The Image of Shiv Bhagwan
The four arms on Shiv Bhagwan represent what four elements?
fire, water, earth, and air
What came out of the ocean during Sagar Manthan?
A deadly poison came out of the ocean.
Where did Shiv Bhagwan live with Parvati?
mount kailash
What was the name of the hunter who was roaming through the forest to hunt deer?
Gurudruha
What does doing the ritual bath represent?
purification of the soul
What does the cobra around his neck represent?
that he is beyond the power of death in this world
What did Parvati do after Shiv Bhagwan drank the poison?
She pressed his neck so the poison would not reach his stomach.
During which night and which month of the new moon did Shiv Bhagwan indicate his favorite ritual to be on?
14th, Fagun
True or False: (if false whats the right answer)
While aiming he unknowingly dropped some bili leaves and his drinking water below onto a Shivalingam.
True
How often is puja performed during the night?
Every three hours.
What does the tiger skin represent?
the tiger skin cloth that Shiv Bhagwan sits on represents his power as being beyond the power of nature
Why is Shiv Bhagwan called Nilkanth, and what does it mean?
He is called Nilkanth because the poison turned his throat blue. “Nil” means blue and “Kanth” means throat.
Devotees should offer him ____ leaves, since they are more precious to him then ______ and _______.
bili, jewels and flowers
Shiv Bhagwan gave him a boon of which bhagwan gracing his home and redeeming his soul?
Ram Bhagwan
What do devotees do throughout the night in many mandirs?
They sing kirtans and praise Shiv Bhagwan.
The trishula sumbolizes what three gunas of nature?
The three gunas represent the function of the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Mahesh).
On the advice of which God did the other gods approach Shiv Bhagwan for help and protection as only he could swallow the poison without being affected?
Vishnu Bhagwan
The next morning, devotees must do what to break their fast?
devotees must feed the Brahmins first and, only after following this prescribed ritual, must he or she break the fast.
What did the doe want to do before Gurudruha killed her?
return to her husband and give him their fawns
True or False: (if false, explain why)
Mahashivratri begins with devotees waking up early in the morning and taking a ritual bath in the Ganga River, since this is the only sacred spot it can be performed in.
False, any spot but ganga river is preferred
What does the Ganga River symbolize?
The Ganga River, the most sacred river in India, shows coolness, holiness and serenity. Shiv Bhagwan holds her on his head, thus preaching to the devotees that is they bear coolness, holiness, and serenity in their head, i.e if they give up anger, envy and disturbance that haunts their mind, they will achieve all kinds of perfection and success.
During what event was there poison coming out from and to what extent did its power influence its surrounding?
During the Sagar Manthan by the devtas and demons, a pot of poison came out of the ocean. This terrified the devtas and demons as the poison was so toxic that its effects would have wiped out the entire creation process.
What 4 liquids, and in what order should Shiv Bhagwan be bathed in?
1 - milk
2 - curd
3 - ghee
4 - honey
True or False: (if false whats the right answer)
“You shall be born in a town known as Dhrunagar, as a man named Gruha. Vishnu Bhagwan will grace your home in the form of Ram Bhagwan and redeem your soul.”
False, Shrungver
True or False: (if false, explain)
Throughout this entire week, the devotees are fasting and only on the following week can they break their fast by accepting prasad.
day not week