Who Is Lord Shiva? The Divine Connection Behind Mount Kailash

When you are standing, facing Mount Kailash, you will feel like someone is watching you silently from the top of the mountain. The air itself carries whispers and chants Om Namah Shivaya, and you feel the presence of Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash.

Thousands of pilgrims take the name of lord shiva and travel to Mount Kailash every year. But really… who is Lord Shiva? Who is this mythical god whose presence everyone talks about? Is he a god, an invisible energy, or is he present in the vast emptiness?

The Eternal Shiva: Beyond Time and Form

In the Rigveda, he is mentioned as Rudra, the fierce god of destruction, and also a great healer. According to the Rigveda, he is powerful, holds a bow, and can heal cattle and humans (Rigveda 2.33.9).

Later, other Vedas described him as Shiva, the Auspicious One. lord shiva, one who was not born and who never dies. He existed before there was time and will exist till the end. He is also called Mahadev, the greatest god, one among the Trinity. Brahma, being the creator of the universe, Vishnu, being the caretaker taker and Shiva, being the destroyer. But even after destruction, he creates it again. On his fierce form, he is the lord of dance, called Nataraja. In his cosmic dance, he holds fire in one hand and a drum in the other. Damaru, the drum of creation and fire, is the symbol of destruction.

His one step creates worlds, another destroys them. He wears a Vasuki naag, the serpent king, around his neck as a necklace. His third eye in his lalaat (forehead) can destroy the universe if opened. The third eye of Shiva represents divine energy, wisdom, and enlightenment, and can annihilate illusions.

Shiva as described by the Vedas and the Puranas

In the Shiva Purana, he is the supreme Purush. He is also quoted as Shambhu. He is so powerful that he has placed the half crescent moon and Ganga on his head, protected by his long hair. Shiva is the eternal reality without beginning, without end, beyond the reach of mind and word.

And in Linga Purana, Shiva is the central axis, without the top or the bottom. Brahma and Bishnu failed to find the starting or ending of the jyotirlinga. It is said that both of them searched for the starting and ending of the linga for ages, but could not find any clue. The legend says that Vishnu accepted that he failed, but Brahma lied that he found the end of eternity light. Shiva became so angry with Brahma that he created Mahakaal, who detached the fifth head. This story confirms that it is impossible to find Shiva. You cannot find him at the start nor in the end, but you can feel him as Shiva within you.

Sati Devi: The Story of Love and Tragedy

Sati fell in love with the mad ascetic Shiva. Before Parvati, there was Sati. Dakshya’s daughter, who fell in love with. But her father, Dakshya Prajapati, was not pleased with the decision of Sati and insulted lord shiva. He mocked lord shiva, his getup, and called him an addict, a freak who keeps on rolling on cemeteries. Despite her father’s disagreement, she married lord Shiva and lived happily on Mount Kailash.

Eventually, Dakshya organised a great Dakshya Yajna, invited all entire people but missed Shiva and Sati. Dakshya again insulted and used very humiliating words to Shiva in front of all the gods. Unable to bear the insult, Sati sacrificed herself in the yajna pyre. Shiva, in the fire of anger, did his Tandav, carried the body of Sati, and roamed across the cosmos. The decaying body of Sati was scattered into pieces and fell to every place Shiva reached. These places are now worshipped as Shakti piths by believers. Even the greatest lord, who has no end nor start, has to cry because of love. The grief of love, even the almighty had to face.

Parvati: The reincarnation of Love

Sati was reincarnated in the family of King Himalaya and Queen Menavati. Parvati meditated for years to get Lord Shiva back in this life.  again. Barefoot. Without food. Only faith. When Parvati met Shiva, he saw his half-lost life in her. Their union brought the rhythm of nature back to balance. When she finally met him again, Shiva saw not a girl, but his lost half. Parvati represents shakti, meaning energy, and Shiva is the consciousness. Together, they are called Shiva-Shakti.

The two couples were living happily on the cosmic Mount Kailash with their two sons, Kumar and Ganesh.  It is believed that their son Ganesh was born near the Gauri Kunda, which lies in the Kailash kora now. Lord Ganesh, with his broken tusk, is always worshipped before starting any good event. Even gods envy the laughter that echoes across the glaciers of Mount Kailash.

Mount Kailash: The Sacred Abode

No human has ever climbed Mount Kailash. Why is Mount Kailash unclimbable? Scientific studies indicate a strange force around Mount Kailash that does not allow humans to win against gravity and climb Mount Kailash. The mountain itself rejects any attempt by Humans. The winds protect it. And the shape? Its pyramidical shape is something strange about it.  The four faces of the mountain represent the five faces of Shiva, Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha, and Ishan at the top of the peak.

The Skanda Purana describes Mount Kailash as “That land where the great Kailash rises is beyond sin and sorrow. There resides Mahadeva with his divine consort”. Hindu believers circumambulate around Kailash as the abode of Lord Shiva, and for Buddhists, it is Mount Meru and the home of Chakrasamvara, as described in the Tripitaka. It is the place where the first Tirthankara attained moksha for Jains and for Bons, it is the home of Sipaimen, their sky god.

Some also believe that Ravan, the king of Lanka, meditated on this land to impress lord Shiva. He sacrificed his face each day to make him happy so that he could win the universe. But, as Ravan showed his pride, Shiva punished him. In his pain, his tears filled the Rakashatal lake.

Mystery and Faith of the Pilgrims

Om Namah Parvati Pataye Hara Hara Mahadev!!!! This is some chanting you can frequently hear during the 52km Kailash Kora. This mantra describes the greatness of the consort of Mata Parvati, who can cure all your pains. Pilgrims also chant “Om Namah Shivaya” with each step on the Kailash kora. Some pilgrims feel warm when they take the name of Shiva at Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

In the scientific era, where everything can be calibrated, Mount Kailash remains untouched and beyond measurement. Many pilgrims dream of Lord Shiva calling them to travel to Mount Kailash and prepare themselves for the 52 km Kailash Kora. They visualize a tall figure sitting at the top of Kailash, legs crossed, with a gigantic energy of light.

This is the reason, before visiting the land of Kailash, pilgrims visit Pashupatinath of Kathmandu for puja and rituals. Pashupatinath temple is considered one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva that is self-emerged. In the modern age of noise, the silence of Shiva is not lost. It waits silently, quietly, patiently on the peak of Mount Kailash. Do not search for him, just feel it within you and chant Om namah Shivaya.

देहाभिमाने गलिते विज्ञाते परमात्मनि ।

यत्र यत्र मनो याति तत्र तत्र परामृतम् ॥