The form of Lord Shiva is supernatural and unique. One of His distinguishing features is that, unlike other deities, His ornaments and attire are quite unusual. Among these is ash. Mahadev adorns His body with ash.
In this world, whatever exists today will ultimately be nothing more than a heap of ash tomorrow. All the material wealth we acquire, even our own bodies, are worth no more than a handful of ash. The final and indelible truth of life is ash. Ash is the essence of everything, and it is this very essence that Lord Shiva wears on His body.
Through this adornment of ash, Lord Shiva conveys a profound message to all of humanity: do not become attached to anything, nor take pride in it, for everything is destined to become ash one day. Power, glory, and immense wealth—all are to be left behind. Lord Shiva preferred to live under the open sky or at cremation ground. He left Lanka made of Gold, specially for Him and Goddess Parvati.
Shiva, as a deity, embodies this detachment through various symbolic representations and actions, rather than being tied to a particular place.
His appearance, symbolically suggests that whatever is received through the grace of the Lord should be used in the service of others, for noble causes, for the welfare of humanity, and should be shared. This is true humanity, this is divinity, and this is the ultimate truth and the highest purpose of life.
SHIVOHAM 🙏
