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shian
03 September 2007, 02:39 PM
Om Avighnam Astu ~ Om Ganapatiye Svaha,

What the meaning of Ishana?
Why Lord Shiva called Isana?

thank you ^_^

Agnideva
04 September 2007, 03:17 PM
Namaste Shian,


What the meaning of Ishana?
Why Lord Shiva called Isana?

The following is from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishana):


Īśāna has its roots in the word "ish" which means the invisible power that governs the universe. The wielder of this power is "Īśāna". It is synonymous with Ishwar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishwar) which means 'The Lord'. In Hindu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu) Scriptures this is a name given to Shiva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva). As per Hindu scriptures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_scriptures) Shiva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva) has 5 heads each denoting one of the 5 tattvas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattvas) (elements) namely Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Ether (also called as Sky-element or aakash-tattva in sanskrit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit)) that make up the universe. This 5th head of Shiva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva) faces the upward direction, towards the sky.

Īśāna signifies the subtle ethereal form of Shiva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva) that represents transcendental knowledge. This dimension is reinforced by [1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaastu_Shastra)Vaastu Shastra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaastu_Shastra) which says that Ishanya-disha (northeastern direction) represents Prosperity and Knowledge. So Īśāna also has a symbolic meaning. In Hindu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu) customs, North represents wealth and happiness while the East symbolizes knowledge and peace; Īśāna is a combination of both. It is also considered to be the name of the God of Vastu Śāstra.OM Shanti,
A.

yajvan
04 September 2007, 04:37 PM
Hari Om
~~~~~~

Namste Shian and Agnideva,

A very nice post.
From this Īśāna has its roots in the word "ish"

This ish we get ' to rule'. and from this we get Isvara - the Lord.
From this we get ones Isha-devata - or ones chosen Lord to adore.

One can read from the Isa Upanishad - stitting closely/seadfastly to the Lord.

One can attain Ishitva - one of the asta-siddhi ( 8 siddhi or powers) which gives mastery over physical objects. This is outlined in Patanajai's sutras.


And as we talk on HDF is this Isvara the Divine with form (Saguna Brahman) Or the Divine without form (Naguna Brahman)... the wise say yes, it is the same coin with two different sides.

Brahman is the Fullness of niguna and saguna, yet some will think differently - and we end up with various views of looking and touching the same elephant ( Brahman)

pranams,

sm78
04 September 2007, 09:57 PM
In shiva puja we pay our oblations to astha murti shiva ~ the 8 forms of shiva, each form being the ruler of a higher reality.

8. Ishana is surya murti shiva, and is the end. Surya refers to Paramatman.

7. Preceding Ishana is soma murti shiva referred mahadeva. The centre of the soma chakra is in the crown chakra.

6. Preceding Mahadeva and seated in Ajna is Yajvan murti Shiva reffered as Pashupati.

5. Preceding Pashupati is Bhima Murti Shiva ruling the akasa tattava seated in the throat chakra.

4. Preceding Bhima, Shiva appears in Ugra Murti, ruling the vayu tattva and seated in Anahata.

3. In Manipuraka, he is ruler of the agni tattva as rudra murti shiva

2. In swadhisthan, he is ruler of Water element.

1. Finally in Muladhar, he is ruler of the earth element.

Ishana is same as Paramatman for Advatins and Narayana for Vaishnavas and Para Shiva for Shaivites. He is the subtlest Brahma Nadi ~ which holds the 7 well know chakras/worlds, like Narayana holds the universe in all its manifestations.

Agnideva
04 September 2007, 11:09 PM
Namaste SM,


In shiva puja we pay our oblations to astha murti shiva ~ the 8 forms of shiva, each form being the ruler of a higher reality.

Thank you for posting this valuable information. The Ashta murtis are together considered Shiva's universal form (vishvarupa), as they are associated with the chakras, the 8 elements and, by extrapolation, the eight directions. The Ashta murtis are also mentioned by Srikantha in his commentary on the Brahma-sutras. According to him, Shiva is called:

Bhava because He is the one existent everywhere.
Sharva because He is capable of destroying all.
Ishana because He has Lordship without limitations.
Ishvara (Pashupati) because He rules over all pashus (souls).
Rudra because He tears away the pains of worldly existence.
Ugra because He unimpeded by the luster of others.
Bhima because He instills fear in souls based on their own karma.
Mahadeva because He of great luster.

OM Namah Shivaya.
A.