LORD SIVA AND HIS WORSHIP SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA - PDF document

1 LORD SIVA AND HIS WORSHIP SRI SWAMI SIVA
LORD SIVA AND HIS WORSHIP SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA Founder of SERVE, LOVE, GIVE, PURIFY, MEDITATE, REALIZE So Says A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION ISBN 81-7052-025-8 P.O. SDistt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, *DXULRU3DUYDWL7KH%HVWRZHURI(WHUQDO%OLVV BlessedAspirants,LordSivaistheGodofLove.HisGraceisboundless.HeistheSaviourandGuru.HeistheBelovedofUma.HeisSatyam,Sivam,Subham,Sundaram,Kantam.HeistheSupremeLightthatshinesinyourheart.MeditateonHisForm.HearHisLilas.RepeatHisMantra‘OmNamahSivaya’.StudySivaPurana.DoHisworshipdaily.BeholdHiminallnamesandforms.HewillblessyouwithHisSwamiSivananda PUBLISHERS’NOTEThisisamostvaluableandinstructivebookfortheaspirants,particularlyforthedevoteesofLordSiva.Itcontainsfifteenchapters.ItisfullofinstructionsonpracticalSadhanaforattainingSiva-TattvaorGod-realisation.Thechapterswillspeakforthemselves.ThesecretsofSiva-Tandava,Sakti-Yoga,Siva-Tattva,etc.,areverynicelypresented.ThetranslationoftheSaivaUpanishadsisabeautifuladdition.ThelivesofSivaAcharyas,theBhaktasandtheNayanarsareinspiringandsoul-stirring.Astudyoftheirliveswillmakeone’slifesublimeandholy.Uptothistime,therehasbeennosuchpresentationonthissubject.Thephilosophicalportionishighlyilluminatingandhelpfultothereaders.ThebookcontainstheessenceofallSaivaPuranas,suchasPeriyaPuranam,LingaPuranam,SivaParakramaandTiruvilayadalPuranam.ItsvalueisenhancedbytheadditionofsomeimportantSiva-StotraswithEnglishtranslation.Thebookiswritteninamostlucidandclearstyle.Itmustbestudiedbyallreligious-mindedpersons,asitisofsolidworthfromthespiritualpointofview.—THEDIVINELIFESOCIETY PUBLISHERS’NOTE......................................ivChapterISIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRASSivaMantrasSarvalingaStava.........................................13AttributesOfSiva.........................................17TheSublimeVision........................................19SongofLordNataraja.......................................22GloryofLordSiva..............

2 ..........................22ChapterIISIV
..........................22ChapterIISIVATATTVA.............................................26..........................................27..........................................27PasupataYoga..........................................28ChapterIIITHESAIVASIDDHANTAPHILOSOPHYSivaAndTattvas.........................................28..........................................29..............................................30............................................31SuddhaSaiva...........................................32ChapterIVPHILOSOPHYOFSYMBOLSPhilosophyOfSymbols......................................33SnakeOnTheBodyOfSiva...................................34SignificanceofBhasma,Nandi,Etc................................34PhilosophyofAbhisheka.....................................35FruitofAbhishekaandRudraJapainSiva’sTemple.......................37ChapterVPHILOSOPHYOFSIVATANDAVALordNataraja—TheGreatDancer................................41DanceofSiva...........................................42 ChapterVISAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHYSivaandSakti...........................................48SivaandParvati..........................................49TheDivineMother........................................51SaktiEnergisestheTrimurtis...................................52MotherGanga...........................................52TripuraRahasya.........................................54KamakshiandtheDumbPoet...................................56HymnforForgivenesstoMother.................................57ChapterVIIVIRASAIVISMANDKASHMIRSAIVISM............................................58KashmirSaivism.........................................58ChapterVIIILORDSIVAANDHISLILAS.............................................60SivaJyoti.............................................60............................................60RavanaAndSiva.........................................60HariandSiva...........................................61Brahma’sBoon..........................................

3 61BirthofSubrahmanya....................
61BirthofSubrahmanya.......................................61LordSivaandDaksha.......................................61..........................................62TripuraSamhara.........................................62LordSivaCursesandPardonsNakirar..............................63KnowYourGuru.........................................64LordSivaDrinksPoison.....................................65LordSivaRidesontheBull....................................66LordSivaWearstheGangaonHisHead.............................66LordSiva’sLilaofBegging....................................67LordSivaWearsTrident,Deer,Etc................................67LordSivaHasUmaonHisLeft..................................68LordSivaWearsElephant’sSkin.................................68LordSivatheFuelSeller.....................................68TheTwentyfiveLilasofLordSiva................................70ChapterIXSIVAYOGASADHANASecretofPanchakshara......................................70MeditationonLordSiva.....................................71WorshipofSiva..........................................72SivaManasaPuja.........................................74 PanchaksharaMantraWriting..................................74SivaJnanam...........................................74WorshipofSivaLinga......................................76SivaLingaisChinmaya......................................77WaytoAttainLordSiva.....................................78GreatnessofthePrasad......................................79BenefitofPilgrimage.......................................80BenefitsofParikrama.......................................81RealFlowerandArati.......................................82ChapterXTHESAIVAUPANISHADSRudraoftheUpanishads.....................................83RudrakshaJabalaUpanishad...................................84BhasmaJabalaUpanishad....................................87....................................91RudraUpanishad.........................................95ChapterXITHESAIVAACHARYA

4 SApparorTirunavukkarasar................
SApparorTirunavukkarasar....................................98TirujnanaSambandhar.....................................101.........................................104.........................................106............................................108............................................109ChapterXIISIVABHAKTASSaintsandSages.........................................110...........................................111TheStoryofRishabhaYogi...................................111...........................................113KannappaNayanar.......................................114SirutondaNayanar........................................116LordSiva’sMother.......................................117TheSixty-ThreeNayanarSaints.................................118ChapterXIIILightingFestivalatArunachala.................................121VijayaDasami..........................................123.............................................124VasantaNavaratri........................................125GauriPuja............................................126 ChapterXIVSIVAYOGAMALABooksonSaivism........................................127ChidambaraRahasya......................................128SivaandVishnuareOne.....................................129SivaratriMahima........................................131TheTwelveJyotirlingas.....................................133SivaNamaKirtan........................................134SIVASTOTRAS...........................................137.........................................142..........................................146.........................................150.........................................152SivamahminahStotram.....................................153.............................................165.......................................166 ChapterISIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRASSivaMantras!n:m:HeS:v:ay:1.OMnamaþ÷ivàyaOmisSat-Chit-AnandaPara-Brahman.‘NamahSivaya’means‘ProstrationtoLordSiva.’Thisisthefive

5 -letteredformulaorthePanchakshara-Mantra
-letteredformulaorthePanchakshara-MantraofLordSiva.ThisisaverypowerfulMantrawhichwillbestowonthechantertheHighestBlissofExistence.!t:tp:Ø,\:ay:ev:¼hðm:hadðv:ay:D:im:eh.t:À:ð,dÓH)c::ðdy:at:Î..2.OMtatpuruùàyavidmahemahàdevàyadhãmahi|tannorudraþpracodayàt||Wecomprehend(realise)thatCelebratedSupremeBeing(Purusha),andmeditateuponthatGreatGod,Mahadeva;maythatRudraimpelustodoso.ThisistheRudraGayatriMantra.!*y:öb:köy:j:am:hðs:Øg:enD:öp:ØeÄv:D:ün:ö.uv:aü,kem:v:b:nD:n:anm:àty::ðm:Øüx:iy:m:|m:àt:at:Î..3.OMtryaübakaüyajàmahesugandhiüpuùñivardhanaü|urvàrukamivabandhanànmçtyormukùãyama.amçtàt||Ibowdowntothatthree-eyedLordSiva,whoisfullofsweetfragrance,whonourishesthehumanbeings.MayHefreemefromthebondageofSamsaraanddeath,justasaripecucumberfruitisseparatedfromthecreeper.MayIbefixedinImmortality!ThisistheMaha-Mrityunjaya n:ag::ðndÓharay:e*:l::ðc:n:ay:B:sm:a¤rag:ay:m:hðÃ:ray:.en:ty:ay:S:عay:edg:mb:ray:t:sm:òn:karay:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..nàgondrahàràyatrilocanàyabhasmàïgaràgàyamahe÷varàya|nityàya÷uddhàyadigambaràyatasmainakàràyanamaþ÷ivàya||Salutationstotheashes-clad,three-eyedLord,embodiedasthefirstletterNa,whoispure,nudeandeternalandwhosegarlandisthelordofserpents.m:ndaeken:s:el:l:c:ndn:c:ec:üt:ay:n:ndiÃ:r)m:T:n:aT:m:hðÃ:ray:.m:ndarp:Ø\p:b:hÚp:Ø\p:s:Øp:Üej:t:ay:t:sm:òm:karay:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..mandàkinisalilacandanacarcitàyanandã÷varapramathanàthamahe÷varàya|mandàrapuùpabahupuùpasupåjitàyatasmaimakàràyanamaþ÷ivàya||IbowtoHim,embodiedasMakara,whoisadornedwithinnumerabledivineflowersasMandaraandthelike,whoistheSovereignKingofthePramathaGanasandwhosebodyisanointedwiththeholywatersofthecelestialGanga.eS:v:ay:g::òriv:dn:arev:nds:Üy:aüy:dx:aDv:rn:aS:kay:.Â:in:il:kNYay:v:à\:Dv:j:ay:t:sm:òeS:karay:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..÷ivàyagaurãvadanàravindasåryàyadakùàdhvaranà÷akàya|÷rãnãlakaõñhàyavçùadhvajàyatasmai÷ikàràyanamaþ÷ivàya||Totheblue-neckedLord,embodiedastheletterSi,thedestroyerofDaks

6 ha’ssacrificeandtheresplendentSunof
ha’ssacrificeandtheresplendentSunofGauri’slotus-face,whosebannerbearstheemblemofabull,mayoursalutationsbe.v:es:ÄkÙmB::ð»v:g::òt:m:ay:üm:Øn:indÓdðv:aec:üt:S:ðK:ray:.c:ndÓakýv:òÃ:an:rl::ðc:n:ay:t:sm:òv:karay:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..vasiùñakumbhodbhavagautamàryamunãndradevàrcita÷ekharàya|candràrkavai÷vànaralocanàyatasmaivakàràyanamaþ÷ivàya||SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS IprostratebeforetheGodofgods,embodiedasVakara,whoseeyesaresun,moonandthefireandwhomthegodsandthegreatsageslikeVasishtha,AgastyaandGautama,everprayandy:x:sv:-p:ay:j:XaD:ray:ep:n:akhst:ay:s:n:at:n:ay:.edvy:ay:dðv:ay:edg:mb:ray:t:sm:òy:karay:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..yakùasvarÃ¥pàyajañàdharàyapinàkahastàyasanàtanàya|divyàyadevàyadigambaràyatasmaiyakàràyanamaþ÷ivàya||ProstrationstothatAncientNakedGod,embodiedastheletterYa,theYakshaincarnatewhosehairsarelongandmattedandwhoholdsPinakainHishand.p:Wc:ax:rem:döp:ØNy:öy:Hp:YðecCv:s:eÀD::ò.eS:v:l::ðkm:v:apn::ðet:eS:v:ðn:s:hm::ðdt:ð..pa¤càkùaramidaüpuõyaüyaþpañhecchivasannidhau|÷ivalokamavàpnoti÷ivenasahamodate||Whoeverrepeatsthisprayer,composedwiththefiveholylettersbeforeLordSiva,attainsthatsupremeabodeofHisandenjoystherewithHimineternalbliss.!karöeb:ndÙs:öy:ØVt:öen:ty:öDy:ay:ent:y::ðeg:n:H.kam:döm::ðx:döc:òv:!karay:n:m::ðn:m:H..OMkàraübindusaüyuktaünityaüdhyàyantiyoginaþ|kàmadaümokùadaücaivaOMkàràyanamonamaþ||MayoursalutationseverbeuntoOmkarauponwhichtheYoginsfixtheirmindsconstantlyindeepmeditationsandwhichsatiatesalldesiresandsanctionseternalsalvation.n:m:ent:m:Øn:y::ðdðv:an:m:nty:ps:rs:aög:N:aH.n:ran:m:ent:dðv:ðS:ön:karay:n:m::ðn:m:H..namantimunayodevànamantyapsarasàügaõàþ|narànamantideve÷aünakàràyanamonamaþ||LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Themortalsandthesages,thegodsandthebandsofApsarasbowtotheSupremeLord,whoembodiedasNakara,wesaluteagain.m:hadðv:öm:hatm:an:öm:haxy:an:p:ray:N:m:Î.eS:v:m:ðkp:döen:ty:öeS:karay:n:m::ðn:m:H..mahàdevaümahàtmànaümahàkùyànaparàyaõ

7 am|÷ivamekapadaünityaü÷ikàràyanamo
am|÷ivamekapadaünityaü÷ikàràyanamonamaþ||TothatGreatEffulgentBeing,embodiedasMakara,whoistheTranscendentSelf,thedestroyerofmultifarioussinsandtheSupremeObjectofworshipandmeditation,wesaluteeverandeveragain.eS:v:öS:ant:öj:g:ÀaT:öl::ðkan:Øg:Òhkarkm:Î.eS:v:m:ðkp:döen:ty:öeS:karay:n:m::ðn:m:H..÷ivaü÷àntaüjagannàthaülokànugrahakàrakam|÷ivamekapadaünityaü÷ikàràyanamonamaþ||Totheall-auspiciousandall-powerfulLordoftheuniverse,embodiedastheletterSi,whobestowspeaceandprosperityupontheworldandwhoisOneandEternal,mayoursalutationsalwaysbe.v:ahn:öv:à\:B::ðy:sy:v:as:ØekHkNYB:Ü\:N:m:Î.v:am:ðS:eVt:D:rödðv:öv:karay:n:m::ðn:m:H..vàhanaüvçùabhoyasyavàsukiþkaõñhabhåùaõam|vàme÷aktidharaüdevaüvakàràyanamonamaþ||WhowearsSaktionthelefthandandwhohasabulltorideonandtheserpentkingVasukitogarland,tohimembodiedasVakarawesaluteagainandagain.y:*:y:*:esT:t::ðdðv:Hs:v:üvy:ap:im:hðÃ:rH.y::ðg:Ø,Hs:v:üdðv:an:aöy:karay:n:m::ðn:m:H..yatrayatrasthitodevaþsarvavyàpãmahe÷varaþ|yoguruþsarvadevànàüyakàràyanamonamaþ||SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS Totheall-pervadingMahesvara,embodiedastheletterYa,Godwithaformandwithout,whoisthepreceptoroftheshiningones,whereverHemaybe,mayoursalutationsbe.p:Wc:ax:rem:döst::ð*:öy:Hp:YðecCv:s:eÀD::ò.eS:v:l::ðkm:v:apn::ðet:eS:v:ðn:s:hm::ðdt:ð..pa¤càkùaramidaüstotraüyaþpañhecchivasannidhau|÷ivalokamavàpnoti÷ivenasahamodate||Whoeverrepeatsthisprayer,composedwiththefiveletters,‘NamahSivaya’beforeLordSiva,enjoysSupremeBlissinHisEternalAbode.b:ÒÉm:Øraers:Øraec:üt:el:¤öen:m:ül:B:ae\:t:S::ðeB:t:el:¤m:Î.j:nm:j:dÙHK:ev:n:aS:kel:¤öt:t)N:m:aem:s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î..brahmamuràrisuràrcitaliïgaünirmalabhàùita÷obhitaliïgam|janmajaduþkhavinà÷akaliïgaütatpraõamàmisadà÷ivaliïgam||IbowbeforethatSadasivalinga,whichisadoredbyBrahma,Vishnuandtheothergods,whichispraisedbypureandholyspeechesandwhichdestroysthecycleofbirthsanddeaths.dðv:m:Øen:)v:raec:üt:el:¤ökam:dhök,N:

8 akrel:¤m:Î.rav:N:dp:üev:n:aS:n:el:¤Ã
akrel:¤m:Î.rav:N:dp:üev:n:aS:n:el:¤öt:t)N:m:aem:s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î..devamunipravaràrcitaliïgaükàmadahaükaruõàkaraliïgam|ràvaõadarpavinà÷analiïgaütatpraõamàmisadà÷ivaliïgam||IbowbeforethatSadasivalinga,thedestroyerofCupid,whichtheDevasandthesagesworship,whichisinfinitelycompassionateandwhichsubduedtheprideofRavana.s:v:üs:Øg:enD:s:Øl:ðep:t:el:¤öb:Øe¹ev:v:D:ün:karN:el:¤m:Î.es:¹s:Øras:Ørv:endt:el:¤öt:t)N:m:aem:s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î..sarvasugandhisulepitaliïgaübuddhivivardhanakàraõaliïgam|siddhasuràsuravanditaliïgaütatpraõamàmisadà÷ivaliïgam||LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP IbowbeforethatSadasivalinga,whichislavishlysmearedwithvariegatedperfumesandscents,whichelevatesthepowerofthoughtandenkindlesthelightofdiscrimination,andwhichtheSiddhas,theSurasandtheAsurasprostratebefore.kn:km:ham:eN:B:Üe\:t:el:¤öPeN:p:et:v:ðeÄt:S::ðeB:t:el:¤m:Î.dx:s:Øy:wev:n:aS:n:el:¤öt:t)N:m:aem:s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î..kanakamahàmaõibhåùitaliïgaüphaõipativeùñita÷obhitaliïgam|dakùasuyaj¤avinà÷analiïgaütatpraõamàmisadà÷ivaliïgam||IbowbeforethatSadasivalinga,thedestroyerofDaksha’ssacrifice,whichisdecoratedwithvariousornaments,studdedwithdifferentgemsandrubiesandwhichglowswiththeserpentlordcoiledaround.kÙ¢Ûm:c:ndn:l:ðep:t:el:¤öp:¢j:hars:ØS::ðeB:t:el:¤m:Î.s:eWc:t:p:ap:ev:n:aS:n:el:¤öt:t)N:m:aem:s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î..kuïkumacandanalepitaliïgaüpaïkajahàrasu÷obhitaliïgam|sa¤citapàpavinà÷analiïgaütatpraõamàmisadà÷ivaliïgam||IbowbeforethatSadasivalinga,whichissmearedwithsaffronandsandal-paste,whichisfairwithlotus-garlands,andwhichextirpatesthemultitudeofallaccumulatedsins.dðv:g:N:aec:üt:s:ðev:t:el:¤öB:av:òB:üeVt:eB:rðv:c:el:¤m:Î.edn:krk:ðeX)B:akrel:¤öt:t)N:m:aem:s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î..devagaõàrcitasevitaliïgaübhàvairbhaktibhirevacaliïgam|dinakarakoñiprabhàkaraliïgaütatpraõamàmisadà÷ivaliïgam||IbowbeforethatSadasivalingawhichisworshippedbythemultitudeofgodswithgenuinethoughtsfulloffaithandde

9 votionandwhosesplendourislikethatofmilli
votionandwhosesplendourislikethatofmillionsuns.AÄdl::ðp:erv:ðeÄt:el:¤ös:v:üs:m:Ø»v:karN:el:¤m:Î.AÄderdÓev:n:aS:n:el:¤öt:t)N:m:aem:s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î..aùñadalopariveùñitaliïgaüsarvasamudbhavakàraõaliïgam|aùñadaridravinà÷analiïgaütatpraõamàmisadà÷ivaliïgam||SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS IbowbeforethatSadasivalingadestructiveofallpovertyinitseightaspects,whichisthecauseofallcreationandwhichstandsontheeightDalas.s:Ørg:Ø,s:Ørv:rp:Üej:t:el:¤ös:Ørv:n:p:Ø\p:s:daec:üt:el:¤m:Î.p:ratp:röp:rm:atm:kel:¤öt:t)N:m:aem:s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î..suragurusuravarapåjitaliïgaüsuravanapuùpasadàrcitaliïgam|paràtparaüparamàtmakaliïgaütatpraõamàmisadà÷ivaliïgam||IbowbeforethatSadasivalingawhichistheTranscendentBeingandtheSupremeSelf,worshippedbyallSuraswiththeirpriestahead,withinnumerableflowersfromthecelestialel:¤aÅkem:döp:ØNy:öy:Hp:YðecCv:s:eÀD::ò.eS:v:l::ðkm:v:apn::ðet:eS:v:ðn:s:hm::ðdt:ð..liïgàùñhakamidaüpuõyaüyaþpañhecchivasannidhau|÷ivalokamavàpnoti÷ivenasahamodate||WhoeverrepeatstheseeightSlokas,praisingSivalingainthepresenceofLordSiva,attainsthatSupremeAbodeofSivaandenjoystherewithHimeverlastingBlissandBeatitude.c:aöp:ðy:g::òraD:üS:rirkay:òkp:Üürg::òraD:üS:rirkay:.D:emm:ll:kay:òc:j:XaD:ray:n:m:HeS:v:ay:òc:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..1..càüpeyagauràrdha÷arãrakàyaikarpåragauràrdha÷arãrakàya|dhammillakàyaicajañàdharàyanamaþ÷ivàyaicanamaþ÷ivàya||1||ToHerwhosebodyshinesasbrightaspolishedgold,toHimwhosebodyshinesasbrilliantaswhitecamphor,toHerwithafittinghead-dressandtoHimwithmattedlocks,toGauriandLordSivamayourprostrationsbe.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP kst:ÜerkakÙökÙm:c:ec:üt:ay:òec:t:arj:p:ØWj:ev:c:ec:üt:ay:.kát:sm:ray:òev:kát:sm:ray:n:m:HeS:v:ay:òc:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..2..kastårikàkuükumacarcitàyaicitàrajapu¤javicarcitàya|kçtasmaràyaivikçtasmaràyanamaþ÷ivàyaicanamaþ÷ivàya||2||ToHerofbodysmearedwithmuskandsaffron,toHimofbodysmearedwithashesofthecrematorium,toHerwhoradiateslovethrough

10 Herbeauty,toHimwhodestroyedthegodoflove(
Herbeauty,toHimwhodestroyedthegodoflove(Kamadeva),toGauriandLordSivamayourprostrationsbe.c:l:tVv:N:tk¢N:n:Üp:Øray:òem:l:tPN:aB:asv:rn:Üp:Øray:.hðm:a¤dy:òB:Øj:g:a¤day:n:m:HeS:v:ay:òc:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..3..calatkvaõatkaïkaõanåpuràyaimilatphaõàbhàsvaranåpuràya|hemàïgadayaibhujagàïgadàyanamaþ÷ivàyaicanamaþ÷ivàya||3||ToHeradornedwithtinklingbeautifulanklets,toHimadornedwithsnake-ankletscircledroundHislotus-feet,toHershiningwithgoldenbracelets,andtoHimwithsnake-bracelets,toGauriandLordSivamayourprostrationsbe.ev:l::ðl:n:il::ðtp:l:l::ðc:n:ay:òev:kaes:p:¤ñ,hl::ðc:n:ay:.s:m:ðx:N:ay:òev:\:m:ðx:N:ay:n:m:HeS:v:ay:òc:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..4..vilolanãlotpalalocanàyaivikàsipaïgeruhalocanàya|samekùaõàyaiviùamekùaõàyanamaþ÷ivàyaicanamaþ÷ivàya||4||ToHerwitheyesasbroadasthepetalsofthebluelotus(Nilotpala),toHimwitheyesasbroadasthepetalsofthefullyblossomedlotus,toHerwithanevennumberofeyes(two),toHimwithanoddnumberofeyes(three),toGauriandLordSivamayourprostrationsbe.m:ndarm:al:akel:t:al:kay:òkp:al:m:al:ae¢t:knD:ray:.edvy:amb:ray:òc:edg:mb:ray:n:m:HeS:v:ay:òc:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..5..mandàramàlàkalitàlakàyaikapàlamàlàïkitakandharàya|divyàmbaràyaicadigambaràyanamaþ÷ivàyaicanamaþ÷ivàya||5||SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS ToHerwhosehairisdecoratedwithgarlandsofsweet-smellingdivineflowers,toHimwhoseneckisadornedwithagarlandofskulls,toHerdecoratedwithexcellentdivinegarments,toHimcladwitheightquarters,toGauriandLordSivamayourprostrationbe.AmB::ðD:rSy:am:l:kÙnt:l:ay:òt:eRt)B:at:am:Òj:XaD:ray:.eg:riÃ:ray:òen:eK:l:ðÃ:ray:n:m:HeS:v:ay:òc:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..6..ambhodhara÷yàmalakuntalàyaitaóitprabhàtàmrajañàdharàya|girã÷varàyainikhile÷varàyanamaþ÷ivàyaicanamaþ÷ivàya||6||ToHerwithhairasdarkasthefreshrainclouds,toHimwithmattedhairresemblingthecolouroflightning,toHerwhoistheSupremeGoddessoftheMountains(Himalayas),toHimwhoistheLordoftheentireuniverse,toGauriandLordSivamayourprostrationsbe.)p:Wc:s:à\®Ønm:ØK:l:asy:kay:òs:m:st:s

11 :öharkt:aNRv:ay:.j:g:jj:n:ny:òj:g:dðk
:öharkt:aNRv:ay:.j:g:jj:n:ny:òj:g:dðkep:*:ðn:m:HeS:v:ay:òc:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..7..prapa¤casçùñyunmukhalàsyakàyaisamastasaühàrakatàõóavàya|jagajjananyaijagadekapitrenamaþ÷ivàyaicanamaþ÷ivàya||7||ToHerwhosedancemarksthecreationoftheworld,toHimwhosedanceindicatesthetotaldestructionofeverythinginthisworld,toHerwhoistheWorld-MotherandtoHimwhoistheFatherofthisuniverse,toGauriandSivamayourprostrationsbe.)dipt:rtn::ðjjv:l:kÙNRl:ay:òsPÙrnm:hap:Àg:B:Ü\:N:ay:.eS:v:aenv:t:ay:òc:eS:v:aenv:t:ay:n:m:HeS:v:ay:òc:n:m:HeS:v:ay:..8..pradãptaratnojjvalakuõóalàyaisphuranmahàpannagabhåùaõàya|÷ivànvitàyaica÷ivànvitàyanamaþ÷ivàyaicanamaþ÷ivàya||8||ToHerwithbrightshiningear-ringsofgems,toHimwhowearsthegreatserpentasornament,toHerwhoiseverunitedwithLordSiva,toHimwhoiseverinunionwithGauri,toGauriandLordSivamayourprostrationsbe.RishiRishabhaspoketotheprince:Om!MySalutationsuntoLordNeelakantha,theBelovedofUma,thethree-eyedandthousand-armedSambhu,whodestroystheenemiesbyHismightyvalour!LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Inow,foryourgood,revealthesupremesecretofallpenances,possessingwhichyouwillbeeversuccessful,redeemedfromallsinsandpains.AfteradoringtheOmnipresentLord,IdeclaretheesoterictruthofSiva-Kavacha,forthewealandwelfareofthehumanbeings.Havingseatedhimselfincomposure,inasacredplace,oneshouldcontemplateupontheImperishableSiva,withallhissensessubduedandPranascontrolled.HeistomeditateupontheSubtleandInfinite,havinginstalledHiminthelotusoftheheart,whoisall-pervadingandbeyondthesenses.Havingdisentangledhimselffromthebondofactions,byconstantmeditationandmergingwhollyintheSupremeBliss,andwithhishearteverintentontheShadakshara,“OmNamahSivaya”,heistoprotecthimselfthuswearingthearmourofSiva(Siva-Kavacha).MaythatSupremeDivinityraisemefromthedarkfathomlesswellofSamsara,andmayHisgloriousnamedestroymysinsintheirtotality.MayHerendermefreefromallfearsinallplaces,whoexistsinallforms,whoisall-blissful,whoissmallerthanthesmallestandispossessedofMightyPower.Maytheeightfoldf

12 ormofSivawhosupportstheuniverseasearth,p
ormofSivawhosupportstheuniverseasearth,protectmefromallearthlyailments,andmayHewhogiveslifetohumanityaswater,removeallmyfearsfromwater.MaytheKalaRudra,whohavingburnttheworldsattheendofKalpa,engagesHimselfinTandavarescuemefromalltroublesfromwildconflagrationsandwind.MayHe,thefour-headedTrinayana,whoisresplendentlikelightningandgold,lookaftermeintheEast,andHewhoholdsaxe,Veda,hook,noose,tridentandrosaryinHishands,whosecolourisdarkandglossyastherainingclouds,intheSouth.IadoreHimwhoispureandspotlessasjasmine,moon,conchandcrystal,whobearstheVedasandrosaryinHishands,astheemblemsofbestowingboonsandfearlessness,formysafetyintheWest;andHimwhoshineslikethefilamentofablossominglotus,intheNorth.Maythefive-facedIsvara,whoiswhiteandtransparentasthecrystal,whoholdshook,noose,hatchet,skull,drumandtridentinHishandsandalsotheVedasandarosaryasthetokenofsecurity,protectmeabove.IpraytoLordChandramaulitotakecareofmyhead,Phalanetratolookaftermyforehead,andHim,thedestroyeroflust,fortheprotectionofmyeyes.IworshipVisvanatha,whoisrenownedinVedasandwhoholdsaskullinHishandtokeepmynose,earsandskull,safeandsound.SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS Thefive-facedLord,whosetongueistheveryVedas,mayprotectmyfaceandtongue;theblue-neckedOnewhoholdsPinakainHishandsmayprotectmythroatandmyhands.MaytheLord,thedestroyerofthesacrificeofDaksha,whosearmsaretheveryembodimentofDharma,guardmychestandarmsagainstalldangersandevils.Maymyhip,waist,stomach,navel,beinthecareofDhurjati,thedestroyerofCupid,andwhoholdsthemountainasHisbow.Ileavemythighs,kneesandfeettoHisgracewhoisallgraceful.Inthefirstwatchoftheday,mayMahesabemyprotector;inthesecond,Vamadeva;TrilochanainthethirdandVrishaketuinthefourth.Sasishekaramaykeepmefromalltheevilsintheevening,Gangadharaduringmidnight,GauripatiatdawnandMrityunjayaatalltimes.MaySankarabemyprotectorwhenIamin,Sthanu,whenIamout,PasupatiintheintermediateregionandSadasivainallplaces.MayHe,whoisknownbytheVedas,bemysaviourwhensitting,theLordofthePramathaswhilewalkingandtheSovereignRuleroftheuniversewhileatrest.May

13 Nilakantha,theformidablefoeofthethreecit
Nilakantha,theformidablefoeofthethreecities,dispelmyfearsanddangerswhileontheway,andamidstimpassablemountainouspeaksandvalleys.MaytheAll-powerfulAlmightysavemefromthecruelclutchesofthewildanimals,whilejourneyingthroughthickforests.IoffermyheartyprayerstoLordVirabhadrawhoisasfierceasYamaattheendofKalpaandwhoseterriblelaughtercausestheworldstotremble,fordestroyingmyfearsincrossingtheterribleoceanofformidablefoes.IworshiptheLord,todestroythefearfulhostsoftheenemyarmies,arrayedagainstwiththefourdivisions,infantry,cavalry,chariotsandelephantswiththesharpandferociousedgeofhisMaytheblazingfireemittedbythetridentoftheLord,reducethedesperadoestoashesandHisbow,Pinaka,frightenthewildbeastssuchastigers,lionsandbears.MayHeprotectmefromallevilsarisingfrominauspiciousdreamsandomens,fromallmentalandbodilyagonies,andfromallthecalamitiesofdifferenttypes.IbowdowntothatLordSadasiva,whoisthatSupremeTruth,whoistheveryformofholyhymnsandsacredrites,whoisbeyondallknowledgeandtruth,whoistheincarnationofBrahmaandRudra,whoseveryeyesarethesun,moonandfire,whohasabodysmearedwithwhiteholyLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ashes,whowearsacrownandartlessjewellery,studdedwithvariousgemsanddiamonds,whoisthecreator,sustaineranddestroyerofthewholeuniverse,whodestroyedDaksha’ssacrifice,whokillsthetideoftime,whoresidesaloneinMuladhara,whotranscendsthecategoriesofknowledge,uponwhoseheadtheholyGangamakesherpermanentabode,whoisimmanentinallbeings,whopossessesthesixqualities,whoisthetruthandessenceofphilosophy,whoisthemeanstoattainthethreeVargas(Dharma,ArthaandKama),whoistheLordoftheworlds,whowearstheeightserpent-kingsroundHisneckandwhoistheveryformofPranava.IadoreHimwhoistheembodimentofconsciousness,whoseformisofetherandthedirections,whowearsthenecklaceofstarsandplanets,whoispureandspotless,whoisthepreceptorofalltheworlds,whoistheSupremeWitnessofthewholeuniverse,whoistheSupremeSecretofallVedas,whotranscendsallphilosophy,whobestowsboonsuponallHisdevoteesandwhoshowersmercyuponthepoorandignorant.Ipraytotheall-mercifulLordwhoi

14 severpureandall-blissful,whoisfreefromal
severpureandall-blissful,whoisfreefromalllust,greedandsorrow,whoisbereftofallflawsandqualities,whoisdevoidofdesire,disease,egoandattachment,whoisall-pervading,endlessandeternal,whoisbeyondthechainsofcausesandeffects,inwhomallpainsandpleasures,pride,powerandpomp,fearsanddangers,sinsandsufferingssinkanddie.IworshipHim,whoistheembodimentofPureConsciousness,inwhomdoubtsaredriedandactionscease,whoisbeyondallchange,timeanddestruction,whoisfull,pure,muteandeternal,whoisSatchidananda(Existence-Absolute,Knowledge-AbsoluteandBliss-Absolute),whoistheincommunicableplacepersonified,whoisall-effulgenceandeffulgenceembodied,whoisthebeneficentOne,theradiantvisionofInfiniteBeautyandBeatitude.OmyLord!VictoryonThee.ThouarttheincarnationofRudra,RaudraandBhadra.ThouartthatMahabhairava,Kalabhairava.ThygarlandsarethenecklacesofskullsandThouholdestthedivineweaponsKhatvanga,sword,skin(Charma),noose,hook,drum,trident,bow,arrow,club,Sakti(aweapon)andthelikeinThyhands.Othousand-facedGod!ThouartfearfultolookatwithThyterribleteethandThypealinglaughterpiercesthroughalltheworlds.SerpentsareThyear-rings,Thygarlandsandbracelets.Thouwearestelephant-skinonThybody.Thouarttheconquerorofdeath,thedestroyerofthethreecities,Othree-eyedGod!Thouartall-existent,Immanenceofthings,EssenceofPeace,andtheSupremeBlissandSilence,OSambhu!ThouartverilytheBrahmanofVedaandVedanta.Thouartall-pervading,ancientandeternal.Saveme,myLord!Dispelmyfearsfromunnaturaldeathanddangers,destroymyenemies,withThytridentandchopthemoffwiththeedgeofThysword.FrightenthebandsofBetala,Kushmandaandthelikewiththebowandarrows.Savemefromfallingintothepitoffearfulhellandrendermefreeandfearless.CovermewithThyarmourandprotectmealways.Iampoor,meek,humbleandhelpless.IdedicateallatThyfeetandleavemyselfatThydisposal.Thouartmyonlypropandsaviour.OLordSadasiva!Mrityunjaya!Tryambaka!SalutationstoTheeagainandagain.Rishabhaspoke:Inthismanner,IhaveunfoldedthesupremesecretofSiva-Kavachawhichgrantseveryboonandgratifiesalldesiresandwhichrelievesonefromallpainsandsufferi

15 ngs.SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS Always,oneclad
ngs.SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS Always,onecladinthis(ArmourofSiva),isfreefromallfears,alldangersanddownfall,byHisdivineGrace.One,releasedfromchronicdiseasesandprematuredeath,enjoyslonglifeandEternalBliss.ThisArmour(ofSiva)strikesattherootofevilandelevatesonetotheloftyheightsofpeaceandprosperity.One,intheend,redeemedfromallsinsandobstacles,attainstheblissfulseatofsalvationbyitsmightypower.Thereforemyboy!Wearthispresentedbymewithfullfaith,bywhichyouwillbeverySutasaid:Havingspokenthus,sageRishabhagavetheprinceabigconch,amightyswordwithwhichhewouldbeabletoconquerhisenemiesinnotime.Thenhesprinkledsomeholyashesonhisbodyandgavethemagnetictouchwhichrenderedhimfeelthestrengthoftwelvethousandelephants.Havingobtainedsuchstrength,powerandcourage,theprinceshonewiththegloryoftheautumnsun!TheSageagaintoldhim:ThisswordgivenbymeispurifiedbysacredMantras,bywhosemeresight,theenemywillbecomelifeless.Deathitselfwillbeterrifiedandtaketohisheels.Hearingthethunderingsoundofthisconch,theenemieswillfalldownunconscious,withtheirweaponscastaside.ThesearethetwoinstrumentswhichwilldestroytheopposingarmiesandencourageyourCladinSiva’sArmour,youwilldestroyyourenemieswiththesetwodivineweapons.Youwillobtainyourancestralkingdomandbecomethesovereignrulerofthisearth.Consolinghimthus,withallhisblessings,theSageafterreceivingduerespectsandhonours,departed.SarvalingaStavaOOmkaresvara,Umamahesvara,Ramesvara,Tryambakesvara,Mahabalesvara,Mahakalesvara,Muktesvara,OmNamahSivaya.OJambukesvara,Kalahastisvara,LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Tarakesvara,Paramesvara,Narmadesvara,Nagesvara,Nanjundesvara,OmNamahSivaya.OArdhanarisvara,Kapalisvara,Brihadisvara,Bhuvanesvara,Kumbhesvara,Vriddhachalesvara,Ekambaresvara,OmNamahSivaya.OKailasapate,Pasupate,Gauripate,Parvatipate,Umapate,Sivakamipate,OmNamahSivaya.OVisvesa,Tyagesa,Sarvesa,Sundaresa,Mahesa,Jagadisa,Ghusrunesa,Matribhutesa,OmNamahSivaya.OKailasanatha,Kashinatha,Kedaranatha,Muktinatha,Amaranatha,Pasupatinatha,OmNamahSivaya.OKasiVisvanatha,Kanchinatha,Somanatha,Baijnatha,Vaidyanath

16 a,Tunganatha,Trilokinatha,OmNamahSivaya.
a,Tunganatha,Trilokinatha,OmNamahSivaya.OKalabhairava,Tripurantaka,Nilalohita,HaroHara,Siva,Sambho,Sankara,Sadasiva,OmNamahSivaya.OMahadeva,Mahakala,Nilakantha,Nataraja,Chandrasekhara,Chidambaresa,Papavimochaka,OmNamahSivaya.OHalasyasundara,Minakshisundara,Kalyanasundara,Kadambavanasundara,Srisaila-vasa,Virabhadra,OmNamahSivaya.OGauriSankara,Gangadhara,Dakshinamurte,Mrityunjaya,SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS OmNamoBhagavateRudraya,OmNamahSivaya.OVaikkatappa,Tiruvoniappa,Chittambala,Ponnambala,Chitsabhesa,Chidambaresa,OmNamahSivaya.OKamadahana,Brahmasiraschheda,Virabhairava,Vrishabharudha,OmNamahSivaya.OKalantaka,Mallikarjuna,Arunachala,Nandivahana,Bhikshadana,Bhaktarakshaka,OmNamahSivaya.OBhimasankara,Bhasmadhara,Pannagabhushana,Pinakadhari,Trilochana,Trisulapane,OmNamahSivaya.WhocandescribeThygloryOHara!EvenSrutisaysNetiNeti,ThouartSupremeBrahman,Thouartfullofauspiciousqualities,OmNamahSivaya.ODestroyerofTripuras,MysilentadorationsuntoThee,ThouartRudra,thedestroyer,ThouartbestowerofImmortality,OmNamahSivaya.Thyvehicleisthebull,Tiger-skinisThygarment,Trident,Damaru,Axe,AreThyinstruments,OmNamahSivaya.SnakeisThyornament,Youarebesmearedwithashes,GangaflowsfromThyhead,MoonisThyChudamani,OmNamahSivaya.YouincarnatedasDakshinamurti,LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ToinitiateSanaka,Sanandana,IntothemysteriesofBrahmaJnana,ThroughsilenceandChinmudra,OmNamahSivaya.Thyformspeaksofrenunciation,Thouartembodimentofknowledge,ThouartfamousforNritya,AgadaBhumisThysong,OmNamahSivaya.Youassumedtheformoflight,BrahmaandVishnufailedTomeasureThee,ThouartInfinityandEternity,OmNamahSivaya.YousavedMarkandeya,Manikkavasakar,YoublessedKannappa,Tirunavukkarasu,Tirujnanasambandhar,Sundarar,ApparandPattinathadiyar,OmNamahSivaya.Thouartoceanofmercy,Thouartgiverofboons,YoublessedArjunaandBana,Youswallowedthepoison,Andsavedtheworld,OmNamahSivaya.YoudestroyedtheCupid,ThouarttheFatherOfGanesaandSubrahmanya,YoucuttheheadofproudDaksha,OmNamahSivaya.Tripurasundari,Rajarajesvari,Gauri,Chandi,Chamundi,Durga,Annapurna,AreThySaktis,Om

17 NamahSivaya.Thygarlandisstrungofskulls,T
NamahSivaya.Thygarlandisstrungofskulls,ThymattedlockistheabodeforGanga,Thoudwellestinthecremationground,Thyformisterrible,ThouartMahakala,SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS ThouartDeathuntodeathitself,OmNamahSivaya.ThouartthegreatestDevoteeofHari,ThouwearestinThyheadtheGanga,WhichflowsfromHari’sfeet,YouinitiatetheRamaTarakaMantraatBanares,OmNamahSivaya.LordRamaworshippedTheealoneatRamesvar,YouexistedinsoundasSadasiva,IntheheartasAtmalinga,IntheVedasasPranava,OmNamahSivaya.OHara!OLord!OSiva!ProstrationsuntoTheeagainandagain,LetmerememberTheealways,LetmeeverdwellinThee,OmNamahSivaya.Makemedesireless,fearlessand‘I’less,LetmeeverrepeatThyfiveletters,LetmebeholdTheeeverywhere,LetmemergeinTheeforever,OmNamahSivaya.HewhosingsorrepeatsorhearsthisSarvalingaStavaMorningandeveningwithfaith,devotionandBhava,Willbefreedfromallsinsanddiseases,Willattainson,wealth,prosperity,Bhakti,Bhukti,Mukti.AttributesOfSivaAdvaita,Akhanda,Akarta,Abhokta,Asanga,Asakta,Nirguna,Nirlipta,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Non-dual,indivisible,non-doer,non-enjoyer,Unattached,withoutqualities,IamSiva(auspiciousness),IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Avyakta,Ananta,Amrita,Ananda,Achala,Amala,Akshara,Avyaya,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Unmanifested,endless,immortal,bliss,LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Immovable,withoutimpurities,imperishable,inexhaustible,IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Asabda,Asparsa,Arupa,Agandha,Aprana,Amana,Atindriya,Adrisya,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Soundless,touchless,smell-less,formless,WithoutPrana,withoutmind,withoutsenses,unseen,IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Satyam,Sivam,Subham,Sundaram,Kantam,Sat-chit-ananda,Sampurna,Sukha,Santam,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Truth,auspiciousness,good,beautiful,resplendent,Existence-knowledge-bliss,all-full,purehappiness,peaceful.IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Chetana,Chaitanya,Chidghana,Chinmaya,Chidakasa,Chinmatra,Sanmantra,Tanmaya,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Consciousness,massofknowledge,fullofknowledge,All-p

18 ervadinglikeether,consciousnessalone,ful
ervadinglikeether,consciousnessalone,fullofThat,IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Amala,Vimala,Nirmala,Achala,Avangmanogochara,Akshara,Nischala,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Pure,stainless,immovable,Beyondthereachofmindandspeech,imperishable,steady,IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Nitya,Nirupadhika,NiratisayaAnanda,Nirakara,Hrimkara,Omkara,Kutastha,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Eternal,withoutattributes,supremebliss,Withoutform,HrimandOm(Pranava),rock-seatedSelf,IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Purna,ParaBrahma,PrajnanaAnanda,Sakshi,Drashta,Turiya,VijnanaAnanda,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.All-full,Paramatman,knowledgeandbliss,Witness,Seer,thefourthstate,self-knowledge,bliss.IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Satyam,Jnanam,Anantam,Anandam,SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS Sat-chit-ananda,SvayamJyotiPrakasam,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Truth,knowledge,endless,bliss,Existence-knowledge-bliss,self-luminous,IamSivaIamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Kaivalya,Kevala,Kutastha,Brahma,Suddha,Siddha,Buddha,Sat-chit-ananda,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Immortality,alone,changeless,SelfPure,perfect,illumined,existence-knowledge-bliss,IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Nirdosha,Nirmala,Vimala,Niranjana,Nitya,Nirakara,Nirguna,Nirvikalpa,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Withoutdefects,pure,spotless,Eternal,formless,withoutqualities,superconsciousness,IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.Atman,BrahmaSvarupa,Chaitanya-Purusha,Tejomaya,Ananda,‘Tat-Tvam-Asi’Lakshya,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.Self,SupremeSelf,consciousness,Fulloflight,bliss,thatwhichisindicatedby‘Tat-Tvam-Asi—ThouartThat’.IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss.‘Soham’,‘Sivoham’,‘Aham-Brahma-Asmi’Mahavakya,Suddha,Sat-chit-ananda,PurnaParaBrahma,ChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.‘IamHe’,‘IamSiva’,‘IamBrahman’,Pure,existence-knowledge-bliss,all-fullSelf,IamSiva,IamSivaoftheformofknowledgeandbliss

19 .TheSublimeVisionTheadorableLordofallbli
.TheSublimeVisionTheadorableLordofallbliss,alllove,allmercyThesupremelightthatshinesinmyheartTheLordwhofedSambandharandApparHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheGreatAncient,theGoalofYogisTheSupremePurushathatdwellsinthePuriTheAdiDeva,whomtheVedassingofLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP HimIsawattheabodeofRishis.ThepillaroflightwhichbaffledBrahmaandVishnuTheoceanofmercywhosavedMarkandeyaTheLordofMaduraiwhomthePandyabeatHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.ThesupremeTeacherwhotaughtthefourTheAdiDevawhohasassumedthefiveParama,Vyuha,Vibhava,ArchaandAntaryamin,HimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheLordwhopervadestheuniverseThethread-soul,theSutratman,Theover-soul,thepurportofSrutisHimIsawattheabode,ofRishis.TheeffulgencewhoisabovetheThreeWhoexistsevenafterthePralayaWhosavedKannappaandSundararHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.Hewhodrankthepoisonandsavedtheworld,HewhodancedatChidambaram,HewhoshinesastheJyotirlingaHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.Hewhobroughtthejackal-horsestoPandyaHewhogavepearl-palanquintoSambandharHewhoistheessenceofPanchaksharaHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.HewhodwellsinBanaresandVedas,InRamesvar,ArunachalandKanchi,IntheheartsofallbeingsHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.HewhopleadedonbehalfofDarumiHewhodwellsinKailaswithUmaHewhorestoredtheeyesightofSundararHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheLordwhogavesticktoblindApparTheGracewhobeggedalmsforSundararSIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS TheMargaBandhuwhoshowedthewaytoAppayyaDikshitarHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheMercywhotookthemessagetoParavaiTheLovewhowrotethepoemforDarumiTheFirethatburntNakirarHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheLordwhobecameacoolyatMaduraiAndcarriedearthforstoppingthefloodsForthesakeofalittlesweetmeatHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheLordwhocreatedtankandgardenforthedevoteeWhobecametheslaveofHisdevoteesWhosentthepearl-palanquintoSambandharHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.ThehunterwhoquarrelledwithArjunaTheuntouchablewhodebatedwithSankaraThegroomwhotookthehorsestoPandyaHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheLordwhohasUmaasHisleftsideWhoisalsoNarayanaofthemilkoceanWhoisthechildsleepingonthebanianleafHimIsawatt

20 heabodeofRishis.TheLordwhoistheHoliest,t
heabodeofRishis.TheLordwhoistheHoliest,theOldestWhoisJyotiwithintheJyotiWhoispraisedbytheDevasandRishisHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.HewhoisAmbalaminChidambaramWhoisbrillianceinArunachalamWhoisthegreatthiefhidinginformsHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheSatguruwhorevealsintheChidakasaWhobreaksallthethreebondsWholeadstheaspirantstothelandofMokshaHimIsawattheabodeofRishis.TheLordwhodwellsintheSahasraraWhoistheway,thegoalandthecentre,WhoisthetruthintheMahavakyaLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP HimIsawattheabodeofRishis.SongofLordNatarajaSivayaNamaOmSivayaNamah,SivayaNamaOmNamahSivaya,OLordNatarajaofChidambaram,KingDancerofThillaiAmbalam,BelovedconsortofSivakamiSundari,Bhuvanesvari,Rajarajesvari,Destroyerofsin,bestowerofprosperity,Removerofsuffering,giverofImmortality,SivayaNamaOmSivayaNamah,SivayaNamaOmNamahSivaya.HolderofTrident,drinkerofpoison,MasterofYogis,rulerintheSun,DwellerinKailas,riderofNandiDestroyerofCupid,LordofSiddhi,Thethree-eyedLord,thefive-facedGod,Theblue-neckedGod,theGodofgods,SivayaNamaOmSivayaNamah,SivayaNamaOmNamahSivaya.ThouartmyGuruandsole-refuge,SalutationsuntoTheeOLordofMercy,BlessmewithThyshowerofGrace,LetmebeholdThybenignface,LetmemergeinTheeforever,Thisismyrealferventprayer.SivayaNamaOmSivayaNamah,SivayaNamaOmNamahSivaya.GloryofLordSivaOm.IbowwithfoldedhandstoLordSiva,whoistheLordoftheuniverse(Jagat-Pati),world’sTeacher(Jagad-Guru),whoisthedestroyerofTripuras(threecities—egoism,lustandanger),whoistheLordofUma(UmaSankar),Gauri(GauriSankar),Ganga(GangaSankar),whoisfulloflight(Jyotirmaya),knowledgeandbliss(Chidanandamaya),whoistheLordofYogins(Yogesvara),whoisthestorehouseofknowledgeandwhoisknownbyvariousnamesasMahadeva,Sankara,Hara,Sambhu,Sadasiva,Rudra,Sulapani,Bhairava,UmaMahesvara,Nilakantha,Trilochana(thethree-eyed),Tryambaka(thethree-eyed),Visvanatha,Chandrasekhara,Ardhanarisvara,Mahesvara,Nila-lohita,ParamaSiva,Digambara,Dakshinamurti,etc.SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS HowmercifulHeis!HowlovingandkindHeis!HeevenwearstheskullsofHisdevoteesasagarlandaroundHisneck.Heis

21 anembodimentofrenunciation,mercy,loveand
anembodimentofrenunciation,mercy,loveandwisdom.ItisamistaketosaythatHeisthedestroyer.LordSivainrealityistheregenerator.Wheneverone’sphysicalbodybecomesunfitforfurtherevolutioninthisbirtheitherbydisease,oldageorothercauses,Heatonceremovesthisrottenphysicalsheathandgivesanew,healthy,vigorousbodyforfurtherquickevolution.HewantstotakeallHischildrentoHislotus-feetquickly.HedesirestogivethemHisglorious‘Siva-Pada’.ItiseasiertopleaseSivathanHari.AlittlePremanddevotion,alittlechantingofHisPanchaksharaisquitesufficienttoinfusedelightinSiva.HegivesboonstoHisdevoteesquitereadily.HowlargeisHisheart!HegavePasupatastratoArjunawithoutdifficultyforhislittlepenance.HegaveapreciousboontoBhasmasura.InKalahastinearTirupati,HegaveDarsantoKannappanayanar,thedevotedhunterwhopluckedhistwoeyestoreplacetheweepingeyesintheMurti.InChidambarameventheuntouchablePariahsaint,NandanhadDarsanofLordSiva.HeranwithtremendousspeedtomaketheboyMarkandeyaimmortal,whenhewasintheclutchesoftheGodofDeath—Yama.RavanaofLankapleasedSivawithhisSamachantings.HeinitiatedthefourvirginyouthsSanaka,Sanandana,SanatanaandSanatkumaraintothemysteriesofJnanaintheformofGuruDakshinamurti.InMadurai,inSouthernIndia,Sundaresvara(LordSiva)assumedtheformofaboyandcarriedearthonHisheadforadevotedladyforthesakeofPuttu(akindofsweetmeat)aswages,whenananicutwaserectedintheVaigairiver.LookattheunboundedmercyforHisdevotees!WhenLordBrahmaandLordVishnuwenttofindouttheheadandfeetofLordSiva,Heassumedaninfinite,expansiveblazeoflight(Jyotirmaya-Svarupa).Theywerebaffledintheirattempts.Howmagnanimousandself-effulgentHeis!HelivedinthehouseofPattinattuSwamiinSouthernIndiaforseveralyears,ashisadoptedsonanddisappearedaftergivinghimthesmallnote:“Evenabrokenneedlewillnotfollowyouafteryourdeath”.ThereadingofthisnotewasthestartingpointforattainmentofJnanaforPattinattuSwami.WhynotyouattemptthisverysecondwithsinceritytorealiseGod(LordSiva)?HathaYoginsawakentheKundaliniSaktithatislyingdormantintheMuladharaChakrabyAsana,Pranayama,Kumbha

22 ka,MudraandBandha,takeitabovethroughdiff
ka,MudraandBandha,takeitabovethroughdifferentChakras(centresofspiritualenergy)—Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,VisuddhaandAjna—andjoinitwithLordSivaattheSahasrara,thethousand-petalledlotusatthecrownofthehead.TheydrinkthenectarofImmortality(Siva-Jnana-Amritam).ThisistermedAmritasrava.WhentheSaktiisunitedwithSiva,fullilluminationcomesfortheYogi.LordSivarepresentsthedestructiveaspectofBrahman.ThatportionofBrahmanthatisenvelopedbyTamo-Guna-Pradhana-MayaisLordSivawhoistheall-pervadingIsvaraandwhoalsodwellsinMountKailas.HeistheBhandarorstorehouseofWisdom.SivaminusParvati,KaliorDurgaispureNirgunaBrahman.WithMaya(Parvati)HebecomestheSagunaBrahmanforthepurposeofpiousdevotionofHisdevotees.DevoteesofRamamustworshipLordSivaalso.RamaHimselfworshippedLordSivaatthefamousRamesvaram.LordSivaistheLordofAsceticsandLordofYoginsrobedinspace(Digambara).HisTrisul(trident)thatisheldinHisrighthandrepresentsthethreeGunas—Sattva,RajasandTamas.Thatistheemblemofsovereignty.HerulestheworldthroughthesethreeGunas.TheDamaruinHislefthandrepresentstheSabdaBrahman,ItrepresentsOMfromwhichalllanguagesareformed.ItisHewhoformedtheSanskritlanguageoutoftheDamarusound.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ThewearingofthecrescentmoononHisheadindicatesthatHehascontrolledthemindperfectly.TheflowoftheGangarepresentsthenectarofimmortality.ElephantrepresentssymbolicallytheVritti,pride.WearingtheskinoftheelephantdenotesthatHehascontrolledpride.Tigerrepresentslust.Hissittingonthetiger’sskinindicatesthatHehasconqueredlust.HisholdingdeerononehandindicatesthatHehasremovedtheChanchalata(tossing)ofthemind.Deerjumpsfromoneplacetoanotherswiftly.Themindalsojumpsfromoneobjecttoanother.Hiswearingofserpentsaroundtheneckdenoteswisdomandeternity.Serpentsliveforalargenumberofyears.HeisTrilochana,thethree-eyedOne,inthecentreofwhoseforeheadisthethirdeye,theeyeofwisdom.Nandi,thebullthatsitsinfrontofSivalinga,representsPranava(Omkara).TheLingarepresentsAdvaita.Itpointsout“Iamonewithoutasecond—EkamevaAdvitiyam.”Justasamanra

23 iseshisrighthandabovehishead,pointingout
iseshisrighthandabovehishead,pointingouthisrightindex-fingeronly.KailashillsinTibetareahugerangewithacentral,beautiful,naturallycarvedanddecoratedshiningpeak,eternallycladwithsilverysnow,22,280feetabovesea-level.Sometaketheheighttobe22,028feet.Thisparticularpeakisintheformofanatural,hugeSivaLinga(Viratform).ThisisworshippedastheformofLordSivafromadistance.Thereisneitheratemple,noraPujari,noradailyPujathere.IhadthefortunetohaveDarsanaofKailasthroughthegraceofLordSiva,onJuly22,1931.IevenclimbedwithpantingbreathtothefootofKailaspeakwheretheIndustakesitsorigin.Itisaverypicturesque,soul-stirringscenery.YouwillhavetoascendfromDidiphaGuha,thefirsthaltingstageinParikramaofKailas.TheIndusgushesoutasasmallstreamletthroughblocksoficefrombehindthebackportionofKailaspeak.ThoughinthepicturesofLordSivaitisshownthattheGangaflowsfromHishead,itisreallytheIndus(Sindhu)thattakesitsoriginfromtheheadofSiva(Kailas)inthephysicalplane.ParikramaofKailascovers30miles.Ittakesthreedays.OnthewaycomesthefamousandsacredGauriKundwhichiseternallycoveredwithsnow.Youwillhavetobreakthesnowwhenyoutakeabath.TheNameofLordSivachantedinanyway,correctlyorincorrectly,knowinglyorunknowingly,carefullyorcarelessly,issuretogivethedesiredresult.ThegloryoftheNameofLordSivacannotbeestablishedthroughreasoningandintellect.Itcancertainlybeexperiencedorrealisedonlythroughdevotion,faithandconstantrepetitionoftheNameandsingingHishymnswithBhava.EveryNameisfilledwithcountlesspotenciesorSaktis.ThepoweroftheNameisineffable.Itsgloryisindescribable.TheefficiencyandinherentSaktioftheNameofLordSivaareThemindispurifiedbyconstantrepetitionofSiva-StotraandNamesofLordSiva.TheStotrasarefilledwithgoodandpurethoughts.RepetitionofthehymnstoSivastrengthensthegoodSamskaras.“Asamanthinks,thathebecomes”.Thisisthepsychologicallaw.Themindofamanwhotrainshimselfinthinkinggood,holythoughts,developsatendencytothinkofgoodthoughts.Hischaracterismouldedandtransformedbycontinuedgoodthought.WhenthemindthinksoftheimageoftheLordduringsingingHishymns,t

