There once dwelt in a dense forest a group of hermits engaged in the most difficult of austerities. The hermitage had a large number of knowledgeable and mighty sages, but they were for the most part ritualists, more involved in the actual process rather than appreciating the symbolic significance behind the liturgies they performed.

Lord Shiva in his role of an ascetic mendicant once approached this group of recluses to beg for alms. The force of Shiva's tapas or meditations glowed forth form his auric body. Combined with the spectacular flicker in his eyes, it presented him as extraordinarily handsome. This comely young ascetic, his naked body smeared with ashes, exerted a powerful influence upon the womenfolk of the hermitage. The wives and daughters of the sages rushed out to greet the naked yogi. The hermits were utterly shocked at the sight of this unclad monk who drove their well-born wives and mothers to a demented level of desire. The women came with offerings of fruits and flowers. When they approached Shiva the sensuous yogi, they shed all restraint, taking hold of his hands, pleading for his attentions. They shed away their inhibitions, their ornaments, their clothes, and embraced the naked stranger with the skull in his hands.

The saints were left speechless. Their years of solitude and penance and the hard monastic life were all repudiated by the inexplicable aberrations of their noble wives. Confused, pained, bewildered and also very angry, the sages asked the stranger for his name and identity. Shiva greeted their queries with a silence. Driven to a level of frenzy the same as their chaste women, these sages in their uncontrolled outrage tore off Shiva's organ of generation from his body. But Shiva, the first amongst yogis, remained supremely unaffected both by the women's adoration and the sages' anger.

As soon as Shiva's organ fell to the ground it assumed a gigantic proportion, making everyone aware of the divine status of this handsome ascetic. Thus is said to have originated the emblematic worship of Shiva's organ, popularly known as the Shiva linga.

The rapture of love, the moment of euphoria in which we forget everything else (reason, wisdom, prudence, social rules, human interests etc), is but an image of the mystical bliss. The lover ceases to be himself and becomes one with the object of his/her desire. Indeed, for an instant, he/she ceases to exist as an individual, merging with the other being in totality. The sole reality at that defining moment is the voluptuousness of desire that unites them: "Just as in the embrace of his beloved, a man forgets the entire world, all that exists within himself and without, so in union with the Being of knowledge, he no longer knows anything, either within or without" (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 4.3.21).

For an instant, one achieves one's true goal, forgets one's own interests, ambitions, problems, and duties, and participates in that feeling of bliss that is one's true and immortal nature. Mystical rapture is a marvelous feeling of pleasure, similar to the effect produced by bhang, the Indian hemp and favorite drink of Shiva.

In order to be genuine, love and rapture of pleasure must be absolutely irrational. They must not be "useful," "normal," or according to law." They must not be a mere procreative act used to beget children for the continuance of our house, to look after us and defend our property. They must not be the outcome of marriage, which stabilizes our social position and represents a communion of interests. True love must be wholly useless and disinterested, far from any idea of family, progeny, or social order. Only then it is pure, true love. This is why the mystical poets sing of illicit love, the love of what does not belong to you (parakiya) and not of what you already possess (svakiya). Loving a wife, or someone who belongs to us, is part of what binds us to the world of forms and not of what can free us from it. According to Alain Danielou, only adulterous, abnormal love can be considered pure and truly free from all ties, and only it can give us some idea of the mystic experience - it is absurd, disinterested, and destructive of all that is human.

Thus we should not wonder at the fact that representations of human love - the search for voluptuous pleasure - recognize none of the limits that social ethics wish to impose.

Hence the conduct of the virtuous ladies in the hermitage though shocking at first sight, is perfectly understandable from the above viewpoint. In fact the story also brings our attention to the fact that these women were more spiritually advanced than their men folk, who were engaged in endless itineraries of rituals whose symbolic significance they were unable to fathom and were thus far away from the true import of these spiritual pratices. The ladies on the other hand were more intuitively fine tuned to appreciate the true nature of physical desire, sprung naturally from their archetypal inner being and in harmony with their primordial nature uncontaminated by man made constructs, including both social and moral.

The canonical iconography of Shiva further shows him with certain characteristic attributes which emphasize his sensuous nature, while retaining his essentially yogic profile. Some of these traits making up the character and personality of Shiva are:

The Dance of Shiva

It is said that man danced before he spoke. He certainly danced before he painted and sculpted reliefs on his walls. All cultures of the world have given dance a ritual status before any formal ritual or liturgy was codified in texts, or recreated through relief or paint.

Yoga, like dance, is much more than a mere physical exercise. It is a holistic way of relating to the body that involves an increasing awareness on all levels: the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. Yoga unites the functions of each of these aspects of our personality. This is true for dance also. Certainly any successful dance performance is characterized by a balanced harmony between the body and spirit. What is suggested here is that dance, like yoga, is a conscious attempt at integrating all the tiers of our existence. It does not negate but on the contrary affirms the sensual nature of our objective physical
being, and treats it as fundamental to any attempt at spiritual awareness as our subjective intangible soul.

