\|/Doubts & Discussions about Lord Shiva Part-1\|/ - Page 23

Originally posted by: .Vrish.

satyavarshini

No, Shukracharya didn't lose that power - it's just that the asuras lost their advantage. Previously, only Shukracharya knew it, but nobody sympathetic to the devas did, which is why Kacha was sent. After Kacha was restored to life and restored Shukracharya to life, both of them had that capability, but Devyani cursed him that he'd not be able to relieve anybody who was killed despite knowing this secret. Kacha recognized this curse, but said that he'd still be able to teach it to others, who could use it. But I haven't heard of whether Kacha actually taught that to anyone else so that the devasura wars could be tipped more neutrally.

Lord Shiva is known to have many forms, some of them are ' Aghora, Ishana, Tat Purusha, Vama Deva Nataraja and Rudra. These forms are believed to be present in the world in different places. The form of Aghora resides in places of cremation, Ishana in Shivalinga and Vama Deva in the meditation posture. 'Tat Purusha' is the eternal form and 'Rudra' is the angry form. The 'Nataraja' form of Shiva is the form he takes when he dances. His dance represents both creation and destruction. Through his Nataraja form, he appears before his devotees and also kills the asura of ignorance. His dance also creates energy which can give birth to new life.

Another form, Mahamrityunjaya, also refers to Lord Shiva. Through this form, he is believed to conquer death. The Mahamriyunjaya mantra is considered to be very powerful and sacred, that is why it is considered the most important after the Gayatri mantra.

Originally posted by: bharat9

Want to learn more about Lord Shiva's fasts that are kept differently in different states throughout India.
There is 16 Somvar Vart that needs to be kept on 16 consecutive days then there is open Somvar vart that one can keep as per their wish (right?) and of course the most important one Shivratri. In different states ppl keep the fast differently. Some say that one should not eat any food except fruits/milk on the fasting day while the others say that non-salty food can be taken at sunset.
Is this also right that one needs not to fast if worship truly?
It would be good to see the responses here and how one worships Shiva in their state? Thanks.

Originally posted by: ratilal22192

In my family, different family members do it differently...
but yes I agree if you have faith in Shivji and pray to him, you do not need to fast- because if you dont believe and just do it because your family does it- then there is no point...
but sometimes you cant because of health problems, in that case your health comes first - there is a saying in gujarati- pehla dehh pachi dev (first comes your health then god-meaning fasts and all)

gujaratis usually eat fruits and potato products.
But on shivratri - my family does not eat or drink anything (drink if only you need to, and we take prasad)

There are also Pradosh Vrats too (on the 13th lunar day- so twice a month)...

Originally posted by: watermist

Bhagvan Shiv is Bholenaath! His all merciful and impressed rather quickly with advent devotion from the devotee towards him. One does not need to follow any such rule as I know. My mother always said pour the ganges water over our narmedeshwar shiv lingam with utmost faith and prayer. Lord Shiva grants his devotees all his wishes!