sign in sign up
<<
Home , Banasura, Bhairava, Gandharva, Gauri Kund, Ishana, Niranjan

World Informative & Entertaining

Maha Shivraatri

Maha Shivratri is the Great Night of Lord . It is said that on this very day Lord Shiva get married with Goddess . So on this auspicious day, eternal union of Shiva took place with . Shiva is the representation of primeval energy. With Shakti, Lord Shiva is creator. As Mahakaal, He is destroyer. On the night of Mahashivratri Lord Shiva is said to have revealed the , the dance of primordial conception, preservation, sustenance and destruction. Lord Shiva has Various attributes. He is Mahayogi. He is Chandrashekhar. He is originator of the . He is the one and only Aghora who understands the (technique) of this cosmos. He is .

Any devotee, who Mahadeva on the eve of Mahashivaratri with dedication and devotion, lord Shiva becomes happy and grants his devotee the desired fruits in his life. Therefore on this auspicious day everyone should Lord Shiva with great devotion for getting rid of problems and obstacle in any walk of life.

Puja Items: Requirements for Shivratri

• Shivalinga or an image, or idol of Lord Shiva. • Bilwa (Bael) Leaves • Vermilion,

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

• Aguru (holy perfume), • /Bhasm (sacred ash made using dried cow dung), Rudraaksha Mala (prayer beads made of the dark berries of Elaeocarpus ganitrus, to chant Namah Shivaya), • Akshata (uncooked rice) • sticks, • Fresh flowers including Dhatura Phool • • Oil/ lamp • Jal Patra of Bronze, Copper or Brass ( Lota or container filled with holy water) • For abhishek make available Water (for purity), (for the of purity and piousness), Yogurt (for prosperity and progeny), (for sweet speech), Ghee (for victory), Sugar (for happiness) • Arrange one Bell.

When and How to do Pooja At Home

• Keep fasting or do Phalaahar and in the evening around 8 PM take ritual bath, using warm water and seeds of black sesame. It is a popular belief that by bathing in warm water, with few seeds of black sesame, the body is purified.

• Wear new clothes. • Sit on Aasan or woolen blanket • Purify yourself and around you with and water. • Smear bhasma (holy ash) on forehead. • Wear Mala. • Light Oil lamp, Dhoop and Incense sticks. • Do Abhishek of Shivalinga with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water. These six items are necessary for abhishek on Shivaratri. • Apply holy tilak with Bhasma, Sandal paste, vermillion to Lord Shiva • Offer Flower . • Offer Flowers and fruits like Dhatura, Bel leaves etc. • Thereafter, while making sound from Bell, offer Bilwa leaves to Lord Shiva (or Linga) and chant mantra with great devotion for at least 108 times ''. 11 Mala (i.e. 11 x 108 = 1188 times) Chanting is also recommendable.

Significance of : The vociferously sing the praises of the greatness of the . By reciting the name of this, one can eliminate all the sins. The Sadhaka becomes calm, chaste and pure. He becomes illuminated and enlightened with supreme and divine knowledge. The names mentioned for the benefits of all:

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

SAURASHTRA SOMNATHAM CHA SHRISHAILE MALLIKARJUNAM || UJJAINYAM MAHAKALOMKARE MAMMALESHWARAM || PARLYAM VAIJNATHAM CHA DAKINYAM BHEEM SHANKARAM || SETU BANDHE TU RAMESHAM NAGESHAM DARUKA VANE || VARANASYA TU VISHWESHAM TRIBAKAM GAUTAMITATE || HIMALAYE TU KEDARAM GHURMESHAM CHA SHIVALAYE || AETANI JYOTIRLINGANI SAYAM PRATAHA PATHENNARAHA || SAPTA JANMA KRITAM PAPAM SMARANEN VINASHYATI ||

One who recites these 12 names regularly in the morning and evening he washes all the sins committed in the previous 7 births and attains all the powers

Attributes of Lord Shiva

Cremation ground : Shiva sitting in the cremation ground signifies that He is the controller of death in the physical world.

Tiger skin : A tiger skin symbolises potential energy.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Three eyes: Lord Shiva, also called Tryambaka , is depicted as having three eyes: the sun is His right eye, the moon the left eye and fire the .

Kundalas (two ear rings): Two Kundalas, Alakshya and Niranjan in the ears of the Lord symbolise the Shiva and Shakti (male and female) or ArdhaNariswara principle of creation.

A snake ( Naga ): The snake is shown curled three times around the neck of the Lord and is looking towards His right side. The three coils of the snake symbolise the past, present and future time in cycles.

Ganga : Ganga, symbolically represented on the head of the Lord by a female (Mother Ganga) with a jet of water emanating from her mouth and falling on the ground, signifies that the Lord destroys sin, removes ignorance, and bestows knowledge, purity and peace on the devotees.

Varda : Lord Shiva's right hand is shown in a boon bestowing and blessing pose, which annihilates evil, grants boons, bestows grace, destroys ignorance, and awakens wisdom in His devotees.

Half-open eyes : When the Lord opens His eyes, a new cycle of creation emerges and when He closes them, the universe dissolves for creation of the next cycle. The halfopen eyes convey the idea that creation is going through cyclic process, with no beginning no end.

Matted locks : The three matted locks on the head of the Lord convey the idea that integration of the physical, mental and spiritual energies is the ideal of .

The crescent moon : The crescent moon is only one of His ornaments.

Nandi: The bull is associated with Shiva and said to be His vehicle.

Kamandalu : A water pot () made from a dry pumpkin contains nectar and is shown on the ground next to Shiva signifies that, an individual must break away from attachment to the physical world and clean his inner self of egoistic desires in order to experience the bliss of the Self.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Rudraksha necklace: is another name of Shiva. Rudraksha necklace worn by the Lord illustrates that He uses His cosmic laws firmly without compromise to maintain law and order in the universe.

Snake around the neck: The snakes to symbolise the yogic power of Lord Shiva with which He dissolves and recreates the universe.

Trident (Trisula) : A threepronged trident shown adjacent to the Lord symbolises His three fundamental powers (shakti) of will (iccha), action (kriya) and knowledge (jnana). Damaru (drum): Damaru symbolises the two utterly dissimilar states of existence, unmanifest and manifest.

The unclad body covered with ashes : The unclad body of Lord Shiva covered the ashes signify that Shiva is the source of the entire universe which emanates from Him, but He transcends the physical phenomena and is not affected by it.

Maha Shivaratri Products

Indrakshi and Siddh Shivling Parad Items Narmada Shivaling mala

Laghu Rudra Pujan Om Namah Shivaye Rudram Chamakam Amrut Dhara & Havan Bracelet Yagna

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Shiva Statues kit Shiva Yantras Shiva Shawls

Rare Gauri Shankar Shiva Lockets Trident (Trishul) Kanthas

Dhatura, Bel Patra, Crystal Shiva Abhishek vessels Collector beads Bhang Parivaar

Linga and its significance

Linga Represents The Formless Siva

SivaLinga speaks to you in unmistakable language of silence: “I am one without a second. I am formless.” Pure, pious souls only can understand this language. A curious, passionate, impure foreigner of little understanding or intelligence says sarcastically: “Oh! The worship the phallus or sexorgan. They are ignorant people. They have no philosophy.” When a foreigner tries to learn the Tamil or language, he first tries to pick up some vulgar words. This is his curiositynature. Even so, the curious foreigner tries to find out some defect in the worship of symbols. Linga is only the outward symbol of the formless being, Lord Siva, who is the indivisible, allpervading, eternal, auspicious, everpure,

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining immortal essence of this vast universe, who is the undying soul seated in the chambers of your heart, who is your Indweller, innermost Self or Atman and who is identical with the Supreme .

