skandha. In this Rudradhyayi there are one thousand Rudra Mantras. Namassivaya or the Siva Panchakshara Mantra shines in the center of these one thousand Rudra Mantras. 

Trishul  
The Trishul (trident) that Shiva holds in His right hand represents the instrument by which He removes the pain caused by the effect of the gunas- sattva, rajas and tamas. The three gunas of Nature binds the immortal soul to the body causing much pain. Shiva destroys this pain with the trishul. 

Damaru  
The Damaru in His left hand represents Shabda Brahman ( God in sound form) or OM the primordial sound. Om is the first sound and light vibration that comes into being when God begins the process of creation. It is His first Self manifestation. 

Crescent moon  
The moon is considered the presiding deity of human mind. The crescent moon on His head indicates that He has controlled the mind perfectly. 

Ganga 
The flow of the Ganga represents the nectar of immortality or the stream of pure consciousness. 

Tiger Skin  
Represents lust and all other animal propensities. His sitting on the tiger's skin indicates that He has conquered lust and all other animal propensities. 

Deer  
His holding deer on one hand indicates that He has removed the chanchalata (tossing) of the mind. Deer jumps from one place to another swiftly. The mind also jumps from one object to another. 

Garland of snakes  
Snakes represents the Jivas or the individual souls, which rests upon Shiva the Supreme Soul. When the individual attains knowledge through control of the senses and the mind, he finds his eternal resting abode in Lord Siva, the Supreme Soul. This is the esoteric significance of Lord Siva wearing the snakes on His body. 

Trilochana  
He is Trilochana, the three-eyed One. The third eye represents the mind's ability to perceive things directly without the aid of the senses. It also represents the soul's all knowing faculty of intuition. 

Nandi  
Nandi that sits in front of Shivalinga, represents Dharma . He is the vehicle of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva rides on the bull. This denotes that Lord Shiva is the protector of Dharma or righteousness.