02/10/2024
In Indian mythology, cannabis is deeply connected to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, known as the destroyer and transformer. There’s a popular legend about how cannabis became Shiva’s sacred plant.
It is said that once, during a hot summer day, Shiva wandered into the fields after a heated argument with his family. Weary and dehydrated, he collapsed under the shade of a large plant. As he rested, drops of nectar from the leaves of the plant fell onto his lips. Revitalized and refreshed, Shiva awoke with a newfound sense of calm and peace.
Curious about this plant, he consumed its leaves and experienced a deep state of bliss and clarity. He meditated for days, feeling closer to the universe and more connected to all life. From then on, Shiva embraced cannabis as his sacred herb, using it to aid in his meditation and contemplation of the cosmos.
Cannabis thus became known as "Shiva’s Prasad" (offering) and is often consumed by his followers during religious rituals, especially on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, when devotees drink a special beverage called bhang made from cannabis leaves, milk, and spices to honor Lord Shiva.
This myth highlights cannabis as a divine plant that brings peace, meditation, and a deeper connection with the spiritual world, especially when used to honor the great Lord Shiva.