Sphatikalinga—A Symbol Of The Nirguna Brahman

Sphatikalinga is also a symbol of Lord Siva. This is prescribed for Aradhana or worship of Lord Siva. It is made up of quartz. It has no colour of its own, but takes on the colour of the substances which come in contact with it. It represents the Nirguna Brahman or the attributeless Supreme Self, or the formless and attributeless Siva.

The Mystic Shakti In The Block Of Stone For a sincere devotee, the Linga is not a block of stone. It is all radiant Tejas (energy) or Chaitanya (consciousness). The Linga talks to him, makes him shed profuse tears, produces horripilation and melting of heart, raises him above body consciousness, and helps to commune with the Lord and attain Nirvikalpa . Lord worshipped the SivaLinga at Ramesvar. Ravana, a learned scholar, worshipped the golden Linga. What a lot of mystic Shakti there should be in the Linga!May you all attain the formless Siva through the worship of the Linga, the symbol of Lord Siva which helps concentration of mind and which serves as a prop for the mind to lean upon, in the beginning, for the neophytes.

The Shivalingam denotes the primeval energy of the Creator.It is believed that at the end of all creation, during the great deluge, all of the different aspects of find a resting place in the ; is absorbed into the right, to the left and into the heart. The Shivalingam is also a representation of the infinite Cosmic Column of fire, whose origins, Vishnu and Brahma were unable to trace.

Legend has it that Parvati fashioned a Shivalingam with a fistful of sand at and worshipped Shiva; this lingam is known as the Prithvilingam, denoting the primordial element earth. Shivalingams in several are swayambus, or that which appeared on their own, or that which is untouched by a chisel. On the other hand, there are temples where the Shivalingam is carved out of stone and installed. The highly polished Shivalingams of the Pallava period bear several stripes, as in the Kailasanatha at Kanchipuram.

The bottom of the pedestal [named Avudaiyar in Tamil] represents Brahma, the octogonal middle represents Vishnu and the upper circular portion represents Shiva. The upper portion of the Shivalingam may be of various shapes, cylindrical, elliptical, umbrella shaped. Images may also be (rarely) carved on a Shivalingam.

Nandi, the bull is depicted facing the sanctum in all Saivite temples, symbolising

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining the human soul Jeevatma yearning for realising its oneness with Paramatma, the ultimate reality.

The stones are made of crypto crystalline quartz and legend has it that they formed when a meteorite fell to earth several million years ago. The natural movement of the river is believed to help create the egg or oval shape of the stones. They're only gathered on one day each year and are hand polished to give them a smooth and gleaming surface.

Shiva Lingam's are said to have one of the highest frequency vibration rates of all the stones on earth. As such, the vibration is said to be perfect for purification purposes, whether at home, work or in an area of sacred space.

The Story about the Bana

(http://www.salagram.net/sstpBanalingas.html)

There is a story narrated in Aparajitapariprchchha (205, 126) about the origin of the banalingas and their association with the Narmada river. Siva wanted to destroy the ‘tripura’, which had been obtained as a boon by the arrogant demon , and he let go a fiery dart from his great bow ‘pinaka’. The dart broke the three ‘puras’ into tiny bits, which fell on three spots: 1, on the hills in Sri kshetra (of unknown identity), 2, on the peaks of Amarakantaka in the Vindhya ranges, and 3, on the banks of the holy river Narmada. The bits that fell in these places soon multiplied into crores,. each bit becoming a linga. As they formed part of the possession of Banasura, they were called BanaLingas. Amarakantaka, the peak in , is in close proximity to the source of the river Narmada, which according to the puranas, originated in the Vindhya mountains and flowed in the Kalinga country. Padmapurana says that there are along this river as many as sixty crore and sixty thousand holy , all of which are associated with banalingas and raudralingas.

Linga Purana underlines that prakriti is a source of the manifestation of the linga. It explains that of the Trinity, Brahma represents the seed or bija, Vishnu the receptacle or and Rudra the seedless or nirbija (from which the seed has emerged without a cause), but is the cause of the Universe ( bija). Thus the personal forms of belong to the realm of the linga. Above the linga and the alinga and all the manifest forms, Siva is the ultimate.Sankhya philosophy states that the linga signifies both prakriti and vikriti According to the various Puranas and the Saivagams, the linga symbolises the Supreme Being which stands for god himself and is the seat of entire creation and its dissolution.

According to the , lingas are made of different materials. It is believed that they were made by Viswakarma and offered to many . However, the six main kinds of lingas are those made of stone or rock or the sailaja linga, those made from jewels or the ratnaja linga, ones made from metal

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining or dhatuja, made of wood or the daruja linga, the mntika linga made of clay and finally the ksanika linga which is made on the spot from any material. Each of these six kinds are further subdivided and when all are calculated the total amounts to fortyfour types of lingas.

Worship of different types of lingas yields different results. The ratnaja linga yields prosperity and gives glory, the sailaja linga the achievement of perfection, sarvasiddhi. The dhatuja linga helps to accumulate wealth, the daruja linga yields enjoyment, while the lingas made from earth help in acquiring all perfection.

The linga thus symbolises transcendental power which is identified as Brahman, and is the centre of Saivite philosophy. Siva is represented in beautifully sculptured forms as well as by the symbolic linga. The linga thus has many dimensions and interpretations. Yet it remains a unique spiritual symbol which does not restrict itself to any one religious order, but is a part of the Hindu way of life.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Philosophy of

Salutations and adorations to the blissful Lord Siva, the lover of Uma or Parvati, the Lord of all beings (Pasupati).

“Alankarapriyo Vishnuh, Abhishekapriyah Sivah —Lord Vishnu is very fond of Alankara (fine dress, beautiful ornaments, etc.); Siva is fond of Abhisheka.” In Siva temples, a pot made up of copper or brass with a hole in the centre is kept hanging over the image or Linga of Siva, and water is falling on the image throughout day and night. Pouring over the Linga, water, milk, ghee, curd, honey, cocoanut water, Panchamrita, etc., is Abhisheka. Abhisheka is done for Lord Siva. Rudra is chanted along with the Abhisheka. Lord Siva is propitiated by Abhisheka.

Lord Siva drank the poison that emanated from the ocean and wore the Ganga and moon on His head to cool His head. He has the fiery third eye. Constant Abhisheka cools this eye.

The greatest and the highest Abhisheka is to pour the waters of pure love on the Atmalinga of the lotus of the heart. The external Abhisheka with various objects will help the growth of devotion and adoration for Lord Siva and eventually lead to internal Abhisheka with pure abundant flow of love.

Abhisheka is a part of Siva Puja. Without Abhisheka, worship of Siva is incomplete. During Abhisheka Rudra, Purushasukta, Chamaka, Maha mrityunjaya , etc., are chanted in a particular rhythm and order. Monday is very important day for Lord Siva and the thirteenth day of the fortnight () is very sacred. On these days, devotees of Siva worship Him with special Puja, Abhisheka with EkadasaRudra, Archana, plenty of Prasad, and illumination.

