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In the Sanatan tradition, Lord Shiva is worshiped with many names like ‘Bholenath’, ‘Mahakal’ and ‘Rudra’. While other Gods and Goddesses are adorned with lavish clothes and jewellery, the form of Lord Shiva is a symbol of complete renunciation, renunciation and renunciation. The moon is on his forehead, Ganga is in his hair, snake is around his neck, ash is on his body and tiger skin (deer skin/tiger skin) is adorning his waist. Lord Shiva is also called ‘Baghambara’, which means one who wears tiger skin as clothes. But do you know why Mahadev made tiger skin his clothes and seat? Behind this, a very interesting and instructive mythological story is described in Shiva Purana and other religious scriptures.
According to the legend of Shiva Purana, once Lord Shiva arrived in Daruk Van (a dense forest) in the form of a naked Avadhuta (Digambara) to explain the welfare of the creation and the esoteric truth of renunciation. Many ascetic sages along with their wives and disciples lived in ashrams in that forest. Those sages had become very proud of their rigorous penance, yagya and rituals. He started considering himself the most knowledgeable and superior person in the universe. Mahadev wanted to destroy his ego.
When Lord Shiva passed through that forest, the creatures of the forest and the wives of the sages were mesmerized by his extremely divine, brilliant and supernatural form. When the sages saw this scene, out of ignorance they could not recognize Mahadev and became extremely angry and jealous. Under the influence of their asceticism and ego, the sages organized a huge and destructive Tantric Yagya to destroy Lord Shiva. From the fire of that yagya, he created a very huge, terrible and man-eating tiger and left it behind Lord Shiva to kill him.
As the monstrous tiger roared and pounced upon Lord Shiva, Mahadev neutralized the power of that elusive and ferocious tiger with just the touch of one of his fingers. He killed that ferocious animal without any weapon and took off its skin with his own hands. After this, Lord Shiva wrapped the skin of the same tiger on his body like a cloth and sat on it in meditation posture. Seeing this, all the pride of the sages was shattered. He immediately realized that this was not an ordinary saint, but the real father of the world, Devadhidev Mahadev. All the sages fell at his feet and started apologizing.
There is not only a story but also a deep spiritual message hidden behind Lord Shiva wearing Baghambar:
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Victory over anger, lust and ego: Tiger is considered a symbol of power, aggression, uncontrolled anger and indomitable lust in nature. Lord Shiva killing the tiger and turning its skin into a seat and clothes shows that a true yogi is one who has completely controlled his senses, anger, pride and violent tendencies.
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Freedom from fear and death: Tiger is the most dreaded and deadly predator of the forest, which everyone is afraid of. By making him a seat under his feet, Mahadev proved that the one who takes refuge in Shiva cannot be troubled by any fear of the world or fear of death.
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Balance of nature and detachment: This form also teaches that Shiva is beyond worldly appearances and material comforts. They remain situated only in truth, meditation and enlightenment.