Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 11)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion) 

We also find a half moon beautifully encircling the forehead of the Lord.

Moon is the symbol of soothing serenity.

Its presence on Shiva's head teaches that a worshiper of Shiva should have a cool, calm and awakened mind.

His mind should be stable and strong so that no hardship, adversity or exciting situation could ever perturb his mental peace.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 10)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)

The principal attribute of a true devotee of the Lord is that the Ganga of pure knowledge flows through his head; that means, his mind is illumined and blessed with righteous thinking, which gives peace and bliss to the soul.

Attitude and thoughts of those coming in his contact would also be purified by the sprinkles of this Gyan Ganga.

If your mind and heart also begin to evolve in this direction, then only you would be considered to have followed the underlying philosophy behind the specific image of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 09)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)  

A low level of thinking, feeling, and a life confined to sensual pleasures, satiating the gross urges and the hunger of the senses, depicts an animal like existence. Such people can never be the devotees of Lord Shiva. How could one be accepted as a worshiper of the Omniscient Divine Power if he can't think and feel beyond the narrow confines of selfishness?

One who never cares to ponder over and strive for the wider and deeper domains of the society, the nation, morality, ethics, and spirituality, one who is not aware of and not committed to his duties, can't even be a good human being, let alone a devotee of God.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 08)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion) 

Teachings from Shiva's Idols in Human Form:

Lord Shiva's human-image is so beautifully depicted in the scriptures.

It depicts the sacred Ganga flowing through His hair lock.

But it is symbolic.

Here, Ganga represents the flow of pure knowledge.

Sheer common sense would tell us that a river or spring of water can't flow through one's hair, and if so, the person concerned would not be able to even stand or walk. Instead, he himself would get swept away along these currents.

The depiction of the Ganga of Knowledge on Shiva's head is also a philosophical teaching. It implies that if we are the true devotees of Lord Shiva, our feelings and thoughts should be pure, enlightened, and of superior quality.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 07)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)  

These instances teach us that we should regard the whole world as God made manifest.

The round stone worshiped as the pindi of Shiva also indicates this deep aspect of divine philosophy.

It reminds us that the cosmic expression is round, it has no beginning or end; an atomic orbit is also round; the earth is also globular.

Thus, the philosophy of worshiping the pindi implies worshiping the world; service for global welfare.

It also tells us that we should treat others with the same respect and warmth, as we would like to receive from the world, because we are all different sparks of the same Light.

If we could understand and adopt this philosophy in life, we would no doubt be the true devotees of Shiva, and our power, our knowledge and our potentials would also become grand like those of His true devotees.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 06)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion) 

One day, mother Yashoda was scolding Lord Krishna in His childhood, because despite her repeated admonishments, the kid had again eaten soil. Krishna innocently replied that he had not eaten any soil; he opened his mouth before Yashoda as a proof of his innocence. When the mother peeped in His mouth, she was stunned to see the entire cosmos, the revolving galaxies, the infinite life forms, the gamut of Nature's manifestations there. Lord Ram had also done a similar feat, as cited in the holy Ramayana, when He showed His limitless self, His cosmic form to Kag Bhushundi, the great devotee in the form of a crow.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 05)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)

We should know the subtle and causal forms of Lord Shiva, which when realized in the idol, would make His presence real for us, in that gross physical symbol.

What is the inner form of Shiva that we should realize in His idols?

What is its philosophy?

Well, as symbolized by his round globular linga, He is Omnipresent; the globe, the entire cosmos is His manifestation. If we regard the universe as His emanation and interact with it accordingly, we would be able to touch the bedrock of spirituality and see the limitless expression of God that was projected by Shri Ram and Krishna before their deserving devotees.

As described in the Gita, when Arjun was confused in the battlefield and got ensnared in attachment and despair, Lord Krishna appeared before him in the cosmic form and showed him that everything in the world was His play. Every individual manifestation, from the tiniest to the largest, comes out of Him and merges back into Him.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 04)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)

We will have to find out and eliminate our shortcomings, our infirmities.

Unless we are honest in our own efforts towards spiritual elevation, how can we gain and demonstrate the immense benefits of spirituality, and how can we convince the world that we are the devotees of the Supreme Power and Presence, that can change the course of human history and destiny for the better.

So, where has been our major mistake?

Well, the root cause of our failure is our misconception. We have only seen the external form in the idols of Lord Shiva (and Parvati), and have mechanically followed the customary rituals of worship.

We have not understood the philosophy, the true meaning of devotion to Lord Shiva.

