The 108 Names of Lord Shiva

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The 108 Names of Lord Shiva

About Mahashivaratri

MANY stories are told in the Shaasthras, to explain the origin and significance

of the Mahaashivaraathri Festival. Bhaarath, the name for this land used from

ancient times, means 'the land of those who have rathi (Love) towards Bha

(Light or Bhagavaan).

Some ascribe the holiness of the Day to the fact of its being the Birthday of

Shiva, as if Shiva has birth and death, like any mortal. The story that it

commemorates the salvation attained by a hunter who sat on a bilva tree on the

look-out for animals to kill, and without any intention to worship, unknowingly

dropped some of its leaves on a Linga that lay beneath, does not make clear why

this Day is specially sacred. Another story is that this is the Day on which

Shiva danced the Thaandava (Cosmic dance) in the ecstasy of His Innate Nature,

with all the Gods and Sages sharing and witnessing that Cosmic Consummation.

When He consumed the Haalahala poison that emerged from the churning of ocean

and that threatened to destroy the Universe, the heat of the fumes was

well-nigh unbearable, even for Him. So, Ganga flowed uninterruptedly on His

matted locks; but, that gave Him only partial relief. The Moon was placed on

the head. That was of great help.

Then, Shiva danced the Thaandava with all the Gods and Sages. All this they say,

happened on the same day and so, Shivaraathri, was held in commemoration of this

occasion. Aim of all saadhana is to eliminate the mind We have not only the

Mahaashivaraathri once a year, we have a Shivaraathri every month, dedicated to

the worship of Shiva. And, why is the Raathri (the Night), so important? The

night is dominated by the Moon. The Moon has 16 kalas (fractions of divine

glory), and each day or rather night, during the dark fortnight, one fraction

is reduced, until the entire Moon is annihilated on New Moon night. From then

on, each night, a fraction is added, until the Moon is full circle on Full Moon

Night. The Chandra (Moon) is the presiding deity of the mind; the mind waxes and

wanes, like the Moon. Chandramaa-manaso jaathah--Out of the manas of the Purusha

(Supreme Being), the Moon was born. It must be remembered that the chief aim of

all saadhana (spiritual striving) is to eliminate the mind, to become

A-manaska. Then only can maayaa (illusion) be rent asunder and the Reality

revealed. During the dark fortnight of the month, saadhana has to be done to

eliminate

each day a fraction of the mind, for, every day, a fraction of the Moon too is

being taken out of cognisance. On the night of Chathurdhasi, the 14th day, the

night of Shiva, only a fraction remains. If some special effort is made that

night, through more intensive and vigilant saadhana, like puuja or japam or

dhyaana (ritual worship, one-pointed repetition & holy names, and meditation),

success is ensured. Shiva alone has to be meditated upon that night without the

mind straying towards thoughts of sleep or food. This has to be done every

month; once a year, on Mahaa-Shivaraathri a special spurt of spiritual activity

is recommended, so that what is shavam (corpse) can become Shivam (God), by the

perpetual awareness of its Divine Indweller.

Linga is the Form Symbol of God This is a day dedicated to the Shiva that is in

each of you. From the Himaalayan ranges down to Cape Kanyaakumari, the entire

land is resounding today to the authentic Declaration "ShivohamShivoham" and

to the adoration, "Om Namasshivaaya." Since thousands pray here, and elsewhere

in lakhs and crores, the Linga is emanating from Me, so that you may derive the

Bliss that pervades the World through Lingodhbhava (emergence of the Linga).

The manifestation of the Linga is a part of My Nature. These Pandiths (scholars

of spirituality) explain it as reminiscent of an epochal event in the past when

Shiva challenged Brahma and Vishnu to gauge the height and depth of the Linga

Form He assumed. They failed and had to accept defeat. But, the Linga emerges,

as a result of prayer and Grace. You have to recognise in this event a glimpse

of Divinity, a sign of infinite Grace. Just as Om is the sound symbol of God,

the Linga is the Form symbol or the visible symbol of God, the most meaningful,

the simplest and the least endowed with the appendages of attributes. Lingam

means, that in which this jagath (world of change) attains laya (mergence or

dissolution), Leeyathe. All Forms merge in the Formless at last. Shiva is the

Principle of the Destruction of all Names and Forms, of all entities and

individuals. So, the Linga is the simplest sign of emergence and mergence. Live

in the constant presence of Shiva

Every form conceived in the Shaasthras and scriptures has a deep significance.

