The Amazing Glory of Lord Shiva, Bholenath. Part 1

The amazing glory of Lord Shankar, Ashutosh Bholenath, the fulfiller of all desires!

Shaantam padmaasana-stham shashadhara-mukutam panchavaktram trinetram

Shoolam vajram cha khadgam parashum abhayadam daksha-bhaage vahantam |

Naagam paasham cha ghantaa pralayahutavaham saankusham vaama-bhaage

Naanaalankaara-yuktam sphatika-mani-nibham Paarvateesham namaami ||

One who is tranquil, seated on a lotus seat, wearing a crescent moon crown on his head, having five faces, three eyes, holding a trident, a thunderbolt, a sword, an axe and the abhayamudra in his right arms. who holds a serpent, a noose, a bell, a fire of annhilation and a goad in his left arm; he is adorned with various ornaments and is white like a crystal, O Parvati Pati Shiva I bow to you!

The Astonishing Glory of Lord Shiva!

Lord Mahadev, Shiva, Shankar, Shambhu, is not only the topmost authority on yoga, detachment (Vairagya) and devotion but is also the Acharya (topmost Guru) of Agama shastr(Tantra), Mantra, Yantra, dance, musical instruments, music, grammar and of all arts and sciences.
Lord Shiva’s real form is one of utmost gentleness and peace, his complexion is like camphor and filled with compassion (karpurgauram karunaavataaram).
Shiva means ‘auspicious’, benevolent. He is also called Ashutosh — where ‘ashu’ means ‘very quickly’ and ‘tosh’ means ‘to be pleased’. Thus, Lord Shiva, the Ashutosh, becomes pleased with the simplest offerings and devotion.”
According to the Linga Purana, Shiva is the imperishable Parabrahman (almighty God) — flawless, the Lord of all creation, Eternal, All-Knowing, and All-Pervading, the God of gods, the Supreme, the Sustainer of the universe, all-pervading, all-knowing, the Aadi Yogi, Aadi guru and the cosmic dissolver.
The Tridev (three gods) in Sanatan Dharma scriptures are Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, among them Vishnu ji predominant in Satva Guna, Brahma ji in Rajogun and Shankar ji is is Tamogun. Due to ignorance and lack of proper understanding of Tamoguna, its reputation is somewhat infamous. But, If we think a little, then Tamoguna is the the basis of Rajoguna and Satva Guna. Just as without the sleep and rest (which is Tamogun attribute), the Satvaguna and Rajoguna can neither remain stable nor can any of their work be successful.
From the point of view of worship, Lord Shankar is called the god of Tamaguna (tamogun attributes like – aggressive disposition, offerings liked by shiva include Dhatura (poisonous Thornapple) during mahapralaya Shiva destroys all life) but in reality Shiva is very kind.
Because of his kindness Shiva is also known as Bholenath (The Innocent Lord, The Benevolent Lord). Lord Shankar ignores even the biggest flaws / sins and impurities that are normally cause for hatred, and is pleased very quickly. He is most easy to please with simple offerings and he bestows everything to the devotees.

Lord Shiva is omniscient and supreme Guru of all sciences, all subjects and all arts

In the Puranas, Lord Shiva is considered the supreme and presiding deity of learning, the source of all knowledge in the universe. In true sense, Lord Shiva is the Universal Guru, and those seeking knowledge on any subject in world are instructed in the scriptures to worship Lord Shiva.
The accomplishment of Maharshi Panini’s grammatical Verses / sutras (Mahirshi Panini is the ultimate authority for Sanskrit grammar) — was achieved solely by the grace and divine will of Mahadeva, the Lord of Lords.
Lord Shiva is regarded as the originator of the Tantra scriptures (Agamas) and the master of Yoga. He is called the supreme guru of all sciences — Ishana, the Lord of all knowledge – Ishanah Sarvavidyaanaamishvarah.

