Uttara Kaand - Bhagwaan Shiva - A Glimpse Of Raamaayan
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
BHAGWAAN SHIVA – A GLIMPSE OF RAAMAAYAN
UTTARA KAAND
Page 1158 DOHA #70
अवरौ एक गुप्त मत, सबहिं कहौं कर जोरि ।
शंकर भजन विना नर, भक्ति न पावै मोरि ॥
Avarow eka gupta mata, sabahi(n) kahow(n) kara jori /
Shankar bhajan vinaa nara, Bhakti na paawai mori
Translation
The Supreme, Shree Raam, declares that He has this treasured secret to share. He makes this entreaty with clasped hands and says that one cannot attain devotion to Him unless he/she is a worshipper of Bhagwaan Shiva.
Interpretation
The various facets of the physical form of Bhagwaan Shiva symbolise concepts which augment our daily undertakings. For example, His weapon (the Trishoola) allays the 3 types of pains. These pains are:
1. Daihik – bodily pains as well as mental aberration.
2. Daivik – the effects of the Grahas
3. Bhavatik – stemming from natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc.
In this regard, it is a recommended practice that sometimes during His worship, a trifoliate bale leaf is offered. This is done preferably with the accompanying Mantra after the Lingam is bathed. The undertaking carries the blessing that if/when faced with the above mentioned three diseases/challenges, we will be able to better manage/eradicate the challenges depending on the intensity of our worship.
Another fine example of the symbolism of Shankar Bhagwaan is reflected by the Tripundra (three horizontal Chandan marks) emblazoned on His forehead. Among the interpretations, the Tripundra reminds us to be vigilant in tempering the three desires. Those desires are:
1. Desire for land/property
2. Desire for the opposite sex (particularly outside of an existing relationship)
3. Desire for gold/money
When bestowing Chandan to Him, we ought to remind ourselves that we must make concerted efforts to rein in those desires.
The above two examples are just a glimpse of the impact of the worship of Shambhu Bhagwaan.