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SHIVA AND PARVATI OR SHAKTI
WITH
GANESHA AND KARTIKEYA |
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| SHIVA AND PARVATI WITH
GANESHA |
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| SHIVA AND PARVATI WITH KARTIKEYA |
SHIVA - Destroyer of the Universe
PARVATI - consort of Shiva - Shakti (the female energy)
GANESHA - elephant headed son of Shiva and Parvati
KARTIKEYA - son of Shiva and Parvati, warrior-annihilator
NANDI - the bull, Shiva's vehicle
Shiva is MAHAYOGI the patron saint of all yogis. He is represented by the LINGA
(phallus), which denoteS male energy and reproduction. His consort is Shakti
or female energy. The fusion of two leads to life. Hence Shiva is propitiated
for productivity and growth of the human race.
His two sons are Kartikeya, the brave warrior, the lord of war and Ganesha the
remover of all obstacles.
Mount Kailasa, in the upper reaches of the Himalayas is
his abode. His vehicle
is the white bull and he is the lord of all animals. Thus in his entourage are
lions, snakes and bears. He is called the NILAKANTHA, or the blue throated one
because in the churning of the ocean he drank the poison, which would otherwise
have destroyed the universe. Shiva's anger is legendary. He is also the DIGAMBARA,
the naked ascetic. The holy river Ganga sprouts from his matted locks. The moon
and stars adorn his crown. As NATARAJA, he is the lord of dances.
Shiva and Shakti represent union of male and female energies, the production
and growth of human race. The Linga symbolizes the divine
act of creation. It
represents the union of LINGA (phallic symbol) with the YONI (female organ) showing
manifest nature, the universal energy. Shiva is said to be THE DESTROYER for
it his power of destruction that regenerates. |
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