Two Lesser known facts about the "Lord of the Lords"

Lord Shiv has always symbolized the overcoming of ignorance and inimical forces through meditation.

Maha Shivaratri is the celebration of the marriage of Bhagwan (Lord) Shiv and Ma (mother) Parvati. This conjugal event was a great (maha) celestial union and hence it has been celebrated since millennia.

On this Maha Shivaratri we’re sharing with you a few lesser-known facts about the Great Lord:

Dear to all animals:

Lord Shiv meditated at the spot where the Pashupatinath Temple is presently in Nepal. His meditation there made him the beloved and endearing of all animals. Hence he’s been called Pashupatinath (Lord of the animals).

Additionally, the Lord, through his meditation successfully cleared all the internal pashus (microorganisms) that are antagonistic to the human body.

How it came to be called “Tandav”:

Tandu muni a great sage and the follower of the teachings of Lord Shiv was the first to do extensive research on the Lord’s ‘cosmic dance.’ He was one of the spectators to witness the dance being manifest through the Lord. Hence the dance came to be called “Tandav nritya” (Tandav dance)

It is from here that the art forms related to physical performances (dance, acting etc.) came into origin.