Shiva, Lord of Bhang

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Religious Studies
• History of Medicine

Background:

• Cannabis Indica has been utilized in India for millennia.
• Its use is deeply intertwined with the worship of the Hindu deity Shiva.
• Traditional preparations include oral consumption (bhang) and smoking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the historical and religious significance of Cannabis Indica in India.
• To document traditional methods of cannabis use in Shiva worship.
• To examine the codification of these practices in ancient Indian texts.

Main Methods:

• Historical text analysis of the Vedas and related legends.
• Ethnographic review of traditional Indian religious practices.
• Review of botanical and anthropological records pertaining to Cannabis Indica.

Main Results:

• Cannabis Indica's use dates back thousands of years in India.
• Specific preparations like bhang (oral) and smoking of buds are linked to Shiva worship.
• Practices are supported by Vedic scriptures and origin myths.

Conclusions:

• Cannabis Indica holds significant cultural and religious importance in India, particularly within Shaivism.
• Traditional uses are well-documented in ancient texts, highlighting a long-standing relationship between the plant and religious devotion.
• The study underscores the deep historical roots of cannabis in spiritual practices.