In EkadasaRudra Abhisheka, every Rudra is chanted with distinctive articles for Abhisheka. Ganga water, milk, ghee, honey, rosewater, cocoanut water, sandal paste, Panchamrita, scented oil, sugarcane juice and lime juice are made use of for Abhisheka. After every Abhisheka, pure water is poured over the head of Siva. When Rudra is repeated once, the different articles of Abhisheka are made use of after every stanza of the Rudra. The Abhisheka water or other articles used for Abhisheka are considered very sacred and bestow immense benefits on

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining the devotees who take it as the Lord’s Prasad. It purifies the heart and destroys countless sins. You must take it with intense Bhava and faith.

When you do Abhisheka with Bhava and devotion, your mind is concentrated. Your heart is filled with the image of the Lord and divine thoughts. You forget your body and its relation and surroundings. Egoism gradually vanishes. When there is forgetfulness, you begin to enjoy and taste the eternal bliss of Lord Siva. Recitation of Rudra or Om Namassivaya purifies the mind and fills it with Sattva.

If you do Abhisheka with Rudrapatha in the name of a person suffering from any disease he will be soon freed from that disease. Incurable diseases are cured by Abhisheka. Abhisheka bestows health, wealth, prosperity, progeny, etc. Abhisheka on Monday is most auspicious.

By offering Panchamrita, honey, milk, etc., to the Lord, thoughts of your body diminish. Selfishness slowly vanishes. You derive immense joy. You begin to increase your offerings unto the Lord. Therefore, selfsacrifice and selfsurrender come in. Naturally, there is an outpouring from your heart, “I am Thine, my Lord. All is Thine, my Lord”.

Kannappa Nayanar, a great devotee of Lord Siva, a hunter by profession, did Abhisheka with the water in his mouth for the Linga at Kalahasti in South and propitiated Lord Siva. Lord Siva is pleased by pure devotion. It is the mental Bhava that counts and not the outward show. Lord Siva said to the temple priest: “This water from the mouth of Kannappa, my beloved devotee, is more pure than the water of the Ganga”.

A devotee should be regular in doing Abhisheka for the Lord. He should get by heart Rudra and Chamakam. Ekadasa Rudra is more powerful and effective. In Northern India, every man or woman takes a lota of water and pours it on the image of Siva. This also causes beneficial results and brings about the fulfilment of one’s desire. Abhisheka on Sivaratri day is very effective.

May you all recite Rudrapatha which describes the glory of Lord Siva and His manifestations in every living being, in every animate and inanimate being! May you do Abhisheka daily and thus obtain the grace of Lord Siva! May Lord Visvanatha bless you all!

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Fruit of Abhisheka and Rudra Japa in Siva’s Temple

Chamaka is divided into eleven sections. Each of these is then combined with Namaka (Rudra) and repeated. This is called Rudra. Eleven such make one Laghu Rudra. Eleven Laghu Rudras make one Maharudra. Eleven Maharudras make one Atirudra.

Rudra is to be repeated after performing the initial Sankalpa, Puja, Nyasa, Anga. Panchamritasnana and Dhyana. The fruit of Rudra Japa is stated as shown below:

No. of Japa Fruit of Japa

1 Rudra Freedom from Bala graha (diseases common to children). 3 Rudra Freedom from imminent difficulties with which one is faced. 5 Rudra Freedom from the evil effects of certain planets occupying unfavourable positions. 7 Rudr Freedom from great fear. 9 Rudra The fruit of one Vajapeya sacrifice; and also attainment of peace of mind. 11 Rudra Getting the favour of kings and great wealth. 33 Rudra Attainment of wishes for objects and having no enemies. 77 Rudra Enjoyment of great happiness.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

99 Rudra Attainment of son, grandson, wealth, grain, , , and and freedom from death.

1 Maharudra Attainment of the favour of kings and becoming the Lord of great wealth. 3 Maharudra Fulfilment of impossible tasks. 5 Maharudra Acquirement of vast lands. 7 Maharudra Attainment of the seven worlds. 9 Maharudr Freedom from births and deaths.

1 Atirudra Becoming God.

Materials for Abhisheka : Pure water, milk, sugarcane juice, ghee, honey, waters of sacred rivers, sea water.

For getting rain, Abhisheka should be done with pure water. For freedom from diseases, and for begetting a son, Abhisheka should be done with milk. If Abhisheka is done with milk, even a barren woman begets children. The person also attains plenty of cows. If Abhisheka is done with Kusa water, one becomes free from all diseases. He who desires wealth, should perform Abhisheka with ghee, honey and sugarcane juice. He who desires Moksha, should do Abhisheka with sacred waters.

Shiva Linga and Worship

While chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" or singing the "Maha Mrityunjaya mantra", do abhisheka of lingam with clean water. Follow this with milk and then with rose water and final bath with clean water. Wipe with a soft cloth and install in place of

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining worship with full love and devotion. Apply Vibuthi, sandal paste, saffron. Offer incense/Dhoop of Googal, bilva leaves and flowers. For items not available, substitute with flowers or unbroken rice.

Rudram chanting pleases Lord Shiva which is either recited or played during the Abhisheka (Divine Bathing). are coined in such a way that they are shelled with divine vibrations and it certainly heals the environment & atmosphere. The above process is the Puja and if done with a pure heart and consciousness and true aspiration, the Lord will certainly accept it.

The Twelve Jyotirlingams

Dwadasa Jyotir Linga Stotram

[Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam is a where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam or lingam of light. There are twelve traditional Jyotirlinga in India. It is believed that Shiva first manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga on the night of the Arudra festival, thus the special reverence for the Jyotirlinga. It is

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining believed that a person can see these lingas as columns of fire piercing through the earth after he reaches a higher level of spiritual attainment. The location of these Lingas of light is given in another prayer called Dwadasa Linga Sthavam:

Sourashtre Somanadham, cha Sri Shaile Mallikarjunam, Ujjayinyam Maha Kalam, Omkaram, amaleshwaram, Paralyam Vaidyanatham, cha Dakinyam Bhimasankaram, Sethubandhe thu Ramesam, Nagesam thu Darukavane, Varanasyam thu Viswesam, Trayambakam Gouthami thate, Himalaye thu Kedaram, Ghushmesam cha Shivalaye, Ethani Jyothirlingani sayam pratha paden nara, Saptha janma krutham papam smaranena vinasyathi.

The twelve Lingas of light are ,

Somanatha in Sourashtra, Mallikarjuna in Sri Shailam, in , Omkaram in Amaleshwara, Vaidhyanatha in Parali, Bhimasankara in South, Rameshwara near the bridge in Sethu, Nageswara in Daruka forest, Visweswara in Varnasi, Trayambakeshwara in the shores of Godavari, Kedareshwara in , And Ghushmesha in Sivalaya.