24 hementalsubstanceactuallyassumestheformo
hementalsubstanceactuallyassumestheformoftheimageoftheLord.Theimpressionoftheobjectthoughtofisleftinthemind.ThisiscalledSamskara.Whentheactisrepeatedveryoften,theSamskarasgainstrengthbyrepetition,andatendencyorhabitisformedinthemind.HewhoentertainsthoughtsofDivinity,becomestransformedactuallyintotheDivinityhimselfbyconstantthinking.HisBhavaordispositionispurifiedanddivinised.WhenonesingsthehymnsofLordSiva,heisintunewiththeLord.Theindividualmindmeltsinthecosmicmind.HewhosingsthehymnsbecomesonewithLordSiva.SIVAMANTRASANDSTOTRAS Justasfirehasthenaturalpropertyofburninginflammablethings,soalsotheNameofLordSivahasthepowerofburningthesins,SamskarasandVasanasandbestowingeternalblissandeverlastingpeaceonthosewhorepeattheNameoftheLord.Justasburningqualityisnaturalandinherentinfire,soalsothepowerofdestroyingsinswiththeirveryrootandbranchandbringingtheaspirantintoblissfulunionwiththeLordthroughBhavaSamadhi,isnaturalandinherentintheNameofGod.Ofriends!TakerefugeintheNameofSiva.SingHishymns.NamiandNameareinseparable.SingLordSiva’shymnsincessantly.RemembertheNameoftheLordwitheveryincomingandoutgoingbreath.InthisIronAge,Nama-Smaranaorsingingthehymnsistheeasiest,quickest,safestandsurestwaytoreachGodandattainImmortalityandperennialjoy.GlorytoLordSiva!GlorytoHisName!!RavanapropitiatedLordSivabyhishymns.PushpadantapleasedLordSivabyhiscelebratedStotra—SivaMahimnaStotra,whichisevennowsungbyalldevoteesofSivathroughoutIndia,andobtainedallAisvaryaorSiddhisandMukti.ThegloryoftheStotrasofSivaisindescribable.YoumustallsingthehymnsofLordSivaandobtainHisgraceandsalvation,notintheunknownfuture,butrightnowinthisverysecond.YoucanpleaseLordSivaeasily.FastontheSivaratriday.Ifyoucannotdothis,takemilkandfruits.KeepperfectvigilthewholenightandsingHisStotras,andrepeat‘OmNamahSivaya’.MaytheblessingsofLordSivabeuponyouall!OmSantih!Santih!Santih! ChapterIISIVATATTVAInMetheuniversehaditsorigin,InMealonethewholesubsists;InMeitislost—Siva,TheTimeless,itisIMyself,Sivoham!Sivoham!Sivoham!Saluta

25 tionstoLordSiva,thevanquisherofCupid,the
tionstoLordSiva,thevanquisherofCupid,thebestowerofeternalblissandimmortality,theprotectorofallbeings,destroyerofsins,theLordofthegods,whowearsatiger-skin,thebestamongobjectsofworship,throughwhosemattedhairtheGangaflows.LordSivaisthepure,changeless,attributeless,all-pervadingtranscendentalconsciousness.Heistheinactive(Nishkriya)Purusha.PrakritiisdancingonHisbreastandperformingthecreative,preservativeanddestructiveprocesses.Whenthereisneitherlightnordarkness,neitherformnorenergy,neithersoundnormatter,whenthereisnomanifestationofphenomenalexistence,SivaaloneexistsinHimself.Heistimeless,spaceless,birthless,deathless,decayless.Heisbeyondthepairsofopposites.HeistheLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ImpersonalAbsoluteBrahman.Heisuntouchedbypleasureandpain,goodandevil.HecannotbeseenbytheeyesbutHecanberealisedwithintheheartthroughdevotionandmeditation.SivaisalsotheSupremepersonalGodwhenHeisidentifiedwithHispower.Heisthenomnipotent,omniscientactiveGod.Hedancesinsupremejoyandcreates,sustainsanddestroyswiththerhythmofHisdancingmovements.Hedestroysallbondage,limitationandsorrowofHisdevotees.HeisthegiverofMuktiorthefinalemancipation.HeistheuniversalSelf.HeisthetrueSelfofallcreatures.Heisthedwellerinthecremation-ground,intheregionofthedead,thosewhoaredeadtotheworld.TheJivasandtheworldoriginatefromHim,existinHim,aresustainedandrejectedbyHimandareultimatelymergedinHim.Heisthesupport,sourceandsubstratumofthewholeworld.HeisanembodimentofTruth,Beauty,GoodnessandBliss.HeisSatyam,Sivam,Subham,Sundaram,HeistheGodofgods,Deva-Deva.HeistheGreatDeity—Mahadeva.HeistheGodofmanes(Prajapati).Heisthemostawe-inspiringandterrifyingdeity,Rudra,withTrisulortridentinHishand.Heisthemosteasilypleased(Asutosha).Heisaccessibletoall.EventheuntouchableChandalasandtheilliteraterusticscanapproachHim.Heisthesourceofallknowledgeandwisdom.HeisanidealYogiandMuni.HeistheidealheadofanidealfamilywithUmaasHisdevotedwife,LordSubrahmanya,thebravegeneralofstrengthandcourage,LordGanesa,theremoverofallobstacles.AttheendofPralaya,theSupre

26 meLordthinksofre-creationoftheworld.Heis
meLordthinksofre-creationoftheworld.HeisthenknownbythenameSadasiva.Heistheroot-causeofcreation.FromSadasivacreationbegins.InManusmritiHeiscalledSvayambhu.Sadasivaisunmanifested,HedestroystheTamascausedbyPralayaandshinesastheself-resplendentlightbringingforththefivegreatelements,etc.,intoTheSivaPuranasaysthatSivaisbeyondbothPrakritiandPurusha.SivaisMahesvara.Heisthewitness,well-wisherandnourisherofallbeings.TheGitasays:‘Upadrashtanumantachabhartabhoktamahesvarah’.MahesvaraconductstheworkofcreationaccordingtoHiswillandpleasure.TheSrutisays,‘Mayamtuprakritimviddhimayinamtumahesvaram’.KnowPrakrititobeMayaandMahesvaratobethewielderofMayaorPrakriti.TheSaktiofSivaworksintwodifferentways.MulaPrakritiandDaiviPrakriti.MulaPrakritiisAparaPrakritifromwhichthefiveelementsandothervisibleobjectsandtheAntahkaranaareevolved.ParaPrakritiisChaitanyaSaktiwhichconvertstheAparaPrakritiandgivesnameandformtoit.AparaPrakritiisAvidyaandParaPrakritiisVidya.ThecontrolleranddispenserofthesetwoPrakritisisLordSiva.SivaisdistinctfromBrahma,VishnuandRudra.SIVATATTVA LordSivaistheLordofinnumerablecroresofBrahmandasorworlds.IsvaraunitedwithMayagivesrisetoBrahma,VishnuandRudraoutofRajas,SattvaandTamoGunasrespectively,underthecommandofLordSiva.Brahma,VishnuandRudraarethetrinitiesoftheworld.Thereisnodifferenceamongthetrinities,Brahma,VishnuandRudra.BythecommandofMahesvarathesethreedothecreative,preservativeanddestructivedutiesoftheworld.Theworkofallthethreedeitiesisdoneconjointly.Theyallhaveoneviewandonedefinitepurposeincreating,preservinganddestroyingthevisibleuniverseofnamesandforms.Hewhoregardsthethreedeitiesasdistinctanddifferent,SivaPuranasays,isundoubtedlyadevilorevilspirit.TheLordwhoisbeyondthethreeGunas,Mahesvara,hasfouraspects:Brahma,Kala,RudraandVishnu.Sivaisthesupportforallthefour.HeisthesubstratumforSaktialso.SivaisdistinctfromtheRudraincludedinthetrinities.RudraisreallyonethoughaccordingtothedifferentfunctionsHeisconsideredtohaveelevendifferentforms.ThefirstfaceofSivadoesKridao

27 rplay,theseconddoespenance,thethirddestr
rplay,theseconddoespenance,thethirddestroysordissolvestheworld,thefourthprotectsthepeopleandthefifth,beingknowledge,fullycoverstheentireuniversebyitspower.HeisIsanathecreatorandpromoterofallbeings,fromwithin.ThefirstformofSivaistheenjoyerofPrakritiasKshetrajnaPurusha.ThesecondisTatpurusharestinginSattva-guna,rootedinBhogya-Prakriti,thePrakriti-enjoyed.ThethirdisGhorarootedintheeightfoldBuddhilikeDharma,etc.ThefourthisVamadevarootedinAhankaraandthefifthisSadyojata,thepresidingdeityofthemind.TheeightformsofSivaareSarva,Bhava,Rudra,Ugra,Bhima,Pasupati,IsanaandMahadeva,rootedrespectivelyinearth,water,fire,air,ether,Kshetrajna,sunandmoon.Brahmawasunabletocreateandbringforthcreaturesfromhismentalcreation.ToknowthemethodofcreationhedidTapas.AsaresultofhisTapasAdyasaktiaroseinBrahma’smind.ThroughthehelpofAdyasaktiBrahmameditateduponTryambakesvara.PleasedbythepenanceofBrahma,LordSivaappearedintheformofArdhanarisvara(halfmaleandhalffemale).BrahmapraisedArdhanarisvara.LordSivathencreatedfromHisbodyaGoddessbynamePrama-Sakti.BrahmasaidtotheGoddess:“Iwasnotabletobringforthcreaturesbymymentalcreation.ThoughIcreatedtheDevatasyettheycouldnotmultiply.Therefore,Iwishtobringforthcreaturesbyintercourse.BeforeYourappearanceortillnow,Iwasnotabletocreatetheendlessfemalespecies.Therefore,ODevi,bemercifulandtakebirthasthedaughterofmyson,Daksha.”ThemostauspiciousandusefulworkbeneficialtomankindevercarriedoutbyLordSiva,istoimparttheknowledgeofYoga,Bhakti,Jnana,etc.,totheworld.HeblessesthosedeserveHisgraceandwhocannotgetoutofSamsarawithoutHisgrace.HeisnotonlytheWorld-TeacherbutalsoanidealexampletotheJivanmuktaorsage.HeteachesbyHisveryactionsinHisdailylife.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP PasupataYogaUnitingtheselfwiththetrueSivaTattvabythecontrolofthesensesisrealwearingofBhasma,becauseLordSivathroughHisthirdeyeofwisdomburntpassiontoashes.ThemeditationofPranavashouldbedonethroughJapa.OneshouldattaintherealJnana,YogaandBhaktibysteadypractice.Intheheart,thereisaten-petalledlotus.IthastenNadis.Itisthe

28 Jivatma’sabode.ThisJivatmalivesinas
Jivatma’sabode.ThisJivatmalivesinasubtleforminthemindanditisChittaorPurushaitself.OneshouldascendtothemoonbycuttingopenortranscendingtheDasagniNadibytheregularpracticeofYogaasinstructedbytheGuruandpractisingdispassion,righteousnessandequality.Themoonthengraduallyattainsfullness,asitgetsitselfpleasedwiththeSadhakaonaccountofhisregularapplicationinYogaandpurificationofNadis.Inthisstate,theSadhakaovercomeswakingandsleepingstateandthroughmeditationmergeshimselfintheobjectmeditateduponinthiswakingstateitself. ChapterIIITHESAIVASIDDHANTAPHILOSOPHYSivaAndTattvasSatyamSivamSubhamSundaramKantamTheSaivaSiddhantasystemisthedistilledessenceofVedanta.ItprevailedinSouthernIndiaevenbeforetheChristianera.TinnelvellyandMaduraiarethecentresofSaivaSiddhantaschool.SaiviteselaboratedadistinctivephilosophycalledtheSaivaSiddhantaabouttheeleventhcenturyA.D.EvenSaivismisaverypopularcreedinSouthIndia.ItisarivalschoolofTirumular’swork—Tirumantram—isthefoundationuponwhichthelaterstructureofSaivaSiddhantaphilosophywasbuilt.Thetwenty-eightSaivaAgamas,thehymnsoftheSaivasaintsformthechiefsourcesofSouthernSaivism.InthebookswhichtreatofSaivism,thereisareferencetofourschools,viz.,Nakulisa-pasupata,theSaiva,thePratyabhijnaandRasesvara.LordSivaisthesupremeReality.Heiseternal,formless,independent,omnipresent,onewithoutasecond,beginningless,causeless,taintless,self-existent,everfree,everpure.Heisnotlimitedbytime.Heisinfiniteblissandinfiniteintelligence.LordSivapervadesthewholeworldbyHisSakti.HeworksHisSakti.SaktiisconsciousenergyofLordSiva.SheistheverybodyofLordSiva.Thepotteristhefirstcauseforthepot.Thestickandthewheelaretheinstrumentalcauses.Theclayisthematerialcauseofthepot.SimilarlyLordSivaisthefirstcauseoftheworld.Saktiistheinstrumentalcause.Mayaisthematerialcause.SIVATATTVA LordSivaistheGodoflove.Hisgraceisinfinite.HeisthesaviourandGuru.Heisengagedinfreeingthesoulsfromthethraldomofmatter.HeassumestheformofaGuruoutoftheintenseloveformankind.HewishesthatallshouldknowHimandattaintheblissfu

29 lSiva-Pada.Hewatchestheactivitiesofthein
lSiva-Pada.Hewatchestheactivitiesoftheindividualsoulsandhelpsthemintheironwardmarch.IntheSaivaSiddhanta,thereare36Tattvasofwhich24areknownasAtmaTattvas,7asVidyaTattvas,andtheremaining5asSivaTattvas.The24AtmaTattvasarethe5elements,ether,air,fire,waterandearth;the5Tanmatras,sound,touch,form,tasteandsmell;the5sense-organs,ear,skin,eye,palateandnose;theinternalorgan;the5motororgans,speech,hand,foot,anusandthegenerativeorgan;andAhankara,BuddhiandGuna.The7VidyaTattvasarePurusha,Raga(love),Vidya(knowledge),Kala(art),Niyati(order),Kaala(time)andAsuddha(impure)Maya.The5SivaTattvasareSuddhaVidya,Isvara,Sadasiva,SaktiandSiva.Mayaevolvesintothesubtleprinciplesandthenintothegross.TheindividualsoulexperiencespleasureandpainthroughVidya.SivaTattvaisthebasisofallconsciousnessandaction.Itisundifferentiated(Nishkala)Suddha.Maya,theSaktiofSivastartsheractivities.ThenSivabecomestheexperiencer.ThenHeiscalledSadasivaknownalsobythenameSadakhya,whoisnotreallyseparatefromSiva.TheSuddhamayabecomesactive.ThenSiva,theexperiencerbecomestheRuler.HeisthenIsvara,whoisnotreallyseparatefromSadasiva.Suddhavidyaisthecauseoftrueknowledge.Thefiveactivities(Pancha-Krityas)oftheLordareSrishti(creation),Sthiti(preservation),Samhara(destruction),Tirobhava(veiling)andAnugraha(grace).These,separatelyconsidered,aretheactivitiesofBrahma,Vishnu,Rudra,MahesvaraandSadasiva.Inthefive-letteredMantra(Panchakshari)NaisthescreeningpoweroftheLordthatmakesthesoultomoveintheworld,MaisthebondthatbindshimintheSamsaricwheelofthebirthsanddeaths,SiisthesymbolforLordSiva,VastandsforHisgraceandYastandsforthesoul.IfthesoulturnstowardsNaandMahewillbesunkinworldliness.IfheassociateshimselfwithVahewillmovetowardsLordSiva.HearingtheLilasofLordSivaandthesignificanceofPanchakshara,is‘Sravana’.ReflectiononthemeaningofPanchaksharais‘Manana’or‘Chintana’.TodeveloploveanddevotionforLordSivaandmeditateonHim,is‘Sivadhyana’.Tobecomeimmersedin‘Sivananda’,is‘Nishtha’or‘Samadhi’.Hewho

30 attainsthisstageiscalledJivanmukta.‘
attainsthisstageiscalledJivanmukta.‘Pati’isLordSiva.ItistheobjectofalltheVedasandtheAgamastoexplaintheconceptsofLord(Pati),boundsouls(Pasu)whichreallymeanscattle,andbondage(Pasa).LordSivaisinfinite,eternal,onewithoutasecond.Heischangelessandindivisible.Heistheembodimentofknowledgeandbliss.Heenergisestheintelligenceofallsouls.Heisbeyondthereachofmindandspeech.Heistheultimategoalofall.Heissmallerthanthesmallestandgreaterthanthegreatest.Heisself-luminous,self-existent,self-containedandself-delight.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ‘Pasus’aretheindividualsoulswhoaresunkinthequagmireofSamsara.TheyassumebodiestoworkouttheirgoodandevilactionsandarebornaslowerandhigherbeingsaccordingtotheirnatureofKarma.TheydovirtuousandviciousactionsinthecourseofexperiencingtheendlessfruitsoftheirKarmaandhavecountlessbirthsanddeaths.UltimatelytheyattainthegraceofLordSivathroughmeritoriousactsandtheirignoranceisdispelled.TheyattainsalvationandbecomeonewithLordSiva.‘Pasa’isbond.ThewebofbondsisdistinguishedintoAvidyaorAnavamala,KarmaandMaya.Anavamalaisegoism.Itisthetaintduetothefalsenotionoffinitenesswhichthesoulhas.Thesoulimaginesitselftobefiniteandconfinedtothebodyandoflimitedknowledgeandpower.Iterroneouslyidentifiesitselfwiththeperishablebodyandmistakesthebodyforitsreality.Ithasforgottenitsessentialdivinenature.‘Karma’isthecauseofbodiesandmanifoldbodilyexperiencesandbirthsanddeaths.Itisbeginningless.Itisthecauseoftheconjunctionoftheconscioussoulwiththeunconsciousbody.ItisanauxiliaryofAvidya.Itisdonethroughthought,wordanddeed.Ittakestheformofmeritandsinandproducespleasureandpain.Itissubtleandunseen(Adrishta).ItexistsduringcreationandmergesintothesubstratumofMayaduringPralaya.Itcannotbedestroyed.ItmustworkoutitsMayaisthematerialcauseoftheworld.Itisunconsciousorunintelligent,omnipresent,imperishable.Itistheseedoftheworld.Thefourcategories,viz.,Tanu,Karana,BhuvanaandBhogabeginningwiththebodies,springupfromMaya.ItpermeatesallitsdevelopmentsandcausesperversionintheKarmicsoul

31 s.DuringPralayaitisthebasicresortofallso
s.DuringPralayaitisthebasicresortofallsouls.Itisitselfabondforthesouls.AlltheseprocessesinitareduetotheenergisinginfluencebyLordSiva.Justasthetrunk,theleafandthefruitgrowfromtheseed,soalsotheuniversefromKalatoearth,springsfromMaya.TherealNada,therootofsoundisevolvedfrompureMayabythewillofLordSiva.FromNada,therealBinduspringsup.Fromit,therealSadasivaoriginatesandgivesbirthtoIsvara.SuddhaAvidyaisdevelopedfromIsvara.TheworldoriginatesfromBinduanddevelopsintovariousforms.OnewilldeveloploveanddevotionforLordSivaifheisfreedfromegoism.Chariyai,Kiriyai,YogaandJnanaarethefourSadhanasorstepstokillegoismandattainLordSiva.Erectingtemples,cleaningthem,makinggarlandsofflowers,singingLord’spraises,burninglampsinthetemples,makingflowergardensconstituteChariyai.KiriyaiistoperformPuja,Archanas.Yogaisrestraintofthesensesandcontemplationontheinternallight.JnanaistounderstandthetruesignificanceofPati,Pasu,PasaandtobecomeonewithSivabyconstantmeditationonHimafterremovingthethreeMalas,viz.,Anava(egoism),Karma(action)andMaya(illusion).Theworshipoftheall-pervading,eternalSupremeBeingthroughexternalforms,iscalledChariyai.Therequisiteinitiationforthis,isSamayaDiksha.TheworshipofthecosmicformoftheEternalRuleroftheuniverseexternallyandinternally,iscalledKiriyai.TheinternalworshipofTHESAIVASIDDHANTAPHILOSOPHY Himasformless,iscalledYoga.ForKiriyaiandYoga,therequisiteinitiationiscalledViseshaDiksha.ThedirectrealisationofLordSivathroughJnanaGuru,iscalledJnana.Theinitiationthatleadstoit,iscalledNirvanaDiksha.TheaspirantshouldfreehimselffromthethreekindsofMala,viz.,Anava,KarmaandMaya.ThenonlyhebecomesonewithLordSivaandenjoys‘Sivanandam’.Heshouldthoroughlyannihilatehisegoism,freehimselffromthebondageofKarmaanddestroytheMayawhichisthebasisofallimpurities.Guruorthespiritualpreceptorisveryessentialforattainingthefinalemancipation.Sivaisfullofgrace.Hehelpstheaspirants.HeshowersHisgraceonthosewhoworshipHimwithfaithanddevotionandwhohavechildliketrustinHim.SivaHimselfistheGuru.ThegraceofSivaistheroadt

32 osalvation.SivalivesintheGuruandlookswit
osalvation.SivalivesintheGuruandlookswithintenseloveonthesincereaspirantthroughtheeyesoftheGuru.Onlyifyouhaveloveformankind,youcanloveGod.IftheaspirantestablishesarelationshipbetweenhimselfandLordSiva,hewillgrowindevotionquickly.HecanhavethementalattitudeorBhava—DasyaBhavaortherelationshipofmasterandservantwhichTirunavukarasarhad,ortheVatsalyaBhavawhereinLordSivaisthefatherandtheaspirantisthechildofLordSivawhichTirujnanasambandharhad,ortheSakhyaBhavaortherelationshipoffriend(LordSivaisregardedasthefriendoftheaspirant)whichSundararhad,ortheSanmargawhereinLordSivaistheverylifeoftheaspirantwhichManikkavasagarhad,whichcorrespondstotheMadhuryaBhavaorAtmaNivedanaoftheThedevoteebecomesonewithSiva,likesaltwithwater,milkwithmilk,whenthethreeMalas(Pasa)aredestroyed,buthecannotdothefivefunctionsofcreation,etc.Godonlycanperformthefivefunctions.TheliberatedsouliscalledaJivanmukta.Thoughhelivesinthebogy,heisoneinfeelingwiththeAbsolute.Hedoesnotperformworkswhichcanproducefurtherbodies.Asheisfreefromegoism,workcannotbindhim.Hewilldomeritoriousactsforthesolidarityoftheworld(Lokasangraha).Helivesinthebody,untilhisPrarabdhaKarmaisexhausted.AllhispresentactionsareconsumedbythegraceoftheLord.TheJivanmuktadoesallactionsonaccountoftheimpulsionoftheLordwithinhim.GlorytoLordSivaandHisSakti!Sivaisspokenofasbeingineightforms(Ashtamurti).TheeightformsofSivaarethefiveelements,thesun,themoonandthepriestwhoperformssacrifice.VishnuappearedintheMohiniformafterthechurningofthemilk-ocean.SivaembracedVishnuinthatform.SastaistheoffspringofSivaandMohini.SastaiscalledalsobythenameHari-Hara-PutraorthesonofHariandHara.ApparwantedallSaivastoregardVishnuasonlyanotheraspectofSiva.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP AccordingtoAppar,therearethreeaspectsofSiva.(1)ThelowerSivawhodissolvestheworldandwholiberatesJivasfromtheirbondage.(2)ThehigherformiscalledParapara.InthisformSivaappearsasSivaandSakti(Ardhanarisvara).IthasthenameParam-Jyoti.BrahmaandVishnuwerenotabletocomprehendthisJyoti.(3)BeyondthesetwoformsistheParam,ortheulti

33 matebeingfromwhomBrahma,Vishnu,Rudraorig
matebeingfromwhomBrahma,Vishnu,Rudraoriginate.ItispurelytheSaivaform.Itisformless.ItistheSivamoftheSaivaSiddhanta.ItisParaBrahmanoftheUpanishadsandTheMahavishnuofVishnuPuranacorrespondstoParamofSaivaSiddhantins.NarayanaorthehigherVishnucorrespondstotheParam-jyotiofApparorSaivaSiddhantins.ThelowerVishnudoesthefunctionofpreservation.HecorrespondstothelowerSiva.WhatistheinnermeaningofalltheSaivaallusionsaboutVishnuworshippingSivaandalltheVaishnavaallusionsaboutSivaworshippingVishnu?ThelowerSivamusttakeNarayana,theParaparaorParam-jyotiashisSuperior.ThelowerVishnumusttakeParam-jyotiortheParaparaashisSuperior.ThehigherVishnuandhigherSivaareidentical.TheyareinferiortoParam,theInthathighestconditioncalledSivaMukti,thereisnoduality.Noonecanseeanything.OnemergeshimselfinSivamortheHighest.Ifyouwishtosee,youwillhavetocometothestageimmediatelybelowtheHighest.TheSivaMurtiormanifestationisinferiortothereal‘Sivam’whichisformless.AccordingtotheSaivaSiddhantaphilosophy,theTattvasarereckonedasninety-six.Theyareasfollows:24AtmaTattvas,10Nadis,5Avasthasorconditions,3Malasorimpurities,3Gunas(Sattva,RajasandTamas),3Mandalas(Suryaorthesun,AgniorthefireandChandraorthemoon),3humours(Vata,PittaandSleshma),8Vikarasormodifications(Kama,Krodha,Lobha,Moha,Mada,Matsarya,DambhaandAsuya),6Adharas,7Dhatus,10Vayus,5Koshasand9doorways.Thetwenty-fourTattvasarethe5elements(Bhutas),5Tanmatras(Sabda,etc.),5Jnana-Indriyas,5Karma-Indriyasand4Karanas(Manas,Buddhi,ChittaandAhamkara).Allthese96relatetothebody.Overandabovethese96,therearethe5Kanchukasorcoverings.TheyareNiyati,Kaala,Kala,RagaandVidya.ThefiveenterthebodyandcausewearinesstotheTattvasofthebodyandafflictthebody.SuddhaSaivaTheSuddhaSaivadoesnotattainthefinalemancipationbyKriya(Kiriyai)alone.HeattainsonlySalokya.JnanainKriyaleadstoSalokya,theworldofSiva.JnanainCharya(Chariyai)leadshimtoSamipya(proximitytoSiva).JnanainYogabestowsonhimSarupya(likenessinform).JnanainJnanaleadshimtoSayujya,mergingorabsorption.‘Ambalam’means‘openspaceofthe

34 heart’orChidakasaorChidambaram.THES
heart’orChidakasaorChidambaram.THESAIVASIDDHANTAPHILOSOPHY AndLingamistheVisvarupaortheGod’sformoftheUniverse.HewhobringsaboutthedestructionoftheworldisSivaorRudra.ThatisthereasonwhyHeisheldsuperiortoBrahmaandVishnu.TheSiddhantinsdivideJivasorPasusintothreeorders,viz.,VijnanaKalar,PralayaKalarandSakalar.VijnanaKalarhaveonlytheAnavaMala(egoism).PralayaKalarhaveAnavaandMaya.SakalarhavealltheMalas,Anava,KarmaandMaya.TheMalasaffectonlytheJivasandnotSiva.ThosewhoarefreedfromtheMalasorimpuritiesbecomeidenticalwithSiva.TheyareSiddhasorperfectedbeings. ChapterIVPHILOSOPHYOFSYMBOLSPhilosophyOfSymbolsLordSivarepresentsthedestructiveaspectofBrahman.ThatportionofBrahmanthatisenvelopedbyTamo-Guna-PradhanaMayaisLordSivawhoistheall-pervadingIsvaraandwhoalsodwellsinMountKailas.HeistheBhandaraorstore-houseforwisdom.SivaminusParvatiorKaliorDurgaisNirgunaBrahmanHimself.WithMaya-ParvatiHebecomestheSagunaBrahmanforthepurposeofpiousdevotionofHisdevotees.DevoteesofRamamustworshipLordSivafor3or6monthsbeforetheytaketoworshipofRama.RamaHimselfworshippedLordSivaatthefamousRamesvaram.LordSivaistheLordofAsceticsandLordofYogins,robedinspaceHisTrisul(trident)thatisheldinHisrighthandrepresentsthethreeGunas—Sattva,RajasandTamas.ThatistheemblemofSovereignty.HewieldstheworldthroughthesethreeGunas.TheDamaruinHislefthandrepresentstheSabdaBrahman.ItrepresentsOMfromwhichalllanguagesareformed.ItisHewhoformedtheSanskritlanguageoutoftheDamaru.ThecrescentmoonindicatesthatHehascontrolledthemindperfectly.TheflowoftheGangarepresentsthenectarofImmortality.Elephantrepresentssymbolicallypride.HiswearingtheskinoftheelephantdenotesthatHehascontrolledpride.Tigerrepresentslust;Hissittingontiger’sskinindicatesthatHehasconqueredlust.HisholdingadeerononehandindicatesthatHehasremovedtheChanchalata(tossing)ofthemind.Deerjumpsfromoneplacetoanotherswiftly.Hiswearingofserpentsdenoteswisdomandeternity.Serpentsliveforalargenumberofyears.HeisTrilochana,thethree-eyedOne,inthecentreofwhoseforeheadisthethirdeye,theeyeo

35 f‘Hoam’istheBijaAksharaofLordS
f‘Hoam’istheBijaAksharaofLordSiva.HeisSivam(auspicious,Subham),Sundaram(beautiful),Kantam(effulgent).“SantamSivamAdvaitam”(MandukyaUpanishad).LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Ibowwithfoldedhandscroresoftimesatthelotus-feetofthatLordSivawhoisnon-dual,whoistheAdhishthana,orsupportfortheworldandallminds,whoisSat-Chit-Ananda,whoistheRuler,theAntaryamin,theSakshi(silentwitness)foreverything,whoisself-effulgent,self-existentandself-contained(Pari-purna),whoistheremoveroftheprimitiveAvidyaandwhoistheAdi-GuruorParama-GuruorJagad-Guru.ThatLordSivaIaminessence.Sivoham,Sivoham,Sivoham.SnakeOnTheBodyOfSivaSerpentistheJivaortheindividualsoulwhichrestsuponSiva,theParamatmanortheSupremeSoul.ThefivehoodsmeanthefivesensesorthefiveTattvas,viz.,earth,water,fire,airandether.TheyalsorepresentthefivePranas,whichhissinthebodyliketheserpent.Theinhalationandexhalationarelikethehissingoftheserpent.LordSivaHimselfbecamethefiveTanmatras,thefiveJnanendriyas,thefiveKarmendriyasandothergroupsoffive.TheindividualsoulenjoystheworldlyobjectsthroughtheseTattvas.Whentheindividualattainsknowledgethroughcontrolofthesensesandthemind,hefindshiseternalrestingabodeinLordSiva,theSupremeSoul.ThisistheesotericsignificanceofLordSivawearingthesnakeonHisbody.LordSivaisabsolutelyfearless.Srutisdeclare,“ThisBrahmanisfearless(Abhayam),Immortal(Amritam).”WorldlypeopleareafraidevenattheverysightofasnakebutLordSivaiswearingserpentsasornamentsonHisbody.ThisindicatesthatLordSivaisabsolutelyfearlessandGenerallyserpentsliveforhundredsofyears.WearingofserpentsbyLordSivasignifiesthatHeisEternal.SignificanceofBhasma,Nandi,Etc.NamassivayaistheMantraofLordSiva.‘Na’representsearthandBrahma;‘Ma’representswaterandVishnu;‘Si’fireandRudra;‘Va’VayuandMahesvara;‘Ya’AkasaandSadasivaandalsotheJiva.LordSivahaswhitecomplexion.Whatisthesignificanceofwhitecolour?Heteachessilentlythatpeopleshouldhavepureheartandentertainpurethoughtsandshouldbefreefromcrookedness,diplomacy,cunningn

36 ess,jealousy,hatred,etc.Hewearsthreewhit
ess,jealousy,hatred,etc.Hewearsthreewhite-linedBhasmaorVibhutionHisforehead.Whatisthesignificanceofthis?Heteachessilentlythatpeopleshoulddestroythethreeimpurities,viz.,Anava(egoism),Karma(actionwithexpectationoffruits),andMaya(illusion),andthethreedesiresorEshanas,viz.,desireforlandedproperty,desireforwoman,desireforgold,andthethreeVasanas,viz.,Lokavasana,DehavasanaandSastravasana,andthenattainHimwithapureheart.WhatdoestheBalipithaoraltarwhichstandsinfrontofthesanctumsanctorumoftheSiva’stemplerepresent?Peopleshoulddestroytheiregoismandmineness(AhamtaandMamata)beforetheyattaintheLord.Thisisthesignificance.PHILOSOPHYOFSYMBOLS WhatdoesNandiorthebullwhichisinfrontofSivalingarepresent?NandiistheattendantordoorkeeperofSiva.HeisthevehicleofLordSiva.HerepresentsSatsanga.Ifyoumakeassociationwiththesages,youaresuretoattainGod-realisation.SageswillshowyouthewaytoreachHim.Theywillremovepitfallsorsnaresthatlieonyourpath.Theywillclearyourdoubtsandinstilinyourheartdispassion,discriminationandknowledge.ThereisnoothersafeboatthanSatsangatoreachtheothershoreoffearlessnessandimmortality.Evenamoment’sSatsangaorassociationwiththesages,isagreatblessingtotheaspirantsandtheworldly-mindedpersons.TheygetfirmconvictionintheexistenceofGodthroughSatsanga.ThesagesremovetheworldlySamskaras.ThecompanyofsagesisaformidablefortresstoprotectoneselffromthetemptationsofLordSivarepresentsthedestructiveaspectoftheGodhead.HeisseenabsorbedonthemountainpeakofKailas.Heisanembodimentofserenity,renunciationandindifferencetotheworld.ThethirdeyeinthecentreofHisforeheadrepresentsHisdestructiveenergywhichwhenletloosedestroystheworld.NandiisHisfavourite.Heisthedoor-Keeper.Heisseenhushingallnature,sothattheLordmaynotbedisturbedinHisSamadhi.TheLordhasfivefaces,tenhands,teneyes,twofeet.VrishabhaorthebullrepresentsDharmaDevata.LordSivaridesonthebull.BullisHisvehicle.ThisdenotesthatLordSivaistheprotectorofDharma,isanembodimentofDharmaorDeerrepresentstheVedas.ItsfourlegsarethefourVedas.LordSivaisholdingthedeerinHishand

37 .ThisindicatesthatHeistheLordoftheVedas.
.ThisindicatesthatHeistheLordoftheVedas.HehasswordinoneofHishands.ThissignifiesthatHeisthedestroyerofbirthsanddeaths.ThefireinoneofHishandsshowsthatHeprotectstheJivasbyburningallfetters.PhilosophyofAbhishekaSalutationsandadorationstotheblissfulLordSiva,theloverofUmaorParvati,theLordofallbeings(Pasupati).“AlankarapriyoVishnuh,AbhishekapriyahSivah—LordVishnuisveryfondofAlankara(finedress,beautifulornaments,etc.);SivaisfondofAbhisheka.”InSivatemples,apotmadeupofcopperorbrasswithaholeinthecentreiskepthangingovertheimageorLingaofSiva,andwaterisfallingontheimagethroughoutdayandnight.PouringovertheLinga,water,milk,ghee,curd,honey,cocoanutwater,Panchamrita,etc.,isAbhisheka.AbhishekaisdoneforLordSiva.RudraischantedalongwiththeAbhisheka.LordSivaispropitiatedbyAbhisheka.LordSivadrankthepoisonthatemanatedfromtheoceanandworetheGangaandmoononHisheadtocoolHishead.Hehasthefierythirdeye.ConstantAbhishekacoolsthiseye.ThegreatestandthehighestAbhishekaistopourthewatersofpureloveontheAtmalingaofthelotusoftheheart.TheexternalAbhishekawithvariousobjectswillhelpthegrowthofLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP devotionandadorationforLordSivaandeventuallyleadtointernalAbhishekawithpureabundantflowoflove.AbhishekaisapartofSivaPuja.WithoutAbhisheka,worshipofSivaisincomplete.DuringAbhishekaRudra,Purushasukta,Chamaka,Maha-mrityunjayaJapa,etc.,arechantedinaparticularrhythmandorder.MondayisveryimportantdayforLordSivaandthethirteenthdayofthefortnight(Pradosha)isverysacred.Onthesedays,devoteesofSivaworshipHimwithspecialPuja,AbhishekawithEkadasa-Rudra,Archana,offeringplentyofPrasad,andillumination.InEkadasa-RudraAbhisheka,everyRudraischantedwithdistinctivearticlesforAbhisheka.Gangawater,milk,ghee,honey,rose-water,cocoanutwater,sandalpaste,Panchamrita,scentedoil,sugarcanejuiceandlimejuicearemadeuseofforAbhisheka.AftereveryAbhisheka,purewaterispouredovertheheadofSiva.WhenRudraisrepeatedonce,thedifferentarticlesofAbhishekaaremadeuseofaftereverystanzaoftheRudra.TheAbhishekawaterorotherarticlesusedforAbhishekaare

38 consideredverysacredandbestowimmensebene
consideredverysacredandbestowimmensebenefitsonthedevoteeswhotakeitastheLord’sPrasad.Itpurifiestheheartanddestroyscountlesssins.YoumusttakeitwithintenseBhavaandfaith.WhenyoudoAbhishekawithBhavaanddevotion,yourmindisconcentrated.YourheartisfilledwiththeimageoftheLordanddivinethoughts.Youforgetyourbodyanditsrelationandsurroundings.Egoismgraduallyvanishes.Whenthereisforgetfulness,youbegintoenjoyandtastetheeternalblissofLordSiva.RecitationofRudraorOmNamassivayapurifiesthemindandfillsitwithSattva.IfyoudoAbhishekawithRudrapathainthenameofapersonsufferingfromanydiseasehewillbesoonfreedfromthatdisease.IncurablediseasesarecuredbyAbhisheka.Abhishekabestowshealth,wealth,prosperity,progeny,etc.AbhishekaonMondayismostauspicious.ByofferingPanchamrita,honey,milk,etc.,totheLord,thoughtsofyourbodydiminish.Selfishnessslowlyvanishes.Youderiveimmensejoy.YoubegintoincreaseyourofferingsuntotheLord.Therefore,self-sacrificeandself-surrendercomein.Naturally,thereisanoutpouringfromyourheart,“IamThine,myLord.AllisThine,myLord”.KannappaNayanar,agreatdevoteeofLordSiva,ahunterbyprofession,didAbhishekawiththewaterinhismouthfortheLingaatKalahastiinSouthIndiaandpropitiatedLordSiva.LordSivaispleasedbypuredevotion.ItisthementalBhavathatcountsandnottheoutwardshow.LordSivasaidtothetemplepriest:“ThiswaterfromthemouthofKannappa,mybeloveddevotee,ismorepurethanthewateroftheGanga”.AdevoteeshouldberegularindoingAbhishekafortheLord.HeshouldgetbyheartRudraandChamakam.EkadasaRudraismorepowerfulandeffective.InNorthernIndia,everymanorwomantakesalotaofwaterandpoursitontheimageofSiva.Thisalsocausesbeneficialresultsandbringsaboutthefulfilmentofone’sdesire.AbhishekaonSivaratridayisveryeffective.PHILOSOPHYOFSYMBOLS MayyouallreciteRudrapathawhichdescribesthegloryofLordSivaandHismanifestationsineverylivingbeing,ineveryanimateandinanimatebeing!MayyoudoAbhishekadailyandthusobtainthegraceofLordSiva!MayLordVisvanathablessyouall!FruitofAbhishekaandRudraJapainSiva’sTempleChamakaisdividedintoelevense

39 ctions.EachoftheseisthencombinedwithNama
ctions.EachoftheseisthencombinedwithNamaka(Rudra)andrepeated.ThisiscalledRudra.ElevensuchRudrasmakeoneLaghuRudra.ElevenLaghuRudrasmakeoneMaharudra.ElevenMaharudrasmakeoneAtirudra.RudraistoberepeatedafterperformingtheinitialSankalpa,Puja,Nyasa,Anga.PanchamritasnanaandDhyana.ThefruitofRudraJapaisstatedasshownbelow:No.ofJapaFruitofJapa1RudraFreedomfromBalagraha(diseasescommontochildren).3RudraFreedomfromimminentdifficultieswithwhichoneisfaced.5RudraFreedomfromtheevileffectsofcertainplanetsoccupyingunfavourablepositions.7RudraFreedomfromgreatfear.9RudraThefruitofoneVajapeyasacrifice;andalsoattainmentofpeaceof11RudraGettingthefavourofkingsandgreatwealth.33RudraAttainmentofwishesforobjectsandhavingnoenemies.77RudraEnjoymentofgreathappiness.99RudraAttainmentofson,grandson,wealth,grain,Dharma,Artha,KamaandMokshaandfreedomfromdeath.1MaharudraAttainmentofthefavourofkingsandbecomingtheLordofgreat3MaharudraFulfilmentofimpossibletasks.5MaharudraAcquirementofvastlands.7MaharudraAttainmentofthesevenworlds.9MaharudraFreedomfrombirthsanddeaths.1AtirudraBecomingGod.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP MaterialsforAbhisheka:Purewater,milk,sugarcanejuice,ghee,honey,watersofsacredrivers,seawater.Forgettingrain,Abhishekashouldbedonewithpurewater.Forfreedomfromdiseases,andforbegettingason,Abhishekashouldbedonewithmilk.IfAbhishekaisdonewithmilk,evenabarrenwomanbegetschildren.Thepersonalsoattainsplentyofcows.IfAbhishekaisdonewithKusawater,onebecomesfreefromalldiseases.Hewhodesireswealth,shouldperformAbhishekawithghee,honeyandsugarcanejuice.HewhodesiresMoksha,shoulddoAbhishekawithsacred ChapterVPHILOSOPHYOFSIVATANDAVAp:adsy:aev:B:üv:nt:im:v:n:et:m:v:n:ðrx:t:Hsv:òrp:at:òHs:ök:ðc:ðn:òv:d:ð\N:aöm:ØhÚreB:n:y:t:Hs:v:ül::ðkaet:g:an:am:Î.dáeÄöl:xy:ðv:Øn::ðg:Òjv:l:n:kN:m:Øc:öb:¿:t::ðdahB:it:ðErty:aD:aran:Ør:ðD:at:Îe*:p:Ørev:j:ey:n:Hp:at:Øv::ðdÙHK:n:à¶:m:Î..pàdasyàvirbhavantãmavanatimavanerakùataþsvairapàtaiþsaükocenaivadoùõàümuhurabhinayataþsarvalokàtigànàm|dçùñiül

40 akùyevunograjvalanakaõamucaübadhnatod
akùyevunograjvalanakaõamucaübadhnatodàhabhãte-rityàdhàrànurodhàttripuravijayinaþpàtuvoduþkhançttam||TheTandavaorcelestialdanceofLordSivaisextremelythrillingandcharming,exquisitelygracefulinposeandrhythmandintenselypiercingineffect.NrityaorTandavaisaninseparable,sacredmovementofthevariouslimbsofthebodyinaccordancewiththeinnerdivineBhava.Nrityaisadivinescience.TheAdigurusforthiscelestialNrityawereLordSiva,KrishnaandMotherKali.InNritya,thesixBhavas,viz.,Srishti,Samhara,Vidya,Avidya,GatiandAgatiaredemonstrated.ThedanceofLordSivaisforthewelfareoftheworld.TheobjectofHisdanceistofreethesoulsfromthefettersofMaya,fromthethreebondsofAnava,KarmaandMaya.HeisnotthedestroyerbutHeistheregenerator.HeistheMangalaDataandAnandaData,bestowerofauspiciousnessandbliss.HeismoreeasilypleasedthanLordHari,Hegrantsboonsquickly,foralittleTapasoralittlerecitationofHisfiveletters.PHILOSOPHYOFSYMBOLS ‘AghadaBhum’isHissongofdance.WhenSivastartsHisdanceBrahma,Vishnu,theSivaGanasandKaliwithHerbowlofskull,joinHim.HaveyounotseenthepictureofPradoshaNritya?ItwillgiveyouanideaofthedanceofSiva.KaliwasveryproudofHerabilityindancing.SivastarteddancingtoquellHerpride.Hedancedverybeautifully,veryartistically.KalihadtoputHerfacedowninshame.LordSivawearsadeerintheleftupperhand.Hehastridentintherightlowerarm.HehasfireandDamaruandMalu,akindofweapon.Hewearsfiveserpentsasornaments.Hewearsagarlandofskulls.HeispressingwithHisfeetthedemonMuyalaka,adwarfholdingacobra.Hefacessouth.PanchakshariitselfisHisbody.LordSivasays:“Controlthefivesenseswhicharehissinglikeserpents.Themindisjumpinglikeadeer.Controlthemind.Burnitinthefireofmeditation.StrikeitdownwiththeTrisulaofdiscrimination.YoucanattainMe”.ThisisthephilosophicalsignificanceofthepictureofLordSiva.YoucanwitnessthedanceofSivaintherisingwavesoftheocean,intheoscillationofthemind,inthemovementsofthesensesandthePranas,intherotationoftheplanetsandconstellations,incosmicPralaya,inepidemicsofinfectiousdiseases,inhugeinundationsandvolcaniceruptions,in

41 earthquakes,landslips,lightningandthunde
earthquakes,landslips,lightningandthunder,inhugeconflagrationsandcyclonicstorm.AssoonastheGunaSamyaAvastha,whereinthethreeGunasexistinastateofequilibrium,isdisturbedbythewilloftheLord,theGunasmanifestandquintuplicationofelementstakesplace.ThereisvibrationofOmkaraorSabdaBrahman.Thereismanifestationofprimalenergy.ThisisthedanceofSiva.ThewholecosmicplayoractivityorLilaisthedanceofSiva.AllmovementswithinthecosmosareHisdance.HegazesonPrakritiandenergisesHer.Mind,Prana,matterbegintodance.WhenHebeginstodance,theSaktiTattvamanifests.FromSakti,NadaproceedsandfromNada,Binduoriginates.Thentheuniverseofnamesandformsisprojected.Theundifferentiatedmatter,energyandsoundbecomedifferentiated.TheburninggroundsaretheabodesofSiva.RudraisthedestructiveaspectoftheLord.LordSivadancesinthecrematoriumwithKali,inHisten-armedform.TheSivaGanasalsojoinwithHiminthedance.NatarajaofChidambaramistheexpertdancer.Hehasfourhands.HewearstheGangaandthecrescentmoononHismattedlocks.HeholdsDamaruinHisrighthand.HeshowsAbhayaMudratoHisdevoteeswithHisraisedlefthand.Thesignificanceis:“Odevotees!Donotbeafraid.Ishallprotectyouall.”Onelefthandholdsthefire.TheotherrighthandpointsdownontheAsuraMuyalakawhoisholdingacobra.Hehasraisedtheleftfootinabeautifulmanner.ThesoundofthedruminvitestheindividualsoulstoHisfeet.ItrepresentsOmkara.AlltheSanskritalphabetshavecomeoutoftheplayoftheDamaru.CreationarisesfromDamaru.ThehandwhichshowsAbhayaMudragivesprotection.Destructionproceedsfromfire.TheraisedfootindicatesMayaorillusion.ThehandwhichpointsdownshowsthatHisfeetarethesolerefugeoftheindividualsouls.TiruakshirepresentsOmkaraorPranava.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ChidambaramisasacredplaceofpilgrimageinSouthIndia.AlltheTamilsaintshavesunghymnsinpraiseofNataraja.ThereisAkasaLingaherewhichindicatesthatLordSivaisformlessandattributeless.Thepopularsayinggoes:“HewhodiesinBanareswithRamanaminhislipsandheart,attainssalvation.HewhoremembersArunachalamorTiruvannamalaiattainsMukti.HewhogetsDarsanaofNatarajaattainsfinalemancipation.”

