Śivadyuti (शिवद्युति)

As we near the finale of the Vidyeśvara-saṁhitā, the most important and powerful practices of Śiva-yoga are being discussed. Sincere devotees dedicate themselves to wearing bhasma and rudrākṣa, and chanting the pañcākṣara-mantra. We should never forget the meaning of realizing Śiva, which is transforming our consciousness from the ordinary external jagrat to svapna, the ineffable suṣupti and final...

The sages said, “O Sūta, Sūta the fortunate disciple of Vyāsa, obeisance to thee. Please explain again the glorification of the holy ashes, of the Rudrākṣa and of Śiva’s names. Lovingly explaining the three, please delight our minds.” Sūta said, “It is good that you have referred to this matter that is highly beneficent to the world. You are blessed, holy and ornaments to your families since you o...

The sages said, “O good sage, we have heard before that the offering of naivedya (eatables) made to Śiva should not be taken by others. Please tell us decisively about this, and also about the greatness of Bilva.” Sūta said, ”O sages, all of you please hear now attentively. I shall explain everything with pleasure. All of you who take up Śiva’s sacred rites are really blessed. A devotee of Śiva wh...

The Vidyeśvara-saṁhitā is a compendium of different methods for worshiping Śiva. It is full of valuable suggestions for delighting Śiva. There’s something for everyone, from beginner to most advanced, from King to beggar, from children to renunciants. Take some good advice from Vidyeśvara-saṁhitā and start doing something to please Lord Śiva today with whatever energy, intelligence, resources and...

The sages said, “O Sūta, Sūta the fortunate disciple of Vyāsa, obeisances to Thee. Thou hast clearly explained the procedure of the worship of the earthen phallic images. Now kindly explain the number of phallic images as based on the wishes one may have. Thou art favourably disposed to the distressed and the miserable.” Sūta said, “O sages, you listen to the rules of procedure in the worship of t...

Sūta said, “Now, the mode of worshipping an earthen phallic image according to the Vaidik rites is being explained. It yields worldly pleasures and salvation to the Vaidik worshippers. The devotee shall take bath in accordance with the rules prescribed in the sacred code. He shall duly perform his sandhyā prayers. After performing the brahma-yajña, one of the five daily sacrifices, he shall perfor...

The sages said, “O Sūta, Sūta, be long-lived. Thou art a blessed devotee of Śiva. The greatness of Śiva’s phallic image in according excellent benefit has been well explained by you. Now speak about the greatness of the earthen phallic image of Śiva which is far superior to all others.” Sūta said, “O sages, all of you please listen with great devotion and respect. Now I am going to speak on the gr...

Chapter 18 is about bondage and liberation, and the means of liberation. A jīva is said to be in bondage if he is tied up by the noose of the eightfold primary tattvas: prakṛti etc. When freed from them he is called liberated. Perfect control and subjugation of prakṛti and its offshoots is mokṣa (salvation). A jīva when freed from bondage is called a liberated soul. The set of eight that binds is:...

“Turīya is not that which is conscious of the internal (subjective) world, nor that which is conscious of the external (objective) world, nor that which is conscious of both, nor that which is a mass of all sentiency, nor that which is simple consciousness, nor that which is insentient. (It is) unseen (by any sense organ), not related to anything, incomprehensible (by the mind), uninferable, unthi...

“(The third is) the state of deep sleep wherein the sleeper does not desire any objects nor does he see any dream. The third quarter is the prajñā (wisdom, intelligence) whose sphere is deep sleep, in whom all (experiences) become unified and undifferentiated, who is verily a mass of consciousness entire, who is full of bliss and who experiences bliss (ānandamaya), and who is the path leading to t...

The second mantra of Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad reads: sarvaṁ hy etad brahma | ayam ātmā brahma | so ’yam ātmā catuṣpāt || “All this is verily Brahman.  This Ātman is Brahman.  This Ātman has four quarters.”  What is Reality? It depends on your point of view, your state of consciousness. The "four quarters" are four states of consciousness: jagrat, svapna, suṣupti and turīya.  Śiva also...

Taking a break from the extensive Śiva Purāṇa series, we go into the deep meaning of ĀŪṀkara and its identity with Śiva. The amazing Mūṇḍaka Upaniṣad reveals the deep connection between ĀŪṀ and the four states of consciousness. This mini-series will investigate (vicāra) the path of consciousness leading to complete Self-realization.

