The Jai Jais Blog

Shravan Mass Begins

Shravan Mass Begins

Shravan occurs on the fifth month of the Hindu calendar and is considered the most auspicious, and fruitful month to worship Lord Shiva. It is said that worshipping Shiva during this month is considered 108 times more powerful than regular prayer. Each day of Shravan represents something different and each day is considered very holy. I do Shiva pooja every Wednesday and Sunday with my boys, there always a fight who can put the most milk on the Shivling which is practically drowned in milk. I know Shiva looks down upon their innocence with love.
The Trishul of Lord Shiva

The Trishul of Lord Shiva

“Mahadeva” literally means in Sanskrit, “Highest of all gods”. The mighty Lord Shiva, and his iconic and mesmerising Trishul of Lord Shiva, a weapon of destruction, he even severed the original head of his son Ganesha.  Whilst preforming his cosmic dance he can destroy all three worlds. The weapon as so many representations and it denotes several trinities. The three points have various meaning, significance and their own stories behind them:
Lord Shiva’s Third Eye

Lord Shiva’s Third Eye

Lord Shiva the god or destruction and regeneration.  He is also known as Triambake, which in Sanskrit means “Third Eye”. His right eye is supposed to symbolise the sun, his left eye the moon. Let’s find out more The Jai Jais way. This attribute of Shiva’s is definitely fascinating.
Why Does Shiva have Snake around His Neck?

Why Does Shiva have Snake around His Neck?

An image of Lord Shiva is incomplete without a snake coiled around his neck. The snake represents the Ahamkara (ego).  When we poke a snake, it recoils instantly and spreads its hood to attack us. Similarly, when someone says something that we don't wish to hear, our ego spontaneously reacts. This ego lies inside the human body whereas, in the Gods and the Goddesses, the ego becomes powerless. It doesn't affect them because they govern it. Hence, Shiva uses this Ahamkara as an ornament because it doesn't find space within his body. The Lord monitors the Ahamkara or the ego that otherwise makes us hollow from within.
Nataraj King of Dance

Nataraj King of Dance

One of the first statues I remember as a child is the iconic bronze statue or Shiva standing on an asura with a circle of flames. So what does Nataraj mean? Nataraja or Nataraja, the dancing form of Lord Shiva. 'Nataraja' means 'King of Dancers' (Sanskrit nata = dance; raja = king). Shiva is shown as dancing on an halo of flames, lifting His left leg and balancing himself of the demon Apasmara who is a symbol of ignorance. The upper right hand holds a 'dumroo' that stands for the male-female vital principle, the lower shows the gesture of assertion to be without fear. As a symbol, Shiva Nataraja is a glorious art form. It combines in a single image Shiva’s roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Indian conception of the never-ending cycle of time.

Why Does Lord Shiva Wear a Crescent Moon?

Why Does Lord Shiva Wear a Crescent Moon?

Have you ever wondered why Lord Shiva wears a crescent moon, there is never a picture without this important symbol, but why does he wear it and where did it come from? Let's find out The Jai Jais way.
What is a Rudraksha?

What is a Rudraksha?

Rudraksha’ has its origin in the Sanskrit words, ‘Rudra’ and ‘Aksha’. ‘Rudra’ is another name for Lord Shiva, and ‘aksha’ means teardrop. The relation to Lord Shiva is from the Shiva Purana. He was once in deep meditation, with an aim to bring happiness to all living creatures. When he had finished his meditation tears fell on the earth, which became the Rudraksha seed.
The Symbolism of Lord Shiva

The Symbolism of Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva is the focus of the festival, who is part of the Hindu Trinity which also includes Brahma, who created the universe and Vishnu, who preserved it. Shiva is also known as the destroyer, and he is seen as someone who protects and transforms the universe.

Mahashivratri is celebrated on the day when Lord Shiva saved the world by drinking poison that emerged from the ocean during Samudra Manthan. This poison got stored in his throat thus making it blue which is the reason that Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkanth (blue throat). Read more fascinating stories on Lord Shiva in our Jai Jai blogs.

Picture of Lord Shiva would not be the same without a snake around his neck, the crescent moon, his drum, his magnificent Trishul and course his faithful bull Nandi.  Like everything in Hinduism all of these have symbols have a meaning.  Let’s find out The Jai Jais way.

The Origins of Yoga

The Origins of Yoga

In Vedic Sanskrit, Yoga means “to add,” and it can also mean connection and union. There are many stories surrounding the beginnings of Yoga, and the oldest known stories surround the Hindu Gods, including Lord Shiva. Four specific periods pertain to the origins of Yoga, and these are:

  1. Vedic Period
  2. Pre-Classical Period
  3. Classical Period
  4. Post-Classical Period

Understanding each period is essential, but it’s particularly important to get to grips on the Vedic Period and what happened before that time. Let’s explore this.