He who remembers them,

Morning and evening, Would wash away sins, Committed in his SEVEN births.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Glory of Lord Siva

Om. I bow with folded hands to Lord Siva, who is the Lord of the universe (Jagat Pati), world’s Teacher (Jagad), who is the destroyer of Tripuras (three cities—egoism, lust and anger), who is the Lord of Uma (Uma Sankar), Gauri (Gauri Sankar), Ganga (Ganga Sankar), who is full of light (Jyotirmaya), knowledge and bliss (Chidanandamaya), who is the Lord of Yogins (Yogesvara), who is the storehouse of knowledge and who is known by various names as Mahadeva, Sankara, Hara, Sambhu, , Rudra, Sulapani, , Uma Mahesvara, Nilakantha, Trilochana (the threeeyed), Tryambaka (the three eyed), Visvanatha, Chandrasekhara, Ardhanarisvara, Mahesvara, Nilalohita, Parama Siva, , Dakshinamurti, etc.

How merciful He is! How loving and kind He is! He even wears the skulls of His devotees as a garland around His neck. He is an embodiment of renunciation, mercy, love and wisdom. It is a mistake to say that He is the destroyer. Lord Siva in reality is the regenerator. Whenever one’s physical body becomes unfit for further evolution in this birth either by disease, old age or other causes, He at once removes this rotten physical sheath and gives a new, healthy, vigorous body for further quick evolution. He wants to take all His children to His lotusfeet quickly. He desires to give them His glorious ‘SivaPada’. It is easier to please Siva than Hari. A little Prem and devotion, a little chanting of His Panchakshara is quite sufficient to infuse delight in Siva. He gives boons to His devotees quite

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining readily. How large is His heart! He gave Pasupatastra to Arjuna without difficulty for his little penance. He gave a precious boon to Bhasmasura. In Kalahasti near Tirupati, He gave Darsan to Kannappanayanar, the devoted hunter who plucked his two eyes to replace the weeping eyes in the . In Chidambaram even the untouchable Pariah saint, Nandan had Darsan of Lord Siva. He ran with tremendous speed to make the boy immortal, when he was in the clutches of the God of Death—. Ravana of Lanka pleased Siva with his Sama chantings. He initiated the four virgin youths Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumara into the mysteries of Jnana in the form of Guru Dakshinamurti. In Madurai, in Southern India, Sundaresvara (Lord Siva) assumed the form of a boy and carried earth on His head for a devoted lady for the sake of Puttu (a kind of sweetmeat) as wages, when an anicut was erected in the Vaigai river. Look at the unbounded mercy for His devotees! When Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu went to find out the head and feet of Lord Siva, He assumed an infinite, expansive blaze of light (JyotirmayaSvarupa). They were baffled in their attempts. How magnanimous and selfeffulgent He is! He lived in the house of Pattinattu in Southern India for several years, as his adopted son and disappeared after giving him the small note: “Even a broken needle will not follow you after your death”. The reading of this note was the starting point for attainment of Jnana for Pattinattu Swami. Why not you attempt this very second with sincerity to realise God (Lord Siva)?

Hatha Yogins awaken the Kundalini Sakti that is lying dormant in the Muladhara Chakra by , Pranayama, Kumbhaka, Mudra and Bandha, take it above through different Chakras (centres of spiritual energy)—Svadhishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Visuddha and Ajna—and join it with Lord Siva at the Sahasrara, the thousandpetalled lotus at the crown of the head. They drink the nectar of Immortality (SivaJnanaAmritam). This is termed Amritasrava. When the Sakti is united with Siva, full illumination comes for the .

Lord Siva represents the destructive aspect of Brahman. That portion of Brahman that is enveloped by TamoGunaPradhana is Lord Siva who is the allpervading Isvara and who also dwells in Mount Kailas. He is the Bhandar or storehouse of Wisdom. Siva minus Parvati, or is pure Nirguna Brahman. With Maya (Parvati) He becomes the Saguna Brahman for the purpose of pious devotion of His devotees. Devotees of Rama must worship Lord Siva also. Rama Himself worshipped Lord Siva at the famous Ramesvaram. Lord Siva is the Lord of Ascetics and Lord of Yogins robed in space (Digambara).

His Trisul (trident) that is held in His right hand represents the three Gunas— Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. That is the emblem of sovereignty. He rules the world through these three Gunas. The Damaru in His left hand represents the Sabda Brahman, It represents OM from which all languages are formed. It is He who formed the Sanskrit language out of the Damaru sound.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

The wearing of the crescent moon on His head indicates that He has controlled the mind perfectly. The flow of the Ganga represents the nectar of immortality. Elephant represents symbolically the Vritti, pride. Wearing the skin of the elephant denotes that He has controlled pride. Tiger represents lust. His sitting on the tiger’s skin indicates that He has conquered lust. His holding deer on one hand indicates that He has removed the Chanchalata (tossing) of the mind. Deer jumps from one place to another swiftly. The mind also jumps from one object to another. His wearing of serpents around the neck denotes wisdom and eternity. Serpents live for a large number of years. He is Trilochana, the threeeyed One, in the centre of whose forehead is the third eye, the eye of wisdom. Nandi, the bull that sits in front of Sivalinga, represents Pranava (Omkara). The Linga represents Advaita. It points out “I am one without a second—Ekameva Advitiyam.” Just as a man raises his right hand above his head, pointing out his right indexfinger only.

Kailas hills in Tibet are a huge range with a central, beautiful, naturally carved and decorated shining peak, eternally clad with silvery snow, 22,280 feet above sealevel. Some take the height to be 22,028 feet. This particular peak is in the form of a natural, huge Siva Linga (Virat form). This is worshipped as the form of Lord Siva from a distance. There is neither a temple, nor a , nor a daily Puja there. I had the fortune to have Darsana of Kailas through the grace of Lord Siva, on July 22, 1931. I even climbed with panting breath to the foot of Kailas peak where the Indus takes its origin. It is a very picturesque, soulstirring scenery. You will have to ascend from Didipha Guha, the first halting stage in of Kailas. The Indus gushes out as a small streamlet through blocks of ice from behind the back portion of Kailas peak. Though in the pictures of Lord Siva it is shown that the Ganga flows from His head, it is really the Indus (Sindhu) that takes its origin from the head of Siva (Kailas) in the physical plane. Parikrama of Kailas covers 30 miles. It takes three days. On the way comes the famous and sacred which is eternally covered with snow. You will have to break the snow when you take a bath.

The Name of Lord Siva chanted in any way, correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully or carelessly, is sure to give the desired result. The glory of the Name of Lord Siva cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can certainly be experienced or realised only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Name and singing His hymns with Bhava. Every Name is filled with countless potencies or Saktis. The power of the Name is ineffable. Its glory is indescribable. The efficiency and inherent Sakti of the Name of Lord Siva are unfathomable.

The mind is purified by constant repetition of Siva and Names of Lord Siva. The are filled with good and pure thoughts. Repetition of the hymns to Siva strengthens the good Samskaras. “As a man thinks, that he becomes”. This is the psychological law. The mind of a man who trains himself in thinking good, holy thoughts, develops a tendency to think of good thoughts. His

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining character is moulded and transformed by continued good thought. When the mind thinks of the image of the Lord during singing His hymns, the mental substance actually assumes the form of the image of the Lord. The impression of the object thought of is left in the mind. This is called Samskara. When the act is repeated very often, the Samskaras gain strength by repetition, and a tendency or habit is formed in the mind. He who entertains thoughts of Divinity, becomes transformed actually into the Divinity himself by constant thinking. His Bhava or disposition is purified and divinised. When one sings the hymns of Lord Siva, he is in tune with the Lord. The individual mind melts in the cosmic mind. He who sings the hymns becomes one with Lord Siva.

