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Trishul represents the three aspects of consciousness - waking, dreaming, and sleeping, and it represents the three Gunas- sattva, rajas, and tamas. Holding a Trishul (Trident) signifies that Shiva (the divinity) is above all the three states- waking, dreaming, and sleeping, yet is the upholder of these three states. The divinity is beyond the three Gunas, but it holds the three Gunas together.
The Trishul is a symbol of power; hence many people tend to have it on their bodies to show their power or control over their own lives. As a weapon, the Trishul represents Shiva's ability to destroy evil. The three points represent the acts of creation, preservation, and destruction. To Shaivites, Lord Shiva fulfills all three of these roles. Shul means problems or suffering. Trishul means that which has the power of destroying all kinds of the suffering of the devotee. Three types of pain arise in life:
1. Adi Bhautik (physical)
2. Adhyatmik (spiritual) and
3. Adi Daivik (ethereal)
The Trishul (trident) has been the most powerful weapon held by Lord Shiva, capable of destroying the three worlds that are Swarg-Lok (Heaven), Bhu-Lok (Earth), and Patal-Lok (Underworld). It is the weapon said to have been used to sever the original head of Sri Ganesha. Maa Durga also holds a Trishula, as one of her many weapons.
It has three pointed blades denoting creation, maintenance, and destruction or that of three Kalas- past, present, and future or that of three Gunas- sattva, rajas, and tamas. The trident of shiva is infallible and cannot be averted by any divine or demonic energy, it destroys everything in its way and can only be stopped by Lord Shiva.
Trishul is considered very auspicious in Hinduism. Bringing Trishul home in the month of Sawan, especially on Monday, brings many favorable results- removes all the troubles; creates pure thoughts and mind; gets connected to the Lord by balancing his thoughts and actions and gets relieved from past, present and future and agony of birth, life and death.
This helps us to lead a life of bliss under the protection of Shiva. The Trishul can be put in a standing position. Thus one can put a Trishul in a pooja room beside Lord Shiva.
The origin of the Trishul-Astra is described in the Vishnu Purana. Created in association with Lord Surya, the Sun God, it is said to have been carved out of matter from Sun. The solar matter fell to the earth, reducing 1/8th of its original power.
This material was later used by Vishvakarma to create the Trishula for Shiva which was given to him, Sudarshana Chakra for Vishnu, and the Pushpaka Vimana for Brahma. Trishul is now a widely accepted symbol of Shiva, representing his three powers of will (iccha), knowledge (jnana), and action (kriya).
Tri means three and Shool means spear, the weapon held by Lord Shiva is of great significance. Though this weapon has been held by a lot of other deities, too, the one held by Lord Shiva is said to have many properties. The name of Shivas Trishul is VIJAY, not Pinaak as some people think, this Trishul is also eternal like Nag, Nandi, and Vyaghrcharm of Shiva.
This is the eternal most powerful weapon among all others like Sudarshan Chakra, Brahmastra, Vaishnavastra, Pashupatastra, etc. The three shoolas are Adhibhautik, Adhyatmic, and Adhidaiwik. Trishul destroys these three tapas and frees his Bhaktas from all pains and miseries.
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