What we see in the temples as the idol of God is only like the gross representation of His limited manifestation.

The gross body is only an outer shell; the source of life, the prana lies inside.

The external and internal both together make a complete unit; their conjugation is like completion of electrical circuit by connecting the positive and negative poles.

The current of divine force would begin to flow in the idol we worship, if we realize and activate, by our inner faith and true devotion, the sublime power of the God it symbolizes.

We ritually put our heads at the feet of the idol; worship it with flowers, sandalwood powder, and what not. We pray before it, sing devotional songs, etc., but that is only an external activity. It remains incomplete without the understanding and the linkage with the inner, and the true divine power.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 03)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)

The scriptures are full of such descriptions evincing the ultimate, eternal power of Lord Shiva.

But what has happened today?

We also worship and offer our devotion to Lord Shiva, still we remain afflicted by so many difficulties and sufferings.

Why isn't the divine grace of Shiva bestowed upon us?

Why and how we have lost the righteous path and sullied our lives, despite being His devotees?

When will God uplift us?

I myself was once quite puzzled by such questions and doubts in my mind. But soon a story from Shiva Puran clarified all my doubts and conveyed me the answers.

Why our devotion is of no avail?

I had read it while translating the eighteen Puranas from Sanskrit to Hindi. It clarified to me why our devotion to Lord Shiva does not result in the kinds of miraculous boons our ancestors were receiving.

Why don't we see any signs of His generous boons, which were so easily showered in the ancient times on anyone who did tapa for His grace?

It is not that people like you and me are per se debarred from receiving such boons; rather, it is the:
- fault in our approach,
- the half-heartedness of our dedication,
- insincerity of our devotion, and
- the shaky nature of our faith
that hinder accomplishment of our sadhana.

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 02)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)

Their idols, which we worship in the temples by offerings of flowers, kumkum, etc. are only symbols to help us focus our faith and devotion. The rituals of worship are also symbolic.

We have to clearly understand that the key to receiving divine grace lies in shraddha and vishwasa.

 "Yabhyam Bina Na Pashyanti" - without which, no one, not even a siddha, can have a vision of the indwelling Divinity.

I recall here a story from the Puranas that explains the above fact more clearly.

The anecdote (pertains to the pre-historic time before the Era of Lord Ram):

"Once upon a time, when Rishi Parashuram learnt that the world was suffering from anarchy, corruption, injustice, exploitation and immorality in every walk of life, he could not sit like a silent observer. In reflective silence he prayed for guidance and light to be able to find an effective remedy.

He retired to Uttarkashi and engaged himself in rigorous worship of Lord Shiva. Pleased by his tapa, Lord Shiva blessed him with an angelic axe (parshu), and bid him to use it for the eradication and uprooting of all the evils and vices that had spread in the society of that time. Indeed, Parashuram did liberate the earth from all the evil forces and immoral trends; nothing could stand before the infinite might of Shiva's weapon".

Lord Shiva and the Philosophy Associated with Him (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 01)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/May_Jun/v1.ShivaPhilosophyDevotion)

Translation of the original discourse in Hindi: "Bhagvana Shiva Aur Unaka Tatva Darshan"

Let us begin with the collective chanting of the Gayatri Mantra:

"Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tatsaviturvarenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat ||"

Sisters and Brothers,

When Goswami Tulasidas ji began to write the holy and sublime Epic "Ramcharit Manas", he first prayed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati as:
"Bhavani Shankarau Vande Shraddha Vishwasarupinau |
 Yabhyam Vina Na Pashyanti Siddhah Swantasthmiswaram ||"

The saint poet firmly believed that the great Epic being written by him, through divine inspiration, could not serve the purpose of enlightening the masses, and liberating them from the agonies and sufferings of the world, without the divine grace of Bhavani-Shankar (Parvati and Shiva). Therefore, he ardently invoked the grace of Bhavani-Shankar.

The above shloka (couplet) originated from the depths of his aspiring soul and is the key to the understanding of the basic divine attributes of masculine-feminine divinity, which actually manifests as Shiva-Shakti or Bhavani-Shankar

This evening, we too have prayed to Bhavani-Shankar.

Let us try to grasp the great message conveyed through the above salutation.

 "Bhavani Shankarau Vande" means "We pray to the Goddess Bhavani (Parvati) and God Shankar (Shiva)".

Who are they?

"Shraddha Vishwasa Rupinau" - Parvati is shraddha and Shiva is vishwasa.

