Category:Praying to Siva
Theme Analysis
The act of praying to Lord Śiva reveals the distinct difference between a materialist and a pure Vaiṣṇava. Through the deep philosophical explanations of Śrīla Prabhupāda, one understands that while individuals with a demoniac mentality approach Lord Śiva for material power, protection from enemies, or temporary relief from distress, pure devotees approach him with an entirely different motive. Because Lord Śiva is the greatest devotee of Lord Viṣṇu, sincere spiritual seekers pray to him not for mundane opulence, but to attain the ultimate favor of Kṛṣṇa. Furthermore, because Lord Śiva's immense power to counteract universal dangers is derived directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, any prayer for ultimate protection is factually directed toward Lord Viṣṇu.
- The Ultimate Purpose: A pure devotee never approaches Lord Śiva for material profit; instead, they pray to him to receive the favor of Lord Kṛṣṇa, as perfectly demonstrated by the gopīs of Vṛndāvana.
- The Demoniac Misconception: Demons like Rāvaṇa frequently pray to Lord Śiva for protection against the Supreme Lord, but such prayers are futile because Lord Śiva is a devoted servant of Kṛṣṇa and will never oppose Him.
- The Ease of Appeasement: Known as Āśutoṣa, Lord Śiva is very easily pleased, allowing even materially motivated persons like Dakṣa and Diti to pacify him with clever prayers during times of extreme distress.
- The Source of Power: Because Lord Śiva is endowed with a special power derived directly from Lord Viṣṇu, any prayer offered to him for universal protection ultimately reaches and relies upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The Vaiṣṇava Standard: Advanced devotees properly respect Lord Śiva not as an independent supreme deity, but as an exalted demigod and the greatest Vaiṣṇava, who serves as a vital part of the Supreme Lord's universal body.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: The Vaiṣṇava Perspective on Praying to Śiva.
Pages in category "Praying to Siva"
The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total.
A
- Although he (Daksa) was fallen, his vow was to execute the sacrifice, as is the duty of brahmanas, and thus he began his prayers to Lord Siva
- Arjuna prayed to the lord (Siva) in all humbleness, and the lord, being pleased with him, presented him the pasupata weapon. He acquired many other important weapons from different demigods
- At the end of the Daksa-yajna and the disastrous incidents there, Daksa offered his prayer to Lord Siva
- At this time, King Daksa, afflicted by love and affection, was very much awakened to his real senses. With great endeavor, he pacified his mind, checked his feelings, and with pure consciousness began to offer prayers to Lord Siva
D
- Diti prayed for the mercy of Lord Siva very cleverly. She prayed: "The lord can cause me to cry, but if he likes he can also stop my crying because he is Asutosa
- Diti prayed: Because he (Siva) is all-auspicious, it is not difficult for him to excuse me from being punished, although he is now ready to punish me because I have moved his great anger. He appears like a man, but he is the lord of all men
- Diti prayed: He (Siva) is so great that if he likes he can immediately destroy my pregnancy, but by his mercy he can also fulfill my desire that my pregnancy not be spoiled
T
- The controversy of the Daksa-yajna took place in the Svayambhuva manvantara period. As a result, Daksa was punished by Lord Siva, but by virtue of his prayers to Lord Siva he became eligible to regain his former opulence
- The demigods indirectly prayed that Lord Siva counteract the kalakuta poison, which was spreading throughout the universe
- The demon Ravana was a fierce figure before the demigods, but when he was before Lord Ramacandra he trembled and prayed to his deity, Lord Siva, but to no avail
- They (Brahma & Siva) are endowed with a special power like Lord Visnu's, who is all-pervading in his acts. Thus whenever prayers for protection are offered to Lord Siva, actually Lord Visnu is indicated, for otherwise Lord Siva is meant for destruction
W
- When the demigods offered prayers to Lord Siva, their inner purpose was to please him so that he would rectify the disturbing situation created by the halahala poison
- Whenever a devotee worships Lord Siva, he prays to Lord Siva to achieve the favor of Krsna, and he does not request material profit. In Bhagavad-gita (BG 7.20) it is said that generally people worship demigods for some material profit