Om Maheswaraya namaha, Om Mahadevaya namaha,
Om Sarveswaraya namaha,
Om Shivaya namaha, Om Shankaraya namaha
Om Trayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanat Mrutyor Mukshiya Mamrutat
The word Shiva literally means “the one in whom the universe sleeps” after the dissolution and before the next creation. Shiva represents the aspect of the Supreme Reality which continuously recreates, in the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation. He annihilates wickedness, grants boons, bestows grace, destroys ignorance, and awakens wisdom in His devotees. In his human form Shiva is depicted as naked and covered with ashes indicating that He is free from attachments to the material things of this world and the ashes symbolize the essence of all things in creation, the source of which is Shiva himself. Shiva, which also means auspicious, is shown sitting in the cremation ground. On one hand this symbolizes His control over the cycle of life and death, and on the other, it says that the auspicious is inherent within what is considered most inauspicious (that is the cremation ground). The damaru (drum) in His hand represents the sacred vibrations of the source of all creation, and the tiger skin signifies the source of infinite power which He controls with His will. The crescent moon, an ornament, signifies the time cycles of the creation and dissolution and also the qualities of love, kindness and compassion. The bull, which signifies Dharma, is the eternal companion of Shiva.
Best wishes to you and your family!
VHPA