Interpretation of Lord Shiva in modern terms and idioms and his meaning and significance for our times

Lord Shiva forms part of the majestic Trinity - Bramha, Vishnu and Maheswar- and is the revered deity worshipped by devotes across the world . He is understood in modern terms as a reconciler- holding the poison and not allowing it to cause death and destruction and saving planet and humanity from the deadly venom which emanated from the churning of the cosmic sea.

In the context of rising consciousness across the globe for the cause of gender equality and women's empowerment and complimentarity among men and women.

Lord Shiva's image as Ardhanariswara or half women and half men,  is often invoked to balance gender identities and interrogate patriarchy for ensuring equality and equal opportunities  for men and women in society and every other spheres of life.

Tao of Physics understood Natraj, at the centre of which remain Lord Shiva, as a complimentarity between zero and infinity. It has been said that the circle around Natraj represents zero of the material world and Tandava of Shiva represents infinity of cosmos.

Therefore, Natraj represents the mathematical idea of complimentarity between zero and infinity. It means there is valid scientific and mathematical truth behind mythological narrative of Lord Shiva. That is why there is Natraj in the entrance of the CERN laboratory of Switzerland where experiments on God particle are being done.

When Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated Tarapur atomic reactor he invoked Elephanata Cave, located near Mumbai and associated with Lord Shiva and the inherent energy linked with it, to drive home point that modern India's quest for nuclear has to be understood in terms of classical wisdom associated with cosmic energy of Lord Shiva and energy generated by the splitting  of atom and chain reaction in an atomic reactor. Om Namo Shivaya.

# The author Mr Satya Narayan Sahu was OSD and Press Secretary to the late President of India Shri K.R. Narayanan and served as Director in the Prime Minister's Office. He is currently Joint Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. The views expressed by the author are personal and not that of Rajya Sabha Secretariat.