42 ;RealChidambaramiswithintheheart.Nataraj
;RealChidambaramiswithintheheart.Natarajadancesintheheartsofdevoteeswhohaveburntegoism,lust,hatred,prideandjealousy.Hedancesquitegently.IfHedancesvehementlythewholeearthwillsinkdownatonce.HedanceswithHiseyesclosed,becausethesparksfromHiseyeswillconsumetheentireuniverse.ThefiveactivitiesoftheLord,Panchakriyas,viz.,Srishti(creation),Sthiti(preservation),Samhara(destruction),Tirobhava(illusion)andAnugraha(grace),arethedancesofSiva.MayyouallcomprehendthetruesignificanceofthedanceofSiva.MayyoualldanceinecstasyintunewithLordSivaandmergeinHimandenjoytheSivananda,thefinalbeatitudeofLordSivaisanembodimentofwisdom.HeistheLightoflights.HeisParamjyotiorsupremeLight.Heisself-luminousorSvayam-Jyoti.ThedanceofSivarepresentstherhythmandmovementoftheworld-spirit.AtHisdancetheevilforcesanddarknessquiverandvanish.InthenightofBrahmaorduringPralaya,Prakritiisinert,motionless.ThereisGuna-SamyaAvastha.ThethreeGunasareinastateofequilibriumorpoise.ShecannotdancetillLordSivawillsit.LordSivarisesfromHisprofoundsilenceandbeginstodance.TheundifferentiatedsoundbecomesdifferentiatedthroughthevibrationsetupbythemovementsofHisDamaruordrum.SabdaBrahmancomesintobeing.Theundifferentiatedenergyalsobecomesdifferentiated.TheequipoiseintheGunasbecomesdisturbed.ThethreeGunasSattva,RajasandTamasmanifest.Allthespheres,theatomsandtheelectronsalsodancerhythmicallyandinanorderlymanner.Atomsdanceinthemoleculeandmoleculesdanceinallbodies.Starsdanceintimeandspace.PrakritialsobeginstodanceaboutHimasHisgloryorVibhuti.ThePranabeginstooperateonAkasaorsubtlematter.Variousformsmanifest.HiranyagarbhaorthegoldeneggorthecosmicmindalsoWhenthetimecomes,LordSivadestroysallnamesandformsbyfirewhiledancing.Thereisstillnessagain.ThisisthesymbolisminvolvedintheformofNataraja.ThedeerinthehandofSivarepresentsAsuddhaMaya.Theaxerepresentsknowledgewhichdestroysignorance.Thedrum,theoutstretchedarmthatcarriesfire,thewater(Ganga),thehandwiththeaxe,thefootstandingontheAsuraMuyalaka,aretheformlessorSukshmaPanchaksharas.Srishti(creation)isinthedrum

43 ;Sthiti(preservation)isintheAbhayahand;S
;Sthiti(preservation)isintheAbhayahand;Samhara(destruction)isinthehandthatholdstheaxe;Tirobhava(veiling)isinthepressingfoot;andAnugraha(blessing)isintheupliftedfoot.PHILOSOPHYOFSIVATANDAVA TherearevariouskindsofdancesofSiva.TherearetheSamharadance,thefivedances,thesixdances,theeightdances,theKoduKottidance,thePandamdance,theKodudance.TheKoduKottiisthedanceafterthedestructionofeverything.Pandamisthedanceafterthedestructionofthethreecities,wearingtheashesofthosecities.KoduorKapalamisthedanceholdingBrahma’sheadinthehand.SamharaisthedanceatthetimeofdissolutionorPralaya.Srishti,Sthiti,Samhara,TirobhavaandAnugraha,andalsoMuni-Tandava,AnavarataTandavaandAnandaTandavaconstitutetheeightdances.Sivanandadance,Sundaradance,thegoldencitydance,thegoldenChidambaramdanceandthewonderfuldanceformthefivedances.ThefivepreviousdancesandtheAnandadanceintheendformthesixdances.LordSivaistheonlydancer.HeistheMasterorexpertdancer.HeistheKingofdancers.HequelledtheprideofKali.LordSiva’sdestructionisnotasingleact,butisaseriesofacts.Thereisadifferentkindofdanceateverystage.MayLordNataraja,thegreatdancerhelpyouintheattainmentofSivanandamortheeternalblissofSiva!LordNataraja—TheGreatDancer‘Ya’inNamassivayarepresentsJivaortheindividualsoul.ThePanchaksharaNamassivayaformsthebodyofLordSiva.Thehandthatwearsfireis‘Na’.ThefootthatpressesthedemonMuyalakais‘Ma’.ThehandthatholdsDamaruis‘Si’.Therightandlefthandthatmoveaboutare‘Va’.ThehandthatshowsAbhayais‘Ya’.Onceuponatime,agroupofRishisabandonedtheirfaithinthetrueLordandtooktotheworshipoffalsedeities.LordSivawantedtoteachthemalesson.Hestirredinthemstrangepassions.TheRishisbecameveryfurious.TheycreatedmanyevilsthroughtheirpowerofpenanceandletthemlooseuponSiva.LordSivaovercamethemandfinallydefeatedthegreatKali,acreationoftheRishis,bythecosmicdance.AtthetimeofSriNataraja’sdance,PatanjaliRishiandVyaghrapadawerewitnessingthedanceandenjoyingit.TheywerestandingoneithersideoftheLord.Eveninpain

44 tingsandsculptureoftheNataraja’sMur
tingsandsculptureoftheNataraja’sMurti,youwillfindthefiguresofPatanjaliandVyaghrapadaoneithersideofNataraja.ThelowerpartofthebodyofVyaghrapadawillresemblethatoftigerandthecorrespondingpartofPatanjalithatoftheserpent.ThemostwonderfuldanceofNatarajaistheUrdhvaTandava.Inthisdancetheleftlegisliftedupandthetoepointstothesky.Thisisthemostdifficultformofdance.NatarajadefeatedKalibythisposeindancing.KalisuccessfullycompetedwithNatarajainallothermodesofdance.NatarajalostHisearringwhiledancing.HesucceededbymeansofHistoe,inthisformofdance,inrestoringtheornamenttoitsoriginalplacewithouttheknowledgeoftheaudience.NatarajadancedwithHisrightlegliftedupwards.ThisistheGajahastaposeindancingorNritya.HedancedcontinuouslywithoutchangingHislegsonce.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ThereisanotherdanceposeofSivaontheheadofanelephant.Inthisform,LordSivaisknownasGajasanaMurti.AtthefootofLordSiva,thereistheheadofanelephantmonster.LordSivahaseighthands.Heholdsthetrident,thedrumandthenooseinHisthreerighthands.HeholdstheshieldandtheskullinHistwohands.ThethirdlefthandisheldinVismayapose.AnAsuraassumedtheformofanelephanttokilltheBrahminswhoweresittingroundtheLingaofVisvanathinBanares,absorbedinmeditation.LordSivacameoutsuddenlyfromtheLingaandkilledtheelephant-monsterandusedtheskinasHisgarment.DanceofSivaThefloodofnineteen-twenty-fourWashorribleinRishikeshItcarriedawaymanyMahatmasandSadhusThisisthedanceofSiva.TheimpetuousChandrabhagaTurneditscoursein1943PeoplecrosseditwithdifficultyWiththehelpofelephantThisisthedanceofSiva.InthemorningofeleventhJanuary1945TherewasfallofsnowOnthesurroundingHimalayasThechillwasterribleThisisthedanceofSiva.LordVisvanathdwellsnowInaplacewheretherewasforest.Hepleasesthewholeworld.Hebestowshealthandlonglife.ThisisthedanceofSiva.ForestsbecomeAshrams,Islandsbecomeanocean,Oceanbecomesanisland,Citiesbecomedeserts,ThisisthedanceofSiva.SivagazesHisSaktiThenthereistheatomicdanceThereisthedanceofPrakritiLordSivamerelywitnessesThisisthedanceofSiva.PHILOSOPHYOFSIVATANDAVA ThenPranavibrates,mind

45 moves,Sensesfunction,Buddhioperates,Hear
moves,Sensesfunction,Buddhioperates,Heartpumps,lungsbreathe,Stomachdigests,intestinesexcrete,ThisisthedanceofSiva.ThisisaworldofchangeAchangingthingisperishableKnowtheImperishableWhichischangelessAndbecomeImmortal. ChapterVISAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHYThepoweroractiveaspectoftheimmanentGodisSakti.Saktiistheembodimentofpower.Sheisthesupporterofthevastuniverse.Sheisthesupremepowerbywhichtheworldisupheld.SheistheUniversalMother.SheisDurga,Kali,Chandi,Chamundi,Tripurasundari,Rajesvari.ThereisnodifferencebetweenGodandHisSakti,justasthereisnodifferencebetweenfireanditsburningpower.HewhoworshipsSakti,thatis,GodinMotherform,asthesupremepowerwhichcreates,sustainsandwithdrawstheuniverse,isaSakta.AllwomenareformsoftheDivineMother.Sivaistheunchangingconsciousness.SaktiisHischangingpowerwhichappearsasmindandmatter.SaktivadaorSaktadarsanaisaformofmonismorAdvaitavada.ASaktadoesSadhanawhichhelpstheunionofSivaandSakti,throughtheawakeningoftheforceswithinthebody.HebecomesaSiddhaintheSadhana,whenheisabletoawakenKundaliniandpiercethesixChakras.ThisistobedoneinaperfectpracticalwayundertheguidanceofaGuruwhohasbecomeperfect.TheSaktimustbeawakenedbyDhyana,byBhava,byJapa,byMantra-Sakti.TheMother,theembodimentofthefiftyletters,ispresentinthevariouslettersinthedifferentChakras.Whenthechordsofamusicalinstrumentarestruckharmoniously,finemusicisproduced.Evenso,whenthechordsofthelettersarestruckintheirorder,theMotherwhomovesinthesixChakrasandwhoistheveryselfoftheletters,awakensHerself.TheSadhakaattainsSiddhieasilywhenSheisroused.ItisdifficulttosaywhenandhowSheshowsHerselfandtowhatSadhaka.Sadhanameansunfolding,rousinguporawakeningofpowerorSakti.ModeofSadhanadependsuponthetendenciesandcapacitiesoftheSadhaka.Saktimaybetermedasthatbywhichweliveandhaveourbeinginthisuniverse.Inthisworldallthewantsofthechildareprovidedbythemother.Thechild’sgrowth,developmentandLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP sustenancearelookedafterbythemother.Evenso,allthenecessariesoflifeanditsactivitiesinthisworldandtheenergyneededforit,dependuponSaktior

46 theUniversalMother.Noonecanfreehimselffr
theUniversalMother.NoonecanfreehimselffromthethraldomofmindandmatterwithoutMother’sgrace.ThefettersofMayaaretoohardtobreak.IfyouworshipHerasthegreatMother,youcanveryeasilygobeyondPrakritithroughHerbenigngraceandblessings.Shewillremoveallobstaclesinthepathandleadyousafelyintotheillimitabledomainofeternalblissandmakeyoufree.WhenSheispleasedandbestowsHerblessingsonyou,thenaloneyoucanfreeyourselffromthebondageofthisformidableSamsara.Thefirstsyllablewhichachildoraquadrupeduttersisthenameofthebelovedmother.Isthereanychildwhichdoesnotoweitsalltotheaffectionandloveofitsmother?Itisthemotherwhoprotectsyou,consolesyou,cheersyouandnursesyou.Sheisyourfriend,philosopher,protectorandguidethroughoutyourlife.HumanmotherisamanifestationoftheUniversalTheSupremeLordisrepresentedasSivaandHispowerisrepresentedashisconsort,SaktiorDurgaorKali.Justasthehusbandandwifelookafterthewell-beingofthefamily,soalsoLordSivaandHisSaktiareengagedinlookingaftertheaffairsoftheworld.Radha,Durga,Lakshmi,SarasvatiandSavitriarethefiveprimaryformsofPrakritiorDevi.DurgadestroyedMadhuandKaitabhathroughVishnu.AsMahalakshmi,ShedestroyedtheAsuraMahishaandasSarasvatiShedestroyedSumbhaandNisumbhawiththeircompanionsDhumralochana,Chanda,MundaandRaktabija.WhenVishnuandMahadevadestroyedvariousAsuras,thepowerofDeviwasbehindthem.DevitookBrahma,VishnuandRudraandgavethemnecessarySaktitoproceedwiththeworkofcreation,preservationanddestruction.Sheisatthecentreoftheuniverse.SheisinMuladharaChakrainourbodies.ShevitalisesthebodythroughtheSushumna.ShevitalisestheuniversefromthesummitofMountMeru.InthissystemofSaktiphilosophy,Sivaisomnipresent,impersonal,inactive.Heispureconsciousness.Saktiisdynamic.SivaandSaktiarerelatedasPrakasaandVimarsa.SaktiorVimarsaisthepowerthatislatentinthepureconsciousness.Vimarsagivesrisetotheworldofdistinctions.SivaisChit.SaktiisChidrupini.Brahma,VishnuandSivadotheirfunctionsofcreation,preservationanddestructioninobediencetoSakti.SaktiisendowedwithIccha(will),Jnana(knowledge)andKriya(action).SivaandSaktiare

47 one.SaktiTattvaandSivaTattvaareinseparab
one.SaktiTattvaandSivaTattvaareinseparable.SivaisalwayswithSakti.TherearethirtysixTattvas,inSaktiphilosophy.SaktiisinSaktiTattva,NadainSadakhyaTattva,BinduinIsvaraTattva.ThecreativeaspectoftheSupremeSivaiscalledSivaTattva.SivaTattvaisthefirstcreativemovement.SaktiTattvaisthewillofSiva.Itistheseedandwomboftheentireworld.ThefirstmanifestationiscalledtheSadakhyaorSadasivaTattva.InthisTattvathereisthebeginningofformationofideas.ThereisNadaSaktiinthisTattva.NextcomesIsvaraTattva.ThisTattvaiscalledBindu.ThefourthTattvaisVidyaorSuddhavidya.ThenPrakritimodifiesintotheTattvasofmind,sensesandthematterwhichconstitutestheworld.SAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHY Nada,BinduareallnamesfordifferentaspectsofSakti.NadaisreallySivaSakti.Sivahastwoaspects.Inoneaspect,HeisthesupremechangelessonewhoisSatchidananda.ThisisParaSamvit.Intheotheraspect,Hechangesastheworld.ThecauseofthechangeisSivaTattva.ThisSivaTattvaandSaktiTattvaareinseparable.SaktiTattvaisthefirstdynamicaspectofBrahman.NishkalaSivaisNirgunaSiva.HeisnotconnectedwiththecreativeSakti.SakalaSivaisassociatedwiththecreativeSakti.MayaorPrakritiiswithinthewombofSakti.Mayaisthematrixoftheworld.Mayaispotentialinthestateofdissolution.Sheisdynamicincreation.MayaevolvesintotheseveralmaterialelementsandotherphysicalpartsofallsentientcreaturesunderthedirectionofSakti.TherearethirtysixTattvasinSaktiphilosophy.InSaktiphilosophywehaveBrahman,Sakti,Nada,BinduandSuddhamaya.InSaivaSiddhantaphilosophywehaveSiva,Sakti,SadakhyaandtheSuddhamaya.TherestoftheevolutioninSaktiphilosophyisthesameasinSaivaSiddhantaphilosophy.KnowledgeofSaktileadstosalvation.“SaktijnanamvinadevinirvanamnaivajayateDeviwithouttheknowledgeofSakti,Mukticannotbeattained”(IsvarasaystoDevi).TheJivaortheindividualsoulthinkswhenheisundertheinfluenceofMayathatheisthedoerandtheenjoyerandidentifieshimselfwiththebody.ThroughthegraceofSaktiandthroughSadhanaorself-culture,theindividualsoulfreeshimselffromallfetters,attainsspiritualinsightandmergeshimselfintheSupreme.ThereisinrealitynothingbuttheOn

48 eSelf.Theexperiencedisnothingbuttheexper
eSelf.Theexperiencedisnothingbuttheexperiencer.BrahmanappearsastheworldthroughthemirrorofmindorMaya.AnobjectisnothingbuttheOneSelfappearingthroughMayaasnon-self,toitselfassubject.Triputiorknower,knowledgeandknowablevanishesinNirvikalpaSamadhi.SupremeSivaorBrahmanaloneexists.IntheKenopanishad,itissaidthatthegodsbecamepuffedupwithavictoryovertheAsuras.Theywronglytookthesuccesstobetheresultoftheirownvalourandprowess.TheLordwantedtoteachthemalesson.HeappearedbeforethemintheformofaYaksha,ahugeform,thebeginningandendofwhichwerenotvisible.TheDevaswantedtofindouttheidentityofthisformandsentAgniforthispurpose.TheYakshaaskedAgni:“Whatisyournameandpower?”Agnireplied:“IamAgni(Jatavedas).Icanburnupthewholeuniverseinaminute.”TheYakshaplacedbeforeAgniadrybladeofgrassandaskedhimtoburnit.Agniwasnorabletoburnit.HeranawayfromtheYakshainshame.ThegodsthensentVayutoenquirewhotheYakshawas.VayuapproachedtheYaksha.TheYakshasaidtoVayu:“Whoareyou?Whatisyourpower?”Vayusaid:“Iamwind-god.Icanblowupthewholeworldinaminute.”TheYakshathenplacedabladeofgrassbeforeVayuandtoldhimtoblowthataway.Vayucouldnotmakeitmoveaninchfromitsplace.Helefttheplaceinshame.LastofallcameIndrahimself.WhenIndrareachedtheplace,hefoundthattheYakshahadvanished.ThenUmaappearedbeforeIndraandrevealedtohimtherealidentityoftheYaksha.ShesaidtoIndra:“ItisthepoweroftheDivineMotherandnotthatofthegodsthatcrownedthegodswithvictory.ItistheSaktiorUmaorHaimavati,sisterofKrishna,thatisthesourceofthestrengthofallthegods.”SaktiisthegreatteacherofJnana.Sheshedswisdomonherdevotees.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP MayyouallobtainthegraceofSaktiortheUniversalMotherandenjoythesupremeblissofthefinalemancipation.SaktiisChidrupini.Sheispure,blissfulConsciousness.SheistheMotherofNature.SheisNatureitself.SheispowerofLordSivaorBrahman.Sherunsthisworld-show.ShemaintainsthesportiveplayorLilaoftheLord.SheisJagat-Janani(creatoroftheworld),Mahishasuramardini(destroyerofMahishasura)Bhranti-nasini(destroyerofillusionorAvidya),an

49 dDaridrya-nasini(destroyerofpoverty).Dev
dDaridrya-nasini(destroyerofpoverty).DeviisSaktiofLordSiva.SheisJadaSaktiandChitSakti.SheisIcchaSakti,KriyaSaktiandJnanaSakti.SheisMayaSakti.SaktiisPrakriti,Maya,Mahamaya,SriVidya.SaktiisBrahmanitself.SheisLalita,Kundalini,Rajesvari,Tripurasundari,SatiandParvati.SatimanifestedtoLordSivainthetenformsastheDasaMahaVidyas,viz.,Kali,Bagalamukhi,Chinnamasta,Bhuvanesvari,Matangi,Shodasi,Dhumavati,Tripurasundari,TaraandBhairavi.WorshipofSaktiorSaktismisoneoftheoldestandmostwidespreadreligionsintheworld.Everybodyinthisworldwantspower,lovestopossesspower.Heiselatedbypower.Hewantstodomineeroverothersthroughpower.Waristheoutcomeofgreedforpower.ScientistsarefollowersofSaktism.Hewhowishestodevelopwill-powerandcharmingpersonality,isafollowerofSaktism.Inreality,everymaninthisworldisafollowerofSaktism.Scientistssaynowthateverythingisenergyonlyandthatenergyisthephysicalultimateofallformsofmatter.ThefollowersoftheSaktaschoolofphilosophyhavesaidthesamething,longago.TheyfurthersaythatthisenergyisonlyalimitedmanifestationoftheInfiniteSupremePowerofMahaSakti.SaktiisalwayswithSiva.Theyareinseparablelikefireandheat.SaktievolvesNadaandNadaBindu.TheworldisamanifestationofSakti.SuddhaMayaisChitSakti.PrakritiisJadaSakti.Nada,BinduandtherestareonlynamesfordifferentaspectsofSakti.ThecountlessuniversesareonlydustofDivineMother’sholyfeet.Hergloryisineffable.Hersplendourisindescribable.Hergreatnessisunfathomable.SheshowersHergraceonHersinceredevotees.SheleadstheindividualsoulfromChakratoChakra,fromplanetoplaneandunifieshimwithLordSivaintheSahasrara.ThebodyisSakti.TheneedsofthebodyaretheneedsofSakti.Whenamanenjoys,itisSaktiwhoenjoysthroughhim.Hiseyes,ears,handsandfeetareHers.Sheseesthroughhiseyes,hearsthroughhisears.Body,mind,Prana,egoism,intellect,organsandalltheotherfunctionsareHermanifestations.SaktismspeaksofpersonalandtheimpersonalaspectsofGodhead.BrahmanisNishkalaorwithoutPrakritiandSakalaorwithPrakriti.TheVedantinspeaksofNirupadhikaBrahman(PureNirgunaBrahmanwithoutMaya)andSopadhikaBrahman(withUp

50 adhiorMaya)orSagunaBrahman.Itisallthesam
adhiorMaya)orSagunaBrahman.Itisallthesame.Namesonlyaredifferent.ItisaplayofwordsorSabdaJalam.PeopleSAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHY fightonwordonly,carryonlingualwarfare,hair-splitting,logicalchoppingandintellectualgymnastics.Inrealitytheessenceisone.Clayisthetruth.Allthemodificationssuchaspot,etc.,areinnameonly.InNirgunaBrahman,Saktiispotential,whereasinSagunaBrahman,itiskineticorThebasisofSaktismistheVeda.Saktismupholdsthattheonlysourceandauthority(Pramana)regardingtranscendentalorsupersensualmatterssuchasthenatureofBrahman,etc.,isVeda.SaktismisonlyVedanta.TheSaktashavethesamespiritualexperienceasthatofaVedantin.TheDevi-SuktaoftheRig-Veda,theSri-Sukta,Durga-Sukta,Bhu-SuktaandNila-Sukta,andthespecificSaktaUpanishadssuchasTripuratapiniUpanishad,Sitopanishad,DeviUpanishad,Saubhagya-Upanishad,SarasvatiUpanishad,Bhavanopanishad,Bhavrichopanishad,etc.,emphaticallydeclareabouttheMother-aspectofGod.TheKenaUpanishadalsospeaksofUma(Haimavati)whoimpartedwisdomoftheSelftoIndraandtheDevas.DivineMotheriseverywheretriple.SheisendowedwiththethreeGunas,viz.,Sattva,RajasandTamas.ShemanifestsasWill(IcchaSakti),Action(KriyaSakti)andKnowledge(JnanaSakti).SheisBrahmaSakti(Sarasvati)inconjunctionwithBrahma,VishnuSakti(Lakshmi)inconjunctionwithLordVishnu,andSivaSakti(Gauri)inconjunctionwithLordSiva.HenceSheiscalledTripurasundari.TheabodeofTripurasundari,theDivineMotheriscalledSriNagara.Thismagnificentabodeissurroundedbytwentyfiveramparts,whichrepresentthetwentyfiveTattvas.TheresplendentChintamanipalaceisinthemiddle.TheDivineMothersitsintheBinduPithainSriChakrainthatwonderfulpalace.ThereisasimilarabodeforHerinthebodyofmanalso.ThewholeworldisHerbody.MountainsareHerbones.RiversareHerveins.OceanisHerbladder.SunandmoonareHereyes.WindisHerbreath.AgniisHermouth.TheSaktienjoysBhukti(enjoymentintheworld)andMukti(liberationfromallworlds).SivaisanembodimentofBlissandKnowledge.SivaHimselfappearsintheformofmanwithalife—mixtureofpleasureandpain.Ifyourememberthispointalways,alldualism,allhatred,jealousy,pridewillvani

51 sh.Youmustconsidereveryhumanfunctionaswo
sh.Youmustconsidereveryhumanfunctionasworshiporareligiousact.Answeringcallsofnature,talking,eating,walking,seeing,hearing,becomeworshipofLord,ifyoudeveloptherightattitude.ItisSivawhoworksinandthroughman.Wherethenisegoismorindividuality?Allhumanactionsaredivineactions.Oneuniversallifethrobsintheheartsofall,seesintheeyesofall,worksinthehandsofall,hearsintheearsofall.Whatamagnificentexperienceitis,ifonecanfeelthisbycrushingthislittle‘I’!TheoldSamskaras,theoldVasanas,theoldhabitsofthinking,standinthewayofyourrealisingthisexperience—Whole.TheaspirantthinksthattheworldisidenticalwiththeDivineMother.HemovesaboutthinkinghisownformtobetheformoftheDivineMotherandthusbeholdsonenesseverywhere.HealsofeelsthattheDivineMotherisidenticalwithParaBrahman.TheadvancedSadhakafeels:“IamtheDeviandtheDeviisinme”.HeworshipshimselfasDeviinsteadofadoringanyexternalobject.Hesays:“—IamShe(Devi)”.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Saktismisnotameretheoryorphilosophy.ItprescribessystematicSadhanaofYoga,regulardiscipline,accordingtothetemperament,capacityanddegreeofevolutionoftheSadhaka.IthelpstheaspiranttoarousetheKundalinianduniteHerwithLordSivaandenjoytheSupremeBlissorNirvikalpaSamadhi.WhenKundalinisleeps,manisawaketotheworld.Hehasobjectiveconsciousness.WhenSheawakes,hesleeps.HelosesallconsciousnessoftheworldandbecomesonewiththeLord.InSamadhi,thebodyismaintainedbythenectarwhichflowsfromtheunionofSivaandSaktiwithSahasrara.GuruisindispensableforthepracticeofSaktiYogaSadhana.HeinitiatestheaspirantandtransmitsthedivineSakti.PhysicalcontactwithafemaleisgrossMaithuna.ThisisduetoPasuBhavaoranimaldispositionorbrutalinstinct.MotherKundaliniSaktiuniteswithLordSivainSahasraraduringNirvikalpaSamadhi.ThisisrealMaithunaorblissfulunion.ThisisduetoDivyaBhavaordivinedisposition.YoumustrisefromPasuBhavatoDivyaBhava,throughSatsanga,serviceofGuru,renunciationanddispassion,discrimination,Japaandmeditation.WorshipoftheDivineMotherwithintensefaithandperfectdevotionandself-surrenderwillhelpyoutoatt

52 ainHergrace.ThroughHergracealone,youcana
ainHergrace.ThroughHergracealone,youcanattainknowledgeoftheGlorytoTripurasundari,theWorld-Mother,whoisalsoRaja-RajesvariandLalitaDevi.MayHerblessingsbeuponyouall!SivaandSaktiSaktiTattvaisreallythenegativeaspectoftheSivaTattva.Thoughtheyarespokenofseparatelytheyarereallyone.SaktiTattvaisthewillofSiva.Ambal,Ambika,Gauri,Jnanambika,Durga,Kali,Rajesvari,TripurasundariareallothernamesforSakti.SaktiisHerselfpure,blissfulconsciousnessandisnatureitselfbornofthecreativeplayofHerthought.ThisSakticultistheconceptionofGodastheUniversalMother.SaktiisspokenofasMother,becausethatistheaspectoftheSupremeinwhichSheisregardedasthegenetrixandnourisheroftheuniverse.ButGodisneithermalenorfemale.HeisnamedaccordingtothebodyinwhichHeismanifested.HinduismistheonlyreligionintheworldwhichhasemphasisedmuchthemotherhoodofGod.TheDevi-SuktaappearsinthetenthMandalaoftheRig-Veda.ItwasrevealedbyBak,thedaughterofMaharshiAmbrin.InthisRigvedichymnaddressedtotheDivineMother,BakspeaksofherrealisationofGodasMotherwhopervadesthewholeuniverse.InBengal,Mother-worshipisveryprevalent.‘Ma’isalwaysonthelipsofeveryBengali.SivaandSaktiareessentiallyone.ItissaidintheveryfirstverseofKalidasa’sRaghuvamsathatSaktiandSivastandtoeachotherinthesamerelationshipasthewordanditsmeaning.JustasSAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHY heatandfireareinseparable,soSaktiandSivaareinseparable.LordSivacannotdoanythingwithoutSakti.ThisisemphasisedbySriSankaracharyainthefirstverseofSaundaryaLahari.Saktiislikethesnakewithmotion.Sivaislikethemotionlesssnake.WavelessoceanisSiva.OceanwithwavesisSakti.ThetranscendentalSupremeBeingisSiva.Themanifested,immanentaspectoftheSupremeisSakti.Sivaisattributeless.HeisNishkriya.Saktiiswithattributes.Shecreates.Saktiiscomparedtoaropemadeupoftricolouredthreads.MotherKalidancesonthebreastofSiva.ShehasterribleformbutSheisnotreallyterrible.Sheisall-mercifulandgentle.Shewearsagarlandmadeupoftheskulls.Whatdoesthismean?ShewearstheheadsofHerdevotees.HowlovingandaffectionateSheistoHerdevotees!KaliistheDivineMother.SheistheS

53 aktiorpowerofLordSiva.Sheisthedynamicasp
aktiorpowerofLordSiva.SheisthedynamicaspectofSiva.Sivaisthestaticaspect.LordSivaislikeadeadcorpse.Whatdoesthissignify?Heisabsolutelycalm,motionless,breathless,withHiseyesclosedinSamadhi.Heisactionless,changeless.HeisuntouchedbythecosmicplayorLilathatiseternallygoingon,onHisbreast.Heisabsolutelydeadtotheworld.HeisbeyondthethreeGunas.Thereisnoduality,noplurality,norelativity,nodifferentiationbetweensubjectandobject,nodistinction,nodifference,noTriputi,noDvandvas,noRaga-Dvesha,nogoodandevilinHim.Heiseverpure,Nirlipta(unattached).AndyetHeisthesource,substratum,support,firstcauseforthisuniverse.Hesimplygazes.Saktiisvitalised.Sheworksandcreates.InHismerepresenceSaktikeepsuptheplayofthisuniverseorLila.ThewholeworldisamerevibrationorSpandanainHim.HeissuperconsciousandyetHehascosmicconsciousness.HeconstitutesallthenamesandformsandyetHeisaboveallnamesandforms.Thisisagreatmarvelandasuprememysterywhichcannotbecomprehendedbythefiniteintellect.WithoutSiva,SaktihasnoexistenceandwithoutSakti,Sivahasnoexpression.ItisthroughSaktithattheImpersonalSupremeBeingSivaorNirgunaBrahmanbecomesthePersonalBeingorSagunaBrahman.SivaorNirgunaBrahmanbecomesthePersonalBeingorSagunaBrahman.SivaistheSoulofDurgaorKali.DurgaorKaliisidenticalwithSiva.SivaisSatchidananda.DurgaorKaliisSatchidanandaMayi.SivaandSaktiareoneandneitherishigherthantheother.SaktiisChit,Chidrupini,ChinmatraRupini.SivaandParvatiODevi!allauspiciousone,giverofsuccessandprosperity,webowtoThee!ShowerpeaceandamityonthisearthandprotectusevermorebyYourkindcompassionataglance!ThedaughterofthekingofParvatas,HimavanisParvati.SheisthewifeorSaktiofLordSiva.Sheisthematrixoftheuniverse.SheistherevealerofBrahman.SheisnotonlyLoka-MataorWorld-MotherbutalsoBrahma-Vidya.OneofHernamesisSivajnana-Pradayini.SheisalsocalledSivaduti,Sivaradhya,SivamurtiandSivankari.ThegraceofDeviisanindispensablefactorfortheattainmentofGod-realisation.ParvatiorSaktiisall-in-all.YoumustrousetheSaktibyYoga.ThenthegraceofSaktiwillleadyoutoLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP God-realisationandthe

54 attainmentofthefinalemancipationandtheac
attainmentofthefinalemancipationandtheachievementofinfinite,eternalsupremebliss.ThegloriousstoryofParvatiisrelatedindetailintheMahesvaraKandaoftheSkandaPurana.Sati,thedaughterofDakshaPrajapati,thesonofBrahma,wasweddedtoLordSiva.Dakshadidnotlikehisson-in-lawonaccountofHisqueerform,strangemannersandpeculiarhabits.Dakshaperformedasacrifice.Hedidnotinvitehisdaughterandson-in-law.SatifelttheinsultandwenttoHerfatherandquestionedhim.HegaveHeradispleasingreply.Satigotenragedatthis.Shedidnotwantanymoretobecalledhisdaughter.ShepreferredtoofferHerbodytofireandtobebornagainasParvatitomarrySiva.ShecreatedfirethroughHerYoga’spoweranddestroyedHerselfinthatYogagni.LordSivasentVirabhadra.HedestroyedthesacrificeanddroveawayalltheDevaswhoassembledthere.TheheadofDakshawascutoffandthrownintothefire.LordSivahadagoat’sheadstucktothebodyofDakshaattherequestofBrahma.LordSivarepairedtotheHimalayastodoausterities.AsuraTarakahadaboonfromBrahmathatheshoulddieonlyatthehandsofthesonofSivaandParvati.ThereforetheDevasrequestedHimavantohaveSatiashisdaughter.Himavanagreed.SatiwasbornasParvati,thedaughterofHimavan.SheservedLordSivaduringHispenanceandworshippedHim.LordSivamarriedParvati.NaradaproceededtoKailasaandsawSivaandParvatiwithonebody,halfmale,halffemaleintheformofArdhanarisvara.Hewantedtoseetheirplayatdice.LordSivasaidHewonthegame.ParvatisaidthatShewasvictorious.Therewasaquarrel.SivaleftParvatiandwenttopractiseausterities.ParvatiassumedtheformofahuntressandmetSiva.Sivafellinlovewiththehuntress.Hewentwithhertoherfathertogethisconsentforthemarriage.NaradainformedLordSivathatthehuntresswasParvati.NaradatoldParvatitoapologisetoHerLord.Theywerereunited.SivaassumedtheformofArunachalahillasaLinga.HesubduedtheprideofBrahmaandVishnuwhowerequarrellingastotheirrelativegreatness.ArunachalaisaTejolinga.ParvatisawSivaasArunachala-Isvara.SivatookParvatibacktoHissideandmadeHeragainArdhanari.AsuraTarakagreatlyoppressedtheDevas.Mahi-Sagara-Sangama-Kshetrawashiscapital.LordSubrahmanya,thesecondsonofParvati,kil

55 ledtheAsuraontheseventhdayafterhisbirth.
ledtheAsuraontheseventhdayafterhisbirth.ParvaticreatedachildwiththefaceofanelephantforHerpleasure.HewasLordGanesa.HewasmadetheLordofallcreaturestoremovetheirobstacles.OnedayLordSivaofferedafruitsayingthatitwouldbegiventothatchildwhowouldgoroundtheworldfirst.LordSubrahmanyaproceededonatourroundtheworld.LordGanesawentroundHisfatherSiva,theMahaLingawhoenvelopedthewholeuniverse,andgotthefruit.Parvatihadadarkskin.OnedayLordSivaplayfullyreferredtoHerdarkcolour.ShewasmuchtouchedbySiva’sremark.ShewenttotheHimalayastoperformausterities.SheattainedabeautifulcomplexionandcametobecalledGauri.GaurijoinedSivaasArdhanarisvarabythegraceofBrahma.SAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHY OnedayParvaticamebehindLordSivaandclosedHiseyes.Thewholeuniverselostlifeandlight.SivaaskedParvatitopractiseausteritiesinordertomakeamendsforHerfolly.SheproceededtoKanchi(Kanjivaram)anddidrigorouspenance.LordSivacreatedaflood.TheSivaLingawhichParvatiwasworshippingwasabouttobewashedaway.SheembracedtheLinga.TheLingaremainedthereasEkambaresvara.SheremainedthereasKamakshiforthewelfareoftheParvatieverdwellswithSivaasHisSakti.SheistheDivineMotherofthisuniverse.SheshedswisdomandgraceonHerdevoteesandmakesthemattainunionwithHerLord.SalutationstoParvatiandSiva,therealParentsofallbeings.TheDivineMotherChildrenaremorefamiliarwiththemotherthanwiththefather.Motherisanembodimentofaffection,tendernessandlove.Shelooksafterthewantsofthechildren.Wheneverachildwantsanythingitapproachesthemotherratherthanthefather.InspiritualmattersalsotheaspiranthasmoreconcernwithMotherKalithanFatherSiva.Sivaisindifferenttotheexternalworld.Heisunattached.HeislostinSamadhiwithHiseyesclosed.ItisSaktiortheDivineMotheralonewhoreallylooksaftertheaffairsoftheworld.ShewillintroducetoHerLordfortheattainmentoffinalemancipationwhenSheispleasedwiththeearnestnessofthedevotee.SivaandSaktiareinseparable.ThisisshowninArdhanarisvara—SivaandParvati(withonebody,half-maleandhalf-female).LordSivahasParvatiasthelefthalfofHisbody.Siva-JnanaleadsusontotherealisationofSelfandbest

56 owsonuseternalblissandfreesusfrombirthsa
owsonuseternalblissandfreesusfrombirthsanddeaths.Itshowsusthelightoflife.Itistheeyeofintuition.ItisthethirdeyeofSiva.Thisthirdeyedestroysallillusionsandpassions.Saktiisthoughtofinvariousforms.SarasvatiistheGoddessoflearning.LakshmiistheGoddessofwealth.ParvatiorUmaisthebliss-bestowingGoddess.TheMarkandeyaPuranacontainssevenhundredverseswhichareknownastheSapta-satiortheChandiortheDevi-Mahatmya.ItisoneofthemostfamousreligioustextsoftheHindus.ItranksalmostequalwiththeGita.Itdescribesinanallegoricalform,thatinthepathofsalvationthechiefobstaclesareourowndesire,anger,greedandignoranceandwecanovercomethemthroughthegraceofDivineMotherifwesincerelyworshipHer.ThebookgivesabeautifuldescriptionofthethreeaspectsoftheMotherasMahakali,MahalakshmiandMahaSarasvati—theTamasic,theRajasicandtheSattvicaspectsoftheDivineTheDevaswereoppressedbytheAsuras.ThegodsinvokedtheblessingsofDivineMother.SheappearedastheabovethreeformsanddestroyedtheAsurasandprotectedthegods.TheDivineMotherhasgivenmenaswellasgods,HerdefiniteandinfalliblepromisethatwhenevertheywouldrememberHerindangerordifficultiesShewouldsavethem.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP SaktiEnergisestheTrimurtisOLordSiva!SilentadorationsuntoThee!Thouarttheonlyrefuge,theonlyobjectofadoration,theoneGovernoroftheUniverse,theself-effulgentBeing.Thouartthecreator,preserveranddestroyeroftheuniverse.ThouarttheHighest,theImmovable,theAbsolute.Saktiistheenergyorthevitalpowerthatmakesanyactivitypossible.WhenamandoesanyworkhedoesitonlybyvirtueofhisSakti.IfheisunabletodotheworkhesaysthathehasnoSaktitodothatwork.HenceSaktiisthatwhichenablesonetowork.SaktiisDevi.SaktiistheDivineMother.MindisSakti.PranaisSakti.WillisSakti.DeviBhagavatadealswiththeformsofPrakriti.DevitooktheTrimurtistoHerabodeinManidvipa,gavethemtheirconsortsSarasvati,LakshmiandParvatiandsentoutforthelifeofuniverseinthenewKalpa.LordNarayanacreatedBrahmafromHisnavel.Brahmadidnotknowwhattodo.VishnuandSivaalsodidnotknowhowtosetgoingthelifeofanewuniverseinanewKalpaafterthedissolution.TheywereliftedinaViman

57 aorcelestialcarandtheysoonreachedastrang
aorcelestialcarandtheysoonreachedastrangeregionwheretheyweretransformedintowomen.TheywereinalandofwomenheadedbyDevi.ItwasManidvipaintheSudhaSamudra,theoceanofnectar.Thenewlymadewomenstayedthere,forahundredyears.Theydidnotknowwhotheywere,whytheywerethereandwhattheyweretodo.Thentheywereputinthecompanyofmenandtheythemselvesbecamemen.Theywerecoupled,BrahmawithSarasvati,VishnuwithLakshmiandSivawithParvati.Theyfoundthemselvesatonceintheiroriginalplaceandtheyknewwhattodo.Theyunderstoodtheirfunctions.TheTrimurtisattainSaktithroughassociationwiththeDevi.ParvatiistheSaktiofLordSivawhobestowsJnanaandMuktionmen.LakshmiistheSaktiofVishnuwhogivesprosperitytothepeople.SarasvatiistheSaktiofBrahmawhocreatestheworld.RadhaistheSaktiofLordKrishnawholeadshumanitytoMuktithroughBhakti.MaySaktiblessyouallwithSakti!MotherGangaTheGangaisthemostsacredriverofIndia.LordKrishnasaysintheGita:“IamtheGangaamongrivers”.NogermcanflourishinthewatersoftheGanga.Itissaturatedwithantisepticminerals.IntheWest,doctorsprescribeGangawaterforrubbinginthetreatmentofdiseasesoftheskin.Gangaisnotmerelyariver.ItisasacredTirtha.Itispossessedofmysteriouspowerswhicharenotfoundinanyotherriversoftheworld.EvenscientistshaveadmittedtheefficacyoftheGangawater.Dr.F.C.HarrisonofMcGillUniversity,Canada,writes:“Apeculiarfact,whichhasneverbeensatisfactorilyexplained,isthequickdeath(inthreeorfivehours)ofthecholeravibriointhewatersofGanga.Whenonerememberssewage,bynumerouscorpsesofnatives(oftendeadofcholera)andbythebathingofthousandsofnatives,itseemsremarkablethatthebeliefoftheSAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHY Hindus,thatthewaterofthisriverispureandcannotbedefiled,andthattheycansafelydrinkitandbatheinit,shouldbeconfirmedbymeansofmodernbacteriologicalresearch.”Awell-knownFrenchphysicianDr.D.Herelle,madesimilarinvestigationsintothemysteryoftheGanga.Heobservedsomeofthefloatingcorpsesofmendeadofdysenteryandcholeraandwassurprisedtofindthatonlyafewfeetbelowthebodies,whereonewouldexpecttofindmillionsofthesedysenteryandcholeragerms,therewe

58 renogermsatall.Hethengrewgermsfrompatien
renogermsatall.HethengrewgermsfrompatientshavingthediseaseandtotheseculturesaddedwaterfromtheGanga.Whenheincubatedthemixtureforaperiod,muchtohissurprise,thegermswerecompletelydestroyed.ABritishphysicianDr.C.E.Nelson,F.R.C.S.tellsusofanotherstrikingfact.Hesays:“ShipsleavingCalcuttaforEnglandtaketheirwaterfromtheHugliriverwhichisoneofthemouthsofthefilthyGangaandthisGangawaterwillremainfreshallthewaytoEngland.Ontheotherhand,shipsleavingEnglandforIndia,findthatthewatertheytakeoninLondonwillnotstayfreshtilltheyreachBombay,thenearestIndianport,whichisaweekclosertoEnglandthanCalcutta.TheymustreplenishtheirwatersupplyatPortSaid,SuezoratAdenontheRedSea.ItisnowonderthattheIndianpeopleshouldholdthattheGangaisverysacredandpossessedofmysteriouspowers.”ForaHindutheword‘Ganga’hasitsownsacredassociation.EveryHinduthirstsforadipintheGanga,andforadropofwateratthetimeofhisdeath.AspirantsandmendicantsbuildtheirhutsonthebanksoftheGangaforpractisingpenance,andmeditation.BhishmaspokeveryhighlyonthegloryoftheGangainhispartinginstructionstothePandavasfromhisbedofarrows.WheneverapiousHindugoestotakehisbath,heinvokesfirsttheGanga,andfeelsHerpresenceinthewaterbeforehetakesaplungeintheriver.IfhelivesinaplacefarawayfromtheGanga,heintenselyyearnstoseeHeronsomedayandfeelsblessedbybathingintheholywaters.Hecarriessomewatertohishouseandcarefullysavesitinavesselsothathemayuseitforpurposesofpurification.HindusbelievethatalltheirsinsarewashedawayiftheytakeadipinthesacredwatersoftheGanga.IntheSatyaYuga,allplacesweresacred.IntheTretaYuga,Pushkarawasconsideredasthemostholyplace.IntheDvaparaYuga,Kurukshetrawasregardedasthemostsacredplace.InKaliYuga,theGangahasthatglory.DeviBhagavatasays:“HewhouttersthenameofGangaevenfromhundredsofmilesafar,isfreedfromsinsandattainstheabodeofLordHari”.TheGangacomesoutoftheSupremeBeing.SheentersthefeetofLordHariandreachesVaikuntha.SheissuesfromGolokaandpassesthroughtheregionsofVishnu,Brahma,Siva,Dhruva,Chandra,Surya,Tapah,Janah,Mahah,andreachingIndralok

59 aflowsasMandakini.TheGangaenteredthematt
aflowsasMandakini.TheGangaenteredthemattedlocksofLordSivaattherequestofBhagirathawhodidrigorouspenanceforthedescentofGangatoPatalafortheredemptionofhisancestors,thethousandsonsofSagara,whohadbeenburnttoashesbysageKapila.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Thereupon,ShefloweddownfromthelocksofLordSiva.ShewasdrunkupbythesageJahnu,asthewaterinundatedtheYajnasalaofthesage.ThenagainSheissuedoutoftheearofthesageandacquiredthenameofJahnavi.SheisalsoknownbythenameBhagirathi,daughterofBhagiratha.TheGangaflowedintoPatalaasBhagirathi.TheancestorsofthekingwereraisedtoSvargabythetouchofthesacredwatersoftheGanga.GangahadtotakeahumanformonaccountofHerownfaultinbehaviourinthepresenceofBrahma.ShebecamethewifeofSantanu.SantanualsowasacelestialbeingknownaskingMahabhisha.HehadtotakebirthintheworldforhisfaultinconductinthepresenceofBrahmabyshowingvanity.GangagavebirthtoBhishma,theillustriousheroandsage.GangaconsentedtobeartheseedofLordSivawhichwastransferredtoHerbyAgni.ShegavetotheworldLordSubrahmanya,thegreatcommanderofthearmyofDevas,whokilledtheformidableAsuraTaraka.GangaistheformofVishnu.Hersightissoul-stirringandelevating.SheflowsinthevalleysandlivesbythesideofParvati,daughterofHimavan.HowmagnificentSheiswhenSheflowsinthevalleyofRishikesh!Shehasabluecolourlikethatoftheocean.Thewaterisextremelyclearandsweet.RichpeoplefromtheplainsgetwaterfromRishikesh.Theytakeitinbigcopper-vesselstofaroffplacesinIndia.TohavealookattheGangainRishikesh,issoul-elevating.TositforafewminutesonablockofstonebythesideoftheGanga,isablessing.TostayforsomemonthsinRishikeshonthebankoftheGangaanddoAnushthanaorPurascharana,isgreatTapeswhichwilltaketheaspiranttotheabodeofLordHari.ToliveforeveronthebanksoftheGangaandspendthelifeinmeditationisSivanandam.MayMotherGangablessyouall!MayShehelpyoutoliveonHerbanksandpractiseYogaandTapas!TripuraRahasyaThethreecitiesareAnavaMala(egoism),Karma(bondageofKarma)andMaya(theillusorypowerofLordSivawhichveilstheindividualsouls).DestroythefirstcityAnavaMalathroughself-surrendertoLordSivaandconsequentdesc

60 entofHisgrace(Anugraha).Annihilatethesec
entofHisgrace(Anugraha).Annihilatethesecondimpurity,viz.,Karma,throughconsecratingthefruitsofyouractionstotheLordanddestroyingtheidea‘Iamthedoer’,bydevelopingtheNimittaBhava,theBhavathatLordSivaisworkingthroughyourvariousorgansandthatyouareamereinstrumentinHishands(ChariyaiandKiriyai).Youwillnotbeboundbyactions.Youwillattainpurityofheartandthroughpurityofheart,realisationofSivanandamoreternalblissofSiva.Annihilatethethirdimpurity,viz.,Maya,throughtherecitationofPanchakshara,worshipofGuru,hearingandreflectionoftheattributesoftheLordandHisvariousLilasandmeditationonHisformandSatchidanandaaspect.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesorcastles.ThisisTripuraRahasya.SAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHY DestroyTamasthroughRajasandconvertRajasintoSattva,bydevelopingvariousvirtuousqualities,bytakingSattvicfood,bySatsanga,JapaofPanchaksharaandmeditationonLordSiva.TranscendSattvaalso.YouwillattainonenesswithLordSiva.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesorcastles.ThisisTripuraRahasya.AnnihilatetheeviltendenciesorAsubhaVasanas,viz.,lust,anger,greed,hatred,jealousy,throughSubhaVasanasorgoodtendencies,viz.,Japa,meditation,studyofreligiousbooks,KirtanorsingingLord’spraise.YouwillenjoytheeternalblissofSiva.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesorcastles.ThisisTripuraRahasya.ServetheGuru.Purifyyourheartbyservinghimwithfaithanddevotion.LearntheYogicpracticeswhichleadtotheawakeningofKundalinifromhimandpractisethem.StudytheYogaSastrasunderhim.Observecelibacy.KilltheShadripusorsixenemies.Lookwithin.TaketheKundalinithroughtheSushumnaNadiandbreaktheGranthisthroughtheChakrasanduniteHerwithHerLordSadasivaattheSahasraraChakraatthecrownoftheheadandenjoytheeternalblissofLordSiva.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesorcastles.ThisisTripuraRahasya.Killthethreebodies,i.e.,transcendthethreebodies,viz.,thegrossorphysicalbody(SthulaDeha),subtlebody(SukshmaDeha)andcausalbody(KaranaSarira).GoabovethefivesheathsorKosas(Annamaya,Pranamaya,Manomaya,VijnanamayaandAnandamaya),throughmeditationonLordSivaandattainSivaSayujy

61 a.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesor
a.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesorcastles.ThisisTripuraRahasya.Becomeawitnessofthethreestates,viz.,waking,dreaminganddeepsleepstates.Standasaspectator.Withdrawyourselffromtheobjectiveconsciousness.Livewithin.AttaintheTuriyastateorthefourthstateorSivaPada.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesorcastles.ThisisTripuraRahasya.Goabovephysicalconsciousness,subconsciousnessandmentalconsciousnessandattainthesuperconsciousnessstateorNirvikalpaorAsamprajnataSamadhi.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesorcastles.ThisisTripuraRahasya.Goaboveinstinct,reason,understandingandopentheeyeofintuition,thethirdeyeofSiva(DivyaChakshus)andmergeyourselfinthesupremelightofSiva.Goabovethinking,willingandfeelingandenterthesupremesilenceorthoughtlessstateofSivaNirvana.Thisisthedestructionofthethreecitiesorcastles.ThisisTripuraRahasya.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP TripuraSundariistheSaktiofLordSiva.SheandSivaareone.Sheisextremelybeautiful.SheattractsthedevoteestoHerblissfulSelfandshedswisdom,devotionanddivinelightonthem.Hence,SheiscalledTripuraSundari.Shehelpstheaspirantstodestroythethreecitiesorcastlesmentionedabove.ThewholeworldisunderHercontrol.TheentireuniverseisundertheswayofHerthreeGunas.AllthetiesandbondsofKarmacanbebrokendown;thewheelofbirthsanddeathscanberentasunderonlybyHerworshipandbenigngrace.AllsinscanbedestroyedandtheeternalblissofSivacanberealisedonlythroughsingingHerpraiseandrepetitionofHerNames.SheiscalledTripura,thethreecities.ThebodyofamanorawomanisoneoftheformsassumedbyHer.ThewholeworldisHerbody.AlltheDevasareHerformsonly.AllthetripletsofthesacredtextsarecontainedinHer.Thetriplets,viz.,thethreeGunas,thethreestatesofconsciousness,thethreefires,thethreebodies,thethreeworlds,thetriplepower(IcchaSakti,KriyaSaktiandJnanaSakti),thethreeSvaras(Udatta,AnudattaandSvarita),theTrivarnikas,thethreekindsofKarmas(Sanchita,AgamiandPrarabdha),theTrimurtis,thethreelettersA,U,M,andthetriadPramata,PramanaandPrameya,knower,knowledgeandknowable,seer,sightandseen,areallcontainedinTripurasundari.AlltheDevatas

62 dwellinthisbody.Theyarethepresidingdeiti
dwellinthisbody.Theyarethepresidingdeitiesofthevariousorgans.TheLordTryambakadwellsinMuladhara,JambukesvarainSvadhishthana,ArunachalesvarainManipura,NatarajainAnahata,KalahastisvarainVisuddha,VisvesvarainAjnaandSrikanthesvarainSahasrara.Allthesacredplacesareinthisbody—Kedarintheforehead,Amaravatiinthetipofthenose,KurukshetrainthebreastsandPrayagaintheheart.Allthenineplanetshavetheirspecialabodesinthebody.SunisintheNada-Chakra,moonintheBindu-Chakra,Marsintheeyes,Mercuryintheheart,JupiterintheManipura,VenusintheSvadhishthana,Saturninthenavel,RahuinthefaceandKetuinthethorax.Countlessriversandhillsarealsoallottedspecialplacesinthebody.Whateverisfoundintheouterworldisfoundinthebodyalso.Thisbodyismicrocosm.ItisPindanda.ThisisTripuraRahasya.MayyouattainthegraceofTripurasundariandunderstandtheTripuraRahasyaandattainSivanandaoreternalblissofLordSiva.KamakshiandtheDumbPoetTheword‘Muka’meansdumb.AcertaindevoteewasperformingrigorousausteritiesinthetempleofGoddessKamakshiatKanchitoobtainHerGrace.Kamakshiappearedintheformofabeautifulmaidenbeforethedevoteetoblesshim.ThedevoteetookHertobeanordinaryhumanmaidenanddidnotshowanyveneration.Shelefthimandfoundapersonsleepinginanothercornerofthetemple.Hewasdumbfromhisbirth.Shewokehimup.HewasextremelyjoyouswhenheSAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHY sawHer.TheGoddesswrotetheBijaksharaonhistongueandblessedhimwiththepowerofspeech.HebecamethecelebratedMukaKavi(dumbpoet).HesangfivehundredversescalledthePanchasatiwhichdescribethegloryofDevi,ofHerlotus-feet,ofHergrace,ofHergraciousglanceandofHerlovingmaternalsmile.Onehundredversesaredevotedtoeachofthesefiveaspects.Hencetheworkiscalled‘Mukapanchasati’.ThedumbpoetbecametheAcharyaoftheKamaKotiPithaatKumbakonamandoccupiedtheseatforthirtynineyears.TheMukapanchasatiisreadwithintensedevotionduringtheNavaratricelebrationsinSouthIndiabyallreligious-mindedpersons.Kalidasawasanunletteredshepherd.HealsowasturnedintoIndia’smosttalentedpoetthroughthebenigngraceofMotherKali.KalidasainhisfamousSyamaladandak

63 a,haspraisedDeviinacharmingmanner.Gloryt
a,haspraisedDeviinacharmingmanner.GlorytotheDeviwhoisthegiverofthepowerofspeech!HymnforForgivenesstoMotherMotherismoredeartothechildthanthefather.Motherisgentle,soft,sweet,tenderandaffectionate.Sheisfullofsmiles.Fatherisstiff,harsh,rude,roughandhard-hearted.Thechildrunstowardsthemotherforgettingpresents,sweets,fruitsandothergifts.Thechildcanopentheheartmorefreelytowardsthemotherthantothefather.Evenso,poetsandsaintsalsoaremorefamiliarwiththeDivineMotherthanwiththeDivineFather.TheyopentheirheartmorefreelytowardstheDivineMother.TheyhavefoundmuchmoreintimatecriesoftheheartwhentheyspeakoftheDeityastheirMother,thanwhentheyaddressthemselvestoGodasFather.GothroughthefollowinghymntoMotherbySriSankara.Youwillfeelandrealisethetruthoftheabovestatement.BymyignoranceofThycommandsBymypovertyandslothIhadnotthepowertodothatwhichIshouldhavedoneHencemyomissiontoworshipThyfeetButOMother,auspiciousdelivererofallAllthisshouldbeforgiven,For,abadsonmaysometimesbeborn,butabadmothernever.OMother!ThouhastmanysonsonearthButI,Thyson,amofnoworthYetitisnotmeet,thatThoushouldstabandonmeFor,abadsonmaysometimesbeborn,butabadmothernever.OMotheroftheworld!OMother!IhavenotworshippedThyfeetLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP NorhaveIgivenabundantwealthtoTheeYettheaffectionwhichThoubestowestonmeiswithoutcompareFor,abadsonmaysometimesbeborn,butabadmothernever. ChapterVIIVIRASAIVISMANDKASHMIRSAIVISMVirasaivaphilosophyisonlySaktiVisishtadvaitaphilosophy.ItisaphaseofAgamanta.ItunderwentradicalchangesinthehandsofSriBasavannaandhiscolleagues.BasavawasthePrimeMinistertoaJainkingnamedBijjalawhoruledoverKalyan(1157-1167)whichissixtymilesfromGulbargainKarnatakaState.Basavannawasamagneticpersonality.Heexercisedtremendousinfluenceoverthepeople.Heheldaspiritualconference.ThreehundredVirasaivasaintsassembled.Thereweresixtywomensaintsalso.AkkaMahadevi,theillustriousladysaintwasalsopresentonthatgrandoccasion.VirasaivismbecameLingayatisminthehandsofBasava.LingayatismisthespecialfaithoftheKarnaticVirasaivas.SharanasarethesaintsoftheLingayatfa

64 ithorcult.VirasaivismorLingayatismshowst
ithorcult.VirasaivismorLingayatismshowsthewaytoattaintheLakshyaorLordSiva.LordSiva,LordSubrahmanya,kingRishabha,SantaLingar,KumaraDevi,Sivaprakasahadallexpoundedlucidlythissystemofphilosophy.Viragamaisthechiefsourceforthissystemofphilosophy.Thosewhoembracethisfaith,liveingreatnumbersinKarnataka.OrdinarySaiviteskeeptheSivalingainaboxandworshipitduringthetimeofPuja.TheLingayatskeepasmallLingainasmallsilverorgoldenboxandwearitonthebodywiththechainattachedtothebox.WearingtheLingaonthebodywillremindone,oftheLordandhelpHisconstantremembrance.TheChristianswearthecrossintheneck.ThisalsohasthesameobjectinSaktiinVirasaivaphilosophyisidenticalwithSiva.Saktiworks.Sivaisthesilentwitness.Sivaisinfinite,self-luminous,eternal,all-pervading.Heisanoceanofpeace.Heisstupendoussilence.Sivaillumineseverything.Heisall-fullandself-contained.Heiseverfreeandperfect.ThewholeworldisanexpressionoftheDivineWill.InVirasaivaphilosophy,theworldmovementisnotanillusion,butanintegralplay.KashmirSaivismThisisknownbythenamePratyabhijnasystem.TheAgamasarethebasisforKashmirSaivism.TheAgamantacalledPratyabhijnaDarsana,flourishedinKashmir.ThetwentyeightAgamaswerewritteninSanskritinthevalleyofKashmir,inordertomakethemeaningcleartoeveryone.ThisAgamantaaroseinNorthIndialongbeforeJainismcameintoprominence.ThenitSAKTIYOGAPHILOSOPHY spreadwestwardlyandsouthwards.InWesternIndia,itwasknownbythenameViraMahesvaraDarsanam,andinSouthIndia,itwascalledSuddhaSaivaDarsanam.Sivaistheonlyrealityoftheuniverse.Sivaisinfiniteconsciousness.Heisindependent,eternal,formless,secondless,omnipresent.Sivaisthesubjectandtheobject,theexperiencerandtheexperienced.Theworldexistswithinconsciousness.GodcreatesbythemereforceofHisWill.Karma,materialcauselikePrakriti,Mayawhichproduceillusion,forms,etc.,arenotadmittedinthissystem.GodmakestheworldappearinHimselfjustasobjectsappearinamirror.HeisnotaffectedbytheobjectsofHiscreation,justasthemirrorisnotaffectedbythereflectedimageinit.HeappearsintheformofsoulsbyHisownwonderfulpowerinherentinHim.Godisthesub

65 stratumofthisworld.Hisactivity(Spandaorv
stratumofthisworld.Hisactivity(Spandaorvibration)producesalldistinctions.SivaisthechangelessReality.Heistheunderlyingbasicsubstratumforthewholeworld.HisSaktiorenergyhasinfiniteaspects.Chit(intelligence),Ananda(bliss),Iccha(will),Jnana(knowledge)andKriya(creativepower)areHerchiefaspects.SaktifunctionsasChit,thentheAbsolutebecomesthepureexperienceknownasSivaTattva.TheAnandaofSaktifunctionsandlifecomesin.ThenthereisthesecondstageofSaktiTattva.Thethirdstageisthewillforself-expression.Thencomesthefourthstage,IsvaraTattvawithitspowerandwilltocreatetheworld.Itisthestageofconsciousexperience(Jnana)ofbeing.Inthefifthstage,thereistheknowerandalsotheobjectofknowledge.Action(Kriya)startsnow.ThisisthestageofSuddha-vidya.TherearethirtysixTattvasorprinciplesinthissystem.Bondageisduetoignorance(Ajnana).Thesoulthinks:‘Iamfinite’,‘Iamthebody.’ItforgetsthatitisidenticalwithSivaandthattheworldiswhollyunrealapartfromSiva.Pratyabhijnaorrecognitionofthereality,isallthatisneededforattainingthefinalemancipation.WhenthesoulrecognisesitselfasGod,itrestsintheeternalblissofonenesswithGod.TheliberatedsoulismergedinSiva,aswaterinwater,ormilkinmilk,whentheimaginationofdualityhasdisappeared.VasuGupta(eighthcenturyA.D.)wrotetheSivaSutraandtaughtittoKallata.SivaDrishtiwrittenbySomanathamaybeconsideredequalinmerittoTirumandiramofTirumular.VasuGupta’sSpandaKarika,Somanatha’sSivaDrishti(930A.D.),AbhinavaGupta’sParamarthasaraandPratyabhijnaVimarsini,Kimaraja’sSivaSutraVimarsiniaresomeoftheimportantworksofthisschool.TheyaccepttheSivaAgamasandtheSiddhantaworksasauthoritative.TheymodifytheminthelightofSankara’sAdvaita.Somanatha’sSivaDrishti,Utpala’sPratyabhijnaSutraandAbhinavaGupta’sworkssupportnon-dualism. LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ChapterVIIILORDSIVAANDHISLILASSivaisknownbythename‘Girisa’,asHeistheLordoftheMountKailasa.Sivaiscalled‘Tryambaka’,becauseHehasathirdeyeinHisforehead,theeyeofwisdom(JnanaChakshus).Theword‘Hara’isderive

66 dfromtheroot‘Hru’totakeandthes
dfromtheroot‘Hru’totakeandthesuffix‘Ati’,forHeremoves(Harati)allills.‘Hara’meansHewhoatthetimeofdissolution(Pralaya)withdrawstheworldwithinHimself.SivaisholdinginHishandsParasu(axe)anddeer.HeismakingwiththeothertwohandstheVaraandtheAbhayaMudras.ThedeerhereisBrahma.Sivaisverypowerful.EvenBrahmaisunderHiscontrol.SivawasthedestroyeroftheAsuras,Tripuras.HedestroyedtheTripurasorthethreecitiesoftheAsuraswhichwerebuiltofgold,silverandironbyMaya.TheAsurasoppressedalltheists,beingprotectedbythethreecities.SivaiscalledTripuraribecauseHedestroyedtheAsuras,Tripuras,andthecities,Tripuras.SivaJyotiBrahmaandVishnuwereonedaydisputingwhichofthetwowasthegreater.SivaappearedintheformofanInfiniteJyotiorfieryLinga,inordertodestroytheirpride.BrahmaandVishnusetouttomeasuretheJyoti.Theyfailedintheirattempts.Whentheoceanwaschurned,aterriblepoisoncameout.Sivaswallowedthisinordertosavetheworld.ThiscausedabluestainonHisthroat.SoHeiscalledbythenameNilakantha.RavanaAndSivaRavanawasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.HeusedtogoeverydaytoMountKailastoworshipLordSiva.Hefoundthisverytroublesome.HethoughtwithinhimselftobringthewholemountaintohisabodeinLankainordertosavehimselffromthetroubleofadailyjourneytoMountKailas.Hebegantopullupthemountainwhichtrembled.Parvati,consortofSiva,gotfrightened.SheembracedLordSiva.SivapressedRavanawithHistoeandsenthimdowntothenetherworld.VIRASAIVISMANDKASHMIRSAIVISM HariandSivaHariusedtoworshipSivadailywithathousandlotuses.Onedayonelotuswasmissing.HepluckedoutHisowneyetomakethenumberofathousand.SivagaveVishnutheSudarsanaChakraordiscus,beingverymuchpleasedwithHisdevotion.ItisthisSudarsanaChakrawhichVishnualwaysbears.Thisdiscusisitselfanembodimentofdevotion.Brahma’sBoonARakshasaworshippedBrahmaandaskedHimtogranthimthepowertodestroythewholeworld.Brahmawaspartiallyunwillingtogranthimthisboon.Heconsentedinahalf-heartedmannerandaskedhimtowait.TheDevas,hearingthis,wereterriblyfrightenedandwenttoSivaandtoldHimeverything.Sivadancedinordertodelaythegrantingofthis

