| Temples & Legends Of Somanatha |
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| Temples & Legends Of India |
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SHIVA - AND HIS WORSHIP |
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The
Shaivayogis were adepts in hathayoga which is the art of completely controlling the body,
including all its vital activities. One of the highest stages for a hathayogi is that of
urdhvaretas, which, among other things, includes a mastery over the muscles and
nerves of the sexual organ, in order to eliminate sex desire and attain
extraordinary longevity. This mastery is indicated in the icon of Pashupati of the
Mohenjo-daro period, and in the eleventh century image of Lakulisha of the Fourth
Temple of Somanatha.
Another ancient cult, no doubt, is the sex worship of the goddess of fertility. Shiva's
spouse is worshipped not only as Parvati or Amba, the Divine Mother, as Shakti, the
Goddess of power and strength, as Chandi the fear-some goddess destroying the wicked
but also as Amarasundari of immortal beauty, the goddess of sublima- tion from whom flows
all creativeness. |
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| About Shiva And His Worship |
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