Shraddha - absolute intrinsic faith that inspires and inculcates divine virtues and values,

and

Vishwasa - unperturbed confidence and inner belief, together prepare the ground for the manifestation of the divine force of Shiva-Parvati.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 11)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

My Guru had asked for my time and efforts. I dedicated every moment of my life for His work. Well! in return, he bestowed on me so many boons, endowed me with gifts that could not have been attainable by tapa and upasana for several lives.

This is what I am entreating you to do. Please give me a fraction of your time and effort to disseminate the knowledge and ideals of spirituality.

If you expect to gain something, you will also have to give something. Higher attainments demand greater sacrifices.

The Shastric (ancient) Scriptures describe - "Ekada Naimisharanye" - referring to the conversation of Rishis - Shaunak and Soota - that focuses on the sagacious discussions of the saints, the thinkers, the Brahmins of that time, in the lush forest-fields of Naimisharanya. I had also wanted to develop a Naimisharanya for the present Age, where people would live for pure selfless love, enlightenment and high ideals; where they would amicably share each other's joy and sorrows; where they would happily sacrifice their selfish desires and comforts for the welfare of the world.

This is what I expect to happen in Shantikunj and its newer expansion Gayatri Nagar. I inaugurate the Gayatri Nagar with this expectation, and with full confidence in my Guru's assurance that all my aims devoted to attainment of divine goals would be accomplished gloriously.
                                      
        || OM SHANTI ||

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 10)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift) 

Your life should be such that I, the Guru himself, will come to you and ask for assistance, your active collaboration in his altruistic world-uplifting efforts.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa himself used to go to Narendra (Vivekananda), seeking his help in dissemination of devotion and knowledge, in transforming the society.

A tongue cannot work like a mike, and a mike alone is of no use without a tongue (voice), combination of both serves the purpose. The voice (message) of the Guru is spread through the mike (efforts) of the disciples. My Guru is the voice and I am his mike.

I want you also to be able to do the same in turn.

I would like you to be worthy of spreading divine message.

If you could cultivate this ability, there would be no delay in the working of His grace in your lives. God keeps the boons of shaktipata and kundalini ready in His hands to bestow them upon deserving souls. You could also receive them provided you have the desired level of shraddha (inner faith and dedication) and patrata (worthiness).

We have taken up the mission of revival of the Vedic knowledge and Rishi traditions of Yagya along with Gayatri Vidya.

We have now introduced the medium of "Gyan Rathas" to spread this knowledge through mission's publications.

You may devote two valuable hours per day for this noble task.

This would indeed be more virtuous than singing devotional songs or worshiping divine idols for the same time.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 09)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

I cannot describe in words the dreaded physical and mental ailments that I have seen people suffering from. Many come here to get rid of their beastly tendencies, the sinful life they have been living so far.

How to tell you, how contented (glad) I feel by helping them out, by liberating and uplifting their lives, by giving them happiness.

You see! All this is the astonishing power of awakened kundalini.

On the Vasant Panchami day every year I keep thinking that all of you present here should also share in my precious fortune and lead your lives to glorious heights; may your noble deeds and names become immortal on the golden pages of the annals of humanity.

Your life should rise above its present state of suffering and perversion.
You should be able to resolve all your problems yourself and also have the potential to help others in getting rid of their problems.

Then you will not have to come to me and beg - "Guruji! Kindly save me; remove my sufferings; etc."

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 08)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)  

This is how I could launch the grand missions of Vichar Kranti and Yug Nirman Yojna, to destroy the smog of evils and ignorance prevailing in the minds of people, and lay the foundation of an era of bright future for all.

It looks as if each and every part of my being is filled with immense vigor, valor and courage like that of Rishi Parashuram.

If people see any sign of a social reformer or a great personality in me, it is all an expression of the shaktipata bestowed by my Guru on that Vasant Panchami day in 1926.

The awakening of kundalini is said to bestow siddhis and riddhis (spiritual attainment of supernormal talents and angelic potentials). With the help of these, an accomplished sadhaka or siddha yogi can miraculously help others and also reach higher realms in his own spiritual ascent.

My Guru came, activated my inner consciousness and awakened my kundalini. This resulted in the flow of viveka (spiritually illumined wisdom) and karuna (saintly love and compassion) within me, and eventually filled me with enduring contentment, peace and bliss.

This is what we are blessed with, as we dedicate all that we have, in the performance of our duties, as per the enlightened guidance of viveka and saintly impulse of karuna.

