God Shiva Aarti | om jai shiv omkara aarti

Lord Shiva is often shown with Vasuki around his neck. In Hindu belief, Vasuki is respected as the king of the Nagas, or serpent beings. He played an important role in the Samudra Manthan, the great churning of the ocean. He is also seen as Shiva's loyal companion and a holy ornament.

Shiva wears a snake around his neck to show his control over danger, death, ego, and all negative forces like poison and desire. The snake also represents the strong Kundalini energy, which shows that Lord Shiva has mastered it. His connection with the serpent reflects both protection for all creatures and freedom from fear and time.
Even before Vasuki decorated Lord Shiva’s neck, he was respected throughout the three worlds as the Nāgarāja, the King of Serpents. Born to Kadru and Sage Kashyapa, Vasuki was no ordinary serpent; he was strong, wise, and devoted to dharma. While many of his serpent kin were caught in pride and conflict, Vasuki chose the path of penance, service, and devotion to the divine. Impressed by his devotion and dedication, Lord Shiva accepted Vasuki and placed him around his neck. This made him a symbol of fearlessness, protection, and eternal energy.

The snake also represents the endless cycle of time (kaal), which includes creation, preservation, and destruction. By wearing it around his neck, Lord Shiva shows that he is *Mahakal*, the one who governs and exists beyond time itself, remaining eternal and free from its limits.

During the Samudra Manthan, or churning of the cosmic ocean, the Devas, or gods, and Asuras, or demons, came together to get Amrit, the nectar of immortality. However, before the nectar could be obtained, a deadly poison called Halahala emerged. Its fumes were so strong that they could destroy all of creation. To protect the universe, Lord Shiva consumed the poison and kept it in his throat. This caused his throat to turn blue. From that point on, he was known as Neelakantha, which means the blue-throated one. This name symbolizes his great sacrifice for the welfare of all beings.

This act shows the deepest level of Vairagya (detachment) and compassion. Shiva willingly takes on the world's negativity without looking for a reward. He teaches that real spiritual strength comes from self-sacrifice and from using one's power for Loka Kalyana, the welfare of all beings, instead of for personal gain.

Lord Shiva, known as Mahadeva, is called the Destroyer because he brings an end to both the physical universe and the inner darkness that binds every soul.

When he performs the Tandava, the cosmic dance of destruction, it signals the end of the universe. This is a necessary step before new creation can begin. This destruction is not chaos; it is renewal on a cosmic scale.

Shiva’s power works in the same way within every being. He destroys the ego (Ahamkara), ignorance, and attachment, the inner poisons that keep us trapped in illusion. Through his power, he helps dissolve pride and separateness, guiding us toward self-realization and Moksha (liberation).

Thus, Shiva’s destructive energy symbolizes transformation; it ends the false so the truth may emerge, both in the universe and within the human soul.

Shiva is sometimes shown with five faces, called Panchamukha or Sadashiva. These faces are Sadyojāta, Vāmadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha, and Īśāna. Each one represents a different role and meaning. They connect to the five directions: East, West, North, South, and the sky above. They also correspond to the five natural elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. Together, the faces express Shiva’s abilities to create, protect, destroy, conceal the truth, and ultimately grant liberation (moksha).

Goddess Shakti, the Adi-Shakti herself, took birth as Goddess Sati, also known as Dakshayani. She became the first wife of Lord Shiva and chose to marry him despite the disapproval of her father, King Daksha. Later, when Daksha insulted Shiva, Sati took her own life in the sacrificial fire. She was reborn as Goddess Parvati andd married Shiva, completing the cosmic union.

Shiva and Nandi first met after Nandi completed intense penance by standing in the River Bhuvana. Lord Shiva appeared before Nandi to bless him with eternal life, and Nandi then became Shiva's loyal companion and vahana (vehicle).