67 boonbyBrahma,todistracthimandthussavethe
boonbyBrahma,todistracthimandthussavetheworld.BirthofSubrahmanyaTheAsuraTarakadroveallthegodsfromheaven.ThegodswenttoBrahma.Brahmasaidtothegods:“TheAsurahasacquiredhispowerthroughmygrace.Icannotdestroyhim.Ishallsuggesttoyouoneplan.GotoLordSiva.HeisinYogaSamadhi.HemustbetemptedtounitewithParvati.ApowerfulsonwillbebornuntoHim.HewilldestroytheAsura”.Thereupon,IndraaskedCupid(Kama)togowithhiswifeRatiandhiscompanionVasanta(thespring),toMountKailas,theabodeofLordSiva.ThethreepersonsatonceproceededtoKailas.Springseasonappearedthere.AlltheRishisweresurprisedatthis.KamastoodbehindatreeandshotanarrowatSiva.AtthismomentParvatiwasworshippingSivaandofferingflowersinHishand.HerhandtouchedthehandsofSiva.SivafeltsuddenlyathrillofpassionandHisseedcameout.SivawaswonderingwhatwasitthatthusdistractedHimfromHisYoga.HelookedaroundandwitnessedKamabehindatree.HeopenedHisthirdeye.AfireflashedandburntKamatoashes.Siva’sseedwasthrownintoAgni(GodofFire).Agniwasnotabletobearit.HethrewitintotheGanga.GangathrewitintoaforestofreedswhereSubrahmanya,calledthereed-born(SaraJanma,SaravanaBhava),wasborn.SubrahmanyabecamethecommanderoftheDevasanddestroyedtheAsuraasBrahmaintended.LordSivaandDakshaDakshagoestoattendthesacrificeofthesageswhoaretheprogenitorsoftheworld,andnotbeinghonouredbyRudrawhohascomebeforehim,DakshareproachesHimandleavestheplace.Nandisvarainhisturn,cursesDakshaandotherBrahmins.Rudrathenleavestheplaceofsacrifice.Sati,daughterofDaksha,knownalsobythenameDakshayani,requestsSiva’spermissiontoattendherfather’ssacrifice,theBrihaspati-sava,andSivashowshowinadvisableitwouldbe.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP InspiteofherLord’sadvice,SatigoestoDaksha’ssacrifice.DisregardedbyherfatherandenragedatfindingnoofferingmadetoRudra,shepraisesthegreatnessofherLord,censuresDakshaandbytheYogamethodcastsoffherbody.HearingofSati’scastingoffherbody,SankaracreatesinHisangerVirabhadraoutofHisJata(ormattedlocks)andcausesDaksha’sdeath.InformedbythegodsofthedestructionofDaksha,Brahmapacifi

68 esRudra,andDakshaandothersarerevived.Bei
esRudra,andDakshaandothersarerevived.BeingpleasedwithBrahma’spraise,Sivagoesalongwiththegodstothesceneofsacrifice;Dakshaandothersarerevived;VishnuissuingforthfromthesacrificialfireispraisedbyDakshaandothers.Aftertheclosingceremonyofablutions,thegodsreturnhome.Maitreyadescribesthebenefitoflisteningtothisstory,thebirthofSatiasParvati,andthatofSkanda.OntheMountKailas,withParvatiDevibyHisside,LordSivawassittinginahallbeautifullydecoratedbypreciousstones.Atthattime,DeviworshippedtheLordandrequestedHimtoalterthenameofDakshayanigiventoherbefore,forbeingthedaughterofDaksha.ThisDakshawaskilledbyLordSivaforhisdisrespectandarrogance.OnhearingthisrequestLordSivaordainedthatDevishouldbebornasthedaughterofParvataRajwhowasdoingrigorousTapasforgettingachild.HealsotoldParvatithatHewouldcomeovertoherandmarryher.Thusordained,ParvatiDeviwasbornasthechildofParvataRajandsinceherfifthyear,begantodorigorousTapasforbeingthebrideofLordSiva.DuringtheabsenceofDevi,whenLordSivawasalone,thesonsofBrahma,whoaresagesSanaka,Sanandana,SanatanaandSanatkumara,cametohaveDarsanaofLordSivaandprostratedbeforeHim.TheyentreatedtheLordtoteachthemthewaytoremoveAvidyaandattainsalvation.Theyexpressedthatinspiteofthevaststudyofscripturestheyhadnointernalpeaceandtheywereinneedoflearningtheinnersecrets,byknowingwhichtheycouldattainsalvation.LordSiva,hearingthisappealmadebythesages,assumedtheformofDakshinamurtiandremainingastheGuruSupreme,begantoteachthemtheinnersecretsbykeepingMounaandshowingtheChinmudrabyHishand.ThesagesbegantomeditateonthelinesshownbytheLordandattainedthestateofinexpressibleandillimitablejoy.ThusLordSivacametobeknownasDakshinamurti.MaytheblessingsofLordDakshinamurtibeuponusall!MayyoualldivedeepandenjoytheeverlastingPeaceandBlissthroughHisGrace!TripuraSamharaThisoccursintheKarnaParvaoftheMahabharata.Intimesofyore,therewasawarbetweentheDevasandtheAsuras.TheAsurasweredefeatedinthebattle.ThethreesonsoftheAsura,Taraka,wantedtotakerevengeontheDevas.TheyperformedrigorouspenanceandobtainedaboonfromBrahma,t

69 hecreator.Byvirtueofthisboon,theycouldno
hecreator.Byvirtueofthisboon,theycouldnotbeconqueredbyanyonesavesomebodywhocoulddestroytheirthreecastlesbyasinglearrow.LORDSIVAANDHISLILAS Theymadethreecastles,oneofgoldinheaven,thesecondsilverinair,andthethirdofirononearth.TheybegantooppressthegodsandtheRishis.Thereupon,allthegodsmadeacomplainttoBrahma.BrahmarepliedthatnoonesaveMahadevawhoknowsYogaandSankhya,throughparticularpenance,couldvanquishtheseAsuras.AllthegodsapproachedMahadevaandprovidedHimwithachariotoutofallformsoftheuniverse.TheyalsosuppliedHimwithabowandarrow,theconstituentpartsofwhichwereVishnu,SomaandAgni.TheyrequestedMahadevatodischargethearrowagainstthethreecastles.Brahmabecamethecharioteer.Mahadevadischargedthearrowagainstthethreecastles.Thethreecastlesfelldowninthetwinklingofaneye.ThenallthegodseulogisedMahadevaanddepartedtoheaven.MahadevasaidtothegodsthatHeHimselfcouldnotdestroytheAsuras,astheywereverystrong,butthattheythemselveswouldbeabletovanquishwiththehelpofhalfHisstrength.ThegodsrepliedthattheycouldnotbearhalfHisstrengthandthatHeshouldtakeupthetaskwiththehelpofhalftheirstrength.Mahadevaagreedtothis.Hebecamestrongerthanallthegods.HenceHewascalledMahadevaorthegreatGod.LordSivaCursesandPardonsNakirarOnce,aPandyakingofMaduraifeltthathisqueen’shairhadsomekindofnaturalfragrance.Adoubtaroseinhismindastowhetherhumanhaircouldhavenaturalfragrance,orcouldberenderedfragrantonlythroughassociationwithflowersorscents.HewenttotheSanghamortheTamilAcademythenextday,suspendedabagcontainingonethousandgoldpiecesandsaidtothepoetsthatanyonewhowouldwriteapoemclearingthedoubtheentertainedinhismindwouldgetthegoldpiecesasaprize.Manypoetscomposedpoemsbuttheywerenotabletosatisfytheking.Darumi,aBrahminpriestinthetemple,wasextremelypoor.HerequestedLordSivathus:“Oall-mercifulLord!Iamverypoor.Iwishtomarrynow.Relievemeofmypoverty.Helpmetogetthesegoldpiecesnow.ItakerefugeinTheealone”.LordSivagavehimapoemandsaid:“TakethispoemtotheSangham.Youwillgetthegoldpieces”.Thekingwasimmenselypleasedwiththesongasitclea

70 redhisdoubt,buttheSanghampoetsdidnotacce
redhisdoubt,buttheSanghampoetsdidnotacceptit.Nakirar,oneofthem,saidthattherewasaflawinthepoem.Thepoorpriestwasgreatlyafflictedatheart.Hecamebacktothetemple,stoodinfrontoftheLordandsaid:“OLord!WhydidYougivemethepoemwhichcontainedaflaw?NobodywilltakeYoufortheLord.Ifeelverymuchforthis”.Themeaningofthepoemis:“Ofair-wingedbee!Youspendyourtimeingatheringflower-dust.Donotspeakoutoflove,butspeakoutoftruth.Isthereanyamongtheflowersknowntoyouthatismorefragrantthanthehairofthisdamselwhoismostloving,isofthecolourofthepeacockandhasbeautifulrowsofteeth!”Thereupon,LordSivaassumedtheformofapoet,wenttotheSanghamandasked:“Whichpoetfoundoutflawinthepoem?”Nakirarsaid:“ItisIwhosaidthatthereisaflaw.”LordSivaasked:“Whatistheflaw?”Nakirarsaid:“Thereisnoflawinthecompositionofwords.Thereisflawinthemeaning.”LordSivasaid:“MayIknowwhatdefectisthereinthemeaning?”Nakirarsaid:“Thehairofadamselhasnonaturalfragrance.Itgetsthefragrancefromassociationwiththeflowers.”LordSivasaid:“DoesthehairofPadminialsopossessfragrancebyassociationwiththeLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP flowers?”Nakirarsaid,“Yes.”LordSivasaid:“Doesthehairofcelestialdamselsalsopossessfragrancebyassociationwiththeflowers?”Nakirarreplied,“Yes.TheirhairsbecomefragrantbyassociationwithMandaraflowers.”LordSivasaid:“DoesthehairofUmaDeviwhoisontheleftsideofLordSivawhomyouworshippossessfragrancebyassociationwiththeflowers?”Nakirarreplied:“Yes.Quiteso.”LordSivaslightlyopenedHisthirdeye.Nakirarsaid:“Iamnotafraidofthisthirdeye.EvenifyouareLordSiva,evenifyoushoweyesthroughoutyourwholebody,thereisflawinthispoem.”ThefirefromthethirdeyeofLordSivafelluponNakirar.Nakirarwasnotabletobeartheheat.Atoncehejumpedintotheneighbouringlotus-tanktocoolhimself.ThenallthepoetsapproachedLordSivaandsaid:“OLord!PardonNakirar.”LordSivaappearedbeforeNakirar.ThroughthegraceofLordSivahisbodywasrenderedcool.Herepentedforhismistakea

71 ndsaid:“Ipointeddefectevenforthehai
ndsaid:“IpointeddefectevenforthehairsofUmaDevi.NoonebuttheLordcanpardonme.”Hesangasongwithintensedevotion.LordSivaenteredthetankandbroughthimtotheshore.ThenNakirarandotherpoetsgavethepurseofgoldtoDarumi.KnowYourGuruDevotiontotheLorddawnsintheheartofamanwhohasdonevirtuousactionsinhispreviousbirthswithoutexpectationoffruitsandegoismortheideaofagency.DevotionleadstoknowledgeoftheSelf(Jnana)andthroughJnana,heattainsMokshaorthefinalemancipation.Indaysofyore,VirasindhuwasthekingofKalingacountry.HedidsevereTapas,meditationandYogainhispreviousbirth,butdidnotattainMoksha.HebecameaYoga-BhrashtaashehadtoenjoythefruitsofsomeresidualKarmasinthislastbirthofaKing.Hetookhisbirthasthesonofaking.Whenheattainedtheproperage,hewascrownedasthekingofKalinga.Heruledthekingdomforaperiodoftenyears.OwingtotheforceofpreviousspiritualSamskaras,andthegraceoftheLord,discriminationanddispassiondawnedinhisheart.Hereflectedwithinhimself:“Iamdoingthesameactsofeating,drinkingandsleeping.Myseveralforefatherswhoruledthecountry,hadbeenreducedtodust.Ihavenopeaceofminddespitemywealthanddominion.IshouldgetaGuruandobtaininitiationfromhimtogetknowledgeoftheAtmanandreachtheabodeofimmortalityandeternalbliss.KingVirasindhusentinvitationtoallPandits,Sannyasins,SadhusandMahatmas.Hewroteintheletterthus:“IwillgivehalfofmydominiontothatsupremeGuruwhowillgivemetherightinitiationandmakemerealisetheSelf.Ifhefailstodosohewillbeputintheprison.”ManyPanditsandSadhussawtheking.OnegavehimTarakaMantra,anothergavePanchakshara,athirdgavehimAshtakshara,butnoonewasabletosatisfytheking.Heputthemallintheprison.HehadinitiationintotheseMantrasinhispreviousbirths.LORDSIVAANDHISLILAS KingVirasindhubecameveryrestlessashedidnotobtainhisGuru.LordSivaassumedtheformofanordinarycoolie.Hehadaveryblackcomplexion.Heworesomeragsandappearedbeforetheking.Thekingwentinadvancetoreceivehim.ThroughthegraceoftheLord,hecametoknowthatthiscooliewasnoneotherthantheLord.Thecoolieraisedhishandtowardsthekingandsaid“stop”,andvanished

72 immediately.ThekingunderstoodthattheGuru
immediately.ThekingunderstoodthattheGuruhascommandedhimtostopthemindandcontrolitsmovements.Thekingclosedhiseyes,whilehewasstanding,anddidnotallowthemindtothinkofthesensualobjects.Hecontrolledallthemodificationsofthemind.ItwaseasyforhimashehadpractisedYogaandmeditationinhispreviousbirth.HeenteredintoNirvikalpaSamadhiandbecamelikeastatue.Hedidnotopenhiseyes.TheministerswerewaitingintheDurbarHallforhourstogether.KingVirasindhudidnotopenhiseyesfordaystogether.Thentheministersreflected:ThekingisinSamadhinow.WedonotknowwhenhewillreturnfromtheSamadhi.WewillhavetomanagetheaffairsoftheState.”TheyremovedtheringfromhisfingeranduseditforputtingthesealinthepapersoftheState.Thekingopenedhiseyesaftersixyears,andaskedtheministers:“WhereismyGuru?”Theministersreplied:“Ovenerableking!TheGurusaidawordtoyourmajestyandvanishedatonce.Youarestandingherelikeastatueforthelastsixyears.Weareconductingtheaffairsofthestatewiththeaidofyourring.Hereisthesealofyourringinalltheregistersandpapers.”Thekingwasstruckwithaweandwonder.Hethoughtwithinhimself:“Sixyearshavepassedlikeasecond.Ienjoyedsupremebliss.IhavenodesiretoruletheStateaftertastingthesupremebliss.”HeleftthepalaceandenteredtheforestandsatinSamadhi.TheforceofYogicSamskarasofthekingthatwasgeneratedbythepracticeofYogainhispreviousbirth,helpedhimintheattainmentofthebeatitudeinthisbirth.ThosewhohavenotmuchpietyandreligiousinclinationinthisbirthshoulddoJapa,Kirtan,meditation,andstudyofreligiousbooks.Theyshouldliveinthecompanyofsages.TheywilldevelopgoodreligiousSamskaras.Thiswillbeavaluableassetfortheminthenextbirth.TheywillstartthepracticeofYogainthenextbirthintheearlyage.ItisdifficulttosayinwhatformtheGuruortheLordwillappearbeforeyoutoinitiateyou.HemaycomeintheformofaleperasSriHanumandid,orintheformofanuntouchableasLordKrishnadid,orintheformofagroomasLordSivadid.TheaspirantsmustbeverycarefulandvigilanttodetecttheLordinthevariousformswhichHeassumes.LordSivaDrinksPoisonOnce,theDevasandtheAsurashadaformidablefightforaver

73 ylongperiod.ManyDevasandAsurasdiedinthef
ylongperiod.ManyDevasandAsurasdiedinthefight.TheDevasthoughtthattheyshouldprolongtheirlivesbydrinkingnectarandthencontinuethewar.TheyapproachedBrahmawiththisdesireinview.Brahmasaid:“Thisworkcannotbedonebyme.ItcanbedoneonlybyLordVishnu.”Thereupon,BrahmaandtheDevasapproachedLordHariinKshirasagara.LordHariaskedtheDevasandAsurastochurntheoceanwiththehelpofMandaragiriaschurning-rodandVasuki,theserpent,astherope.Astheywentonchurning,poison(Halahala)LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP cameoutfirstfromtheocean.Theterriblepoisonbegantoburnthepeopleintoashes.TheDevas,theAsurasandtheRishisbegantoflyaway.LordVishnuwasnotabletodestroythepoison.Hisbodyalsobecameveryblack.HerantoKailasalongwiththeDevasandBrahmatoseeLordSiva.HereportedtoLordSivaallthathadhappened.Thereupon,LordSivacollectedthepoisonandkeptitasadropinthepalmofHishandandswallowedit.ThenLordVishnuandBrahmarequestedLordSivatokeepitinHisneckasamarkoftheirprotection.LordSivadiditaccordingly.DuetotheeffectofthepoisonHisthroatbecameblue.FromthatdayonwardsLordSivaiscalledbythename‘Nilakantha’(blue-neckedone)or‘KalakanthaMurti’.ThenLordSivasaidtothem:“Ifyouchurnagain,youwillgetnectarandseveralotherthings.”Theyallstartedagainthechurningoftheoceanandobtainednectarandmanyotherthings.AlltheDevasdrankthenectarandrejoicedheartily.LordSivaRidesontheBullTurningofChatur-Yugatwothousandtimes,isadayofBrahma.Suchthirtydaysmakeamonthforhim.Suchtwelvemonthsmakeayearforhim.SuchhundredyearsmakethefulllifeofBrahma.Thewholelife-periodofBrahmaisadayforLordVishnu.Afteronehundredyears,LordVishnualsowillpassawayormergehimselfinParabrahman.AlltheAndaswillperish.OnaccountoftheheavyblowingofPrachandaVayu,thesevenoceanswillebbhighandcoverthewholeworld.LordSivaalonewillexist.HewillburneverythingintoashesthroughHisfierythirdeyeandthendance.TheDharmadevataortheLordofVirtuereflectedwithinhimself:“HowcanIattainimmortality?IfIapproachLordSivaonly,Icanattainthis.”Heassumedtheformofabull,wenttoLordSivaandsaid:“MyvenerableLor

74 d!KindlyacceptmeasThyvehicleandthusprote
d!KindlyacceptmeasThyvehicleandthusprotectme.”LordSivaagreedtothehumblerequestoftheGodofDharmaandsaid:“ConducttheDharmawithfourfeetintheKritaYuga,withthethreefeetintheTretaYuga,withtwofeetintheDvaparaYuga,andwithonefootintheKaliYuga.OnaccountofMygrace,youwillbeendowedwithallsplendourandpowers.YouwillbealwaysMyvehicle.YouwillbeonewithMe.”WhenLordSivadestroyedTripurasorthethreecities,LordVishnuassumedtheformofabullandsupportedLordSiva.LordSivaWearstheGangaonHisHeadOnceuponatimeinMountKailas,ParvaticlosedtheeyesofLordSivawithherhands.Thereuponthesun,moonandfiredidnotshineforth.Thiscausedterriblehavocintheworld.Allwereenvelopedbydarknessforalongperiod.LordSivaopenedHisthirdeyeabit.Thesun,moonandfirebegantoshineagainandalldarknessvanished.Parvatiwasfrightened.Sheremovedherhandsanddroppeddowntheperspirationfromherfingers.ThisperspirationwasturnedintotenGangaswithcountlessbranches.Theseriversdidmuchhavoctotheworld.ThereuponLordBrahma,VishnuandIndrarantoLordSivaandrequestedHimtoavertthiscatastrophe.LORDSIVAANDHISLILAS LordSivafeltcompassionateandbroughtthewholewatersinonehairofHismattedlocks.LordBrahma,VishnuandIndrarequestedLordSivatogivealittleofthewateroftheGangafortheirworlds.LordSivagavethemalittle.TheybecameVirajanadiinVaikuntha,ManasaTirthainSatyalokaandDevagangainIndraloka.KingBhagirathabroughtdowntheGangafromBrahmalokatosavethesixtythousandsonsofSagara.LordSiva’sLilaofBeggingTheRishisofDarukavanathoughtthattherewasnouseinlovingandadoringLordSivaandtheycouldattainMokshathroughtheperformanceofsacrifices.TheyleftoffworshipoftheLordanddidsacrificesvigorously.ThenLordSivasaidtoLordHari:“AssumetheformofMohiniandentertheabodeofallRishisinDarukaforest.TheyhavenoregardforMenow.Theyaretreadingthewrongpathnow.Weshouldteachthemaseverelesson.Excitetheirpassionanddeludethem.DestroytheirVratas.”Healsoputontheformofamendicant-beggar.Thereupon,LordHariassumedtheformofMohiniandenteredthedwellingplacesoftheRishisinDarukavana.AlltheRishislosttheirpowerofundersta

75 ndinganddiscriminationandfollowedMohiniu
ndinganddiscriminationandfollowedMohiniunderstrongexcitementofpassion.LordSivaenteredtheParnakutirsofthewivesoftheRishis,sangtheSrutisandhymnsbeautifullyandroamedaboutasamendicant-beggar.ThewivesofRishisbecameexcitedandfollowedLordSiva.TheyentreatedHiminavarietyofwaystosatisfythem.LordSivamultipliedHimselfandappearedinthemindofeachwoman.AllthewivesoftheRishisenjoyedheartily.TheyallbroughtforthinthemorningeighteenthousandRishiswithmattedlocks,DandaandKamandalu.TheyallprayedtoLordSiva.LordSivablessedthemtodoTapasintheforest.TheRishisactedaccordingly.TheRishiswitnessedtheconditionoftheirwivesandsaid:“WeweredeludedbytheenchantingMohini.Themendicant-beggarspoiledthechastityofourwives.Lo!howpowerfulislust!MysteriousisMaya!”LordSivaWearsTrident,Deer,Etc.TheRishisofDarukavanaperformedaYajnatodestroyLordSiva.Acrueltigercameoutofthefire.TheycommandedthetigertokillLordSiva.LordSivakilledthetigerandworetheskinaroundHiswaist.Thentheycreatedatrident,tokilltheLord.LordSivaworeitinHishandasHisinstrument.Thentheycreatedadeerwithsharphorns,tokilltheLord.LordSivaworeitinHisleftLaterontheycreatedcountlessblackcobrastokilltheLord.LordSivaworethemasHisornaments.ThentheycreatedcountlessBhutaGanastokilltheLord.LordSivamadethemasHisarmy.ThentheycreatedaDamarutokilltheLord.LordSivaworeitinHishand.ThentheycreatedanAsura,Muyalaka,tokilltheLord.MuyalakamarchedwiththeYajnafiretodestroyLordSiva.LordSivaheldthefireasMaluinHishandandkepttheAsuraunderHisfeet.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP LordSivaHasUmaonHisLeftAftertheSamharawasover,LordBrahmabornofthegraceofLordSivathoughtofcreatingallbeings.HecreatedSanaka,Sanandana,SanatkumaraandSanatsujata.Theydidnotenterthelifeofhouseholders.TheydevelopedwisdomandbecamegreatYogis.LordBrahmawenttoVaikunthaandsawLordHariandsaidtoHim:“OvenerableLord!Iamnotabletocontinuethecreation.Sanaka,Sanandana,etc.,havebecomeYogis.Theydonotwishtobecomehouseholders.Kindlysuggesttomeawaytocontinuemyworkofcreation.”LordVishnusaid:“Thisisnotinmypower.LetusgotoLordSivawho

76 abidesinKailasa.”BrahmaandVishnusaw
abidesinKailasa.”BrahmaandVishnusawtheLordofKailasaandsaidtoHim:“OGodofgods!ThecreativeworkofBrahmahasbeenstoppedasthefourKumarashavebecomeYogis.Kindlyblesshimtocontinuehiscreativework.”LordSivalookedattheleftsideofHischest.UmatookHerbirthfromLordSiva’sleftside.LordSivasaidtothem:“Nowthereisnodifficultyincreation.Itwillcontinuewithoutanyhitch.”ThereuponBrahmaandVishnurepairedtotheirrespectiveabodes.ThenLordBrahmacreatedtheworldsthroughthegraceofLordSiva.Menandwomenlivedtogetherhappilyandbroughtforthoffsprings.ThewholeappearanceisSaktimaya.LordSivawitnessesPrakriti’sactivities.LordSivaWearsElephant’sSkinIndaysofyore,Gajasuradidseverepenance.Brahmaappearedbeforehimandaskedhim:“OGajasura!Iampleasedwithyourpenance.Whatboondoyouwant?”Gajasurasaid:“OvenerableLord!Givemeprowessandinexhaustiblewealth.”“Ihavegivenyouwhatyoudesired.ButifyoufightagainstLordSiva,youwillloseyourboon.”ThenLordBrahmavanished.Thereupon,GajasuradidDigvijaya,anddefeatedDevasandIndra.HetroubledtheMunisandtheRishisalso.TheyrepairedtoBanaresandfellatthefeetofLordVisvanathaandsaid:“Gajasuraistryingtokillus.Protectus.OLord!Thereisnootherrefugeforus.”GajasuraattackedLordVisvanathaalso.TheLordkilledtheAsura,toretheskinandworeitasHisgarment.ThentheDevasandtheRishispraisedtheLordandbecamehappy.LordSivatheFuelSellerVaragunaPandianwasthekingofPandyakingdom.HiscapitalwasatMadurai.HewaslikeIndra.Yemanathan,skilledinVina,cametohisDurbarfromNorthernIndia.HeplayedthrillingsongsonVina.ThekingappreciatedYemanathan’smusic,gavehimrichpresentsandkepthiminaseparatebungalow.Yemanathanwasverymuchpuffedupowingtohisskillinmusic.VaragunaPandianunderstoodthatYemanathanwasproudofhisknowledgeofmusic.HecalledhisDurbar-musicianBhanabhadraandsaidtohim:“OBhadra!WillyoubeabletoattainvictoryoverthenewmusicianYemanathan?”Bhanabhadrareplied:“IcancertainlydefeathimLORDSIVAANDHISLILAS throughyourgraceandtheblessingsofLordSomasundaraofMadurai.”

77 Thekingsaid:“Wellthen,cometomorrowa
Thekingsaid:“Wellthen,cometomorrowandexhibityourskillinmusic.”ThedisciplesofYemanathanroamedaboutinallthestreetsandlanesofMadurai,playedonVinaandvigorouslyadvertisedabouttheirskillinmusic.Bhanabhadraheardthisandreflectedwithinhimself:“ThesedisciplesareveryefficientinmusicandVina.Ifthedisciplespossesssuchknowledge,whatmustbethesplendourandgloryoftheirGuru!HowcanIattainvictoryoverthismaster-musician?”ThenheprayedtoLordSiva:“KindlyhelpmenowtodefeatYemanathan.IaminneedofThygrace.”ThentheLordassumedtheformofawood-cutter,worearagaroundhisbodyandtornshoesonhisfeet.HehadaVinainhishandandabundleoffuelonhishead.HewenttothehousewhereYemanathanwaslivingandsatontheverandah.HetookhisVinaandplayedinamarvellousmanner.HesangbeautifullyalongwithVina.Yemanathanwasstruckwithwonderwhenheheardthewonderfulmusic.Hecameoutandaskedthefuel-seller:“Ofuel-seller!Whoareyou?”Thefuel-sellerreplied:“IamoneofthedisciplesandaservantofBhanabhadra,theDurbar-singerofVaragunaPandian.Hehasmanydisciples.AsIbecameold,mymasterabandonedmeandtoldmethatIamunfitforsinging.”Yemanathanrequestedthefuel-sellertosingagain.HesangagainSatariRagawhichmeltedtheheartofYemanathan.LordSiva,whoactedthepartoffuel-seller,vanishedwithhisbundleoffire-wood.Yemanathanthoughtwithinhimself:“IhavenotheardthisSatariRagatillnow.ItisDevaraga.IfthisoldmancansingthisRagainsuchabeautifulmanner,whatmustbetheknowledgeandgloryofhismaster!SurelyGodonlyoughttohavetaughthimthisRaga.IcannotstandbeforeBhanabhadra.Letmeleavethisplaceatonce.”Yemanathan’sheartwasfilledwithfearandshame.Heleftallthethingsandleftthehouseatmidnightalongwithhisdisciples.LordSomasundaraappearedinthedreamofBhanabhadraandsaid:“Donotbeafraid.Iputontheformoffuel-seller,satontheverandahofthehouseinwhichYemanathanlivedandplayedontheVina.Hewasstruckwithwonderandranawayatmidnight.Beateasenow.”Bhanabhadragotupinthemorning,wenttothetempleatMaduraiandworshippedLordSomasundara.ThenhewenttotheDurbarofVaragunaPandian.Th

78 ekingsentaservanttocallYemanathan.Theser
ekingsentaservanttocallYemanathan.Theservantsearchedhiminseveralplaces.Hewasnotabletofindoutthenewmusician.TheneighboursofthehouseinwhichYemanathanlivedsaid:“Onefuel-sellercameandsang.Thenewsingerlefttheplaceatmidnight.Thisonlyweknow.”Theservantreportedthemattertotheking.ThekingsaidtoBhanabhadra:“Couldyoutellmewhatyoudidafterleavingme?”Bhanabhadratoldtheking:“MyvenerableLord!IwenttomyhouseandprayedtoLordSomasundaratoblessme.Heappearedinmydreamandsaid:‘Iputontheformofafuel-seller,sangSatariRagainthehouseofYemanathan.Idrovehimaway.’Iatoncewokeup.Thisiswhathappened.”LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP VaragunaPandiancametoknowthatthiswastheLilaofLordSiva.HeadmiredthedevotionofBhadraandgavehimrichpresents.HesaidtoBhadra:“TheLordwhomadeBrahmaandtheotherDevasHisservants,becameyourservantandblessedyou.Weareallyourservantsonly.Iamyourservant.InfuturesingthepraiseofLordSomasundaraalways.”Bhanabhadrarejoicedheartily.HewaseverdevotedtoLordSomasundara.TheTwentyfiveLilasofLordSivaThefollowingarethe25Lilas(sportiveplays)ormanifestationsofLordSiva:1.Wearingofmoononthehead,2.LivingwithUmaDevi,3.Ridingonox,4.TandavadancewithKali,5.MarriagewithParvati,6.Begging,7.BurningofManmathaortheGodofLove,8.VictoryoverYamaortheGodofDeath,9.BurningofTripuras,10.KillingofJalandarasura,11.KillingofGajasura,12.IncarnationofVirabhadra,13.Harihara,14.Ardhanarisvara,15.TransformingintoKirata,(hunter),16.AssumingtheformofKankala,17.BlessingChandisvara,18.Drinkingpoison,19.GivingofChakratoLordVishnu,20.Destroyingofobstacles,21.HavingsonsofUmaDeviwithHim,22.BecomingEkapadaRudra,23.Beingineasypose(Sukhasana),24.AssumingtheformofDakshinamurti,and25.AssumingLingaform. ChapterIXSIVAYOGASADHANASecretofPanchaksharaPanchaksharaisaMahamantrawhichiscomposedoffiveletters,Namassivaya.AMantraisthatwhichremovesallobstaclesandmiseriesofonewhoreflectsonitandbestowseternalblissandimmortality.PanchaksharaisthebestamongsevencroresofMantras.TherearesevenSkandhasinYajurveda.ThereisRudradhyayiint

79 hecentreofthemiddleSkandha.InthisRudradh
hecentreofthemiddleSkandha.InthisRudradhyayithereareonethousandRudraMantras.NamassivayaortheSivaPanchaksharaMantrashinesinthecentreoftheseonethousandRudraMantras.YajurvedaistheheadofParamesvara,whoistheVedaPurusha.Rudramwhichisinthemiddleistheface,PanchaksharaisHiseye,Sivawhichisinthecentreofthe‘Namassivaya’istheappleoftheeye.HewhodoesJapaofthisPanchaksharaisfreedfrombirthsanddeathsandattainseternalbliss.ThisistheemphaticdeclarationoftheVedas.ThisPanchaksharaisthebodyofLordNataraja.ThisistheabodeofLordSiva.Ifyouadd‘Om’tothe‘Namassivaya’inthebeginning,thenitbecomesShadaksharaorsix-letteredMantra.‘OmNamoMahadevaya’istheeight-letteredMantraorAshtakshara.Panchaksharaisofsixkinds,viz.,SthulaPanchakshara(Namassivaya),SukshmaPanchakshara(SivayaNamah),KaranaPanchakshara(SivayaSiva),MahakaranaPanchakshara(Sivaya),MahamanuorMuktiPanchakshara(Si).LORDSIVAANDHISLILAS ‘Namah’means‘Prostration’.‘SivayaNamah’means‘ProstrationuntoLordSiva’.TheJivaistheservantofLordSivafromtheDeha-Drishti.‘Namah’representsJivatman.‘Siva’representsParamatman.‘Aya’denotes‘Aikyam’oridentityofJivatmanandParamatman.Hence‘SivayaNamah’isaMahavakya,like‘TatTvamAsi’whichsignifiestheidentitybetweentheindividualandthesupremesoul.Pranavadenotestheexternalform(husk)oftheLord(paddy)andPanchakshara,theinternalSvarupa(rice).PranavaandPanchaksharaareone.ThefivelettersdenotethefiveactionsorPanchaKrityasoftheLord,viz.,Srishti(creation),Sthiti(preservation),Samhara(destruction),Tirodhana(veiling)andAnugraha(blessing).Theyalsodenotethefiveelementsandallcreationsthroughthecombinationofthefiveelements.‘Na’representsTirodhana;‘Ma’,theMalaorimpurity;‘Si’,LordSiva;‘Va’,theArulSakti;and‘Ya’,theindividualsoul.Takebathorwashyourface,handsandfeet.WearBhasmaandRudrakshaMala.SitonPadmasanaorSukhasana,facingEastorNorth,inaquietplaceorroom.Repeatsilentl

80 ythePanchaksharaandmeditateontheformofLo
ythePanchaksharaandmeditateontheformofLordSiva.Keeptheimageintheheartorspacebetweentheeyebrows.Ifyoupractisemeditationregularly,yourheartwillbepurified.AllSamskarasandsinswillbeburntintoto.YouwillattainSiva-Yoga-NishthaorNirvikalpaSamadhi.YouwillattainthegloriousSiva-PadaorSiva-GatiandbecomeonewithLordSiva.YouwillenjoytheeternalblissofSivanandamandbecomeimmortal.MayLordSivablessyouall!MeditationonLordSivaSAGUNAMEDITATION:Sagunameditationismeditationonaform.Anarcherfirstaimsatagross,bigobject.Thenhetakesupamediumobject.Finally,heshootsatverysmallandminuteobjects.Evenso,oneshouldtaketoSagunameditationtostartwith,andwhenthemindistrainedanddisciplinedwell,hecanhaveNirakara,Nirgunameditation.Sagunameditationismeditationonaconcreteobject.SagunameditationispeculiarlypleasingtheBhakta,wholovestogazeonthepeculiarformofhisIshta.SagunaUpasanaremovesVikshepa.Forthreeorsixmonths,practiseTratakaonSiva’spicture.MeditateonthementalpictureoftheMurtifromhalftotwohoursonlyintheTrikuti(spacebetweentheeyebrows).SeeandfeelthattheLordispresentineveryobjectoftheuniverse.Whenyoumeditate,mentallyrepeattheMantraoftheDevata,‘OmNamahSivaya’;thinkoftheattributesoftheDeitysuchasomnipresence,omnipotenceandomniscience.FeelthatSattvicqualitiesfromtheIshtamflowtowardsyou.FeelthatyoupossesstheseSattvicqualities.ThisisSattvicorSuddhaBhavana.YouwillhaveDarsanaofyourIshtaminoneortwoyears,ifyouaresincereinyourSadhana.Followthisplan.Thiswillhelpconcentration.MovethemindonthevariouspartsoftheMurti,thepictureoridolofLordSiva,andmeditate.SituponyourusualAsana.RepeatHisnameandthinkofHisattributeslikebliss,radiance,love,etc.,gazingatHispictureallthewhile.ThenLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP enthroneHiminthelotusofyourheartorbetweenyoureyebrowsamidstablazinglight.NowmentallythinkofHislotus-feet,offeringyourdevoutsalutations.Takethemindtotheelephant-skinwornroundthewaist,thentothenecklaceofRudrakshabeads,adorningHischest,andthebeautifulbluehueofHisthroat(Nilakantha),serenecountenance,radiatingthemajesticauraofprofou

81 ndmeditations,theindrawnhalf-closedmedit
ndmeditations,theindrawnhalf-closedmeditativeeyes,themysteriousthirdeyeinthecentreoftheforehead.Nexttaketheminduptothemattedlocks,thecoolcrescentmoon,andthesacredGangasproutingfromtheJata.Rotateyourmindonthetrident(Trisula)inonehand,andthen,theDamaru,intheother.Runyourmindoverthewholeformtillyoucompleteallthedetails.Thenfixyourmindeitheronthefaceoruponthestartingpoint(feet).Repeattheentireprocessagainandagain,asmanytimesasyoucan.Byconstantpractice,youwillultimatelybeestablishedinmeditationandhavecommunionwithSiva.NIRGUNAMEDITATION:ThisismeditationonLordSiva,inHisall-pervasive,unmanifestedaspect,astheSupremeParaBrahman.Inthisformofmeditation,youmeditateonLordSivaastheSupremeBrahmanwithoutform,attributeless,eternal,infinite.MeditateonHimastheSuddha,Satchidananda,VyapakaAtman;Nitya,Suddha,Siddha,Buddha,Mukta,eternallyfreeBrahman;anunlimitedOceanofPureConsciousness.Now,identifyyourselfwiththistranscendentalSvarupaofSiva.FeelthatyouareChaitanya,Akhanda,Paripurna,Ekarasa,Santa,UnchangingExistence.Everyatom,everymolecule,everynerve,vein,artery,shouldpowerfullyvibratewiththeseideas.Lip-repetitionof‘Sivoham’willnotproducemuchbenefit.Itshouldbethroughheart,headandsoul.Thisfeelingshouldbekeptupcontinuously.Negatethebody-ideawhilerepeatingSivohammentally.WhenyouchantSivohamfeel:InfinityIamSivohamSivohamAlllightIamSivohamSivohamAlljoyIamSivohamSivohamAllgloryIamSivohamSivohamAllpowerIamSivohamSivohamAllknowledgeIamSivohamSivohamAllAnandaIamSivohamSivohamMeditateontheaboveideasconstantly.Constanteffortwithzealandenthusiasm,isanindispensablerequisite.Repeatmentallytheaboveideasincessantly.Youwillrealise.WorshipofSivaLordSivaisworshippedinHisSagunaaspectintheformofSivalingam.GenerallySivabhaktasdoPanchayatanaPuja.InthisPuja,LordSiva,Ganesa,Parvati,SuryanarayanaandSaligramaredulyworshipped.GetthePanchayatanaMurtisonanauspiciousday.Installthemwithgreatfaithinyourownhouse.Conductspecialprayers,Archana,Puja,Abhisheka,andfeedingofBrahmins,Mahatmasandthepooronagrandscale.Installthedei

82 tyinaseparateroom.WorshiptheLorddailywit
tyinaseparateroom.WorshiptheLorddailywithallsincerityandfaith.Youwillhaveallwealth,peaceofmind,attainmentofDharma,Artha,KamaSIVAYOGASADHANA andMokshaalso.YouwillleadaprosperouslifeandentertheImmortalabodeofSiva-Sayujya,onCollectplentyofBaelorBilvaleavesforLordSiva’sworship.GetreadyDhupa,Dipa,camphor,sandal-sticks,freshwater,plentyofflowers,foodofferingstotheLord,aseattositupon,abell,conchandotherthingsrequiredforthePujabeforeyoubegintheworship.Getupintheearlymorningbeforesunrise.Washyourface.Takebath.WearsilkdressseparatelykeptforPujapurposes.DecoratethePujaroomnicely.EntertheroomchantingLord’snames,glorifyingHim,repeatingHymnsinHispraiseandprostratingbeforetheLord.Washyourfeetbeforeenteringtheroom.Sitinacomfortablepostureandcommenceyourworship.YouhavetofirstofalldoSankalpaforbeginningthePujaintheprescribedmethod.YoushouldthendoKalasa(watervessel),Sankha(conch),Atma(self)andPitha(Lord’sseat)Pujaintheirorder.YoushouldthenofferShodasopacharaPujatotheLordandthenrepeatMahamrityunjayaMantra,Rudrapatha,Purushasukta,Gayatri,anddoAbhishekawithpurewater,milk,sugarcanejuice,gheeandotherarticlesaccordingtoyourcapacityorwithpurewateralone.Rudrabhishekaishighlybeneficial.IfyoudoRudraJapaandAbhisheka,allyourworriesandagonieswilldisappearandyouwillattainthehighestbeatitudeofhumanexistencebythegraceofLordVisvanath.Rudraisagreatpurifier.ThereisinvisiblehiddenpowerinRudraandPurushasukta.ThereisawonderfulinspirationintherecitationofRudra.Starttheworshipandrealiseitsgloryandsplendourforyourself.AfterAbhisheka,decoratetheLordnicelywithsandalpasteandflowers.ThendoArchanarepeatingHisnames,‘OmSivayaNamah’,‘OmMahesvarayaNamah’,etc.Dodaily108or1008Archanasifpossible.AfterArchana,doAratiwithdifferentkindsoflights—singleArati,TripleArati,PanchaAratiandKarpuraArati.Ringbells,cymbals,conch,etc.,duringArati.OffersacredPrasadorNaivedyatotheLord.AfterAratiisover,singthepraisesoftheLordlikeMahimnaStotra,PanchaksharaStotra,etc.,wavingtheChamara.Intheendrepeattheprayer

83 s‘Kayenavachah’,‘Atmatvam
s‘Kayenavachah’,‘AtmatvamGirijamatih’,OffereverythingtotheLord.FeelthatyouareamereinstrumentinHishands.Doeverythingforobtainingthedivinegraceonly.DevelopNimittaBhava.ServetheBhaktas.TheLordismuchpleasedwiththeserviceofHisdevotees.DistributethePrasadamongtheBhaktasintheend.TakethePrasadwithgreatfaith.ThegloryofBhagavan’sPrasadisindescribable.VibhutiistakenasPrasadandappliedtotheforehead.WhenyouadvanceinSagunaworshipwithexternalobjectsofworship,youcanbeginManasaPuja.YouwillhaveDarsanaoftheLordandfinalemancipation.HavespecialPujasonMondaysandPradosha(thirteenthdayofeveryfortnight—Trayodasi)days.ThesedaysandSivaratri(inthemonthofFebruary-March)areverysacredforLordSiva.CelebratetheSivaratrionagrandscale.Fastthewholeday.HaveTrikalaPuja,specialAbhisheka,Ekadasa-rudra-japa,Sahasrarchana,vigilinthenight,studyofhymnsofLordSiva,Sivapurana,hearingdiscoursesontheLilasofLordSiva.AfterPujaonthenextday,breakyourfastwithAbhishekawater.OffersacredfoodofferingsandpartakeoftheDivinePrasad.Youwillhavegreatmentalpeace,andspiritualadvancement.Nevermissthisopportunity.Dailyworshipisasureremedyforallills.Youwillneversufferfrompoverty.TakemywordandbeginthePujarightfromthisdayonwards.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP SivaManasaPujaManasaPujaismentalworship.ManasaPujaismorepowerfulandeffectivethantheexternalworshipwithflowers,sandals,etc.YouwillhavemoreconcentrationwhenyoudoManasaMentallyenthronetheLordonaSimhasana,setwithdiamonds,pearls,emeralds,etc.OfferHimaseat.OfferArghya,Madhuparkaandvarioussortsofflowers,clothes,etc.ApplysandalpastetoHisforeheadandbody.BurnincenseandAgarbatti(scentedsticks).Wavelights.BurncamphoranddoArati.Offervariouskindsoffruits,sweetmeats,Payasa,cocoanutandMahanaivedyam.DoShodasa-upacharaorthesixteenkindsofofferingsinworship.PanchaksharaMantraWritingWritedowninafinenotebook‘OmNamahSivaya’forhalfanhourormore.YouwillhavemoreconcentrationbytakingrecoursetothisSadhana.WritetheMantraininkclearly.WhenyouwritetheMantraobserveMouna.YoumaywritetheMantrain

84 anylanguage.Giveuplookinghitherandthithe
anylanguage.Giveuplookinghitherandthither.RepeattheMantramentallyalsowhenyouwritetheMantra.WritethewholeMantraatonce.WhentheMantranotebookiscompleted,keepitinaboxinyourmeditationroom.Beregularinyourpractice.KeepasmallnotebookinyourpocketandwriteMantrawhenyougetleisureintheoffice.Havethreethingsinyourpocket,viz.,theGita,MantranotebookandaJapaMalaorrosary.Youwillbeimmenselybenefited.SivaJnanamJapaandmeditationofthesacrednamesofLordSivawillfreeyoufromallsinsandleadyoutotheattainmentofSivaJnanamoreternalblissandimmortality.Siva-namaistheverysoulofallMantras.LordSivahasmanifestedintheworldinsixtydifferentaspects.Vrishabharudha,Hari-hara,Nataraja,Bhairava,Dakshinamurti,Ardhanarisvara,Bhikshatana,Somasekharamurti,Urdhvanatana,Kalasamhara,Jalandhara,Surasamhara,LingodbhavaareHisforms.Sivameansthatwhichiseternallyhappyorauspicious,Parama-mangala.OmandSivaareone.MandukyaUpanishadsays:‘SantamSivamAdvaitam’.EvenanoutcastecanmeditateonthenameofLordSiva.SivamanifestsintheGayatriMantra,AgniandintheSun.WhenyourepeatGayatriandwhenyouworshiptheAgniandtheSun,youshouldmeditateonLordSiva.JapaofPanchaksharaandmeditationofLordSivashouldbeparticularlydoneinthePradoshaKalaorjustbeforethesunset.ThePradoshaonthethirteenthTithiafterafullmoonoranewmoonday,isknownastheMahapradosha.TheDevasvisitSivatemplesfortheworshipoftheSIVAYOGASADHANA Lordatthisperiod.YoucanworshiptheDevasalsoifyouvisittemplesduringMahapradosha.DevoteesofLordSivaobservefullfastonMahapradoshadays.AdevoteeofLordSivashouldapplyVibhutitohisforeheadandbody.HeshouldwearaRudrakshamala.HeshouldworshiptheSivalingawithleavesoftheBilvatree.HeshoulddoJapaandmeditationofthePanchakshara‘OmNamahSivaya’.LordSivaispropitiatedbyeveryoneoftheseactions.VibhutiorBhasmaisverysacred.ItiswornbyLordSivaHimself.ThebeadofaRudrakshamalarepresentsthethirdeyeontheforeheadofLordSiva.BilvaleavesareregardedtobeoneofthefiveabodesofLakshmiortheGoddessofwealth.ItisSivaonlywhocausesbondageandMuktifortheJivas.ItisSivawhomakestheJivasrealisetheiressen

85 tialDivineNature.SivamadeMayaasthebody,s
tialDivineNature.SivamadeMayaasthebody,sensesandtheUniverseandthrusttheJivasintotheMaya.Hecreatedtheideaofegoism,‘I’-nessinthem.HeboundtheminKarmaandmadethemexperiencepleasureandpainaccordingtothenatureoftheirKarmas,virtuousactionsorviciousdeeds.ThisisthestageofbondageoftheJivas.GraduallyitisSivaonlywhoreleasesthemfromthefettersofegoism,KarmaandMayaandmakesthemshineasSiva.ThisisthestateofMokshaorfreedom.ItisonlythroughthegraceofLordSiva,theyattainthestateoffinalemancipation.TheJivashavenoindependence,whentheyareundertheinfluenceofthethreeimpurities,i.e.,Anava,KarmaandMaya.Theyareendowedwithalittleknowledge(Alpajnana).TheJivamustfirstknowhisnatureandhisrelationshipwithLordSivainordertoattainHisgrace.LifeorPranaisinthebody.LordSivaiswithinthePrana.HeisthePranaofPranas,andyetHeisdistinctfromthePranasandbody.IfthereisnoPranainthebody,thebodybecomesacorpse.Itcannotperformanyaction.Sivaisthesupportforthisbody,PranaandJiva.TheJivacannotdoanyactionwithoutSiva.ItisSivawhoilluminestheintellect.Justastheeyecannotseewithoutthelightofthesun,althoughitisendowedwiththepowertosee,soalsotheintellectcannotfunctionwithoutthelightofLordSiva.ThefourSadhanas,viz.,Charya,Kriya,YogaandJnanaarethefourstepstoattainSalvation.Theyarelikethebud,flower,unripefruitandripefruit.LordSivagraduallyfreestheindividualsoulsfromegoism,KarmaandMaya.TheJivasgraduallybecomedisgustedwiththesensualpleasures.Theybecomebalancedinpleasureandpain.ThroughthegraceoftheLordtheyunderstandthatKarmaisthecauseforbirthsanddeaths.TheybegintodoactionsfortheLord,servethedevoteesoftheLordandattainpurityofmind.TheyunderstandthatthesoulorSivaisdistinctfromthebody,sensesandmindandisbeyondthereachofmindandspeech.Theygetinitiationintothesignificanceof‘OmNamahSivaya’,thePanchaksharaMantraandmeditateonSiva.TheypractiseSivaYoga.Theirheartsmelt.Seer,sightandseenvanish.Alltheactivitiesofsenses,mindandintellectcease.TheybatheLordSivawiththestreamofDivineLovethatisgeneratedintheirheartandoffertheirheartasfloweruntotheLord.L

86 ORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Theyhearthesound

ORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Theyhearthesound‘Chilambosai’andmarchforwardthroughthepathofthesoundandbeholdthevisionofNatarajaintheChidakasaandareimmersedintheoceanofSivananda.TheybecomeonewiththeLord,justascamphormeltsinthefire.WorshipofSivaLingaThepopularbeliefisthattheSivaLingamrepresentsthephallusorthevirileorgan,theemblemofthegenerativepowerorprincipleinnature.Thisisnotonlyaseriousmistake,butalsoagraveblunder.Inthepost-Vedicperiod,theLingabecamesymbolicalofthegenerativepoweroftheLordSiva.Lingaisthedifferentiatingmark.Itiscertainlynotthesex-mark.YouwillfindintheLingaPurana:Pradhanamprakritiryadahur-lingamuttamam;Gandhavarnarasairhinam—TheforemostLingawhichisprimaryandisdevoidofsmell,colour,taste,hearing,touch,etc.,isspokenofasPrakriti(Nature).Lingameans‘mark’,inSanskrit.Itisasymbolwhichpointstoaninference.Whenyouseeabigfloodinariver,youinferthattherehadbeenheavyrainsthepreviousday.Whenyouseesmoke,youinferthatthereisfire.ThisvastworldofcountlessformsisaLingaoftheOmnipotentLord.TheSivaLingaisasymbolofLordSiva.WhenyoulookattheLinga,yourmindisatonceelevatedandyoubegintothinkoftheLord.LordSivaisreallyformless.HehasnoformofhisownandyetallformsareHisforms.AllformsarepervadedbyLordSiva.EveryformistheformorLingaofLordSiva.ThereisamysteriouspowerorindescribableSaktiintheLinga,toinduceconcentrationofthemind.Justasthemindisfocussedeasilyincrystal-gazing,soalsothemindattainsone-pointedness,whenitlooksattheLinga.ThatisthereasonwhytheancientRishisandtheseersofIndiahaveprescribedLingaforbeinginstalledinthetemplesofLordSiva.SivaLingaspeakstoyouintheunmistakablelanguageofsilence:“Iamonewithoutasecond,Iamformless”.Pure,pioussoulsonlycanunderstandthislanguage.Acuriouspassionate,impureforeigneroflittleunderstandingorintelligencesayssarcastically:“Oh,theHindusworshipthephallusorsexorgan.Theyareignorantpeople.Theyhavenophilosophy”.WhenaforeignertriestolearnTamilorHindustanilanguage,hefirsttriestopickupsomevulgarwords.Thisishiscuriositynature.Evenso,thecuri

87 ousforeignertriestofindoutsomedefectsint
ousforeignertriestofindoutsomedefectsintheworshipofsymbol.Lingaisonlytheoutwardsymboloftheformlessbeing,LordSiva,whoistheindivisible,all-pervading,eternal,auspicious,ever-pure,immortalessenceofthisvastuniverse,whoistheundyingSoulseatedinthechambersofyourheart,whoisyourIndweller,innermostSelforAtman,andwhoisidenticalwiththeSupremeBrahman.ASivaLingaconsistsofthreeparts,thelowestofwhichistheBrahma-Pitha,themiddleone,theVishnu-Pithaandtheuppermostone,theSiva-Pitha.SomeareSvayambhu-lingas,someareNarmadesvaras.TherearetwelveJyotirlingasandfivePanchaBhutaLingasinIndia.ThetwelveJyotir-lingasare:Kedarnath,KasiVisvanath,Somanath,Baijnath,Ramesvar,Ghrusnesvar,Bhimasankar,Mahakala,Mallikarjuna,Amalesvar,NagesvarandTryambakesvar.ThefivePanchaBhutaLingasare:Kalahastisvar,Jambukesvar,SIVAYOGASADHANA Arunachalesvar,EkambaresvarofKanjivaramandNatarajaofChidambaram.ThetempleofLordMahalingaatTiruvidaimarudurknownalsoasMadhyarjunaisregardedasthegreatSivatempleofSouthIndia.SpatikalingaisalsoasymbolofLordSiva.ThisisprescribedforAradhanaorworshipofLordSiva.Itismadeupofquartz.Ithasnocolourofitsown,buttakesonthecolourofthesubstanceswhichcomeincontactwithit.ItrepresentstheNirgunaBrahmanortheattributelessSupremeSelforformlessandattributelessSiva.Forasinceredevotee,theLingaisnotablockofstone.ItisallradiantTejasorChaitanya.TheLingatalkstohim,makeshimshedprofusetears,produceshorripilationandmeltingofheart,raiseshimabovebody-consciousnessandhelpstocommunewiththeLordandattainNirvikalpaSamadhi.LordRamaworshippedtheSivaLingaatRamesvar.Ravana,thelearnedscholar,worshippedthegoldenLinga.WhatalotofmysticSaktithereshouldbeintheLinga!MayyouallattaintheformlessSivathroughtheworshipoftheLinga,thesymbolofLordSivawhichhelpsconcentrationofmindandwhichservesasapropforthemindtoleanuponinthebeginningfortheneophytes!SivaLingaisChinmayaThelightofconsciousnessmanifestingoutofSadasivais,inreality,theSivalinga.FromHimallthemovingandunmovingcreationstaketheirorigin.HeistheLingaorcauseofeverything.InHim,thewholeworldmergesitse

88 lffinally.TheSivaPuranasays:“Ambama
lffinally.TheSivaPuranasays:“AmbamayamSarvamSivalingaschaChinmayam.”ThesupportorPithamofallisPrakritiorParvati,andLingaisChinmayaPurusha,theeffulgentlightwhichisself-luminous.UnionofPrakritiorParvati,andPurushaorSivalingaisthecauseoftheworld.InSanatkumara-samhitaoftheSivaPurana,LordSivasays:“OParvati,daughterofmountain,thereisnonedearertoMethanthemanwhoworshipsMeintheLinga,knowingthatLingaistheroot-causeofeverythingandknowingtheworldtobeLinga-mayaorChaitanya-maya.”TheLingaislikeanegg.ItrepresentstheBrahmanda(cosmicegg).WhateverthatiscontainedintheBrahmandaisintheLinga.ThewholeworldistheformofLordSiva.TheworldisaLinga.LingaalsoistheformofLordSiva.LingasignifiesthatthecreationiseffectedbytheunionofPrakritiandPurusha.ItmeansLaya,Jnana,Vyapya,Prakasa,Arathaprakasa,Samarthyaandthesymbolwhichdenotestheabovemeaning.Lingameanstheplaceofdissolutionfortheworldandallbeings.ItsignifiesalsoSatya,JnanaandAnanta—Truth,knowledgeandInfinity.ItindicatesthatLordSivaisendowedwithall-pervadingandself-luminousnature.LingaisasymbolwhichmakesusunderstandthevariouskindsofArthawhichareindicatedabove.TherearesixLingas,viz.,AndaLinga,PindaLinga,SadasivaLinga,AtmaLinga,JnanaLingaandSivaLinga.TheseLingasaretakentomeanthecharacteristicsbywhichtheAnda(theUniverse),Pinda(thebody),Sadasiva,etc.,aretoberecognisedandunderstood.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP TheunionofLingawithYoniisarepresentationoftheEternalUnionbetweenthestaticandthedynamicaspectsoftheAbsoluteReality.ThisrepresentstheEternalSpiritualCommunionofthepaternalandthematernalprinciplesfromwhichallthephenomenaldiversitieshaveoriginated.ThisisaneternalcommunionoftheChangelessBeingandtheDynamicPowerorSaktifromwhichallchangesflow.Further,thelowersexualpropensitiesintheaspirantsareeradicatedbythissublimeconception.ThespiritualisationanddivinisationofLingaandYoni,helpstheaspirantstofreethemselvesfromsexualthoughts.Allbasethoughtsgraduallyvanishbyentertainingthisloftyidea.Allsexualrelationsinthisworldarespiritualisedasthemanifestationsof

