SECRET BEHIND "BOOM SHIVA"
The Lord Of Bhang has much more to offer than we expect
By Bhavnoor Minocha Apr 26, 2017
The yearly calendars, temples and photos have constrained our vivid imagination. As soon as we hear the word ‘God’, we picture a supreme power with a backdrop of pleasant scenery, dressed in royal costumes with loads of gold ornaments hanging on its body. Yes, they are immortal with utmost knowledge of worldly affairs. But what if we told you they were a lot more relatable unlike our fancy dreams?
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Hindu mythology is not as strict as it sounds considering all the Vedas and Shastras in Bhagwad Gita. It’s much cooler, yes you heard it right. Cannabis/Marijuana, commonly known as Bhang/Charas is mentioned in Atharva Veda as a plant having medical benefits. Vedas call it a source of happiness, joy-giver, liberator to thoughts and a medium to lose fear. Lord Shiva is one of the gods who consumed Chillum (weed) on daily basis. A man with a blue throat covered in ash over his body, sitting on a tiger skin with a neck around his neck certainly breaks all the stereotypes of being a god!
According to scientific research, weed tends to relieve anxiety of those having anger issues. Shiva-commonly known for his high temper, for having cut off the head of his own son Ganesha-this plant assisted him to tackle his displeasure. Another story states that after sipping the poison Halahala, which was attained by churning the drink of immortality, the fumes made him restless. He was offered Bhang to suppress his anger leading to his throat turning blue. Besides this, it helped The Lord to oppose the chilly winters in the Himalayas.
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Yet, do all these tales give us a reason to smoke weed? It can be considered godly with its belief an un-godly with its threats. It has been used since the out birth of religions and spiritual rites making its way to the Holy Shiva temples even today. We all have seen or heard about Naga Sadhus covered in tangerine draped cloth making clouds of smoke on Shivratri festivals. They preach ‘Boom Shiva’ before every drag as symbol of the presence to the almighty.
It’s a perfect example to those people who advise us to overcome our bad habits, Bholenath gives us a vision of calmness yet ecstasy at the same time. Every addict associates itself with Shiva, but it was needed to get them closer to god by meditating and not to intoxicate. The purpose can change the whole significance, isn’t it?
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The Lord of Bhang is rightly associated to Shiva, preaching the best of everything. Hindu mythology is indeed dope, isn’t it?
Fig. 151 Illustrated by Bhavnoor (2017)