Shiva does not ride an animal called in human language, a bull. The bull is the

symbol of Stability standing on four legs, Sathya, Dharma, Shaanthi and Prema

(Truth, Virtue, Peace and Love). Shiva is described as having three eyes, eyes

that see the Past, the Present and the Future. The elephant skin which forms

His cloak is a symbol of the bestial primitive traits which His Grace destroys.

In fact, He tears them to pieces, skin them, and they become totally

ineffective. His Four Faces symbolise Shantham (Equanimity), Roudhram (Terror),

Mangalam (Grace) and Uthsaaham (elevating energy). While adoring the Lingam on

this Lingodhbhava Day, you must contemplate on these truths of Shiva that the

Linga represents. It is not this night alone that you should spend in the

thought of Shiva; your whole life must be lived in the constant presence of the

Lord. Endeavour: that is the main thing; that is the inescapable consummation

for all mortals. Even those who deny God will have to tread the pilgrim road,

melting their hearts out in tears of travail. If you make the slightest effort

to move along the Path of your own liberation, the Lord will help you a

hundred-fold. That is the hope that Mahaashivaraathri conveys to you. Man is

called so, because he has the skill to do manana; manana means inner meditation

on the meaning and significance of what one has heard. But, you have not yet

emerged out of the stage of Shravanam (listening) ! All the joy you crave for

is in you. But, like a man who has vast riches in the iron chest, but, who has

no idea where the key is, you suffer. Hear properly the instructions, dwell

upon them in the silence of meditation, practise

what has been made clear therein; then, you can secure the key, open the chest

and be rich in Joy. Visualise Shiva as the inner power of all

You have given up even the little saadhana that Shivaraathri demands. In olden

times, people will not put even a drop of water on their tongues, this day.

Now, that rigour is gone. They used to keep vigil at night, the entire night,

without a wink of sleep, repeating Om Namasshivaaya without intermission. Now,

the name Shiva, is on no one's tongue. But, those who deny God are only denying

themselves and their glory. All have Love in them, in some form or other,

towards some one or other or their work or goal. That Love is God, a spark of

the God in them. They have Aanandha (bliss) however small or temporary and that

is another spark of the Divine. They have inner peace, detachment,

discrimination, sympathy, the spirit of service. These are Divine in the mirror

of their minds. Resolve, on this Holy Shivaraathri, in the Presence of Shiva

Sai, to visualise the Shiva as the inner power of all. With each breath, you

are even now, asserting "Soham,I am He," not only you, but, every being that

breathes, every being that lives, everything that exists. It is a fact which you

have ignored so long. Believe it from now on. When you watch your breath and

meditate on that magnificent Truth, slowly, the I and the He (the Sah and the

Aham) will draw nearer and closer, until the feeling of separateness will fade

away---and the Soham will be transformed into OM, the Pranava, the Primal

Sound, the Fundamental Formula for God. That OM is the Swaswaruupa---the

Reality behind this "relative reality." Sourced: SSS Speaks Shivarathri Day

February 1969

The author wish to add: This special sacred night, Mahasivaratri, will soon be

here. Make it the most important spiritual event of your life. Remembering your

goal, which is God Realization, the purpose of human birth, draw close to God

Siva.

Prepare yourself for this great night by performing your sadhanas to perfection.

Fill the mind with thoughts of Siva. Begin now, clearing the mind, climbing

daily within toward the summit of God-Realization.

On Sivaratri night, chant silently Siva's perfect mantra, Aum Namasivaya.

Spiritual life is joyous life. The more joyous we are, the closer we are to the

Source of joy and bliss. So, be happy on Sivaratri. Sing with a full heart. See

God in everyone and in everything. Forget all the problems life brings. Forget

all of the pains of the past and the not- yet-remembered future. If your mind

wanders, bring it back to Siva's feet. Let Siva's presence fill you completely

during the night.

Aum Namasivaya!

