"Meditate that in the centre of the ocean of nectar there is a beautiful island. In the forest of aeon trees there is a beautiful canopy made of nine jewels. There, on a throne, on a triangular seat in the centre of a lotus is Lord Shiva, decorated with sun and moon and Devi Ambika forming half of his body." - Kularnava Tantra.
The male aspect of divinity takes a multitude of forms, whether it be as Vishnu, Mahadeva, Surya the Sun, Krishna or Ganapati. In her/his form as Ardhanareshvara, both are united. The detail from the Balinese painting here shows Mahakala-Rahu swallowing the universe. (From the collection of Lokanath Maharaj)
Shri Ganapati Deva. The elephant-headed god is the son
of Shiva and Shakti but has tantras and a tradition all of his own.
Shri Mahadeva Shiva. Shiva is the witness,
consciousness, vibration. He is the spouse and co-equal of Shakti in all of her
forms and the lord of meditation. This page carries his daily puja or worship.
Listen to the sound of Shiva's damaru, the hourglass drum giving birth
and destroying the rythms of life. (190K .wav file) Also you can see
the yantra of Mrityunjaya, Shiva as Conqueror of Death, together with a translation of
the first chapter of his magical manual.
Shri Krishna. Some tantrik texts identified
the Vishnu avatar as the goddess herself. Playing his flute, Lord
Krishna dwells in the seventh heaven of Goloka.
The Navagrahas. The tradition considered each
of its nine "planets" to be deities. As forms of consciousness,
and each having its own proportion of bhutas (elements), they
circle sacred Mount Meru.
Here you will find information
about the Grahas as well as a ritual manual for Shani (Saturn), sometimes
identified with Mahakala.
Artwork is © Jan Bailey, 1995. Translations are © Mike Magee 1995. For more information, send e-mail to ac70@cityscape.co.uk