Just as fire has the natural property of burning inflammable things, so also the Name of Lord Siva has the power of burning the sins, Samskaras and Vasanas and bestowing eternal bliss and everlasting peace on those who repeat the Name of the Lord.

Just as burning quality is natural and inherent in fire, so also the power of destroying sins with their very root and branch and bringing the aspirant into blissful union with the Lord through Bhava Samadhi, is natural and inherent in the Name of God.

O friends! Take in the Name of Siva. Sing His hymns. Nami and Name are inseparable. Sing Lord Siva’s hymns incessantly. Remember the Name of the Lord with every incoming and outgoing breath. In this Iron Age, NamaSmarana or singing the hymns is the easiest, quickest, safest and surest way to reach God and attain Immortality and perennial joy. Glory to Lord Siva! Glory to His Name!!

Ravana propitiated Lord Siva by his hymns. Pushpadanta pleased Lord Siva by his celebrated Stotra—Siva Mahimna Stotra, which is even now sung by all devotees of Siva throughout India, and obtained all Aisvarya or and Mukti. The glory of the Stotras of Siva is indescribable. You must all sing the hymns of Lord Siva and obtain His grace and salvation, not in the unknown future, but right now in this very second. You can please Lord Siva easily. Fast on the Sivaratri day. If you cannot do this, take milk and fruits. Keep perfect vigil the whole night and sing His Stotras, and repeat ‘Om Namah Sivaya’. May the of Lord Siva be upon you all!

Om Santih! Santih! Santih!

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Mahamrityunjaya mantra

AUM tryambakam yajāmahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam urvārukamiva bandhanān mrityor mukshiya māmritat

Translation :

AUM . We worship and adore You, O threeeyed One, O Shiva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality.

Dispeller of FEAR

There was a time, it is said, when there was no death. But the world became congested, and its resources approached the point of exhaustion. So Yama was given the role of bringing death to beings to restore nature's balance and relieve the suffering of the planet.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Death needed servants to accomplish its task. Disease, famine, accidents, and old age played this role and acted as death's messengers. But, not understanding its place in the order of the universe, all beings feared death. They witnessed premature death and worried lest they be taken before their appropriate time. When that time did come, fear of death led to even greater suffering.

To overcome this fear, it is said that Lord Shiva Himself gave humanity the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. Whenever there is listlessness, stress, grief, or illness, or when fears of death intrude in awareness, this great mantra can be used for healings, for maintaining vitality, and for refuge.

The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra restores health and happiness and brings calmness in the face of death. When courage or determination are blocked, it rises up to overcome obstacles. It awakens a healing force that reaches deep into the body and mind.

Just as a plant patiently gathers nutrients from the soil, so healing and nourishing forces enter the human body through foods, medicines, supportive emotions, and encouraging thoughts. The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra attracts these forces and creates an inner environment to enhance their effectiveness. Thus the mantra can be used whenever any restorative process is undertaken.

The mantra can be recited when taking medicines, for it prepares the body and mind to make the best use of them. In India, when ash (bhasma) is applied to the body (as either a medicinal or a spiritual act) the mantra is recited. And so, whenever matters of health, vitality, nurturance, or freedom from the fears associated with death arise, the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra naturally surface as a remedy and comfort.

It is also said that those in the healing profession will benefit from reciting the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra regularly. Through it, they will draw from an infinite reserve of energy, and thus prevent burnout while opening a channel of healing from which life can be nourished.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Shiv Pancakshari Mantra

Atha Śiva Pañcākshara Stotram

Nāgendrahārāya trilocanāya bhasmāngarāgāya maheśvarāya | divyāya devāya digambarāya tasmai Nakārāya ~ namah śivāya ||1||

Mātangacarmāmbarabhūshanāya samastagīrvānaganārcitāya | trailokyanāthāya tripurāntakāya tasmai Makārāya ~ namah śivāya ||2||

Śivāmukhombhojavikāśanāya dakshasya yajñasya vidhvamsanāya | candrārkavaiśvānaralocanāya tasmai Śikārāya ~ namah śivāya ||3||

Vasishthakumbhodbhavagautamāya munīndravedyāya girīśvarāya |

śrīnīlakanthāya vrishadhvajāya tasmai Vakārāya ~ namah śivāya ||4||

Yajñasvarūpāya jatādharāya pinākahastāya sanātanāya | nityāya śuddhāya nirañjanāya tasmai Yakārāya ~ namah śivāya ||5|| pañcāksharamidam yah pathecchivasannidhau |

śivalokamavāpnoti śivena saha modate ||6||

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

|| iti śrīpañcāksharastotram sampūrnam ||

TRANSLATION :

Panchākshara Stotram Hymn of the PentaSyllabic (namashivAya)

By Adi Shankārācharya

To the One embodied in the syllable na, adorned with a serpent garland; To the threeeyed Lord, besmeared with ashes, to the great Ruler over all; To that eternal One, who is pure and skyclad, salutations be unto Shiva. ||1|| To the One embodied in the syllable ma, honored with the waters of Mandākini and anointed with the paste of ; To the Lord of Nandi, the Bull, who rules over all the hosts of tormentors; To that great Lord worshipped with myriad flowers, with Mandāra flowers; To that everblissful One, salutations be unto Shiva. ||2|| To the One embodied in the syllable shi, who, like the Sun, causes the lotus face of Gauri (Shakti) to blossom; To the Destroyer of the yajña of , to the BlueThroated One; To the Bearer of the emblem of the bull, salutations be unto Shiva. ||3|| To the One embodied in the syllable va, venerated by , , Gautama and other noble sages, as well as hosts of Devas; To the One whose three eyes are resplendent like the sun, moon and fire; To the Bearer of the MoonCrest, salutations be unto Shiva. ||4|| To the One embodied in the syllable ya, who takes the form of a ; To the One with matted locks, to the Bearer of the pināka bow, that Primeval Lord; To that effulgent God, the skyclad One, salutations be unto Shiva. ||5||

Whosoever recites this Hymn of the Pentasyllabic in the presence of God Shiva; He will certainly attain the Supreme abode of Shiva; And enjoy everlasting bliss with Him. ||6|| aum namaH shivAya

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Shiva

Sravana, kirtana and manana lead one to Shiva yoga or unification with Shiva. Though in essence Shiva is beyond time, name and form, he is given 1008 names.

Shiva manifests as eight and 5 . The eight Murtis are :

1. Sarva – who presides over the earth and controls all moving and static entities 2. Bhava – who presides over water and enlivens the universe 3. Rudra – who presides over fire, both internal and external 4. Ugra – who presides over the wind and sustains all things 5. Bhima – who presides over ether and is all pervasive, the giver of space 6. Pasupati – who presides over the individual soul and snaps the cords of bondage 7. Isana – presiding diety of the sun which illumines the universe 8. Mahadeva – the soul of all Murtis

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Shiva is the Atman of the universe.

