Shiva, Shivratri & Ganja
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Free Thinker
In Atharva Veda Bhang/Ganja is described as a joy-giver and liberator. It symbolizes the surrender of materialism to spiritualism. Bhang/Ganja is not defined as an intoxicant but a spiritual tool for deep meditation and merging with the blissful divine – Lord Shiva. The Shiva Sadhus following the path of ascetic-lives consume Bhang / Ganja in chillums (nganthaks/pipes) as a part of yogic practice and meditation.
The cannabis sativa varieties (Ganja/ Bhang plants) are abundantly grown in the Himalayan region in the wild; these plants are also not eaten by animals – as it is Lord’s herb. The devotees of Shiva can get it from any hill slopes and they can consume it raw, or they can convert it into consumable format within minutes. Sometimes they dry the leaves for future use.
It is believed that consuming cannabis (Ganja / Bhang) cleanses the bodily system and one becomes closer to sinless Shiva . Lord Shiva is considered as the first practitioner of Yoga , who can comfortably withstand the chilling cold of the Himalayas - Kailash mountain – his abode ( now with China after the 1962 War ). Actually Kailash should be with the Shiva Bhaktas ; Chinese are Buddhists, Atheists, Taoists or Confucians. They really don’t know the significance of Shiva’s Kailash - except for some extraterrestrial or paranormal activities there.
Bhang/Ganja is the Hindustani name of the now internationally acclaimed cannabis sativa. It is a popular plant variety widely available in the Indo- china region. It belongs to the Cannabaceae family. Since ancient times Bhang/Ganja has been consumed in China and India. The term ganja etymologically is a Sanskrit word – meaning potent preparation of the plant.
Rationalists opine that devotees of Shiva should not try to imitate the Lord’s extraordinary consistent consumption of Bhang /Ganja . The Lord can digest anything and everything. But humans can’t do that. Lord Shiva even drank the deadliest poison – actually he did it during ‘Samudra Manthan’. Mortals have limitations – if we try to emulate the Lord we will die an instant death.
Bhang or Ganja is popular among the Shiva worshippers particularly in the northern and Himalayan region. In the South the popularity of Bhang /Ganja seems restricted for ritualistic purposes. Actual heavy consumption of Bhang / Ganja is in the north. It is also a fact that you will find Bhang shops in and around Banaras – particularly in the vicinity of Kashi Viswanath Shiva Mandir. Legally you can sell, buy and consume Bhang in such religious centers.
In Manipur even though Shiva Bhaktas are restricted to Vaishnavites the use of Ganja is quite elaborate particularly on Shivratri. Normally the sale and purchase of Ganja is prohibited in Manipur. But on the day of Shivratri the sale, purchase and consumption of Ganja is exempted. Even the law enforcing agencies do collect the stuff for puja and otherwise. Ganja fresh leaves and dried ones are readily available in every nook and corner particularly on this day. Even the daily flower/vegetable hawkers bring Ganja leaves (raw /dried) for puja. Devotees don’t need to run here and there to get it.
Shivratri has a profound spiritual paradigm. It signifies victory over innocence and ignorance. People believe that worshipping Shiva on Shivratri will bring about enlightenment. There is also a belief that Lord Shiva performs a dance item on this particular night , his famous Tandav number.
On Shivratri, believers keep fasting the whole day; some consume only fruits.They sing devotional songs based on the greatness of Mahadev the whole night. In Manipur the Shiva Puja starts in the evening. It continues till midnight and beyond. Then the ritual shall be concluded by dawn offering ‘Phola’ ( prasadam ). ‘Phola’ is a mixture of milk, sugar, honey, ‘champak’ (poha - flattened rice), banana , raisins, a little bit of edible camphor etc . If these ingredients are properly mixed and squeezed – ‘Phola’ gives a wonderful taste.
These days Shivratri duration is shortened; I mean the puja time; it will start in the evening and wind up before midnight. That is actually half puja - full puja means from dusk to dawn. If you don’t believe me – ask any true Shiva Devotee. Or Just follow the ‘Adi Yogi’ (Shiv) followers like Sadhguru. They perform puja the whole night. It is also shown live in some channels (webcast too).
Legally speaking, use and misuse of cannabis sativa ( Ganja /Bhang family) are supposed to be regulated under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.However exceptions are there, for instance Bhang /Ganja is rampantly used in rituals, religious ceremonies or traditional festivals - Shivratri , Holi etc ; and also for research and medicinal purposes. It is reliably learnt that some States have given permission to cultivate cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Someone told me that the Government of Manipur also gave license to grow Ganja to some outside entities for medicinal purposes. I really don’t know how true it is? If such permissions can be given, it should be done on a much wider scale and let the people get the benefit from extensive Ganja plantation. If we have a problem with poppies – lucrative alternatives should be provided - maize, alu, ginger, pumpkin or alum can’t be viable alternatives.
