These days, you may find that many people are getting devotedly inclined towards Lord Shiva. After encountering them, you may wonder why these people feel connected to Lord Shiva. To understand this connection, you need to learn about a common journey that most men go through.

So let’s get started!

When an ordinary boy transitions into a man and accepts responsibility for his life and family, reality hits him differently. Often, this process shatters many of his personal dreams, leading him to make sacrifices to meet his basic needs, like food, shelter, security, and societal respect. He begins to work hard, realizing that no one will come to save him in this cruel world; everyone else seems ready to take advantage of him or assert dominance over him. His only safety net is accumulating as much money as possible.

This experience toughens him, making him resilient but also hard, often without him even realizing that in this struggle, he is becoming emotionless and numb, trapped in an illusion of strength.

One day, he enters the Shivalayas (temples of Lord Shiva) with a heavy heart, weighed down by life’s powerlessness and uncertainty. He realizes that no one is genuinely by his side; those around him only care for him when it serves their own interests. This realization emotionally devastates him. As he gazes intently at the idol of Lord Shiva, tears begin to roll down his cheeks. In that moment, he instinctively drops to his knees in reverence to honor Lord Shiva. Tears may be rolling down his face, but he is not unhappy.

For the first time, he feels a sense of inner calm, knowing that someone is looking back at him with genuine care, without judgment. The whole experience makes him emotionally attached to Lord Shiva. He realizes that he is having a divine experience as an electric pulse begins in his lower back and travels upward, igniting a surge of emotions. For the first time, he understands what it means to be still in a chaotic world where people are constantly chasing desires to satisfy their egos or pleasures. The anguish in his heart, born from being deceived for the ambitions of others, begins to fade away.

In that moment, he finds the answer to the question: Why do people feel connected to Lord Shiva? He realizes that Lord Shiva’s unconditional love for his devotees draws people closer to him. The pain in their hearts instantly connects them to Lord Shiva, especially when they see the snake coiled three times around his neck. Those who are left behind and tortured find relief in him. For these individuals, Lord Shiva is not just a deity; He is an emotion.

When Lord Shiva resides in the core of a person’s heart, they forget all fears and challenges, allowing them to believe in themselves. This empowerment comes from the realization that Lord Shiva holds the threads of everyone’s life. He is the ultimate observer, immersed in deep penance, yet his gaze encompasses the entire cosmos. He knows which of his devotees need his assistance and care. Lord Shiva gives clarity and strength to devotees so they can head towards righteousness.

The fact is that devotees of Lord Shiva are different; they have nothing to prove to the world. Their freedom and spiritual upliftment are more crucial to them. Thus, they don’t seek to assert their dominance over others because they see Shiva’s reflection in every being. Lord Shiva destroys all their darkness and liberates his devotees from the burdens of accumulated sins. For many devotees, this inner transformation naturally leads them toward vegetarianism.

This transformation doesn’t come from following a dogma, but from a profound love for the entire cosmos and every living being in it. Compassion takes over your heart as you realize that Lord Shiva is smiling at your every good deed and is lovingly watching over you.