SHANI DEV

Shani Dev

Shani Dev is one of the most popular deities that the Hindus pray to ward off evil and remove obstacles.

Shani literally means the “slow-moving-one”. According to myths, Shani oversees the "dungeons of the human heart and the dangers that lurks there."

Shani is represented as having a dark complexion and is said to be the son of Surya, the sun god, and Chaya, the servant whom his wife Swarna surrogated. He is the brother of Yama, the god of death and is believed by many to be an avatar of Shiva.

The Lord of Bad Luck?:

Stories about his evil influence abound. Shani is said to have chopped off Ganesha’s head. He is lame and has a limp because his knee was injured when he fought as a child with Yama. In the mythology, he is represented as riding a chariot, carrying a bow and arrow and pulled by a vulture or crow. Shani is found wearing a blue cloth, blue flowers and sapphire.

He is also known as Saura (son of sun-god), Kruradris or Kruralochana (the cruel-eyed), Mandu (dull and slow), Pangu (disabled), Saptarchi (seven-eyed) and Asita (dark).

The Ill-effect of His Planet - Saturn:

Hindus are under fear of evil from his planet - Saturn. In Vedic astrology, the planetary position at the time of birth determines the future of a person. So, Hindus accord immense importance to the planets, and Saturn or Shani is one such planet which they fear the most for ill-luck. Anyone born under his influence is believed to at risk.

How to Appease Shani:

To appease him, many pay obeisance every Saturday by lighting a lamp before the image of Shani and reading the ‘Shani Mahatmyaham’. He is pleased to accept lamps lit with sesame or mustard oil. Even the day named after him, Shanivara or Saturday, is considered inauspicious to begin any new venture.

The Giver of Kindness:

“Yet o son of Chhaya (shadow) you are the fire who can destroy Time itself and like Kamadhenu, the wish giving cow, you grant us all good things with kindness and compassion”, wrote Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775-1835) in his musical ‘Navagraha’ (Nine Planets) composition in Sanskrit.

Shani Temples:

Most Hindu temples have a little shrine set apart for the ‘Navagraha’ or the nine planets where Shani is placed. Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, the oldest Navagraha temple has the most benign Shani. Another important Shani temple is at Shingnapur in Maharashtra where the deity is represented as a block of stone. Navi Mumbai has a Sri Shaniswar temple at Nerul while Delhi has a popular Shanidham at Fatehpur Beri in the historic Mehrauli area.

Shiva Prayer

For the devotees of Lord Shiva here is a collection of Lord Shiva Prayers with meaning! Devotees seeking blessings of Lord Shiva must recite Shiv Prarthana with sincerity and faith.

Lord Shiva Prayer - I

Om Sarva Mangal Manglaye Shivay Sarvaarth Sadhike
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayaani Namostu Te

Meaning:
Oh the divine couple Shiva Parvati !
O ! Thee, the protectors of this universe,
Along with Lords Brahma and Vishnu
We pray to You for our well-being, prosperity and the enlightenment of our souls.

Lord Shiva Prayer - II
This mantra is a prayer to Lord Shiva who is addressed as Sankara and Trayambaka. Sankara means giver of blessings: (sana = blessings, Kara = the Giver). Trayambaka is the three eyed one, where the third eye signifies the giver of knowledge, which destroys ignorance and releases us from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Om Namastestu Bhagavan
Visvesaraya Mahadevaya
Trayambakaya Tripurantakaya
Trikagni - Kalaya
Kalagni - Rudraya Nil - Kanthaya Mrityunjaya
Sarvesvaraya Sadadhivaya
Sriman Mahadevaya Namah.
Meaning:

Om. I bow down to Lord Shiva, who is the creator and protector of the universe, who is the greatest among Gods, who has three eyes, who is the annihilator of all the three worlds, one whose throat is blue, who is the conqueror of death, who is the Lord of all, who is propitious who is possessed of all marks of greatness and who is the greatest among Gods. To him my prostration.

Lord Shiva Prayer - III

Naagendra haaraaya thriloochanaaya bhasmaangadhaaraaya maheshwaraaya
Nityaaya shudhdhaaya digambaraaya tasmai nakaaraaya namahshivaaya
Meaning:
Salutations to Shiva who wears a serpent as garland, who is three-eyed, whose bare body is covered with ashes, who is forever pure and the very embodiment of sacrifice.