89 theultimateCreativePrinciple,oftheeterna
theultimateCreativePrinciple,oftheeternalSelf-enjoymentandSelf-multiplicationofLordSivainandthroughHisPowerorSakti.TheunionofLingawithYonisymbolisesthecreationofthisuniversebyLordSivainconjunctionwithHisSaktiorPower.Theso-callededucatedmenofthemodernagehavenospiritualinsightandphilosophicalpenetration.Hence,theycriticisetheunionofLingawithYoniasimmoralandobscene,owingtotheirextremeignoranceandlackofenquiry,deepthinkingandSatsangaorassociationwithsages.Thisishighlydeplorableandlamentableindeed!MayLordgrantwisdomtothesepoorignorantWaytoAttainLordSivaTirumular’sTirumantramisapoeticalwork,saidtobecomposedinthecourseofthreethousandyears.ItdealswiththepracticalandtheoreticalaspectsofSaivareligionandphilosophy.ThetreatmentofPati(LordSiva),Pasu(theindividualsoul)andPasa(attachment)intheoldmethod,isfoundinthisbook.ThefollowingisTirumular’sexpositioninhisTirumantram.GodaloneistheGuruorthespiritualteacher.HeshowsSivaorSat.Sat-GuruisAmbalamorChidakasaSiva.YouwillhavetosearchtheGuruinyourownheart.Knowledge,devotion,purityandSiddhisareobtainedthroughthegraceoftheGuru.Thegracedescendsinvirtuousaspirantswhohavepurity,dispassion,etc.ThethirstingaspirantshouldgethelpfromGuruParam.GuruParamimpartsspiritualinstructionstotheaspirant.ThenSuddhaGuruconfersuponhimDivineGrace.WhentheaspirantobtainstheDivineGrace,hegetsseveralpowers,purity,thepowertoknowtheMantras,higherSiddhis,etc.ThentheSat-GururevealshimselfintheChidakasa,breaksthethreebonds,viz.,Anava(egoism),Karma(action)andMaya(illusion)andhelpshimtoentertheillimitabledomainofMokshaorsupremeabodeofeternalbliss.SivaGurupresentshimselflateronandmanifestsSat,AsatandSadasat.WhentheJivaattainsthisfinalknowledge,hebecomesSivahimself.TheGuruwhopresentshimselfintheearlierandlaterstages,isSivahimself.ThedevoteeattainsthegraceoftheLordwhenhemeditatesonHiminthechambersofhisheart,inthespacebetweenthetwoeyebrowsandinthehead.TheholyfeetoftheLordarehighlyeulogised.Tirumularsays:“TheholyfeetofmyLordareMantra,beautyandtruth.”SIVAYOGASADHAN

90 A Jneyaorthatwhichistobeknown,isSivaAnan
A Jneyaorthatwhichistobeknown,isSivaAnandawhichisaproductofSivaandHisgrace,Sakti.TheJnata(knower)istheindividualsoulorJiva.HeknowsSivabyabidinginSivaAnandaandobtainsJnanaorknowledge.MokshaistheattainmentofSivaAnanda.HewhoattainsMokshawillattainsupremeknowledgeofSiva.HewhogetsestablishedinSivaAnandawillattainknowledgeandMoksha(thefinalemancipation).TheJivawhoknowsSivaAnandadwellsforeverinit.HeattainsSivaandSaktiinSivaAnanda.HeisendowedwithtrueknowledgewhichisreallyunionofSivaandSakti.LordSivashowsthepathwhichleadsontoMoksha,totheaspirantwhoisendowedwithdispassion,non-attachment,renunciation,whopraisesHimalwaysandperformsregularworship.ThedevoteeofLordSivagetsstrengthtoresistthetemptationsoftheworldandofIndra,throughhisTapasorausterity.HedoesnotcareatallforthecelestialpleasuresofferedbyIndra.HeisquitecontentedwiththesupremeblissattainedthroughunionwithLordSiva.WhentheSadhakadoesrigorousausteritiesandpractisesconcentration,heattainsseveralpowers.IndraandotherDevasgetterriblyafraidthattheywilllosetheirposition.Hence,theyputseveralobstaclesonhispathandtempthiminavarietyofwaysbyofferingcelestialcar,damselsandvarioussortsofcelestialpleasures.ButthefirmSadhakastandsadamant.Heneveryieldsandmarchesdirecttothegoal,viz.,Siva-PadaortheImmortalseatofeternalBliss.Hewhoyieldsgetsadownfall.Visvamitrahadadownfall.SageTirumularsays:“Abandonprideoflearning.Introspect.Lookwithin.YouwillbefirmlyestablishedinSiva.Nothingwillshakeyou.Youwillbefreedfromthetrammelsofbirthsanddeaths.”SaivaSiddhantateachesAdvaitaonly.ItisSivaAdvaita.GreatnessofthePrasadPrasadisthatwhichgivespeace.DuringKirtan,worship,Puja,HavanandArati,Badam,Kismis,milk,sweets,fruitsareofferedtotheLord.PujaisdonebyBaelleaves,flowers,Tulsi,Vibhuti,andthesearegivenasPrasad,fromtheLord.TheyarechargedwithmysteriouspowersbythechantingofMantrasduringPujaandHavan.Prasadisagreatpurifier.Prasadisapanacea.Prasadisaspiritualelixir.PrasadistheGraceoftheLord.PrasadisanembodimentofSakti.Prasadisdivinityinmanifestation.Manysincereaspirant

91 sgetwonderfulexperiencesfromPrasadalone.
sgetwonderfulexperiencesfromPrasadalone.Manyincurablediseasesarecured.Prasadenergises,vivifies,invigoratesandinfusesdevotion.Itshouldbetakenwithgreatfaith.LiveforaweekinBrindavan,PandharpurorBanares.YouwillrealisethegloryandmiraculouseffectsofPrasad.Prasadbestowsgoodhealth,longlife,peaceandprosperityonall.GlorytoPrasad,thebestowerofpeaceandbliss.GlorytotheLordofthePrasad.Giverofimmortalityandundyinghappiness.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP isthePrasadofLordSiva,tobeappliedontheforehead.Asmallportioncanbetakenin.isthePrasadofSriDeviorSakti,tobeappliedatthespacebetweentheeyebrows(AjnaorBhrumadhya).isthePrasadofLordVishnu,RamaorKrishna,nottobetakenin.Badam,Kismis,sweets,fruits,etc.,aretobetakenin.AllthesePrasadsaregivenonallimportantreligiousfunctions.BenefitofPilgrimageYouwillfindadescriptionofOertel’streatmentinbooksonmedicine,forcertaincardiacaffections(heart-troubles).Thepatientisaskedtoclimbuphillsslowly.So,theKailasatrip,besidesthespiritualbenefit,removesmanykindsofminorheart-troubles.Theheartisinvigoratedandstrengthened.Thewholecardiac-vascular,nervous,pulmonary,alimentary,integumentarysystemsarethoroughlyoverhauledandpurified.ThereisnonecessityforKuhne’ssteambath.Youperspireprofuselyduringthemarch.Thewholebodyisfilledwithfresh,oxygenatedblood.Thegentlebreezeblowingfromthetallpinetreesallover,surchargedwithnaturaloilofpine,disinfectsthelungsandaconsumptiveiscuredofphthisiswhenhereturns.Theexcessivefatisreduced.AKailastripisthebesttreatmentforreductionofobesityincorpulentpersons.Manykindsofstomachtroubles,uricacidtroublesandvarioussortsofskindiseasesarecured.Youwillnotgetanydiseaseforaperiodof12years,asyouarechargedwithnewelectrons,newatoms,newcells,newmoleculesandnewnucleiwithrenovatedprotoplasm.ThisisnoArthavada(glorification).Yougettwobirdsbythrowingonestone.TheKailastripbringsspiritualblessingsandgoodhealth.Hail!HailtoSambhu,theLordSivawhodwellsinKailaswithHisSakti,Parvati,whogivesMuktitoHisdevoteesandwhoisknownbythedifferentnames,Hara,Sadasiva,Mahadeva,Nataraja,San

92 kara,etc.ThegoaloflifeisGod-realisationw
kara,etc.ThegoaloflifeisGod-realisationwhichonlycanfreeusfromthemiseriesofSamsara,thewheelofbirthanddeath.Theperformanceofthedailyobligatoryrites,Nitya-NaimittikaKarmas,Yatras,etc.,unselfishly,leadstotheacquisitionofvirtue.Thisleadstothedestructionofsin,whichinturnresultsinthepurificationofthemind.ThispurificationofthemindleadstothecomprehensionofthetruenatureofSamsaraorrelativeexistence,itsfalseandworthlessnature.FromthisresultsVairagya(renunciation),whicharousesadesireforliberation.Fromthisdesireresultsavigilantsearchforitsmeans.Fromitcomestherenunciationofallactions.Thence,thepracticeofYoga,whichleadstoahabitualtendencyofthemindtosettleintheAtmanorBrahman.ThisresultsintheknowledgeofthemeaningofsuchSrutipassagesas‘TatTvamAsi’,whichdestroystheAvidya(ignorance),thusleadingtotheestablishmentinone’sownself.ThusyouseethatYatralikeKailastripisaParamparaSadhanaforGod-realisation,asitcausesChittaSuddhiandNididhyasana.DhyanaisadirectSadhana.Householderswhoareshutupintheworldamidstvarioussortsofcaresandanxieties,findagreatreliefinaYatra.TheirmindsgetquiterefreshedbyaYatra.Further,duringthetraveltheycomeacrossSadhusandSannyasins.TheycanhavegoodSatsanga.Theycancleartheirdoubts.TheycangetvarioussortsofhelpfromtheminspiritualSadhana.ThatisthemainobjectofYatra.SIVAYOGASADHANA Letmebringtoyourmemory,oncemore,thelastwordoftheVedas,Upanishads—‘TatTvamAsi’,mydearreaders.OmTatSat,OmSanti,Peacebeuntoallbeings.BenefitsofParikramaParikramaisthedevoutperambulationorPradakshinaaroundasacredandholyspot.Thisiseitheramountainpeak,asacredTirtha,aplaceofpilgrimageoranentirearearegardedasholyandsanctifiedbytradition.Thispracticeofmakingacircuitisordinarilydoneatanytime,andespeciallyundertakenbydevoteesenmasseatparticularperiodsduringtheyear.WhendoneonasmallerscalewithinasmallambitasroundaMurtiinstalledinashrine,roundthesacredTulsiplantorPipaltree,theperambulationisincommonparlancetermed‘Pradakshina.’AParikramaalsodoubtlessconstitutesPradakshina,butbyconvention,i

93 tiscometorefermainlytobigcircuit.Moredif
tiscometorefermainlytobigcircuit.MoredifficultformsofParikramaareinvogue.AdditionalmeasuresinvolvinggreaterphysicalexertionandstrainarecombinedwithParikrama.Somelaythemselvesfullystretcheduponthegroundandrollalongovertheentireroute.Someothersproceedslowlyprostratingfulllengthateverythreeortensteps;stillotherswalkstepbystep,placingonefootincloseproximitytotheotherandcoverthewholedistanceofParikrama;andothersdothecircuitthemselvesgyratinginacontinuousAtma-Pradakshina.Allthesedifficultfeaturesareadoptedbydevoteesattimesasspecialpenance,orinaccordancewithsomevowpreviouslymade,orasspontaneousexpressionoftheirzealorfervour.Yourmentalattitudeandmotivewillbestowonyouthehighest,maximumspiritualgood.UndauntedYatrisintheicyHimalayasdothedifficultParikramaofMountKailasandevenlongercircuitofLakeManasasarovar.OtherYatriscompletearoundofentireUttarakhand,indoingtheKedar-Badri-Yatrabygoingviaonerouteandreturningviaanother,aftercirclingtheFaroffintheSouth,piousdevoteesmakePradakshinaoftheholyArunachalaatTiruvannamalai.RamaBhaktasandKrishnaPremisgoroundChitrakutaParvata,Ayodhya,Brij,Brindavan,GovardhanaandBadrinath.ThedeepsignificanceofParikramaliesinthefactthatthedevoteeconsidersnotthephysicalaspectoftheplace,hillorTirtha,butthespiritualpoweritsymbolisesandtheDivinePresencethatismanifestedandfeltthroughit.ThroughtheLord’srevelationinthetenthchapteroftheBhagavad-Gita,youwillunderstandhowmuchspecialplacesaresaturatedwiththeDivinePresence.Bytheferventattitudeoffaithandveneration,youmakeyourselffullyreceptivetotheinflowofthespiritualvibrationsoftheholyplace.Thesepowerfulspiritualcurrentsenterandpurifyallthesheaths,grossandsubtle,destroyingbadVasanasandSamskaras.TamasandRajasarereduced.TheconcentratedinfluenceofSattvaawakensthedormantspiritualtendencies.ByParikrama,thedevoteedrinksdeeptheDivineatmospherepervadingtheplaceandcomesoutofthisspiritualpathsteepedinSattvicvibrations.ThisistheinnerworkingandsignificanceofdoingLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Beingagreatpurifier,itisenjoinedonalldevoteesasame

94 thodofpenanceorTapascharyabywisetraditio
thodofpenanceorTapascharyabywisetraditionandconvention.Itisanactofgreatspiritualbenefitandreligiousmerittoo.Thedevoteetakesbath,wearscleanclothes,smearsTilakorsacredashandwearsTulsiorRudrakshaMalaandstartswithGod’snameonhislips.OntheParikramaroute,yougainvaluableSatsangabymeetingSadhusandSannyasinslivingthere.Yoursinsaredestroyedbytakingbathinsacredrivers(onbigParikramas)orpondsandKunds.YouareelevatedandblessedbyDarsanaofmanyholyshrinessituatedontheway.Youdeveloppatienceandenduranceputtingupwithvariousdiscomfortsinthesunorrainorcold.DifficultParikramasmeangivingupmanydeararticlestowhichthemindisattached.YouhaveyourmindfreedfromallthoughtsandyouareabsorbedintheoneideaoftheDivinepresence.AdevoutlyconductedParikramaconstitutesinonesingleactatripleSadhanaelevatingyourbody,mindandspirit.ThespiritualvibrationsoftheholyplacesofpilgrimageandshrinespurifyyourbaseAsuricVrittisandfillyouwithSattvaandpurity.YouneednotgoinforSatsanga.Mahapurushascometoyouoftheirownaccord.TheyarealwaysinsearchofrealandsincereSadhakas.Therefore,theyalsoremaininholyplaceslikeBadri,Kedar,Kailas,Hardwar,Brindavan,Mathura,etc.BlessedindeedarethosewhotakepartinParikrama,becausetheywillsoonattainpeace,blissandimmortality!GlorytoLordRama,theLordofAyodhya!GlorytoKrishnatheIndwellerofallhearts,whosespecialseatisBrindavan!GlorytoBhaktas!Maytheirblessingsbeuponyouall!RealFlowerandAratiThetowerofatemplerepresentsBrahmarandhra.BalipitharepresentsthenavelorManipuraChakra.NandirepresentsAjnaChakra.DhvajastambharepresentsSushumnaNadiwhichrunsfromMuladharatoBrahmarandhra.Dig-devatadwellsintheears,Vayuintheskin,Sunintheeyes,Varunainthetongue,Asvinsinthenose,Vishnuinthefeet,Indrainthehands,Agniinthespeech,Prajapatiinthegenerativeorgan,Yamaintheanus,SutratmaninthePrana,HiranyagarbhainAntahkarana,Chandrainmind,Brahmaintheintellect,Rudrainegoism,SivainChitta,Sarasvatiintheendofthetongue,ParvatiinAnahataChakra,LakshmiinManipuraChakra,GanesainMuladharaandSatchidanandaBrahmaninBrahmarandhraatthecrownofthehead.Satya,Ahimsa,T

95 apas,mercy,love,self-restraint,contentme
apas,mercy,love,self-restraint,contentment,forgiveness,Jnana,equalvision,peacearetherealflowersofPuja.AlltheNadasarethewatersforAbhisheka.Thevirtuousactionsaretheofferingofincense.VedantaisPitambar.JnanaandYogaaretheKundalas.Tapasandmeditationarethelights.JapaisChamara.Anahataisthemusic.Kirtanisumbrella.Pranayamaisthefan.TattvasaretheattendantsoftheLord.Jnana-SaktiistheDevi.Agamaisthecommander.TheeightSiddhisarethedoor-keepersoftheLord.TuriyaistheBhasma.VedaisthebullorNandi.KalyanaGunasrepresenttheTridentinthehand.Panchaksharaistheholythread.SuddhaJivaistheornament.TheVrittisarethePujopakaranas.ThePanchabhutasandthefiveTanmatrasaretheRudrakshamalasofLordSiva.TigerskinrepresentsAhankara.SIVAYOGASADHANA Kriya-SaktiandvirtuousactionsareDhupaorincensefortheLord.Chit-SaktiwhichproducesknowledgeisalsoDhupa.Offeringoftheegoandthemindatthelotus-feetoftheLordisrealNaivedya.Justascamphormeltsandbecomesonewiththefire,soalsothemindofasagemeltsandtheindividualsoulgetsmergedintheSupremeSoul.ThisisrealKarpuraArati. ChapterXTHESAIVAUPANISHADSRudraoftheUpanishadsSomeignorantpersonsthinkthatRudraisamalevolent,terrificdeitywhocausesdestruction.TheybelievethatRudraisaGodofpunishment.Itisnotso.RudraistheGodwhobestowsprosperityanddestroyssuffering.HeisabenevolentDeitywhoconfersauspiciousness,offspringandcattle.Heisthebringerorsourceofprosperity.SivaorRudrameansHewhoremovessinorsuffering.ThenamesBhava,Sarva,Pasupati,Ugra,Mahadeva,IsanaandAsaniareappliedtoRudra.PasupatimeanstheLordorProtectorofIntheVedasyouwillfindprayerssuchas:“ORudra!Mayweincreaseinoffspring”.“Thou,ORudra,artthemosteminentofbeings,thestrongestofthestrong,wielderofthethunderbolt;protectus,carryushappilyacrossourcalamity,driveawayallevils”.“Removefromuswhateversinswehavedone.”Therefore,Rudraisnotaterror-inspiringGod,butabestowerofwelfareorprosperity.HeistheonegreatLordoftheUniverse.Rudraistheidealofmendicants,becauseRudraalone,ofallthedeities,isspokenofinthescripturesasthemendicant-God.Heismentioneda

96 shaving,theasceticwater-potintheRigvedaY
shaving,theasceticwater-potintheRigvedaYouwillfindintheSvetasvataraUpanishad,chapterIII:“ThereisoneRudraonlywhorulesalltheworldsbyHispowers.ThereisnoonebesidesHimwhocanmakeHimthesecond.Heispresentinsidetheheartsofallbeings.HecreatesalltheworldsandmaintainsandfinallywithdrawsthemintoHimself”.RudrarepresentshereParaBrahmanortheSupremeSelf,theInfiniteortheAbsolute.Rudra,afterhavingcreatedallobjects,drawstogetherortakesthemallbackintoHimselfattheendoftime,i.e.,duringcosmicPralayaordissolution.RudraisthedestructiveaspectofSiva.ThereareelevenRudrasinthecosmichierarchy.Esoterically,thePranas(orthetensenses)andthemindrepresenttheelevenRudras.SriHanumanisamanifestationoraspectofRudraonly.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP InSiva-Purana,RudraisanothernameforSiva.RudraisonewhodestroysthesinsandremovesthemiseriesofHisdevoteesandconfersonthemwisdomandbliss.RudraistheAntaryaminorindwellerofallbeings.Hewitnessessilentlytheactionsandthoughtsofmenanddispensesthefruitsoftheiractions.“ThatoneGod,havingHiseyes,Hisface,Hisarmsandfeetineveryplace,whenproducingheavenandearth,forgesthemtogetherwithHisarmsandHiswings”.MayRudra,thecreatorandsupporterofthegods,thegreatseer,theLordofall,whocreatedatfirstHiranyagarbha,endowuswithgoodthought(pureintellect).“Rudra,withThyformwhichisauspicious,whichisnotdreadful,andwhichmanifestswhatisholy,withthatall-blessedform,appeartous,ODwelleramongthemountains”.RudrakshaJabalaUpanishadHaftOm!IpraisetheEffulgentStateofAbsolutePeace,belongingtoSriMaharudra,whichistobeknownthroughtheRudrakshaJabalaUpanishad.BhusundaquestionedLordKalagnirudra:WhatisthebeginningofRudrakshabeads?Whatisthebenefitofwearingthemonthebody?LordKalagnirudraansweredhimthus:IclosedmyeyesforthesakeofdestroyingtheTripuraAsuras.Frommyeyesthusclosed,dropsofwaterfellontheearth.ThesedropsoftearsturnedintoRudrakshas.Bythemereutteranceofthenameof‘Rudraksha’,oneacquiresthebenefitofgivingtencowsincharity.Byseeingandtouchingit,oneattainsdoublethatbenefit.Iamunabletopraiseitanymore

97 .Iclosedmyeyesonethousandcelestialyears.
.Iclosedmyeyesonethousandcelestialyears.Thenfrommyeyelids,dropsofwaterdroppeddownandattainedthestateofimmobilityforblessingthedevotedpersons.ThisRudrakshadestroysthedevotees’sinsthatarecommittedbothnightandday,bywearingit.BymerevisionoftheRudraksha,thebenefitwillbesay,alac.Butbywearingthem,itwillbeacrore.Why,itwillbeequaltohundredcrores.ButitwillbeathousandlacsofcroresandhundredlacsofcrorestimespowerfulwhenonedoesJapawithRudrakshaandwearsitatalltimes.AmongRudrakshas,oneasbigasAmalaka(myrobalan),isconsideredtobethebest.OneasbigastheBadarifruit(Indianberry)isconsideredtobeofthemiddlesort.ButthatasbigasChana(Bengalgram)isconsideredtobetheworstofall.ThisismyideaaboutthesizeofRudrakshabeads.THESAIVAUPANISHADS Thefourkindsofpeople,Brahmins,Kshatriyas,VaisyasandSudrasarebornasmerelyaworthlessburdenontheearth.TherealBrahministhewhiteRudraksha.TheredisaKshatriya.TheyellowisaVaisya.AndtheblackisaSudra.Therefore,aBrahminshouldwearwhiteRudrakshas,aKshatriyathered,aVaisyatheyellowandaSudratheblack.OneshouldusethoseRudraksha-beadswhicharenice,handsome,strong,big,auspiciousandthorny.Oneshouldavoidthoseeatenbyworms,broken,withoutthorns,andhavingsores.Theself-holedRudrakshaisofthebestvariety.Butthatwhichisholedbyman’sattempt,isconsideredtobeworse.ThosebestRudrakshasshouldbestrunginwhitethread.AworshipperofSivashouldwearRudrakshaalloverthebody.Heshouldwearonebeadonthecrest,threehundredroundthehead,thirty-sixroundtheneck,sixteenroundeacharm,twelveroundthechestandfivehundredroundthewaist.HeshouldwearaYajnopavitaconsistingofonehundredandeightbeadsofRudrakshas.Heshouldweartwo,three,fiveorsevenMalasofRudraksharoundtheneck.ASiva-BhaktashouldwearRudrakshasroundhiscrown,ear-ring,chain,roundtheear,armlet,atalltimes,andspeciallyroundthestomach,irrespectiveofthefactwhetherheissleeping,drinking,etc.Ifthedevoteewearsthreehundredbeads,itistheworst,ifhewearsfivehundreditwillbemedium,butonethousandwillbethebestofall.Thedevotee,whenwearingRudrakshasonthehead,shouldrepeathisIshtaMantra,andwhenweari

98 ngthemroundtheneck,shouldrepeattheTat-Pu
ngthemroundtheneck,shouldrepeattheTat-PurushaMantraandwhenwearingroundthethroat,shouldrepeattheAghoraMantra.ThesameMantra(Aghora)shouldberecitedwhenwearingroundthechestalso.HeshouldwearthemroundthearmswiththeAghoraBijaMantra.ThenagainBhusundaaskedLordKalagnirudra:WhatarethedifferentformsandeffectsofRudrakshabeads?Pleasetellmeaboutthesecretoftheseblessedonesincludingtheirvariousfaces,whichisthemeansofgettingridofallevil.LordKalagnirudrasaid:ThebeadwithonefaceisoftheformoftheSupremeTruth.Adisciplinedone(controllinghissenses)mingleshimselfwiththeoneEternalTruth,afterwearingtheseRudrakshas.(ThefollowingisalistofdifferentfacesofRudrakshasandtheireffects).LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP FacesFormEffectofwearing1.SupremeTruthAttainmentofEternity2.ArdhanarisvaraGraceofArdhanarisvara3.TretagniGraceofAgni4.BrahmaGraceofBrahma5.Pancha-BrahmasDestructionofhomicidesin6.KarttikeyaorGanesaAttainmentofChitta-SuddhiandJnana7.SaptamalaAttainmentofgoodhealthandwealthAshtamatras(AshtaVasus)orGangaGraceoftheseDevatasandbecomingtruthful9.Nava-SaktisGraceofNava-SaktisorninePowers10.YamaAttainmentofPeace.11.EkadasaRudrasIncreaseofallkindsofwealth12.Mahavishnuor12AdityasAttainmentofMoksha13.CupidAttainmentoffulfillingdesiresandgraceofCupid14.RudraDestructionofalldiseasesOnewhowearsRudrakshas,shouldnotuseintoxicants,meat,garlic,onions,carrotsandallsuchprohibitedthings.BywearingRudrakshasduringeclipses,Vishusankranti(theendofMinaandbeginningofMeshaMasa),newmoon,fullmoonandothersuchauspiciousdays,oneisfreedofallsins.ThebaseoftheRudrakshabeadisBrahma,itsnavelisVishnu,itsfaceisRudraanditsholeconsistsofallgods.OnedaySanatkumaraaskedKalagnirudra:“OLord!TellmetherulesforwearingRudrakshas”.AtthattimeNidagha,Jadabharata,Dattatreya,Katyayana,Bharadvaja,Kapila,Vasishtha,Pippalada,etc.,cametoKalagnirudra.ThenLordKalagnirudraaskedthemwhytheyallhadcomeinagroup.TheyallansweredthattheycametohearthemethodofwearingRudrakshas.Kalagnirudrasaid:ThosethatarebornoutofRudra’sAkshis(eyes)arecalledRudrakshas.Whentheseb

99 eadsareevenoncetouchedbyhand,oneattainst
eadsareevenoncetouchedbyhand,oneattainsthegloryofgivingincharitytwoTHESAIVAUPANISHADS thousandcowsatatime.Whentheyareworninears,hegetstheeffectofgivingouteleventhousandcowsincharity.HealsoattainsthestateoftheelevenRudras.Whenthebeadsarewornonthehead,onehasthebenefitofgivingacroreofcowsincharity.Ofalltheseplaces,Iamunabletotellyouthebenefitwhenwornintheears.WhoeverstudiesthisRudrakshaJabalaUpanishad,beheaboyorayouth,becomesgreat.HebecomestheGuruofallandtheteacherofallMantras.HavanandArchanashouldbedonewiththeseMantras(oftheUpanishad).ThatBrahminwhorecitesthisUpanishadintheevening,destroysthesinscommittedduringdaytime;whorecitesatnoon,destroysthesinsofsixbirths;whorecitesinthemorningandevening,destroysthesinsofmanybirths.HeattainsthesamebenefitofdoingsixthousandlacsofGayatriJapa.HebecomespurifiedfromallsinsofkillingaBrahmin,drinkingtoddy,stealinggold,approachingGuru’swife,havingintercoursewithher,speakingwithcorruptedperson,etc.Hegetsthebenefitsofallpilgrimagesandriver-baths.HeattainsSiva-sayujya.Hedoesnotcomeback(torebirth).BhasmaJabalaUpanishadIamthatAbsoluteBrahmanonlywhich,afterbeingunderstoodinitstrueaspect(asonewiththisAtman),entirelyburnsintoashes(Bhasma)theignorance(illusionorMaya)ofconsideringthisuniversetobeexisting(real)andseparatefromone’sownSelf,throughthedestructivefireof(Supreme)Knowledge!OnceBhusunda,adescendantofJabaliwenttotheKailasPeakandprostratedbeforeLordMahadevaSiva,whoistheformofOmkaraandwhoisbeyondthetrinityofBrahma,VishnuandBhusundaworshippedSivawithgreatdevotionagainandagainthroughfruits,flowersandleaves.ThenhequestionedLordSiva:“Lord!KindlyimparttometheessentialknowledgeofalltheVedas,embodyingtheprocessandtechniqueofusingtheBhasma(sacredash),becauseitistheonlymeansforattainingLiberation.WhatistheBhasmamadeof?Whereshoulditbeapplied?WhataretheMantrastoberecited?Whoarethepersonsfittedforthis?Whataretherulesregardingit?Kindlyinstructme,bornfromdepressedclass.”ThekindLordParamesvarasaid:Atfirstthedevoteeafterunderstandingtheinfluenc

100 eofthecelestialsattheprescribedtime,shou
eofthecelestialsattheprescribedtime,shouldfetchsomesacredandpurecow-dungearlyinthemorning,keepitintheleafofaPalasa-treeandthendryitwiththeVedicMantra‘Tryambakam’etc.(inthesun).Thenheshouldburnthatdrycow-dung,placedinaconvenientplace,withanyfirethatisavailable,accordingtotheruleslaiddownintheGrihyaSutrasofhissect,andthenpourAhutisofseasamumandpaddytogetherwithghee,withtheMantra‘SomayaSvaha’.ThenumberofAhutisLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP shouldbe1008,orifpossible,11/2timesthis.Theinstrumentsforpouringgheeshouldbemadeofleaf;inthatcasemandoesnotcommitanysin.Then,attheend,thedevoteeshouldoffertheoblationofSveshtakrutaatthetimeofPurna-Ahuti,withtheMantra‘Tryambakam’etc.WiththesameMantraBali(anoffering)shouldbeplacedintheeightdirections(ofthefire).ThatBhasmashouldbesprinkledwithwaterbytheGayatriMantra.Thenthatsacredashshouldbeplacedinagold,silver,copperorearthenvesselandsprinkledagainwiththeRudraMantras.Itshouldthenbekeptinacleananddecentplace.ThenthedevoteeshouldhonourtheBrahminswithagrandfeast.Thenonlyhewillbecomepurified.ThenheshouldtaketheBhasmafromthevesselwiththePancha-Brahma-Mantras,‘Manastoka’,‘SadyoJatam’,etc.,andwiththeideathat‘fireisBhasma,airisBhasma,waterisBhasma,earthisBhasma,etherisBhasma,godsareBhasma,RishisareBhasma,allthisuniverseandexistenceareBhasma;IprostratetothissacredandpurifyingBhasmawhichdestroysallmysins.’Thus,thedevoteeshouldkeepalittleBhasmawiththedecentlefthandsaying,‘Vamadevaya’(thisistoVamadeva)sprinklingwiththeMantra‘Tryambakam’etc.,andcleaningitwiththeMantra‘Suddhamsuddhena’etc.Thenheshouldfilteritnicely.Thenheshouldapplyitfromheadtofoot,withthefiveBrahma-Mantras.Withthefirstfinger,middlefingerandringfinger,heshouldapplythesametothemiddleoftheheadsaying‘tothehead’and‘OBhasma!ThouhastcomefromAgni!’PlaceswhereBhasmaistobeappliedMantratobeused1.ForeheadTryambakametc.2.NeckNilagrivayaetc.3.RightsideofneckTryayushametc.4.CheeksVamaetc.5.EyesKalayaetc.

101 6.EarsTrilochanayaetc.7.FaceSrinavamaetc
6.EarsTrilochanayaetc.7.FaceSrinavamaetc.8.ChestPrabravamaetc.9.NavelAtmaneetc.10.BelowrightshoulderNabhihetc.THESAIVAUPANISHADS 11.MiddleofrightshoulderBhavayaetc.12.RightsideofchestRudrayaetc.13.BackofrightarmSarvayaetc.14.BelowleftshoulderPasupatayeetc.15.MiddleofleftshoulderUgrayaetc.16.MiddleofleftarmAgrevadhayaetc.17.BackofleftarmDurevadhayaetc.18.ArmpitsNamoHantreetc.19.AllpartsSankarayaetc.ThedevoteeshouldthenprostratetoSivawiththeMantra‘Somaya’etc.Heshouldwashthehandsanddrinkthatash-waterwiththeMantra‘ApahPunantu’etc.Thewatershouldneverbespiltdownfromanycause.Thus,thispracticeofBhasmadharanashouldbedoneinthemorning,noonandevening.Ifhedoesnotdothis,hewillbecomefallen.ThisverythingistheprescribedDharmaofallBrahmins.WithouthavingBhasmadharanainthisfashion,heshouldnevertakeanyfood,wateroranythingelse.Accidentallyifthispracticeisforgotten,thatday,Gayatrishouldnotberepeated.NoYajnashouldbedoneonthatday;noTarpanashouldbeofferedtogods,RishisorPitrus.ThisistheeternalDharmathatdestroysallsinsandgivesthefinalstateofMoksha.ThisisthedailyriteofBrahmins,Brahmacharins,Grihasthas,VanaprasthasandSannyasins.Ifthisisoverlookedevenonce,heshouldstandinwateruptotheneck,repeatingGayatri108times,andfastthewholeday.IfaSannyasindoesnotwearBhasma,evenasingleday,heshouldfastduringthewholedayanddo1000PranavaJapa,forbeingpurifiedonceagain.Otherwise,theLordwillthrowtheseSannyasinstodogsandwolves.IncasethiskindofBhasmaisnotavailable,anyotherBhasmathatmaybeathandshouldbeusedwiththeprescribedMantras.Thiskindofpracticeshalldestroyanykindofsinthatmaybecommittedbyman.ThenagainBhusundaaskedSiva:WhatarethedailyritestobeperformedbyaBrahmin,byneglectingwhichhewillcommitasin?Whoistobethenmeditatedupon?Whoistoberemembered?Howtomeditate?Wheretopracticethis?Pleasetellmeindetail.TheLordansweredallinanutshell:Firstofallthedevoteeshouldgetupearlyinthemorningbeforesunrise,andafterfinishingthepurificatoryactions,shouldtakehisbath.HeshouldcleanthebodywiththeRudraSuktas.Thenheshouldwearacleanclo

102 th.Afterthis,heshouldLORDSIVAANDHISWORSH
th.Afterthis,heshouldLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP meditateonthesun-godandapplyBhasmatoalltheprescribedpartsofthebody.HeshouldthenwearwhiteRudraksha,asprescribed.SomeprescribethefollowingwayofapplyingBhasma:PlacesNo.oftimes(lines)1.Head402.Chest1or33.Ears114.Neck325.Arms16each6.Throat12eachside7.Thumbs6eachThenthedevoteeshouldobserveSandhyawiththeKusagrassinhishand.HeshoulddoJapaofeitherSiva-ShadaksharaorSiva-Ashtakshara.‘OmNamahSivaya’and‘OmNamoMahadevaya’arethetwoMantras.Thisisthehighesttruthandthegreatestinstruction.ImyselfamthatGreatLordSiva,Godofallgods,theSupremeControllerofalltheuniverses.IamthatImpersonalBrahman,IamOmkara,IamtheCreator,PreserverandDestroyerofall.ThroughMyterroronly,allareworkingproperly.Iamthisworldandthefiveelements.IamtheHighestTruththatexists,theBrahmanoftheUpanishads.ThisisthegreatestVidya.IamtheonlygiverofMoksha.HenceallpeoplecometoMeforfinalhelp.ThatiswhyIabsorbintoMyBeingthosecreatureswholeavetheirPranasatBanareswhichisstandingatthetopofMyTrisula(trident).Therefore,everyoneshouldperformpenanceatBanaresonly.Banaresshouldnotbeneglectedunderanycircumstance.EverybodyshouldtrytoliveatBanaresasfaraspossible.NoplaceisbetterthanBanares.EvenatBanares,themostcelebratedisthetempleofSiva,whereintheEast,thereistheplaceofWealth,intheSouth,theplaceofVichara,intheWest,theplaceofVairagyaandintheNorth,theplaceofJnana.Thereinthemiddle,I,theEternalSpiritshouldbeworshipped.ThatLingaatBanares,isnotilluminedbythesun,moonorthestars.Thatself-luminousLingacalled‘Visvesvara’hasitsrootinPathala.ThatisMyself.IshouldbeworshippedbyonewhowearsthesacredBhasmaandRudrakshasintheprescribedmanner.IshalldeliverhimfromallsinsandByperformingMyAbhisheka,heattainsMySayujyastate.NothingexistsotherthanMyself.IinitiateallwiththeTarakaMantra.ThosewhowantMuktishouldliveatBanares.Iwilltakecareofthem.IamtheLordofBrahma,VishnuandRudra.ThemostcorruptmanorwomanwillattainMoksha,ifheorshediesatBanares.Othersinnerswillbefriedinburningpitsoflivecoalsafterdeath.Therefore,ever

103 ybodyshouldtrytoliveatBanareswhichisMyPr
ybodyshouldtrytoliveatBanareswhichisMyPranalingaItself.THESAIVAUPANISHADS IpraisethatSupremeTruthwhichisKnowledgeAbsolute,whichistobeknownthroughtheVidyaoftheTripura-Tapini-Upanishad.TheLordassumedtheformofdestructiveferociousnessandthenHecoveredHimselfalloverthethreeworlds,Bhuh,BhuvahandSvah.ThenHehadthatpoweroftheAdi-Sakti,i.e.,theAdi-SaktiburstoutfromHisheart.ThisistheSakticalledtheMayaofSivaandSheisunderstoodbythefundamentalsyllable‘Hrim’.ThewholeuniversewasthencoveredbythisSakti.SinceShecoveredthethreeworldsorTripuras,Shehasbeenstyledas‘Tripura’.ThisTripuraSaktihasthefollowingVidyacalledSriVidyawhichcanbederivedfromthefollowingVedicMantras:t:ts:ev:t:Øv:ürðNy:öB:g::ðüdðv:sy:D:im:eh.eD:y::ðy::ðn:H)c::ðdy:at:Î.p:r:ðrj:s:ðs:av:d:ðm:Î.j:at:v:ðds:ðs:Øn:v:am:s::ðm:m:rat:iy:t::ðen:dhaet:v:ðdH.s:n:Hp:\:üdet:dÙg:aüeN:ev:Ã:an:av:ðv:es:nD:ØödÙert:aty:egn:H..*y:öb:köy:j:am:hðs:Øg:enD:öp:ØeÄv:D:ün:m:Î.Uv:aü,kem:v:b:nD:n:anm:àty::ðm:Øüx:iy:m:a|m:àt:at:Î..tatsaviturvareõyaübhargodevasyadhãmahi|dhiyoyonaþpracodayàt|parorajasesàvadom|jàtavedasesunavàmasomamaràtãyatonidahàtivedaþ|sanaþparùadatidurgàõivi÷vànàvevasindhuüduritàtyagniþ||tryaübakaüyajàmahesugandhiüpuùñivardhanam|Ã¥rvàrukamivabandhanànmçtyormukùãyamà.amçtàt||ThisVidyaconsistingofonehundredlettersistheSupremeVidyainitsentirety.ThisisParamesvari,TripuraHerself.OutoftheaboveMantras,thefirstfourstanzasdealwiththeexpositionofthegloryofthePara-Brahman.ThesecondsetofstanzasdealswiththeMahimaofSakti.ThethirdsetdealswiththegloryofSivaHimself.InthisVidya,alltheworlds,alltheVedas,alltheSastras,allthePuranasandalltheDharmashavebeendealtwithandthisistheEffulgencethathascomeoutofthecombinationofSivaandSakti.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Now,weshallcommentonthemostimportantandthehiddenmeaningsoftheseverses.Herethegreatword‘Tat’meansPara-BrahmanItself,theEternity.ThisisthesymbolusedforthatLordwhoisbeyondalldefinitionsandarguments.ThisLordis

104 theembodimentofSupremeKnowledgeitself.Th
theembodimentofSupremeKnowledgeitself.Thatis,HewishestobeintheformofKnowledgeAbsolute.HealoneisthegreatLordSivawhoisalwaysdesiredbysages,Yogins,etc.,inYajnas.ThereforethereisthecreationofThus,thisLordwhoisbeyondthereachofalldesires,stilldesiresandisbeingdesired.Hecreatesthealphabeticallistoflanguage.Therefore,theLordiscalled‘Kama’ordesire.TheletterrepresentingKamaiscalled‘Ka’.Thereforetheword‘Tat’representstheletter‘Ka’.Thisisthemeaningoftheword‘Tat’.‘Savituh’comesfromtheSanskritroot-word‘SunjPraniprasave’,whichmeanstheGeneratororproducerofallbeings.HeisthegreatPower.PowermeansSakti.ThisgreatSaktiorDevicalledTripura,isembodiedintheMahakundali(Yantra).Thus,thefire-globe(ofthesun)shouldbeknownbytheintelligent.ThisSaktiorpowerofTrikona(triangularfigure)bearsoutthelettercalled‘E’.Thereforeweshouldlearntheword‘E’fromtheword‘Savituh’.‘Varenyam’meansthatwhichisfittobeadoredandworshipped,whichistheimperishableandthepraiseworthy.Therefore,itshouldbeunderstoodthattheletter‘E’shouldbetakenfromtheword‘Varenyam’.‘Bhargo’and‘Dhimahi’willbenowcommentedupon.Theletter‘Dha’meansDharanaorconcentration.TheLordisalwaysconcentrateduponbythe‘Dhi’ortheintellectorBuddhi.‘Bharga’istheLordHimselfwhocanbeunderstoodonlybyreachingthefourthstageorAvasthaandthisistheBeingthatpervadesallandall.Theletterrepresentingthisfourthstageiscalled‘I’andthisistherealmeaningoftheabove-mentionedwordsoftheMantra.Weshallnowtalkoftheword‘Mahi’.‘Mahi’meansgreatness,idleness,strength,stubbornness,andthisappliestothatelementwhichpossessesallthesequalities.Thatistheearthwhichisrepresentedbytheletter‘La’.ThisistheSupremestate.Thus,thisLakarashowsthequalityoftheearthinitsbeingtheembodimentofalloceans,forests,mountainsandthesevenislands.ThereforetheformofDevicalledtheearth,istermed‘Mahi’.Nowabout‘

105 DhiyoYoNahPrachodayat’.ParaortheSup
DhiyoYoNahPrachodayat’.ParaortheSupremeistheImperishableSivaHimself,theEternalSoul.Theunderlyingmeaninghereisthis:WeshouldmeditateontheimmobileformofLakaraorJyotirlingaorLordSivawhichisthemostsupremethingthateverexistsanywhere.Here,thereisnodesireforanyDhyanawhatsoever.ItisbeyondallDhyanas.Therefore,wearerequestingtheLordtodirectourmindstobeestablishedinthatNirvikalpaStatewherethereisnothinkingatall.Thisrequestshouldnotbemadethroughthemouth.Itshouldbesimplythoughtofinthemind.Then‘ParoRajaseSavadom’.AftermeditatingontheformoftheSupremeTruth,therewillcomeoutabigeffulgence,pureandblissful,fullofknowledgewhichisresidinginsidetheheart.ThisistheessenceofallspeechandKnowledge.ThisisthetrueSakti.AndthisiscalledthePanchakshara,sinceitisthecreatorofthePanchaBhutasorthefiveelements.Thisshouldbeunderstoodcorrectlybytheintelligent.THESAIVAUPANISHADS ThisistheVidyagivingalldesirestothedevotee.Thus,afterunderstandinginitstrueaspect,thisVidyaofthirtytwoletters,thedevoteeShouldthinkofthelettercalled‘Ha’whichistheformofSiva,whoistheImperishable,pureState.Theletterderivedoutofthecombinationofthesunandthemoon,thatis,thecombinationofSivaandSaktiis‘Ha’anditisalsonamedas‘Hamsa’.ThisistheseedofKama.ThroughthisVidya,wecanknowtheSupremeLordSiva.ThiscombinationisalsounderstoodasbeingthemergingoftheJivatmaintheSupremeParamatman.Thus‘Ha’meanstheEternalStageortheFinalEmancipation.ThisisthederivationoftheSriVidya.Onewhoknowsthis,attainstheformofRudra.HeburstsopentheresidenceofVishnuandreachesthePara-Brahman.ThenaboutthesecondMantra.ThisMantraglorifiestheMahimaofTripuraDevi.Bytheword‘Jata’LordSivaismeant.Hewhogavebirthtothefirstlettersofthe‘Varna-Matrika’oftheformofthe‘Bindurupa’ofOmkaraintheverybeginningiscalled‘Jata’.Orelse,itmayalsobesaidthatbecauseHedesiredattheverybeginningthefulfilmentofHisKama,whenHewasjustborn,Heiscalled‘Jata’.TheKnowledgeofDeviTripurashouldbethuscarefullyanalysedinthesamemann

106 erbydissectingtheMantraintoitsdifferentw
erbydissectingtheMantraintoitsdifferentwords(accordingtoMantra-Sastra).Thenallkindsof‘Raksha’ordefencecanbehadfromthisMantra.Thefirstthingthatistobeunderstoodhereisthat‘Jata’istheOneLord,theEffulgentBeing.ThisshouldbetakenasthefoundationofallVidyaspertainingtoTripura.Here,itshouldalsobeunderstoodthattheletter‘Sa’referstothepowerofSaktiandtheletter‘Somam’referstotheStateofSiva.Whosoeverknowsthisbecomesfamousandimportant.Thus,thisVidyawhereDeviTripuraresidesatalltimesshouldbetakentobethebasisofallVidyasandthedevoteeshouldalwaysbestudyingthisVidyaandrecitingit.ThisVidyaistheembodimentofthePowersofSivaandSakti.ThisVidyaiscalledthelimbofSriTripurambaHerself.ThesameVidya,whenusedformeditatingpurposes,iscalled‘Sarvatodhira’.TheSriVidyaChakraofTripuraistheKingofallChakras.Thisgivesone,anythingthathewantsandthiscanbeworshippedbyanybody,withoutrestriction.ThisChakraisthegatewaytoMoksha,andYoginsafterburstingtheBrahmanthroughthisVidya,attainthatpermanentBliss.ThisChakraisthehouseofTripuradevi.ThenabouttheMrityunjayaAnushtupMantra.‘Tryambakam’(TrayanamAmbakam)meansthe‘Lordofthethree’worlds.‘Trayanam’means‘ofthethree’worlds.‘Ambakam’istheLordofit.‘Yajamahe’means‘Sevamahe’ordoservice.Besidesthis,theword‘Mahe’means‘Mrityunjaya’orthedestroyerofdeath.Therefore,theword‘Yajamahe’isveryimportanthere.Theword‘Sugandhim’means‘toderivefamefromallquarters’.Andtheword‘Pushtivardhanam’means‘onewhocreatesalltheworlds,preservesalltheworlds,pervadesalltheworldsandgivessalvationtoalltheworlds’.‘Urvarukam’means‘cucumber’.‘UrvarukamivaBandhananMrityormukshiyaMamritat’.Acucumberistiedwitharope.SimilarlythehumanbeingandothercreaturesaretiedbythebondsLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ofSamsara.Here,itmeanstodelivertheearthlybeingsfromtheMayaicbondtotheEternalBliss,justasacucumberisdeliveredfreefromthecre

107 eper.Apersonwhowantstoconquerdeathshould
eper.ApersonwhowantstoconquerdeathshouldrepeattheMantra‘Mrityunjaya’.etc.OnewhowishestobecomeRudra,shouldmakeuseoftheMantra‘OmNamah’.Thenhewillcertainlyderivethebestbenefitoutofit.ThenthereisanotherMantra.‘TadVishnohParamamPadam’,etc.Vishnuisonewhopervadesalltheuniverse.Hissupremestatewhichisjustliketheskyiscalled‘ParamamPadam’.‘Surayah’meansscholarsorthoseintelligentwhohaveunderstoodtheReality,i.e.,Brahma,etc.ThatSupremeStateofVishnuislyingorresidingineachandeverybeing.By‘residing’,wemean‘Vasati.’Therefore,Heiscalled‘Vasudeva’.ThepowerfultwelvelettersofSriVasudeva‘OmNamoBhagavateVasudevaya’,areeverything.Theyaresufficienttoabsolveonefromallsins.TheknowerofthisMantrareachesthatBrahma-PurushawhoisintheformoftheembodimentofthethreelettersA,UandM.Then,wehavegotanotherpowerfulMantra‘HamsaSuchishat’,etc.ThisisthegreatMantraoftheSun-God.AndtheotherMantrawhichistobeknownis‘GananamTva’,etc.ThisistheMantraofGanapati.OnewhoknowsandrepeatstheseMantrasthatbelongtoSiva,Vishnu,SuryaandGanapati,willgetthedirectrevelationofDeviTripura.IntheGayatri,therearefourforms.Inthemorning,SheiscalledGayatri.Inthenoon,SheiscalledSavitri.Intheevening,SheiscalledSarasvati.SheisalwayscalledAjapawhenSheishavingthefourthPadawithHer.ThisDeviishavingtheformoffiftyalphabetsfromtheletter‘A’totheletter‘Ksha’.AlltheSastrasandtheworldarecoveredbytheDeviinthisform.ProstrationstoHeragainandagain.So,anydevoteewhoworshipsDeviTripurawiththeseMantras,becomesthetrueseeroftheReality.HethenattainsMoksha.Thisshouldbeknowncorrectlybyeverybody.Now,weshallexpoundtheKarmakandaoftheTripura-worship.ThisSaktiortheAdimayadirectstheSupremeBrahman.ThatBrahmanisKnowledgeAbsolute,andistermedParamatman.ThisSupremeBeingistheHearer,Knower,Seer,Commander,PerceiverandtheSupremePurushawhoresidesintheAtmanofallbeings.Thisistobeknown.Thereisnoworld,nonon-world,noGod,nonon-God,nobeing,nonon-being,noBrahminandnonon-

108 Brahmin,atall.ThusshinestheNirvanacalled
Brahmin,atall.ThusshinestheNirvanacalledPara-Brahman.Themindthatisthinkingofsomething,iscalledBaddha.ThatwhichdoesnotthinkofanythingiscalledMukta.ThenonlythisBrahmancanbeunderstood.Therefore,everybodyshouldkeephismindfreefromthoughtsofobjects.Untilthemindisdevoidofallthoughts,oneshouldtrytocontrolthePranas.Thisistheeternalknowledge.Allotherthingsaremerelyunnecessaryscripturaldescriptions.Thereisnodifferencebetweenthinkingandnon-thinkinginthePara-Brahman.Allaresamethere.Thereisnothingtobethoughtofandthereisnobodytothink.THESAIVAUPANISHADS Thusfinally,thedevoteeshouldunderstandgraduallythatBrahmanishisownSelfandthenhewillattaintheBlissfulEmancipation.NowtheSupremeTruthisrevealed.Thereisnoonewholongsforliberation,thereisnoonewhoisliberated,thereisnoVairagya,thereisnoSadhana,thereisnodestruction.TherearetwoBrahmans,namelySabdaBrahmanandParaBrahman.OnewhohasmasteredtheSabdaBrahman,attaintotheParaBrahman.Afteracquiringalltheknowledgethroughbooks,theintelligentmanshouldthrowawaythosebooks,justlikethehuskthrownawaybyonewhowantsonlytheinternalkernelofthegrain.ThustheSupremeBrahman-Stateisdescribed.OnewhoknowsthisGreatVidyashouldbeworshippedbyothers.Thereisnodoubtaboutit.ThisisthegreatUpanishad.RudraUpanishadNow,atthismoment,ItakerefugeinthatPureStateoftheSupremeAbsolutewhichcanbeknownbytheVidya,calledtheRudraHridayaUpanishad.AfterprostratingbeforethecelebratedformofSriMahadeva-Rudrainhisheart,adoringthesacredBhasmaandRudrakshaandmentallyrecitingthegreatMahavakya-Mantra,Tarasara,SriSukaaskedhisfatherSriVyasaMaharshi,thus:WhoistherealGodofgods?Inwhomarealltheseexistencesestablished?Byworshippingwhom,canIpleasetheDevasinwhole?Hearingthesewords,SriVedaVyasarepliedthus:RudraistheembodimentofallDevas.AlldevasaremerelydifferentmanifestationsofSriRudraHimself.OntherightsideofRudra,thereisthesun,thenthefour-headedBrahma,andthenthreeAgnis(fires).Ontheleftside,thereexistSriUmadevi,andalsoVishnuandSoma(moon).UmaHerselfistheformofVishnu.VishnuHimselfistheformofthemoon.Therefore,thosewhoworshipL

109 ordVishnu,worshipSivaHimself.Andthosewho
ordVishnu,worshipSivaHimself.AndthosewhoworshipSiva,worshipLordVishnuinreality.ThosewhoenvyandhateSriRudra,areactuallyhatingSriVishnu.ThosewhodecryLordSiva,decryVishnuHimself.Rudraisthegeneratoroftheseed.Vishnuistheembryooftheseed.SivaHimselfisBrahmaandBrahmaHimselfisAgni.RudraisfullofBrahmaandVishnu.ThewholeworldisfullofAgniandSoma.ThemasculinegenderisLordSiva.ThefemininegenderisSriBhavaniDevi.Allthemobileandimmobilecreationofthisuniverse,isfilledupwithUmaandRudra.TheVyaktaisSriUma,andtheAvyaktaisLordSiva.ThecombinationofUmaandSankaraisVishnu.HenceeverybodyshouldprostratetoSriMahaVishnuwithgreatdevotion.HeistheAtman.HeistheParamatman.HeistheAntaratman.BrahmaistheAntaratman.SivaistheParamatman.VishnuistheEternalAtmanofallthisuniverse.ThiswholecreationofSvarga,LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP MartyaandPatalaLokasisabigtree.Vishnuisthetopportion(branches)ofthistree.Brahmaisthestem.TherootisLordSiva.TheeffectisVishnu.TheactionisBrahma.ThecauseisSiva.Forthebenefitoftheworlds.Rudrahastakenthesethreeforms.RudraisDharma.Vishnuistheworld.BrahmaisKnowledge.Therefore,doKirtanofHisname,‘Rudra’,‘Rudra’.Bysinginglikethis,thehallowednameofthisgreatLord,allyoursinswillbedestroyed.Rudraisman.Umaiswoman.ProstrationstoHimandHer.RudraisBrahma.UmaisSarasvati.ProstrationstoHimandHer.RudraisVishnu.UmaisLakshmi.ProstrationstoHimandHer.RudraisSun.Umaisshadow.ProstrationstoHimandHer.Rudraismoon.Umaisstar.ProstrationstoHimandHer.Rudraisday.Umaisnight.ProstrationstoHimandHer.RudraisYajna.UmaisVedi.ProstrationstoHimandHer.RudraisAgni,UmaisSvaha.ProstrationstoHimandHer.RudraisVeda.UmaisSastra.ProstrationstoHimandHer.Rudraistree.Umaiscreeper.ProstrationstoHimandHer.Rudraisscent.Umaisflower.ProstrationstoHimandHer.Rudraismeaning.Umaisword.ProstrationstoHimandHer.RudraisLinga.UmaisPitha.ProstrationstoHimandHer.ThedevoteeshouldworshipSriRudraandUmawiththeseMantrasreferredtoabove.Omyson,Suka!Withthesehymns,youshouldmeditateontheEternalPara-Brahman,whichisbeyondthereachofthesenses,whichispureExiste

110 nce,knowledgeandBlissandwhichcannotbeund
nce,knowledgeandBlissandwhichcannotbeunderstoodeitherbythespeechorbythemind.Afterknowingthis,thereisnothingmoretobeknown,becauseeverythingistheformofThat,andthereisnothingseparatefromThat.TherearetwoVidyastobeknown.TheyareParaandApara.AparaVidyaistheembodimentofthefourVedasandtheirsixAngas.TheydonotdealwiththeNatureoftheAtman.ButtheParaVidyaiscalledtheMoksha-Sastra.ItdealswiththatsupremephilosophyoftheAbsoluteTruth,ununderstandable,impersonal,Nirguna,Nirakara,withoutears,withouteyes,THESAIVAUPANISHADS withouthands,withoutfeet,eternal,omnipresent,imperishable,andknowablebytheintelligentdaringsages.FromthatLordSivawhoperformsaterriblepenanceintheformofSupremeJnana-Marga,thiswholeworldiscreatedwhichisthefoodofthemortals.ThisworldisMaya.Itseemstoappearjustlikeadream.ItissuperimposedontheLordjustlikearopeonaserpent.ThisistheeternalTruth.Thereisnocreationinreality.Allisabsolute.AllisTruth.Knowingthis,oneisliberatedatOnlythroughJnana,youcangetridofthisSamsara.OnlythroughJnana,youcanunderstandthisexistenceandneverthroughKarma.UnderstandthisthroughtheguidanceofaBrahmanishtha-SrotriyaGuru.TheGuruwillgivethediscipleallthenecessaryknowledgeofBrahman,theAbsolute.BycuttingoffthebondageofAjnanaorAvidya,oneshouldtakerefugeinLordSadasiva.ThisistherealwisdomtobeunderstoodbyanaspirantseekingafterTruth.ThePranavaisthebow.TheAtmanisthearrow.ThePara-Brahmanisthetarget.Justlikethearrow,theAtmanwillbecomeonewithBrahman.Butallthesethree,thebow,thearrowandthetargetarenotdifferentfromthatSadasiva.Theredonotshinethebodiesofthesun,moonorthestars.Theredoesnotblowthewind,theredonotexistmanyDevatas.He,theOneLordonlyexists.Heonly,thePurityofpurities,shinesforeverandever.Therearetwobirdsinthisbody,theJivaandtheParamatman.TheJivaeatsthefruitofhisKarmas,buttheParamatmanisuntouchedbyanything.TheParamatmanisonlytheSakshi.Hedoesnotdoanything.HeonlyassumestheformoftheJivathroughHisMaya,justastheAkasainsideapotseemstobedifferentfromtheAkasaoutsideandassumestheformofthepot.InrealityallisSiva,Advaita,theOneAbsolute

