Characteristics of Lord Shiva & Bhakti

When God created the universe, He based it from the principles of the five Hindu deities, Minakshi, Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and Prajapati. Each of these deities possesses has its own special characteristics and features. Among these five deities, Lord Shiva is the supreme God.

Here are characteristics and features of Lord Shiva based on the science of spirituality:

• The Trident – are the three heads of the Trishul of Lord Shiva that symbolize the three functions of triad: the destruction, the sustenance, and the creation. The trident on the hand of Lord Shiva signifies that all the three functions of triad are under his control. As a weapon, it represents the instrument of punishment to evil -doer for all three planes, the physical, subtle, and spiritual. The three-headed trident also interprets the past, the present, and the future.

• Rudraksh – are the wristbands worn by Lord Shiva that possessed medicinal properties.
• The Elephant and Deer Skin – elephant skins worn by Lord Shiva represents pride and shows indications that he has conquered pride as well. The deerskins represent changing or flickering of minds. Apparently, Lord Shiva wears deerskins to indicate that he perfectly control the mind.
• Tiger Skin – symbolizes victory over every force. The skin also represents lust. Lord Shiva sits on the tiger skin, which shows indications that he had conquered lust. Shakti, the goddess of force and power, uses tiger as vehicle. Lord Shiva is beyond any kind of force since he is the master of Shakti.
• The Ashes – the body of Lord Shiva is smeared with cemetery ashes to give indication on the philosophy of life and death whereas death is the ultimate reality of life beginning.
• The Vibhuti – are the three lines of ashes drawn over the forehead of Lord Shiva. These three ashes represent vasanas and essence of human being that have been built in the knowledge fire. Vasanas refer to the dislikes, likes, attachment to one’s body, wordily enjoyment, wordily fame, world, and more. The essence of human being remains after all the malas based on impurities of action, ego, and ignorance. Henceforth, vibhuti signifies the manifested glory of the Lord and immortality of the soul.
• The Drum – seen on the hand of Lord Shiva that is said to be the originator of the universal word as the source of all expression and language.
• Sacred Ganga – the holiest of all holy rivers that flows from the matted hair of Lord Shiva. It represents the origin of Ganga that narrates how Lord Shiva brings down the Ganges River from heaven to earth. Water from this holy river is one of the five elements that compose the entire universe when earth was created. The river also denotes fertility.
• Crescent – the crescent of the fifth day of panchami moon is placed near the fiery third eye of Lord Shiva’s head. It shows the power of Soma and sacrificial offering. Along with the power of destruction, Lord Shiva also possesses the power of procreation. The crescent also signifies Lord Shiva’s control over time.
• Matted Hair or Jata – Lord Shiva’s matted hair give him the recognition of being the lord of wind or Vayu. The wind represents that breath present in all living things. Lord Shiva is regarded as the lifeline of all living things.
• The Cobra Necklace – Lord Shiva is the sole support of distress and power of death. The cobra necklace that Lord Shiva wears represents the aspect of death. Other cobras around his neck represent serpent power, and dormant energy known as “kundalini”.
• The Third Eye – the third eye on the forehead of Lord Shiva represents wisdom. It is popularly associated with undomesticated energy that destroys the sins and evildoers.