Why Lord Shiva is Associated with Marijuana?
For centenaries, Ganja, in other forms, has been taken in India. According to the Vedic textbooks, Ganja (cannabis) is believed to be the one among five most divine plants. It’s also believed to be a absolute source of compassion, happiness and liberation.
AS PER THE ATHARVA VEDA
The fourth scripture of the Vedas, Ganja is the ‘five realms of herbs, which mitigate anxiety’. Ganja has medicinal features & is consumed from Cannabis plant. Aeons ago, it’s been used in spiritual and religious rites.
There is no contradiction in the reality that Lord Shiva was extremely connected to ganja. Let’s findout the grounds beyond Lord Shiva’s consumption of Ganja, Weed or Cannabis. There’re two varities of tales linked to it.
1ST GENRE — SAMUDRA MANTHAN
This version of Lord Shiva & Bhaang tale is associated with Samudra Manthan. In course of Samudra Manthan, the Gods (devas) & Demons (rakshas) agitated ocean together to gain Amrita (i.e. nectar of immortality). Although, one of the by-product of this, was the Poison (Vish) termed Halahala, a wellknown most dangerous poison in the entire Universe, whose fumes were competent in killing both demons and gods. In order to safeguard all, Lord Shiva drank entire lethal poison. He was then later served Bhaang to endure fresh.
Few legends even profess that Lord Shiva shifted to Kailash Mountain by the Lake Gosaikunda area, post episode of the Samudra Manthan. Lord Shiva’s head was wrapped with the “Bilva Patra”. So now you see every single thing was done to cool Lord Shiva.
Ganja is considered to be the coolant. It slows down the body’s metabolism & brings entire body temperature down. Same is in the case with Ganja (Bhaang) & Datura. Bhaang & Datura are closely connected with Lord Shiva as well.
This’s clearly the ground, why Lord Shiva isn’t just connected with bhaang but it’s truly well-known all-embracing Lord of Bhaang or the Ganja.
2ND GENRE
As per the legend, Formerly, Lord Shiva had a intense debate with his family. He drifted off in the farm, where he slept beneath the plant of cannabis. When he wokeup, was hungry & so he took few cannabis. After its consumption, Lord Shiva felt a rapid genesis of refreshment and rejuvenation. Therefore, this made him to adapt to the cannabis as his favoured extravagance.
CONSUMING MARIJUANA IS NOW BELIEVED TO BE A PART OF CULTURE
For its influential past with Lord Shiva, each year in February, the Hindus from India & Nepal meet in Kathmandu for drinking marijuana. This’s arranged in the event of MahaShivaratri, where thousands of Hindus assemble near the Pashupatinath temple, chanting the name of Lord Shiva.
