Lord Shiva is shown with a crescent moon on his matted locks. There are several stories in the Puranas regarding how the crescent moon appeared on Lord Shiva’s head. The Crescent Moon on the hair also has a symbolic meaning – it represents the cyclical nature of the universe and is also the nectar of life.
There is a belief that the rays from the moon fall on earth and nourish the animals and plants on earth – thus it is the nectar of life. Thus Shiva is the Supreme Force that nourishes the earth.
Another symbolism is that the crescent moon represents the cyclical nature of the universe. The waxing and waning of the moon symbolizes the cycle through which creation evolves – birth and death. This cycle of creation and destruction is controlled by Lord Shiva – who is time, creation and destruction.
Some scholars are of the view that the crescent moon Shiva wears on his crown, is a symbol of love – the nightly love of creation and thus a fertility symbol.
In some texts the crescent moon is defined as the quickly swelling one or the eagerly growing one.
There are numerous other interpretations and each individual finds a new meaning when he/she meditates on Lord Shiva.
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The story of Crescent Moon on Lord Shiva
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6 comments:
Hello, friends.
Though there are many interpretations, know that there is only "one" perfectly logical solution. There cannot be "two". Truth is one, and perfect logic is also one. One's beliefs regarding this issue really has no bearing on the truth.
Every school of philosophy, of thought, claims logical perfection does it not? They all emphatically defend their positions, do they not? But which one is absolutely right? They all evidently cannot be. I know it to be absoute Advaita, because it does not hold allegience to anyone's thoughts, but seeks out the perfectly logical one alone.
Unfortunately, disciples tend to cling to the thoughts of their gurus not considering the accuracy of the logic in them. This is why they fall short of intellectual perfection. This is why debates and disputes arise among various religions and schools of thought. They feel that if their logic is proven inaccurate, then their guru or God is also proven false or defeated in some way, and a disciple's greatest heart ache is to see his master defeated in battle. Is this not so?
If I am wrong about anything I have said, who will be my friend and correct me? My e-mail address is: arthursanchez50@yahoo.com
@ Arthur it is true that Truth is one but there are different ways to reach the same truth. This is the greatness of Hinduism that it allows each individual to select a path.
The various interpretation that you see of the same symbol is due to this freedom. Hinduism is unique due to this one particular trait of accepting different paths to reach the truth.
Dear Arthur. I commend your hispanic background. Are you of Iberian, American Indian or African origin or are you a mix of these? With your Christian, Catholic sect upbringing your friend should be Jesus. If Jesus is not your friend then are you Christian? Through your Christian path what are you hoping to achieve? If you are not fulfilled then there are many options available to help you in your predicament.
The Iberian culture is part of a wider Latin culture. Apart from religion, The French, Italian and Spanish civilisations have had effects upon one another. They have ordered Western Europe and subsequently spread their civilisational influence throughout the world. The Catalan, Occitan and Portuguese cultures have strongly influenced the others neighbouring them i.e. the French, Spanish and Italian. This leads to ask which is preferential, Fromage, Formaggio, Queso, Formatge, or Queijo.
The Middle Eastern culture has great imput from the Arab, Persian and Turkic cultures. Apart from religion they had an effects upon one another. They have spread their civilisational influence throughout the world. The Hebrew, Kurdish and Berber cultures have strongly influenced the other neighbouring them i.e. the Arab, Persian and Turkic.
The continuous Greek civilisation has had the most influence on both the wider Latin and Middle Eastern civilisations. Its legacy is immense.
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