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The Means of achieving spiritual experience - Shaivism – 05 Love with visualisation
Identifier
022493
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Alain Danielou – Gods of Love and Ecstasy: The traditions of Shiva and Dionysus
The various aspects of the god play an important part in the rites, cult-forms and practice of Shivaism. In worshipping the god's image lshana (ether) is invoked in his crown, Tatpurusha (air) in his face, Aghora (fire) in his heart, Vamadeva (water) in his sexual organ, Sadyojata (earth) in his feet. This symbolism is important, as it helps us to understand rites and myths wherever Shivaism has had an influence.
Examples include the association of the crown with sovereignty, or the representation of the spirits of the air as winged faces, of male spirits with fire, and nymphs with waters, etc.
Shiva is worshipped on the fifth day of the lunar month (Shiva-panchami). It is a day of prayer and also of rejoicing. But, since Shiva is also the destroying principle, it is not a suitable day for human enterprises. No work must be begun on the fifth day of the moon.
"Avoid [when working] the fifth days of the month. They are arduous and baneful." (Hesiod, Works and Days, 807.)