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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Devanagari: शिव
Kannada: ಶಿವ
Sanskrit Transliteration: Śiva
Tamil script: சிவன்
Affiliation: Trimurti
Abode: Mount Kailash
Weapon: Trishula
Consort: Parvathi
Mount: Nandi
Shiva (English IPA: [ɕivə] Malayalam ശിവന്; Devanagari: शिव;Kannada: ಶಿವ Tamil: சிவன் Telugu:శివ Nepal Bhasa:महाद्यः (when used to distinguish lordly status), also known as Siva and written Śiva in the official IAST transliteration, pronounced as /ɕiʋə/) is Ishvara or God according to Vedic scriptures of Hinduism. Shiva is the supreme God in Shaivism, one of the major branches of Hinduism practiced in India.
He is believed to be a formless, timeless and spaceless Supreme God. Adi Shankara interpreted the name Shiva as meaning "one who purifies everyone by the utterance of his name" or "the pure one", as such the name Shiva is considered the holiest of holy names. Shiva is beyond and unaffected by the three gunas (characteristics) of Prakrti (matter/nature) namely Satva, Rajas, and Tamas.
In Smarta traditions, Lord Shiva exists as one of three aspects of God, Trimurti. In the Trimurti, Rudra (another name for Shiva) is the destroyer whilst Brahma is the creator and Vishnu the preserver. However this title of 'destroyer' is often taken from a face value perspective and actually Rudra should be thought of as a perfect spiritual manifestation of Brahman. It is said in Vedic text that Māyā is destroyed by Shiva (or his manifestations) thus allowing absolute truth to be "seen", hence the "destructor" name arose.
Shiva, in Shaivism, does everything; he is the creator, sustainer and destroyer. All other Hindu Gods and Goddesses are part of the one Lord Shiva. According to Shaivism, Lord Shiva performs five functions: 1. Creator, 2. Preserver, 3. Destroyer of evil, 4. Reprieving us from sins, and 5. Blessing. The fifth function is considered to be the most important of all.
A Shaivite view contends that Shiva produced Vishnu who produced Brahma and thus creation began, within which the cycle of the Trimurti exists. Shiva also assumes many other roles, including the Lord of Ascetics (Mahadeva, or the Great God), the Lord of Boons (Rudra, or The Howler - rud-iti rudra), and also the Universal Divinity (Maheshvara, the Great Lord). Shaivites, the worshippers of Shiva consider Shiva as the Ultimate Reality (see Ishta-Deva for fuller discussion).
Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga (or lingam), usually depicted as a clay mound with three horizontal stripes on it, or visualised as a blazing pillar. In anthropomorphised images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation on Mount Kailash, his traditional abode. Shiva is worshipped by believers around the world.
Introduction
Shiva is referred to as the Good Lord, the Greatest God (Mahadeva), God of Gods (Devadideva), the Lord of the Universe (Vishweshwara), the Supreme Lord (Parameshwara), Supreme Lord of Time (Mahakala) and Lord of Everything (Sarveshwara). According to scripture, there is nothing but him (Sarvavyapi) and he is above everything (ParaShiva). He is beyond description, beyond all manifestation, beyond limitation of form, time and space. He is eternal, infinite, mysterious, complex, all pervading, all knowing and all powerful.
One of his names is Bholenath, which means the innocent God. Shiva as Rudra is considered to be the destroyer of evil and sorrow. Shiva as Shankara is the doer of good. Shiva is 'tri netra' (three-eyed), and is 'Nīlakantha' ("blue throated") as he consumed the poison Halahala to save the world from destruction. Shiva as Nataraja is the Divine Cosmic Dancer. Shiva as Ardhnarishwara is both man and woman.
He is both static and dynamic; both Creator and Destroyer. He is the oldest (Jyeshta) and the youngest (Kanishta); He is the eternal youth as well as the infant. He is the source of fertility in all living beings. He has gentle as well as fierce forms. Shiva is the greatest of renouncers as well as the ideal lover. He destroys evil and protects good. He bestows prosperity on worshipers although he is austere. He is omnipresent and resides in everyone as pure consciousness.
Shiva is inseparable from Parvati (also referred to as Shakti), who is the daughter of Himavant and Haimavatī. There is no Shakti without Shiva and Shakti is his expression; the two are one, the absolute state of being - consciousness and bliss. Shiva is said to have shared half of his body for Shakti and is known as Ardhanarishwara (half woman, half man) in this form. In Hinduism, Shiva is said to have taken this form to depict that Divine is both masculine and feminine.
The five mantras that constitute Shiva's body are Sadyojaata, Vaamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Eesaana. Sadyojaata is Shiva realized in his basic reality (as in the element earth, in the sense of smell, in the power of procreation and in the mind). "Eesaana" is Shiva invisible to the human eye. The Vishnudharmottara Purana of the 6th century BC assigns a face and an element to each of the above mantras (Sadyojaata - earth, Vaamadeva - water, Aghora - fire, Tatpurusha - air and Eesaana - space).
The names of the deified faces with their elements are Mahadeva (earth), Uma (water), Bhairava (fire), Nandi (air) and Sadasiva (space).
In Shiva temples, Parvati, Navagraha (9 planets), Ganesh, Skanda, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Brahma, Ashtathig balar, Durga, Bhairava, and all the other Hindu Gods will have the place, denoting that Shiva is unique among the gods, so that only He is in a shapeless form (i.e. in linga form).
In most of the South Indian temples, we can see all the five forms in a Shiva temple. All the five characteristics in a single face is said to be Sadashiva.
Shiva is not limited to the personal characteristics as He is given in many images and can transcend all attributes. Hence, Shiva is often worshipped in an abstract manner, as God without form, in the form of linga. This view is similar in some ways to the view of God in Semitic religions. Hindus believe that God can transcend all personal characteristics and yet have personal characteristics for the grace of the embodied human devotee. Personal characteristics are a way for the devotee to focus on God. Shiva is also described as Anaadi (without beginning/birth) and Ananta (without end/death).
The tale about Shiva splitting into two halves of male and female indicates the origin of the Ardhanarishvara - the union of spirit and material, the Being and his Shakti (force). He is also above Spirit and Material.
The nirakara and nirvikara (formless) aspect of Siva is also said to be the controller of human desires and represents the 'yogi', one who has gone above the mundane aspects of worldly comforts. He is said to eradicate Kama (sexual desire), Moha (material desire) and Maya (mundane thoughts) from his devotees' minds. Some theories even put forth the belief that the 'linga', the form of his worship, is the representation of the male sexual organ and represents abstinence from sex and all thoughts relating to it, the mark of a true yogi.