Shiva Dhun
Shivo Bhokta, Shiva Bhojya
Shivo Karta, Shivah Karma
Shivah Karanatmakah
Meaning:

Shiva is the experiencer and the highest object of experience. Shiva is the goal of Sadhana. There is nothing apart from Shiva. There is nothing other than Shiva. Whatever there is, is Shiva. There is nothing, which is not Shiva. There is no place, which is not Shiva. There is no time, which is not Shiva. To be aware of this is to be aware of Shiva.

SHIVA MANTRA

Shiva Mantra

Lord Shiva or Siva is considered as the destroyer of the world. Shiv is one of the most popular Gods of the Hindu religion. Shiva is one of the complex gods who is rudra as well as kind-hearted, simultaneously. Mantra of Hindu God Shiva forms the part of prayers offered to the lord. Shiv or Shiva Mantras are as follows:

"Vande Deva Umaa Pathim Suragurum
Vande Jagat Kaaranam
Vande Pannaga Bhooshanam Mruga Dharam
Vande Pashoonam Pathim
Vande Soorya Shashanka Vahni Nayanam
Vande Mukunda Priyam
Vande Bhakta Jana Ashrayam Cha Varadam
Vande Shiva Shankaram"

Meaning: Lord Shiva is the consort of Uma (Parvati). Shiva is the divine Guru, the source of the universe. Lord Shiva is decked with snake and wears tiger skin. He is the Lord of all creatures. The three eyes of the lord represent the Sun, Moon and Fire. Shiva is near to Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva protects all of his devotees. He is the benefactor of boons. We surrender ourselves again and again to Lord Shiva.

"Mrutyunjayaaya Rudraaya
Neelakantaaya Shambhave
Amriteshaaya Sarvaaya
Mahadevaaya Te Namaha"

Meaning: Lord Mahadeva (Shiva) has conquered death. He is the destructive force of the universe. He has a blue neck and he gives happiness to all. We pray to the kind-hearted lord, Shiv-Shambhu.

"Gauri Vallabha Kaamaarey
Kaala Koota Vishaasana
Maam Uddhhare Padambhoje
Tripura Agnyata Kaantaka"

Meaning: Lord Kaamaarey (another name for Lord Shiva) protects us from the evil. He is the consort of Gauri, the mother goddess. He drank the "Kaala Koota" poison (which was the outcome of the ocean churning). He is the destroyer of the three cities. We seek protection at the feet of Lord Shiva.

Doha

Aj anadi avigat alakh, akal atul avikar,
Bando shiv-pad-yug kamala amal ativ udaar [1]
Aartiharan sukhkarna shubh bhakti-mukti-datar
Karo anugrah din lakhi apno virad vichaar [2]
Paryo patit bahv kup maha sahaz narak aagaar,
Sahaj suhid paawan-patit, sahajahi lehu ubaar [3]
Palak-palak aasha bhariyo, rahiyo subaat nihaar,
Dharo turant swabhaavash, nek na karo ubaar [4]

Jai Shiv Shankar Audhardani,
Jai Giritanya maatu Bhawani, (1)

Sarvottam yogi Yogeshwar,
Sarvottam-Ishwar-Parmeshwar. (2)

Sa bur prerak sarvniyanta,
Updrashta bharta anumanta. (3)

Parashakti-pati akhil vishwapti,
Parabhrahm pardham parampati. (4)

Sarvartit ananya sarvagat,
Nijswarup mahimamey sthirat (5)

Angabhuti-bhushit shamashaanchar
Bhujangbhushan chandramukuthdhar (6)

Vrishvaahan nandigannaayak
Akhil vishwakebhaagya-vidhaayak (7)

Vyagghracharma paridhan manohar
Reeschcharma odhey girijawar (8)

Kar trishul damruvar raajat
Abhay varad mudra shubh saajat (9)

Tanu karpur-gour ujjwalatam
Pingal jatajute sir uttam (10)

Bhaal tripundra mundmaaladhar
Gal rudraksh-maal shobhakar (11)

Vidhi-hari-rudra trividh vapudhari
Bane srijan-paalan-laykari (12)

Tum ho nitya dayake saagar
Aashutosh aanad-ujaagar (13)

Ati dayalu bhole bhandari
Ag-jag sabke mangalkari (14)

