Shiva: Meditate with Four Powerful Deities

Shiva 

Sanskrit: शिव Śiva 

Shiva, the Hindu God also known as Mahadeva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism. 

Shiva is known as "The Destroyer" within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver. In the Shaivite tradition, Shiva is the Supreme Lord who creates, protects and transforms the universe. In the Shakta tradition, the Goddess, or Devi, is described as the one supreme, yet Shiva is revered along with Vishnu and Brahma. In Tantric Shaivism, Shiva is the inert ground of all being which together with Shakti, the creative power of being, form all of consciousness. 

Shiva is known as the primal Atman (soul) of the universe. There are many both benevolent and fearsome depictions of Shiva. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash. He is also depicted as a householder with his wife Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In his fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons. Shiva is also known as Adiyogi Shiva, regarded as the patron god of yoga, meditation and arts.

The symbolism and iconography of Shiva include the serpent around his neck, the adorning crescent moon, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the third eye on his forehead, the trishula or trident, as his weapon, and the damaru drum. He is also worshipped in the aniconic form of lingam (an oval shaped stone. Shiva is a pan-Hindu deity, revered widely by Hindus, in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. 

The mantra we are going to chant on the third week of the series is dedicated to the God Shiva:

Om namah Shivaya

Sanskrit: ॐ नमः शिवाय।

Translation: Om, Salutations to the auspicious one or Om, I bow to Shiva

Om namah Shivaya is a five-syllable mantra, as it has five syllables which are preceded by the Om. Among other things, these five syllables represent the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space.

This mantra is chanted during meditation in order to help realize the Soul and to embody the qualities of prayer, divine love, grace, truth and blissfulness.