The five Brahmans are :

1. Isana – who controls the ear, speech, sound and ether 2. Tatpurusha – controls the skin, hand, touch and air 3. Aghora – controls the eye, legs, colour and fire 4. – controls the tongue, arms, taste and waters 5. – controls the nose, sexual organ, smell and the earth

The five of Shiva are:

1. Activity 2. Knowledge 3. Completeness 4. Eternality 5. Pervasiveness

Shiva oversees the fivefold duties of the universe namely; creation (Brahma), maintenance (Vishnu), destruction (Rudra), concealment (Mahesvara) and blessing (Sadasiva) which Shiva can only give.

Source : Siva Purana – an overview (S M. Gautama)

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Shiva Mahimnah Stotram

HYMN TO THE GLORY OF SHIVA

Om namah parvati pataye Hara hara hara Mahadev Gajananam bhutaganadhisevitam Kapitthajambuphalacarubhaksanam Umasutam sokavinasakarakam Namami vighnesvarapadapankajam 0M! SaIutations to Parvati's consort, Hara, Hara, Hara, Great God (Shiva).

O Elephantfaced (Ganesh), served by ghosts and other attendants, Eating sweet woodapples and blackberries, Uma's son, the destroyer of sorrows, O remover of obstacles, I how to your lotus feet.

Sri puspadanta uvaca.

1. Mahimnah param te parama viduso yadyasadrsi Stutir brahma dinam api tadava sanna stvayi girah, Atha vacyah sarvah svamati parina mavadhi grnan Mamapyesah stotre hara nirapavadah parikarah

Sri Pushpadanta said :

If it is unseemly to praise You when ignorant of the extent of' Your greatness, then even the praises of Brahma and others are inadequate. If no one can be blamed when they praise You according to their intellectual powers, then my attempt to compose a hymn cannot be reproached.

2. Atitah panthanam tava ca mahima vanmanasayor Atad vyavrttya yam cakita mabhi dhatte srutirapi, Sa kasya stotavyah katividha gunah kasya visayah Pade tvarvacine patati na manah kasya na vacah.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Your greatness is beyond the reach of mind and speech. Who can properly praise that which even the describe with trepidation, by means of' 'not this, not this'? How many qualities does He possess? By whom can He be perceived? Yet whose mind and speech do not turn to the form later taken by Him (saguna)?

3. Madu sphita vacah paramam amrtam nirmitavatas Tava brahman kim vag api suraguror vismaya padam, Mama tvetam vanim guna kathana punyena bhavatah Punam ityarthe'smin puramathana buddhir vyavasita.

O Brahman! Do even Brihaspati's praises cause wonder to You, the author of the nectarlike sweet Vedas? 0 destroyer of the three cities, the thought that by praising Your glories I shall purify my speech has prompted me to undertake this work.

4. Tavaisvaryam yat taj jagadudaya raksa pralayakrt Trayivastu vyastam tisrsu gunabhinnasu tanusu, Abhavyanam asmin varada ramaniyama ramanim Vihantum vyakrosim vidadhata ihaike jadadhiyah.

O Giver of boons! Some ****** people produce arguments—pleasing to the ignorant but in fact hateful— to refute Your Divinity, which creates, preserves and destroys the world, which is divided into three bodies (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) according to the three gunas, and which is described in the three Vedas.

5. Kimihah kinkayah sa khalu kimupaya stribhuvanam Kimadharo dhata srjati kimupadana iti ca, Atarkyais varye tvay yanavasara duhstho hatadhiyah Kutarko’yam kanscin mukharayati mohaya jagatah.

To fulfil what desire, assuming what form, with what instruments, support and material does that Creator create the three worlds?…. This kind of futile argumentation about You whose divine nature is beyond the reach of intellect,

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining makes the perverted vociferous, and brings delusion to men.

6. Ajanmano lokah kimavayava vanto'pi jagatam Adhisthataram kim bhavavidhiranadrtya bhavati, Aniso va kuryad bhuvana janane kah parikaro Yato mandastvam prat— yamaravara sanserata ime.

O Lord of gods! Can the worlds be without origin, though they have bodies? Is their creation possible with­out a creator? Who else but God can initiate the creation of the worlds? Because they are fools they raise doubts about Your existence.

7. Trayi sankhyam yogah pasupati matam vaisnavamiti Prabhinne prasthane paramidamadah pathyamiti ca, Rucinam vaicitryad rju kutila nana pathajusam Nrnam eko gamyas tvamsasi payasa marnava iva.

Different paths (to realisation) arc enjoined by the three Vedas, by Sankhya, Yoga, Pashupata (Shaiva) (doctrine and Vaishnava . People follow different paths, straight or crooked. according to their temperament, depending on which they consider best, or most appropriate—and reach You alone just as rivers enter the ocean.

8. Mahoksah khatvangam parasu rajinam bhasma phaninah Kapalam cetiyat tava varada tanto pakaranam, Surastam tamrddhim dadhati tu bhavad bhru pranihitam Na hi svatma ramam visaya mrga trsna bhramayati.

O Giver of boons! A great bull, a wooden handrest, an axe, a tiger skin, ashes, serpents, a human skull and other such things—these are all You own, though simply by casting Your eyes on gods You gave them great treasures which they enjoy. Indeed one whose delight is in the Self cannot be deluded by the mirage of sense objects.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

9. Dhruvam kascit sarvam sakala mapara stva midam Paro dhrau vyadhrauvye jagati gadati vyasta visaye, Samaste’pye tasmin puramathana tair vismita iva Stuvan jihremi tvam na khalu nanu dhrsta mukharata.

O Destroyer of the demon Pura, some say that the whole universe is eternal while others say that all is transi­tory. Others still, hold that it is eternal and noneternal — having different characteristics. Bewildered by all this, I do not feel ashamed to praise You; indeed my loquacity is an indication of my boldness.

10 . Tavaisvaryam yatnad yadupari virincirhariradhah Paricchettum yatav manala vapusah, Tato sraddha bharaguru,grnadbhyam girisa yat Svayam tasthe tabhyam tava kim anuvrttir na phalati.

0 Girisha, when You took the form of a pillar of fire, Brahma trying from above and Vishnu trying from below failed to measure You. Afterwards, when they praised You with great faith and devotion, You revealed yourself to them of Your own accord; does not surrender to You bear fruit?

11 . Ayatnad apadya tribhuvana mavaira vyatikaram Dasasyo yadbahun abhrta ranakandu paravasan, Sirah padmasreni racita caranam bhoruhabaleh Sthiraya stvad bhaktes tripurahara visphur jitamidam.

0 Destroyer of , it was because of that great devotion, which prompted him to offer his heads as lotuses to Your feet, that the tenheaded Ravana was still with arms and eager for fresh war after he had effortlessly rid the three worlds of all traces of enemies.

12 . Amusya tvatseva samadhigata saram bhujavanam Balat kailase'pi

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining tvadadhi vasatau vikramayatah, Alabhya patale 'pyalasa calitangustha sirasi Pratistha tvayyasid dhruva mupacito muhyati khalah

But when he (Ravana) extended the valour of his armswhose strength was obtained by worshipping You to Kailas, Your abode, You moved the tip of Your toe, and he did not find a resting place even in the nether world. Truly, when affluent the wicked become deluded.

13 . Yadrddhim sutramno varada paramo ccairapi satim Adhas cakre banah parijana vidheya tribhuvanah, Na taccitram tasmin varivasitari tvac caranayor Na kasya unnatyai Bhavati srirasas tvay yavanati.

