Hinduism Research Paper

1. Who is Shiva?
Lord Shiva, also known as Shiv Ji, is one of the most powerful gods in Hinduism. He is the avatar of Vishnu, who is depicted as the preserver god. Shiva plays many roles in the Hindu religion and therefore goes by many names. The Destroyer, The Preserver, The Wild, and The One Who Captivates are just but a few. He is widely known for his ability to destroy and recreate the world, as he believes that time is cyclical therefore destruction and recreation are necessary. Many fear Lord Shiva for this reason, as his temper is known to have no limit! However, Shiva does have other less serious sides. In Hinduism, he is regarded as the Cosmic Dancer. His famous dance is known and / or described as furious bliss. The furious aspect …show more content…
One of the most common forms of worship is through the Shivling. The Shivling also goes by the name of Lingam or Linga. It is a representation of Lord Shiva and is usually an oval shaped figure. The Shivling stands above a dish which is known as a Yoni. According to Hinduism, the Shivling represents Shiva’s penis and the Yoni represents his wife Shakti’s vagina. In combination, they are both meant to represent the notions of conception and renewal. Devotees usually pour milk over the Shivling and offer flowers and money as a symbol of their respect and worship. Another way that Lord Shiva is worshipped is through fasting. Those who are greatly devoted to Lord Shiva fast every Monday. In most Hindu families, the fast consists of doing a morning and evening prayer every Monday for 16 Mondays to Lord Shiva. Monday is considered to be Lord Shiva’s day. It also includes avoiding food with salt, which means the only food you can have for the day must be sweet and, of course, vegetarian. Many Shiva devotees believe that fasting and praying every Monday means that Shiva will fulfill one of your wishes. Last but not least, the most interesting and acquired way of worshiping Shiv Ji is through smoking marijuana. According to Hindu myths, Shiva tried a leaf of marijuana and it revitalized him instantly; he liked it so much that he became an avid user of it. This is why he is associated with it; this is also why some of his devotees smoke

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