People come here full of varied sufferings and tensions of worldly life; with tears in their eyes, they come to me for help. I experience limitless inner peace and blissful repose in allaying their agonies, resolving their problems, eradicating the adversities of their lives.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 07)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)  

I keep recalling these lines of Goswami Tulsidas; they generate an inexplicable joy and power in me.

The power of inner-self, awakened by such shaktipatas, is indeed immense. I have experienced it myself.

It is with this enlightened force that I have stood successfully for the divine ideals and principles, against even the great Mahamandaleshwaras, the Shankaracharyas - the so-called religious leaders of our times.

I have collided against heavy golden shields and broken them (routed all the adversities and avarice that tried hindering my ethical, altruistic path). Be that social reformation, revival of our Rishi Culture in scientific light, upliftment of women, mass awareness against unjust religious traditions - I have marched alone on every front; my inner courage, the light of my awakened soul, have enabled me to surmount all obstacles.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 06)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift) 

What happened in Meerabai's life is another example of shaktipata. This ardent devotee of Lord Krishna was under tremendous pressure from her in-laws - they were against her going out of the palace or calling satsang inside the palace; even her saintly life-style and engrossment in her devotion of Krishna was unbearable to many of them.

Helpless, Meera wrote to her contemporary saintly poet Goswami Tulasidas, to advise her about what she should do, what should be her duty in those circumstances?

Tulsidas explained to her that such was the law of the world - circumstances don't change according to one's ideals or resolutions. One has to change one's attitude and mental conditioning for the desired results.

In fact, he sent her a couplet of poetry that said:
"Jake Priya Na Rama Vaidehi, Tajiye Tahi Koti Bairi Sama, Yadyapi Param Sanehi."
Meaning: You should leave those who do not love Lord Ram and Sita, even if they happen to be your nearest ones.

These words worked like a shaktipata on Meerabai's mind, and gave her the spiritual guidance and inner-strength to pursue what eventually made her a true saint, an immortal example of supreme devotion.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 05)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

The shaktipata gave me the courage to come out of the house against all odds, and work for the freedom movement, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, at the young age of barely twenty years. I even had to go to jail and face tortures at the hands of the British government; but the inner power enabled me to continue my march on the path of self-realization, along with honest transaction of all the duties,  including familial and social responsibilities, assigned by my Guru.

There never was a looking back; no agony for the sufferings that came on the way.

This is what is called the marvelous power of determination inspired by shaktipata.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

 (Post 04)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

A tiny fish traverses the great depths and lengths of the oceans against the direction of the flow of water.

Similar is the case of awakened consciousness. No resistance, no obstacle, howsoever mighty, can ever hinder or deflect its chosen path.

In ordinary case, one can't even imagine how difficult it is to follow an ideal against the worldly trends of selfish pursuits.

One has to face uncountable obstructions, challenges, dangers and immeasurable resistance from multiple directions:
    - the pressures and attractions of attachment with family, friends;
    - the fears of society, and what not;
    - above all, one's own weaknesses, ingrained habits and intrinsic tendencies make it almost impossible for one to proceed along the path of noble ideals.

One who can do that is indeed spiritually empowered in my view. 

This is the spiritual force that my angelic master had bequeathed to me by his shaktipata.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

 (Post 03)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

You will find many such examples of the umang of Vasant in the history.

Fifty-five years ago (in February 1926), the day of Vasant Panchami had blessed me with enormous bliss and fortune. It brought my divine Guru to me. The angelic light of his aura appeared before me; it induced the divine impulse of self-realization and enlightenment in me. It was on this auspicious day that I had met my eternal guide and was blessed by his shaktipata (spiritual grace) upon me.

Today we are gathered here on this sacred day of Vasant Panchami.

I wish that it could bring the same good fortune for you all, bless you with the same inspiration.

What did my divine mentor do?

What is shaktipata?

Often people have misconceptions about shaktipata; that some electrical current like brilliance is transmitted from the eyes or hands of the spiritual master, which enters the body of the disciple and gives a shock like treatment.

No, this is not shaktipata.

It does not work at the level of the gross body.

It is in fact a sublime process of awakening, empowering and exalting the inner consciousness-force of the deserving disciple by the spiritual will of the Guru. The elevated power of consciousness is reflected in the enlightenment, sublime transmutation of the intrinsic tendencies, thoughts, convictions and inner sentiments; and not as any current of light experienced in the body. The force of evolved consciousness is that which induces immense courage and foresight of adopting and firmly standing for higher values and ideals.