0 Giver of boons, since Bana was the worshipper of Your feet is it to be wondered at that he had the three worlds at his command and put to shame the wealth of ? What prosperity does not come from bowing down the head to You?

14 . Akanda brahmanda ksaya cakita devasura krpa Vidheya syasidyas trinayana visam sanhrta vatah, Sa kalmasah kanthe tava na kurute na sriya maho vikaro’pi slaghyo bhuvana bhaya bhanga vyasaninah.

0 ThreeEyed One, who drank poison out of for gods and demons when they were distraught at the sudden prospect of the destruction of the universe, surely the dark blue stain on Your throat has beautified You. Even deformity is to be admired in one who is given to freeing the world of fear.

15 . Asiddhartha naiva kvacid api sadeva suranare Nivartante nityam, Jagati jayino yasya visikhah, Sa pasyann isa tvam Itara surasadharana mabhut Smarah smarta vyatma

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Na hi vasisu pathyah paribhavah

O Lord, the god of love, whose arrows never fail in the world of gods and men, become nothing but an object of memory because he looked on You as an ordinary god (his body being burnt by Your look of wrath). An insult to the self controlled is not conducive to good.

16 . Mahi pada ghatad vrajati sahasa sansaya padam Padam visnor bhramyad bhujaparigha rugna graha ganam, Muhur dyaur dausthyam yat­yanibhrta jata taditatata Jagad raksayai tvam natasi nanu vamaiva vibhuta.

When You danced to save the world, the earth was suddenly thrown into a precarious state at the striking of Your feet; the spatial regions and the hosts of stars felt oppressed by the movement of Your massive clublike arms; and the heavens became miserable as their sides were constantly struck by Your waving matted hair. Indeed it is Your very mightiness which is the cause of the trouble.

17 . Viyad vyapi gunita phenod gama rucih Pravaho varam yah prsata laghu drstah sirasi te, Jagad dvipakaram jaladhivalayam tena krtami Tyane naivon neyam dhrta mahima divyam tava vapuh.

The river which pervades the sky and whose foam crests look all the more beautiful because of stars and planets, seems no more than a drop of water when on Your head. That same river has turned the world into islands surrounded by waters. From this can be judged the vastness of Your divine body.

18. Rathah ksoni yanta sata dhrti ragendro dhanur atho Rathange candrarkau rathacarana panih sara iti, Didhaksoste ko’yam tripura trna madambara vidhir Vidheyaih kridantyo na khalu paratantrah prabhu dhiyah.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

When You wanted to burn the three cities of the demons which were but a piece of straw to You—the earth was Your chariot, Brahma Your charioteer, the great mountain Meru Your bow, the sun and the moon the wheels of Your chariot, Vishnu Your arrow. Why all this paraphernalia? The Lord is not dependent on others. He was only playing with things at His command.

19 . Hariste sahasram kamala balima dhaya padayor Yadekone tasmin nija mudaharan netra kamalam, Gato bhaktyu drekah parinatim asau cakra vapusa Trayanam raksayai tripura hara jagarti jagatam.

0 Destroyer of the three cities, Hari rooted out His own lotuseye to make up the difference when one flowerwas missing in His offering of 1,000 lotuses to Your feet. For this great devotion You awarded the discus (Sudarshan Chakra) ~ with which Hari protects the three worlds.

20. Kratau supte jagrat tvamasi phalayoge kratumatam Kva pradhvastam phalati purusa radhana mrte, Atas tvam sam preksya kratusu phala dana pratibhuvam Srutau sraddham baddhva drdha parikarah karmasu janah.

When a sacrifice has ended, You ever keep awake to bestow its fruit on the sacrificer. How can any action bear fruit if not accompanied by worship of You, 0 Lord? Therefore, knowing You to be the Giver of fruits of sacrifices and putting faith in the Vedas, people become resolute about the performance of sacrificial acts.

21 . Kriyadakso daksah kratupati radhisa stanubhrtam Rsinam artvijyam saranada sadasyah suraganah, bhramsas tvattah kratuphala vidhana vyasanino Dhruvam kartuh sraddha vidhura mabhicaraya hi makhah.

0 Giver of refuge, even that sacrifice where Daksha, the Lord of creation and expert in sacrifices, was the sacrificer, rishis were priests, gods participants, was

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining destroy­ed by You who are habitually the Giver of fruits of sacrifices. Surely sacrifices cause injury to the sacrificers in the absence of faith and devotion.

22. Praja natham natha prasabha mabhikam svam duhitaram Gatam rohid bhutam rira mayisu mrsyasya vapusa, Dhanus paner yatam divamapi sapatra krtamamum Trasantam te'dyapi tyajati na mrga vyadha rabhasah.

0 Lord, the fury of You who became a hunter with a bow in hand has not as yet left Brahmawho, overcome by incestuous lust and finding his own daughter transforming herself into a hind, desired to ravish her in the body of a stagand keenly pierced by Your arrows, he (Brahma) has fled to the sky.

23. Sva lavanya sansa dhrta dhanusa mahnnaya trnavat Purah p1ustam drstva Pura mathana puspa yudhamapi, Yadi strninam Yama nirata dehardha ghatana Davaiti tvam addha Bata varada mugdha yuvatayah.

O Destroyer of the three cities, 0 Giver of boons, is Parvati who saw the god of love, bow in hand, burnt like a piece of straw in a minute by You, still proud of her beauty and believing that You are fascinated by her, because she was allowed to occupy half Your body because of her austerities? ... Ah, surely all women are under delusion. You have completely conquered Your senses.

24 . Smasanesvai krida smarahara pisacah sahacaras Cita bhasma lepah sragapi nrkaroti parikarah. Amangalyam silam tava bhavatu namaiva makhilam Tathapi smartrnam varada paramam mangalamasi.

O Destroyer of the god of love, 0 Giver of boons, Your play is in cremation grounds, Your companions are ghosts, You smear Your body with the ashes of burnt bodies, human skulls are Your garlandall Your conduct is indeed inauspicious. But You promote the greatest good of those who remember You.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

25. Manah pratyak citte savidha mavadhayatta marutah Prahrsyad romanah pramada salilot sangitadrsah Yada lokyah ladam hrada iva nimajya mrtamaye Dadhat yantas tattvam Kimapi yaminas tat kila bhavan.

You are indeed that inexpressible Truth which the realise within through concentrating their minds on the Self and controlling the breath according to the directions laid down in the scriptures, and realising which Truth they experience rapturous thrills and shed profuse tears of joy; swimming as it were in a pool of nectar they enjoy inner bliss.

26. Tvamarkas tvam somas tvamasi pavanas tvam hutavahas Tvamapas tvam vyoma tvamu dharanir atma tvamiti ca, Paricchinnam evam tvayi parinata bibhratu giram Na vidmas tat tattvam vayamiha tu yat tvam na bhavasi.

The wise hold this limiting view of You: You are the sun, You are the moon, You are fire, You are air, You are water, You are space, You are the earth and You are the Self. But we do not know the things which You are not.

27. Trayim tisro vrttis tribhuvana matho trinapi sura Nakaradyair varnais tribhir abhi dadhat tirnavikrti, Turiyam te dhama dhvanibhi rava rundhana manubhih Samastam vyastam tvam Saranada grnat yomiti padam.