Dance is thus a spiritual channel, an opening of both metaphysical and sensuous doorways.

Whirling his limbs, gracefully carved as if a woman's, Shiva as Nataraja gyrates to the rhythms of his essentially fleshy dance - an outpouring of sensual stimulation in free and unrestrained exuberance. His dance is both supremely sexual and sublimely spiritual.

He is the god of destruction, his dance too is thus essentially of a similar nature. A ring of flames encircles him.

These are the cremation fires which are ultimately going to consume our mortal bodies. But on the other hand dance is also an act of creation. It brings about a new situation and transforms the perpetrator into a higher realm of reality and personality. Thus the forces gathered and projected in his frantic, ever-enduring gyration are both of creation and annihilation. According to Clarissa Estes, in her book 'Women Who Run With the Wolves':

"To make love. we dance with Death. There will be flowing, there will be draining, there will be live birth and still birth and yet born-again birth of something new. To love is to learn the steps. To make love is to dance the dance".

Applying the same criterion, we observe that Shiva's dance of death and regeneration is nothing but the recreation of the sexual act itself, which is composed of an interplay of desire, sensuality, highs and lows, and of course an overriding sensation of ecstasy, all an integral part of Shiva's dance.

A poet has beautifully described dance as "nature struggling to express itself, in terms of the joy of the dance." Hence by extension, in the frenzy of the actual physical act of mating can be discerned the ultimate truth of all manifested existence. This truth is that of birth and inevitable death. These are the defining qualities of Shiva's dance, as also of the sexual act, both of which communicate through an exhilarated appreciation of the body, for its own sake.

The Hair of Shiva

Shiva's tresses are long and flowing, and dark as the night is.

Supra-normal energy, amounting to the power of magic, resides in such a wildness of hair untouched by the scissors. The celebrated strength of Samson, who with naked hands tore asunder the jaws of a lion and shook down the roof of a pagan temple, was similarly said to reside in his uncut hair.

Shiva's hair also supports a crescent moon, a symbol of the female reproductive cycle.

I am SHIVA,the ONE & SUPREME FORCE of this UNIVERSE...I have manifested myself in a WHITE NON-HINDU BODY without CASTE to bring the ONLY TRUTH forward...SHIVA IS LOVE....& ONLY LOVE..!!! Totally PURE...but NOT UNCONDITIONAL in its RESPONSE...
KARMA IN AN OCEAN OF JOY....
- SHIVA

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No doubt the article is excellent, but only for people who understand its spiritual meaning and the concept of LORD SHIVA and the SHIVA LINGA. Precisely Hindu born. Every body else has very conveniently misunderstood it according to their needs. I would suggest every body else to enjoy the literature and appreciate the concept as outsiders. More than that I urge not to insult the concept of SHIVA by misunderstanding the concept itself. If anybody want to take important decisions like losing verginity or accepting the autenticity of bible, pls do that because you want to, not because the article makes you feel so. Please guys, show some respect and compassion for divine literature. Its not for passing time.
- madhu

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please do not sale god into the market please
- John

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At the outset i would want to say that the story mentioned here, Shiva attracting women of ascetics has a different meaning.

Note the statement "Shiva, the first amongst yogis, remained supremely unaffected both by the women's adoration and the sages' anger", its ain't that Shiva wanted to turn those women amourous or was himself being amorous, instead it is about self control in most adverse situations. Shiva is indeed the originator of knowldge of "Kaam" (Sexual/Sensuous Pleasure) but if you dwelve deeper into the ideas then it is not about illicit love or immoral sex, it is about feeling the sensuous pleasures but in a controlled way that helps attain higher state. Sex without any restraint is not taking you anywhere, its controlled pleasure is that when you control the energy to your wish & that you benefit physically/mentally out of it.
- Sandeep

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Excellent article and very educative.
- Srinivasa

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What a beautiful article! I love Shiva and I know that true bhakta does have the feel of illicit desire as it leads AWAY from worldly life. If only all suffering caused by wanting what you can't have could be soothed by adoration to Shiva, we'd have a more peaceful, harmonious world.
- Acacia Lazuli

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god shiva the distroyer of all sorrow. when some one is confused who is god . god shiva says he has pather budhi. means he had taken many birth so that he does not remember a thing
god shiva is the only one who can distroy your sorrow and god brahma will help you constrct your happiness and god vishnu will sustain your happiness. this is the beauty for all souls on earth.
who does not want their sorrow to be distroyed. who does want to construct happines before distroying sorrow
om shanti . except the vidharmy anti nature anti godly christians and anti godly muslims. they are considered as terrerist they will be hunted very soon.om shanti
- jayadeepan

