Episode 67: Moon on Shiva's Jata

CHINMAYA SHIVAM

Bhagawan Shiva is Shashi-shekhara. Shashi is a name given for the moon . The meaning of the word is one who has a rabbit like mark . Moon shows a rabbit like mark when seen from earth so it is given that name . Shekara means crest or crest ornament. One who wears moon as an ornament in his crest is called shashishekara .
Moon is the presiding deity of the mind. The crescent moon is symbolic of our mind being steady. The moon goes through waxing and waning but the moon on Lord Shiva’s jata does not go through any modification. It remains steady. Vedanta says Manaso Devataa Chandramaaha. In the Vedas, Shiva Sankalpa sukta’s each mantra ends with the line – Tan me manah Shiva-sankalpam astu. May my mind have an auspicious resolve. By the grace of Lord Shiva, may our mind have positive and auspicious resolve. May we not fall for negative thinking. May we continue to lift ourselves higher and higher.
Moon also is a symbol of coolness. As seekers, we have to keep our mind cool and calm. Though Lord Shiva is known for anger or Rudra Tandava, yet he is calm, composed and equanimous. He is a yogi whose mind is very calm. Bhagawad Geeta says - Prashanta manasam hyenam, yoginam sukham uttamam. The calm mind of a yogi experiences Supreme Bliss. Shivagamas say that chandra is the symbol of Jnana or ultimate wisdom. Moon is also symbol of yogic bliss. Lord Shiva is the greatest yogi so he bears moon ( divine bliss ) on his crest. The scriptures describing yoga shaastra also compares moon with unmani sthithi (thoughtless state beyond the mind). Advaita speaks of it as Amani bhaava(state of Consciousness, beyond thoughts).
Comment “Chandra” to get the story of how moon came to adorn Bhagawan’s crest and why He is called Chandrashekhara
#shiva #chandra #moon #mahadev #yogalife #yogic #bliss#advaita #mindset #mind #mindfulness #spirituality