Happy Maha Shiv-Ratri - Symbolic meaning of Lord Shiva's image

 

Lord Shiva is considered Adi-Yogi and Adi-Guru. 
Both the terms - Yogi and Guru are synonyms in some ways. 

Yogi means united - the one who has achieved enlightenment - and Guru means one who provides the light of Gyana by removing the veil of ignorance. 

A Guru cannot be a real Guru if he is not an Enlightened Yogi himself.

Similarly, a yogi will be selfish if he does not help others to achieve what he has accomplished. 

Shiva is both - Adi-Yogi and Adi-Guru as well. 

The images of Hindu Gods, such as Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh, Sarasvati, and Durga, etc. are not their actual portraits - they are symbolic. 

The ancient rishis - scholars of India used metaphorical language and symbolic images to convey their messages. 

To understand the Hindu ideology, we need to know their symbolism. 

Symbolism in the above image of Lord Shiva

The first thing to look at is the surroundings. 
He is sitting in a meditative pose in a very calm, quiet, and peaceful environment. 

To gain knowledge or to accomplish anything in life, surroundings play an important role. 

Therefore, a student - a seeker should try to find or design the appropriate surroundings, company, and atmosphere to pursue his quest of Gyana. 

Starting from the top of his image

His matted hair is tied in a knot on top of his head. 
The head is a symbol of the brain - intellect, and mind - and the wavy hair represents the scattered thoughts and desires. Hair tied in a knot means controlled desires and thoughts - and the unity of mind and intellect. 

                                                                The Ganga 

According to the story of Puranas, when Ganga came down from heaven, Shiva caught it in his hair and slowly released it on the earth. 

Ganga is a symbol of Gyana, the knowledge of Truth - which Shiva received from above - with divine inspiration. 
He then examined, analyzed, and grasped in his head and then bestowed it, shared it with the world.

The crescent moon

A crescent moon is a symbol of tranquillity and peace.

Sun is a symbol of energy and power -  of control, dominance, and authority. 

It also represents enthusiasm, passion, and magnetism, etc.

Moon, on the other hand, is a symbol of peace, coolness, patience, and tranquility.  

While the sun is associated with intellect, the moon is associated with the mind. 

Like the moon, the mind also continually goes in different phases. 

It does not stay in one stable state all the time. 

Just as the moon increases and decreases, the mind also goes up and down - from happiness to sadness - from hope to desperation - from calmness to confusion and turmoil.

 A crescent moon - a symbol of tranquillity, peace, and patience within his hair, displays his control over the mind. 

The Third Eye

The third eye on his forehead represents the mind's eye - To see the reality beyond what is visible to the physical eyes. 

Snake around his neck

The serpent represents evil - it is poisonous, and no one can deny its existence. 
Whether it's visible or invisible - controlled or uncontrolled - to some degree, it exists in everyone's mind. 
But Shiva has restrained and tamed the serpent around his neck. 

The Blue-throat

There is a famous Puraanik symbolic story:
During the Sagar-Manthan - the churning of the ocean of existence - both nectar and poison - positivity and negativity popped up. 
No one wanted the poison. 
Nevertheless, Shiva swallowed it - knowing well that the poison of negativity exists all around us - that it may not be possible to avoid it entirely. 
However, he did not let it go down his throat - into his belly to affect him in any way. 

His blue-throat shows that even though evil and negativity hit him, he does not let it go down his throat, and therefore, is not affected by it at all. 

Ashes on the body

His body covered with ash symbolizes that the body is made from dust and will end up in ashes. 
The body is not changeless and permanent - Atma or consciousness is.

Trishul

When Shiva is in a calm and meditative posture - his Trishul is dug in the ground on the side.

Three pangs of the Trishul represent three Gunas. 
The Trishul is not in his hand, or on his body - it is kept away - on the side. 

Meaning, he is Traigunaateet - free from all three Gunas. 
Though, sometimes he may hold it and use it in the Tandava mode - to destroy the evil. 

Damru

In India, Damru - the small drum is a sign of an announcement or invitation - a clarion call.  
The Guru, who has achieved enlightenment, announces and invites the seekers to share his Gyana. 

Kamandal

A small pot in front of him is a symbol of contentment. 
His requirements are less- that can fit in that small pot. 
He does not collect extravagantly and excessively - there is no greed in him. 

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As you can see, all the symbols in this image represent the qualities of a Guru, a Yogi, and the enlightened ones.

Instead of looking at these images superficially, or taking them literally, understanding this symbolism can help us, the seekers, to comprehend and continue on the right path of Spirituality.

" Rajan Sachdeva "