Adoring Shiva

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I adore Param Shiva in his Dhyana mudra.

 

Lord Shiva is most handsome Lord and is fair in complexion. When one

imagine him or try to visualize him in ones "Daharakasa" (The screen

of the mind or the Space in between the two eyebrows) in his half

closed eyes, Squatting in Padmasana posture on tiger's Skin, with

folded fingers in dhyana mudra, with the jewels of "Rudraksha" adorn

by a coiled serpent around his blue neck, The Holy Ganga flowing

from his matted hair, Crescent moon tucked on the top of the matted

hair, With Trisul (Trident) in his right hand, Wearing Elephant's

skin, holding deer in one hand, The Dhamru, Fire in the others with

vertically held third eye on his forehead, one invariably,

undoubtedly derive the eternal pleasure. I pray Lord with all

selfishness to retain this beautiful image forever in

my "Daharakasa".

 

I adore this posture of pure, changeless, pervading transcendental

consciousness of Shivam (Auspicious), Sundaram (Beautiful), Kantam

(Effulgent, having bright radiant light), Santam (peaceful), Shivam

Adwaitam (Uniqueness) in my mind as it gives me immense pleasure.

 

Shiva alone exits when there is no phenomenal existence i.e. when

there is no light or darkness, energy power, sound or even matter.

He is beyond the pairs of all opposites, timeless space less, beyond

birth cycles, beyond decay and is ever existing form with radiant

power of light.

 

As per "Siva Siddhartha" Shiva Tatvas are considered as ninety six

in number; such as

Atma tatvas (Out of which Pancha bhutaas-5, Tanmatras-5, Gyan

Indriyaas-5, Karma Indriyaas-5, Karannas-4 i.e. Mun, bhuddhi, chitta

and Ahankar)-24; Nadis-10; Avasthas or conditions-5; Malaas

impurities-3; Gunaas (Satva, Rajo, Tamo)-3; Mandalaas (Surya,

Chandra, Agni)-3; indulges (vaatha, Pithaa, Sleshma)-3; Vikaraas

(Kam, krodh, lobh, moh, madh, matsarya, Dambha, Asuuya)-8; Adhaaraas-

6; Dhaatus-7; Vaayuus-10; Koshaas-5, and Ingresses-9.

 

There are five kanchukaas such as Niyat, kaal, kalaa, raag, and

vidya, these when enter the mind and afflict tatvaas.

 

Shiva is worshipped adopting Sugunaradhana to start with.

Sugunaaradhana means "murty Pooja" i.e. keeping the idol in front

of the seeker to start worship. Otherwise personifying the Lord with

all attributes to be worshipped.

 

Surprisingly Shiv lingaaradhana will appear as stage in between

Nirgunaaradhana and Sugunaaradhana. As Shiv Linga is the form of

Shiva without any attributes.

 

Nirgunaaradhana, the mental worship without keeping any idol is the

finest form of worship and "Saadhak" or seeker would gradually

attain this stage to get the eternal delight.

 

"Alankaara priyo Vishnu, Abhisheka priyah Shivah" is the saying of

the Vedic verse. Shiva is always satisfied with bath of water,

milk, "panchamrita" where as Vishnu loves adoring with jewels.

 

Shiva ling in temple has the provision of Dhaara (Rounded vessel

with conical bottom, having a fine hole to le continuous water to

trip over Ling). This is considered as Nityaabhishek. This is in

addition to Suddhodak Snaana (Water bath) and Panchamrit Snaana

(admixture of ingredients as specified) ad regular chores. This is

otherwise termed as "Rudrabhishek".

 

The Snaana service may be performed even at houses. One may obtain

Linga made of metal (Pancha Dhatu, Gold, Silver, Brass etc), stone,

Crystal (Spatic), last but not least Saalagram. Even Dhakshinavrit

Conch is also considered as Lingam. (Dhakshinavrit Conch is

worshipped as Goddess Lakshmi or Shiva. Linga shall be placed on a

firm base placed in a copper plate to hold Abhishek medium.

 

While performing Abhishek the following Mantra shall be chanted.

 

Namah Stharaayacha,

Namah Shambhavecha,

Mayo Bhavecha,

Namah Shankarayacha,

Mayaskaraayacha,

Namah Shivayacha,

Shiva Tharaayacha.

 

When Dhakshinavrita Conch is adopted for Shiva Worship, the

following mantra shall be used for Abhishek,

 

Sarvovai Rudrasthasmai Rudraya Namoh asthu,

Purushovai Rudrasanmanoho namoh namah,

Viswam bhootam, bhuvanam, chitram, bahudajatam,

Jaayamanamchayat,

Survoh'mesha rudrasthusmai, rudraya namoh asthu,

Kadudraya Prachethase' Meedustamaya tavyase'

Vochamasanta magum hrideh,

Survohmesha rudrasthasmai Rudraya namoh Asthu.

 

While performing this ritual one has to feel (or imagine) that one

is giving bath to Shiva like helping a child to take bath.For best effect of

this mantra to do on monday.

 

Savey janaah Sukhino bhavathu.

Aum Namah Shivaya.

 

*****

 

 

prasanna kumar