111 .Thereisnodifferenceofwhateverkind.Whena
.Thereisnodifferenceofwhateverkind.WhenallisunderstoodtobeOne,Omkara,theAbsolute,thereisnosorrow,thereisnoMaya.ThentheattainmentoftheAdvaita-Paramanandaisveryeasy.Thinkthatyouarethebasisofallthisuniverse,youaretheOne,Kevala,Sat-Chit-Ghana.AllpeoplecannotunderstandthisTruth.ThosedevoidofMayacanknowthissecret.Afterknowingthis,theAtmandoesnotmovetowardsanyplaceatanytime.ItbecomesonewiththeAbsolute,justlikeGhatakasawithParamakasa.JustasAkasadoesnotmoveanywhere,similarlythisAtmandoesnothaveanymovement.ItbecomesonewithOM.OnewhoknowsthisgreatsecretTruthistherealMuni.HebecomesthePara-BrahmanItself.HebecomesSatchidananda.Heattainspermanentpeace. LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ChapterXITHESAIVAACHARYASApparorTirunavukkarasarApparisoneofthefourTamilSamayaAcharyas.HewasacontemporaryofSambandhar.HewasaVellalaorTiruAmurinthedistrictofCuddalore,Tamilnadu.HewasbornofPugalenarandMathiniar.TheparentsgavethenameMarulneekiar(dispellerofdarknessorignorance)toAppar.Apparmeansfather.SambandhargaveMarulneekiarthisname.ThenameApparwasfirstusedbySambandharinaddressinghiminoneoftheseveralmeetingsbetweenthem.Appar’ssoul-stirringandsublimeodesearnedthetitleTirunavukkarasarortheLordofspeech.HewasaGod-inspiredsoul.HesangdevotionalodesorPadigamsduringhispilgrimagetovariousshrines.HeflourishedinthemiddleoftheseventhcenturyA.D.Hewasamysticandpoet.TilakavadhiarwastheeldersisterofAppar.ShewasbetrothedtoKalippahaiyar,amilitarycommanderunderthePallavaking.KalippahaiyarhadtofightagainstsomeinvaderfromtheNorth.Hediedinthebattle-field.Tilakavadhiar’sparentsalsodied.ThenewsofthedeathofKalippahaiyarreachedtheearsofTilakavadhiar.Shemadeuphermindtoenterthefuneralpyre.Marulneekiarcametoknowoftheintentionofhissister.Herantohissister,prostratedbeforeherandsaid:“Iamkeepingmylifeonaccountofyoursupportonly,afterthedeathofourparents.Ifyouwanttogiveupyourlife,Iwillgiveupmylifebeforeyoudoso”.TheheartofTilakavadhiarmelted.Shechangedherdeterminationandresolvedtoleadtheasceticlifeandbringupherhelplessyoungerbrother.Ap

112 parbecameaconverttoJainism.Hestudiedallt
parbecameaconverttoJainism.HestudiedalltheJainscriptures.HewenttoPataliputraitselfandbecameoneofthespiritualheadsthere,ashewasaneruditescholarintheJainscriptures.Appar’ssisterwasverymuchafflictedatheartwhenshecametoknowthatherbrotherbecameaconverttoJainism.ShelefthernativevillageandwenttoTiruAtikai,aneighbouringtown.ShespenthertimeinmeditationandprayerattheSiva’stemple.SheprayedtotheLordforhisreturn.Apparfellavictimtoaseverecolicwhichcouldnotbecured.HethrewoffthegarbofaJain,hisbowlandwenttohissister.ShesmearedtheholyashesontheforeheadofApparandtookhimtothetempleofSivaandaskedhimtoprostratebeforetheLordandworshipHim.Apparactedaccordingly.Theseverecolicvanishedatonce.HepraisedLordSiva.ThespiritualheadoftheJainsatPataliputrareportedtoKadava,theJainking,abouttheabscondingofAppar.ThedistrictofCuddalorewasundertheswayofthePallavakingKadava.ThespiritualheadinducedthekingtopersecuteAppar.ApparproceededtothePallavacapitalandappearedbeforetheking.Apparwaspersecutedinvariousways.Hewasthrownintoaburninglime-kiln.Hewascompelledtodrinkpoisonedmilk.THESAIVAUPANISHADS Anelephantwassenttokillhim.Aheavystonewastiedtohimandhewasthrownintothesea.Lordsavedhim.HefloatedaliveandreachedtheshoreatTiruppatirupuliyur.ThePallavakingrecognisedthegreatnessofApparandprostratedathisfeet.HegaveupJainismandembracedSaivism.HebuiltamagnificenttempleofSivacalledGunatharaVicharamatTirunadhikai.Thereupon,Apparproceededonapilgrimagetovarioussacredplaces.HevisitedChidambaram,SirkaliandotherplacesandsangTevaramorodesinpraiseofLordSiva.ApparmetthesaintAppudiAdigalatTingalur.ApparbroughttolifeAppudi’sson,whowasbittenbyacobra.Thereupon,ApparvisitedholyplacessuchasTiruvanainallur,Tiruvamathur,TirukoilurandTirupennakatamandworshippedLordSiva.HefinallyreachedTirutunganaimadamandprayedtoLordSiva:“OSivaSankara!OArdhanarisvara!Osourceandendofallbeings!IdonotwishtokeepthebodywhichwasintouchwiththeJains.LetmehavethestampofYourtridentandNandionmybody”.HesangaPadigam.AtonceaSivaganaapproachedApparthrou

113 ghthegraceofLordSiva,andputthestampoftri
ghthegraceofLordSiva,andputthestampoftridentandNandiontheshoulderofAppar.ThenApparproceededtoSirkalitomeetSambandhar.HefellatthefeetofSambandhar.SambandharaddressedtheVellalasaint:“OmybelovedAppar”.Once,SambandharwentinapalanquintoTiruppuntirutiinthedistrictofTanjoretomeetAppar.Apparwentinadvanceandcarriedthepalanquin.Sambandharasked:“WhereisAppar?”Apparreplied:“HereamI,carryingthepalanquin”.Sambandharatoncegotdownfromthepalanquin,embracedApparandshedtearsoflove.ApparwenttoTiruchattimutram.HesangaPadigamandsaid:“OLord,placeThylotus-feetonmyheadbeforeIleavethisphysicalbody”.HeheardanAkasavaniorvoiceinthesky:“CometoTirunallure”.ApparactedaccordinglyandwenttoTirunallure.LordSivaplacedHisfeetontheheadofAppar.Apparprostratedontheground.HisheartwasfilledwithindescribableThenApparwenttoTiruvambhar,TirukadavurandMilalai.TherewasgreatfamineinMilalai.ApparandSambandharwereverymuchgrievedatheartasthedevoteesofLordSivawerestarving.LordSivaappearedinthedreamofbothandsaid:“Donotbeafflicted,Ishallgiveyougold-pieces”.Theyfoundgold-piecesdailyinthetempleandfedthepeoplesumptuously.ApparandSambandharvisitedthetempleatVedaranyaminthedistrictofTanjore.Here,anoldtempleofLordSivahadlongremainedwithdoorsshut.TheVedasthemselveshadcomeandworshippedSivainthetempleandtheynowdidnotoffertheirworship,becausepeopleneglectedthestudyofVedasonaccountoftheinfluenceofJainism.SambandharsaidtoAppar:“Come,andsingthatthesedoorsmaybeopened”.Apparsangandthedoorsopened.Sambandharsangandthedoorsshut.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Ononeoccasion,Apparwasveryhungryduringhispilgrimagetour.LordSivacreatedatankandgardenon,thewayandgavehimfoodalso.ApparstartedonajourneytovisitMountKailas.Hehadatiresomejourney.Hehadseverebruisesonhisfeet.Heheardavoiceinthesky.ItwasthevoiceofLordSiva.Thevoicesaid:“OAppar,wakeup.Takeadipinthistank.YouwillseeMeandMt.KailasinTiruvayar”.AppartookadipinthetankandappearedinatempleinTiruvayaronthebanksofKaveri.Hecameoutsidethetan

114 kandsawSivaandSaktieverywhere.Heenteredt
kandsawSivaandSaktieverywhere.HeenteredthetempleandsawMt.KailasandtheLordSivaofMt.Kailas.ApparrejoicedheartilyatthemarvelloussightandsangPadigams.FinallyApparstayedatPumpukalarnearTiruvalurandspentherethelastyearsofhislife.HewastestedherebytheLord,inordertoshowhisgreatnesstothepeople.Whenhewasservinginthetemple,goldanddiamondappearedunderhisfeet.Apparregardedthemasstonesandthrewthemaway.Onanotheroccasion,celestialdamselsappearedbeforehimandtemptedhiminavarietyofways;butApparremainedundisturbedinhismeditation.HemergedhimselfintheLightoflights,LordSiva,whenhewasmuchadvancedinage.ApparlaidthefoundationofSaivaSiddhantaschoolofphilosophy,bymeansofhispoems.Appar’spoemsarefullofimagination,spiritualinsight,religiousemotionandhighspiritualApparwasmorelearnedthanSambandhar.Hehadaverypowerfulpersonality.HeledanexemplarylifeasaSivaBhakta.HeputanendtotheinfluenceofJainism.Healwayspraisedthefiveletters,thePanchakshara.Hesays:“TherarejeweloftheBrahminsistheVedawithsixAngas;therarejewelfortheSaivitesisthePanchakshara”.Hisexemplarylife,mellifluouspoetry,vasteruditionandprofoundreligiousfervourattractedcountlesspeople.Hehadcountlessadmirersanddisciples.Hehadgreatinfluence.Appar’sworksconsistofthreehundredpoemswhichformthreebooksoutoftwelveintheTamilcollectionofSaivitepoetryknownasTirumurai.Apparsays:“EverythingisthemanifestationofLordSiva.SivaisNarayana,Brahma,thefourVedas,theholiest,theoldest,theperfect.ThoughSivaisallthese,Heisnoneofthese.Heiswithoutname,withoutbirth,deathordisease.Heisatoncethetranscendentandimmanent.“LoveofLordSivamustbefeltandmanifested.Sing.Pray.Worship.Weep.Dance.LordSivaisthemusicormelodyinthesong,thesweetnessinthefruit,thethoughtinthemind,thelustreintheeyes.Heisneithermalenorfemale.Heiswithoutdimensions.“Subduethesenses.Practiseregularmeditation.PractiseChariyai,Kriyai,YogaandJnana.Practiseregularmeditation.Developdispassion(Vairagya).Transcendthethreebodies.UnitetheindividualsoulwiththeSupremeSoulorLordSiva.Youwillattaineternalb

115 lissandimmortality.YoucanbeholdLordSivai
lissandimmortality.YoucanbeholdLordSivaifyoulookforHimwiththelightofwisdomissuingforthfromthewickoflife,fedwiththegheeofmeditation,inthelampofthemind,withinthehouseofyourbody.THESAIVAACHARYAS “Ploughwithtruth.Planttheseedofdesireforknowledge.Weedoutfalsehood.Irrigatethemindwiththewaterofpatience.Superviseyourworkbylookingwithinorintrospectionandself-analysis.BuildthefenceofYamaandNiyamaorrightconductandrightrules.YouwillsoonattainSivanandamoreternalblissofSiva.“RegardyourbodyasthetempleofLordSiva,yourmindastheworshipper,truthaspuritywhichisnecessaryforworship,thejewelofthemindastheLinga,loveastheghee,milk,etc.PerformPujatoLordSivathus.LordSivacannotbeobtainedwithoutmakingthemindone-pointedandmeditationonthePanchakshara.”MayyouallfollowthepreceptsandteachingsofApparandattaintheSiva-Pada,theimmortalabodeofeternalbliss!TirujnanaSambandharSambandhartookhisbirthinaBrahminfamilyinSirkaliinthedistrictofTanjorewhichisalsoknownbythenameBrahmapuri.HewasbornofBhagavatiandSivapadahridayar.BhagavatiandSivapadahridayarwenttothetanktotaketheirbath.Thechildalsoaccompaniedhisparents.Theyleftthechildonthebankandproceededtotakebath.Thechildcriedaloud:“Ofather!”ashedidnotseehisparents.Theparentsdidnothearthecryofthechild,butLordSivaandParvatiheardhiscry.Theybothappearedbeforethechild.Parvatigavemilktothechild.Thechilddrankthemilkofdivineknowledgealongwiththemilk.FromthatmomenthebegantosingthepraisesofLordSivainvarioustemples.Hesangsoul-stirring,sublimeTevaramsorodes.Thisincidentoccurredwhenthechildwasthreeyearsold.Theparentsfinishedtheirbathandcamenearthechild.Milkwasflowingfromhismouthandthereweretearsinhiseyes.Theparentsasked:“Mybelovedchild,whogaveyoumilk?”Thechildsangahymnandnarratedeverythingtohisparents.TheparentsrejoicedheartilyandgavetothechildthenameTiru-JnanaSambandharasheattaineddivinewisdomthroughthegraceofLordSivaandParvati.HewasalsoknownbythenamePillayar.ThereuponSambandharproceededtoTirukkolakka.Hesangahymnorodeinthetemple.LordSivapresentedhim

116 withagoldcymbal.TherewasadevoteeofLordSi
withagoldcymbal.TherewasadevoteeofLordSivainTiruyerukkattampuliyur.HecouldplaywellonthemusicalinstrumentYal.HisnamewasTirunilakanthaYalpanar.HewenttoSirkalitopayhisrespectstoSambandhar.SambandhartookhimtothetempleofLordSivaandheardhismusic.YalpanarprayedtoSambandharandsaid:“LetmealwayslivewithyouplayingthyhymnsonYal.Grantmemyprayer”.Sambandharagreed.Thereupon,SambandharandhisparentsandYalpanarproceededtoChidambaramandworshippedNataraja.Oneday,SambandharsawthethreethousandBrahminsofChidambaramasthethreethousandSivaGanas.SambandharwantedtoworshiptheLordatAratturai.Hewalkedonfoot.HegottiredandsoherestedonthewayinMaranpadiduringthenight.Ashewasasmallboy,histenderfeetweremuchaffectedbythelongwalk.TheLordofAratturaiappearedinthedreamofthepriestsandtoldthem:“SambandhariscomingtoMe.TakethepearlumbrellaandthepearlpalanquinwhichareLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP nowinthetempleandhandthemovertohim”.Thepriestswokeupandwenttothetemple.Theysawthearticleswhichtheysawintheirdreamthere.Theytookthem,wenttoMaranpadiandgavethemtoSambandhar.TheyinformedSambandharaboutthecommandoftheLord.SambandharalsoknewthisalreadyastheLordinformedhimalsoaboutthis,inhisdream.Thereupon,thethreadceremonyofSambandharwasperformedbythepriests.SambandhardidnotstudytheVedasandtheVedangas,butherepeatedthemandexplainedthemtothepriests.Thepriestswerestruckwithwonder.ApparheardallaboutthegloryofSambandhar.HecamefromChidambaramtoSirkalitopayhisrespectstoSambandhar.SambandharcameforwardtoreceiveAppar.Theybothspokewordsofaffectionandlove.ApparremainedinthehouseofSambandharforsomedays.ThedaughterofthekingofMalayacountrywassufferingfromanincurabledisease.Thekingtriedallsortsofmedicines.Finally,hetookhertothetempleatTiruppaccilAcciramamandlefthertherebeforetheLord.Sambandharvisitedthetempleandsawtheprincessinanunconsciousstate.Hisheartmelted.HesangaPadigamandworshippedLordSiva.Thelastlineineverystanzaends:“IsitrightfortheLordtocausesufferingtothisgirl?”Atonce,theprincessbecameallright.Shegotupandprostrated

117 atthelotus-feetofSambandhar.ThenSambandh
atthelotus-feetofSambandhar.ThenSambandharproceededtoTiruppattisvaramtemple.Itwasaveryhotday.LordSivaofTiruppattisvaramtemplesentapearlpalanquinthroughHisGanastowardofftheheatofthesun.SambandharsangaPadigamandreceivedonethousandgoldcoinsfromtheLordofAvadutturai.InthePadigam,heasksineverystanza:“IsthisthewayofYourlookingaftermyinterests?IfYoudonotgivemeanything,isthatYourgrace?”Hegavethegoldcoinstohisfather.SambandharproceededtoTirumarugal.Thereatravellerwasbittenbyasnake.Hiswifewasbemoaningthedeathofherhusband.SambandharsangaPadigam.Thetravellerwasbroughtbacktolife.TherewasseverefamineatTiruvilimilalai.SambandharreceivedonemeasureofgoldeverydayfromtheLordatTiruvilimilala.HepurchasedprovisionsforthismoneyandfedallSivaKulaccirai,ministerofthePandiankinginvitedSambandhartohisplace.HewasadevoteeofLordSiva.Mangayarkkarasi,thequeenwasalsoadevoteeofLordSiva.SambandharvisitedMaduraiandworshippedtheLordthere.TheJainssetfiretothecampofSambandhar.SambandharsangaPadigam.Thefirewasextinguished,butthePandiankinggotseverefever.ThedoctorsandtheJainswerenotabletocurehim.ThekingrequestedSambandhartocurehim.SambandharsangaPadigaminpraiseoftheholyashesandappliedthemtotheking’sbody.Atonce,thekingbecameallright.THESAIVAACHARYAS ThereuponitwasdecidedthatbothSambandharandtheJainsweretoputtheirwritingsintothefireandthatifSambandhar’sreligionwasthebetterone,thepalmleaveswhichheputintothefireshouldnotbeburnt.Sambandharcameoutsuccessfulinthetest.Afterwards,therewasanothertest.TheJainssaidthatthepalmleafwhichcontainedthewritingsofatruereligionshouldgoagainstthecurrentoftheVaigairiver.Theministersaid:“Whatisthepunishmentforthosewhoaredefeatedinthetest?”TheJainsreplied:“Thosewhoaredefeatedwillbehanged”.TheJainsputapalmleafintheriver.Itwentalongthecurrentoftheriver.SambandharwroteoneofhispoemsandthrewitintotheVaigai.ItwentagainstthecurrentandreachedtheplaceknownasTiruvedangam.SambandharsangaPadigamtostopthepalmleaf.Itstopped.Theministerran,tooktheleafandshowedittot

118 heking.ThensomeoftheJainswerehanged.Ther
heking.ThensomeoftheJainswerehanged.TherestembracedSaivism.SambandharwentwiththekingandqueentothetempleatMaduraiandpraisedtheLordthere.SambandharwantedtogotoTirukkollampudurtohaveDarsanaoftheLordthere,buttherewasfloodintheriver.Theboatmengaveuptheideaofcrossingit.Theytiedtheboatsomewhereandleftthebank.Sambandhartooktheboat,sangaPadigamandwentovertotheothersidealongwithhisparty.ThedevoteesofSambandharwereblowingthetrumpetofvictorywhentheyweretravelling.TheBuddhistsbecameveryjealousofthis.Theyinformedtheirspiritualhead,Buddhanandi.BuddhanandicalledSambandharfordiscussion.Sambandhararanalayar,adiscipleofSambandharwhowasrecordingallthesongsofhismaster,sangaPadigamsungbySambandharandsaid:“AthunderwillfallontheheadofthisBuddhanandi”.Atonce,athunderfellontheheadofBuddhanandi.Hediedimmediately.SomeBuddhistsranaway.SomeothersembracedSaivismandappliedtheholyashesontheirforehead.ThereuponSambandharvisitedTiruvottur.OnemancametoSambandharandsaid:“OSwami,allthepalmyraseedshavebecomemalepalmyras.Peoplearemockingatme.Kindlyblessme”.SambandharsangaPadigam.Themalepalmyraswereconvertedintofemalepalmyras.InMylapore,therelivedadevoteeofSivanamedSivanesaChettiar.Adaughterwasborntohimafterdoingpenance.HegaveherthenamePoompavai.SivanesarheardaboutthegloryofSambandharandsurrenderedallhiswealthanddaughtertothesaint.Oneday,Poompavaiwasbittenbyacobra,whileshewasgatheringflowersinthegarden.Shediedimmediately.SivanesarkeptherbonesinapotandkeptthepotintheKannikaimatam.Hedecoratedthepotwithsilkcloth.SivanesarinvitedSambandhartotheplace.SambandharcametoMylaporeandhadDarsanaofKapalisvarar.ThedevoteesinformedSambandharaboutthedeathofSivanesar’sdaughter.SambandharaskedSivanesartobringthepotwhichcontainedthebonesofhisdaughter.Sivanesarbroughtthepotatonce.SambandharsangaPadigam.PoompavaicameoutofthepotjustasLakshmiemergedfromthelotus.Sivanesar’sheartwasfilledwithintensedelight.Therewasarainofflowersfromthecelestialregions.ThenSambandharwenttoSirkali.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP TheBrahm

119 insapproachedSambandharandsaid:“OSw
insapproachedSambandharandsaid:“OSwami,youwillhavetomarryagirlnowinordertoperformthesacrificesmentionedintheVedas”.Sambandharagreed.TheBrahminsandthefatherofSambandharselectedthedaughterofNambiandarNambiasthebride.ThemarriageceremonywasarrangedatNallurPerumanam.Sambandharwentalongwithhischosenbrideintothetemple. WhenheapproachedtheLord, he, hisbrideandhisfollowersgotmergedintheJyotisortheeffulgenceoftheLord.SambandharsaysinoneofhisPadigams:“Ofoolishman,donotallowdaystopass.ServeLordSivawhohasablueneck.HearHispraise.MeditateonHisform.RepeatalwaysthePanchakshara.LiveinthecompanyofdevoteesofSiva.Servethem.Hisnamewillremoveallevilsanddangerslikelytofallonyouandyourchildren.WorshipLordSiva.Hewillconferonyoueternalblissandimmortality”.TherewasaBrahminbynameSadayanarinNavalurinTamilnadu.HewasverypiousanddevotedtoLordSiva.HehadapioussonnamedNambiyarurarorAlalaSundarar.Heattainedmanhood.HewasknownbythenameSundaramurtiNayanaralso.SundaramurtiNayanarwasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.HeisoneofthefourSaivaAcharyas.LordSivaofTiruvennainallurappearedbeforeSundaramurtiintheformofanagedBrahminontheeveofhismarriage.TheLordsaidthatSundararwasHisbondslaveandsooughttoworkforHiminHishouse.ThenameoftheLordisTaduttatkondaIsvarortheLordwhoobstructedandsavedSundararfromSamsara.Sundaramurtivisitedseveraltemples.HewenttoAdigaiVirattanam.LordSivaappearedbeforehimandplacedHissacredfeetonhishead.SundararthenwenttoTiruvarur.LordSivamadeSundararHisfriend.KamaliniwasthemaidservantofUmadeviatKailas.SheentertainedadesiretomarryAlalaSundarar.SoshewasforcedtotakebirthintheworldatTiruvarur.ShewasnamedasParavai.Shecameofage.LordSivaofTiruvarurappearedinthedreamofthedevoteesandtoldthem:“ArrangeforthemarriageofParavaiandSundaramurti”.LordSivainformedParavaiandSundararalso.SundararmarriedParavaiandbothlivedhappily.TherewasafamineinTiruvarur.LordSivaappearedbeforeSundaramurtiandgavehimheapsofgrain.Itwasimpossibletoremovethislargequantityofgrain.SundaramurtiaskedLordSivatohelphim.Thegrainwasrem

120 ovedtothehouseofParavaibytheGanas,theage
ovedtothehouseofParavaibytheGanas,theagentsofLordWhenSundararwasatTiruppugalurheaskedforgoldforhiswife.Hekepthisheadonbricksandslept.Hewokeupandfoundthebricksconvertedintogold.HegotagaingoldonhiswaytoVriddhachalam.HethrewthegoldintheriverManimuktaaccordingtotheLord’scommand.HetookitagaininthetankatTiruvarur.LordSivashowedhimthewaytoTirukkudalaiyarrur.THESAIVAACHARYAS LordSivagaveSundararfoodwhenhewasgoingtoTirukkarukavur.OnanotheroccasionLordSivabeggedfoodforSundarar.SundaramurtiwenttoTiruvottiyur.HemarriedSangili,agreatdevoteeofLordSivathroughthegraceofLordSiva.Aninditai,maidservantofUmadeviwholivedinKailas,tookherbirthasSangili.SundaramurtirequestedLordSivatostayundertheMagilatreewhenhewastosweartoSangilithathewouldnotleaveher.SundararwantedSangilitogoinsidethetemple,butLordSivaalreadyinformedSangilithatHewasunderthetreeandnotinsidethetemple.Thereupon,SangiliaskedSundaramurtitocometothetreeandnotinsidethetemple,totaketheoath.SundaramurtihadtogiveconsenttoSangili’srequest.Lateron,hebroketheoathbygoingtoTiruvarurtoseetheUtsavaleavingSangili,andbecameblind.SundaramurtisaidtotheLord:“IfitisjustthatYoushouldmakemeblind,kindlygivemeastick”.LordSivagaveastickatTiruvenpakkam.Sundarar’slefteyebecameallrightwhenhecametoKanjivaram.WhenhepraisedLordSivaatTiruvarurhisrighteyealsobecameallright.WhenSundaramurtiwaspassingthroughastreetinTiruppukoliyurhesawthatsomepeoplewerecryinginahouseandsomepeoplewererejoicingattheoppositehouse.Heaskedthepeople:“Whatwasthematterinboththehouses?”Theysaid:“Twoboysagedfivetookbathinatank.Oneboywasdevouredbyacrocodileandtheotherboyescaped.Theparentsoftheboywhowaskilledbythecrocodilearebitterlyweeping.Theparentsoftheboywhoescaped,arecelebratinghisthread-ceremonyandsotheyarerejoicing.”Sundararwasgreatlymoved.HesangaPadigaminpraiseofLordSiva-Avinasi.ThecrocodilebroughtthechildtotheshorethroughtheorderofLordYama.TheparentsoftheboygreatlyrejoicedandprostratedbeforeSundarar.Duringthepilgrimagetour,Sundararcametothe

121 bankofKaveri.Therewasfloodintheriver.Hew
bankofKaveri.Therewasfloodintheriver.HewantedtohaveDarsanaofLordSivaatTiruvayur.HesangaPadigam.TherivergavewaytoSundarar.HereachedTiruvayurandworshippedtheLord.TherewasagreatdevoteeofLordSivainTiruperumangalamnamedKalikamar.HewasaPillaibybirth.HeheardthenewsthatSundararsentLordSivaasamessengertoParavai,andsaid:“AdevoteehasorderedtheLordtodosomework.HehasmadetheLordhisservant.Thattooforthesakeofawoman.Isthismanwhohasbehavedlikethis,adevotee?Iamagreatsinner.MylifehasnotyetdepartedfrommeasIhaveheardsuchnews.Ihavenotdestroyedmyears,withanironrod,whichheardsuchnewsofaso-calleddevotee”.SundararcametoknowoftheconditionofKalikamarNayanar.Heknewalreadythatwhathedidwasagraveerror.HeprayedtotheLordtopardonhim.LordSivawantedtounitethesetwodevotees.HecausedthediseasegastritisinKalikamar,appearedinhisdreamandsaid:“ThisdiseasecanbecuredonlybySundarar”.Kalikamarreflected:“Itisbettertobearthepainsofthisdisease,thantobecuredbySundarar”.TheLordcommandedSundarar:“GoandcurethediseaseofLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP SundararsentamessagetoKalikamarabouthiscomingtohim.Kalikamarthought:“LetmegiveupmylifebeforeSundararcomestocureme.”Hecutopenhisbowelsandgaveuphislife.ThewifeofKalikamarreceivedSundararwithgreathonour.SundararsaidtothewifeofKalikamar:“Iwishtocurethediseaseofyourhusbandandlivewithhimforsometime”.ShekeptquietandaskedthosewhowerearoundhertotellSundararthatherhusbandwasnotsufferingfromanydiseaseandhewassleeping.SundararinformedthepeoplethathehadastrongdesiretoseeKalikamar.ThentheyshowedKalikamar.SundararsawthedeadbodyofKalikamar.Healsodrewtheswordandwantedtokillhimself.KalikamarcamebacktolifethroughthegraceofLordSiva.HeatoncecaughtholdofthehandsofSundarar.SundararfellatthefeetofKalikamar.Kalikamaralsoprostratedatthelotus-feetofSundarar.Theybothembracedeachother.TheybothwenttothetempleofLordSivaandworshippedHim.Thereupon,theyproceededtoTiruvarur.ParavaiwasverymuchannoyedtowardsSundararforhavingleftherandmarriedSangili.SundararrequestedLordSiva

122 topacifyParavai.LordSivawenttwicetotheho
topacifyParavai.LordSivawenttwicetothehouseofParavai,pacifiedherandunitedthemboth.TheLordactedthepartofamessengerforHisdevotee.TheLordbecomesaperfectslaveofHissinceredevotees.Sundaramurtibecamequitedisgustedwiththisworldlyexistence.HerequestedLordSivatotakehimbacktoKailas.ThenLordSivasenthimawhiteelephant.SundaramurtisangthegloriesofSivaindifferentsacredplaces.ThesehymnsarecalledTevaram.Theyarecollectedinabook-form.AlldevoteessingTevarameventoday.ThehymnssungbySundaramurti,ApparorTirunavukarasarandTirujnanaSambandhararecalledTevaram.ThehymnssungbyManickavasagararecalledTiruvasagam.SundaramurtihadtheSakhyaBhavawithLordSiva.Therefore,hewasquitefriendlywiththeLord,tookanykindoflibertywithHimandaskedforgold,pearlgarland,musk,agarlandofpreciousstones,spectacles,clothes,fragrance,jewels,horseswhichcangowiththeswiftnessofthewind,goldenflowers,palanquins,one-thirdoftherichesofTiruvarur.Hedidnotaskforthesethingsonaccountofdesireforenjoyment.Hehadnoselfishdesires.Hedidnotkeepthem.Heutilisedthemforthosewhodependedonhim.SundaramurtishowedtotheworldthepathofSakhyaMargaorSakhyaBhavainBhakti.ManickavasagarwasaBrahminbybirth.HetookhisbirthinTiruvadavursevenmilesfromMaduraionthebanksofVaigairiver.Hemusthavelivedbetween650and692A.D.Somesaythatheflourishedinthetenthoreleventhcentury.HesecuredthefriendshipofthekingofMadurai,ArimardanaPandyan,andbecamehischiefminister.HewasalsoknownbythenameVadavurar.ThePandyakingsentManickavasagarwithalotofmoneytopurchasehorsesfortheState.Manickavasagarstartedonhisjourney.Onhisway,heheardtheKirtanofSivainagardeninTHESAIVAACHARYAS Tiruperundurai.LordSivaassumedtheformofaSivaYogiandseatedHimself,underneathatreewithHisSivaGanasasdisciples.HecameheretoinitiateManickavasagarinSivaJnana.ManickavasagarfellatthefeetoftheLordandsurrenderedhimself.LordSivainitiatedManickavasagarintothemysteriesofSivaJnana.Manickavasagarspentawayallthemoneyhehadbrought,intheconstructionoftemplesandfeedingSivaBhaktas.Herenouncedeverything,woreaKowpinandbecameaSannyasin.Thematterwasreport

123 edtotheking.TheRajasentalettertoManickav
edtotheking.TheRajasentalettertoManickavasagarandorderedhimtoseehimatonce.Manickavasagardidnotpayanyattention.LordSivasaidtoManickavasagar:“IwillbringthehorsesonAvaniMulam.Yougoinadvance.GivethisdiamondtotheRaja”.ManickavasagarproceededtoMadurai,gavethediamondtotheRajaandsaid:“ThehorseswillcomehereonAvaniMulam”.TheRajabecameimpatient.HedidnotgetanyinformationaboutthehorsestwodaysbeforeAvaniMulam.HethoughtthatManickavasagarhadcheatedhim.Therefore,heputManickavasagarinjailandtormentedhimseverely.ThehorsescameinthemorningofAvaniMulam.LordSivaassumedtheformofagroom.HowmercifulistheLordtowardsHisdevotees!TheRajawashighlypleased.HereleasedManickavasagarfromjailandmadeanapologytohim.ThroughtheLilaoftheLord,jackalscameintheformofhorses.Allthehorseswereturnedintojackals.TheRajabecameterriblyangry.HeagaintorturedManickavasagar.Hemadehimstandinthehotsand-bedofVaigairiverat12noon.AtoncetheLordcausedfloodintherivertocoolHisdevotee.Thewholetownwasinundated.TheministerstoldtheRajathatthiscalamityhadhappenedonaccountofhisill-treatmentofthegreatMahatma.TheRajaatoncereleasedManickavasagar.Heprostratedbeforehimandrequestedhimtostoptheflood.AssoonasManickavasagarmarchedonthebank,thefloodsubsided.TheRajaorderedallthesubjectstoputonebasketfulofmudonthebankoftheriver.AllthebreachesweremadeallrightexceptthatportionofthebreachgiventoanoldwomanVandi.Shewasindistress.LordSivaHimselfoutofcompassionappearedasacoolybeforethatoldwomanandofferedHisservicestoherinreturnforahandfulofrice-flour.Hewassimplyplaying.HekeptthemudinHishands.TheRajacametoknowthatthecoolyofVandididnotdoanywork.Hebecameveryangryandbeatthecoolywithastick.TheblowwasfeltbytheRajaandeveryoneinthetown.Thecoolyvanished.TheRajacametoknowthatthiswastheLilaoftheLordSiva.HerecognisedthegloryofManickavasagaralso.ThereuponManickavasagarmetLordSiva.TheLordorderedhimtovisitallplacesofpilgrimageandthengotoChidambaram.ManickavasagarvisitedTiruvannamalai,Kanjivaramandotherplaces,sanghisTiruvasagamandlastlywenttoChidambaram.Tiruk

124 oovaiwaswrittenbyhimhere.ThenManickavasa
oovaiwaswrittenbyhimhere.ThenManickavasagarenteredintodiscussionwithaBuddhistteacheranddefeatedhim.GoddessSarasvatimadetheBuddhistteacherandhisdisciplesdumb.ThentheBuddhistickingapproachedManickavasagarandsaid:“Youmademyteacherandallhisdisciplesdumb.Ifyoucanmakemydumbdaughterspeak,IandmysubjectswillembraceSaivism”.Manickavasagarthenputsomequestionstothedumbdaughteroftheking.Shebegantospeak.ThentheBuddhistickingandLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP allhissubjectsbecameSaivites.ManickavasagarthenmadetheBuddhisticteacherandhisdisciplesspeak.ThenLordSivaapproachedManickavasagarintheformofaBrahmin.ManickavasagarrepeatedthewholeTiruvasagamtotheBrahmin.TheBrahminwrotedowneverythingonthepalmyraleavesandwroteintheend:“Manickavasagarrepeatedthis,TiruchittambalaUdayarwrotethis”.TheBrahminkeptthisinthestepofPanchaksharaoftheChitsabhai.ThentheBrahminsofChidambaramshowedthistoManickavasagarandrequestedhimtotellthemeaningoftheverses.Manickavasagarsaid:“ThisTillaiNatarajaisthepurportofthesestanzas”.HeatoncemergedhimselfinthefeetofNatarajaattheageofthirtytwo.ThepoemsofManickavasagararefiftytwoinnumber.TheyareallcollectedtogetherunderthetitleofTiruvasagam.Theyaremostbeautiful,sublimeandinspiring.Theycontainornamentalpoetry.SouthIndianssingTiruvasagamdaily.TheheartsofthosewhohearthesehymnsmeltatDearreaders!YoucanunderstandfromthelifeofManickavasagar,thatLordSivabecomestheslaveofHisdevotees.TirumulaNayanarwastheauthorofTirumandiram,oneofthemostauthoritativeworksembodyingtheSivadoctrine.HewasagreatSivaYogiwhohadobtainedthegraceofNandi,thedoor-keeperofLordSiva.HecametoSouthIndiafromKailas.HehadadesiretoseeAgastyaRishionPodiyahillsinSouthIndia.HewenttoKedarnath,Nepal,Avimuktam,theVindhyas,Kasi,Kalahasti,Tiruvalangadu,Kanjivaram,Tiruvadigai,ChidambaramandPerumbarrappuliyur.ThenhecametoAvaduturaiandworshippedtheLordthere.HeleftthisplaceandwasmovingonthebanksofKaveri.Here,somecowswerecryingonaccountofthedeathofcowherdMulawholivedinSattanur.TheSivaYogibecameverycompassionatewhenhesa

125 wtheconditionofthecows.Heenteredintotheb
wtheconditionofthecows.Heenteredintothebodyofthecowherdanddrovethecowshomeward.Whenhereachedthecowherd’shouse,thewifeofMulaapproachedhim,buthewouldnotpermithertotouchhim.Hedidnoteventalktoher.Shewasmuchafflictedatheartandspentasleeplessnight.ThenthosewhosawhimsaidthathewasagreatYogi.TheSivaYogiwhoenteredthebodyofMulasatinmeditationandenteredintoSamadhi.HecamedownfromhisSamadhiandproceededtoenterintohisoldbody.Hedidnotfindthebodyintheplace.ThroughhisYogicvision,hefoundoutthatLordSivawantedthatheshouldwriteabookonSaivaphilosophywhichwouldbeusefultothepeopleofSouthIndiaandHehidhisbodyforthispurpose.ThenhewenttoAvaduturai,meditatedupontheLordandwroteoutthedoctrineofSaivaphilosophyinthreethousandstanzasattherateofonestanzainoneyear.HerenderedintoTamiltheSaivadoctrineoftheSanskritSaivaAgamas.HisworkbecamethefoundationuponwhichthelaterstructureofSaivaSiddhantaphilosophywasbuilt.Afterfinishingthisgreatwork,hewentbacktoKailasortheworldofLordSiva.THESAIVAACHARYAS TirumulargivesadescriptionofthefruitsthatcanbeobtainedbythepracticeoftheeightlimbsofRajaYoga.TheYogiobtainstheblessingofUmaandattainsAmarapatibythepracticeofYama(self-restraint).HeattainsSivapadambythepracticeofNiyama(religiouscanons).HehearsNadambythepracticeofAsana(pose).HeattainsastagebythepracticeofPranayama(restraintofbreath)inwhichallthegodseulogisehim.HeattainstheformofSivabythepracticeofPratyahara(abstractionofsenses)andthegodsbecomeconfusedastheycannotdifferentiatehimfromSiva.HecangoanywhereincludingtheworldsofBrahmaandVishnubythepracticeofDharana(concentration).Hecanwalkintoanyplacejustasonecanwalkonearth.HeattainstheabodeofBrahma,Vishnu,RudraandIndrabythepracticeofDhyana(meditation).HefreeshimselffromalltheUpadhisorfettersanduniteswithLordSiva(TatPadam)bythepracticeofSamadhi(superconsciousstate).BasavannawasthegreatViraSaivasocio-religiousteacher.HewasalsoknownbythenamesBasavaraja,Basavesvara.Hewasadeepthinker.Hebroughtaboutvitalchangesinsocialadjustmentandthought.HewastheSaivitereformeroftheKarnatakastate.H

126 egavethepresentformtothecultknownasSivac
egavethepresentformtothecultknownasSivachara.Heflourishedinthetwelfthcentury.HewasborninaBrahminfamily.Heleftthepracticesofhisowncommunityastheyweretooritualisticandformal.HejoinedtheViraSalvecultwhichwasveryprevalentatthattime.HewastheChiefMinisterinthecourtofkingBijjalainKalyan.Hewasaverypopularminister.Hewasverykind,noble,modest,verylovableandcourageous.HehadintenserelianceonGod.Peopledeifiedhimandworshippedhim.Hewouldfreelymixwithcommonpeople.Heredressedtheirgrievances.Hewasincloseintimacywiththem.Heworkedveryhardforthedisseminationofhisfaith.Hecreatedmanyenemiesonaccountofthisactivepropaganda.Therewascivildisturbanceinthecountry.Bijjalamethisendinthisdisturbance,Basavanna’slifetooendedinthisperiodofagitation,althoughitisdifficulttofindouthowheexactlymethisend.Hewasareformer.HebecametheleaderoftheViraSaivamovement.Heestablishedacultthatisacceptedtodaybymanypeople.Itdevelopedaschoolofpoorpriests.Itabolishedtheoldpriestlyclass.Itadoptedthevernacularasthemediumforinculcatingthesupremetruthintothepeople.Itgavetowomenanimportantplaceinreligiousandsociallife.Itprescribedoneidealofrealisationforeveryindividual,highorlow.BasavannamadegreatsacrificeforTruth.Peopleacceptedhimasateacher.Hissayingshavecomestraightfromhisheart.Theygostraighttotheheart.Theyaresimple,direct,powerful.Hisrulesofconductareloftyandadmirable.HewasasincereseekerafterTruthandcouldmakegreatsacrificesforattainingtheTruth.Hewasallloveandkindness.LoveforalllifeoruniversallovewasthecentralteachingofBasavanna.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ChapterXIISIVABHAKTASSaintsandSagesWhoissaint?HewholivesinGodtheortheEternal,whoisfreefromegoism,likesanddislikes,selfishness,vanity,mine-ness,lust,greedandanger,whoisendowedwithequalvision,balancedmind,mercy,tolerance,righteousness,cosmicloveandwhohasdivineknowledgeisasaint.Saintsandsagesareblessingstotheworldatlarge.Theyarethecustodiansofsuperiordivinewisdom,spiritualpowersandinexhaustiblespiritualwealth.Evenkingsbowtheirheadsattheirlotus-feet.KingJanakasaidtoYajnavalkya:“Ov

127 enerablesage,IamgratefultoyourexaltedHol
enerablesage,IamgratefultoyourexaltedHolinessforobtainingtheancientwisdomoftheUpanishadsthroughyourloftyandsublimeinstructions.Ioffermywholekingdomatthyfeet.FurtherIamthyservant.Iwillwaitontheelikeaservant”.Suchisthemagnanimousnatureofsaintsandsages.Theirveryexistenceinspiresothersandgoadsthemtobecomelikethemandattainthesamestateofblissasachievedbythem.Haditnotbeenfortheirexistence,therewouldnothavebeenspiritualupliftandsalvationforyouall.Theirgloryisindescribable.Theirwisdomisunfathomable.Theyaredeepliketheocean,steadyliketheHimalayas,pureliketheHimalayansnow,effulgentlikethesun.OnecrossesthisterribleoceanofSamsaraorbirthsanddeaths,throughtheirgraceandSatsangaorassociationwiththem.Tobeintheircompanyishighesteducation.Tolovethemishighesthappiness.Tobenearthemisrealeducation.Theywanderfromvillagetovillageanddisseminatedivineknowledge.Theymovefromdoortodoorandimpartwisdom.Theytakealittlefortheirbaremaintenanceandgivethehighesteducation,cultureandenlightenmenttothepeople.Theirverylifeisexemplary.Whethertheydeliverlecturesornot,whethertheyholddiscoursesornot,itmatterslittle.Saintsandsagesonlycanbecomerealadvisersofkingsbecausetheyareselflessandpossesshighestwisdom.Theyonlycanimprovethemoralityofthemasses.Theyonlycanshowthewaytoattaineternalblissandimmortality.SivajihadSwamiRamadasashisadviser.KingDasarathahadMaharshiVasishthaashisadviser.Studythelivesofsaints,youareinspiredatonce.Remembertheirsayings,youareelevatedimmediately.Walkintheirfootsteps,youarefreedfrompainandsorrow.Therefore,thebook‘LivesofSaints’mustbeyourconstantcompanion.Itmustbeinyourpocket.Itmustbeunderneathyourpillow.DonotsuperimposedefectsonthemonaccountofyourDosha-drishtiorevil-eye.Youcannotjudgetheirmerits.Behumbleandsitattheirfeet.Servethemwithyourheartandsoul,andclearyourdoubts.Getinstructionsandpractisetheminrightearnest.Youwillcertainlybeblessed.Everyschool,everycollege,everyboardinghouse,everyjail,everyinstitution,everyhouse,shouldhaveasaintfortheirguidance.Saintsareinabundance.Youdonotwa

128 ntthem.Youdonotwishtoapproachthem.Youdon
ntthem.Youdonotwishtoapproachthem.Youdonotwishtoservethem.Youdonotaspireforhigherthings.THESAIVAACHARYAS Youareperfectlysatisfiedwithsomebrokenshellsandglass-pieces.Thereisnothirstorspiritualhungerinyouforachievinghigher,divineknowledgeandinnerPeace.Thereisnocasteamongsaintsandsages,Donotlooktotheircaste.Youwillnotbebenefited.Youcannotimbibetheirvirtues.Inhigherreligion,thereisneithercastenorcreed.Cobblers,weaversanduntouchableshadbecomethebestsaints.WisdomandSelf-realisationarenotthemonopolyofBrahminsalone.SouthIndianBrahminspayrespectsandgivefoodonlytotheBrahminDandiSannyasins.Thisisaseriousmistakeandgraveblunder.Whatasadstate!ThatisthereasonwhysaintsdonotvisitSouthIndia.Punjab,SindhandGujarathavedevotiontoallsaints.Hence,theymoveinthesepartsandpeoplederivemuchspiritualbenefitfromthem.Maythisworldbefilledwithgoodsaintsandsages!MayyouallattainthesupremegoalthroughtheirSatsangaandadvice!Maytheblessingsofsaintsandsagesbeuponyouall!MarkandeyawasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.HisfatherMrikanduperformedrigorousausteritiestogetason.LordSivaappearedbeforehimandsaid:“ORishi,doyouwantagoodsonwhowilldieinhissixteenthyearorabadandfoolishsonwhowillliveforalongtime?”Mrikandureplied:“OmyvenerableLord,letmehaveagoodson”.TheboycametoknowabouthisfateandbegantoworshipLordSivawhole-heartedlywithintensefaithanddevotion.TheboyenteredintodeepmeditationandSamadhionthedaydecreedasthedayofhisdeath.ThemessengersofLordYamawerenotabletoapproachhim.Hence,Yamahimselfwenttotakeawayhislife.TheboyprayedtoLordSivaforprotectionandembracedtheLinga.ThenYamathrewhisnooseroundtheLingaandtheboy.LordSivacameoutoftheLingaimmediatelyandkilledYamatoprotecttheboy.LordSivawascalledMrityunjayaandKala-kalafromthatday.ThentheDevasapproachedLordSivaandsaid:“OadorableLord,salutationsuntoThee.PardonYamaforhismistake.Ooceanofmercy,bringhimbacktolife”.ThenLordSivabroughtYamabacktolifeattherequestofthegods.HealsoconferredaboontotheboyMarkandeyathatheshouldliveforeverasaboyofsixteenyearsofage.HeisaChiran

129 jivi.InSouthIndia,evennowmenandwomenbles
jivi.InSouthIndia,evennowmenandwomenblessaboywhenhedoesprostrationtothem:“LiveasaChiranjivilikeThroughTapasandmeditationyoucanachieveanythinginthethreeworlds.TheStoryofRishabhaYogiThisstoryisrelatedinsevenchaptersintheBrahmottaraKandaofSkandaPurana.Mandara,aBrahminofAvantiwasamanofgreaterudition.ButhelivedwithaprostitutenamedPingala.Rishabha,agreatSivaYogi,wastheguestofMandaraoneday.BothMandaraandPingalaservedtheYogiwithintensefaithanddevotionandobtainedhisgrace.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Aftersometimebothofthemdied.MandarawasbornasthesonofVajrabahu,thekingofDasarna.WhenhewasinthewombofhismotherSumati,theotherwivesofthekinggavepoisontoSumationaccountofjealousy.BoththechildandSumatibecameverysick.Theycouldnotbecuredoftheirillness.Theywereabandonedintheforestbytheorderoftheking.TheyweretakenbyarichmerchantthroughthegraceoftheLordandwereprotectedbyhimnicely.Thechildgrewworsedaybydayanddied.Themotherwaswailingbitterlyoverthedeathofherson.NowRishabhaappearedonthescene,consoledthemotherandimpartedherphilosophicalinstructions.Butshecouldnotbeconsoled.ThentheYogitouchedthedeadchildwiththeBhasmaofSiva.Thechildcamebacktolife.HemadethemotherandsonquitehealthyandbeautifulthroughhisYogicpowers.HegavethenameBhadrayutotheboyandtaughthimtheSivaKavacha.Hegavehimasword,aconchandthestrengthoftenthousandelephants.HegavehimalsotheBhasmaofSiva.ThentheYogilefttheplace.BhadrayuandSunaya,thesonofthemerchant,livedtogetherhappily.BhadrayuheardthathisfatherhadbeendeposedandimprisonedbyHemaratha,thekingofMagadha.HewentwithSunaya,defeatedtheenemiesandfreedhisfather,alltheministersandthequeenswhohadbeenimprisonedbythekingofMagadha.HeleftthekingofMagadhaandhisretinueasprisonersinthepossessionofhisfatherandreturnedhome.Hedidnotrevealhisidentitytohisfather.Thefatheradmiredthevalouroftheboyandexpressedhiskeensenseofindebtednesstotheboy.ThusRishabha,thegreatSivaYogishowedhisgracetoBhadrayuwhoasMandara,hadonceservedhimwithfaithanddevotiondespitehislooseliving.Chitravarma,thekingofAryavartahadadaughterbynameSi

130 mantini.Chandrangada,thesonofIndrasena,t
mantini.Chandrangada,thesonofIndrasena,thesonofNalaandDamayantiofNishadha,marriedSimantini.ChandrangadawasdrownedinJamunasoonaftermarriage,whilehewassportinginaboat.TheNagagirlstookChandrangadatoTakshaka,theirchiefinNagaloka.Simantinilearntfromanastrologerofthecourtthatshewouldbecomeawidowinherfourteenthyear.Therefore,shegotinitiationintotheworshipofLordSivaonMondaysandatPradosha,fromMaitreyi,wifeofthesageYajnavalkya.Shecontinuedtheworshipevenaftershebecameawidow.TakshakasentChandrangadabacktothebanksofJamunaashewishedthatheshouldlivewithhiswife.OneeveningonMonday,whenSimantiniwenttotheriverfortakingabath,shemetherhusband.Chandrangadadefeatedtheenemykingwhohaddeposedhisfatherinhisabsenceandreplacedhisfatheronthethrone.SimantiniandChandrangadawerereunitedbythegraceofLordSimantiniusedtoadoreandgivepresentstoBrahminsandtheirwiveseveryMondayinhonourofLordSivaandParvati.TwoBrahminboysapproachedthekingofVidarbhaforgettingmoneyfortheirmarriage.ThekingaskedtheboystobedressedasmanandwifeandgotoSimantini.HedidthisinordertotestthedevotionofSimantini.Theboysactedaccordingly.SimantinilaughedandadoredthemasLordSivaandParvati.Oneoftheboysbecomeawoman.SIVABHAKTAS ThefatheroftheboywhohadbecomeawomanbythepowerofSimantinirequestedthekingtohelphimoutofthetrouble.ThekingprayedtoParvati.ParvatirefusedtointerferewiththeactofHerdevotee,butpromisedasontothefatheroftheboy.Thetwoboyshadtomarryandliveashusbandandwife.SimantinihadadaughterbynameKirtimalini.ThisKirtimaliniwasreallytheprostitutePingalawhohadobtainedthegraceofRishabha,theSivaYogi,byservinghimwithgreatdevotion.RishabhawenttoChandrangadaandaskedhimtomarryKirtimalinitoBhadrayu.TheSivaYogirelatedthewholestoryofBhadrayutoChandrangada.ChandrangadagavehisdaughterKirtimalinitoBhadrayuinmarriage.HeinvitedthefatherofBhadrayutothemarriage.WhenVajrabahusawtheson-in-lawofChandrangada,hefoundhimtobetheveryboywhohaddefeatedthekingofMagadhaandgivenhimhiskingdom.Thestoryofthemotherandson,SumatiandBhadrayu,wasrelatedtoVajrabahu.Vajrabahutookhisqueenandson

131 withthedaughter-in-lawtohiskingdom.Thegr
withthedaughter-in-lawtohiskingdom.ThegreatSivaYogiRishabha,reunitedhisdevotedworshippersMandaraandPingala.ThoughtheyledalooselifetheyweresavedandmadehappythroughthegraceoftheSivaYogi,Rishabha.OnedayBhadrayuwenttotheforest.HeheardthecryofaBrahmin’swife,whowasbeingcarriedawaybyatiger.Thekingtriedhislevelbesttosavethewomanbutcouldnotkillthetiger.TheBrahminabusedthekingandsaid:“Otimidking,youhavenovalourtokillthetiger.Whatsortofkingyouare!”BhadrayupromisedtogiveanythingincludinghiswifetotheBrahmin.TheBrahmindemandedthequeen.BhadrayugavehisqueentotheBrahminandpreparedhimselftoenterthefireandlosehislifewhichwasnotworthlivingthereafter.Then,LordSivaandParvatiappearedbeforethekingwhowasagreatSiva-Bhaktaandsaid:“WehavedonethistotestyourstrengthandDharma”.Thereupon,LordSivagaveSivaSayujyatoBhadrayu,Kirtimalini,theirparents,theVaisyaandhisson,accordingtotherequestofBhadrayuandhiswife.TheBrahmin’swifewasonceagainbroughttolifeandtheybothreceivedtheblessingofLordSiva.ThestoryclearlyrevealsthegloryofSivaBhakti,thegreatnessofSivaBhaktas,theimportanceofSivaPujaonalldays,particularlyonMondaysandinPradosha,thehourjustatPushpadantawasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.HewasthechiefoftheGandharvas.Histeethwerelikethepetalsofthejasmineflower.HencehewascalledbythenamePushpadanta,‘flowerytoothed’.Pushpadantahadthepowerofmovingintheair.HeusedtocollectflowersfromthegardenofkingVahuatBanares,inordertoworshipLordSiva.Ashehadthepowerofmovingintheair,thegardenerswerenotabletodetecthim.Thegardenerssuspectedthatsomemysteriousbeingwithsomesupernaturalpowers,wasstealthilypluckingtheflowersofthegarden.Theymadeadevicetocatchhim.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP TheyscatteredsomeflowerswhichhadbeenofferedtoLordSivaindifferentplacesinthegarden.Theythoughtthatthemysteriousbeingwouldtreadontheflowers.AsusualPushpadantavisitedthegardentopluckflowers.Hewalkedontheflowerswhichwerescatteredontheground.HeunconsciouslyinsultedLordSivaandlosthispowerofmovingintheair.Hewascaughtbythegardenersandbrought

132 beforetheking.PushpadantarecitedahymntoL
beforetheking.PushpadantarecitedahymntoLordSivatopropitiateHimandfreehimselffromthefearofthekingwhomhehadoffendedbythetheftoftheflowers.HeagainobtainedthepowertomoveintheairthroughthegraceofLordSiva.Thiscelebratedhymnisknownbythename‘Mahimnastava’.Itisfullofsublime,soul-elevatingthoughts.ItissungdailyintheSivatemplesofNorthernIndia,duringeveningprayersandArati.Thishymntouchestheheartofall.Itissonorous,rhythmicalandmusicalandfullofprofounddevotion.Youshouldgetthisbyheartandrepeatitdaily.Youwillattainsupreme,immortal,blissfulabodeofLordSiva.KannappaNayanarTinnanar,knownasKannappar,wasbornofNagan,thekingoftheVyadhas(hunters),inUduppur,inSouthIndia.KingNaganwasagreatBhaktaofLordSubrahmanya.Fromhisboyhood,Tinnanarwaswelltrainedintheskillofahunterandarcheryandinhisprimeage,hehadtoassumethereinsofgovernmentwhichhisoldfatherbestowedonhim.Oneday,Tinnanarwentoutforahuntwithsomeofhisfollowers.Whilewanderingintheforesttheycameacrossahog,escapingfromanet.They,atoncechasedthehogforalongtime,upanddownthehills.Afteralongtime,Tinnanarkilledthehogandastheyweremuchtiredduetothelongchasing,theyatoncearrangedtocookthefleshoftheanimalanditwasremovedtoanotherplaceintheKalahastiHillwhichwasnearby.WhilewalkingtowardsthehilloneofthefollowersofTinnanarsuggestedtohimtopayavisittoKudumiThevar,thepresidingdeityofthehills,andtheyproceededtohaveDarsanaoftheLordonthehill.WhileclimbingupthehillTinnanarfeltasifsomegreatburdenwhichwasonhimuptillnow,wasgraduallydiminishingandhedecidednowtogotothetemplenearby,haveDarsanaoftheLordthereandthentotaketheirmeals.Assoonashecamenearthetemple,tohisgreatjoyhesawaSivaLinga.AttheverysightofIsvara,hewastransformedtoanembodimentofloveanddevotionandextremejoy.Likeamotherwhometherchildthatwasmissingforlong,TinnanarwasmergedindeepfeelingofdivineecstasyandPrem.Ha!WhataboundlessandinexpressibleandillimitablejoyandexhilarationhehadattheverysightofLordSiva!Hebegantocry,weepandshedtearsofjoyandlovetowardstheLord.Heforgoteverythingabouthismealsandhisfollowersandevenhisown

