Why We Offer Water and Belpatra to Lord Shiv.....?

We normally see that people while worshiping Lord Shiv offers water and belpatra to Shivlinga. There is a significance behind doing this. What is that significance? Why offering belpatra, water , milk to Shivlinga has such a great importance in our vedic culture? 

Note: In this post, I will explain story behind offering water and belpatra to Lord Shiv. There are so many things which are offered to him, which will be discussed in other posts.

We normally hear that offering belpatra, water bring us closer to Mahadev. 

There is a legend behind it, we all know about Samundar-Manthan that is, churning of kshirsagar (ocean of milk). This Manthan took place to overcome the effect of 'Shriheen' which came due to falling of 'Amritkalash' in kshirsagar, during fight between Devas and Asuras over possession of it.  To regain all the gems, amrit and other precious things, this Manthan took place. During this, along with good things which were essential for this world, some detrimental things were also produced. 
The first thing which was produced is 'Kalakuta or Halahal', a deadly poison which has power to destroy this world. All the species, plants and other things on this planet are going to effect from its deadly effect with no time. 

All the Gods present there seeing all this, but no one has power to deal with it. At that time, only 'Mahadev' was the one who had ability to suppress its effect and save the world from destruction. HE fulfilled his responsibility of 'JAGATPITA' towards this world. HE drank all the 'Kalakuta' and Goddess Shakti  helped him to retain that Vish in his throat. She put her hand on his Kand so that Halahal did not spread in his whole body. Due to poison effect, Mahadev's throat became blue and from that very time he is also known as 'Nilkanda'. It is considered as one of his Avatars. 

Due to swallowing of Halahal, which is positioned in his throat, Mahadev felt burning in his head, became disturbed and unstable. In order to comfort him, devotees poured water on his head. HE felt relaxed but still there was sting in his throat due to Halahal. Devotees made him eat belpatra , which has power to vanish the effect of any poison (here) 'Halahal'. Water and Belpatra helped Mahadev in overcoming effect of that 'Vish'. In the same way, devotees offering water and belpatra to Shivlinga will get rid of their sufferings (produced from Vish of 'Nakratmakata (negativity), Aham ('I'), Agayanata (ignorance) etc.)

Also, doing 'Shivlinga Abhishek' with 'water and belpatra' bring devotee closer to Mahadev. 

This is the reason why pouring water and offering belpatra to Shivlinga has so much importance in Lord Shiv puja. 

It is also believed that, Goddess Parvati resides in Belpatra tree. One day, Devi Parvati's sweat had fallen on 'Mandrachal Parvat' and belpatra tree had come into origin. Due to this reason, Lord Shiv puja is considered incomplete without 'belpatra' because of the presence of Shakti. 

During this incident, a time period came when 'Halahal' was coming out and Mahadev arrival was still awaiting. At this very time, snakes present in 'Kshirsagar' helps in overcoming its effect by continuously drinking it. By seeing this, Mahadev gives boon to snakes 'Sarp koti' (koti: class, category) that due to there contribution in saving this world from destruction, 'Sarp' puja will be considered his puja till the end of this 'Kalpa'. From that very time, 'Shesh Nag' puja is considered as important as Shiv puja. 

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Tridevas and Tridevis

Tridevas are Brahmdev, Narayan, Mahadev.

Tridevis are Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi, Mahakali.

According to Vedic Culture, 'Shakti' is the sole reason for the existence of this 'srishti' (world). Its embodiment is Devi Parvati who is 'Adi Shakti' in her full form. 'Adi Shakti' presents her partial forms as Devi Saraswati and Devi Lakshmi. 

Without her, everyone and everything is lifeless. 

Shiv Puran explains .... why particular form of shakti is with Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiv. 

Brahmdev is the creator of this world. For creation, knowledge(Gyan) is required. Thats why Gyan Rupi Shakti 'Devi Saraswati' is with Lord Brahma.

Narayan is the preserver and nurturer of this world. For nourishment, money/wealth (Dhan) is required. Thats why Dhan ki devi 'Mahalakshmi' is with Lord Vishnu.

Mahadev is the destroyer of this world. For destruction, power (shakti) is needed. Due to this reason, Shakti Rupen 'Mahakali' is with him. 'Mahakali' is 'Samharak' form of Devi Parvati and manifests all 'Dasha-Mahavidyas'.  


For more detail on 'Adi Shakti'...refer to Adi-shakti post. 

















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To Whom Tridev Worship And Why

Human beings, animals, birds and other species in this world worship to God, pray to God. 
From here, one question arises that if we pray to Lord Shiv, to whom he worships? Similarly, who is Lord Vishnu's Aradhaya? Lord Brahma worships to whom?

