Philosophy Of Symbols

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Philosophy Of Symbols

Lord Siva represents the destructive aspect of Brahman. That portion of Brahman that is
enveloped by Tamo-Guna-Pradhana Maya is Lord Siva who is the all-pervading Isvara and who
also dwells in Mount Kailas. He is the Bhandara or store-house for wisdom. Siva minus Parvati or
Kali or Durga is Nirguna Brahman Himself. With Maya-Parvati He becomes the Saguna Brahman
for the purpose of pious devotion of His devotees. Devotees of Rama must worship Lord Siva for 3
or 6 months before they take to worship of Rama. Rama Himself worshipped Lord Siva at the
famous Ramesvaram. Lord Siva is the Lord of Ascetics and Lord of Yogins, robed in space
(Digambara).
His Trisul (trident) that is held in His right hand represents the three Gunas—Sattva, Rajas
and Tamas. That is the emblem of Sovereignty. He wields the world through these three Gunas. The
Damaru in His left hand represents the Sabda Brahman. It represents OM from which all languages
are formed. It is He who formed the Sanskrit language out of the Damaru.
The crescent moon indicates that He has controlled the mind perfectly. The flow of the
Ganga represents the nectar of Immortality. Elephant represents symbolically pride. His wearing
the skin of the elephant denotes that He has controlled pride. Tiger represents lust; His sitting on
tiger’s skin indicates that He has conquered lust. His holding a deer on one hand indicates that He
has removed the Chanchalata (tossing) of the mind. Deer jumps from one place to another swiftly.
His wearing of serpents denotes wisdom and eternity. Serpents live for a large number of years. He
is Trilochana, the three-eyed One, in the centre of whose forehead is the third eye, the eye of
wisdom.
‘Hoam’ is the Bija Akshara of Lord Siva.
He is Sivam (auspicious, Subham), Sundaram (beautiful), Kantam (effulgent). “Santam
Sivam Advaitam” (Mandukya Upanishad).

I bow with folded hands crores of times at the lotus-feet of that Lord Siva who is non-dual,
who is the Adhishthana, or support for the world and all minds, who is Sat-Chit-Ananda, who is the
Ruler, the Antaryamin, the Sakshi (silent witness) for everything, who is self-effulgent,
self-existent and self-contained (Pari-purna), who is the remover of the primitive Avidya and who
is the Adi-Guru or Parama-Guru or Jagad-Guru.
That Lord Siva I am in essence. Sivoham, Sivoham, Sivoham.