133 body.Hefeltverymuchforthelonelinessofthe
body.HefeltverymuchforthelonelinessoftheLordonthehillswithoutbeingprotectedagainsttheanimalsandothersthatmightdoharmtoHim,andhedecidedtokeepwatchoverthetemplethroughoutthenightagainstanydangerfromanimalsorevil-doers.OnseeingthattheLordwashungry,heatonceranouttopreparemealsfortheLordoutofthemeathehadgotbykillingthehog.Hecarefullytooktheflesh,tasteditandthusselectedthepieceswhichwerepalatableandSIVABHAKTAS roastedthem.Theremainingportionhethrewawayasbad.ThenheproceededtowardstherivertofetchwaterfortheAbhishekaand.hegotthewaterinhismouth.Ontheway,hepluckedsomeflowersandkepttheminthelocksofhishair.Withthesepreparationsheenteredthetemple,removedtheoldflowersthatwerelyingontheLordbyshoe,didAbhishekawiththewaterinhismouthanddecoratedHimwiththeflowershehadonhislocksofhair.ThenheofferedthePrasadofmeattotheLord.Finishingallthese,withbowandarrowinhishandhekeptakeenwatchoverthetemplebystandinginfrontofthetemplethroughoutthenight.Earlyinthemorning,hewentoutforhunttobringPrasadfortheLord.WhenTinnanarleftforhunting,thetemplepriest,Sivakasariar,anearnestandsinceredevoteeofLordSankara,cametothetempleandtohisgreatsurpriseanddisappointment,sawbonesandfleshallroundtheLordandthedecorationshavebeenspoiled.Buthecouldnotidentifythemanwhohasdonesuchanact,andmeddledwiththesanctityoftheplace.SoutteringthenecessaryMantras,hecleanedtheplaceandperformedhisusualPujafortheLordandrecitedtheprayers.AfterthePujaheclosedthetempleandwentout.TinnanarnowreturnedwiththePrasadofmeatandfleshandasbefore,heremovedtheolddecorationsdonebythepriest,decoratedinhisownwayasusual,andofferedPrasad.Atnight,hekeptvigilandkeenwatchoverthetemple.Earlyinthemorning,hewentouttobringPrasad.ThushewaswiththeLordservingHimforfivedaysandinspiteoftheentreatiesofhisparentstocomehome,hepersistedinremainingwiththeLordandLordalone.Sivakasariar,whowasvexedwiththeincidentbeingrepeateddaybyday,complainedtotheLordandrequestedHimtoputanendtothesemishappenings.LordSivaappearedinthepriest’sdreamandnarratedtohimwhatwashappeninginthetempledurin

134 gtheabsenceofthepriestandtoldhimalsothat
gtheabsenceofthepriestandtoldhimalsothatwhatallactionsTinnanarwasdoingwasonlyoutofpure,unsophisticatedlovethatheboretowardstheLord.Further,theLordsaid:“Iwelcome,andratherIamimmenselypleasedwiththemouthfulofwaterbywhichheisdoingmyAbhisheka.ThishasgreatervaluetoMethanbytheTirthasoftheGanga.Whateveractionthatisperformedoutofpureanddeeploveandfaith,ImerititwithgreatervaluethanthoseritualsandausteritiesdonebytheVedicinjunctions”.ThenLordGangadharaskedthepriesttocometothetemplenextdayandhidehimselfbehindtheMuftiandwitnesswhatTinnanardoes.Tinnanar,afterbringingthePrasad,arrangedinhisownusualwayfortheAbhishekaanddecorationoftheLord.NowLordSivawilledthatthepriest,SivakasariarshouldseeandfeelthedegreeofdevotionandfaiththatTinnanarwashavingforHim.So,whileTinnanarwasdoingthePujaandofferingthePrasadofmeat,tohisgreatastonishment,hesawtheLordsheddingtearsofblood,intherighteye.Hegotperplexedandwasatalosstoknowwhattodo.Heranhitherandthithertobringsomeleavesforstoppingthebleedingbutfoundtheywereofnouse.Heweptbitterly,cursedhimselfforbeingunabletostopthebleedingfromtheeye.Atlast,aplancametohim.HeatoncepluckedouthisrighteyewithhisarrowandfixeditontherighteyeoftheLord.Tohisgreatjoyandecstasy,hesawthebleedingstopped.Whilehewasdancingindivineecstasyforhavingcuredthebleeding,allonasudden,heperceivedthatthelefteyealsowasbleeding.Thoughhewasovertakenbysurpriseandsorrow,thepreviousplancametohimandhedecidedtopiercehislefteyewithhisarrowwiththeintentionofpluckingitoutandfixingitonthelefteyeoftheLord.Butwhenhisbotheyesweregone,howcouldheseethebleedingonthelefteyeoftheLordsoastoLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP stopitbyfixinghisowneye?Hence,inordertoidentifythelefteyeoftheLord,hefirstfixeditupwiththeshoeonhisrightfoot,andbegantopiercehisownlefteyewiththearrowinhishand.ButIsvarawillnotbesocruelastoseeHisBhaktassuffersomuch.Onthespot,theLordappearedandaddressedTinnanaras‘’andstoppedhimfrompluckingoutthelefteye.HewasmuchpleasedwiththefilialdevotionandstaunchfaiththatKannapparhadforHimandkepthimbyHi

135 srightside.TheabovestoryofKannapparisill
srightside.TheabovestoryofKannapparisillustrativeofthehighestdegreeofdevotionandfaiththatwasevincedbytheBhaktatowardsLordSiva,eventhoughhewasahunterbycasteandnevercaredfortheritualsandausteritiesbywhichtheLordshouldbeworshipped.ItwasonlymereloveandintensedevotiontotheLordthatbestowedonhimthegreatestboonfromtheLord,i.e.,Self-realisation.ItisonlyamatterofsixdaysthatheperformedthePujaceremoniestotheLordinhisownway,buttheamountofdevotionandlovehehadtotheLord,wasboundless.MaytheblessingsofKannapparbeuponyouall!MayyouallattainthehighestgoalofhumanlifebyfollowingtheexampleofKannappaNayanar,thegreatSouthIndianBhaktaofLordSirutondaNayanarParanjotiarofTiruchettangudiwasgeneralundertheCholaking.HewasskilfulinallthemethodsofwarfareandhadwonmanyawarfortheCholaking.Inspiteofthefactofhisbeingageneral,hisdevotiontoLordSivaandSivaBhaktaswasincreasing.AsaBhaktaofLordSiva,hewasnotedforhishumilityandhewasaptlynamedSirutondaNayanar.HelefthispostofgeneralandspenthislifetimeinworshippingLordSivaandservingandfeedingSivaBhaktas.NeveradaywasknownwhenhetookfoodwithoutfeedingSivaBhaktas.Suchwastheintensityofhisdevotion.Inthisway,hewashappilylivingwithhiswifeandason,Seeralanbyname.Once,ithappenedthatLordSivaintheguiseofVairavarcametohisdoorsforBhiksha.Justatthatmoment,SirutondarhadgoneouttogetsomeSivaBhaktasforfeeding.VairavarwaitedforawhileandtherecameSirutondarreturningfromhisquestofSadhus,quitedisappointedashefoundnonetofeedwith.TohisgreatjoyVairavarwaswaitingathisdoors.NowVairavar,expressinghiswishtodineinhishouse,informedhimthathewoulddosoprovidedSirutondarcompliedwithhiswishes.Ongettinghisconsent,Vairavartoldhimthatherequiredthecookedfleshofaboyof5yearsoldwithrobusthealthandwithoutanydeformitiesofmindandbody.ThoughatfirsttheBhaktawasbewilderedingettingthethingrequired,atlasthappilydecidedtooffertheirownson,Seeralan,forthefeastofVairavar.Boththewifeandhusbandhurriedupinpreparingtherequiredmeals,themotherkeepinghersononthelapandthefathercuttingthethroat,andeverylimbwascookedexceptthehead.Eventhisp

136 artwasnicelypreparedaftergettingtheconse
artwasnicelypreparedaftergettingtheconsentofVairavar.Wheneverythingwasprepared,SirutondarandVairavarbegantotaketheirmeals.ButatthemomentVairavarstoppedandrefusedtotakefoodunlessSirutondargothissonbyhissideforeating.ThoughSirutondartoldVairavarthathissonwouldnotservethepurposeatthathour,stillVairavarinsisted.SirutondargotupandwithincreaseddevotionandstaunchfaithinHim,wentoutsidehishouseandcalledoutthenameofhisson,Seeralan,asifhissonwascomingfromschool.Buttohisastonishment,hissonrespondedSIVABHAKTAS tohiscallandwascomingdowntheotherendofthestreetasiffromschool.Withhisson,heenteredthehouse.Butnow,neitherthecookedfleshnotVairavarweretobeseen.Whatadismay?Instead,LordMahadevappearedonthescenewithHisconsortParvatiandLordSubrahmanyabyHisside,blessedboththehusbandandwifefortheirintenselovetowardsHim,andtookSirutondarandhisfamilyalongwithHim.SuchwastherewardfortheBhaktawhoofferedhisson’sfleshforthefeedingoftheSadhu.MayyoualldevelopintenseloveandfaithtotheLord!MaytheblessingsofSirutondarbeuponusall!LordSiva’sMotherInancientdays,therelivedarichmerchantnamedDhanadattainKarikalinSouthIndia.Hehadnochild.HeworshippedLordSiva.HehadadaughterthroughthegraceoftheLord.ThechildwascalledbythenamePunitavati.PunitavaticametobelateroncalledbythenameKarikalAmmaiaralso.SheiscountedasoneamongstNayanars(thefamousSivaBhaktasofSouthIndia).Punitavatiwasveryintelligent,beautiful,pious.ShechantedthenamesandpraiseofLordSiva.Sheappliedholyashtoherforehead.ShemarriedParamadatta,thesonofarichmerchantatNagapattam.Paramadattaalsowasbeautifulandintelligent.Hepossessedgoodcharacter.Helivedinhisfather-in-law’splacewiththepermissionofhisfather.Punitavatiusedtofeedwithintensedevotionandjoy,theBhaktasdayandnightandhearthemsingingthenamesofLordSiva.ShealwaysrememberedtheutteranceoftheVedas:“LettheguestbeaGoduntoyou—Atithidevobhava”.Sheandherhusbandtookthefoodthatremainedafterservingthedevotees,asifitwerenectar.Oneday,awanderingmendicantcameandgavetworipemangoestoParamadatta.Paramadattagavet

137 hemtohiswifeandattendedtohisbusiness.Ade
hemtohiswifeandattendedtohisbusiness.AdevoteecameandaskedPunitavatitogivehimsomethingtoeatashewasveryhungry.Thefoodwasnotready.Soshegavehimoneofthemangoesandsomemilk.Paramadattareturnedhomeandtookhisfood.Punitavatiservedhimwithmangofruitthatremained.Paramadattafounditverydelicious.Heaskedhertobringtheotherfruitalso.SheprayedtoLordSiva.Immediately,amangofellintoherhands.Itlookedexactlyliketheoneservedbefore.Shegaveittoherhusband.Hefounditathousandtimesmorepalatablethanthefirstone.HeaskedPunitavati:“MybelovedPunitavati,wheredidyougetitfrom?”Shenarratedeverything.Paramadattasaid:“Getmeanother”.Punitavatigotanothermangointhetwinklingofaneye.Paramadattawasstruckwithaweandwonder.HeunderstoodthathiswifewasabeloveddevoteeofLordSiva.Hereflectedwithinhimself:“Iamagreatsinner.IhavetreatedagreatdevoteeofLordSivaasmyservant.Icannotconsiderherasmywifeanylonger.Itwillbeagreatsintoleaveheralone.Butwhattodonow?”LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP Hewasinadilemma.Finally,heresolvedtopartfromher.Hetoldhiswifethathewasgoingoutonprofessionalbusiness.HeobtainedherpermissionandproceededtoMadurai.Hesettledthereandmarriedanotherwife.Thesecondwifegavebirthtoadaughter.ParamadattanamedherPunitavati.Punitavatiwasanxiouslyawaitingthereturnofherhusbandatthepromisedtime.Shehadnonewsofhim.Shebecameverymiserableandunhappy.Aftersometime,shecametoknowaboutthewhereaboutsofherhusband.SheproceededtoMaduraiandmetherhusband.Paramadattawelcomedherwithintensejoyandprostratedatherfeet.Hesaidtohiswife:“Iamaworldlyman.Iampassionateandgreedy.Youareagoddess.Icannottakeyounowasmywife.Pray,pardonme”.Punitavatireplied:“Mylord,Ihavepreservedmyyouthandbeautyforyoursakeonly.Asyoudonotwantme,IshallseekmyLordSivanow.”Shedistributedallthejewelstothoseassembledaround.SheworshippedthepiousBrahminsandshookoffallthefleshbythepowerofYogaandlookedasamereskeleton.Shemarchednorthward.ShecametoMountKailas.Shethoughtitasintowalkwithone’sfeetintheholyHimalayas.Shemovedonherheadthroughthepowerofherau

138 sterities.ParvatiaskedLordSiva:“Who
sterities.ParvatiaskedLordSiva:“Whoisthatperson,OLord,whoiscomingtowardsus?”LordSivareplied:“ThatpiouswomanisMyMother,whonourishedMydevotees”.LordSivagotup,movedafewstepsforward,welcomedPunitavatiandsaid:“MydearMother,areyoukeepingfit?”Punitavatifedthedevoteeslikeamother.TheLordmakesnodistinctionbetweenHimselfandHisdevotees.Hehassaid:“ThedevoteesformMyheartandI,theirs.TheydonotthinkofanyoneotherthanMeandIotherthanthem”.ThesupremeLordabidesintheheartsofallbeings.Therefore,theguestsdeserveworship.TheSrutisdeclare:“Atithidevobhava—LettheguestbeyourGod”.TheSixty-ThreeNayanarSaintsTheNayanarswerethesincereandardentdevoteesofLordSiva.SomewerethecontemporariesofApparandSambandhar.OnlyafewhadmadeastudyoftheAgamas.TherestwerepureandsimpleBhaktasonly.TheyservedthedevoteesofLordSivaandmadeabsoluteself-surrendertotheLord.Theywerequiteignorantofphilosophy.TheypractisedChariyai.Theycleanedthetemplepremises,madegarlandsofflowersfortheLord,lightedthetemplelamps,plantedflowergardensandfedthedevoteesofLordSivaandservedthem.WorshipofSivaBhaktaswasregardedevensuperiortotheworshipofLordSivaHimself.SIVABHAKTAS Whatiswantedistruedevotion.Kannappa,thehunter,wastotallyignorantofSaivadoctrine,philosophyorworship,butattainedwithinsixdays,thehighestplacepossiblefordevoteesofSivathroughtheintensityofhisdevotion.ThenatureofKannappa’sdevotionwasquitedifferentfromthatoftheordinaryworshippersofSiva.ThenamesofsomeoftheNayanarsare:NedumaraNayanar,KannappaNayanar,Sirutondar,AppudiAdigal,MurugaNayanar,TirunilanakkaNayanar,KunguliakkalayaNayanar,GananataNayanar,SeramanPerumalNayanar,SomasiMaraNayanar,etc.TirunilakanthaNayanarwasapotterofChidambaram.EnadiNayanarwasaSanar(toddy-drawer).Tirukkuripputondarwasawasherman.AdipattaNayanarwasafishermanbycaste.NesaNayanarwasaweaverbycaste.SivaBhaktasofthehighercastesatewiththeBhaktasofothercastes.Theyhadnocaste-distinctions.TheyregardedthatalifeofdevotiontoLordSivawasmuchmoreimportantthanthelittledistinctionsof

139 caste,etc.TirunilanakkaNayanarwasonedayp
caste,etc.TirunilanakkaNayanarwasonedayperformingthePuja.AspiderfellupontheimageofSiva.Hiswifeatonceblewitawayandspatontheplacewhereitfell.Thesaintwasverymuchannoyed.Hethoughtthattheimagehadbecomeimpure.Hewantedtoabandonhiswife.ButLordSivaappearedbeforehiminhisdreamandshowedthesainthowhiswholebodyexceptwhereithadbeenspatupon,wasblisteredowingtothefallofthespider.Thisopenedtheeyesofthesaint.HenowrealisedthatBhaktiismoreimportantthantheknowledgeoftheSastras.SirutondarkilledhischildwithhisownhandsandpreparedmeattopleasethedevoteeofSiva.Hewaspreparedeventogoagainsttherulesofthescriptures,inordertopractisewhatheconsideredasSivavirtue.Hewasnotamanofgreaterudition.HewasnotaphilosopherandaYogi,buthehadintensedevotiontothedevoteesofSiva.Whatagreatsacrificehedidinordertoservethedevotee!TheLordappearedbeforehimwithParvatiandLordSubrahmanyaandblessedSirutondar.Thedevoteeandthedishofmeatdisappeared.Sirutondarwentoutandcalledhisson.Thesoncamerunningtowardshim.TheLorddoesanythingandeverythingforHisBhakta.Kungilik-KalaiyaNayanarwassupplyingincensetotheLordinthetempleofTirukkadevur.Helostallhiswealth.Therewasnothingleftinthehouse.Thenhiswifegavehimaplateandaskedhimtobuysomericeinexchangeforit.TheNayanarboughtincenseandtookittothetemple.TheLordblessedhiswifethatnightwithabundantwealthandaskedtheNayanartogotohishouseandtakehismeal.TheNayanarcametoknowthatthekingwasnotabletomakeerecttheSivaLingaminthetempleofTiruppanandal.HetiedtheropewhichwasattachedtotheLingamroundhisownneckandpulledtheLingamtomakeiterect.TheLingamstoodupright.EverybodyhadnowproofoftheintensityoftheNayanar’sdevotion.NayanarhadnoknowledgeoftheVedasortheAgamas,buthewasatruedevoteeoftheLord.WhatiswantedissincereBhakti.StudyofscripturesmakesoneproudofhislearningandkeepshimawayfromGod.KannappaNayanarpluckedhisowneyeandreplacedSiva’sbleedingeyewithhisown.Heresolvedtogivehissecondeyealso.ButLordSivastoppedhimfromdoingit.Kannapparegainedhiseye-sightandbecamefromthatmoment,aGodhimselfandtookhisseatbythesideofLordSiva.Hedid

140 notchantRudraandChamakam.HewasnotaBrahmi
notchantRudraandChamakam.HewasnotaBrahmin.Hewasahunter.Hedidhisworshipinhisownwaybybathingtheimagewiththewatercarriedinhisownmouth,threwtheLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP flowersdownfromhisowntuftandofferedthebestpartofthecookedpigafterexaminingwithhisteeth.PanditsandSastrisdothousandandoneRudras,andyettheyarefarfromGod,becausethereisnotaniotaofrealdevotion.Theyhaveastony,barren,sin-hardenedheart.IyarpagaiNayanarwasobservingthevowofgivingeverythingthatthedevoteesofSivawanted.LordSivawantedtotesthim.HecameinthegarbofaBrahminSivadevotee,inthegarbofalibertine.ThedevoteeaskedtheNayanar:“Givemeyourwife”.Nayanarwillinglygavehiswife.Hisrelativesobjectedandfoughtwithhim.TheNayanarescortedthepseudo-Yogiintotheforest.Thepseudo-YogivanishedtoreappearinhisrealformofSivaonthesacredbull.EripattaNayanarkilledtheelephantandfivemenastheelephantdestroyedtheflowerswhichwereinthepossessionofSivakamAndarfortheworshipoftheLord.LordSivaappearedandsavedthekingandtheNayanarandtheelephantwiththefivepeoplewhowerelyingdead.ArivattayaNayanarbegantocuthisthroatashewasnotabletogivetheusualfoodofredricetoLordSiva.LordSivastoppedhimfromcuttinghisthroatandtookhimtoHisabode.MurtiNayanarusedtooffersandalwoodpastetoLordSivaatMadurai.Whensandalwoodwasnotavailablehebegantorubhiselbowveryharduponthesandstone.LordSivawasmoved.TheNayanarwasmadetheking.HereachedtheabodeofSiva.Nanda,theuntouchablesaintenteredthefireandcameoutofitintheformofaholyasceticwithsacredthreadonhisshouldersthroughthegraceofLordSiva.Tirukkuripputondarwasawashermanbycaste.HewashedtheclothesofthedevoteesofSiva.LordSivawantedtotesthim.Heappearedasapoormanwithaverydirtyrag.Thesaintwashedtherag.Astherewasaveryheavyrain,hecouldnotdrytherag.Hewasverymuchafflictedatheart.Hebegantodashhisheadagainstthestoneonwhichhewashedtheclothes.LordSivaappearedbeforehimandgavehimsalvation.NamiNandiAdigallightedthelampwithwaterthroughthegraceofLordSiva.AdevoteecandoanythingthroughthegraceoftheLord.KaliKambaNayanarusedtowelcomethedevoteesofSivatohishouseandfeedthema

141 fterwashingtheirfeet.Hiswifehelpedhimtod
fterwashingtheirfeet.Hiswifehelpedhimtodothat.Ononeoccasion,onewhohadbeensometimebacktheirservant,cameintothehouseasaSivadevotee.TheNayanarasusualbegantowashhisfeetbuthiswiferefusedtohelphim.Nayanarcutoffherhandsanddidtheservicehimself.HealsoattainedtheabodeofLordSiva.Kalianayanarusedtolightthetemplelampswithoilsuppliedbyhimself.Helostallhisproperty.Hethoughtofsellinghiswifebutnoonewouldpurchaseher.Thenheresolvedtoofferhisownbloodintheplaceofoil.WhenhewastryingtodothisLordSivablessedhim.KanampullaNayanarwaslightingthelampinSivatemples.Helostallhisproperty.Hebegantocutgrassandpurchaseoiloutofthemoneyrealisedbysellinggrass.HecouldnotselltheSIVABHAKTAS grassonedayandsoheburntthegrassitself.Hecouldnotgeteventhegrassoneday.Heresolvedtoburnhishair.LordSivashoweredHisgraceupontheNayanarandtookhimtoHisabode.SaintSeruttunaiNayanarcutoffthenoseofthequeenforsmellingaflowerwhichhadbeengatheredforthesakeofSivaandwhichhadaccidentallyfallenonthefloor.Thekingcametoknowofthisandgaveanadditionalpunishmenttothequeenbycuttingofherheadalso.Therewasarainofflowers.KalarungaNayanar,theking,attainedthegraceoftheLord.TheNayanarswerenotmuchconcernedwithSivadoctrinesorSaivaPhilosophy.TheyattachedthegreatestimportancetoSivaworship,eventhoughitwasagainsttheordinaryrulesofrightandwrong.TheyhadtheutmostregardfortheexternalsofSivaworship.Theywerepreparedtodoanythingtopreservetheseoutwardforms,evenatthecostoftheirlives.Evenbigotrywasnotconsideredasavice.YoucanclearlyunderstandfromthelifehistoryoftheseNayanarsthatanyonewhateverhiscastemightbe,andwhateverhisservicebe,couldattainthegraceofLordSiva.SaivasofthesetimeswerestaunchdevoteesofSaivism.OrdinaryrulesofethicsandmoralitycouldnotbeappliedtotheNayanars. ChapterXIIILightingFestivalatArunachalaLordSivaassumedtheformofahillatTiruvannamalaiinTamilnadu.Here,HequelledtheprideofBrahmaandVishnuwhowerequarrellingastotheirrelativegreatness.Oneday,whenLordSivawasinmeditation,ParvatileftHimandwenttothehillofArunachala.Theresheperformedpenances.ShewastheguestofthesageG

142 autama.ItwasduringherpenanceherethatMahi
autama.ItwasduringherpenanceherethatMahishasurawaskilledbyDurgabiddenbyParvati.ParvatisawLordSivaasArunachalesvara.ShewastakenbackbyLordSivatoHissideandmadeagainArdhanari,asApitakuChamba.ArunachalesvaraisTejolinga.ArunachalarepresentstheAgniTattvaofthePanchaBhutaArunachalamisanothernameforTiruvannamalai.Indaysofyore,manySiddhaPurushaslivedinthishill.Idyakadar,Arunagirinatharlivedhere.ThisplaceisfamousforitsFestivalofLighting(KartigaiDipam)everyyearduringthemonthofKartigai(November),onthedaywhenthefullmoonfallsintheKartigaiNakshatram.Thelightingtakesplaceatabout5or5.30intheevening.Abighollowinarockisfilledwithghee,oilandcamphor.Abigwickisputinthegheeandlighted.Thelightingisseenevenatadistanceofsixteenmiles.Itisregardedthathewhobeholdsthislightdoesnottakeanyfuturebirth.Thelightburnscontinuouslyforthreemonths.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP AveilisputaroundthelightatthetopoftheArunachalahill.ThepeoplebringtheIsvaraVigrahaoutsidethetempleat5.30p.m.assoonasKartigaiNakshatradawns.ThenaBhana(firework)issenttowardsthelightinthehillthroughthesky.Themanwhoisinchargeofthelightingatthehillremovestheveilatonce.Thenthepeopleseethebiglightandworshipthelightwithfoldedhands.Theyrepeatloudly‘Harahara,Harohara’.TheesotericsignificanceisthathewhoseestheLightoflightsthatisburningeternallyinthechambersofone’sheart,throughconstantmeditation,attainsimmortality.ThelightingintheArunachalabringsthemessagetoyouthattheAtmanorLordSivaisself-effulgent,Jyotis-Svarupa,Lightoflights,Sunofsuns.ThebiglightatthehillrepresentsLordSivaorParamatman(SupremeSoul).TheBhanaisJivaortheindividualsoul.TheveilrepresentsAvidyathatcoverstheindividualsoul.TheBhanaburnstheveilandmergesitselfinthebiglight.Evenso,ifyoudestroyAvidyabythefireofmeditationandVichara,youcanmergeyourselfintheSupremeSoulorLightoflights.Kanjivaram,Jambukesvara,Tiruvannamalai,KalahastiandChidambaramarethefiveBhutaLingaKshetras.PrithviLingamisatKanjivaram.ApasLingamisatJambukesvaram.Tejo-LingamisatTiruvannamalai.Vayu-LingamisatKalahasti.Akasa-Ling

143 amisatThesefiveplacesrepresenttheapexoff
amisatThesefiveplacesrepresenttheapexoffiveanglesofafivetriangledfigurewhichrepresentsthefiveBhutasofwhichtheentireworldismadeup.TheTejas-TattvaisinthemiddleofthefiveBhutas.ItformsthewaythroughwhichtheSupremeSoulorLordSivacanbeknownorseenorrealisedbytheJiva.ThefireofmeditationburnstheAvidyaoftheJivaandhelpshimtomergehimselfintheSupremeLight.TheVedantinholdsthatVak(speech)isBrahman.HeprovesthatVakisAgniorfireanddeduceshisdoctrineofunity.Agniisthepresidingdeityofspeech.VakisAgni.VakisBrahman.ThePanchamurtisorPanchaTattvasmeetatatimewhichisneithernightnorday,whenthesunandthemoonshinetogether.Thelightatthehillisseenatadistanceofsixteenmiles.Thisrepresentsthe‘Purnakala’orBrahman.TheYogibeholdsthatlightduringmeditationatthecrownofthehead,whichrepresentsthetopoftheArunachalahill,andmergeshimselfinitduringNirvikalpaSamadhi.Annihilatethethreeimpurities,Anava,KarmaandMaya.Burnthemind,sensesandtheVasanasinthefireofknowledgeoftheSelforSivajnanam.AttainfullilluminationandbeholdtheLightoflightswhichilluminesthemind,intellect,sun,stars,lightningandthefire.ThisisrealKartigaiDipam.MaytheLightoflightsillumineyouall!MayLordSivablessyouwithmorelight!MayyoumergeinthisSupremeLightandattaintheeternalblissofImmortality! VijayaDasamiTheMotheraspectofGodheadisthesourceofpower,prosperityandlearningandisworshippedduringtheNavaratriorDassera,asDurga,LakshmiandSarasvati.Eachaspectisworshippedforthreenights.VijayaDasamiisthetenthdayofthebrighthalfofthelunarmonthofAsvina.Itisagreatsoul-stirringfestivalwhichisobservedwithgreatéclatthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofIndia.ItwasontheVijayaDasamidaythatArjuna,thePandavaheroworshippedtheGoddessbeforestartingthefightagainsttheevil-mindedKauravas.ItwasonthatdaythatRavanawaskilledinbattlebySriRama.Itisthedayofvictory.Boysareputintheschoolonthisday.‘HariOmNarayanayaSiddham’,‘OmSriGanesayaNamah’,‘OmSriHayagrivayaNamah’aretaughttothem.Aspirantsareinitiatedonthisday.Onthismemorableday,thecarpenter,thetailor,themason,theartist,the

144 songster,thetypistandalltechnicalworkers
songster,thetypistandalltechnicalworkersdoPujafortheirinstrumentsandimplements.ThisisAyudhaPuja.TheybeholdandrecognisetheSaktiorpowerbehindtheseinstrumentsandworshiptheDevi,fortheirsuccess,prosperityandpeace.SriRamabuiltaunitedIndia.SriRamagainedvictoryoverRavanawhohadhiscapitalinLanka,butwhosedominionshadbeenextendedoveralargepartofIndia.VijayaDasamiisthedayofanniversaryofthebirthofoneunitedIndia.Itisobservedincommemorationofthegreatvictory(Vijaya)ofSriRamaovertheRakshasaking,Ravana.ItisthedayoftriumphofrighteousnessoverAngada,HanumanandotherscelebratedthevictoryofSriRamaoverRavanawithgreatreligiousardour,undertheleadershipofpiousVibhishana,embracedoneanotherinfriendshipandshowedtheirintensedevotionandreverencetoSriRama.Fromthatdayonwardsthisgreatvictory(Vijaya)hasbeencommemoratedyearafteryearbyallHindus.SriRama’svictoryoverRavanaisthevictoryofspiritovermatter,thevictoryofSattvaoverRajasandTamas,thevictoryofsoulovermind,senseandbody,thevictoryofidealismovermaterialism,thevictoryofgoodnessoverevil,thevictoryofloveandtruthoverhatredandfalsehood,thevictoryofself-sacrificeandrenunciationoverselfishnessandpossession,thevictoryoftheoppressedovertheoppressor,thevictoryofthelabouroverthecapitalistsandtheimperialists.Thememoryofthisdaybringshopeandjoytotheheartsofthepoorestandthemostdepressed.Ithumblestheprideoftherich,thestrongandthelearned,andinspiresthemtoembracethepoor,theweakandtheilliterateinloveandbrotherliness.Itawakensasenseofunityamongallclassesofpeople.TheVijayaDasamihasthusbecomeafestivalforawakeningofuniversalunity,fraternity,peaceandbliss.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP TheSaktaPuranasinterpretthisinanotherway.RamatriedtoattainvictorythroughHisownvalourandprowessbutfailed.Afterwards,HesurrenderedHisegoismtotheMahaSaktiorDevi,andplacedHimselfasaninstrumentinHerhands.Thereupon,DevireallyfoughtwithRavanaandbroughtthevictoryforSriRama.ThereisaneternalfightgoingonbetweenDevasandAsuras,betweenSattvaandRajas-Tamas,betweeneviltendenciesandvirtuoustendenciesinman.GodsrepresentSatt

145 vicforces.ThedemonsorAsurasrepresentthee
vicforces.ThedemonsorAsurasrepresenttheevilforces.Thatdayonwhichonekillstheseeviltendencies,viz.,lust,anger,greed,egoism,hatredandattainsknowledgeofSelforilluminationthroughthegraceoftheDivineMother,istherealVijayaDasamidayorthedayofrealvictoryofSelfoverthenon-Self.MaytheDevi,MotherDurgateachmankindthewayofDharmaandrighteousnessandbestowpeace,blissandcontentmentandthefinalbeatitude!DasseraisthegreatestHindufestivalofadoringGodasMother.HinduismistheonlyreligionintheworldwhichhasemphasisedmuchontheMotherhoodofGod.Motheristhedearestandsweetestofallhumanrelations.Hence,itispropertolookuponGodasMother.Dassera,DurgaPujaandNavaratriareoneandthesame.DurgaistheSaktiofLordSiva.SheistherepresentationofthepoweroftheSupremeLord.ThereisnodifferencebetweentheLordandHispower.Shelooksaftertheaffairsoftheworld.TheDivineMotherinHeraspectofDurgaisrepresentedashavingtendifferentweaponsinHertenhands.Sheissittingonalion.ThisindicatesthatShehascontroloverallforces,evenoverthebrutalforcewhichthelionstandsfor.YouwillfindinDeviSuktaoftheRig-VedaSamhitathatVak,thedaughterofsageAnbhirnarealisedheridentitywiththeDivineMother,thepoweroftheSupremeLordwhichmanifeststhroughouttheentireuniverseamongthegods,amongmenandbeasts,amongthecreaturesofthedeepocean.IntheKenaUpanishad,youwillfindthattheDivineMothershedwisdomtoIndraandthegods,andsaidthatthegodswereabletodefeatthedemonswiththehelpofthepoweroftheSupremeLord.Mahishasura,agreatdemon,wasseverelyoppressingthegods.ThegodsinvokedtheaidoftheDivineMotherDurga.SheassumedaformwithtenhandsbearingtenweaponsandkilledtheAsura.DevifoughtwithBhandasuraandhisforcesforninedaysandninenightsandcompletedthedestructionofallAsurasontheeveningofthetenthday,knownastheVijayaDasamiorthedayofvictory.AllthetendaysaresacredtoDevi.TheHindusofBengalworshipGoddessDurgaonthethreedaysprecedingtheVijayaDasamiandperformtheimmersionceremonyontheVijayaDasamiday.DurgaisalsoworshippedinMarch-AprilduringtheVasantaPuja. TheMotherofDurga,wifeofthekingofHimalayas,longstoseeherdaughterDurga.Durgaisp

146 ermittedbyLordSivatovisitHerbelovedmothe
ermittedbyLordSivatovisitHerbelovedmotheronlyforthreedaysintheyear.ThefestivalofDurgaPujaistocelebratethisbriefvisitanditendswiththeVijayaDasamidaywhentheGoddessDurgaleavesforKailas.SriRamaworshippedDurgaatthetimeofthefightwithRavana,toinvokeHeraidinthewarduringthedaysprecedingtheVijayaDasamiday.HefoughtandwonthroughHergrace.InBengal,DurgaPujaisagreatfestival.AllwholiveawayfromhomereturnhomeduringthePujadays.Mothersmeettheirdistantsonsanddaughters,wivestheirhusbands.Thepottershowshisskillinmakingtheimages,thepainterindrawingpictures,thesongsterinplayingonhisinstrumentandthepriestinrecitingthesacredbooks.TheBengalissavemoneyalltheyearroundonlytospenditallduringthePujadays.Clothisdistributed.TheHinduwomanofBengalwelcomestheGoddesswithamother’slove,andsendsawaytheimageonthelastdaywitheveryceremonyassociatedwithadaughter’sdepartureforherhusband’shomeandwithmotherlytearsinhereyes.MayyouallworshipGoddessDurgawithintensefaithanddevotionandattaineternalblissandimmortalitythroughHerGrace!GlorytotheDivineMotherDurgaandHerconsortLordSiva,thejointparentsoftheuniverse.VasantaNavaratriDeviisworshippedduringtheVasantaNavaratri.Thisoccursduringthespring.TheworshipofDeviisordainedbyHerowncommand.YouwillfindthisinthefollowingepisodefromtheDeviBhagavata.Indayslonggoneby,Dhruvasindhu,anobleandvirtuouskingofsolardynasty,ruledovertheKosalacountry.Hehadtwowives,ManoramaandLilavati.Manoramawastheseniorqueen.Bothofthemgavebirthtobeautifulsons.Manorama’ssonwasnamedSudarsanaandLilavati’sson,Satrujit.KingDhruvasindhuwaskilledbyalionwhenhewentoutforhunting.Preparationsweremadetocrownthecrown-princeSudarsana.ButkingYudhajitofUjjain,thefatherofqueenLilavatiandkingVirasenaofKalinga,thefatherofqueenManoramawereeachdesirousofsecuringtheKosalathronetotheirrespectivegrandsons.TheyfoughtwitheachOther.KingVirasenawaskilledinthebattle.ManoramafledtotheforestwithprinceSudarsanaandaeunuch.TheytookrefugeintheAshramaofRishiBharadvaja.KingYudhajitcrownedhisgrandson,Satrujit,atAyodhya,thecapi

147 talofKosala.HewentouttosearchManoramaand
talofKosala.HewentouttosearchManoramaandhersoninordertoputthemoutoftheway,butcouldnotfindthem.Aftersometime,hecametoknowthattheywereintheAshramaofRishiBharadvaja.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP HeatoncestartedwithabigarmytotheAshrama.YudhajitarrogantlydemandedofRishiBharadvajathesurrenderofManoramaandherson.TheRishisaidthathewouldnotgiveupthosewhohadsoughtprotectionunderhim.Yudhajitbecameveryfurious.HewantedtoattacktheRishi.ButhisministertoldhimaboutthetruthoftheRishi’sstatement.Yudhajitreturnedtohiscapital.FortunebegantosmileonprinceSudarsana.ThesonofahermitcalledtheeunuchbyhisSanskritname‘Kleeba’.Theprincecaughtthefirstsyllable‘Klee’andbegantopronounceitas‘Kleem’.Thissyllableisapowerful,sacredMantra.ItistheBijaAksharaofParasakti.TheprinceobtainedpeaceofmindandthegraceoftheDivineMother,bytherepeatedutteringsofthissyllable.Deviappearedtohim,blessedhimandgavehimdivineweapons,andaninexhaustibleTheemissariesofthekingofBanarespassedthroughtheAshramaoftheRishi,andsawthenobleprinceSudarsanaandrecommendedhimtoprincessSasikala,thedaughterofthekingofASvayamvarawasarranged.SasikalachoseSudarsana.Yudhajitalsowasthere.SasikalawasweddedtoSudarsana.YudhajitbegantofightwiththekingofBanares.DevihelpedSudarsanaandhisfather-in-law.YudhajitmockedattheDevi.DevireducedYudhajitandhisarmytoashes.Sudarsanaandhiswifeandhisfather-in-lawpraisedtheDevi.ShewashighlypleasedandorderedthemtoperformHerworshipwithHomaandothermeansinallthefourNavaratrisofthemonths—Ashadha,Asvina,MaghaandChaitra,beginningwiththeSuklaPrathama.ThenSheThereupon,princeSudarsanaandprincessSasikalacamebacktotheAshramaofRishiBharadvaja.ThegreatRishiblessedthemandcrownedSudarsanaasthekingofKosala.SudarsanaandSasikalaandthekingofBanaresimplicitlycarriedoutthecommandsoftheDivineMotherandperformedworshipinasplendidmannerduringeachoftheseNavaratridays.Sudarsana’sdescendants,SriRamaandLakshmana,alsoperformedworshipofDeviduringtheVasantaNavaratriandwereblessedwithHerassistanceintherecoveryofSita.Itisyour

148 dutyalsotoperformtheworshipofDeviforyour
dutyalsotoperformtheworshipofDeviforyourmaterialandspiritualwelfareduringtheVasantaNavaratriandfollowthenobleexamplesetbySudarsanaandSriRama.YoucannotachieveanythingwithoutMother’sblessings.SingtheprayersoftheDivineMother.RepeatHerMantraandName.MeditateonHerform.DoPuja.PrayandobtainHereternalgraceandGauriPujaGoddessGauriorParvatiistheconsortofLordSiva.SheistheSaktiofSiva.SheisrecognisedasthehighestidealofIndianwomanhood.Sheisaperfectmodeloffemininevirtues.MaidensworshipGauriandinvokeHergraceandblessingsforsecuringasuitablebridegroom.Sheisadoredbymarriedwomenalsoforsecuringlonglifefortheirhusbands. CertaindaysareheldverysacredtoHermemory.HinduladiesobservefastonthesedaysandworshipGoddessGauriinandthroughthecrescentmoon,beforebreakingthefast. ChapterXIVSIVAYOGAMALABooksonSaivismThetwentyeightSaivaAgamas,thehymns(TevaramandTiruvasagam)oftheSaivasaintsformthechiefsourcesofSouthernSaivism.TheSaivahymnscompiledbyNambiAndarNambi(A.D.1000)arecollectivelycalledTirumurai.TevaramcontainsthehymnsofSambandhar,ApparandSundarar.ThehymnsofManickavasagararecalledTiruvasagam.TheAgamantacalledSaivaSiddhantaistheessenceofthe28SanskritAgamas.AgamantaistheinnermeaningoftheVeda.Seklar’sPeriyapuranam(llthcentury)givesadescriptionofthesixtythreeSaivasaints.Tiruvasagamisacollectionoffiftyonepoemsofunsurpassedspiritualexperiencesandgrandeur.Dr.G.V.PopehastranslatedthisintoEnglish.Inthebeginningofthe13thcentury,thegreatSaivaSiddhantaphilosophicalmovementwasinauguratedbySaintMeykandarwhoistheeminentauthorofSivajnanaBodham,thecentralworkofthesystem.SivajnanaBodhamisregardedasanexpansionoftwelveversesoftheRauravaAgama.ThisbookisthestandardexpositionoftheSaivaSiddhantaviews.Itcontainsinanutshellasystematicexpressionofthesystem.ItopenedtheeyesofTamilianstothesupremeexcellenceofthisphilosophy.SaintMeykandartaughthisphilosophytofortyninedisciples,propagatedandpopularisedthesystem.ArulnandiSivachariar,thefirstofthefortyninedisciplesofMeykandar,istheauthoroftheimportantworkSivaJnanaSiddhiyar.Heisals

149 otheauthorofIrupa-Irupathu.Inthethirteen
otheauthorofIrupa-Irupathu.Inthethirteenthandfourteenthcenturies,therearosefourteenphilosophicalworks,knownasstandardSaivaSiddhantaSastras.TheyareTiruvundiar,Tirukalitrupadiar,SivajnanaBodham,SivajnanaSiddhiar,Irupa-Irupathu,UnmaiVilakkam,Sivaprakasam,TiruArulPayan,Vina-vemba,Partripatirodai,Kodikkavi,NenjuViduThoothu,UnmaiNeriVilakkamandSivaprakasamandTiruArulPayanaretwowell-knownbookswrittenbyUmapatiSivachariar(14thcentury).HeistheauthorofothersixSastrasofthegroup.TiruvendiarwascomposedbySaintUyyavanda-deva-nayanarofTiruvayaluraboutthemiddleofthe12thcentury.TirukkadavurUyyavanda-deva-nayanarwastheauthoroftheTirukalitrupadiar.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP UnmaiVilakkamisoneofthefourteenSastraswrittenbyManavasagamKadanthar,anotherdiscipleofMeykandar.TirumandiramisoneofthemostauthoritativeworksembodyingtheSaivadoctrine.TheauthorisTirumulaNayanar.ThisworkisthefoundationuponwhichthelaterstructureofSaivaSiddhantaphilosophywasbuilt.TheSaivadoctrineoftheSanskritAgamasaretranslatedinthisbook.Itisaworkofthreethousandstanzascomposedinthecourseofthreethousandyears.ItdealswiththepracticalandtheoreticalaspectsoftheSaivareligionandphilosophy.JnanamritamistheearliesttreatisewhichtreatsoftheSiddhantaconceptsinthemodernscientificmanner.TheSaivaSiddhantarestsonthetwofoldtraditionoftheVedasandtheAgamas.Nilakantha,whoflourishedinthe14thcentury,undertookthesystematicreconciliationofthetwo.HewroteacommentaryontheBrahmaSutras.HeinterpreteditinthelightoftheSaivasystem.AppayyaDikshita’scommentarycalledSivarkaManiDipikaisavaluablebook.SivaPurana,LingaPurana,SivaParakrama,TiruvilayadalPuranam,PeriyapuranamtreatofthegloryofLordSiva.ThesebooksaretranslatedintoTamil.BhaktaVilasamisaSanskritwork.ItisaminorPuranaupontheSkandaPurana.ThetwentyeightAgamaswerewritteninSanskritinthevalleyofKashmir.ThisAgamantaaroseinNorthIndialongbeforeJainismcameintoprominence.ItwasknowntherebythenamePratyabhijnaDarsanam.Thenitspreadwestwardsandsouthwards.InWesternIndia,itwasknownbyVitaMahesvaraDarsanam,andinSouthIndiaitwascal

150 ledSuddhaSaivaDarsanam.LingaPuranaisheld
ledSuddhaSaivaDarsanam.LingaPuranaisheldingreatrespectbytheViraMahesvaras.ChidambaraRahasyaLordSivaisworshippedinChidambaramasaformlesspresence,AkasaLingam.Chidambaramisanancientcentreofreligionandculture.SivaisworshippedatChidambaraminthedancingaspectasNataraja.ArdraDarsana,oneofthemostimportantfestivalsofSouthIndia,iscelebratedeveryyearatChidambaram,inthemonthofMargasirsha.Withinthetempleisthe‘NrityaSabha’or‘thehallofthedance’.Infrontofthecentralshrineisastructureofwoodsurmountedwithtallgoldenroofknownasthe‘KanakaSabha’or‘thehallofgoldendome’.ThecentraltempleisdedicatedtoNataraja.Itisaplainwoodenbuildingstandingonastone-pavement,butbehinditisanapartmentofpolishedblackstone,theroofofwhichisformedofgoldplates.OppositetotheSivagangatank,isthe‘RajaSabha’or‘thehallofonethousandcolumns’,withgranitepillars.KingVaruaCholapurifiedhimselfbybathinginthetankandattainedagoldenhue.ThefivePrakarasofaSivatemplerepresentthefiveKosasofthebody.ThethreePrakarasofcertaintemplesrepresentthethreebodiesofaman.Garbhagriha,Ardhamandap,Mahamandap,SIVAYOGAMALA Snana-mandap,Alankara-mandap,Sabha-mandaprepresentthesixChakrasorthesixAdharasofthebody.TheDarsanopanishadsays:“Chidambaramisinthecentreoftheheart.ChidambaramistheheartofViratPurusha”.TheMandapwiththousandpillarsrepresentstheSahasraraorthethousand-petalledlotusonthecrownofthehead.Sivagangarepresentsthepoolofnectar,Amritavapi,inSahasrara.TheplacewherethereareJyotirlingaandSriGurumurti,representsVisuddhaChakra.InTiruchittambalamorMahaSabhatherearefivePithamsforBrahma,Vishnu,Rudra,MahesvaraandSadasiva.ThefivelettersofPanchaksharaformthefivesteps,andtheveilrepresentsAvidyaorAvarana.TheninetysixTattvasformtheninetysixwindows.ThefourgoldenpillarswhichareinthecentrerepresentthefourVedas.ThetwentyeightwoodenpillarswhichsurroundthemrepresentthetwentyeightAgamas.ThespacethatiswithinthepillarsrepresentsSuddhaVidya.LordNatarajahasHisseatinthePranavapitham.Thereis‘Tiruchittambalam&

151 #146;behind.ThisisChidakasaorthefamous&#
#146;behind.ThisisChidakasaorthefamous‘ChidambaraRahasya’.SivakamaSundariorParasaktihasHerseatinGarbhagriha.RahasyaisNishkala.AnandaNatarajaMurtiisSakala.IntheEastisBrahma.IntheSouthisVishnu.IntheNorthisBhairavaorSamharaRudra.TherearenineKalasasinthetower.TheserepresentthenineSaktis.ThesixtyfourwoodensupportsinthetowerrepresentthesixtyfourVidyasorKalas.Thetwentyonethousandsixhundredcopperplatescoatedwithgold,representthedailytwentyonethousandsixhundredbreathsofaman.Theseventytwothousandnailsrepresenttheseventytwothousandnervesortheastraltubesinthebody.TheeighteenpillarsofKanakaSabharepresenteighteenPuranas.KanakaSabharepresentstheManipuraChakra.ThefiveSabhasrepresentthefiveKosas.IfonerightlyunderstandsthesecretsofChidambaratempleandworshipstheLordNatarajawithintensefaith,devotion,purityandone-pointednessofmind,hewillattainknowledgeandeternalbliss.Hewillbefreedfrombondage.BirthinTiruvarurgivesMukti.DeathinBanaresgivesMukti.DarsanaofNatarajaofChidambaramgivesMukti.AdjacenttotheKanakaSabhaisatemplededicatedtoGovindaRajaorVishnu.ThisteachesalessonthatSivaandVishnuareessentiallyoneandthataVirasaiviteorViraVaishnaviteshouldabandonhisbigotryandshouldhavealargeheartandequaldevotiontoLordSivaandLordHariandshouldseehisIshtaminallMurtis.MayLordNatarajaandSivakamiblessyouallandgiveanunderstandinghearttocomprehendtheChidambaraRahasya!SivaandVishnuareOneASaiviteisadevoteeofLordSiva.AVaishnaviteisadevoteeOfLordVishnu.UpasanameansworshiporsittingnearGod.UpasakaisonewhodoesUpasana.UpasanaorAradhanaleadsLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP torealisationofGod.AbigotedVirasaiviteentertainshatredtowardsLordVishnu,VaishnavitesandPuranaswhichtreatofVishnu.HeneverentersaVishnutemple.HeneverdrinkswaterfromaVaishnavite.HenevertakesfoodwithaVaishnavite.HeneverrepeatsthenameofHari.HespeaksillofLordHari,VaishnavitesandVishnuPurana.HethinksthatLordSivaissuperiortoLordVishnu.HeneverreadsVishnuPurana.Isthisnottheheightoffolly?Isthisnotextremeignorance?HehasnotunderstoodthetruenatureofLordSiva.Hehasnoideaoftru

152 ereligion.Heisafanatic,abigot,amanoflitt
ereligion.Heisafanatic,abigot,amanoflittleunderstanding,anarrowsectarian,withaverysmallconstrictedheart.Heislikeafroginthewellwhichhasnoideaofthevastocean.AbigotedViraVaishnaviteentertainshatredtowardsLordSiva,SaivitesandSivaPuranaswhichtreatofLordSiva.HeneverentersaSivatemple.HenevermakesfriendshipwithaSaivite.HeneverdrinkswaterfromthehandsofaSaivite.HealsobehavesexactlyliketheVirasaivite.Thelotofthismanisalsohighlydeplorable.ThereisatempleinSankaranarayanarKoilintheTirunelvelidistrict(Tamilnadu),wheretheidolhasonehalfofitdepictedasSivaandtheotherhalfasVishnu.TheinnersignificanceofthisisthatLordSivaandLordVishnuareone.SriSankaracharyaalsohassaidinverycleartermsthatSivaandVishnuaretheoneall-pervadingSoul.Ononeoccasion,aVirasaiviteenteredthetempleinSankaranarayanarKoiltoworshiptheLord.Heofferedincense.HepluggedthenostrilsofVishnuwiththecottonasthefumeswereenteringHisnosealso.AfterthataViraVaishnaviteenteredthetempleandhealsoofferedincense.HepluggedthenostrilsofSivaasthefumeswereenteringHisnosealso.Suchisthebigotryandnarrow-mindednessofsectarians.Adevoteeshouldhavealarge,broadheart.HemustseehistutelarydeityinallaspectsoftheLordandinallforms.HecanhaveintenseloveforhisIshtaminthebeginning,tointensifyhisdevotionforthatparticulardeity(Prema-nishtha),butheshouldhaveequaldevotiontotheotherformsoftheLordalso.SivaandVishnuareoneandthesameentity.Theyareessentiallyoneandthesame.Theyarethenamesgiventothedifferentaspectsoftheall-pervadingSupremeSoulortheAbsolute.Sivasyahridayamvishnur-vishnoschahridayamsivah—VishnuistheheartofSivaandlikewiseSivaistheheartofVishnu’.Thesectarianworshipisofrecentorigin.TheSaivaSiddhantaofKantacharyaisonlyfivehundredyearsold.TheVaishnavacultsofMadhvaandSriRamanujaareonlysixhundredandsevenhundredyearsoldrespectively.Therewasnosectarianworshipbeforesevenhundredyears.Brahmarepresentsthecreativeaspect;Vishnu,thepreservativeaspect;andSiva,thedestructiveaspectofParamatman.Thisisjustlikeyourwearingdifferentgarbsondifferentoccasions.Whenyoudothefunctionof

153 ajudge,youputononekindofdress.Athomeyouw
ajudge,youputononekindofdress.Athomeyouwearanotherkindofdress.Whenyoudoworshipinthetemple,youwearanotherkindofdress.Youexhibitdifferentkindsoftemperamentondifferentoccasions.Evenso,theLorddoesthefunctionofcreationwhenHeisassociatedwithRajas,andHeiscalledBrahma.HepreservestheworldwhenHeisassociatedwithSattvaGuna,andHeiscalledVishnu.HedestroystheworldwhenHeisassociatedwithTamo-Guna,andHeiscalledSivaorRudra.SIVAYOGAMALA Brahma,VishnuandSivahavebeencorrelatedtothethreeAvasthasorstatesofconsciousness.Duringthewakingstate,Sattvapredominates.DuringthedreamstateRajaspredominatesandduringthedeepsleepstateTamaspredominates.HenceVishnu,BrahmaandSivaaretheMurtisofJagrat,SvapnaandSushuptistatesofconsciousnessrespectively.TheTuriyaorthefourthstateisParaBrahman.TheTuriyastateisimmediatelynexttothedeepsleepstate.WorshipofSivawillleadquicklytotheattainmentofthefourthstate.VishnuPuranaglorifiesVishnuandinsomeplacesgivesalowerpositiontoSiva.SivaPuranaglorifiesSivaandgivesalowerstatustoVishnu.DeviBhagavataglorifiesDeviandgivesalowerstatustoBrahma,VishnuandSiva.Thisisonlytoinstilandintensifydevotionfortherespectivedeityintheheartsofthedevotees.Inreality,nodeityissuperiortoanother.Youmustunderstandtheheartofthewriter.MayyouallrealisetheonenessofSivaandVishnu!Mayyouallbeendowedwithpuresubtleintellectandproperunderstanding!SivaratriMahimaSilentadorationstoLordSiva,consortofParvati,thedestructiveaspectofBrahman,whoisknownbythenamesSambhu,Sankara,Mahadeva,Sadasiva,Visvanatha,Hara,Tripurari,Gangadhara,Sulapani,Nilakantha,Dakshinamurti,Chandrasekhara,Nilalohita,etc.,whoisthebestowerofauspiciousness,immortalityanddivineknowledgeonHisdevotees,andwhodoesTandavaNrityaortheDanceofDeathattheendofTimeorCosmicPralaya,andwhoistherealRegeneratorbutnotthedestroyer.MahaSivaratrimeansthegreatnightconsecratedtoLordSiva.MahaSivaratrifallsonTrayodasiorthethirteenthdayofthedarkfortnightofKumbhamonth(February-March).IntheSantiParvaoftheMahabharata,BhishmareferstotheobservanceoftheMahaSivaratri,bykingChitrabhanu,whenhe

154 wasgivingthediscourseonDharma,restingonh
wasgivingthediscourseonDharma,restingonhisbedofOnceuponatime,kingChitrabhanuoftheIkshvakudynasty,whowasrulingoverthewholeofJambudvipa,andhiswifewereobservingafastonthedayofMahaSivaratri.TheSageAshtavakracameonavisittothecourtoftheking.TheSageasked:“Oking,whyareyouobservingfasttoday?”KingChitrabhanuexplainedthereasonforobservingafastonthatday.Hehadthegiftofrememberingtheincidentsofhispreviousbirth.HesaidtotheSageAshtavakra:“IwasahunterbynameSusvarinmypreviousbirth.Iekedoutmylivelihoodbykillingandsellingbirdsandanimals.Oneday,Iwasroaminginaforestinsearchofanimals.Iwasovertakenbythedarknessofnight.IwasnotabletoreturnhomeandsoIclimbedupaBilvatreeforshelter.IshotadeerthatdaybutIhadnotimetotakeithome.AsIwastormentedbyhungerandthirst,Ikeptawakethroughoutthenight.IshedprofusetearswhenIthoughtofmypoorwifeandchildrenwhowerestarvingandanxiouslyawaitingmyreturn.ILORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP engagedmyselfinpluckinganddroppingdowntheBilvaleaves.TherewasaSivaLingaatthefootoftheBilvatree.ThetearsandtheleavesfellupontheSivaLinga.“Thedaydawned.Ireturnedhomeandsoldthedeer.Igotfoodformyselfandformyfamily.Iwasabouttobreakmyfast.Astrangercametomeandbeggedforfood.IservedhimwithfoodfirstandthenItookmyfood.Atthehourofdeath,IsawtwomessengersofLordSiva.TheyweresentdownforthesakeofconductingmysoultotheabodeofSiva.Ilearntthereforthefirsttime,ofthegreatmeritIhadearnedbytheobservanceofthefastonthedayofMahaSivaratri,thoughIdiditunconsciouslybyanaccident.IlivedintheabodeofSivaandenjoyeddivineblissforlongages.IamnowrebornonthisearthasChitrabhanu”.‘Sivaratri’means‘nightofLordSiva’.Theimportantfeaturesofthisreligiousfunctionarerigidfastingfortwentyfourhoursandsleeplessvigilduringthenight.EverytruedevoteeofLordSivaspendsthenightofSivaratriindeepmeditation,keepsvigilandobservesfast.TheworshipofLordSivaconsistsinofferingflowers,BilvaleavesandothergiftsontheLingawhichisasymbolofLordSiva,andbathingitwithmilk,honey,butter,ghee,rose-water,etc.Whencreationhadbeencompleted,Sivaan

