If you observe the image of Lord Shiva, you will find that number 3 is associated with him. He has three eyes (Trinetra). His weapon is a trident (Trishul), a three-forked weapon. Three-pronged Bilva leaf is offered to him. The numbers of the braid of his hair are three. He is the third one of the Tridev (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). Three horizontal lines of the ashes can be seen on his forehead. Three times Pradakshina (circumambulation) is done around lord Shiva`s temple. The famous mantra of Lord Shiva is " OM NAMAH SHIVAYA" which contains three words.
What is the connection of the occurrence of the number 3 with lord Shiva? What are the messages being tried to convey about lord Shiva to us?
Lord Shiva is an eternal god of Hinduism. For him, no birth, no death. He is without beginning and without end. Even the Mahapralaya, the Great Dissolution cannot affect him.
That is what bound by time and space certainly comes to an end. But he is beyond time and space. He is trikal jnani (knower of three times - the past, present and future). He is also called Kaal taka. Kaal means time or death. Death cannot touch him, death is feared by him. The one who is not bound by time is not bound by death. He does not run according to the time rather time run according to him.
He is Trilok Drshi, one who can see three worlds (sky, earth and subterranean). It is possible only when someone is above all the three known worlds. No one but Lord Shiva has this privilege. He is not bound by space rather space is under his control. Hence, he is out of the influence of the time and space entanglement.
There are three qualities/material nature of men - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The salvation is possible only when one goes beyond these three qualities.
Bhagawat Geeta (2.45) says : The Vedas deal with the three modes of material nature, O Arjun. Rise above the three modes to a state of pure spiritual consciousness. Freeing yourself from dualities, eternally fixed in truth, and without concern for material gain and safety, be situated in the self.
Using his trident, he frees his devotee from these three entanglements and made them attain the state of pure spiritual consciousness. Lord Shiva is pure spiritual consciousness. No birth and no death after attaining this supreme state.
He is the remover of the sins of three births of his devotees (past, present and future). During the 3 times circumambulation of his temple - the sins committed by the mind are destroyed by the 1st step (of Pradakshina), The sins committed by the speech by the 2nd step and the sins perpetrated by the body by the 3rd step.
He is the Satchitananda. This word is made of three words- Sat + Chit + Anand means - truth, consciousness, bliss. That is the ultimate state.
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