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This article was perfect for me. I was a struggling christian until I read this article. it proves the bible is real and God excists. This "false god" is specifically spoken about in the bible. All who follow her are going to be consumed in flames, much like how the bible describes those who follow "fales Gods" and give into the flesh (flesh, the same thing Shiva encourages you so strongly to do) The bible also says that in the end days a woman will come apon the earth and many shall follow her. Only the strong will resist her and god shall come to earth and crush her. if u will notice many of these pictures also tie into the bible. A picture of Shiva with a serpant around her neck (the serpent of lucifer) God speaks about crushing this serpents head, while recieving injury to his ankle. Shiva has the sun behind her in another picture, this represents flames that is hidden behind her fleshly image. Also a direct circle of fire (ring of fire if you will) is surrounding Shiva, and all who follow her and her sinful ways will be thrown into the lake of fire and perish (another thing Shiva PROMISES will happen) Now I am no longer a struggling christian, this article has boosted my relationship with the Lord. I am deeply sorry if this article has helped you come closer to worshiping shiva. You can Contact me at crigjig@yahoo.com if you would like to talk to me about this article, the false god, or even life itself. Thank you again and God bless!
- Luke (crigjig@yahoo.com)

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The information contained in this writing is so profound and pure I am incredulous. I have been suffering from misinformation all my life.

I am very drawn to Hindu consciousness, to the mythology and its application in the lives of humans today. Perhaps there might one day be peace on earth........................sex for the purpose of universal understanding and peace...................

Thanks and may Shiva send Nandi your way........…
- Michellino

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The explanation is simple and marvellous
- Venkatesh R Peddi

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wow! all of theses articles are so well written. I found this site while looking for some artistic reference material but came away with the first step towards a more enlightened way of living. I can never thank you guys enough!
- jed morley

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This article is not only excellent, its what I was looking for and this is the only place I could it. I not only found what I was looking for, but I also found what I never thougth was possible. I must say thank you who ever post these article.
- Saliema (saliema@myway.com)

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Very good article, just wondered about something, shiva's dance, in the position he is shown in, i thort it was also to do with a fighting art, and is one of the many positions used in this art, can you tell me or do you know anymore about that?
- Kamal

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The article is undoubtedly enriching, inspiring and rich. A note of special thanks to the creators of such an article.AUM NAMAH SHIVAYE!!!
- Gireesh Vyas

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An inspired article that struck me in the heart like a diamond bullet. It is a sublime reminder that Divine Love is beyond rational quantification, an experience beyond words. Bless you for sharing it!
- Sun Woo Kong

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An enlightening and inspiring article.

Thank you
- Harish

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without open this page my hungry mind never rest in peace. thanz to all the people who worked so hard to create such awsum sites.may shiva bless u all
love -hongies
- hongkong

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i want more pictures of SHIVA the great
- ASHOK KHATRI

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it was a great article with a vast info it i really enjoyed it thanks again to you folks keep up with your good work
- dhiren

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I enjoyed your words of ideas of love. I agree with you. Thank you.

I would like to tell you that I have created a sexual perfume SHIVA for love that you can see in my website: www.andresinan.com



Andre


- Andre Sinan (andre.sinan@noos.fr)

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I can't thank you enough for having written this article. It is so beautiful. It has helped me make a really important decision, to lose my virginity and make love to my boyfriend, who is like the air I breath. Thank you so much, God bless.
- marta

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This is the best article i have ever read before and i appreciate efforts made to create this article and My Best Wishes to the Editor Mr. NItin Kumar and i would like to read more details on Lord Shiva the controller of the Earth
- bindu shah

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Totally awesome site...love the information and the artwork is beautiful....thank you!
- Misty Chevalier

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Accctually..the origin of Shiva dn his worship in form of Linga..is simply made up.Please refer to Maha Shiva Puran for the details.This is only to help the ones who might be believeing that the info given in article is correct
- samir

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It's an excellent artcle of cosmic yogi,
the Lord Shiva..

Om Namah Shivaye.

Namaste.
Chander
- Chander

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BOOM SHANKAR ! ! !
Peace & Love
- Julia (julia13@dravanet.hu)

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for me, just the right information at the right time. thankyou.
- james tell

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Beautiful!
- Ahimsa

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This article is so magical and now that I'm intrigued, I plan to read more about these topics. Thank you for introducing me to Shiva. I'm so fortunate to have happened upon your website.
- che

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Thank you for the informative article and brilliant artwork. I enjoyed it very much.


- Nat Kukadia

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Thanks for the article on Shiva - very interesting!
- Paul K. Smith

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Hi,
Just wanted to tell you that i loved receiving this article. It was very well written and there was a wealth of information that i can share with my students. thank you and please keep them coming!
Namaste
- Debi

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Thank you very much once again for such a well written piece.You do us
proud.
I do look forward to your publications . One of my fondest wish is to be
able to live in India, possibly in a Hill Station , but close to an Indian
University and all those miles of bookshops !!!
- Dr. M. Jan

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This article is excellent. Thanks for the spiritual food! It came at the right moment in time.

Namaste.
- Janet

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