Meaning Of Maheshwara
"He is One who rules over all beings in the universe. He commands and ordains everything in the universe in the right manner. Sunrise and sunset go on according to His command. Seasons, rain, day and night are His commands." Sai Baba, SS, 8/92. p. 176
Meaning Of Ardhanareeshwara (androgynous)
"The Atma is Purusha (Brahman) and the body is Prakriti (Feminine Principle) in human life. So. every human being is androgynous (Ardhareeshwara). The Principle of Shiva (Shiva-twa) teaches the unity of Prakriti and Purusha. This is the true meaning of Shivaratri. Forgetting this principle, man considers this physical body to be made up of merely blood, flesh and fecal matter. No doubt, it has these constituents, but one should not forget the fact that divinity permeates this body." Sai Baba. SS, 3/99, p. 72.
"The principle of Shiva-Shakti is all-pervasive. This world has a very significant name, Bhavani-Shankara. Bhavani means 'Shraddha (steadfast devotion) and Shankara means Vishwas (faith). It is to say that the world has been based on the twin principles of Sharddha and Vishwas. Bhavani and Shankara are inseparable, interdependent and all pervasive. So, whole world is the form of Ardha-nareeshwara (androgynous)." Sai Baba, SS, 12/99. p.363
"Through 'Shradha' (eamestness) Ichchaa-shakti (will power), Kriya-shakti (power of action) and Janana-shakti (the power of wisdom) are manifested. The essence of these three potencies is Eeshwaratva (Divinity). They constitute the power of faith (Vishvaasam).
Thus, 'Shraddha' (eamestness) and 'Vishvaasa' (faith) represent Parvati and Parameshwara. Humanness represents the combination of Shakti (or Prakriti=Nature) and Shiva. These two are not separate. Just as fire and the power to burn go together, these two go together. Sugar and sweetness are similarly inter-related. There is no sugar without sweetness. Where there is sweetness there is sugar. Likewise, 'Shraddha' and 'Vishvaasam' (earnestness and faith) are symbiotically related to each other. Hence, these should be regulated as present in man in the form of Shiva and Shakti.
The whole world of Prakriti (Nature) is 'Ardhanaaree-swaroopam' (the feminine half of the Divine couple). Any man who has no 'Shraddha' and 'Vishvaasa' is verily- a corpse." Sai Baba. SS. 4/93. p. 100
"The whole world seemed to rejoice at the weddding of Rama and Sita. because it had its cosmic significance. It represented the union of Prakriti (Sita) with Purusha, the Supreme Absolute. Even being in the cosmos, whatever may be the gender in the external form, is feminine. She represents one half of the Lord-Ardhaangini. The Paramaatma (the Oversell) is the Purusha (the Supreme Godhead). Together, Prakriti and Purusha represent the concept of 'Ardhanareeshwara' - the Divine conceived as half-male and half-female. This union of male and female is found in every human being. Everyone should understand this aspect of the Ramayana story." Sai Baba, SS, 6/94, p. 146
Meaning Of Someshawara
"Today (15 February 1999) is Somavaar (Monday), very endearing to Soma-shekhara (Eeshwara or Shiva). That is why Shiva is extolled as Someshawara and Somashekhara. This (Sai's) body was born on Monday. In every Shiva temple, special prayers are offered on Mondays." Sai Baba. SS. 3/99. p. 73
Meaning Of Eeshwara
"Another name given to the Divine entity was "Eeshwara" that is, the Divine was regarded as the possessor of the infinite and exhaustible wealth. What is the wealth? Health is one kind of wealth. Material riches arc one kind of wealth. Knowledge, virtues, wisdom are all included in the term wealth ("Aishwaryam"). Eeshwara is the embodiment of every kind of wealth." Sai Baba. SS. 6/91. p. 143
"The Gita declares, 'Eeshwara dwells, 0 Arjuna in the heart region of all beings.' Eeshwara, therefore, means the Lord of the heart. He illumines the heart of every being. — This means that the Divine power of Eeshwara is present in every heart. The other name given to Eeshwara is Lord of the Heart or Atma." Sai Baba. SS. 8/88, p. 199
"Eeshwara is the One that makes everything and follows its discipline without any lapse."
Sai Baba, SS, 8/92. p. 176
Meaning of Eeshwara Pranidhaanam
"It means dedication to the Lord. All actions, that we do, should be pleasing to the Lord. Whatever actions we perform, the question must be asked: 'Will this please the
Lord or not? God means, in fact, your conscience. You should not do anything which does not give you self-satisfaction." Sai Baba, SS. 10/89. p :62
Shiva's Other Names And Their Meanings
Saamhashiva
"The Lord has another name. It is only when the love principle underlying this name is rightly understood, the real form of the cosmos can be recognised. That name is 'Saambashiva'. 'Saa' means divinity. 'Amba' refers to the cosmos. 'Shiva' means the Supreme Person." Sai Baba, SS. 4/90, p. 85
Yogashikha
"Eeshwara has ye: mother name, Yogashikha. The sky is his blue form." Sai Baba, SS, 4/90, p. 85
Digambara
"The directions (Dik) are his garment. Hence, he is known as Digambara." Sai Baba, SS. 4/90. p. 85
Panchaanana
"He is also known as " Panchaanana' - the Five-headed One. The five are: earth, water, fire, air and space Aakaasha). His five heads represent the five basic elements." Sai Baba, SS, 4/90, p. 86
Bhootanaatha
"Shiva is also described as Bhootanaatha - the Lord of all created beings. 'Bhuta' refers to creation. Eeshwara is the Lord of every creature in the universe. Hence, the entire cosmos is reflected 35 image in the Lord." Sai Baba, SS. 4/90, p. 86
Shubhankara
"Shiva is known as "Shubhankara' -the one who is ever good ('Shubhama') Sai Baba, SS. 4/90, p. 86
Shankara
"Eeshwara is ever in a state of beautitude. 'Shankara' remains' Shankara' without a Sri. Shiva is not called 'Sri- Shiva'. Eeshwara is not referred to as 'Sri Eeshwara'. He is the embodiment of all auspicouness and holiness. Hence, he needs no other appellation. He is the source of all prosperity and well-being." Sai Baba, SS. 4/90. p. 86