155 dParvatihadbeenlivingonthetopofKailas.Pa
dParvatihadbeenlivingonthetopofKailas.Parvatiasked:“OvenerableLord,whichofthemanyritualsobservedinThyhonourdothpleaseTheemost?”LordSivareplied:“Thethirteenthnightofthenewmoon,KrishnaPaksha,inthemonthofPhalguna(February-March)isknownasSivaratri,MymostfavourableTithi.MydevoteegivesMegreaterhappinessbymerefastingthanbyceremonialbaths,andofferingsofflowers,sweets,incense,etc.“ThedevoteeobservesstrictspiritualdisciplineinthedayandworshipsMeinfourdifferentformsinthefoursuccessivePraharas,eachmadeupofthreehoursofthenight.TheofferingofafewBilvaleavesismoreprecioustoMethanthepreciousjewelsandflowers.HeshouldbatheMeinmilkatthefirstPrahara,incurdatthesecond,inclarifiedbutteratthethird,andinhoneyatthefourthandlast.Nextmorning,heshouldfeedtheBrahminsfirstandbreakthefastaftertheperformanceoftheprescribedceremonies.Thereisnoritual,OParvati,whichcancomparewiththissimpleroutineinsanctity.Justhear,MyBeloved,ofanepisodewhichwillgiveyouanideaofthegloryandpowerofthisritual.“Onceuponatime,therelivedinthetownofVaranasiahunter.Hewasreturningfromtheforestoneeveningwiththegamebirdshehadkilled.Hefelttiredandsatatthefootofatreetotakesomerest.Hewasoverpoweredbysleep.Whenhewokeup,itwasallthickdarknessofnight.ItwasthenightofSivaratributhedidnotknowit,Heclimbedupthetree,tiedhisbundleofdeadbirdstoabranchandsatupwaitingforthedawn.ThetreehappenedtobeMyfavourite,theBilva.SIVAYOGAMALA “TherewasaLingaunderthattree.Hepluckedafewleavesdroppedthemdown.Thenight-dewtrickleddownfromhisbody.Iwashighlypleasedwithinvoluntarylittlegiftsofthehunter.Thedaydawnedandthehunterreturnedtohishouse.“Incourseoftime,thehunterfellillandgaveuphislastbreath.ThemessengersofYamaarrivedathisbedsidetocarryhissoultoYama.MymessengersalsowenttothespottotakehimtoMyabode.TherewasaseverefightbetweenYama’smessengersandMymessengers.Theformerweretotallydefeated.TheyreportedthemattertotheirLord.HepresentedhimselfinpersonattheportalsofMyabode.NandigavehimanideaofthesanctityofSivaratriandthelovewhichIhadforthe

156 hunter.YamasurrenderedthehuntertoMeandre
hunter.YamasurrenderedthehuntertoMeandreturnedtohisabodequickly.“ThehunterwasabletoenterMyabodeandwardoffdeathbysimplefastingandofferingofafewBilvaleaves,howeverinvoluntaryitmightbebecauseitwasthenightofSivaratri.Suchisthesolemnityandsacrednessassociatedwiththenight”.ParvatiwasdeeplyimpressedbythespeechofLordSivaonthesanctityandgloryoftheritual.SherepeatedittoHerfriendswhointheirturnpasseditontotherulingprincesonearth.ThuswasthesanctityofSivaratribroadcastallovertheworld.TheTwelveJyotirlingass::òra\XÕðs::ðm:n:aT:öc:Â:iS:òl:ðm:ell:kaj:Øün:m:Î.ujj:ey:ny:aöm:hakal:m::ðökarm:m:l:ðÃ:rm:Î..1..p:rly:aöv:ò½n:aT:öc:Rekny:aöB:im:S:ökrm:Î.s:ðt:Øb:nD:ðt:Øram:ðS:ön:ag:ðS:öda,kav:n:ð..2..v:araN:asy:aöt:Øev:Ã:ðS:ö*y:öb:kög::òt:m:it:Xð.ehm:al:y:ðt:ØkñdaröG:Øs:àN:ðS:öeS:v:al:y:ð..3..Ot:aen:jy::ðet:el:ü¤aen:s:ay:ö)at:Hp:YðÀrH.s:pt:j:nm:kát:öp:ap:ösm:rN:ðn:ev:n:Sy:et:..4....Eet:¾adS:jy::ðet:el:üög:aen:..sauràùñresomanàthaüca÷rã÷ailemallikàrjunam|ujjayinyàümahàkàlamoükàramamale÷varam||1||paralyàüvaidyanàthaücaóakinyàübhãma÷aükaram|setubandheturàme÷aünàge÷aüdàrukàvane||2||vàràõàsyàütuvi÷ve÷aütryaübakaügautamãtañe|himàlayetukedàraüghusçõe÷aü÷ivàlaye||3||LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP etànijyotirliïgànisàyaüpràtaþpañhennaraþ|saptajanmakçtaüpàpaüsmaraõenavina÷yati||4||||itidvàda÷ajyotirliügàni||HewhoremembersthetwelveJyotirlingasmorningandevening,becomesabsolvedfromsinscommittedinsevenpreviousbirths.ThetwelveJyotirlingasare:inSaurashtra(Gujarat),2.inSrisaila(AndhraPradesh),3.inUjjain(MadhyaPradesh),4.inAmalesvaraonthebanksofNarmada(MadhyaPradesh),5.inParali(Maharashtra),6.inDakini(Maharashtra),7.inSetubandhana(Tamilnadu),8.inDarukavana(Gujarat),9.inVaranasiorBanares(UttarPradesh),10.onthebanksofGodavariinNasik(Maharashtra),11.inHimalayas(UttarPradesh),and12.inSivalayaInSouthernIndia,therearefivefamousSivaLingaswhichrepresentthefiveelements.1.InKanjivaram(Tam

157 ilnadu),thereisPrithviLingam.2.InTiruvan
ilnadu),thereisPrithviLingam.2.InTiruvanaiKoil(Tamilnadu),thereisAppuLingam.TheLingamisalwaysinwater.TiruvanaiKoilisotherwiseknownasJambukesvaram.3.InKalahasti(AndhraPradesh),thereisVayuLingam.4.InTiruvannamalai(Tamilnadu),thereisTejolingam(Arunachalesvaram).5.InChidambaram(Tamilnadu),thereisAkasaLingam.SivaNamaKirtan1.SivayaNamaOmSivayaNamah,SivayaNamaOmNamassivaya.SivaSivaSivaSivaSivayaNamaOmHaraHaraHaraHaraNamassivaya.SivaSivaSivaSivaSivayaNamaOmBhumBhumBhumBhumNamassivaya.SambasadasivaSambasadasivaSambasadasivaSambasiva.OmNamassivayaOmNamassivayaOmNamassivayaOmNamassivaya.......SivayaNamahOmSivayaNamah......2.OmSivaOmSivaOmkaraSivaUmamahesvaraTavaCharanam.OmSivaOmSivaOmkaraSivaParatparaSivaTavaCharanam.NamamiSankaraBhavaniSankaraGirijaSankaraTavaCharanam.NamamiSankaraBhavaniSankaraMridaniSankaraTavaCharanam.3.HaraHaraSivaSivaSamboHaraHaraSivaSivaSamboHaraHaraSivaSivaHaraHaraSamboHaraHaraSivaSivaSamboHaraHaraSivaSivaSambo.SIVAYOGAMALA 4.NamasteNamasteVibhoVisvamurteNamasteNamasteChidanandamurteNamasteNamasteTapoyogagamyaNamasteNamasteSrutijnanagamya.5.SankaraneSankaraneSambhoGangadharane,SankaraneSankaraneSambhoGangadharane.6.KasivisvanathaSadasiva,BhumBoloKailasapatiBhumBoloKailasapati.7.HaraHaraMahadevaSambhoKasivisvanathaGangeVisvanathaGangeKasiVisvanathaGange.8.OmSivaHaraHaraGangeHaraHara,OmSivaHaraHaraGangeHaraHaraOmSivaHaraHaraOmSivaHaraHara,BhumBhumHaraHaraOmSivaHaraHara.9.MahadevaSivaSankaraSambhoUmakantaHaraTripurareMrityunjayaVrishabha-DhvajaSulinGangadharaMridaMadanareJayaSambhoJayaGauriSankaraJayaSambhoJayaSambhoJayaSambhoJayaGauriSankaraJayaSambhoRudramPasupatimIsanamKalayamiKasipurinathamHaraSivaSankaraGaurisamVandeGanga-dharamisam.10.JayaSivaSankaraHaraTripurarePahiPasupatiPinakadharin.11.ChandrasekharaChandrasekharaChandrasekharaPahiMamChandrasekharaChandrasekharaChandrasekharaRakshaMam.12.AgadBhumAgadBhumBhajaDamaru,NacheSadasivaJagadguruNacheBrahmaNacheVishnuNacheMahadeva,KapparLekeKaliNacheNacheAdideva.(AgadBhum...)13.NatarajaNatarajaNartanaSundaraNat

158 arajaSivarajaSivarajaSivajkamiPriyaSivar
arajaSivarajaSivarajaSivajkamiPriyaSivaraja.14.BolSankarBolSankarSankarSankarBolHaraHaraHaraHaraMahadevaSambhoSankarBolSivaSivaSivaSivaSadasivaSambhoSankarBol.15.JayaJagad-JananiSankata-haraniTribhuvanaTariniMahesvari.16.JayaGangeJayaGangeRaniJayaGangeJayaHaraGange.LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP 17.DeviBhajoDurga-BhavaniDeviBhajoDurgaJagad-JananiMahishasura-MardiniDeviBhajoDurga.18.RadheGovindaBhajoRadheGopalRadheGovindaBhajoRadheGopal.19.BruhiMukundetiRasane(Bruhi)KesavaMadhavaGovindetiKrishnanandaSadanandeti(Bruhi)RadhaRamanaHareRametiRajivakshaGhanaSyameti(Bruhi).20.GauriRamanaKarunabharanaPahiKripa-PurnaSaranaNila-Kantha-DharaGauraSariraNathaJana-SubhakaraMandara(Gauri)Bala-Chandra-DharaPunya-SariraSuma-Sara-Mada-HaraSankara(Gauri).21.PibaReRamaRasamRasanePibaReRamaRasamPuritaNanaVidhaPhalaVargam(PibaRe)Janana-Marana-Bhaya-SokaViduramSakalaSastra-Nigamagama-Saram(PibaRe)ParamaPavitrikritaPashandam(PibaRe)Suka-Saunaka-Kausika-MukhaPitam(PibaRe)22.SivohamSivohamSivohamSohamSivohamSivohamSivohamSohamSatchidanandaSvarupoham.23.ChidanandarupahSivohamSivohamChidanandarupahSivohamSivoham.24.ArunachalaSivaArunachalaSivaArunachalaSivaArunaSiva,ArunachalaSivaArunachalaSivaArunachalaSivaArunaSiva.SIVAYOGAMALA !eS:v:ay:n:m:H!kp:al:in:ðn:m:H!m:hðÃ:ray:n:m:H!kam:ary:ðn:m:H!S:öB:v:ðn:m:H!AnD:kas:Ørs:Üdn:ay:n:m:H!ep:n:aekt:ðn:m:H!g:¤aD:ray:n:m:H!S:eS:S:ðK:ray:n:m:H!l:l:aXax:ay:n:m:H!v:am:dðv:ay:n:m:H!kal:kal:y:n:m:H!ev:-p:ax:ay:n:m:H!káp:aen:D:y:ðn:m:H!kp:edün:ðn:m:H!B:im:ay:n:m:H!n:il:l::ðeht:ay:n:m:H!p:rS:Øhst:ay:n:m:H!S:ökray:n:m:H!m:àg:p:aN:y:ðn:m:H!S:Ül:p:aN:y:ðn:m:H!j:XaD:ray:n:m:H!K:XÏv:aöeg:n:ðn:m:H!kól:as:v:aes:n:ðn:m:H!ev:\N:Øv:ll:B:ay:n:m:H!kv:ec:n:ðn:m:H!eS:ep:ev:Äay:n:m:H!kY:ðray:n:m:H!Aemb:kan:aT:ay:n:m:H!e*:p:Ørant:kay:n:m:H!Â:ikNYay:n:m:H!v:à\:aökay:n:m:H!B:Vt:v:ts:l:ay:n:m:H!v:à\:B:a-Zay:n:m:H!B:v:ay:n:m:H!B:sm::ðdÏD:Üel:t:ev:g:Òhay:n:m:H!S:v:aüy:n:m:H!e*:l::ðkñS:ay:n:m:H!ug:Òay:n:m:H!eS:et:kNYay:n:m:HLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP !*:y:im:Ã

159 œt:üy:ðn:m:H!p:Ørarat:y:ðn:m:H!s:v:Ã
œt:üy:ðn:m:H!p:Ørarat:y:ðn:m:H!s:v:üway:n:m:H!B:g:v:t:ðn:m:H!p:rm:atm:n:ðn:m:H!hry:ðn:m:H!s::ðm:s:Üy:aüegn:l::ðc:n:ay:n:m:H!s:am:e)y:ay:n:m:H!hev:\:ðn:m:H!sv:rm:y:ay:n:m:H!y:wm:y:ay:n:m:H!)m:T:aeD:p:ay:n:m:H!s::ðm:ay:n:m:H!m:àty:ØWj:y:ay:n:m:H!p:Wc:v:V*:ay:n:m:H!s:Üxm:t:n:v:ðn:m:H!s:daeS:v:ay:n:m:H!j:g:¾Ðy:aep:n:ðn:m:H!ev:Ã:ðÃ:ray:n:m:H!j:g:·Ûrv:ðn:m:H!v:irB:dÓay:n:m:H!vy::ðm:kñS:ay:n:m:H!g:N:n:aT:ay:n:m:H!m:has:ðn:j:n:kay:n:m:H!)j:ap:t:y:ðn:m:H!c:a,ev:#m:ay:n:m:H!ehrNy:rðt:s:ðn:m:H!,dÓay:n:m:H!dÙD:ü\:ay:n:m:H!B:Üt:p:t:y:ðn:m:H!eg:riS:ay:n:m:H!sT:aN:v:ðn:m:H!eg:erS:ay:n:m:H!Aehb:Øü¿y:ay:n:m:H!An:G:ay:n:m:H!edg:öb:ray:n:m:H!B:Øj:¤B:Ü\:N:ay:n:m:H!AÄm:Üt:üy:ðn:m:H!B:g:aüy:n:m:H!An:ðkatm:n:ðn:m:H!eg:erD:nv:n:ðn:m:H!S:عev:g:Òhay:n:m:H!káe¶:v:as:s:ðn:m:H!S:aÃ:t:ay:n:m:HSIVASTOTRAS !K:NRp:rS:v:ðn:m:H!B:g:n:ð*:eB:dðn:m:H!Aj:ay:n:m:H!Avy:Vt:ay:n:m:H!p:aS:ev:m::ðc:kay:n:m:H!eS:v:ae)y:ay:n:m:H!m:àRay:n:m:H!An:iÃ:ray:n:m:H!p:S:Øp:t:y:ðn:m:H!s:h+p:dðn:m:H!dðv:ay:n:m:H!s:ae¶v:kay:n:m:H!Avy:y:ay:n:m:H!Ap:v:g:ü)day:n:m:H!s:h+ax:ay:n:m:H!An:nt:ay:n:m:H!p:Ü\:döt:eB:dðn:m:H!t:arkay:n:m:H!Avy:g:Òay:n:m:H!p:rm:ðÃ:ray:n:m:H!dx:aDv:rhray:n:m:H!eg:ere)y:ay:n:m:H!hray:n:m:H!m:hadðv:ay:n:m:HOM÷ivàyanamaþOM֌lapàõayenamaþOMmahe÷varàyanamaþOMkhañvàüginenamaþOM÷aübhavenamaþOMviùõuvallabhàyanamaþOMpinàkitenamaþOM÷ipiviùñàyanamaþOM÷a÷i÷ekharàyanamaþOMambikànàthàyanamaþOMvàmadevàyanamaþOM÷rãkaõñhàyanamaþOMvirÃ¥pàkùàyanamaþOMbhaktavatsalàyanamaþOMkapardinenamaþOMbhavàyanamaþOMnãlalohitàyanamaþOM÷arvàyanamaþOM÷aükaràyanamaþOMugràyanamaþLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP OMkapàlãnenamaþOMyaj¤amayàyanamaþOMkàmàrayenamaþOMsomàyanamaþOMandhakàsurasÃ¥danàyanamaþOMpa¤cavaktràyanamaþOMgaïgàdharàyanamaþOMsadà÷ivàyanamaþOMlalàñàkùàyanamaþOMvi÷ve÷varàyanamaþOMkàlakàlayanamaþOMvãrabhadràyanamaþOMkçpànidhayenamaþOMgaõanàthàyanamaþOMbhã

160 màyanamaþOMprajàpatayenamaþOMpara÷u
màyanamaþOMprajàpatayenamaþOMpara÷uhastàyanamaþOMhiraõyaretasenamaþOMmçgapàõayenamaþOMdurdhaùàyanamaþOMjañàdharàyanamaþOMgirã÷àyanamaþOMkailàsavàsinenamaþOMgiri÷àyanamaþOMkavacinenamaþOManaghàyanamaþOMkañhoràyanamaþOMbhujaïgabhåùaõàyanamaþOMtripuràntakàyanamaþOMbhargàyanamaþOMvçùàükàyanamaþOMgiridhanvanenamaþOMvçùabhàråóhàyanamaþOMkçttivàsasenamaþOMbhasmoddhålitavigrahàyanamaþOMpuràràtayenamaþOMtriloke÷àyanamaþOMbhagavatenamaþOM÷itikaõñhàyanamaþOMharayenamaþOMtrayãmårtayenamaþOMsàmapriyàyanamaþOMsarvaj¤àyanamaþOMsvaramayàyanamaþOMparamàtmanenamaþOMpramathàdhipàyanamaþOMsomasåryàgnilocanàyanamaþOMmçtyu¤jayàyanamaþOMhaviùenamaþOMsåkùmatanavenamaþOMjagadvyàpinenamaþOMdevàyanamaþSIVASTOTRAS OMjagadguravenamaþOMavyayàyanamaþOMvyomake÷àyanamaþOMsahasràkùàyanamaþOMmahàsenajanakàyanamaþOMpåùadaütabhidenamaþOMcàruvikramàyanamaþOMavyagràyanamaþOMrudràyanamaþOMdakùàdhvaraharàyanamaþOMbhåtapatayenamaþOMharàyanamaþOMsthàõavenamaþOMbhaganetrabhidenamaþOMahirbudhnyàyanamaþOMavyaktàyanamaþOMdigaübaràyanamaþOM÷ivàpriyàyanamaþOMaùñamårtayenamaþOManã÷varàyanamaþOManekàtmanenamaþOMsahasrapadenamaþOM÷uddhavigrahàyanamaþOMsàttvikàyanamaþOM÷à÷vatàyanamaþOMapavargapradàyanamaþOMkhaõóapara÷avenamaþOManantàyanamaþOMajàyanamaþOMtàrakàyanamaþOMpà÷avimocakàyanamaþOMparame÷varàyanamaþOMmçóàyanamaþOMgiripriyàyanamaþOMpa÷upatayenamaþOMmahàdevàyanamaþLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP !A:edS:Vty:òn:m:H!es:¹Ðy:òn:m:H!m:hadðvy:òn:m:H!m:Üty:òün:m:H!Aemb:kay:òn:m:H!s:v:ües:e¹)day:òn:m:H!p:rm:ðÃ:y:òün:m:H!m:n*:m:Üty:òün:m:H!IÃ:y:òün:m:H!m:hakaly:òn:m:H!An:òÃ:y:òün:m:H!s:v:üm:Üet:üsv:-ep:Ny:òn:m:H!y::ðeg:ny:òn:m:H!v:ðdm:Üty:òün:m:H!s:v:üB:Üt:ðÃ:y:òün:m:H!v:ðdB:Üty:òn:m:H!j:y:ay:òn:m:H!v:ðdant:ay:òn:m:H!ev:j:y:ay:òn:m:H!B:g:v:ty:òn:m:H!j:y:nty:òn:m:H!r:òdÓay:òn

161 :m:H!S:aöB:vy:òn:m:H!m:ha-p:ay:òn:m:H
:m:H!S:aöB:vy:òn:m:H!m:ha-p:ay:òn:m:H!S:anty:òn:m:H!m:ham:ay:ay:òn:m:H!b:ÒaÉÐy:òn:m:H!,dÓsv:-ep:Ny:òn:m:H!b:ÒÉaNRD:aerNy:òn:m:H!n:aray:Ny:òn:m:H!m:ahðÃ:y:òün:m:H!n:ares:öÊòn:m:H!l::ðkrex:Ny:òn:m:H!n:ag:y:w:ðp:v:iet:ny:òn:m:H!dÙg:aüy:òn:m:H!S:£c:#g:daD:aerNy:òn:m:H!dÙg:üp:aray:òn:m:H!j:Xam:ØkÙXS::ðeB:ny:òn:m:H!B:Vt:ec:nt:am:Ny:òn:m:H!A)m:aN:ay:òn:m:H!m:àty:òn:m:H!)m:aN:ay:òn:m:HSIVASTOTRAS !A:edm:Dy:av:s:an:ay:òn:m:H!s:v:üjy::ðet:ssv:-ep:Ny:òn:m:H!p:ØNy:day:òn:m:H!s:h+m:Üty:òün:m:H!p:ØNy::ðp:c:aerny:òn:m:H!S:v:aüNy:òn:m:H!p:ØNy:kity:òün:m:H!s:Üy:üm:Üet:üsv:-ep:Ny:òn:m:H!st:Øt:ay:òn:m:H!A:y:Øl:üxmy:òn:m:H!ev:S:al:axy:òn:m:H!s:v:ül:xm:i)day:òn:m:H!g:mB:iray:òn:m:H!ev:c:x:N:ay:òn:m:H!-p:aenv:t:ay:òn:m:H!x:iraN:üv:v:aes:ny:òn:m:H!kal:l:ajy:òn:m:H!v:ag:iÃ:y:òün:m:H!An:lp:es:¹Ðy:òn:m:H!v:aeVs:¹Ðy:òn:m:H!km:l:ay:òn:m:H!Awan:ag::ðc:ray:òn:m:H!p:¼v:aes:ny:òn:m:H!b:l:ay:òn:m:H!m:has:rsv:ty:òn:m:H!p:rm:kly:aNy:òn:m:H!n:m:Hes:¹Ðy:òn:m:H!B:an:Øm:NRl:v:aes:ny:òn:m:H!m:n::ðy::ðeg:ny:òn:m:H!Avy:Vt:ay:òn:m:H!c:öRm:ØNRc:aerNy:òn:m:H!vy:Vt:-p:ay:òn:m:H!dðv:dan:v:v:aes:ny:òn:m:H!An:nt:ay:òn:m:H!vy:v:haerNy:òn:m:H!c:ndÓay:òn:m:H!An:G:ay:òn:m:H!c:ndÓm:NRl:v:aes:ny:òn:m:H!B:ð\:jy::ðet:\:ðn:m:H!c:ndÓm:NRl:m:eNRt:ay:òn:m:H!p:röjy::ðet:\:ðn:m:H!m:at:öeg:ny:òn:m:H!A:tm:jy::ðet:\:ðn:m:H!p:rm:an:nday:òn:m:HLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP !eS:v:ay:òn:m:H!m:hal:xmy:òn:m:H!Ap:raej:t:ay:òn:m:H!G::ð\:v:ty:òn:m:H!wan:)apt:òn:m:H!daerdÓÐy:haerNy:òn:m:H!wan:v:ty:òn:m:H!eS:v:t:ðj::ðm:ØKy:òn:m:H!wan:m:Üty:òün:m:H!ev:\N:Øv:ll:B:ay:òn:m:H!kl:av:ty:òn:m:H!kñS:ev:B:Üe\:t:ay:òn:m:H!Sm:S:an:v:aes:ny:òn:m:H!kÝm:aüy:òn:m:H!m:a*:ðn:m:H!m:eh\:as:ØrG:aet:ny:òn:m:H!p:rm:kelp:ny:òn:m:H!um:ay:òn:m:H!s:v:ürx:ay:òn:m:H!S:aöky:òün:m:H!B:òrvy:òn:m:H!m:hakanty:òn:m:HOMàdi÷aktyainamaþOM÷àübhavyainamaþOMmahàdevyainamaþOM÷àntyainamaþOMambikàyainamaþOMbràhmyaina

162 maþOMparame÷varyainamaþOMbrahmàõóa
maþOMparame÷varyainamaþOMbrahmàõóadhàriõyainamaþOMã÷varyainamaþOMmàhe÷varyainamaþOManai÷varyainamaþOMlokarakùiõyainamaþOMyoginyainamaþOMdurgàyainamaþOMsarvabhåte÷varyainamaþOMdurgapàràyainamaþOMjayàyainamaþOMbhaktacintàmaõyainamaþOMvijayàyainamaþOMmçtyainamaþOMjayantyainamaþOMsiddhyainamaþSIVASTOTRAS OMmårtyainamaþOMvi÷àlàkùyainamaþOMsarvasiddhipradàyainamaþOMgambhãràyainamaþOMmantramårtyainamaþOMråpànvitàyainamaþOMmahàkàlyainamaþOMkàlalàjyainamaþOMsarvamårtisvaråpiõyainamaþOManalpasiddhyainamaþOMvedamårtyainamaþOMkamalàyainamaþOMvedabhåtyainamaþOMpadmavàsinyainamaþOMvedàntàyainamaþOMmahàsarasvatyainamaþOMbhagavatyainamaþOMnamaþsiddhyainamaþOMraudràyainamaþOMmanoyoginyainamaþOMmahàråpàyainamaþOMcaüóamuõóacàriõyainamaþOMmahàmàyàyainamaþOMdevadànavavàsinyainamaþOMrudrasvaråpiõyainamaþOMvyavahàriõyainamaþOMnàràyaõyainamaþOManaghàyainamaþOMnàrasiühyainamaþOMbheùajyotiùenamaþOMnàgayaj¤opavãtinyainamaþOMparaüjyotiùenamaþOM÷aïkhacakragadàdhàriõyainamaþOMàtmajyotiùenamaþOMjañàmukuña÷obhinyainamaþOMsarvajyotissvaråpiõyainamaþOMapramàõàyainamaþOMsahasramårtyainamaþOMpramàõàyainamaþOM÷arvàõyainamaþOMàdimadhyàvasànàyainamaþOMsåryamårtisvaråpiõyainamaþOMpuõyadàyainamaþOMàyurlakùmyainamaþOMpuõyopacàrinyainamaþOMsarvalakùmãpradàyainamaþOMpuõyakãrtyainamaþOMvicakùaõàyainamaþOMstutàyainamaþOMkùãràrõavavàsinyainamaþOMvàgã÷varyainamaþOMj¤ànamårtyainamaþLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP OMvàksiddhyainamaþOMkalàvatyainamaþOMaj¤ànàgocaràyainamaþOM÷ma÷ànavàsinyainamaþOMbalàyainamaþOMmàtrenamaþOMparamakalyàõyainamaþOMparamakalpinyainamaþOMbhànumaõóalavàsinyainamaþOMsarvarakùàyainamaþOMavyaktàyainamaþOMbhairavyainamaþOMvyaktaråpàyainamaþOMmahàlakùmyainamaþOManantàyainamaþOMghoùavatyainamaþOMcandràyainamaþOMdàridryahàriõyainamaþOMcandramaõóalavàsinyainama

163 þOM÷ivatejomukhyainamaþOMcandramaõó
þOM÷ivatejomukhyainamaþOMcandramaõóalamaõóitàyainamaþOMviùõuvallabhàyainamaþOMmàtaüginyainamaþOMke÷avibhåùitàyainamaþOMparamànandàyainamaþOMkårmàyainamaþOM÷ivàyainamaþOMmahiùàsuraghàtinyainamaþOMaparàjitàyainamaþOMumàyainamaþOMj¤ànapràptainamaþOM÷àükaryainamaþOMj¤ànavatyainamaþOMmahàkàntyainamaþAT:eS:v:n:iraj:n:m:Îatha÷ivanãràjanamherH!n:m::ð|stv:n:nt:ay:s:h+m:Üt:üy:ðs:h+p:adaex:eS:r:ð,b:ahv:ð.s:h+n:amn:ðp:Ø,\:ay:S:aÃ:t:ðs:h+k:ðeXy:Øg:D:aerN:ðn:m:H..1..hariþOMnamo.astvanantàyasahasramårtayesahasrapàdàkùi÷irorubàhave|sahasranàmnepuruùàya÷à÷vatesahasrakoñiyugadhàriõenamaþ||1||!j:y:g:¤aD:rhreS:v:j:y:eg:erj:aD:iS:,eS:v:j:y:g::òrin:aT:.SIVASTOTRAS tv:öm:aöp:al:y:en:ty:ötv:öm:aöp:al:y:S:mB::ðkáp:y:aj:g:diS:.!hrhrhrm:hadðv:..2..OMjayagaïgàdharahara÷ivajayagirijàdhã÷a,÷ivajayagaurãnàtha|tvaümàüpàlayanityaütvaümàüpàlaya÷ambhokçpayàjagadã÷a|OMharaharaharamahàdeva||2||kól:as:ðeg:ereS:K:rðklp:dÓÚm:ev:ep:n:ðeS:v:klp:dÓÚm:ev:ep:n:ðg:ØWj:et:m:D:Økrp:ØWj:ðg:ØWj:et:m:D:Økrp:ØWj:ðg:hn:ð.k:ðekl:HkÝj:et:K:ðl:et:hös:av:el:l:el:t:aeS:v:hös:av:el:l:el:t:arc:y:et:kl:akl:ap:örc:y:et:kl:akl:ap:ön:àty:et:m:Øds:eht:a.!hrhrhrm:hadðv:..3..kailàsegiri÷ikharekalpadrumavipine÷ivakalpadrumavipinegu¤jatimadhukarapu¤jegu¤jatimadhukarapu¤jegahane|kokilaþkåjatikhelatihaüsàvalilalità÷ivahaüsàvalilalitàracayatikalàkalàpaüracayatikalàkalàpaünçtyatimudasahità|OMharaharaharamahàdeva||3||t:sm:úll:el:t:s:ØdðS:ðS:al:am:eN:rec:t:aeS:v:S:al:am:ep:rec:t:ahren:kXðt:nm:Dy:ðhren:kXðg::òrim:Øds:eht:a.#iRaörc:y:et:B:Ü\:aöeS:v:reWj:t:en:j:m:iS:öEndÓaedks:Ørs:ðev:t:b:ÒÉaedks:Ørs:ðev:t:)N:m:et:t:ðS:i\:üm:Î.!hrhrhrm:hadðv:..4..tasma.Nllalitasude÷e÷àlàmaõiracità,÷iva÷àlàmapiracità,tanmadhyeharanikañetanmadhyeharanikañegaurãmudasahità|krãóàüracayatibhåùàüra¤jitanijamã÷aü,÷ivara¤jitanijamã÷aüindràdikasura

164 sevitabrahmàdikasurasevitapraõamatiteÃ
sevitabrahmàdikasurasevitapraõamatite÷ãrùam|OMharaharaharamahàdeva||4||ev:b:ØD:v:D:Üb:ühÚn:àty:et:Ædy:ðm:Øds:eht:aeS:v:Ædy:ðm:Øds:eht:aekÀrg:an:ökÙ,t:ðekÀrg:an:ökÙ,t:ðs:pt:sv:rs:eht:a.eD:n:kt:T:òT:òeD:n:kt:m:àdög:öv:ady:t:ðeS:v:m:àdög:öv:ady:t:ðVv:N:Vv:p:l:el:t:av:ðN:ØöVv:N:Vv:p:l:el:t:av:ðN:Øöm:D:Ørön:ady:t:ð.!hrhrhrm:hadðv:..5..LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP vibudhavadhårbahunçtyatihçdayemudasahità,÷ivahçdayemudasahità,kinnaragànaükurutekinnaragànaükurutesaptasvarasahità|dhinakatathaithaidhinakatamçdaügaüvàdayate,÷ivamçdaügaüvàdayate,kvaõakvapalalitàveõuükvaõakvapalalitàveõuümadhuraünàdayate|OMharaharaharamahàdeva||5||kN:kN:c:rN:ðrc:y:et:n:Üp:Ørm:Øjjv:el:t:ö,eS:v:n:Üp:Ørm:Øjjv:el:t:öc:#akaröB:Òm:y:et:c:#akaröB:Òm:y:et:kÙ,t:ðt:aöeD:kt:am:Î.t:aöt:aöl:Øp:t:al:ön:ady:t:ðeS:v:t:al:ön:ady:t:ðA¤ÛÅa¤Ûel:n:adöA¤ÛÅa¤Ûel:n:adöl:asy:kt:aökÙ,t:ð.!hrhrhrm:hadðv:..6..kaõakaõa-caraõeracayatinåpuramujjvalitaü,÷ivanåpuramujjvalitaücakràkàraübhramayaticakràkàraübhramayatikurutetàüdhikatàm|tàütàülupa-cupatàlaünàdayate,÷ivatàlaünàdayateaïguùñhàïgulinàdaüaïguùñhàïgulinàdaülàsyakatàükurute|OMharaharaharamahàdeva||6||kp:Øür½Øet:g::òröp:Wc:an:n:s:eht:öeS:v:p:Wc:an:n:s:eht:öe*:n:y:n:S:S:D:rm::òl:ðe*:n:y:n:S:S:D:rm::òl:ðev:\:D:rkNYy:Øt:ö.s:Øndrj:Xakl:ap:öp:av:ky:Øt:Pal:öeS:v:p:av:kS:eS:Pal:öRm:,e*:S:Ül:ep:n:aköRm:,e*:S:Ül:ep:n:aköKrD:àt:n:àkp:al:m:Î.!hrhrhrm:hadðv:..7..karpuradyutigauraüpa¤cànanasahitaü,÷ivapa¤cànanasahitaü,trinayana÷a÷adharamauletrinayana÷a÷adharamauleviùadharakaõñhayutaü|sundarajañàkalàpaüpàvakayutaphàlaü,÷ivapàvaka÷a÷iphàlaü,óamarutri÷ålapinàkaüóamarutri÷ålapinàkaükaradhçtançkapàlam|OMharaharaharamahàdeva||7||S:£n:n:adökátv:aJ:ll:ern:ady:t:ðeS:v:J:ll:ern:ady:t:ðn:iraj:y:t:ðb:ÒÉan:iraj:y:t:ðev:\N:Øv:ðüd?c:öp:Yt:ð.Eet:m:àdÙc:rN:s:r:ðj:öÆedkm

165 :l:ðD:àtv:aeS:v:Æedkm:l:ðD:àtv:aAv:
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166 t:ös:Ørg:Ø,öv:ndðj:g:tkarN:öV:ndð
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167 àkkàyajaükarmajaüvà÷ravaõanayanaj
àkkàyajaükarmajaüvà÷ravaõanayanajaüvàmànasaüvà.aparàdham|vihitamavihitaüvàsarvametatkùamasvajayajayakaruõàbdhe÷rãmahàdeva÷ambho||6||c:ndÓ:ð»aes:t:S:ðK:rðsm:rhrðg:¤aD:rðS:¢rðs:p:òüB:Üüe\:t:kNYkN:üev:v:rðn:ð*::ðtT:v:òÃ:an:rð.dent:tv:Vkát:s:Øndraöb:rD:rð*:òl::ðVy:s:arðhrðm::ðx:aT:üökÙ,ec:¶:v:àe¶:m:c:l:am:ny:òst:Øekökm:üeB:H..7..candrodbhàsita÷ekharesmaraharegaïgàdhareLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP ÷aïkaresarpairbhåùitakaõñhakarõavivarenetrotthavai÷vànare|dantitvakkçtasundaràübaradharetrailokyasàreharemokùàrthaükurucittavçttimacalàmanyaistukiükarmabhiþ||7||Eet:eS:v:Dy:an:av:el:Hs:mp:ÜN:aüiti÷ivadhyànàvaliþsampÃ¥rõàAT:eS:v:p:Ø\p:aWj:el:Hatha÷ivapuùpà¤jaliþher!y:wðn:y:wm:y:j:nt:dðv:aHt:aen:D:m:aüeN:)T:m:any:as:n:Î.t:ðhn:aköm:ehm:an:Hs:c:nt:ðy:*:p:Üv:ðüs:aDy:aHs:ent:dðv:aH..hariOMyaj¤enayaj¤amayajantadevàþtànidharmàõiprathamànyàsan|tehanàkaümahimànaþsacanteyatrapÃ¥rvesàdhyàþsantidevàþ||!raj:aeD:raj:ay:)s:Ês:aehn:ð.n:m::ðv:y:öv:òÂ:v:N:ay:kÙm:ühð.s:m:ðkam:an:Îkam:kam:ay:m:Êö.kam:ðÃ:r:ðv:òÂ:v:N::ðddat:Ø.kÙb:ðray:v:òÂ:v:N:ay:m:haraj:ay:n:m:H..OMràjàdhiràjàyaprasahyasàhine|namovayaüvai÷ravaõàyakurmahe|samekàmànkàmakàmàyamahyaü|kàme÷varovai÷ravaõodadàtu|kuberàyavai÷ravaõàyamahàràjàyanamaþ||!ev:Ã:t:xc:x:Ø,t:ev:Ã:t::ðm:ØK:öev:Ã:t::ðb:ahÚ,t:ev:Ã:t:sp:at:Î.s:öb:ahÚBy:aöD:m:et:s:mp:t:*:ò½aüv:aB:Üm:ij:n:y:ndðv:OkH..OMvi÷vatakùcakùurutavi÷vatomukhaüvi÷vatobàhurutavi÷vataspàt|saübàhubhyàüdhamatisampatatrairdyàvàbhÃ¥mãjanayandevaekaþ||!t:tp:Ø,\:ay:ev:¼hðm:hadðv:ay:D:im:eht:À:ð,dÓH)c::ðdy:at:Î..n:an:as:Øg:nD:p:Ø\p:aeN:y:T:akal::ð»v:aen:c:m:y:a|Æt:aen:edvy:aen:g:àhaN:p:rm:ðÃ:r..OMtatpuruùàyavidmahemahàdevàyadhãmahitannorudraþpracodayàt||SIVASTOTRAS nànàsugandhapuùpàõiyathàkàlodbhavànicamayà.ahçtànidivyànigçhàõaparame÷vara||Eet:eS:v:p:Ø\p:aWj:el:Hs:mp:Ã

168 œN:aü..iti÷ivapuùpà¤jaliþsampÃ¥rõ
œN:aü..iti÷ivapuùpà¤jaliþsampÃ¥rõà||eS:v:m:ehmn:Hs*::ð*:m:Î÷ivamahimnaþstrotram!Â:ig:N:ðS:ay:n:m:HOM÷rãgaõeֈyanamaþher!g:j:an:n:öB:Üt:g:N:aeD:s:ðev:t:ökep:tT:j:mb:ÜPl:s:arB:x:N:m:Î.um:as:Øt:öS::ðkev:n:aS:karN:ön:m:aem:ev:Gn:ðÃ:rp:adp:ökj:m:Î..hariOMgajànanaübhÃ¥tagaõàdhisevitaükapitthajambÃ¥phalasàrabhakùaõam|umàsutaü÷okavinà÷akàraõaünamàmivighne÷varapàdapaükajam||m:ehmn:Hp:aröt:ðp:rm:ev:dÙ\::ðy:½s:dáS:ist:Øet:b:ÒüÉadin:am:ep:t:dv:s:Àastv:ey:eg:rH.AT:a|v:acy:Hs:v:üHsv:m:et:p:erN:am:av:eD:g:àN:n:Îm:m:apy:ð\:Hst::ð*:ðhren:rp:v:adHp:erkrH..1..mahimnaþpàraüteparamaviduùoyadyasadç÷ãstutirbrahmàdãnàmapitadavasannàstvayigiraþ|athà.avàcyaþsarvaþsvamatipariõàmàvadhigçõanmamàpyeùaþstotreharanirapavàdaþparikaraþ||1||At:it:Hp:nT:an:öt:v:c:m:ehm:av:a¨n:s:y::ðLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP rt:dÏvy:av:àty:ay:öc:ekt:m:eB:D:¶:ðÂ:Øet:rep:.s:ksy:st::ðt:vy:Hket:ev:D:g:ØN:Hksy:ev:\:y:Hp:dðtv:v:aüc:in:ðp:t:et:n:m:n:Hksy:n:v:c:H..2..atãtaþpanthànaütavacamahimàvàïmanasayo-ratadvyàvçtyàyaücakitamabhidhatte÷rutirapi|sakasyastotavyaþkatividhaguõaþkasyaviùayaþpadetvarvàcãnepatatinamanaþkasyanavacaþ||2||m:D:ØsPit:av:ac:Hp:rm:m:m:àt:öen:em:üt:v:t:st:v:b:ÒÉn:Îeköv:ag:ep:s:Ørg:Ør:ðev:üsm:y:p:dm:Î.m:m:tv:ðt:aöv:aN:iög:ØN:kT:n:p:ØNy:ðn:B:v:t:Hp:Øn:am:ity:T:ðü|esm:np:Ørm:T:n:b:Øe¹vy:üv:es:t:a..3..madhusphãtàvàcaþparamamamçtaünirmitavata-stavabrahmankiüvàgapisuragurorvismayapadam|mamatvetàüvàõãüguõakathanapuõyenabhavataþpunàmãtyarthe.asminpuramathanabuddhirvyavasità||3||t:v:òÃ:y:üöy:¶:jj:g:dÙdy:rx:a)l:y:kát:Î*:y:iv:st:Øvy:st:öet:s:à\:Øg:ØN:eB:Àas:Øt:n:Ø\:Ø.AB:vy:an:am:esm:n:Îv:rdrm:N:iy:am:rm:N:iöev:hnt:Øövy:a#:ðS:iöev:dD:t:Ehòkñj:ReD:y:H..4..tavai÷varyaüyattajjagadudayarakùàpralayakçttrayãvastuvyastaütisçùuguõabhinnàsutanuùu|abhavyànàmasminvaradaramaõãyàmaramaõãüvihantuüvyàkro÷ãüvidadhatai

169 haikejaóadhiyaþ||4||ekm:ihHekökay:Hs:
haikejaóadhiyaþ||4||ekm:ihHekökay:Hs:K:l:Øekm:Øp:ay:es*:B:Øv:n:öekm:aD:ar:ðD:at:as:àj:et:ekm:Øp:adan:Eet:c:.At:Vy:óýÃ:y:ðütv:yy:n:v:s:rdÙHsT::ðht:eD:y:HkÙt:k:ðý|y:ökaöeÁ:nm:ØK:ry:et:m::ðhay:j:g:t:H..5..SIVASTOTRAS kimãhaþkiükàyaþsakhalukimupàyastribhuvanaükimàdhàrodhàtàsçjatikimupàdànaitica|atarkyai÷varyetvayyanavasaraduþsthohatadhiyaþkutarko.ayaükàü÷cinmukharayatimohàyajagataþ||5||Aj:nm:an::ðl::ðkaHekm:v:y:v:v:nt::ð|ep:j:g:t:a-m:eD:Åat:aröeköB:v:ev:eD:rn:adáty:B:v:et:.An:iS::ðv:akÙy:aü»Øv:n:j:n:n:ðkHp:erkr:ðy:t::ðm:ndastv:aö)ty:m:rv:rs:öS:ðrt:Em:ð..6..ajanmànolokàþkimavayavavanto.apijagatà-madhiùñhàtàraükiübhavavidhiranàdçtyabhavati|anã÷ovàkuryàdbhuvanajananekaþparikaroyatomandàstvàüpratyamaravarasaü÷erataime||6||*:y:is:aöKy:öy::ðg:Hp:S:Øp:et:m:t:öv:ò\N:v:em:et:)eB:Àð)sT:an:ðp:rem:dm:dHp:Ty:em:et:c:.,c:in:aöv:òec:*y:adáj:ØkÙeXl:n:an:ap:T:j:Ø\:aön:àN:am:ðk:ðg:my:stv:m:es:p:y:s:am:N:üv:Ev:..7..trayãsàükhyaüyogaþpa÷upatimataüvaiùõavamitiprabhinneprasthàneparamidamadaþpathyamitica|rucãnàüvaicitryàdçjukuñilanànàpathajuùàünçõàmekogamyastvamasipayasàmarõavaiva||7||m:h:ðx:HK:XÏv:a¤öp:rS:Ørej:n:öB:sm:PeN:n:Hkp:al:öc:ðt:iy:¶:v:v:rdt:n*::ðp:krN:m:Î.s:Ørast:aöt:am:àe¹öev:dD:et:B:v:dÏB:ÒÜ)eN:eht:aön:ehsv:atm:aram:öev:\:y:m:àg:t:à\N:aB:Òm:y:et:..8..mahokùaþkhañvàïgaüpara÷urajinaübhasmaphaõinaþkapàlaücetãyattavavaradatantropakaraõam|suràstàütàmçddhiüvidadhatibhavadbhråpraõihitàünahisvàtmàràmaüviùayamçgatçùõàbhramayati||8||LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP D:ÒØv:ökeÁ:ts:v:üös:kl:m:p:rstv:D:ÒØv:em:döp:r:ðD:Ò:òvy:aD:Ò:òvy:ðj:g:et:g:det:vy:st:ev:\:y:ð.s:m:st:ð|py:ðt:esm:np:Ørm:T:n:t:òev:üesm:t:Ev:st:Øv:eWj:Ëðem:tv:aön:K:l:Øn:n:ØD:àÄam:ØK:rt:a..9..dhruvaüka÷citsarvaüsakalamaparastvadhruvamidaüparodhrauvyàdhrauvyejagatigadativyastaviùaye|samaste.apyetasminpuramathanatairvismitai

170 vastuva¤jihremitvàünakhalunanudhçùÃ
vastuva¤jihremitvàünakhalunanudhçùñàmukharatà||9||t:v:òÃ:y:üöy:tn:a½dÙp:erev:ereWc:hüerrD:Hp:ercCð¶:Øöy:at:av:en:l:m:n:l:sknD:v:p:Ø\:H.t:t::ðB:eVt:Â:¹aB:rg:Ø,g:àN:dÏBy:aöeg:erS:y:t:Îsv:y:öt:sT:ðt:aBy:aöt:v:ekm:n:Øv:àe¶:n:üPl:et:..10..tavai÷varyaüyatnàdyadupariviri¤cirhariradhaþparicchettuüyàtàvanilamanalaskandhavapuùaþ|tatobhakti÷raddhàbharagurugçõadbhyàügiri÷ayatsvayaütasthetàbhyàütavakimanuvçttirnaphalati||10||Ay:tn:adap:a½e*:B:Øv:n:m:v:òrvy:et:krödS:asy::ðy:dÏb:ahÞn:B:àt:rN:kNRÝp:rv:S:an:Î.esT:ray:astv:»Vt:ðes*:p:Ørhrev:sPÝej:üt:em:dm:Î..11..ayatnàdàpàdyatribhuvanamavairavyatikaraüda÷àsyoyadbàhånabhçtaraõakaõóåparava÷àn|sthiràyàstvadbhaktestripuraharavisphårjitamidam||11||Am:Ø\y:tv:ts:ðv:as:m:eD:g:t:s:aröB:Øj:v:n:öb:l:atkól:as:ð|ep:tv:deD:v:s:t::òev:#m:y:t:H.SIVASTOTRAS Al:By:ap:at:al:ð|py:l:s:c:el:t:aög:ØÅeS:res:)et:Åatv:yy:as:idÏD:ÒØv:m:Øp:ec:t::ðm:ØÊet:K:l:H..12..amuùyatvatsevàsamadhigatasàraübhujavanaübalàtkailàse.apitvadadhivasatauvikramayataþ|alabhyàpàtàle.apyalasacalitàüguùñha÷irasipratiùñhàtvayyàsãddhruvamupacitomuhyatikhalaþ||12||y:dáe¹ös:Ø*:amN::ðv:rdp:rm::ðcc:òrep:s:t:im:D:Á:#ñb:aN:Hp:erj:n:ev:D:ðy:es*:B:Øv:n:H.n:t:ecc:*:öt:esm:nv:erv:es:t:ertv:cc:rN:y::ðn:üksy:auÀty:òB:v:et:eS:rs:stv:yy:v:n:et:H..13..yadçddhiüsutràmõovaradaparamoccairapisatã-madha÷cakrebàõaþparijanavidheyastribhuvanaþ|nataccitraütasminvarivasitaritvaccaraõayo-rnakasyàunnatyaibhavati÷irasastvayyavanatiþ||13||ev:D:ðy:sy:as:i½es*:n:y:n:ev:\:ös:öÆt:v:t:H.s:klm:a\:HkNYðt:v:n:kÙ,t:ðn:eÂ:y:m:h:ðev:kar:ð|ep:Sl:aGy::ðB:Øv:n:B:y:B:¤vy:s:en:n:H..14..vidheyasyàsãdyastrinayanaviùaüsaühçtavataþ|sakalmàùaþkaõñhetavanakurutena÷riyamahovikàro.api÷làghyobhuvanabhayabhaïgavyasaninaþ||14||Aes:¹aT:aün:òv:Vv:ec:dep:s:dðv:as:Ørn:rðen:v:t:ünt:ðen:ty:öj:g:et:j:ey:n::ðy:sy:ev:eS:K:aH.s:p:Sy:ÀiS:tv:aem:t:rs:Ørs:aD

171 :arN:m:B:Üt:Îsm:rHsm:t:üvy:atm:an:ehv
:arN:m:B:Üt:Îsm:rHsm:t:üvy:atm:an:ehv:eS:\:Øp:Ty:Hp:erB:v:H..15..asiddhàrthànaivakvacidapisadevàsuranareLORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP nivartantenityaüjagatijayinoyasyavi÷ikhàþ|sapa÷yannã÷atvàmitarasurasàdhàraõamabhåt-smaraþsmartavyàtmànahiva÷iùupathyaþparibhavaþ||15||m:hip:adaG:at:adÏv:Òj:et:s:hs:as:öS:y:p:döp:döev:\N::ðB:Òaümy:dÏB:Øj:p:erG:,gN:g:Òhg:N:m:Î.m:ØhÚ½:òüd:òüsTy:öy:aty:en:B:àt:j:Xat:aeRt:t:Xaj:g:dÓx:ay:òtv:ön:Xes:n:n:Øv:am:òv:ev:B:Øt:a..16..mahãpàdàghàtàdvrajatisahasàsaü÷ayapadaüpadaüviùõorbhràmyadbhujaparigharugõagrahagaõam|muhurdyaurdausthyaüyàtyanibhçtajañàtàóitatañàjagadrakùàyaitvaünañasinanuvàmaivavibhutà||16||ev:y:dÏvy:ap:it:arag:N:g:ØeN:t:Pñn::ðdÏg:m:,ec:H)v:ah:ðv:araöy:Hp:à\:t:l:G:ØdáÄHeS:res:t:ð.j:g:dϾip:akaröj:l:eD:v:l:y:öt:ðn:kát:em:ty:n:ðn:òv::ðÀðy:öD:àt:m:ehm:edvy:öt:v:v:p:ØH..17..viyadvyàpãtàràgaõaguõitaphenodgamaruciþpravàhovàràüyaþpçùatalaghudçùñaþ÷irasite|jagaddvãpàkàraüjaladhivalayaütenakçtami-tyanenaivonneyaüdhçtamahimadivyaütavavapuþ||17||rT:Hx::ðN:iy:nt:aS:t:D:àet:rg:ðndÓ:ðD:n:ØrT::ðrT:a¤ñc:ndÓak:òýrT:c:rN:p:aeN:HS:rEet:.edD:x::ðst:ðk:ð|y:öe*:p:Ørt:àN:m:aRmb:rev:eD:ev:üD:ðy:òH#iRnty::ðn:K:l:Øp:rt:n*:aH)B:ØeD:y:H..18..rathaþkùoõãyantà÷atadhçtiragendrodhanurathorathàïgecandràrkaurathacaraõapàõiþ÷araiti|didhakùosteko.ayaütripuratçõamàóambaravidhi-rvidheyaiþkrãóantyonakhaluparatantràþprabhudhiyaþ||18||SIVASTOTRAS herst:ðs:ah+ökm:l:b:el:m:aD:ay:p:dy::ðy:üdðk:ðn:ðt:esm:eÀj:m:ØdhrÀð*:km:l:m:Î.g:t::ðB:Vty:ØdÓðkHp:erN:et:m:s::òc:#v:p:Ø\:a*:y:aN:aörx:ay:òe*:p:Ørhrj:ag:et:üj:g:t:am:Î..19..haristesàhasraükamalabalimàdhàyapadayo-ryadekonetasminnijamudaharannetrakamalam|gatobhaktyudrekaþpariõatimasaucakravapuùàtrayàõàürakùàyaitripuraharajàgartijagatàm||19||#t::òs:Øpt:ðj:ag:Ò¶v:m:es:Pl:y::ðg:ð#t:Øm:t:aöVv:km:ü)Dv:st:öPl:et:p:Ø

172 ,\:araD:n:m:àt:ð.At:stv:aös:m)ðxy:#t
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173 v:D:m:v:D:ay:a¶:m:,t:H)Æ\y:dÓ:ðm:aN:
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174 9||b:hl:rj:s:ðev:Ã::ðtp:¶::òB:v:ay:
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175 g:nD:v:üB:ae\:t:ö.An::òp:my:öm:n::ð
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176 j:S:Üel:n:Îg:¤aD:rm:àRm:dn:arð.hreS
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177 amekaüjagadbãjamàdyaünirãhaüniràk
amekaüjagadbãjamàdyaünirãhaüniràkàramoïkàravedyaü|yatojàyatepalyateyenavi÷vamtamã÷aübhajelãyateyatravi÷vam||5||LORDSIVAANDHISWORSHIP n:B:Üem:n:üc:ap::ðn:v:eÈn:üv:ay:Ø-n:üc:akaS:m:ast:ðn:t:ndÓan:en:dÓa.n:g:Òi\m::ðn:S:it:ön:dðS::ðn:v:ð\::ðn:y:sy:aest:m:Üet:ües*:m:Üet:üöt:m:iRð..6..nabhåmirnacàponavahnirnavàyu-rnacàkà÷amàstenatandrànanidrà|nagrãùmona÷ãtaünade÷onaveùonayasyàstimårtistrimårtiütamãóe||6||Aj:öS:aÃ:t:ökaN:üökarN:an:aöeS:v:ökñv:l:öB:as:köB:as:kan:am:Î.t:Øriy:öt:m:Hp:arm:a½nt:hin:ö)p:½ðp:röp:av:n:ö¾òt:hin:m:Î..7..ajaü÷à÷vataükàrõaükàraõànàü÷ivaükevalaübhàsakaübhàsakànàm|turãyaütamaþpàramàdyantahãnaüprapadyeparaüpàvanaüdvaitahãnam||7||n:m:st:ðs:m:st:ðev:B::ðev:Ã:m:Üt:ðün:m:st:ðn:m:st:ðec:dan:ndm:Üt:ðü.n:m:st:ðn:m:st:ðt:p::ðy::ðg:g:my:n:m:st:ðn:m:st:ðÂ:Øet:wan:g:my:..8..namastesamastevibhovi÷vamårtenamastenamastecidànandamårte|namastenamastetapoyogagamyanamastenamaste÷rutij¤ànagamya||8||)B::ðS:Ül:p:aN:ðev:B::ðev:Ã:n:aT:m:hadðv:S:mB::ðm:hðS:e*:n:ð*:.SIVASTOTRAS eS:v:akant:S:ant:sm:rarðp:Ørarðtv:dny::ðv:rðNy::ðn:m:any::ðn:g:Ny:H..9..prabho÷ålapàõevibhovi÷vanàthamahàdeva÷ambhomahe÷atrinetra|÷ivàkànta÷àntasmaràrepuràretvadanyovareõyonamànyonagaõyaþ||9||S:mB::ðm:hðS:k-N:am:y:S:Ül:p:aN:ðg::òrip:t:ðp:S:Øp:t:ðp:S:Øp:aS:n:aeS:n:Î.kaS:ip:t:ðk,N:y:aj:g:dðt:dðk-stv:öhöes:p:aes:ev:dD:aes:m:hðÃ:r:ð|es:..10..÷ambhomahe÷akaråõàmaya÷ålapàõegaurãpatepa÷upatepa÷upà÷anà÷in|kà÷ãpatekaruõayàjagadetadeka-stvaühaüsipàsividadhàsimahe÷varo.asi||10||tv:¶::ðj:g:»v:et:dðv:B:v:sm:rarðtv:yy:ðv:et:Ået:j:g:nm:àRev:Ã:n:aT:.tv:yy:ðv:j:cCet:l:y:öj:g:dðt:diS:el:¤atm:köhrc:rac:rev:Ã:-ep:n:Î..11..tvattojagadbhavatidevabhavasmaràretvayyevatiùñhatijaganmçóavi÷vanàtha|tvayyevajacchatilayaüjagadetadã÷aliïgàtmakaüharacaràcaravi÷varåpin||11||Eet:Â:im:cCökrac: