Shankara - Lord Siva

[Guest guest]

Namaste.

 

Here is a thought provoking excerpt about Lord Siva:-

 

In Hindu tradition, there are two kinds of sacredness, the"auspicious

ness", which sums up everything that is good and valuable, and the

"holy", which challenges and transcends the conventional distinctions

of GOOD and BAD, Valuable and Valueless.

 

Particularly, this latter type of sanctity is Siva's.

He may wear the crescent moon as an ornament on His hair and yet

carries a skull in His hand.

He may appear one moment wearing the slayed skin of elephant and the

next wearing the garments of a bride groom.

 

Appropriately, Siva's city is in "Anananda VanaM" as well as "maha

smashanam", the graveyard.

 

An encounter with such a God wrenches away the worldly conventions

which tend to create "God", in the image of human society.

 

Although Siva's name means "auspicious" and "gracious", it is used

euphemistically, for Siva often displays Himself in precisely those

things that are neither auspicious nor gracious in the EYES of the WORLD.

Siva thus challenges any facile distinctions between 'Sacred' and

'profane', 'rich' and 'poor', 'high' and 'low'.

 

Siva's crittics among the heavenly gods and the sages often cast Him

as an 'outsider' and a 'misfit' for this reason.

 

In the famous story, Siva is the one god of the entire host of heaven,

who is not invited to the great sacrifice held by the pretentious

demi-god, Daksha.

All the gods, all the denizens of heaven and sages have come. And

Daksha addresses the crowd to explain why Siva is not there:

 

"What is his lineage and what is his clan?

What place does he belong to and what is his nature? What does he do

for a living and how does he behave, this fellow who drinks POISON and

rides a BULL?

He is not an ascetic, for how can one who carries a weapon be an ascetic?

He is not a householder for he lives in the cremation ground.

He is not a celibate student (brahmacari), for he has a wife.

He cannot be a forest dweller (vanaprastha), for he is drunk with the

conceit of his lordship.

He is not a brahmin, for the Vedas do not know him as one.

Since he carries a spear and trident, he might be a 'Kshatriya', but

he is not.

Since he delights in the destruction of the world, he cannot be a

kshatriya who protects the world from harm.

And how can he be a 'vaisya', for he never has any wealth?

He is not even a 'sudra', for he wears the snake as a sacred thread.

So is beyond 'varnAsrama'.

 

Everything is known by its original source and prakriti, but Siva, the

unknowable, has no original source.

He is not a man, because half of his body is female (Gopi-Ishvara

also, Who became Gopi in Maharasa).

And yet he is not a woman, because he has a beard.

He is not even a 'eunuch', because his 'linga' (phallus) is worshipped."

 

He is a bafflement to conventions, including religious conventions.

This is not surprising therefore, that his followers were sometimes

called, 'VedabAhyah', those who are 'out side the Vedas'.

 

One way of seeing Siva's enigmatic many-sidedness is in His many

faces. Usually there are five faces, 'Pancavaktra', depicting multiple

gestures.

The faces are not entirely separate, but cohere in a single image of

the Lord and are moments of His activity.

There is the face of creation-Srishti, and that of preservation-Stithi.

There is more horific face of destruction- Samhaara, and the playful

face of concealment- Tirobhaava.

Finally there is the Fifth, the indescribable face of Revealation and

Salvation- Anugraha.

 

Jaya Sri Radhey!

 

 

, pyari_h <no_reply> wrote:

 

> /message/4008

 

> , pyari_h <no_reply> wrote:

 

> > As Lee Siegel suggests, the poems are in no way ascetic, yet they

> > might be in some sense, religious (16). While it was the goal of the

> > sanyasis, inspired by the teachings of saints like Shankara, to

> > experience the sacred through asceticism, it was the goal of rasikas,

> > inspired by the words of poets like Amaru, to experience the sacred

> > through aestheticism.

> >

> > Lee Siegel points out: Both Sankara and Amaru were worshippers of

> > Siva, and in the vast mythology of that god -- Siva is the erotic

> > ascetic, fire and water -- there is implicit fusion of the passionate

> > and renunciatory impulses. At once ferocious and gentle, Destroyer and

> > Creator, slayer of demons and lover of the goddess, Siva is an

> > exemplar of power: sexual power, martial power, and religious power,

> > the power of yoga (17)."

[Guest guest]

, pyari_h <no_reply> wrote:

> Siva thus challenges any facile distinctions between 'Sacred' and

> 'profane', 'rich' and 'poor', 'high' and 'low'.

>

> Everything is known by its original source and prakriti, but Siva,

the unknowable, has no original source.

> He is not a man, because half of his body is female (Gopi-Ishvara

> also, Who became Gopi in Maharasa).

 

THANKS PYARIJI.... I was really overwhelmed with joy after reading

this post. In my long experience on the net...you are perhaps one

of those rare Krishna Bhaktas who are not prejudiced...but who are

well aware of the Truth and can praise/acccept the other faces of the

Truth too.

 

The Bhakti, and the Bhaktas which we see around us, are not real

Bhaktas but emotional fools/fanatics....this is the fault with Bhakti

awakened from outer sources.

 

The Bhakti which originates from the depth of Anthakrana...the

real Bhakti which Adi-Prakriti has for ParamSiva (or Krishna)...when

surfaces,is the real Bhakti...a bhakti of a Gyani... the Bhakti ofa

Tantrik...free from fanaticism...free from cheap emotions...seeing

truth everywhere.(Hope Uma is listening)

 

One of my girl-friends asked me," what is the secret behind

Krishna appearing as many with all gopis...and still with Radha

(when Narada saw)...what is the spiritual significance of this

incident"...I think instead of replying myself...i may request you to

put some light on this.

 

with my love

 

baba

[Guest guest]

Namaste.

 

acintyAH khalu ye bhAvA na tAMs tarkeNa yojayet |

prakRtibhyaH paraM yac ca tad acintyasya lakSaNam || Mbh 6.6.11

 

"That which is inconceivable can certainly not

be understood through questions and answers.

The inherent quality of something inconceivable

is its being beyond the material perception."

 

"bhaagavat rasik rasik kee baate rasik binaa ko vu samajha sake naa"

 

 

Your friend may read Sri Swamiji's message from my previous post at:

 

/message/7251

....

"Every day when we do chanting, and have satsang, and have darshan, we

give the same message to all the souls all the time, but this

particular occasion reminds us that on this particular night, Sharad

Poornima night, Radha and Krishn gave maharas ras to uncountable

Gopis—not millions or billions or trillions, but uncountable Gopis.

 

In Vrindaban... In India... So one might think that Vrindaban is a

limited place, and how could uncountable Gopis have come?

Yes, it was made Divine at that time.

 

The location was Vrindaban, but the space was made Divine.

Divine has no limitation. So uncountable Gopis joined, did maharas

with Radha and Krishn and enjoyed the Bliss.

The same can be given to you. You can receive that, if you decide.

 

This is the message which we give every year to all the souls who

come. And my Grace and my blessings are on all the souls. We wish

every soul to realize the importance of God realization and come to

this path."

 

http://www.barsanadham.org/festivals-rathyatr.html

 

 

, "Baba ji" <beirut_ka_baba> wrote:

 

> THANKS PYARIJI.... I was really overwhelmed with joy after reading

> this post. In my long experience on the net...you are perhaps one

> of those rare Krishna Bhaktas who are not prejudiced...but who are

> well aware of the Truth and can praise/acccept the other faces of the

> Truth too.

 

> One of my girl-friends asked me," what is the secret behind

> Krishna appearing as many with all gopis...and still with Radha

> (when Narada saw)...what is the spiritual significance of this

> incident"...I think instead of replying myself...i may request you to

> put some light on this.

[Guest guest]

Namaste all! _/\_

 

Babaji may enjoy my post made at:

 

/message/1195

 

---------

 

I'd like to post some selected Sanskrit verses from

'Shiva ananda Lahari', for Divine Lovers and Sanskrit scholors.

 

Sri Shankara had written the Devotional Hymn "Sivananda Lahari"-

'Blissful Waves of Lord Siva' residing in a cottage built on the

'Sri Saila Mountain' enjoying his deep devotion to Lord

Mallika-Arjuna. It is a very beautiful, auspicious abode!

I've visited 'Sri Saila Punya Kshetra' on my pilgrimage tour.

 

In this exquisite verse Adi Jagadguru skillfully described

Lord Siva with a 'pun'- comparing Him to the Arjuna Tree.

 

sandhyAraMbha-vijRMbhitaM zrutizira sthAnAnta-rAdhiSTitAM

saprema-bhramarAbhirAmam asakRt-sadvAsanA-zobhitam,

bhogIndrAbharaNaM samasta-sumanah-pUjyaM guNAviSkRtaM

seve zrIgiri-mallikArjuna-mahAlingaM zivAlingitam

 

"The great Lord Siva resembles the flowering, towering

Arjuna Tree with the Mallika Jasmine Vine entwining It.

 

He dances in ecstasy at dusk when the tree also blossoms

(sandhyAraMbha-vijRMbhitam).

 

He occupies the Crest of Vedic wisdom just as the flowers of Arjuna

tree find a place on the heads and ears of wise devotees.

(zruti-zira-stAnAntar-AdhiSTitam).

 

The Lord is rendered more beautiful by the presence of loving

Bhramarambika, His Consort, and also the eager honey-bees.

(saprema-bhramar-AbhirAmam).

 

He is always distinguished by reason of exalted devotees resorting to

Him, as the tree is by its exuberent fragrance (sad-vAsanA-zobhitam).

 

He has the kings of snakes as His ornaments while the Arjuna flowers,

form the decorations of noted pleasure-seekers. (bhogIndr AbharaNam)

 

He is worhy of being worshipped by all other Divine Personalities and

the pious (su-mana) souls, just as the the Arjuna flowers are laudable

and praise-worthy among all other flowers (samasta-sumanah-pUjyam).

 

He reveals the qualities of nature like Sattva, Rajas, Tamas, and also

the Arjuna flowers their varied colours, fragrance, beauty and other

qualities (guNAviSkRtam).

 

He is established as the Linga known as Mallika-Arjuna-Mahalinga on

the mountain 'Sri Parvata' (zrIgiri or zrIzaila), while the Arjuna

Tree stands on a beautiful peak (zrIgiri- mallikArjuna-mahAlingam).

 

He is embraced by Devi Parvati and the Tree by Jasmine (mallikA) Vine

(zivA-Alingitam).

 

I worship Lord Siva Who resembles the Arjuna Tree entwined by Mallika

Vine and Who is represented by His Emblem known as

Mallika-Arjuna-Mahalinga established on the Sri Saila Mountain, along

with His Consort, Devi Bhramarambika."

 

bhRMgIcchA-naTan 'otkanTaH kari-mada-grAhI sphuran-madhavA

hlAdo nAdayuto mahAsita vapuH paMceSuNA c 'AdRtaH,

satpakSaH sumanovaneSu sa punaH sAkSAn madIye mano

rAjIve bhramarAdhipo viharatAM zrI zailavAsI vibhuH

 

Another thoughtful 'pun'-

Lord Shiva is like the King of Honey Bees.

 

As the Bee shows delight in acting according to the desire of the

female Bee, He likes to see His Consort Bhringi dancing at pleasure

(bhRngI-cchA-naTanotkanTah).

 

As the Bee takes the ichor of elephants, He destroys the pride of the

'elephant demon' (kari mada grAhI).