0 Giver of refuge, with the three letters A, U, M, indicating the three Vedas, three states, three worlds and the three gods, the word AUM(Om) describes You separately. By its subtle sound the word Om collectively denotes You Your absolute transcendental state which is free from change.

28. Bhavah sarvo rudrah pasupati rathograh sahamahan

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Statha bhime sanav iti yadabhi dhana stakam idam, Amusmin pratyekam pravicarati deva srutirapi Priyayasmai dhamne pravihita namasyo'smi bhavate.

O Lord! Bhava, Sharva, Rudra, , Ugra, Mahadeva, Bhima, and these eight names of Yours are each treated in detail in the Vedas. To You, most beloved Lord Shankara, of resplendent form, I offer salutations.

29. Namo nedisthaya priyadava davistaya ca namo Namah ksodisthaya smarahara mahisthaya ca namah Namo varsisthaya Trinayana yavisthaya ca namo Namah sarvasmai te tadida matisarvaya ca namah.

0 Lover of solitude, my salutations to You who are the nearest and the farthest. 0 Destroyer of the god of love, my salutations to You who are the minutest and also the largest. 0 Threeeyed one, my salutations to You who are the oldest and also the youngest. My salutations to You again and again who are all and also transcending all.

30. Bahala rajase visvot pattau bhavaya namo namah Prabala tamase tat sanhare haraya namo namah, Jana sukhakrte sattvo driktau mrdaya namo namah Pramahasi pade nis traigunye sivaya namo namah.

Salutations to You as Brahma in whom rajas prevails for the creation of the universe. Salutations to You as Rudra in whom tamas prevails for its destruction. Saluta­tions to You as Vishnu in whom sattva prevails for giving happiness to the people. Salutations to You, 0 Shiva, who are effulgent and beyond the three attributes.

31 . Bahala rajase visvot pattau bhavaya namo namah Prabala tamase tat sanhare haraya namo namah, Jana sukhakrte sattvo driktau

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining mrdaya namo namah Pramahasi pade nis traigunye sivaya namo namah.

Salutations to You as Brahma in whom rajas prevails for the creation of the universe. Salutations to You as Rudra in whom tamas prevails for its destruction. Saluta­tions to You as Vishnu in whom sattva prevails for giving happiness to the people. Salutations to You, 0 Shiva, who are effulgent and beyond the three attributes.

32. Krsa parinati cetah klesa vasyam kva cedam Kva ca tava gunasimollanghini sasva drddhih, Iti cakita mamandi krtya mam bhakti radhad Varada caranayo ste vakya puspo paharam.

0 Giver of boons, how poor is my illdeveloped mind, subject to afflictions, and how boundless Your divinity Eternal and possessing infinite virtues. Though terror—stricken because of this, I am inspired by my devotion to offer this hymnal garland at Your feet.

33 . giri samam syat kajjalam sindhu patre Sura taruvara sakha lekhani patra murvi, Likhati yadi grhitva sarada sarva kalam Tadapi tava gunanam isa paramit na yati.

0 Lord, if the black mountain be ink, the ocean the inkpot, the branch of the stout wishfulfilling tree a pen, the earth the writing leaf, and if taking these the Goddess ofLearning writes for eternity, even then the limit of Your virtues will not be reached.

34 . sura munindrair arcita syendu mauler Grathita guna mahimno nirguna syesvarasya, Sakala gana varisthah puspa danta bhidhano Rucira malaghu vrttaih stotra metac cakara.

The best of , Pushpadanta by name, composed in great devotion this beautiful hymn to the Lord, who is worshipped by demons, gods, and the best of sages, whose praises have been sung, who has the moon on His forehead, and who is attributeless.

35. Ahara harana vadyam dhurjateh stotra metat Pathati paramabhaktya suddhacittah pumanyah. Sa bhavati sivaloke rudra tulya stathatra Pracuratara dhanayuh putravan kirtimansca.

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

The person who with purified heart and in great devotion always reads this beautiful and elevating hymn to Shiva, becomes like Shiva (after death) in the abode of Shiva, and while in this world gets abundant wealth, long life, progeny and fame.

36. Mahesan naparo devo mahimno napara stutih, Aghoran naparo mantro nasti tattvam guroh param.

There is no God higher than Shiva, there is no hymn better than the hymn on the greatness of Shiva, there is no mantra more powerful than the name of Shiva, there is nothing higher to be known than the real nature of the Guru.

37. Diksa danam tirtham yoga yaga dikah kriyah, Mahimnah stava pathasya kalam narhanti sodasim

Initiation into spiritual life, charities, austerities, pilgrimages, practice of yoga, performance of sacrificial rites none of these give even a sixteenth part of the that one gets by reciting the hymn on the greatness of Shiva.

38. Kusuma dasana nama sarva rajah Sisu sasadhara mauler deva devasya dasah Sa khalu nija mahimno bhrasta evasya rosat Stavanamidamakarsid divya divyam mahimnah.

The Lord of Gandharvas, Pushpadanta by name, is the servant of the God of gods who has the crescent moon on his forehead. Fallen from his glory due to the wrath of the Lord, he composed this very beautiful uplifting hymn on the greatness of Shiva to regain His favour.

39. Suravaramuni pujyam svargamoksaikahetum Pathati yadi manusyah pranjalir nanyacetah, Vrajati siva samipam kinnaraih stuyamanah Stavanamidamamogham puspadanta pranitam.

If one with singleminded devotion and folded palms reads this unfailing hymn composed by Pushpadanta, which is adored by great gods and the best of sages and which grants heaven and liberation, one goes to Shiva and is worshipped by Kinnaras (celestial beings).

40 . Asamapta midam stotram punya gandharva bhasitam, Anaupamyam manohari

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining siva misvara varnanam.

Thus ends this unparalleled sacred hymn composed by Pushpadanta and describing the glory of God Shiva in a most fascinating manner.

41 . Ityesa vanmayi puja Srimac chankara padayoh, Arpita tena dcvesah, Priyatam me sadasivah.

This hymnal worship is offered at the feet of Shiva. May the ever beneficent Lord of gods be pleased with me at this!

42. Tav tatva na janami Kidrasdasi maheswar Yadrashosi mahadev Tadrashay namo namah Eak kalam dwikalam wa Trikalam yah pathennarah Sarva papa vinirmuktah Shivloke mahiyate

43 . Sri puspadanta mukha parikaja nirgatena Stotrena kilbisa harena hara priyena, Kanthas thitena pathitena samahitena Suprinito bhavati bhutapatir mahesah.

If a person learns by heart and recites this hymn, which flowed from the lotus mouth of Pushpadanta, which destroys sins and is dear to Shiva and which equally promotes the good of all, Shiva, the Lord of creation, becomes very pleased.

44 . Om Mahadeva Shiva Shankara Shambho Umakanta Hara Tripurare Mrituewnjaya vrishabhadhwaja shoolina Gangadhar mrud madanare Hara Shiva Shankar Gaurisham Kalaye Kaashipuri naatham Jaya Shambho, Jaya Shambho Shiva Gauri Shankar Jaya Shambho Om namah paarvati pataye Hara Hara Mahadeva Karpoora Gauram Karunaavtaaram Sansar saaram Bhujagendra Haaram Sadaa Vasantam Hridayaarvinde Bhavam Bhawani Sahitam Namam!

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ World Informative & Entertaining

Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/