Shiva Mantra for Freedom, Liberation & Joy
Shiva is a Hindu deity associated with breath or space. He is a powerful Hindu god manifesting throughout the cosmos. Shiva expresses freedom, liberation and joy. Shiva has many forms and names as well as many consorts. He is associated with the third eye chakra between the eyebrows at the bridge of the nose. This sacred spot is sometimes marked on the forehead by the red dot known as the bindu.
Shiva Ra Mantra: He Who is Like the Sun
The third eye is the door to prophesy. Shiva is alternately depicted both as benevolent and fearsome. In terms of symbolism, he is often shown with a serpent around his neck, a crescent moon as an adornment, the river Ganges flowing from his hair, the trishula as his weapon, and a damaru drum nearby.
Lyrics: Hari Om, Hari Om, Shiva Ra Namo
“Ra” means “sun.” This chant honors “Shiva who is like the sun.”
Music by Kathleen Karlsen. Copyright Living Arts Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Watch over 100 videos on Kathleen’s YouTube channel!
"That was beautiful!"
Other Forms and Mantras to Shiva
Other forms of Shiva include Sadashiva and Nataraja. Sadashiva is the highest form of Shiva, the Hindu god of dissolution, somewhat akin to the Holy Spirit in the Western tradition. Sometimes Sadashiva is depicted with five faces representing five emanations of God or the four directions plus upward movement. Other sources view Sadashiva’s five faces as symbolizing the forces of the universe: creation, preservation, destruction, obscuration and grace.
Sadashiva wears a tiger skin indicating his victory over animal instincts. The snake around his neck represents the endless cycle of birth and death. The trishula held in one hand is a three-in-one symbol representing the divine as a trinity. Learn more about Hindu Deities and their mantras.
Other forms of Shiva include Sadashiva and Nataraja. Sadashiva is the highest form of Shiva, the Hindu god of dissolution, somewhat akin to the Holy Spirit in the Western tradition. Sometimes Sadashiva is depicted with five faces representing five emanations of God or the four directions plus upward movement. Other sources view Sadashiva’s five faces as symbolizing the forces of the universe: creation, preservation, destruction, obscuration and grace.
Sadashiva wears a tiger skin indicating his victory over animal instincts. The snake around his neck represents the endless cycle of birth and death. The trishula held in one hand is a three-in-one symbol representing the divine as a trinity. Learn more about Hindu Deities and their mantras.
The dancing form of Shiva called Nataraja is a joyful being spinning and dancing through creation. Nataraja represents the ecstatic state of enlightenment. The following is a traditional mantra associated with Nataraja. The meaning of the Sanskrit words are as follows:
Nataraja, Nataraja, Nartana Sundara Nataraja (2x)
Shivaraja, Shivaraja, Shivakami Preya Shivaraja (2x)
Chidambaresa Nataraja, Parthi Puresa Shivaraja
The meaning of this chant is “Salutations to the beautiful dancing Nataraja, the Lord Shiva, whose consort is Shivakami. Honor to Shiva who is the master of the sky of consciousness. Nataraja is the lord of the city of Parthi.”
The dance of Nataraja is called Tandava. The dance is the source of all movement within the universe. The gestures of the Tandava indicate five activities of Shiva. They are creation (symbolized by the drum), protection (the upraised hand), grounding and claiming the earth (the foot on the ground), destruction (the hand holding fire), and release (the upraised foot). Listen to Nataraja Mantras and learn more about Nataraja.
Author Kathleen Karlsen
Kathleen Karlsen is a musician, artist, writer and speaker. She is the author of two books (Flower Symbols and Vocal Medicine) and over 200 articles. Kathleen, her husband Andrew and their five children live in Bozeman, Montana. More about Kathleen Karlsen.
Shiva Mantra Article Summary
Shiva is a Hindu deity associated with breath or space. He is a powerful Hindu god manifesting throughout the cosmos. Shiva expresses freedom, liberation and joy. Shiva has many forms and names as well as many consorts. Learn more about the forms of Shiva and a Shiva mantra.
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