Sati-Parvati ke praneshwar
Skand-Ganesh-janak Shiv sukhkar (15)

Hari-har ek rup gunshila
Karat swami-sewakki lila (16)

Rahte dou pujat pujawat
Puja-paddhati sabnhi sikhaawat (17)

Maaruti ban hari-seva kinhi
Rameshwar ban seva linhi (18)

Jag-hit ghor halahal pikar
Bane saadaShiv Nilkanth var (19)

Asurasur shuchi varad shubhankar
Asurnihanta prabhu pralayankar (20)

'Namah Shivaay' mantra panchaakshar
japat mitat sab klesh bhayankar (21)

Jo nar-naari ratat Shiv-Shiv nit
Tinko Shiv ati karat paramhit (22)

Shri Krishna tap kinho bhari
Huwy prasanna var diyo purari (23)

Arjun sangh lade kirrat ban
Diyo paashupat-astra mudit man (24)

Bhaktanke sab kashta nivarey
De nij bhakti sabnhi uddharey (25)

Shankshchud jaalandhar maarey
Daitya asankhya praan har taarey (26)

Andhkako Ganpati pad dinho
Shukra shukrapath baahar kinho (27)

Tehi sajivani vidya dinhi
Baanasur Ganpati-gati kinhi (28)

Ashtamurti panchaanan chinmay
Dwaadash jyotirling jyotirmay (29)

Bhuwan chaturdash vyaapak rupa
Akath achintya aseem anuupa (30)

Kaashi marat jantu avloki
Det mukti-pad karat ashoki (31)

Bhakt bhagirathki ruchi raakhi
Jata basi Ganga sur saakhi (32)

Ruru agastya upmanyu gyaani
Rishi dadhichi aadik vigyani (33)

Shivrahasya Shivgyaan pracharak
Shivhi param priya lokouddharak (34)

Enke shubh sumirante Shankar
Ded mudit huvey ati durlabh var (35)

Ati udder karunavarunalay
Haran dainya-daridrya-dukh-bhay (36)

Tumhro bhajan param hitkari
Vipra shudra sab hi adhikari (37)

Baalak vridh naari-nar dhyaavahi
Te alabhya Shivpadko paavahi (38)

Bhedshunya tum sabke swami
Sahaj suhhid sevak anugami (39)

Jo jan sharan tumhari aavat
Sakal durit tatkaal nashaawat (40)

Jai Jabreshwar ----- Jai Jabar Bam

Shiva to mean "One who purifies everyone by the utterance of His name" or the Pure One. "the Auspicious One."He is the formless, timeless and spaceless, Supreme God of universe,time and everything.

Shiva is one of the gods of the Trinity. Shiva is married to the Goddess Parvati (Uma). Parvati represents Prakriti, which means perishable matter. Lord Shiva sits in a meditative pose on Mount Kailash against the white background of the snow-capped Himalayas. Lord Shiva not only represents the supreme state of perfection in man, but in his very pose indicates the way to reach it as well. The state of meditation shown in Shiva's posture is again symbolic. Meditation is the final gateway to Self-realization. On the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, Shiva performs the ecstatic dance of realization. Shiva is said to have a third eye known as gyana chakshu. Gyana chakshu literally means eye of wisdom. Shiva is also known as Gangadhara. which literally means, 'the carrier of Ganga' (river). Shiva is sometimes shown with his trident (trisula) in his hand. The trisula is a trident which symbolise's the destruction of the ego with its three-fold desires of the body, mind and intellect. Nataraja is Lord Shiva in the dance pose.He destroys evil and protects good. He bestows prosperity on worshipers although he is austere. He is omnipresent and resides in everyone as pure consciousness. One of his names is Bholenath, which means the innocent God. Lord shiva is Creator, destroyer and preserver of the universe.Shadding old habits generating new one and preserving the same. Shiva is often worshipped in an abstract manner, as God without form, in the form of linga.

Satyam,Shivam,Sunderam truth everything goodness and beauty, truth is everything and beautiful.Shiva is God of Yogis and stand for Kundalini Shakti energy.