 

As the Bee feels delight in the jubiliant Spring (mAdhava), He is

delighted to sport with Lord Krishna in the Divine form of Mohini (or

as Gopi-ishvara in Vrindavan), the infatuating Damsel

(sphuran-mAdhava-AhlAdah).

 

As the Bee always makes the buzzing sound, He is associated with the

eternal Divine sound vibration, 'OM' Kaara (nAda-yutah).

 

As the Bee is very black, He appears to be of 'Tamo-guna',

while His Divine Body is extremely white, representing 'Sattva-guna'

(mahA-sita-vapuh).

 

As the Bee is welcomed by Cupid as a helper in his work, He is

respected by Cupid, being his subduer (panceSuNA-AdRtah).

 

As the Bee flies about in flower gardens, He takes delight in sporting

within the hearts of pure souls (sumano vaneSu satpaksha).

 

As the Bee lives in beautiful, high mountains, He resides in the 'Sri

Parvata' (zrI zaila vAsI).

 

As the Bee freely goes every where, He is all-pervading (vibhuh).

 

May Lord Shiva Who thus resembles the King of bee-like devotees,

ever sport in the lotus of my heart!!!

(madIye mano rAjIve bhramar-Adhipo viharatAM)

 

Again Jagadguru Sri Sankaracarya Bhagavatpada had glorified

Lord Shiva as the Divine Peacock in the most blissful verses

of "Shiva-Ananda-Lahari".

 

AkAzena zikhI samastha phaNinAM netrA kalApI natA-

'nugrAhi-praNavopadeza-ninadaih kekIti yo gIyate

zyAmAM zaila samudbhavAM ghanaruciM dRSTvA naTantaM mudA

vedAntopavane vihAra-rasikaM taM nIlakaNTaM bhaje (53)

 

In this pun - Lord Shiva is visualized as a Dancing Peacock.

 

He is blue-throated even as the peacock.

He bears the sky as crest, as the peacock its feathery plume.

He has the lord of sepents as His necklace while the peacock, being

deadly enemy of all serpents, has mastery over them.

He is decorated with ornaments, as the peacock is with its ornamental

tail.

He instructs with a sound "OM" in blessing those who prosrate, while

the peacock utters its cry (Shyam) for its mate-keki.

He dances in joy, seing the beautiful daughter of the Mountain, Devi

Parvati, His Consort, while the peacock dances at the sight of the

black-colored clouds coming from the hills. (zaila-samudbhavAM zyAmAm

ghana-rucim)

 

I worship that Shiva, the blue-throated One, Who thus resembles the

Peacock and delights to sport in the garden of Vedanta (Vrndavana too!).

 

sandhyAdharma-dinAtyayo harikarAghAta-prabhUtAnaka -

dhvAno vArida garjitaM diviSadAM dRSTicchaTA caJcalA

bhaktAnAM paritoSa-bASpa-vitati vRSTir-mayUrI zivA

yasminn-ujvala-tANDavaM vijayate taM nIlakaNTaM bhaje. (54)

 

I worship the glorious NilakanTha, the blue-throated Lord Shiva, the

Divine Peacock (also blue-throated) that excels by His ecstatic Dance,

having the time of dusk as the close of summer

(i.e.the beginning of rainy season when peacocks dance),

the sound of Drum beaten by 'Lord Hari's hands' as thunder peals, the

eyes of celestials as lightning,

the Blissful tears of devotees as rain,

and the Divine Mother Parvati as the Peahen.

 

(Sivanandalahari 50,51,53,54 - Adi Jagadguru Sri Shankaracarya)

 

Jaya Sri Radhey!

 

Divine_Lovers/

 

, "Baba ji" <beirut_ka_baba> wrote:

 

> THANKS PYARIJI.... I was really overwhelmed with joy after reading

> this post. In my long experience on the net...you are perhaps one

> of those rare Krishna Bhaktas who are not prejudiced...but who are

> well aware of the Truth and can praise/acccept the other faces of the

> Truth too.