Shiv Chalisa
Encyclopedia
Shiv Chalisa is a devotional song dedicated Hindu
deity
, Lord Shiva
. Adapted from the Shiva Purana
, it consists of 40 (Chalis) chaupais
(verses) and recited daily or on special festivals like Maha Shivaratri
by Shivaites, and worshipers of Shiva.
is a major Hindu deity and the Destroyer or transformer of the Trimurti
. Shiva is usually worshiped in the abstract form of Shiva linga. In images, he is generally in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava
. Lord Mahesh or Shiva, the 3rd God of the Hindu Trimurti, is the Destroyer. He represents the hot-blooded (Tamsik) – dream, thought, action, character, and destiny – way. His attributes represents victory over the demonic activity, and calmness of human nature.
(trishul) in his one hand and ashes all over his body. He is known as the "giver" god. His vehicle is a bull (symbol of happiness and strength) named Nandi.
Shiva-Linga, a sign of the Lord, is adored instead of him. Shiva is also considered the greatest of the yogis, the lord of meditation
, and the lord of all that is mystic and mysterious in Hindu
practices. Legend has it that the holy river Ganges (or Ganga) is in fact a representation of Lord Shiva's long hair.
Some texts refer to the five letters as the forms of Shiva - Na-gendra (one who wears a garland of snakes), Ma-ndakini Salila (one who is bathed by the water of the Ganges), Shi (the supreme Lord), Va-shishta (one who is praised by the sages like Vashishta), and Ya-ksha (one who takes the form of Yaksha). The Om Namah Shivaya mantra or chant consists of six syllables - om, na, mah, shi, vaa, ya. The Shiv Chalisa are 40 chaupais
(verses) is written in praise of Lord Shiva.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
deity
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
, Lord Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. Adapted from the Shiva Purana
Shiva Purana
The Shiva Purana is one of the s, a genre of Hindu religious texts dedicated to Shiva. According to a tradition which is stated in the of this text, the original text was known as the ....
, it consists of 40 (Chalis) chaupais
Chaupai (poetry)
A chaupai is a quatrain verse of Indian poetry, especially medieval Hindi poetry, that uses a metre of four syllables.Famous chaupais include those of poet-saint Tulsidas, used in his classical texts of Ramcharitamanas and in the Hanuman Chalisa and also in Sikh prayer Chaupai.Chaupai is...
(verses) and recited daily or on special festivals like Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivarathri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha or Phalguna...
by Shivaites, and worshipers of Shiva.
Shiva
ShivaShiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
is a major Hindu deity and the Destroyer or transformer of the Trimurti
Trimurti
The Trimurti is a concept in Hinduism "in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Śhiva the destroyer or transformer," These three deities have been called "the Hindu triad" or...
. Shiva is usually worshiped in the abstract form of Shiva linga. In images, he is generally in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava
Tandava
' or ', the divine art form, is a dance performed by the god Shiva, who is revered by Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva’s Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution...
. Lord Mahesh or Shiva, the 3rd God of the Hindu Trimurti, is the Destroyer. He represents the hot-blooded (Tamsik) – dream, thought, action, character, and destiny – way. His attributes represents victory over the demonic activity, and calmness of human nature.
Overview
Lord Shiv is the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine which has dominion over death and destruction. He appears in a meditating but ever-happy posture having matted hair which holds the flowing Ganges river and a crescent moon, a serpent coiled around his neck, a tridentTrident
A trident , also called a trishul or leister or gig, is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and was also a military weapon. Tridents are featured widely in mythical, historical and modern culture. The major Hindu god, Shiva the Destroyer and the sea god Poseidon or Neptune are...
(trishul) in his one hand and ashes all over his body. He is known as the "giver" god. His vehicle is a bull (symbol of happiness and strength) named Nandi.
Shiva-Linga, a sign of the Lord, is adored instead of him. Shiva is also considered the greatest of the yogis, the lord of meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
, and the lord of all that is mystic and mysterious in Hindu
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
practices. Legend has it that the holy river Ganges (or Ganga) is in fact a representation of Lord Shiva's long hair.
Some texts refer to the five letters as the forms of Shiva - Na-gendra (one who wears a garland of snakes), Ma-ndakini Salila (one who is bathed by the water of the Ganges), Shi (the supreme Lord), Va-shishta (one who is praised by the sages like Vashishta), and Ya-ksha (one who takes the form of Yaksha). The Om Namah Shivaya mantra or chant consists of six syllables - om, na, mah, shi, vaa, ya. The Shiv Chalisa are 40 chaupais
Chaupai (poetry)
A chaupai is a quatrain verse of Indian poetry, especially medieval Hindi poetry, that uses a metre of four syllables.Famous chaupais include those of poet-saint Tulsidas, used in his classical texts of Ramcharitamanas and in the Hanuman Chalisa and also in Sikh prayer Chaupai.Chaupai is...
(verses) is written in praise of Lord Shiva.
Further reading
- Sri Shiv Chalisa (Dicritical)', by Manoj Pub. Ed. Board. Manoj Publications, 2009. ISBN 8131009270.