How to Practice Bhakti Meditation for Lord Shiva or Any Deity

Devotion, or bhakti, is a profound and sacred practice in Hinduism. It is a personal and direct relationship with a deity, such as Lord Shiva. Bhakti meditation is not just about intellectual study but involves a deep emotional and spiritual connection. One of the most effective ways to establish this connection is by engaging with the Shiva Purana.

Understanding Bhakti through Shiva Purana

The Shiva Purana, one of the eighteen Mahapuranas, is a sacred text that chronicles the life and attributes of Lord Shiva. It contains detailed descriptions and hymns that help nourish devotion. Reading the Shiva Purana, and reading it repeatedly, is foundational for developing bhakti. The more one reads, the more naturally bhakti develops.

Performing RooP Dhyaana Meditation

RooP Dhyaana involves visualizing the divine form of the deity in your mind. This meditation can be a deeply transformative experience. To begin, find a comfortable seated position, which could be on the floor, in a chair, or even on a cushion, with closed eyes. The key here is to project a mental image from your imagination.

You have the freedom to visualize Lord Shiva in any form that resonates with you. You could opt for the traditional portrayal you see in calendars and books, or you could envision a more contemporary and relatable image. The choice is yours and should reflect your personal devotional experience.

Visualizing Different Body Parts

Bhakti is further enhanced by meditating on different parts of the divine form. You can concentrate on his lotus feet, his waist, or his divine face. This visualization can be accompanied by chanting mantras or silent repetition of God's name to deepen the meditation. For example, you can imagine yourself serving Lord Shiva by pressing His feet, or you can visualize yourself bathing Him in the Ganges water.

Incorporating Leelas

Welcome leelas (sacred plays) into your meditation. Imagine yourself in various roles, such as a servant, child, or consort. For instance, if you are female, you can imagine yourself as Shiva's consort, mother, or sister, and carry out your devotional activities accordingly. If you are male, consider yourself as Shiva's servant, father, or brother, and engage in the spiritual play.

God Appears in the Form You Like

The Gita (4:11) states, "As people offer various oblations to me, I in return offer to them the same or more as a result of their actions." This verse emphasizes that God manifests in the form you perceive and love. Ramana Maharshi and Ramkrishna Paramhamsa, both exemplars of divine devotees, have also conveyed this message. They have said that your deity appears in the form that feels most natural to you.

Practical Considerations

While advocating for the visualization of God as your partner or lover, it is crucial to understand that traditional practices may view this as inappropriate. Therefore, if you prefer to imagine Shiva in the form of your wife or lover, and you are comfortable with the spiritual significance of such an imagery, proceed with caution. One sant, Swami Nigamananda Saraswati, attained Maha Shakti as his consort, but this is an extraordinarily rare experience. Most commonly, devotees prefer to visualize God as their divine mother, such as Kali.

The Manifestation of Bhakti

Swami Nigamananda Saraswati once spoke, paraphrased here: As your meditation deepens, the form you visualize will manifest physically on your path to liberation. The Saguna Brahman (God with attributes) will guide you to the Nirguna Brahman (God without attributes).

The ultimate goal of bhakti is to diminish the duality between yourself and the divine, and ultimately to merge with the divine.