reality. Remove all the selves we create and what remains will be identified as real Self.

Hara Hara Mahadev