Anyone wandering through the alleys of Varanasi or visiting the sadhu camps during the Kumbh Mela festival will inevitably encounter the pungent smell of burning ganja (cannabis). What often sounds like "hippie culture" to Western ears has a millennia-old tradition in Hinduism – especially in the worship of the god Shiva .
But what is actually behind this ritualistic consumption? Is it mere intoxication or deep spirituality?
The origin: Shiva as lord of hemp
In Hindu mythology, Shiva is considered the god of destruction, renewal, and asceticism. He lives on the sacred Mount Kailash, meditates for the good of the world, and is known for his unconventional lifestyle.
According to legend, Shiva consumed cannabis to cool himself from the heat of the poison that arose during the creation of the ocean ( Samudra Manthan ), which he drank to save the world. Since then, the plant has been considered his favorite food.
Why do Sadhus smoke ganja?
For the sadhus (holy men) who follow Shiva, smoking ganja (usually in a clay pipe called a chillum ) is not a leisure activity. It is a ritual act with clear goals:
- Focus and meditation: In small amounts, it helps to free the mind from worldly worries and to direct concentration towards the divine.
- Symbolic community: Before the chillum is lit, worshippers often call out "Bom Shankar" or "Alakh Niranjan" . It is an invitation to Shiva to participate in the ritual.
- Overcoming the ego: The state of intoxication is supposed to help loosen the boundaries of the "self" and establish a connection to cosmic consciousness.
Not all ganja is the same.
Interestingly, tradition distinguishes between different forms of consumption:
- Ganja: The dried flowers (are smoked).
- Charas: The hand-rolled resin (especially potent).
- Bhang: A drink made from crushed leaves, milk, and spices. This is the only form that is socially accepted in many parts of India, even among the general population, during holidays such as Holi or Maha Shivaratri .
A fine line
It's important to remember that consumption is embedded within religious practice. A true sadhu uses the plant as a tool for discipline, not as an escape route. Furthermore, in the modern world, the issue is legally complex, as cannabis is officially prohibited in India (except for bhang in certain states), although religious practices are often tolerated.
Conclusion: The ritual smoking in honor of Shiva is a fascinating example of how a plant can become a link between man and god – far removed from Western clichés, deeply rooted in ancient myths.
Even if you are not an ascetic sadhu in the Himalayas, some principles of the Shiva tradition can be applied to modern everyday life.
1. The Power of Intention (Set)
In Shaivism, ganja is never consumed "just like that." There is always a supplication or prayer beforehand.
- The lesson: Before consuming, ask yourself: Why am I doing this right now? Am I seeking relaxation, creativity, or do I simply want to numb an unpleasant feeling? Formulating a clear intention fundamentally changes the plant's effect.
2. Ritual instead of habit
For the Sadhus, consumption is a ritual act, not an automated process.
- The lesson: Make consumption a special occasion, instead of doing it passively while scrolling on your phone or gaming. A conscious "setting" (pleasant surroundings, peace and quiet, perhaps music) prevents the herb from becoming mere background noise in your life.
3. Focus instead of escape
Shiva's followers use ganja to focus on the divine, not to distract themselves from reality.
- The lesson: Observe whether cannabis makes you more present or whether you use it to "escape." Spiritual tradition teaches us that the plant is an amplifier. Use it to have deeper conversations, listen to music more intensely, or be more mindful in nature, rather than using it as an escape from everyday life.
4. Respect for the plant
In India, ganja is often considered a "gift from the gods." This implies a respectful approach to it.
- The lesson: Less is often more. The Sadhus don't strive for a "blackout," but rather a state of waking trance. Respect also means knowing one's own limits and taking breaks so that the receptors in the brain remain sensitive.
5. Integration of ascetic discipline
Shiva is not only the god of intoxication, but above all the god of discipline .
- The teaching: A sadhu would never allow the plant to control his life – he controls the mind. For the modern consumer, this means: Cannabis should be a complement to a disciplined, productive life, not a replacement for it. Fulfill your duties (your "dharma") before indulging in pleasure.
