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

(Post 15)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jul_Aug/v1.LordShivaPhilosophy)

Implications of Scriptural Depictions: 

The scriptural descriptions narrate the simplicity of the wedding ceremony of Shiva and Parvati.

He did not go after big people or Gods of heaven to join the wedding procession.

Rather, he took the ghosts and the palitas along.

As praised in the following hymn of the Ramacharit Manas -
"Tanu Kshina Kou Ati Pita, Pavan Kou Apavan Tanu Dhare"
(Those with ugly, horrifying and diseased bodies were also among Shiva's Baraatis (participants of the wedding procession)).

Shiva had taken due care of even the deprived and downtrodden.

We should also broaden our hearts and pay attention to those scorned by the society.

If we cannot get rid of our hatred, fears and prejudices, we can never enjoy the sense of bliss and fulfillment, the devotees of Shiva deserve.

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

(Post 14)

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

The images of Lord Shiva that we see in pictures, depict Him wearing a garland of skulls, and with dreaded cobras dangling around his neck.

The intimate company of deadly poisonous snakes reveals the secret of divinity, which is  love everyone; it can turn everyone, even the venomous cruel cobra like foes, into good friends. See, even the cobras live so amicably with Him! We should understand, and adopt this philosophy of a loving and fearless attitude.

The presence of a garland of skulls on the Lord's chest reminds us that the face, which we identify ourselves with, for which we feel so proud, and remain engaged in decorating and taking care of, is only a structure of bone. That is its sole reality.

We remain deluded and cheated by the covering of flesh and skin around it; not only that, we use cosmetics and what not, upon that skin, to make our face look beautiful.

But have we ever thought about its reality?

Just remove the illusive covering, and the fact will be obvious for everyone to see.

The garland of skulls conveys that we should not let the falsehood, and the associated silly attachments, cover up our Real Self.

We should learn this important lesson while worshiping Lord Shiva or sitting at His feet.

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

(Post 13)

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

Today, when the whole world is living under great difficulties and threatening challenges of one kind or the other, it is all the more important that we take shelter at the feet of the ultimate Savior - God Shiva, and pray that the moon of piety, peace, balance and equanimity on his head, may also inspire patience and serenity in our minds.

We should pray to him to bless us with inner peace, patience, endurance, and courage.

Instead of begging for worldly attainments (as we usually do before any deity), had we prayed for divine inspirations before the infinitely generous Lord Shiva, we would have really acquired real peace and happiness in life, and lived gracefully like a true devotee.

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

(Post 12)

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

Look at the great achievers in human life; they have faced great challenges without losing patience. Those who get anxious, or do not have a stable mind, cannot do much; they easily get tensed up, or nervous, and fritter away their energies and talents. A calm and cool mind alone, can contemplate deeply and think rightly. An agitated mind is not dependable. It often triggers one to do what one should not have done; it tends to think erroneously and even immorally.

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.