Weed smoking God?
I would like to state I cannot begin to fathom the greatness of the personality that is Lord Shiva and his characteristics, but from what scriptures I have read there has, as of yet, been no reference to Lord Shiva taking ganja.
Again it has become common with some in the west, and among young Hindus to think that the Lord entertains such acts. Even within India many aspirants and Yogis smoke ganja and drink bhang using Shivji and spirituality as a scapegoat.
I find it almost offensive, to equate the divine with accepting such offerings, not because my present conception of drug use is projected onto this scenario; rather, it is the notion the Lord uses an organic, natural substance for any reason at all, the most prominent being to induce deep experience/meditation. On one level a drug is defined by that which alters your state of consciousness, which could theoretically induce ‘spiritual like’ feeling; if this so called ‘spirituality’ could be attained by simply smoking ganja then all seekers could easily attain the divine, giving no need for gyaan, yog, bhakti, etc. It is a baseless and inane notion. True spirituality will/should come from within and not from external factors (here I do not mean factors that prove as an impetus for devotion such as murtis etc). I neither endorse the fact that it aids true spiritual development; if anything it must hinder, giving rise to almost false and projected spiritual experience.
Let me for one moment entertain that Shiv does accept ganja, (on the assumption it is referred to in Purans and Atharva ved), who are we to imitate the Lord? Lord Shiva also drank an entire ocean of poison that threatened the very existence of creation and continues to hold that very poison in his throat. With this logic should we also?
The very name of Shiva means the most pure, the most auspicious; He creates auspiciousness in the three spheres. He revels in the name of Sri Ram, which induces in Him endless periods of bliss. When the name of God can have such effects on Him and us, why the need for anything else. If seekers want to indulge in such acts it is fine, but do not use Lord Shiva as means to justify your actions and thereby promote the falsities of detrimental practice.
Let me end with the disclaimer that Hinduism is all encompassing; all traditions, paths, and practices are permitted and accepted; moreover, it also has the beautiful capacity to evolve and flow accordingly and thus not become stagnant and stigmatised with doctrine. The individual has the option to discard those things which do not aid their personal spiritual path. Ganja/bhang may be being used in left handed practices etc but personally I see no reason for the intake of such substances when the the Vedic scriptures have clearly reiterated the path for attaining God in this age (kaliyug) is by chanting His names.
* I reiterate that this is a personal opinion and that many will not agree with my views for various reasons, I was in fact hesitant to publish this post for that very reason. However, it was very recently within the Manas Kailash Katha that I received guidance. Here Bapu spoke of Lord Shankar’s state when He and Parvati went (from Kailash) to Bharadwaj’s ashram to hear the nectar of Ram Katha. It is described that the Lord went in a joyous and blissful mood, of masti and anand, not from the intake of bhang but from naam, the name of Ram. Bapu said the disciples of Shankar started these traditions, not Shivji Himself, and that the Lord is always intoxicated in Himself/with the name of Ram and Krsna always emanating from His lips, as we should.
@3 months ago with 9 notes#ganja #hinduism #shiv #shiva #weed #marijuana #dhatura #bhang #bhaang #hinduism #bhakti
