Great Night of Shiva

Source: Amar Chitra Katha

Shiva as a vital essence of the Hindu Pantheon has always fascinated me. He is greatest of the yogis. He is the highest form of teacher. Most of the Puranas have been attributed to conversations that Shiva had with his consort Parvati.

As Nataraja he is the greatest of dancers not to mention that he is a highly skilled musician. The Rudra Veena is a string instrument that Shiva created inspired by Parvati.

Interestingly, despite being the such an integral aspect he is an outsider, being an ascetic he prefers to stay away from society high above in Kailasa. He is also called “Rudra” or the one who makes one cry where the root word “Rud” is to make one cry.

He is associated with the Maruts or the storm deities and that are collectively responsible for the winds and monsoons. When Sun enters the asterism associated with Rudra (Ardra or Thiruvadira) as per Hindu almanac the monsoons in India officially arrive, hitting the southern parts of India.

He is associated with the Ganas who are considered his tribe; Ganas reside in chthonic and liminal locations such as cemeteries and charnel grounds.

Among the nakshatras, that consist of 27 asterisms linked to 12 Rashis or Sun signs, it is interesting to note that the Nakshatra Ardra has Rudra as the presiding deity. 

Did you know the Ardra is the vedic name of Betelgeuse or Beta Orion, a star in the Orion Nebula astronomically? 

Orion Nebula is a stellar nursery where new stars are born. As per Wikipedia the observation of the nebula has revealed that approximately there are 700 stars in various stages of formulation within the nebula.

Source: Wikipedia

As Ardha Nareeshwara he embodies the spirit of inclusion where the feminine and masculine are seen as one entity. Embracing our inner feminine and masculine energies always does bring out the best in us. As women we need to be more assertive and as men we need to be a bit more empathetic.

He also shows what it takes to step up, by drinking the poisonous Halahala that came before the Amrita(Elixir) during Sagara Manthana which made it easier for others to enjoy the fruit of the hard labor, the Elixir.

I find it very interesting to note that Shiva represents a very diverse portfolio of concepts and ideas that lie usually in the extreme fringes of society.

If I have to put it in simple words the main theme that comes out from these stories is that Shiva is transformation personified.

Be it change of seasons as a Marut, a launchpad to begin something new as in the Orion Nebula, a reliable person in time of uncertainty and change during a churn, an inclusive person who embraces diversity in everything, a person who can give a safe haven for those who may not fall in the regular scheme of things (Ganas)  Shiva is someone who is seen as an embodiment of change.

So from a Trinity perspective, is Shiva a Destroyer. Is he really? What is it that he destroys? At best he destroys the doubts that we have about ourselves and helps in bringing about a metamorphosis in us.

So in today’s world where disruption and transformation are the order of the day, Shiva definitely is one of those great ones that teach what it takes to go out there and take up the next big opportunity to transform and change the world around us.

Happy night of Shiva to everyone! Sarvam Shivamayam!