FORMS OF SHIV BHAGWAN
When is Shivaratri celebrated?
Shivratri is celebrated on Maha vad 14.
Define what the poison Halahala is.
Halahala is a dangerous poison that could destroy the whole world and it was very fierce/risky to deal with.
What does "Om Namah Shivaya" mean?
It means I bow down to Shiv Bhagwan.
What do the devotees of Shiv Bhagwan mix together to perform Abhishek on the Shivling.
They give the Shivling Abhishek by pouring milk, honey, water and yogurt on the murti.
Why does Maharaj respect Shivji [in Vachanamrut Loya-1]?
Maharaj respects Shivji because he is a renunciant, a yogi, and a great devotee of god.
How many Jyotirlingas [ self-manifested shivlings] are there?
There are 12 Jyotirlingas [ self-manifested shivlings].
What is Shiv Bhagwan called because of his blue throat.
Shiv Bhagwan is called Neelkanth and Mrutyunjaya because of his blue throat.
What did Lubhdak notice unknowingly when he got off the tree in the morning?
Lubhdak unknowingly was dropping his leaves on a Shivling while remembering him.
How do some of the devotees observe all night jaagran?
What does Maharaj say about his dream in Vachanamrut Loya-1?
Maharaj explains that Shiv bhagwan showed great affection torwards him and looked robust, and vigorous.
Explain what the Shivling looks like.
The Shivling has 3 horizontal lines and a red chandlo right in the center. Sometimes it has the om sign at the back of it.
Why is Shivji's throat such a bright blue color?
Shivji's throat is bright blue color because he kept the Halahala poison in his throat and didn't swallow it. The poison was so potent it turned his throat blue.
What does the story of Lubhdak teach us.
The story of Lubdhak teaches us that we can offer devotion wherever we are and that Bhagwan is always listening to us.
Name atleast 5-6 locations were the devotees go to celebrate Shivratri.
Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Vaidyanath, Bhimashankar, Rameshwar, Nageshwar, Kashi Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Kedarnath, and Grishneshwar.
What does Shriji Maharaj talk about Shiv Bhagwan's mahima in the Shikshapatri [now shloka number #84]
In shloka 84 he says that Shiv Bhagwan is one of the 5 most important Hindu deities.
Explain what Anugraha and Samhara murti's are of Shiv Bhagwan. What are they?
The Anugraha murti is the peaceful form. The Samhara murti is the destructive form.
What did Shivji do when the dangerous poison Halahala came out instead of amrut?
Shivji saved everyone by swallowing all of the dangerous poison.
What do people do on Shivratri to represent Lubhdak?
People offer Billi tree leaves to the Shivling to represent Lubhdak's bhakti and devotion.
List what devotees of Shiv Bhagwan do on the day of Shivratri. Respond thoroughly.
Shivratri begins with devotees waking up early and taking a ritual bath. Then, after wearing fresh new clothes, devotees visit the Shiv mandir. There, they give the Shivling Abhishek. Likewise, throughout the day and night, worship is continuous.
Explain what shloka #249 means in the Satsang Diksha that Mahant Swami Maharaj had written and explained.
Shloka #249 means to offer Pujan to Shankar Bhagwan and on Bhadarva Sud 4 one should offer Pujan to Ganpati Bappa.
Name some of the things that Shiv Bhagwan is described as having on his physical murti.
A Trishul, a Damru, coiled hair with river Ganga pouring out, a crescent moon on the head, a snake around his neck, and a holy Bhabhut smeared over his body.
How did the Asuras and Devas churn the Amrut from the ocean? Respond thoroughly.
The Devas and Asuras churned the Amrut from the ocean by having Mount Mandara on top of Bhagwan Shiva as a turtle. Then the serpent gods [Vasuki] were acting like the rope and the Devas and Asuras pulled it back and forth.
Why does Shiv Bhagwan get extremely happy on Lubhdak?
Shiv Bhagwan gets happy on Lubhdak because when he was sitting on the tree he dropped 1,000 Billi tree leaves on Shiv Bhagwan's Shivling. So Shiv Bhagwan granted him to be a king his next birth.
What do devotees of Shiv Bhagwan apply on their foreheads? What does it symbolize?
Devotees of Shiv Bhagwan apply three horizontal stripes of holy Vibhuti on their foreheads. This tilak symbolizes the 3 eyes of Shiv Bhagwan and signifies purity.
What does Shriji Maharaj talk about Shiv Bhagwan's mahima in the Shikshapatri [just shloka #79]?
In shloka 79 he asks all devotees to celebrate Shiv Bhagwan by fasting and doing a pujan of him. In shloka 84 he says that Shiv Bhagwan is one of the 5 most important Hindu deities.