Lord Shiva is a widely worshiped god for Hindus. He had a very important role in Hindu mythology. He is generally worshiped in the form of Shiva linga which is a symbolic representation of Shiva. He is not widely worshiped in his original form, owing to the curse given to him by Bhrigu maharshi, a saint. He is known t have three eyes, the third one on his forehead. This eye opens when he is extremely angry and it sets the person in front of him on fire. A bull called, Nandeeswara, is said to be his vehicle.
Different forms of Shiva
Shiva Lingam:
This is most widely worshiped form of Lord Shiva. It is usually shaped as a round column placed vertically on a platform. There are no specific dimensions for this Lingam and the slightest similar depiction can be considered as Shiva Lingam. The main reason for worshiping Shiva in the form of Lingam is, as said earlier, the curse given to him by Bhrigu Maharshi. Bhrigu is a sage who has lot of pride and is known for his anger. To control his pride, Shiva ignores him when he goes to Shiva’s residence and this makes Bhrigu curse him that he wouldn’t be worshiped in his original form.
Nataraja:
Nataraja ia considered as the god of dance in India. Lord Shiva is known to dance when he is angry or when he is happy. Nataraja is usually depicted as Lord Shiva in a dance pose. Lord Shiva is said to dance ferociously when he is angry and this dance form in particular is called as ‘Rudra tandavam.’
Ardhanarishwara:
Ardhanarishwara is another well depicted form of Lord Shiva. Though this form is not widely worshiped, people keep images of this form in the houses. The name means, half woman and half Shiva. The woman who shares the half of his body is his wife, goddess Parvati. This form is widely cited to show the importance of wife in a man’s life. Lord Shiva and Parvati are said to have taken this form after a dance.
Other major form in which he is usually worshiped is him sitting in Himalayas with eyes closed. This form shows a very peaceful Shiva, indulged in meditation. He is shown to be sitting in Kailasa(his residence) in Himalaya mountains.
He is also worshiped as Mrityunjaya, which means the one who keeps death away. Mrityunjaya is usually worshiped by people who want the death to be away from them or from their relatives.
There are some other forms of Lord Shiva but they don’t have specific names and all are called as Lord Shiva.
