Implications of Scriptural Depictions: The scriptural descriptions narrate the simplicity of the wedding ceremony of Shiva and Parvati. He did not go after big people or gods of heavens to join the wedding procession. Rather, he took the ghosts and the palitas along. As praised in the following hymn of the Ramacharit Manas "Tanu Kshina Kou Ati Pita, Pavan Kou Apavan Tanu Dhare" (Those with ugly, horrifying and diseased bodies were also among Shivas Baraatis). Shiva had taken due care of even the deprived and down trodden ones. We should also broaden our hearts and pay attention to those scorned by the society. If we cannot get rid of our hatred, fears and prejudices, we can never enjoy the sense of bliss and fulfillment, the devotees of Shiva deserve. What is the meaning of your worship and devotion if you dont learn anything from the truth, from the philosophy of your Deity? You will just continue to perform some rituals, keep crying and praying at His feet without any improvement in your life. Remember that Shiva does not need your flowers and other offerings of worship. Your devotion is real only if you adopt its philosophy in every aspect of life. An Ox (named Nandi) is said to be the mount of Lord Shankar (Shiva). Why? What does it imply? Well, an ox is known to be an assiduous animal. Any laborious, industrious human can become God Shivas favorite irrespective of whether he is an Indian, British, French or any one else. We all know that God helps those who help themselves. The ox symbolizes strength, courage and hard work in our (Indian) culture. If you want to become a devotee of Lord Shiva, you will have to be courageous and depend upon your own wisdom and endeavors. No one will open the doors of progress for you. You alone will have to come forward and initiate your ascent in the desired direction. Do you know who rides on a buffalo? Shanicar! (Saturn, as described in the Puranas). A buffalo represents lethargy, dullness and escapism from labor or hard work. It can never be an aid of Shiva. Shiva likes the ever energetic, assiduous ox, Nandi. The latter is described in the Puranas as the vehicle of Shiva (in human form). Shiva takes care of it and loves this pet. You and I should also try to cultivate the qualities of this ox; this is what God wants His devotees to be like. What else have you read or heard about Lord Shiva from the scriptural descriptions? That He lives in the marghat (crematorium)! Why should He do so? Well, this again is a symbolic depiction. It teaches us that we should always remember death. We get so engrossed in the worldly affairs that we almost forget that death could knock at our door any moment and then we will have to leave this world instantly. We seem to remember everything else but this bitter reality of life. If we had remembered the absolute fact that we had to die some day or the other, our attitude towards life would have been different. In that case, we would have cared for what we ought and what we ought not to do? We would have been more alert towards our duties. A home and a crematorium are alike for a duty-bound, altruist person who has acquired pure knowledge. Such a wise man knows that this moment he is living comfortably in the house but any other moment he would be no more and his body would rest in peace in a crematorium or a graveyard; then he will have new life and a new home and so on. Todays life would be tomorrows death, which would again turn into new life some day This is how the cycle of life continues Life and death are like the relay games of day and night. Then why should we be scared of death? Rather, we should remember it to make our life more meaningful, more useful, more enlightened every day. This is another significant teaching of Shivas Philosophy of Life.

- courtesy Akhand Jyoti