- A little reminder: Sadhus often combine consumption with breathing exercises (pranayama). Next time, you could try consciously taking five minutes to breathe deeply in and out after consuming – you'll be surprised how much more intense and clear the experience becomes.
Here are three simple exercises you can try:
1. Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
This is a classic yoga pose. It serves to balance the left (moon-oriented/calming) and right (sun-oriented/activating) hemispheres of the brain.
- Here's how: Hold your right nostril closed with your right thumb and inhale deeply through your left nostril. Then close your left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through your right. Inhale again through your right nostril, close your right nostril, and exhale through your left.
- Effect: It reduces the "fidgetiness" that can sometimes occur with cannabis and provides a very clear, centered focus.
2. Sama Vritti (The Box Breathing)
This technique is extremely simple, yet powerful in instantly calming the nervous system.
- Breathe in for 4 seconds .
- Hold your breath for 4 seconds .
- Exhale for 4 seconds .
- Hold your lungs empty for 4 seconds .
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Effect: It prevents racing thoughts and helps you arrive in the moment. Perfect if the effects of consumption start off a little too intensely.
3. The “Humming Bee” (Bhramari)
This is a very meditative exercise that particularly intensifies auditory perception.
- How it works: Take a deep breath in. As you exhale, gently close your ears with your thumbs (or index fingers) and create a deep, buzzing sound (like a bumblebee) as you exhale through your nose. Feel the vibration in your head.
- Effect: The vibration calms the vagus nerve. When you're high, this vibration often feels like an internal massage and can have an almost hypnotic effect.
A small practical tip:
In Indian tradition, people often breathe and meditate first , and then (or during) consumption. Try practicing alternate nostril breathing before consuming. This prepares your system to take in the experience more consciously, rather than being overwhelmed by it.
Understanding why your body reacts this way makes the ritual all the more powerful.
1. The Science: Why Breathing Exercises Change the "Vibe"
Physiologically speaking, the secret lies with the vagus nerve . It is the main nerve of your parasympathetic nervous system – the part of your nervous system responsible for "rest and digestion".
- The problem: Cannabis can sometimes trigger the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight mode), which manifests as a racing heart or paranoia.
- The solution: Long exhalations (like box breathing or humming) signal to the vagus nerve: "We are safe." Your heartbeat slows down, your blood pressure drops, and the intoxication transforms from a stressful experience into deep relaxation.
2. Your guide to a modern "Shiva ritual" at home
You don't have to be sitting on a mountain in the Himalayas. A ritual simply means transforming an ordinary moment into a special one through mindfulness.
Step 1: Prepare the room (Clean Space)
A messy room leads to a messy mind.
Please tidy up briefly.
Light a candle or an incense stick (sandalwood or frankincense go well with the Shiva theme).
Switch your phone to airplane mode. This is crucial. A ritual space has no digital interruptions.
Step 2: The cleansing (Pranayama)
Before you start, do one of the breathing exercises mentioned above for 5 minutes (preferably alternate nostril breathing).
Imagine releasing the stress of the day with every exhale.
The intention: Briefly formulate in your mind what you want today: "I want to be creative today" or "I just want to deeply relax" .
Step 3: Conscious consumption
Instead of quickly “taking one off”, consciously observe the tool (your pipe, joint or vaporizer).
Notice the smell of the plant.
In tradition, a short mantra is often recited. A simple "Om Namah Shivaya" (I bow to the divine within me) is perfectly sufficient to set the focus.
Take the first puff consciously and feel how the effect spreads through your body.
Step 4: The observation phase
After consumption: Remain seated for another 10 minutes. * Do not immediately reach for the remote control or your mobile phone.
Close your eyes and do the Bhramari breathing (the humming) . You will notice that the vibration is perceived much more intensely through the cannabis. It feels as if your whole body is being gently massaged.
Pro tip: Keep a notebook handy. Insights or creative ideas often surface during these ritual moments, which quickly disappear again in the "normal" state of intoxication.
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