“Om Ishaan Sarva Vidyaanam Ishvar Sarva Bhootaanam Brahmaadhipati Brahmanodhipatir Brahmaa Shivo’me’ Stu Sadaashivom”

May Lord Shiva — the sovereign of all knowledge, the supreme ruler of all beings, the supreme master / Guru of Vedas, the guardian of Brahma’s power, and the very essence of Brahma and the Supreme Soul — eternally remain for me as the embodiment of bliss and kind.

Jagat-Guru Lord Shiva (The Supreme Guru of the World)

Each time, at the beginning of creation, Lord Shankara incarnated as a Yogacharya (teacher of Yoga) and teaches his disciples. His first disciples were Ruru, Dadhichi, Agastya, and Upmanyu. They were worshippers of Pashupati and the founders of the Pashupata Samhitas. Thousands of gurus were born in his lineage. These yogacharyas are described in the Vayavya Samhita of Shiva Purana.
The first 28 Yogacharyas were: the four first disciples had seven disciples each = 4 x 7 = 28, and these 28 gurus had four disciples each, making a total of 28 x 4 = 112. Among them are Sanatkumar, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, Kuthumi, Mitrak, etc. It is also written that their mission is to wish well for the world.

Worship of Lord Shiva in the form of the Shiva Linga

In the Vedas, Lord Shiva is worshipped both in a tangible, manifested form (sagun) and in the formless, transcendent form (nirgun). Devotees, according to their devotion, worship Shiva in many manifestations, such as Samba-SadaShiva, Uma-Maheshwara, Ardhanarishwara, Mahamrityunjaya, Panchavaktra, Pashupati, Krittivas, Dakshinamurti, Yogeshwara, and others.
Apart from this, there are five idols (forms) of Lord Shiva – Ishaan, Tatpurush, Aghor, Vamdev and Sadyojat, Panchanan Mahadev is worshiped with these five names in Panchvaktra (five-faced)
The scriptures extol the extraordinary significance of Shiva Linga worship. Numerous rituals govern its worship, and after crafting and consecrating Shiva Lingas of different types, they are worshipped accordingly. Lingas are fashioned from various materials to fulfil different desires, wishes and aspirations.
Shastras describe that Shiva Lingas can be fashioned from numerous materials — clay, flowers, fragrant substances like musk, sandal, and kumkum, flours of wheat or rice, sugar, sacred ash, mercury, silver, gold, crystal, pearls, gemstones, and more — and they also outline the rituals for worshipping each of these Lingas.

Shiva devotees should know what pleases most to Lord Shiva!

Lord Shiva’s most beloved is the name of Rama. Lord Shankar Himself is the greatest Vaishnav as evident from him keeping the river Ganga, (which is like the nectar of Lord Hari’s feet) in His Jata’s (matted hair), Because of which, one of his names is Gangadhar.
Bilva leaves are extremely dear to Lord Shankar, but one should offer them only after knowing the proper rules for plucking and offering them
Abhishek-priya Shiva — Lord Shiva greatly loves Abhishek (ritual bathing). Those who worship the Shiva Linga in their home temple should perform a water Abhishek daily.
A Rudraksha mala is considered ideal for chanting Shiva mantras. Devotees, while worshipping and meditating on Lord Shankar, should wear the sanctified mala to invoke Shiva’s blessings and adorn their forehead with the Tripund tilak.
Offering flowers to Lord Shankar pleases him very much: 1 Aak flower is equal to a gold donation. The fruit of 1,000 Aak flowers equals 1 Kaner flower; the merit (Fruit / result) of 1,000 Kaner flowers equals 1 Bilva leaf; the merit of 1,000 Bilva leaves equals 1 Guma flower (Drona flower); the merit of 1,000 Guma flowers is surpassed by 1 Chichida flower; 1,000 Chichida (Apamarga) flowers is superior to 1 Kush flower , 1,000 Kush flowers equals in benefit to 1 Shami leaf 1,000 Shami leaves are equivalent to 1 blue lotus (Neelkamal) 1,000 blue lotuses equal to 1 Datura flower and 1,000 Datura flowers are eqtuvalent to offering 1 Shami flower in pleasing Lord Shiva ….