Who Is Lord Shiva?

Have you ever wondered who is God? What does the word “Bhagwan” really mean? Is it just a title, or does it hold a deeper significance? Let’s break it down in a beautiful way. The word Bhagwan is not just a label, it’s a combination of five elements:

'Bha' for Bhumi (Earth)

'G' for Gagan (Sky)

'W' for Wayu (Air)

'A' for Agni (Fire)

'N' for Neer (Water)

So, Bhagwan is the one who has control over these five elements. Whoever can master and balance Earth, Sky, Air, Fire, and Water that power is called Bhagwan.

Devs vs. Bhagwan: What's the Difference?

Many of us know about Agni Dev (Fire), Varun Dev (Water), and Vayu Dev (Air). These are Devs, divine beings who represent nature’s forces. But they are not Bhagwan. 

So who is Bhagwan?

They are "Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva)" the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. But even among these powerful beings, there is one who stands above all. That is Mahadev - the God of all gods. The one who controls even the Devtas.

Today, let’s talk about Shiva, also known as Mahadev. You've probably heard many stories and names; Ashutosh, Nataraja, Pashupati, Kailashpati, Bholenath but have you ever truly paused to ask: Who is Shiva? Let me explain in a way that might be new to you.

Shiva is Satya (Truth)

Why do we call Shiva the ultimate truth? Because lies need to be spoken. Illusions must be created. Dreams have to be imagined. But truth just exists. It needs no effort. It cannot be changed. Shiva is that eternal truth (शाश्वत सत्य).

Shiva is Shunya (Nothingness)

Think big - really big. Nepal is in Asia, which is part of Earth, which belongs to the solar system, which is in a galaxy, which is in a universe... and there are many galaxies and possibly infinite universes. Science says the universe is still expanding. But what happens when everything ends? When the sun burns out, galaxies vanish, and nothing remains? What remains then is Shunya - Nothingness. That void, that space where nothing exists that is Shiva.

Shiva is Andhkaar (Darkness)

Why darkness? Because everything that burns will eventually stop burning. From a matchstick to the sun- everything has an end. But darkness? Darkness is not created. It just exists. Even when nothing is there, darkness is. And just like truth and nothingness, darkness doesn’t need to be made. It simply is. That’s why Shiva is darkness, too. When the body is gone, when light disappears, the soul reaches where Shiva is. Shiva – The Eternal Force. 

Shiva has many names and many forms. You might’ve heard about the 10 avatars of Vishnu (like Ram and Krishna). But did you know Shiva has 19 avatars? He is also present in seven Chiranjivis (immortals) - souls who never die. Two of them, Hanuman and Ashwatthama, are Shiva’s avatars.

Where is Shiva Found?

Most gods are shown in grand heavenly places - Brahma on a lotus, Vishnu resting on a serpent in Vaikuntha. But Shiva?

Shiva sits on Earth. On a stone. In the cold, raw beauty of Mount Kailash. That’s why he's called Kailashpati the lord of Kailash, and his favourite place Pashupatinath.  Kailash is a mystery. Even today, no one has truly climbed it. People have reached Mount Everest, which is taller but not Kailash. Only one person is believed to have done it Milarepa, a Tibetan mystic 11th century.  Where he went, what he saw, no one knows.

Shiva is the Mystery, the Truth, the Eternal

In the end, Shiva is not just a god. He is everything that was, is, and will ever be.

  • He is the truth that needs no proof.
  • He is the nothingness that existed before creation.
  • He is the darkness that outlives all light.
  • He is the stillness, the silence, the space between everything.

Shiva Darshan teaches that every living being is, at the core, Shiva - the divine. But we forget this truth. Why do we forget? Because of ego and ignorance.

Ego and ignorance create limits within us. They block the vast, divine awareness (Shiva consciousness) inside and shrink it into a small, individual sense of self, called Jeev Chetana, or limited consciousness. That’s why we begin to identify with our body, our name, and our personal story, not the infinite self.

But as ego and ignorance start to fade, your awareness slowly begins to grow Consciousness can contract, and it can expand. When it expands, you begin to move closer to Shiva consciousness, the universal awareness. And when your limited self starts merging with this higher awareness, you begin to experience real changes in your life - both within and around you.

You start to feel that you are rising above everyday worries, petty thoughts, endless desires, and the illusions of the world. This is not just a spiritual idea -  it’s a real journey, the journey of your own consciousness returning to its true nature. 

Jay Pashupatinath ! Har Har Har Mahadev!

Note:
I am no one special, and I don’t claim to have a deep understanding of Bhagwan or Shiva. What I’ve written in this blog comes simply from what I’ve felt within - it’s just my personal perspective. I’ve shared it with love, for the divine souls who may connect with it.

#upadeshkunwor
#blogs #Shiva #Mahadev 
#SpiritualJourney 
 

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