Shiva - Part 1: Who is Shiva?

Shiva

Shiva as Natraj performing the dance of creation and destruction.

For other posts in the Indian Mythology in Gurbani Series: Table of Contents

 

Who is Shiva?

The Hindu God of Destruction, that is the simplest way to describe Shiva. The God of Destruction brings to mind images of a fearsome deity with a terrible temper and a short fuse. Such a description applies to Shiva when he takes on his destructive form as Rudra or Mahakaal. However, when the task of destruction is completed, Shiva takes the form of Mahayogi and retires to his abode, Mount Kailash in the Himalayas as a peaceful, meditating ascetic. Another popular form of Shiva, is as Natraj or King of Dance, a form in which he dances the cyclical dance of creation and destruction. A deity which appears simple enough on the surface turns out to be multifaceted and complex. In the first part of our posts on Shiva we will try to establish Shiva's character and in the second part we will dive into what Gurbani says about Shiva. From this point forward, Shiva will be referred to as either Shiv Ji or by one of his other names.

Iconography

Due to Shiv Ji's unique iconography he is one of the most recognizable Hindu Gods. He is often depicted meditating on a tiger skin with many of the trappings of an Indian ascetic, namely, long matted hair, scant clothing (which itself is usually made from forest materials such as leaves and deer skins), and meditation beads. These items are all associated with Shiv Ji’s role as Mahayogi, the Greatest Yogi. 

There is almost always a stream of water flowing from the top of Shiv Ji’s hair as well as waning moon affixed to his hair. The stream of water is the Ganga River which Shiv Ji is said to have caught on his hair as it first fell down to the Earth. By catching the great river in his hair he broke the rivers fall from Devalok (Abode of the Gods) and protected the Earth from being harmed by the impact. This appears to be symbolic of the origins of a river, since rivers begin as rain falling on a mountain which then forms into streams and eventually become mighty rivers like the Ganga. So, Shiv Ji's hair breaks the fall of Ganga from the heavens just as the mountain breaks the fall of the river from the clouds.

The waning moon represents Shiv Ji as Lord of Time or Kaal which is closely related to Shiv Ji as the destroyer since with time everything changes and is destroyed. The moon is chosen, since, until the modern era Indians generally kept time using moon-based calendars. The moon is also significant since it is cyclical, that is the moon waxes and wanes, waxes and wanes, which fits well with Indian religion's and philosophy's view on time as cyclical. Destruction goes hand and hand with creation, recall Natraj. Many of Shiv Ji's other features are also closely related with his role in death and destruction. For example, he wears a cobra around his neck which is among the world’s most poisonous snakes. He also wears ashes (a by-product of cremation) on his body, carries a trident to fish the dead out of the living world and a small drum (dhadi) which signals the coming of death. 

Cambodian Statue of Shiv Ji with Third Eye and Waning Moon.

A description of Shiv Ji would not be complete without referring to his third eye. According to the Shiv Puran, Shiv Ji first opened his third eye when Kaamdev (God of Lust) disturbed his meditation in order to well-up lust in Shiv Ji for Parvati. Seeing this, Shiv Ji opens his third eye from which flames spouted out and reduced Kaamdev to ashes. This says a lot about the third eye, the third eye is not only a destructive force but is also a destroyer of obstacles in one’s spiritual path. Looking at the above story, it is clear that kaam (lust) appears as an obstacle to Shiv Ji's meditation and he destroys this obstacle so that he can continue his spiritual pursuit.

In contrast to his role as Mahayogi, Shiv Ji is also depicted as a householder with his family which comprises of his wife Parvati and two sons Ganesh and Kartekeya. Shiv Ji is also often accompanied by his white bull, Nandi.

Names of Shiv Ji

As is common in Hindu Mythology, Shiv Ji has many forms as well as many names. In the Shiv Puran there are 1000 names listed for Shiv Ji. Some of the prominent ones have already been mentioned above. A few others that maybe noteworthy for Sikhs are Mahadev, Ishvar, Mahesh (or Maheshvar) and Hara. Hara (or Har) derives from the Sanskrit word which means to remove, take out, or destroy – a befitting name for Shiva. The name Shiva is thought to derive from the Sanskrit word Siva which means kind, benign and friendly. This comes off as a bit of a puzzle since Shiv Ji is feared in his form as Rudra, the Destroyer. However, it reflects how Shiv Ji's bhagats (devotees) feel about it him, since, Shiv Ji in his meditative state is thought to be well natured, peaceful and easy to please. This is demonstrated in Hindu mythology where it is mostly Shiv Ji who bestows boons on his bhagats. A famous example is Raavan whose intense meditation on Shiv Ji pleases Mahadev so much that Raavan is granted the boon of (near) invincibility. The angry Destroyer is also the kind one who is ever ready to grant his devotees the gifts they desire; yet another example of the complexity of Mahadev.

Shiv Ji in Gurbani

We will finish of this first part of the series on Shiv Ji with a tale about him referenced in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Bhagat Namdev Ji in a Shabad where he is explaining the downfalls of praying to deities other than the Limitless Waheguru, says the following about Mahadev.

Bilawal-Gond, Bhagat Naamdev Ji, SGGS p.874:

ਪਾਂਡੇ ਤੁਮਰਾ ਮਹਾਦੇਉ ਧਉਲੇ ਬਲਦ ਚੜਿਆ ਆਵਤੁ ਦੇਖਿਆ ਥਾ ॥ 

O’Pandit, I saw your Mahadev come riding on a white bull.

ਮੋਦੀ ਕੇ ਘਰ ਖਾਣਾ ਪਾਕਾ ਵਾ ਕਾ ਲੜਕਾ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਥਾ ॥੨॥

At Modi’s house, a meal was prepared (for him), (yet) he killed the boy. 2.

Shiv Ji and Parvati Devi ride Nandi, the bull.

According to the Faridkot Wala Teeka, Bhagat Ji here is referring to the story of the creation of the Ganesh. According to the Shiv Puran, Shiv Ji had the habit of coming and going from Parvati’s house whenever he pleased and sometimes came in as she was bathing. To prevent this from happening Parvati Devi created a son out of clay and told him to stand guard at the door. She named the boy, Ganesh. One day, Mahadev came to Parvati Devi's house but the Devi had not finished taking her bath. As Mahadev approached the house Ganesh stopped him at the door and denied him entry. Angry at being denied, Mahadev cut off the head of Ganesh, killing him. When Parvati Devi found that her son was dead she was overcome by grief and anger. To soothe her pain, Shiv Ji gave Ganesh the head of an elephant since he had lost the original head, brought Ganesh back to life and accepted him as his own son. Bhagat Ji brought up this story to show the pandits that the Shiv Ji, who they worship, is prone to egotistical pride (hankaar) and rage (krodh) according to their own scriptures. Waheguru, on the other hand, is Nirbhau, Nirvair (Without-Fear, Without-Enemity). (see Note below)

Upcoming Part 2

In the upcoming second part of the series about Shiv Ji we will discuss, in detail, his role in Gurbani. We will examine what the Guru said about Shiv Ji's characteristics, whether he is perfect and if he can be considered equal to Waheguru.

Part 2 now published!

Note: There is no consensus among Sikh scholars as to which story was specifically referenced here due to the vagueness of the reference. However, the main point of showcasing Shiva's angry and prideful side is apparent in all the different stories that Bhagat Namdev Ji might be referring to.