Lord Shiva is branded as the prime idol in Hinduism for numerous devotees and amongst the Trimurti in conjunction with Vishnu and Brahma. A good number of devotees are well acquainted with the diverse legends that are related to Lord Shiva. These legends play a key part in upholding his standing as an unconquerable Divine power.
Definite things are related to Lord Shiva. Among these are
- The crescent moon resting on his cranium
- The Ganga streaming from his entwined hair
- His Damru (referred to as the drum of formation).
One more symbol related to Lord Shiva that perhaps has as much importance as any of the others, is the Trishul, the trident weapon. More than a few stories are related to this marvelous weapon and the Trishul has a unique implication.
Though it’s a form of Indian trident, the Trishula is present in Southeast Asia. It’s most common uses are as Buddhist and Hindu religious symbol. Trishula implies “3 spear” in Pali and Sanskrit. Lord Shiva wields the Trishula and going by legends it has been made use of for severing the Lord Ganesh’s original head. Durga is also known to hold the Trishula, as a part of her numerous weapons. There’re several more deities and gods, who are known to hold this weapon.
There are various connotations and implication of the three points, and, there are several accounts behind them that are part of the Hindu religion. They are normally said to symbolize diverse trinities that include
- Creation, preservation and demolition
- The Past, the present and the future
- The three guna
As a weapon of Lord Shiva, it is believed that the Trishula destroys the three worlds, namely, the corporeal world, the one that belonged to the forefathers (symbolizing culture got from the earlier period) and one of the brain (symbolizing the practices of sensing and performing). It is believed that the three worlds are demolished by Shiva into a sole non-dual stage of survival, which is ecstasy by itself. The central spot of the Trishula symbolizes Shushmana, which is the reason behind it being lengthier compared to the other two, which symbolize ida and pingala.
The Trishul – what does it imply?
It is Lord Shiva’s primary weapon and had also been used in the form of a weapon of the ten-armed consort of his, namely Maa Durga. It is most likely the most potent weapon cited in Hindu mythology in conjunction with the Sudarshan Chakra of Vishnu.
The Trishul’s three sharp blades that symbolize Vishnu, Brahma, and Lord Shiva himself are believed to bearers of their divine energy.
Other legends have it that they also symbolize the Tridevis, namely, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kaali
The blades also stand for the three Gunas, namely Tamas, Sattva, and Rajas, as well as the three Lokas, namely, Bhu, Swarg, and Patal.
The blades also symbolize the bodily, psychological and spiritual senses of humanity. It wipes out the ego of disciples and fills their souls with divinity and Shaktis.
Every time that Lord Shiva has used the Trishul, he has done so for bringing back tranquility and holiness in the cosmos and for destroying the evil.