In Atharva Veda Bhang/Ganja is described as a joy-giver and liberator. It symbolizes the surrender of materialism to spiritualism. Bhang/Ganja is not defined as an intoxicant but a spiritual tool for deep meditation and merging with the blissful divine – Lord Shiva. The Shiva Sadhus following the path of ascetic-lives consume Bhang / Ganja in chillums (nganthaks/pipes) as a part of yogic practice and meditation.
The cannabis sativa varieties (Ganja/ Bhang plants) are abundantly grown in the Himalayan region in the wild; these plants are also not eaten by animals – as it is Lord’s herb. The devotees of Shiva can get it from any hill slopes and they can consume it raw, or they can convert it into consumable format within minutes. Sometimes they dry the leaves for future use.
It is believed that consuming cannabis (Ganja / Bhang) cleanses the bodily system and one becomes closer to sinless Shiva . Lord Shiva is considered as the first practitioner of Yoga , who can comfortably withstand the chilling cold of the Himalayas - Kailash mountain – his abode ( now with China after the 1962 War ). Actually Kailash should be with the Shiva Bhaktas ; Chinese are Buddhists, Atheists, Taoists or Confucians. They really don’t know the significance of Shiva’s Kailash - except for some extraterrestrial or paranormal activities there.
Bhang/Ganja is the Hindustani name of the now internationally acclaimed cannabis sativa. It is a popular plant variety widely available in the Indo- china region. It belongs to the Cannabaceae family. Since ancient times Bhang/Ganja has been consumed in China and India. The term ganja etymologically is a Sanskrit word – meaning potent preparation of the plant.
Rationalists opine that devotees of Shiva should not try to imitate the Lord’s extraordinary consistent consumption of Bhang /Ganja . The Lord can digest anything and everything. But humans can’t do that. Lord Shiva even drank the deadliest poison – actually he did it during ‘Samudra Manthan’. Mortals have limitations – if we try to emulate the Lord we will die an instant death.
Bhang or Ganja is popular among the Shiva worshippers particularly in the northern and Himalayan region. In the South the popularity of Bhang /Ganja seems restricted for ritualistic purposes. Actual heavy consumption of Bhang / Ganja is in the north. It is also a fact that you will find Bhang shops in and around Banaras – particularly in the vicinity of Kashi Viswanath Shiva Mandir. Legally you can sell, buy and consume Bhang in such religious centers.
In Manipur even though Shiva Bhaktas are restricted to Vaishnavites the use of Ganja is quite elaborate particularly on Shivratri. Normally the sale and purchase of Ganja is prohibited in Manipur. But on the day of Shivratri the sale, purchase and consumption of Ganja is exempted. Even the law enforcing agencies do collect the stuff for puja and otherwise. Ganja fresh leaves and dried ones are readily available in every nook and corner particularly on this day. Even the daily flower/vegetable hawkers bring Ganja leaves (raw /dried) for puja. Devotees don’t need to run here and there to get it.
Shivratri has a profound spiritual paradigm. It signifies victory over innocence and ignorance. People believe that worshipping Shiva on Shivratri will bring about enlightenment. There is also a belief that Lord Shiva performs a dance item on this particular night , his famous Tandav number.
On Shivratri, believers keep fasting the whole day; some consume only fruits.They sing devotional songs based on the greatness of Mahadev the whole night. In Manipur the Shiva Puja starts in the evening. It continues till midnight and beyond. Then the ritual shall be concluded by dawn offering ‘Phola’ ( prasadam ). ‘Phola’ is a mixture of milk, sugar, honey, ‘champak’ (poha - flattened rice), banana , raisins, a little bit of edible camphor etc . If these ingredients are properly mixed and squeezed – ‘Phola’ gives a wonderful taste.
These days Shivratri duration is shortened; I mean the puja time; it will start in the evening and wind up before midnight. That is actually half puja - full puja means from dusk to dawn. If you don’t believe me – ask any true Shiva Devotee. Or Just follow the ‘Adi Yogi’ (Shiv) followers like Sadhguru. They perform puja the whole night. It is also shown live in some channels (webcast too).
Legally speaking, use and misuse of cannabis sativa ( Ganja /Bhang family) are supposed to be regulated under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.However exceptions are there, for instance Bhang /Ganja is rampantly used in rituals, religious ceremonies or traditional festivals - Shivratri , Holi etc ; and also for research and medicinal purposes. It is reliably learnt that some States have given permission to cultivate cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Someone told me that the Government of Manipur also gave license to grow Ganja to some outside entities for medicinal purposes. I really don’t know how true it is? If such permissions can be given, it should be done on a much wider scale and let the people get the benefit from extensive Ganja plantation. If we have a problem with poppies – lucrative alternatives should be provided - maize, alu, ginger, pumpkin or alum can’t be viable alternatives.