Shiva Chalisa in English : Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism, often referred to as the "Destroyer" or "Transformer" within the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity that includes Brahma (the Creator) and Vishnu (the Preserver). Shiva holds a significant place in Hindu mythology, philosophy, and worship.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is often depicted as an ascetic, seated in deep meditation, with ash smeared on his body, a serpent around his neck, and a trident (trishul) in his hand. He is also known for his third eye, which signifies wisdom and destruction.
॥ Doha ॥
Jai Ganesh
Girija Suvan Mangal Mul Sujan। Kahat Ayodhya Das Tum Dev Abhaya
Varadan ॥
॥ Chaupai ॥
jai girija pati dinadayala। sada karat santan pratipala ॥
bhala chandrama sohat
nike kanan। kundal nagaphani ke ॥
anga gaur shira ganga bahaye। mundamala tan chhara
lagaye ॥
vastra khala baghambar sohain
chhavi। ko dekha naga muni mohain ॥
maina matu ki havai dulari। vama anga sohat chhavi
nyari ॥
kara trishul sohat chhavi bhari karat। sada shatrun
chhayakari ॥
nandi ganesh sohain
tahan kaise। sagar madhya
kamal hain jaise
॥
kartik shyam aur ganara-u ya chhavi। ko kahi jata na kauo ॥
devan jabahi jaya pukara। tabahi dukha prabhu apa nivara ॥
kiya upadrav tarak bhari devan
sab mili। tumahi juhari ॥
turata shadanana apa pathayau। lava-ni-mesh mahan mari girayau ॥
apa jalandhara asura sanhara
suyash। tumhara vidit sansara
॥
tripurasur sana yudha machayi। sabhi kripakar
lina bachayi ॥
kiya tapahin bhagiratha bhari purva। pratigya tasu purari ॥
danin mahan
tum sama kou nahin। sevak astuti
karat sadahin ॥
veda nam mahima tab gayaee akatha। anandi bhed nahin payee ॥
pragate udadhi mantan
men jvala। jarat sura-sur bhaye vihala ॥
kinha daya tahan kari sahayee। nilakantha tab nam kahayee ॥
pujan ramchandra jab kinha। jiti ke lanka vibhishan dinhi ॥
sahas kamal men ho rahe dhari kinha। pariksha tabahin
purari ॥
ek kamal prabhu
rakheu joi। kushal-nain pujan chaha soi ॥
kathin bhakti dekhi prabhu shankar। bhaye prasanna
diye-ichchhit var ॥
jai jai jai anant avinashi। karat kripa sabake ghat vasi ॥
dushta sakal nit mohin
satavai। bhramat rahe mohin chain na avai ॥
trahi-trahi main nath pukaro। yahi avasar
mohi ana ubaro ॥
lai trishul
shatrun ko maro। sankat se mohin ana ubaro
॥
mata pita bhrata
sab hoi। sankat men puchhat nahin koi ॥
svami ek hai asha tumhari। ava harahu aba sankat
bhari ॥
dhan nirdhan ko deta
sadahin। jo koi janche so phal pahin ॥
astuti kehi vidhi karai tumhari। kshamahu nath aba chuka hamari ॥
shankar ho sankat ke nishan। vighna vinashan mangal karan ॥
yogi yati muni dhyan lagavan। sharad narad shisha navavain
॥
namo namo jai namah shivaya। sura brahmadik
par na paya ॥
jo yah patha karai man lai। tapar hota hai
shambhu sahayee ॥
riniyan jo koi ho adhikari। patha karai so pavan hari ॥
putra-hin ichchha kar koi। nischaya shiva prasad
tehin hoi ॥
pandit trayodashi ko lavai। dhyan-purvak homa karavai ॥
trayodashi vrat kare hamesha। tan nahin take rahe kalesha ॥
dhupa dipa naivedya
charhavai। anta vasa shivapur
men pavai ॥
kahai ayodhya
asha tumhari। jani sakal dukha harahu hamari
॥
॥ doha ॥
nitya nema kari pratahi। patha karau chalis
॥
tum meri man kamana। purna karahu
jagadish ॥
Importance and Role:
Destroyer and Transformer: Shiva's role as the Destroyer is not about wanton destruction but rather the cyclical nature of creation, preservation, and dissolution in the universe. He destroys the illusions and imperfections of the world, paving the way for new creation and transformation.
Creation and Destruction: Shiva is associated with both creation and destruction. While he is the destroyer of the universe at the end of each cosmic cycle (pralaya), his destruction is seen as a necessary step for new creation to occur. This aspect of his nature represents the impermanence of worldly existence.
Ardhanarishvara: Shiva is also depicted as Ardhanarishvara, the half-man, half-woman form, symbolizing the complementary nature of masculine and feminine energies. This form represents the unity of opposites and the balance in the universe.
Lord of Meditation and Yoga: Shiva is considered the Adiyogi, the first yogi who imparted the knowledge of yoga to humanity. He is often depicted in deep meditation, symbolizing the importance of inner peace and spiritual awakening.
Nataraja - The Cosmic Dancer: Shiva is also revered as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. His cosmic dance, called the Tandava, represents the rhythm of the universe, creation, and destruction in a continuous cycle.
Benevolent Deity: Despite his fierce appearance and association with destruction, Shiva is also a compassionate and benevolent deity. He is easily pleased and bestows his blessings upon his devotees, offering protection, wisdom, and liberation (moksha).
Lingam Worship: The symbol of the lingam, representing the formless and eternal nature of Shiva, is widely worshipped. It signifies the union of the masculine and feminine energies and is a symbol of creation.
Mahashivaratri: Hindus celebrate Mahashivaratri, the Great Night of Shiva, in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is a night dedicated to fasting, prayer, and meditation, symbolizing the overcoming of darkness and ignorance.
In Hindu culture, Lord Shiva represents the ultimate reality, the cosmic consciousness, and the essence of both destruction and regeneration. Devotees of Shiva seek his blessings for spiritual growth, liberation from worldly attachments, and the courage to face life's challenges with equanimity.