The 108 Names of Lord Shiva

OM SIVAYA NAMAHA

OM MAHESVARAYA NAMAHA

OM SAMBHAVE NAMAHA

OM PINAKINE NAMAHA

OM SASISEKHARAYA NAMAHA

OM VAMADEVAYA NAMAHA

OM VIRUPAKSAYA NAMAHA

OM KAPARDINE NAMAHA

OM NILALOHITAYA NAMAHA

OM SANKARAYA NAMAHA

OM SULAPANAYE NAMAHA

OM KHATVANGINE NAMAHA

OM VISNUBALLABHAYA NAMAHA

OM SIPIVISTAYA NAMAHA

OM AMBIKANANTHAYA NAMAHA

OM SRIKANTHAYA NAMAHA

OM BHAKTAVATSALAYA NAMAHA

OM BHAVAYA NAMAHA

OM SARVAYA NAMAHA

OM TRILOKESAYA NAMAHA

OM SIVAPRIYAYA NAMAHA

OM SIVAPRIYAYA NAMAHA

OM UGRAYA NAMAHA

OM KAPALINE NAMAHA

OM KAMARAYE NAMAHA

OM ANDHAKASURASUDANAYA NAMAHA

OM GANGADHARAYA NAMAHA

OM LALATAKSAYA NAMAHA

OM KALAKALAYA NAMAHA

OM KRPANIDHAYE NAMAHA

OM BHIMAYA NAMAHA

OM PARASUHASTAYA NAMAHA

OM MRGAPANAYE NAMAHA

OM JATADHARAYA NAMAHA

OM KAILASAVASINE NAMAHA

OM KAVACINE NAMAHA

OM KATHORAYA NAMAHA

OM TRIPURANTAKAYA NAMAHA

OM VRSANKAYA NAMAHA

OM VRSABHARUDHAYA NAMAHA

OM BHASMODDHULITAVIGRAHAYA NAMAHA

OM SAMAPRIYAYA NAMAHA

OM SVARAMAYAYA NAMAHA

OM TRAYIMURTAYE NAMAHA

OM ANISVARAYA NAMAHA

OM SARVAJNAYA NAMAHA

OM PARAMATMANE NAMAHA

OM SOMASURYAGNILOCANAYA NAMAHA

OM HAVISE NAMAHA

OM YAJNAMAYAYA NAMAHA

OM SOMAYA NAMAHA

OM PANCAVAKTRAYA NAMAHA

OM SADASIVAYA NAMAHA

OM VISVESVARAYA NAMAHA

OM VIRABHADRAYA NAMAHA

OM GANANATHAYA NAMAHA

OM PRAJAPATAYE NAMAHA

OM HIRANYARETASE NAMAHA

OM DURDHARSAYA NAMAHA

OM GIRISAYA NAMAHA

OM GIRISAYA NAMAHA

OM ANAGHAYA NAMAHA

OM BUJANGABHUSANAYA NAMAHA

OM BHARGAYA NAMAHA

OM GIRIDHANVANE NAMAHA

OM GIRIPRIYAYA NAMAHA

OM KRTTIVASASE NAMAHA

OM PURARATAYE NAMAHA

OM BHAGAVATE NAMAHA

OM PRANATHADHIPAYA NAMAHA

OM MRTYUNJAYAYA NAMAHA

OM SUKSMATANAVE NAMAHA

OM JAGADVYAPINE NAMAHA

OM JAGADGURAVE NAMAHA

OM VYOMAKESAYA NAMAHA

OM MAHASENAJANAKAYA NAMAHA

OM CARUVIKRAMAYA NAMAHA

OM RUDRAYA NAMAHA

OM BHUTAPATAYE NAMAHA

OM STHANAVE NAMAHA

OM AHIRBUDHNYAYA NAMAHA

OM DIGAMABARAYA NAMAHA

OM ASTAMURTAYE NAMAHA

OM ANEKATMANE NAMAHA

OM SATVIAKAYA NAMAHA

OM SUDDHAVIGRAHAYA NAMAHA

OM SASVATAYA NAMAHA

OM KHANDAPARASAVE NAMAHA

OM AJAYA NAMAHA

OM PAPAVIMOCAKAYA NAMAHA

OM MRDAYA NAMAHA

OM PASUPATAYE NAMAHA

OM DEVAYA NAMAHA

OM MAHADEVAYA NAMAHA

OM AVYAYAYA NAMAHA

OM HARAYE NAMAHA

OM PUSADANTABHIDE NAMAHA

OM AVYAGRAYA NAMAHA

OM DAKSADHVARAHARAYA NAMAHA

OM HARAYA NAMAHA

OM BHAGANETRABHIDE NAMAHA

OM AVYAKTAYA NAMAHA

OM SAHASRAKSAYA NAMAHA

OM SAHASRAPADE NAMAHA

OM APAVARGAPRADAYA NAMAHA

OM ANANTAYA NAMAHA

OM TARAKAYA NAMAHA

OM PARAMESVARAYA NAMAHA

Source: http://sai_maa108.tripod.com/shiva/Mahasivaratri-108.htmSai Ram Website:

http://web1.mtnl.net.in/~sairam/

 

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