Lord Shiva Consuming Bhang: Myth Or Reality?

God is supreme, powerful, and absolute. He is the source of all forms of energy. God does not require any external source of supplies to experience ecstasy and leisure. We have often seen many people, consuming weed (bhang) and other cannabis in the name of the supreme Lord Shiva. They fantasize weed as \”Prashad\” considered as bliss. 

Moreover, Shiva is pervasive and lies in all forms of creation. Everything in this universe is bound to energy, and Shiva is the supreme source of energy. He is the embodiment of reality. People worship Shiva in the form of Linga, which is supreme.

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Intoxication is not Illumination

You don\’t need to be intoxicated to be in a blissful state of mind. Lord Shiva was high on the Yogic Form of energy. He did not acquire anything externally. Shiva is not a human-god, described as brahman (universe). Further, the Shwetashawatara Upanishad describes Shiva to be formless.

What we know sadly is a myth. Lord Shiva never consumed weed or any other cannabis. He was a yogi, and his highness was beyond these materialistic ecstasies. Lord Shiva had endured immense yogic energy. During the Samundra Manthan, Shiva consumed poison to save others from its intoxication. He did not want his people to suffer. He took poison for himself. Many people have misconceived this sacrifice. In their interpretation, Lord Shiva used to consume cannabis. 

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Lord Shiva was high on Som Ras

Nowadays, drug addicts get high on marijuana in the name of Lord Shiva. But, they do not know that Shiva was high on Som Ras. Som Ras is associated with the moon. The moon symbolizes deformation and energy so Shiva balances the moon on his head. Shiva inculcated highness from, the moon which he balances on his head. Indeed, Shiva was always high but he was not high on Marijuana, or any other cannabis.

In this era, we focus on the literal meaning of the Vedas, and Scriptures rather than the real intended meaning. All that Lord Shiva experience is pure happiness. But, what you gain from cannabis is an illusion of happiness.

Some people misunderstand Lord Shiva as a smoking pot and consume a lot of Bhang (cannabis). I entirely agree with people associating Shiva with a Bhang, but the reason for his association is entirely different. Cannabis is one of the sacred plants, described in the Atharva Veda as a medicine to relieve anxiety. Thus, used as a spiritual and religious plant.

If you are consuming intoxication like cannabis and marijuana over his name, then always remember he also exemplifies a trademark of qualities. He gives utmost respect to his wife (Shakti/Parvati Maa), is generous, implies simplicity, and many more qualities. Yoga was the ultimate source through which Shiva converted grief into full-pledged ecstasy.

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Ayurvedic view to Marijuana

Marijuana is a toxic substance in the ancient texts on Ayurvedic herbs. Marijuana is never used in its pure state, but only after purification because it is considered a toxic substance. The Rasa Shastras list marijuana in the sections of Visha (poisonous plants used for healing) along with other toxic plants. The ancient texts give details for several procedures for the purification or detoxification of marijuana. These texts also list the adverse effects of the use of unpurified marijuana.

 For medicine, marijuana is almost always consumed orally and not smoked. The parts of the plant which are most commonly used in healing, preparations are the leaves and fruits (called bhaṅgā). The unpollinated flowers (called gāṅjā), the resin, the seeds, and the roots are also used in some preparations (though the roots are considered especially toxic). 

Marijuana is never used alone in Ayurveda, but as a component of formulas. Herbs are safer and more effective as a part of formulas in general, but this concept becomes even more important in the case of toxic herbs like marijuana. When taken in herbal formulas along with other herbs the residual toxic effects of marijuana are balanced by the other herbs. These formulas also are not taken alone, but along with Anupanas (substances to direct and enhance the properties of the herbs) like milk, sugar, or ghee. 

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