Tridevs are one and they are connected to each other. 

We heard that Mahadev Aradhya is Lord Vishnu. And in Lord Vishnu's heart Mahadev resides. 

In Shiv Puran it is explained:

Lord Brahma is 'Rachiyata' (रचियता) of this 'Srishti'. For this, it is necessary for him to know about the past (Atita). So he worships Mahadev.

Lord Vishnu is 'Sanchalak' (संचालक) of this World (here world symbolizes everything which exists on earth be it living creatures/species; trees/plants; mountains; rivers/oceans etc.). For this, he should know about its birth and so he worships Lord Brahma. 

Lord Shiv is 'Samharak' (संहारक) of this world. For this, he should aware of the past incidents taken place in life of a particular person, animal, bird etc. So he worships Narayan who has nurtured them during their lifetime. Narayan as a 'Palankarta' is 'Sakshi' of all incidents taken place in one's life-span. 

Also,
Adi-Shakti who is the Mother of this Universe and who is above Tridevas, worships Mahadev. Mahadev, due to his meditation, is above all forms of Adi-Shakti. 

'Shiv Aur Shakti ek dusre ke purak hai'
'शिव और शक्ति एक दुसरे के पूरक है। '
(They both are supplements to each other)













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Lingabhav Katha: Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh are equal

This is a story of Tridev(s), about their origin and equality. They all are one and lies in one another.

This is a fact of the time period, when there is no universe and no world. There is nothing at all but there is existence of param-shunaye (parmarth). A sound which is known as 'AUM'.

Years are passing but there is no existence of anything and anyone which can be seen and touched. After so many years, Lord Vishnu appears with effect from surrounding energy. And after another million of years, Lord Brahma originates from 'nabhi' of Lord Vishnu, and is seated on Lotus flower. Both has closed eyes at time of their origin, unaware of each other's presence.

Time is passing, another million of years passed, they both open their eyes and please to see each other. Lord Brahma thinks that he is the one who comes first in this universe and so he is the supreme being. On the other hand, Lord Vishnu thinks of the source of his origin. He knows that Brahmdev is originated from his 'Nabhi'. He also awares of the fact that there is some another energy which is the cause of their creation. 

Both has fight on the topic 'who came first'. In order to solve this, a huge 'Agni-satambh' appears in front of them. A voice comes which instruct both Vishnu and Brahma to find 'Adi tatha Aant' (beginning and end) of this large 'Agni-satambh' which is in the form 'Linga'. Brahma goes for searching 'Adi' and Vishnu goes for searching 'Aant' of that 'Fire Linga'.

After million of years, Lord Vishnu accepts the fact that there is no 'Adi tatha Anta' of this 'Gyan Rupi Agni-satambha'. But on the other hand, though Lord Brahma did not find the Adi (Beginning), is not ready to accept this fact. He continues with his own belief that he is the supreme being. That there is no one above him. As an evidence of his finding of Adi, he brought 'Ketaki flower' with him which he found on the way. Ketaki flower told him that Adi was not at that point which he was considering. But on Lord Brahma's insistence, ketaki flower agreed to say lie.

Now, they both reaches on that point where they had begun, Lord Brahma tells Lord Vishnu that he has found the 'Adi'. After this, 'Agni-satambh' turns into Lord Shiva by saying that 'It is untruth to say that there is any Adi or Anta of Gyan'.

Ketaki flower accompanies Lord Brahma in his lie. Since then, Ketaki flower is prohibited in Lord Shiv Aradhana. Also, Lord Shiv tells Brahma that due to his negligence, he will not be worshipped in this universe till end of this kalpa. On the other hand, Lord Vishnu due to his truth and patience, will be worshipped equal to Mahadev till end of this Kalpa.

This story reveals that all three originates from that 'Gyan Rupi Agnisatambha' which is a symbol of 'AUM'. It is like a 'Prachir' to reach that supreme being for this whole Universe. Because, Lord Shiv is present in that 'Linga' in his 'Ishratva Rupa'.
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Remember there is difference in 'Rupakar Shiv' and 'Shiv in Linga form = Shivlinga'.

There should be no discrimination (bhedbhav) among Tridevas.

In the beginning of 'Srishti' that supreme power has split herself into 'Purush tatha Prakiti' means 'Shiv and Shakti'. 'Purush' splits himself into three forms of creator, preserver, destroyer (Rachiyata, Sanchalak, Sanharak) which are Brahmdev, Vishnudev, Mahadev. Similarly, 'Prakiti i.e. Adi Shakti' splits herself into 'Devi Saraswati, Devi Lakshmi, Devi Parvati'.







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