Names and Meaning of Lord Shiva.

o Hara : The one who takes away Sorrow and pain.
o Mahadeva - The Supreme Lord : Maha = great, Deva = God
* Rudra The one who howls or strict and uncompromising
* Maheshwara The Supreme Lord: Maha = great, Eshwar = God
* Rameshwara - The one whom Ram worships: Ram, Eshwar = worships, God; Ram's God
* Mahayogi The Supreme Yogi: Maha = great, Yogi = one who practices Yoga
* Mahabaleshwara - God of Great Strength : Maha = great, Bal = strength, Eshwar = God
* Trinetra - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Netra = Eye
* Triaksha - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Aksha = Eye
* Trinayana- Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Nayana = Eye
* Tryambakam - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Ambakam = Eye
* Mah?kala - Great Time, i.e. Conqueror of Time: Maha = three, Kala = Time
* Neelakantha - The one with a Blue Throat: Neel = blue, Kantha = throat
* Digambara - One who has the skies as his clothes, i.e. The Naked One: Dik = Clothes, Ambara = Sky
* Shankara - Giver of Joy
* Shambhu - Abode of Joy
* Vyomkesha - The One who has the sky as his hair: Vyom = sky, Kesha =hair
* Chandrashekhara - The master of the Moon: Chandra = Moon, Shekhara = master
* Siddheshwara - The Perfect Lord
* Trishuldhari - He who holds the divine Trishul or Trident: Trishul = Trident, Dhari = He who holds
* Dakhshinamurthi - The Cosmic Tutor
* Kailashpati - Lord of Mount Kailash
* Pashupatinatha - Lord of all Creatures or Pashupati
* Umapati - The husband of Uma
* Gang?dhara - He who holds the river Ganga
* Bhairava - The Frightful One
* Sabesan - Lord who dances in the dais
* Nagaraja - King of snakes (Lord/Ruler/Controller of snakes)
* Ekambaranatha The destroyer of evil
* Tripurantaka The destroyer of the triplet fortresses Asuras.
* Ashutosh, easy to please God.

The 12 Jyotirlinga shrines or shrines of Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam are located at different parts of India of which southernmost is located at Rameswaram, while the northernmost is located in the snowy mountains of the Himalayas at Kedarnath:
* Somnatha located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.
* Sree Shaila located at Sree Shaila near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna .
* Ujjain ( Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga shrine )The ancient and historic city of Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Jyotirlinga shrine of Mahakaleshwar.
* Omkareshwar: Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple is located on an island in the course of the river Narmada in Madhya.
* Kedarnath the Northernmost of the Jyotirlingas is located in the snow clad Himalayas.It is accessible only on foot, six months in a year.
* Varanasi The Vishwanath temple is located in Benares in Uttar Pradesh
* Bhimashankar Bhimashankar is located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, accessed from Pune.This is associated with the legend of Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura.
* Tryambakeshwar This Jyotirlinga shrine located in Nasik in Maharashtra is associated with origin of the river Godavari.
* Vaidyanath temple at Deogarh in the Santal Parganas area of Bihar is considered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva.
* Nageshwar near Dwarka in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
* Rameswaram: This temple is located in the island of Rameswaram, in Southern Tamilnadu enshrines Ramalingeswarar, and is the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of India.
* Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Shrine is a temple located in the vicinity of the tourist town of Ellora.
“Om Namah Sivaya” is in truth both agama and veda. Namah sivaya represents all mantras and tantras. Namah sivaya is our souls, our bodies and possessions. Namah sivaya has become our sure protection."

SHIV ki jyoti se noor miltahai

sabke dilon ko surur milta hai,

jo bhi jaata hai BHOLEY ke dwaar,

kuch na kuch zarror milta hai

“JAI BABA AMARNATH”

Shiva is one of the trimurthi (Trinity) - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, respectively incharge of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the world. He is known by many other names in the various parts of India. Shankar, Mahadev, Mahesh, Shiv Shankar, Bhole Nath are some of his popular names. He has his abode on Kailash mountain and is also known as Kailashpati.

Parvati Devi also known as Girija, Uma or Bhavani is the consort of Lord Shiva. She is the daughter of Himvan, the king of mountains. In her previous life she was born as Sati, daughter of king Daksha. She took her own life during an Yajna (fire worship) performed by her father king Daksha because he did not invite her and her husband to the Yajna and insulted Lord Shiva. When she was born as daughter of Himvan, she performed Tapasya to marry Lord Shiva. During her Tapasya, she lived for many years on leaves and was given the name of Aparna.