“The precincts of a temple, a cowshed, a sanctuary or one’s own courtyard shall be selected for the performance of sacrifice. It shall be on a raised platform at least two hastas high. It shall be well decorated. Paddy weighing a bhara shall be spread on the ground to make a large circle. Diagrams of lotuses shall be made in the middle, and in the eight quarters on the border of the circle. A big...

“O sages of good rites, in the case of widows, whether they be in childhood, youth or old age, a rasa-liṅga is specially recommended if they continue to perform rites. A liṅga of pure crystal bestows all sorts of worldly enjoyment on women. The worship of the pedestal grants all cherished desires of the worshipper in this world. A ritualist shall perform all the worship in a vessel. At the conclus...

The sages said, “O foremost among those who know everything, please explain the nature of bondage and liberation.” Sūta said, “I shall explain bondage, liberation and the means of liberation. Please listen attentively. A jīva is said to be in bondage if he is tied up by the noose of the eightfold primary tattvas: prakṛti etc. When freed from them he is called liberated. Perfect control and subjuga...

Chapter 17 deals with ĀŪṀ, the prāṇava—it’s meaning, practice and benefits. Alone or in combination with other bījas, words or phrases, prāṇava acts as a strong boat to take one across the ocean of material existence.

“Liberation is in the form of realising the nature of Ātman. It is a relaxation and resting in one’s own soul. It is based on sacred rites, penance, japa, knowledge, meditation and virtue. Relaxation is assured at the vision of Śiva. Śiva, the merciful, removes ignorance even as the sun removes all impurities and darkness by means of its rays. When ignorance is dispelled, the knowledge of Śiva beg...

“The Brahmacaryaloka accepted by Śiva is beyond that. There in the Jñānakailāśa that has five coverings, the primary phallic form of Śiva is stationed in the company of primary energy of Śiva. It has five zones and five Brahma-kalās. This is called the abode of Śiva, Śivalaya, the supreme Ātman. There alone stays Parameśvara in the company of Parāśakti. He is skilled in the performance of the five...

The sages said, “O lord, tell us the greatness of the syllable ĀŪṀ and that of the six liṅgas, O great sage. Also please tell us about the worship of the devotees of Śiva in order of realization.” Sūta said, “All of you, sages, have now requested a very good thing. Only Śiva can explain this properly—no one else. Still I shall explain the same with Śiva’s grace. May Śiva increasingly guard us, you...

Chapter 16 deals with deity worship, its performance and results. The rituals of deity worship are karma-yoga. Problems due to bad karma can be solved by performing karma-yoga. For example, if one is forced to work for a living due to poverty, deity worship brings sufficient wealth. Similarly with difficulties due to disease, ignorance etc.

“The worship thus performed on Sundays wards off birth. The devotee shall worship the great phallic emblem on Sundays with the syllable ĀŪṀ. The ceremonial ablution of the phallic emblem with pañcagavya on Sundays is specially recommended. Pañcagavya is a compound of cow’s urine, dung, milk, curd and ghee. Milk, curd and ghee can severally be used with honey and molasses. The offering of rice cook...

The sages said, “O excellent one, please explain the rules of worship of clay deities, by following which all desired results will be achieved.” Sūta said, “You have requested a very good thing. Deity worship bestows all wealth always. It suppresses misery instantaneously. I shall explain it; please listen. It wards off premature and foul death. It prevents even a timely death. O brāhmaṇas, it bes...

Great line: “Theism is that feeling in which one fully realises that all actions are consequential." Here we learn how to please God by sacrifice and obtain unparalleled benefits: "Whatever one does—whether it is great or small, whatever be the means employed—if that is dedicated to deities it becomes conducive to enjoyment." And finally, the great phāla-śruti: "He who hears this chapter, or reads...

The sages said, “O Sūta, foremost among those who know everything, please expound to us the qualification, time and place for Devayajña and its results.” Sūta replied, “The pure house accords normal benefit in the rites of Devayajña etc. The gośala (cowshed) is ten times more beneficial than that. The bank of a tank is of ten times more benefit than that, and the root of a Tulasī, Bilva or Aśvatth...

The sages said, “O lord, please tell us in detail all these rites: the fire sacrifice, the sacrifice to gods, Brahmayajña, the worship of the preceptor and the gratification of brāhmaṇas.”  "...Indigent men shall worship devas with austerities, and rich men by spending money. They shall do virtuous actions with sufficient faith again and again. After enjoying pleasures in heaven they are rebo...