According to a school of Kashmir Shaivism entitled Spanda, Siva is the transcendent aspect of the Divine, being beyond any mental representation. Anything we could imagine about Siva is not Siva, because Siva cannot be defined, cannot be thought, cannot be evoked.
Shiva: Supreme God
The Good Lord Shiva is the supreme God of Shaivism, one of the four main branches of Hinduism practiced in India today (the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Smartism).
His holy Vahana (Sanskrit for vehicle) is Nandi, the Bull. His attendant is named Bhadra. Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga. In images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation.
The Good Lord Shiva is said to be the God of all and worshipped by all, from Devas (gods) such as Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, by Asuras(demons) like Bana, Ravana, by humans like Adi Shankara, Nayanars, by creatures such as Jatayu, an eagle, Vali, an ape, and the list goes on and on. Furthermore, people of different backgrounds and qualities worship the Good Lord with many temples having histories of even cranes, bees, elephants, (see Kalahasti), spiders, snakes, worshipping Shiva and getting blessed. It concludes that the Good Lord blesses anyone who worships him with sincere devotion as there is no discrimination based on the seeker. Although Lord Shiva loves his devotees equally as he does not ignore the tapasya of rakshasas, asuras or anybody, even those with bad intentions. He always finds ways to protect dharma and not allow evil to triumph over good.
Major deities, rishis, planets, worshipped Shiva and established Shivalingas in various places.
1. Pashupatinath Lord of all living beings, located at Kathmandu, Nepal.
2. Somnath located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.
3. Dwarka in Gujarat is home to the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple.
4. Mahakal, Ujjain (or Avanti) in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple.
5. Srisailam - Srisailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple architecturally and sculpturally rich.
6. Bhimashankar, in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra, contains a Jyotirlinga shrine associated with Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura.
7. Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh is an island in the Narmada river, home to a Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple.
8. Sivadol, Sibsagar, Assam
9. Sukreswar Temple located on Sukreswar hill in Guwahati on the southern bank of Brahmaputra, with the ghat leading down to the river.
10. Uma Nanda Temple located on the Peacock island in middle of River Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Assam
11. Mahabhairav Temple, Tezpur, Assam
12. Rangnath Dol, Joysagar, Assam
13. Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is the northernmost of the Jyotirlingas.
14. Varanasi (Benares) in Uttar Pradesh is home to the Vishwanath Jyotirling temple.
15. Trimbakeshwar, near Nashik in Maharashtra, has a Jyotirlinga shrine located associated with the origin of the Godavari river.
16. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine, in Maharashtra, is located near the rock-cut temples of Ellora.
17. Deoghar, in the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand, is home to the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga temple.
18. Ganesh worshipped Shiva at Pillayar patti (100 km from Madurai, India)
19. The four Vedas worshipped Shiva at Thirumaraikaadu (i.e., Vedaaranyam near Tanjore)
20. Skanda worshipped Shiva at Thiruchendur (200 km from Madurai, India)
21. Rama (avatar of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva in Rameswaram(India)
22. Vishnu worshipped Shiva atKanchipuram (Kachiswarar Temple)
23. Parasurama (avatar of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva at Srisailam, Karnataka and also at Chennai (Parasurama at Lingeshwara Temple, Iyanavaram)
24. Goddess Lakshmi (wife of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva at Tirupachethi (50 km from Madurai).
25. Surya worshipped Shiva at Srivilliputhur (Vaidhyanathaar Temple 100 km from Madurai)
26. Brahma and Vishnu at Tiruvannamalai (180 km from Chennai)
27. Brahma at Vrinchipuram (155 km from Chennai, 15 km from Vellore)
28. Raagu and Kethu at Kaalahasthi (50 km from Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India)
29. Indra at Madurai (Soma Sundareeswar Temple)
30. The Rishi Agastya at Papanasam (100 km from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India)
31. Goddess Parvati at Kancheepuram (Ekambeeswarar Temple, 70 km from Chennai, India)
32. Shani at Thirnallar (near Kaaraikal, Pondicherry)
33. Moongod at Thingalur (near Tanjore)
34. Shiva and Sani at Thirvidaimaruthoor (near Kumbakonam)
35. Brahma at Kumbakoonam (Kumbeeswarar, near Tanjore)
36. Ujjain Jyotirlinga shrine, in Madhya Pradesh.
37. Lord Shiva at Trilochan , is famous with name of Trilochan Mhadev Temple , 30 km from varanasi , india
38. Manjunatha-Lord of mist at Dharmasthala this one famous pilgrim of Dakshina Kannada,Karnataka.
39. Nanjundeshwara -One who has gulped nanju-pain or Halahala in his throat or SriKanteshwara at Nanjangud near Mysore,Karnataka
40. AtmaLinga at Gokarna ,Karnataka.
41. Panchalingeshwara-5 Linga all of which is covered with sand but opens up at specific dates at Talakad ,Karnataka.
42. Shivagange-Believed to be patalaGanga flowing by rishi Agastya worship. Bengalooru,Karnataka.
43. Murudeshwara in Uttara Kannada,Karnataka.
44. Kudalasangama in Basavakalyana,Karnataka.
45. Thirupattur in Trichy,TamilNadu, worshipped by sages Pathanjali and Vyagrapadha.
Shiva's consort is Devi, God's energy or the Divine Mother who comes in many different forms, one of whom is Kali, Adi Shakti. Parvati, a more pacific form of Devi is also popular. Sati is another form of Devi who is the daughter of Daksha, who forbade the union with Lord Shiva. Sati disobeyed her father. Daksha once held a Yajna, but did not invite the Lord. In disgust, Sati self-immolated through yogic meditation (or, in another version, in the same fire Daksha used in his sacrifice) which awoke Lord Shiva from deep meditation.
Different versions of what happened afterwards follow. It is reported that Lord Shiva in his anger, began the cosmic dance of death, Rudra tandav which threatened to destroy the world. Worried, the Gods and priests attending the Yajna decided to scatter Sati's ashes over Lord Shiva which calmed him and in deep anguish over the loss of his wife, he went back into meditation.
Another version of the story says that upon learning of Sati's death, the Lord tore off a lock of his hair and lashed it against the ground. The stalk split in two, one half transforming into the terrifying gana Virabhadra, while the other caused Mahakali to manifest on the scene. The Supreme Lord ordered the pair immediately to annihilate Daksha's Yajna. They destroyed the Yajna as commanded by the Lord. Daksha was decapitated by Virabhadra.
Then, Shiva is said to have carried the body of Sati with him and wandered around aimlessly forgetting all the cosmic duties. When the devas pleaded Lord Vishnu, he used his discus(Chakra) to cut the body into 18 pieces which fell to the earth.The places are now known as the Shakthipeeths and form very sacred places of worship.
Sati was later reborn in the house of Himavat (Himalaya mountain-range personified) and performed great penance (Skt: Tapasya) to win over Shiva's attention. Her penance brought Kamadeva and his consort Rati to the scene, whereupon they attempted to interrupt Shiva's meditation with Kamadeva's arrow of passion. It caused Shiva to break his Samadhi, but he was so infuriated by Kamadeva's assault that he burned the deva of passion to ashes on the spot with his glare. It was only after Rati's pleading that Shiva agreed to reincarnate Kamadeva.
Parvati would try again without Kamadeva's aid to win over Shiva, and this time, through her devotion and the persuasion of other rishis, yogis, and devas, he eventually accepted her.
Some of the puranas pertaining to the Lord also refer to Him as the Lord of Ganga, one of the major rivers of the country, who is said to have made her abode on the Lord's mane
The sons of Shiva
Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Karthikeya and Ganesha. Karthikeya is also known as Murugan in Tamil Nadu,South India and many worship Murugan in the form without an elephant head like Ganesha. He is also known as Murali. Shiva also had a son, Ayyappan or Manikanta with Mahavishnu (Mohini). It is also noteworthy that Rudra, a form of Shiva has offspring known as the Maruts who are the soldiers in Indra's army. The number of Maruts varies from two to sixty (three times sixty in RV 8.96.8.)
Attributes of Shiva
* The Third Eye: The third eye of Shiva, which is located on his forehead and is connected to the Tantra-Yoga concept of the ajna chakra, is the eye of wisdom. It is the eye that looks beyond the obvious. Thus he is known as Trinetreshwara or Triambakeshwara (The Lord with Three Eyes). The third eye of Shiva is also popularly associated with his untamed energy which destroys evil doers and sins.
* The Cobra Necklace: The whole Universe with the living and non-living beings is destroyed. Death comes to all. But the Supreme Lord is unaffected by this destruction as all the Universe dissolves into him. The cobra necklace represents Death and destruction. By wearing it around his neck the Good Lord assures everyone that Death cannot approach him as he is eternal.
* Matted hair (Jata): The flow of his matted hair represents him as the lord of wind or Vayu, who is the subtle form of breath present in all living beings. Thus it is Shiva which is the lifeline for all living being. He is Pashupatinath.
* Crescent: Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the fifth day (panchami) moon. This is placed near the fiery third eye and this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial offering, which is the representative of moon. It means that Shiva possesses the power of procreation along with the power of destruction. The moon is also a measure of time; thus the Crescent also represents his control over time. Thus Shiva is known by the names of Somasundara and Chandrashekara.
* Sacred Ganga: Ganga, the holiest of the holy rivers, flows from the matted hair of Shiva. The Good Lord allowed an outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring purifying water to human beings (See: Origin of Ganga). The flowing water is one of the five elements which compose the whole Universe and from which earth arises. Ganga also denotes fertility one of the creative aspect of Rudra.
* The Drum: The drum in the hand of Shiva is the originator of the universal word ॐ which is the source of all the languages and expression. The drum is known as "Damaru".
* The Vibhuti: Vibhuti is three lines of ashes drawn on the forehead that represents the essence of our Being, which remains after all the malas (impurities of ignorance, ego and action) and vasanas (likes and dislikes, attachments to one's body, world, worldly fame, worldly enjoyments, etc.) have been burnt in the fire of knowledge. Hence vibhuti is revered as the very form of Shiva and signifies the Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord.
* The Ashes: Shiva smears his body with cemetery ashes (Bhasma) points to the philosophy of life and death and the fact that death is the ultimate reality of life.
* Tiger skin: The tiger is the vehicle of Shakti, the goddess of power and force. Shiva is beyond and above any kind of force. He is the master of Shakti. The tiger skin that he wears symbolises victory over every force. Tigers also represent lust. Thus sitting on Tiger skin, the Good Lord indicates that he is beyond the temptations of lust.
* The Elephant & Deer Skin: Shiva also wears elephant skins. Elephants represent pride. Wearing elephant skin, the Good Lord indicates that he has conquered pride. Similarly deer represent the jumping of minds (flickering mind). Shiva wears deer skin which indicates that he has controlled the mind perfectly.
* Rudraksha: Shiva wears wrist bands of Rudraksha which are supposed to have medicinal properties.
* The Trident: The three points of the Good Lord Shiva’s Trishul symbolizes three functions of the triad – the creation, the sustenance and the destruction. The Trident, in the hand of Shiva indicates that all the three aspects are in his control. It is said that the ancient city of Kashi or modern Varanasi sits atop Shiva's Trishul.
As a weapon the trident represents the instrument of punishment to the evil doer on all the three planes – spiritual, subtle and physical.
Another interpretation of the three headed trident is its head represent the past, the present and the future. The trident in the hand of Rudra indicates his control over the present the past and the future.
Forms of Shiva
Heavenly Forms
The descendant in the line of Appaya Dikshithar-Muthuswamy Dikshithar[1] wrote in Lord Shiva's bhajan "shrI kALahastIsha shritajanAvana samIrAkAra mAm":[2]
You are the vital force of Indra, Brahma and Vishnu. You are the god of wind, Anila. You illumine ether (Akasha), earth (Bhumi), water (Salila), and fire (Agni).
Agni
The Vedas state Lord Agni is a manifestation of Lord Rudra. The Shivalinga is said to be a pillar of fire and in the Indus Valley it was indeed used as a fire altar.[citation needed] Also, one of Lord Shiva's thousand names is Tanunpat meaning "fire god."[citation needed]
Lord Shiva is further known as Lohita meaning 'red' and Lord Agni is too depicted red.[3] Lord Agni is said to be a bull[4] and Lord Shiva possesses a bull as his vehicle, Nandi.
He, like Lord Shiva (and Kali/Durga) is symbolized with the symbol of a torch.[5]
In one legend, the sage Agastya, who is known to Hindus to be a Shaiva is an avatar of Agni.[1]
The Agni Purana is a Shaivite text. Lord Agni is also important in Tantric Yoga like Lord Shiva.[6]
Furthermore, Lord Shiva's son Murugan is also associated with Agni and Agni's vehicle. Murugan is said in sometime to be a child of Agni and of Swaha, a daughter of Daksha.[7]
Indra
By many scholars such as Dr. David Frawley[2] write that the King of Gods, Lord Indra is a manifestation of Lord Shiva.[8] In the Rig veda, Lord Indra calls Himself Shiva many times (2:20:3, 6:45:17, 8:93:3.) Further the Kauravas' symbol was the lingam. Both are outsider gods associated with the soma plant.
Like Lord Agni, Lord Indra is said to be a bull and Lord Shiva of course possesses a bull (Nandi) as his vehicle. Lord Shiva and Lord Indra share many names such as Puruhut meaning "Lord of the Purus." Initially the Purus worshipped Lord Indra. However the symbol of their tribe was the Shivlingam.[citations needed] Lord Indra is also connected with tiger skin (e.g. in RV 5:4:1:11), which is what Lord Shiva meditates sitting on.[9]
Bhairava
Bhairava is another form of Lord Shiva similar to Durga's Kali. While Shiva and Eswara are the names He achieved for His sustaining and peaceful form. Bhairava is the name He achieved when He changed into the annihilation mood.
Ardhanarishvara
This form means "half Shiva and half Parvati."[10]
Lingam
Because Lord Shiva is a yogi who denies His body, He is worshipped by many in the form of the Shivalinga.
Eklingji
Eklingji is a form of Shiva worshipped mostly in the town of Eklingji near Udaipur, Rajasthan. He is regarded as the savior of the Maharajas of Mewar.
Agama Hindu Dharma
See also: Hinduism in Indonesia
In Indonesia, Lord Shiva is also worshipped in other forms such as "Batara Guru" and "Maharaja Dewa" (Mahadeva) are closely identified with the Sun in local forms of Hinduism or Kebatinan, and even in the genie lore of Muslims.
Earthly Forms
Hanuman
It is said in the Hanuman Chalisa and Shiva Mahapurana that Shri Hanuman is an incarnation of Shiva, and he is eleventh avatar of Rudra.
Adi Shankara
The 8th-century philosopher of the Vedanta darshana of Hinduism united the Astika Vedics under Vedanta against the Nastik Buddhists and taught them the Vedanta and Brahman. Adi Shankara believed in the Nirguna Brahman and was himself a worshipper of Shiva. He was named "Shankara" after Lord Shiva.
Agastya
The Vedic Rishi Agastya is proposed by some to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The Rishi is said to have initiated Shiva-worship by the South Indians. He was also the teacher of Vindhyanchal.
Appayya Dikshitar
Born in South India and was a Vedantic philosopher like Adi Shankara.[11]
Shuka
Shuka (or Shukdevji) is the son of the great guru and avatar of Sri Vishnu, Veda Vyasa. He stayed inside mother's womb for sixteen years. He was the first one to say Bhagavata Purana to the great Raja Parikshita in last seven remaining days of king's life. Thus the king attained self-realization.
Origin theories
The neutrality of this article is disputed.
The Good Lord Shiva in the Vedic hymns appears as the name of a Rudra. It is said that "Siva" comes from Sanskrit "Si" meaning good and auspicious. One of his synonyms, however, is the name of a Vedic deity, the attributes and nature of which show a good deal of similarity to the Vedic Rudra. Rudra, the god of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed in accordance with the element he represents as a fierce, destructive deity whose fearful arrows cause death and disease to men and cattle. He is also called "Kapardin" (wearing his hair spirally braided like a shell), one of the synonyms of Shiva. The Atharva Veda mentions several other names of the same god, some of which appear even placed together, as in one passage where Bhava, Sarva, Rudra and Pasupati are conjunct. Some were possibly the names under which the same deity was already worshipped in different parts of Northern India. This was certainly the case in later times, since it is expressly stated in one of the later works of the Brahmana period that Sarva was used by the Eastern people and Bhava by a Western tribe. It is also worthy of note that in the same work, composed at a time when the Vedic triad of Agni, Indra-Vayu and Surya was still recognized, attempts are made to identify the Shiva of many names with Agni; and that in one passage in the Mahabharata it is stated that the Brahmins said that Agni was Shiva.
The Vedic Rudra/Shiva was frequently invoked as the lord of nourishment, to bestow food, wealth and other blessings. With the divine Soma, he was called the progenitor of heaven and earth, and is connected with the marriage ceremony, where he is asked to lead the bride to the bridegroom and make her prosperous (Skt: Civatama). Additionally, he has the epithet Kapardin, as has Rudra and the later Shiva, and is called Par Upa, or guardian of cattle, whence the latter derives his name Parupati. Parupa is a powerful and even fierce deity, who with his goad or golden spear, smites the foes of his worshipper, and thus in this respect offers some similarity to Rudra, which may have favored the fusion of the two gods into a monotheistic conception of God as Shiva.
There is however, the matter of the Pashupati (Lord of the Beasts) emblem on a seal discovered in Mohenjodaro, a major city-state in the Indus Valley Civilization. It puts forward a strong case for Shiva to be a God not of Indo-Aryan roots, but rooted in the people of the Indus valley, and the indigenous Dravidian and tribal peoples who inhabited the subcontinent. Shiva occupies an exalted, supreme position in Hinduism, making the case that Hinduism is not an Aryan religion, but a synthesis of Aryan, Dravidian and other influences.
Also see: Jyotirlinga
Names of Shiva
1. Mahabharata: This Shiva Sahasranama was narrated by the Lord Brahma and is repeated in the Mahabharata. 2. Linga Purana: This Shiva Sahasranama was narrated by the Lord Vishnu in the Linga Purana. 3. Rudrayamala: This Shiva Sahasranama was narrated by Lord Shiva himself to his son Skanda.
Some of the common names of Lord Shiva are,
* Mahādeva (Sanskrit महादेव) - The Supreme Lord : Maha = great, Deva = God - more often than not, the Aghora (fierce) version
* Rudra (Sanskrit रुद्र) - The one who howls or strict and uncompromising
* Maheshwara (Sanskrit महेश्वर) - The Supreme Lord: Maha = great, Eshwar = God
* Pashupatinātha (Sanskrit पशूपतीनाथ) - Lord of all Creatures or Pashupati
* Mahākala (Sanskrit महाकाल) - Great Time, i.e. Conqueror of Time: Maha = three, Kala = Time
* Shankara (Sanskrit शङ्कर) - Giver of Joy
* Shambhu (Sanskrit शम्भु) - Abode of Joy
* Tripurāntaka (Sanskrit त्रिपुरान्तक) - The destroyer of the triplet fortresses, Tripura, of the Asuras.
* Mahābaleshwara (Sanskrit महाबलेश्वर) - God of Great Strength : Maha = great, Bal = strength, Eshwar = God
* Mallikarjuna
* Malleswara
* Hara
* Bhairava (Sanskrit भैरव) - The Frightful One
* Rameshwara (Sanskrit रमेश्वर) - The one whom Ram worships: Ram, Eshwar = worships, God; Ram's God
* Mahāyogi (Sanskrit महायोगी)- The Supreme Yogi: Maha = great, Yogi = one who practices Yoga
* Trinetra (Sanskrit त्रिनेत्र) - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Netra = Eye
* Triaksha (Sanskrit त्रिअक्ष) - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Aksha = Eye
* Trinayana (Sanskrit त्रिनयन) - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Nayana = Eye
* Tryambakam (Sanskrit त्र्यम्बकम्) - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Ambakam = Eye
* Neelakaṇtha (Sanskrit नीलकण्ठ) - The one with a Blue Throat: Neel = blue, Kantha = throat
* Digambara (Sanskrit दिगम्बर) - One who has the skies as his clothes, i.e. The Naked One: Dik = Clothes, Ambara = Sky
* Vyomkesha (Sanskrit व्योमकेश) - The One who has the sky as his hair: Vyom = sky, Kesha =hair
* Chandrashekhara (Sanskrit चन्द्रशेखर) - The master of the Moon: Chandra = Moon, Shekhara = master
* Siddheshwara (Sanskrit सिद्धेश्वर) - The Perfect Lord
* Trishuldhari (Sanskrit त्रिशूलधारी) - He who holds the divine Trishul or Trident: Trishul = Trident, Dhari = He who holds
* Dakhshiṇāmurthi (Sanskrit दक्षिणामूर्ति) - The Cosmic Tutor
* Kailashpati (Sanskrit कैल1शपति) - Lord of Mount Kailash
* Kailashnath - Lord of Mount Kailash
* Umāpati (Sanskrit उमापति) or Umashankar,umesh,umakanth,umanath - The husband of Uma
* Gangādhara (Sanskrit गङ्गाधर) - He who holds the river Ganga
* Sabesan (Sanskrit सबेसन्) - Lord who dances in the dais
* Nāgaraja (Sanskrit नागराज) - King of snakes (Lord/Ruler/Controller of snakes)
* Ekambaranatha (Sanskrit एकम्बरनाथ) - The destroyer of evil (name used scarcely, mostly in temples)
* Ashutosh (Sanskrit आशूतोष)
* Naresh (Sanskrit नरेश)- One who purifies everyone by the utterance of His name(Lord of Man/King)
References
1. ^ The God Agni Becomes Agasthya
2. ^ Elst, Koenraad (1999). Update on the Aryan Invasion Debate. Aditya Prakashan. ISBN 81-86471-77-4. ; Frawley, David: Gods, Sages and Kings, 1991. Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, p.224-225 and Frawley, David: Arise Arjuna, p.170-181
Further reading
* Shiva Puja Beginner, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, 2001. (ISBN 1-877-79527-5)
* Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, 1998. (ISBN 1-887472-62-2)
* "Rudrastadhyayi", Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir (ISBN 1877795-53-4 )
* Poems for Siva, Illustrated with masterpieces of Hindu art. (ISBN 978-90-811564-2-4), by Peter de Bruijn, Rotterdam 2007, For more info also click here [12]
Comment! (0) | Recommend! | Categories: Religion [t]
Sunday. 3.25.07 10:59 pm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about a socio-ethnic group of South Asia.
Sindhis
Total population
41.5 million
Regions with significant populations
Pakistan:
39,842,000 [1]
India:
4,890,000 [2]
Languages
Sindhi
Religions
Islam (Sufi majority 48%, Sunni Deobandi / Wahhabis 15%, Shia 18%, Hinduism
15%, Christianity 2%, smaller groups of atheists and agnostics
Related ethnic groups
• Indo-Aryans
• Khojas
• Memons
• Gujaratis
• Punjabis
• Seraikis
• Muhajir Urdu
• Kutchis / Kachhis
• Tharis
• Sindhi Baloch
• Bengalis
Sindhis (सिन्धी, سنڌي) are an Indo-Aryan language speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating in Sindh which is part of present day Pakistan. Sindhis that live in Pakistan are predominantly Muslim, while many Sindhi Hindus emigrated to India when British India was divided in 1947. The Sindhi is an Indo-Aryan tongue with an eclectic history not unlike the Sindhis themselves.
History
The original inhabitants of ancient Sindh, as other regions of Pakistan, were believed to be aboriginal tribes speaking languages related to Munda languages. Then Dravidian speaking nomads are supposed to have invaded from the Iranian plateau and settled in the Indus valley around 4000 BC. The Dravidian culture blossomed over the centuries and gave rise to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India (now in present-day Pakistan) around 3000 BC. The Indus Valley Civilization spanned much of what is today Pakistan, but suddenly went into decline just prior to the arrival of tribes from Eastern Europe. The ancient civilization of what came to be known as Harappa and Mohenjodaro both derive their modern location names from the Sindhi language as opposed to the Elamo-Dravidian language of the Indus Valley Civilization which remains undeciphered. In Sindhi, Mooanjo-daro literally translates to "Mound of Dead." A branch of these Aryan invadors called the Indo-Aryans are believed to have founded the Vedic Civilization that have existed between Sarasvati River and Ganges river around 1500 BC and also influenced Indus Valley Civilization. This civilization helped shape subsequent cultures in South Asia.
The Sindhi language evolved from the Indo-European languages of the invaders and a distinct culture emerged in the region. Over time, Sindh developed a multi-cultural society composed of mainly Buddhists, Hindus, and other smaller religious and cultural groups. Sindh was often the final stop for Middle Eastern and Central Asian empires such as the Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Turks and Afghans this gave Sindh a distinct and unique culture even before the arrival of Islam. The site of a great deal of historical activity, Sindh was at the crossroads of civilization sitting at the edge of South Asia. Sindh was also one of the regions to become predominantly Muslim and was part of the earliest Islamic empires of the Abbasids and Umayyids. The Muslim technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to Islamic Sultanate in Sindh. The Muslim Sufi missionaries played a pivotal role in converting the millions of native people to Islam. Settled by Turks, Afghans, and Mughals, Sindh continued to evolve as a frontier state and by the time of British involvement was ruled by Balochi kings. In 1947, during the independence from British empire, the majority of Sindhis voted to join the new state of Pakistan. This led to a population exchange as well as communal violence as most Hindu Sindhis left for India and were replaced by Urdu-speaking Muslims known as Muhajir. Currently, over 1.5 million Hindu Sindhis reside in Sindh.
Today, many Sindhi tribes inhabit the region of Sindh and parts of India. These tribes include the Khaskhli- a tribe found predominantly in Larkana, ShahdadKot, and Tando Adam- the Dahar, Qasmi, Qureshi, Channa, Jukhio, Bundh, Tunio, Mangrio, Bohar, Jhatial, Thebo, Abbasi, Mangi, Qazi, Mahar, Sindhi Memon, Odho, Lunghar, Narejo, Sailra, Hakro,Banbhan and Syial among many others.[3] Many of these tribes have resided in the region for generations.
Culture and society
A pair of Sindhi ceremonial shoes, c. 1930.
A pair of Sindhi ceremonial shoes, c. 1930.
Sindhis are an Indo-Aryan language speaking people who have been modified by mainly Iranian, Turkic, Afghan and indigenous tribal populations over time. As a result of their geographic location and countless invasions and migration, the Sindhis display a wide variety of phenotypes.
As regards the composition of the Sindhi population the two main stocks that inhabit Sind are related to, and common, one with the Punjab and another with Balochistan. The majority stock is that of Rajputs and Jats who are the partial descendants of Sakas (Indo-Scythians, Kushans and Huns who also constitute the majority of the population of the Punjab. The title Huna, i.e. Huns, remains in use by some clans and is possibly a reference to this partial ancestral lineage. During Kalhora rule a number of Jat tribes such as the Sials, Joyas and Khawars came from the Punjab and settled in Sindh. They are called Sirai i.e., people from the north, and speak Siraiki, a group that overlaps and is sometimes considerable transitional between the Punjabis and Sindhis.
The two main Rajput tribes of Sind are: the Samma, a branch of the Yadav Rajputs who inhabit the eastern and lower Sind and Bahawalpur; and the Sumra who, according to the 1907 edition of the Gazetteer are a branch of the Parwar Rajputs. Among others are the Mahar/Mahers, Bhuttos, Bhattis, Buriros, Lakkha, Sahetas, Lohanas, Mohano, Dahar, Indhar, Chachar, Dhareja, Rathors, Dakhan, Langah etc. The Mohano tribe is spread over Makran, Sind and southern Punjab. They are also identified with the 'Mallah' of the Punjab and both have in common a sub-section called Manjari. All of these Sindhi tribes are known under the common nomenclature of Sammat and includes both Muslim and Hindu Sindhis. there are kartia tribe also living in larkana shikarpur and dadu district it is the sub cost of junejo The smaller stock is that of Balochi tribes settled in various parts of Sind mostly during the last five hundred years or so. Since they were martial people and ruled over Sindh for some time before the arrival of the British, they acquired vast lands in the province with the result that a large number of present-day Sindhi landlords are of Baloch origin. According to the 1941 census, which was the last one held before independence, Balochis formed 23% of the total Muslim population of Sindh. Among the Balochi tribes inhabiting Sind are the Rind, Mengal, Domki, Gabol, Leghari, Lashari, Chandio, Bizenjo, Jatoi, Buledi, Khosa, Jamali, Umrani, Bugti, Marri, Mazari, Talpur, Brohi, Zehri, Korai, Bozdar, Zardari, and Magsi. These tribes are spread over Balochistan, Sindh and the south-western districts of the Punjab. This group is almost entirely Muslim.
A third sub-stock of the Sindhi population comprises the partial descendants (or claimants) of Muslim conquerors, administrators and missionaries who were mainly Arabs, Persians, Afghans and Turks (including the Mughals). They are a small minority settled in cities and towns and have largely blended with the other components of the population and yet maintain something of a sub-culture and are often referred to as Ashraf or the noble descendants of Muslim immigrants with a certain degree of prestige in society. Of this third element, Muslim Arabs have possibly contributed the most to the development of the modern Sindhi language and literature and to the advancement of its intellectual and cultural activities.
Another group of people who are largely overlooked in any discussions about groups and culture of Sindh are Haris a name derived from the term Harijan formerly used to describe Dalit people of India. These people are generally believed to be the descendants of indigenous populations that were enslaved by various invading people. Many are still living under abject poverty and in slave like conditions in rural Sindh, in spite of many efforts by the government to improve the situation.[4] Some are nominally Hindus where as others have converted to Islam and moved on as artisans and wage laborers. They form up to 24% of Muslim population and up to 60% of population of districts of Umerkot, Thatta, Badin, Dadu etc.
The last group of immigrants are the Urdu speaking Muhajirs who may form up to 40% of population of Sindh.
Many famous Sindhis who born in Sindh and claimed International Recognition in their fields can be found at Famous Sindhis.
The Islamic Sindhi culture is a combination of Islamic traditions and local traditions with variances that include an adherence to a Muslim diet, i.e. Halal. Sindhi culture also absorbed considerable Arab cultural influence as well as that of the Iranian Baloch who still comprise a significant minority that have assimilated well with the Sindhis. Sindh is home to the Hindus who have remained in Pakistan as well as other religious groups such as Parsis. Muslim Sindhis tend to follow the Sunni sect, but Shia Muslims are a substantial minority.
Sindhi women in Pakistan are still very traditional overall, but many wear very colorful clothes, while donning a chador on their heads; men traditionally wear white and/or blue Shalwar Kameez and sometimes wear turbans or a traditional Sindhi cap on their heads with Sindhi Ajruk. This, however, has changed in cities where some more devout women can be seen wearing the hijab, while the shalwar kameez and Western clothing have become common for men. Sari used to be popular amongst the ladies of the elite like the Bhutto but has now lost favor to shalwar Kameez.
Sindhis usually flourish in business particularly that of cloth and textiles. Many also work in agriculture and manufacturing jobs. Literacy remains low but is improving for Sindhis. Less than 50% of Sindhis are illiterate, in Pakistan.
Muslim Sindhis tend to have traditional Muslim names, but sometimes with localized variations, while most Hindu Sindhis are identifiable by the "ani" at the end their last names like Hirani, Bharwani, Motiani, Chellani, Sukhani, etc. However, many Sindhi tribes' (even those with Balouchi orientation) names end with "ani" regardless whether they are Muslim or Hindu. Examples include the Umrani, Chutani, Dalkhani, Raisani, Advani, Gowindani, Sanjrani, Nazamani, Mirani, Admani among others. Some famous Sindhis include the Bhutto family, who are a Sindhi political dynasty in Pakistan, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai who was a writer of Sindhi poetry, the billionaires Hinduja brothers of India & L.K.Advani who was the deputy Prime Minister of India & is a big political figure in the country.
References
1. ^ Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan - Population by Mother Tongue
2. ^ Ethnologue report for India
3. ^ Shri Sindhi Samaj
4. ^ Dawn: Detention of haris: SC admits plea
Sindhi women in Pakistan are still very traditional overall, but many wear very colorful clothes, while donning a chador on their heads; men traditionally wear white and/or blue Shalwar Kameez and sometimes wear turbans or a traditional Sindhi cap on their heads with Sindhi ajruk
The word sjruk is not the correct spelling. It should be spelled as Ajrak. One of the refences are at web site"http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~makhdoom/ajrak2.html"
External links
* Sindhi Sangat - The most known Sindhi Organization in India & Dubai
* http://www.YoungSindhiAdults.org A Hindu Sindhi Website / Discussion Forum (NRI Sindhis, mostly from USA, get a preferential treatment on this forum, as compared to their Indian counterparts)
* http://www.beyondsindh.com/home.php A youth Hindu Sindhi magazine website
* http://www.sindhiana.com Sindhi Literary Magazine
* http://bharatratna.com/ A Hindu Sindhi magazine website
* http://www.sindhi-net.com/ A Hindu Sindhi website
* http://nrip.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!3F083E266B4A4913!124.entry -A Blog Entry, listing an essay by Aileen Worth on Sindhis. If someone ever finds the original, please remove this link and place the one to the original
* http://www.gujaratsindhudham.org -Dariyalal Jhulelal Temple, A Heritage Monument at Gandhinagar, India dedicated to Sindhi Culture, Events, Indus Civilisation and Hindu Sindhi People
Comment! (0) | Recommend! | Categories: History [t]
Sunday. 3.25.07 7:20 am
Here's a little history on our patron saint. A little way to get to know more about my group of people...
Jhulelal (Sindhi झुलॆलाल्) is the Lord of Sindhis. Jeko chavando Jhulelal,Tanhija thenda bera paar,Aayo Laal Jhulelal. The sacred mantra has the same relevance for the Sindhis as that of Gayatri Mantra for Hindus and Bismillah Ir Rehman Ir Raheem for the Muslims.
Faith has established Jhulelal as the Asht Dev (Sanskrit: इश्टदॆव Ishtadeva) (community God) of Sindhis. His Birthday Cheti Chand second date of the Chaitra month, is auspicious for Sindhis and is celebrated the world over with traditional pomp and gaiety.
Sindh is a province/state. Its not a religion therefore, its not like Bismillah for the Muslims, majority of the population in Sindh is Muslim and thus conflicting interests do not exist. a 'peer' is a respected man whom people go to for advice.
[edit] History
Various Names of Sindhi God Jhulelal http://www.thesindhuworld.com Inormation about "Chaliho" the fast of forty days http://www.thesindhuworld.com/sp_chaliho.htm
The following content has been copied from http://www.jhulelal.com/story.html
The legend of Jhulelal, the river deity, has its historical or semi-historical beginnings in Sind, an erstwhile province of united India and now a state of Pakistan. During the days of Sapt-Sindhu (land of seven rivers), the mainstream Sindhu and its tributaries were considered life-givers to the people who lived on its banks and drew sustenance from its waters. It was precisely the lure of plentiful water that brought invading hordes of Islamic rulers from the neighbouring Arabian Kingdoms to Sind and India. Having conquered Sind and its adjoining territories, they spread Islam at the point of the sword. In the 10th century A.D. Sind came under the rule of Samras. The Samras being converts from Hinduism to Islam were neither bigots nor fanatics. However, there was no exception in the Sumra region. Being far away from its capital, Thatta maintained its separate identity and influence. Its ruler Mirkshah was not only a tyrant but also a religious fanatic. And as in the wont of many a tyrant, Mirkshah too was surrounded by sycophants. These friends advised him one day: "Spread Islam and you will be granted jannat or eternal bliss after death."
Swayed by the promise, Mirkshah summoned the panchs (representatives) of the Hindus and ordered them : "Embrace Islam or prepare to die". The terrified Hindus begged Mirkshah for time to consider the shahi firman or royal edict. The pompous Mirkshah relented and agreed to give the desperate Hindus forty days to plead with their God.
Faced with imminent death, the Hindus turned to Lord Varuna, the Lord of the River, to come to their aid. For forty days, they underwent penance. They neither shaved nor wore new clothes, praying and fasting and singing songs in the praise of Lord Varuna. They beseeched him to deliver them from the hands of their persecutor.
On the fortieth day, a voice was heard from Heaven: "Fear not, I shall save you from the wicked Mirkshah. I shall come down as a mortal and take birth in the womb of Mata Devki in the house of Ratanchand Lohano of Nasarpur". After forty days of chaliho, the followers of Jhulelal even today celebrate the occasion with festivity as Thanksgiving Day.
The oppressed Hindus now anxiously awaited the birth of their deliverer. After three months, the second tithi of Asu month, they got confirmation of the news that Mata Devki has indeed conceived. The River God has incarnated himself in her womb. The Hindus rejoiced and praised the Lord.
On Cheti Chand, two tithis from the new moon of Chaitra, Mata Devki gave birth to a boony boy, a miracle hailed the child's birth. The baby opened his mouth and behold! there flowed the Sindhu with an old man sitting cross-legged on a pala fish. The pala fish as everyone knows is a fish which always swims against the current.
To welcome the newborn avatar, unseasonal clouds gathered and brought down torrential rains. The child was named Udaichand (Uday in Sanskrit means moon-beams). Udaichand was to be the light in the darkness. An astrologer who saw the child predicted that he would grow up to be a great warrior and his fame would outlive the child. Udaichand was also called Uderolal (Udero in Sanskrit means 'one who has sprung from water'). Inhabitants of Nasarpur lovingly called the child Amarlal (immortal) child. The cradle where little Udero rested began to sway to and fro on its own. It is because of this that Uderolal became popularly known as Jhulelal or the swinging child. Soon after the child's birth Mata Devki died. A little later Ratanchand remarried.
News of the birth of the mysterious child reached Mirkshah who once again summoned the Panchs and repeated his royal threat. Hindus, now quite confident that their saviour had arrived, implored him for some more time informing him that their saviours was none other than the water god himself. Mirkshah scoffed at the very idea of a child saving the Hindus. "Neither am I going to die nor are you, people going to leave this land alive", he jeered. "I shall wait. When your saviour embraces Islam, I am sure you will also follow suit." With this remark, the haughty Mirkshah threw a challenge to his Hindu subjects.
The maulvis pressed Mirkshah hard not to let the Hindus of the hook. But the very thought of the child proving more than a match for him amused the conceited ruler. He therefore told the maulvis to wait and watch. As a token precaution, he asked one of his ministers Ahirio, to go to Nasarpur to see things first hand, Ahirio did not want to take any chances. So he took along a rose dipped in deadly poison.
At the very first glimpse of the child, Ahirio was astonished. He had never seen a child so dazzling or more charming. He hesitated, then mustering courage proferred the rose to the child. The child gave a meaningful smile while accepting the rose. He then blew away the flower with a single breath. The flower fell at Ahirio's feet. Ahirio watched stupefied as the babe changed into an old man with a long beard. All of a sudden the old man turned into a lad of sixteen. And then he saw Uderolal on horseback with a blazing sword in his hand. There were row upon row warriors behind him. A cold shiver ran down Ahirio's spine and he bowed his head in reverence. "Have mercy on me Sindhu Lord", he prayed "I am convinced".
On his return Ahirio narrated the miraculous happening to Mirkshah. But Mirkshah was not convinced. He hardened his heart even more. "How can a little baby turn into an old man?", he mocked. "It looks like you have been fooled by simple magic." But in his heart, Mirkshah was afraid. That night he dreamt a dreadful dream. A child was sitting on his neck. The vision changed to an old man with a flowing beard. And again to a warrior with a drawn sword confronting Mirkshah on the battlefield. Next morning Mirkshah called for Ahirio and gave him orders to counter the threat posed by the child. Ahirio, however, advised Mirkshah not to rush matters.
Meanwhile, the child Uderolal grew in stature and spirit performing miracles and comforting the sick. Residents of Nasarpur were fully convinced that God had come to save them. Uderolal also received the Gur Mantar of Alakh Niranjan from Goraknath.
To earn money for the family, Udero's step-mother would send him to the market to sell baked beans, Instead of going to the market, Uderolal would go to the banks of the Sindhu. There he would distribute half of the beans among beggars, the poor and the sadhus. The other half, he would offer to the Sindhu. He would them spend the rest of the speaking to little children and the elderly about spiritual wealth. In the evening when it was time to go home, Udero would fish out from the river a container full of fine quality rice. This he would take home and give it to his step mother.
Growing suspicious about her step son's behaviour, the step mother one day dispatched Ratanchand to follow him. When Ratanchand witnessed the miracle, he bowed to Uderolal from a distance and accepted him as the Saviour.
Mirkshah on the other hand was being pressurised by the Maulvis to bring Hindu infidels into the fold of Islam. They gave him the ultimatum. "Order the Hindus to convert or be branded as associate of kafirs." Fearing the wrath of the clerics, Mirkshah decided to meet Uderolal face to face. He asked Ahirio to arrange for a private meeting with Udero.
Ahirio who had in the meantime become a devotee of Daryashah, went to the banks of the Indus and pleaded with the water god to come to his rescue. To Ahirio's amazement, he saw the same old man with a white beard floating on a pala fish. Ahirio's head bowed in adoration and he understood that Uderolal, the water god, was in fact the other form of Khwaja Khirz. Ahirio then saw Udero leap onto a horse and gallop away with a sword in one hand and a flag in the other.
Udero appeared before Mirkshah and explained to the stubborn ruler: "Whatever you see around you is the creation of only one God, whom you call 'Allah' and the Hindus call 'Ishwar'." The maulvis urged Mirkshah not to pay any heed to the infidels's talks and to arrest him. Mirkshah dithering as usual ordered his soldiers to arrest Udero.
As the officials of the court moved towards Udero, great waves of water leaped forth inundating the courtyard and crowning Mirkshah and his courtiers. Fire too broke our and the palace was consumed by the flames. All escape routes were sealed. Udero spoke again, "Mirkshah, think it over. Your God and mine are the same. Then, why did you persecute my people?"
Mirkshah was terrified and begged Udero, "My Lord, I realise my foolhardiness. Please save me and my courtiers." All at once the water receded and the fire died away. Mirkshah bowed respectfully and agreed to treat Hindus and Muslims alike. Before they dispersed, Uderolal told the Hindus to think of him as the embodiment of light and water. He also told them to build a temple in memory of transformation of Mirkshah. "Day in and out", he said "light a candle in the temple and always keep available water for daat (holy sip)".
Uderolal named his cousin, Pagad, as the first Thakur (Priest of the religious sect that believes in water god. Pagad followed Uderolal wherever he went. Uderolal gave seven sysmbolic things to Pagad. These seven from the essential elements of the Daryahi sect. Uderolal asked Pagad to continue the sacred work of building temples and spread the message.
Selecting a place near village Thijahar, Uderolal gave up his earthly form. Both Hindus and Muslims were present in the large number to witness this mysterious happening. Mirkshah's representatives were also there. No sooner Uderolal's soul left his body, they took charge and wanted to build a 'Turbat' or 'Qaba" at the site according to the dictates of Islam. The Hindus wanted to erect a 'Samadhi' according to Hindu custom. While the debate regard, heavy rains came down a voice said: "Behold! You shall make my shrine acceptable both to Hindus and Muslims. Let its one face be a temple and the other a Dargah (Shrine). I belong to all of you."
Jhulelal continues to be the unifying force and the centre of all cultural activities of the Sindhi community. The word Sindhi is derived from the river Sindhu (now in Pakistan)." When Sindhi men venture out to sea their women pray to him for their safe return. They offer the Lord prasad of akha, a sweet made from rice, ghee, sugar and flour. Sindhis all over the world greet each other with "Jhulelal Bera-Hee-Paar".
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Sunday. 3.25.07 6:50 am
Sunday. 3.25.07 3:14 am
Friday. 3.23.07 1:43 am
