By

Sri Swami Sivananda

 

A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION

 

Eighth Edition: 1996
(3,000 Copies)


World Wide Web (WWW) Edition : 2000

Website: http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

 

This WWW reprint is for free distribution

 

© The Divine Life Trust Society

 

ISBN 81-7052-025-8

 

Published By
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P.O. Shivanandanagar—249 192
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttaranchal,
Himalayas, India.

 

Dedicated to
LORD SIVA
The Consort of Uma
Gauri or Parvati.
The Bestower of Eternal Bliss,
Knowledge and Immortality

Contents

!

Blessed Aspirants,

Lord Siva is the God of Love. His Grace is boundless. He is the Saviour and Guru. He is the Beloved of Uma. He is Satyam, Sivam, Subham, Sundaram, Kantam. He is the Supreme Light that shines in your heart.

Meditate on His Form. Hear His Lilas. Repeat His Mantra 'Om Namah Sivaya'. Study Siva Purana. Do His worship daily. Behold Him in all names and forms. He will bless you with His Vision.

Swami Sivananda

PUBLISHERS' NOTE

This is a most valuable and instructive book for the aspirants, particularly for the devotees of Lord Siva. It contains fifteen chapters. It is full of instructions on practical Sadhana for attaining Siva-Tattva or God-realisation. The chapters will speak for themselves. The secrets of Siva-Tandava, Sakti-Yoga, Siva-Tattva, etc., are very nicely presented. The translation of the Saiva Upanishads is a beautiful addition. The lives of Siva Acharyas, the Bhaktas and the Nayanars are inspiring and soul-stirring. A study of their lives will make one's life sublime and holy.

Up to this time, there has been no such presentation on this subject. The philosophical portion is highly illuminating and helpful to the readers. The book contains the essence of all Saiva Puranas, such as Periya Puranam, Linga Puranam, Siva Parakrama and Tiruvilayadal Puranam. Its value is enhanced by the addition of some important Siva-Stotras with English translation.

The book is written in a most lucid and clear style. It must be studied by all religious-minded persons, as it is of solid worth from the spiritual point of view.

-THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY

Chapter I

Siva Mantras And Stotras

Siva Mantras

1. ! n:m:H eS:v:ay:
1. OM namaþ ÷ivàya

Om is Sat-Chit-Ananda Para-Brahman. 'Namah Sivaya' means 'Prostration to Lord Siva.' This is the five-lettered formula or the Panchakshara-Mantra of Lord Siva. This is a very powerful Mantra which will bestow on the chanter the Highest Bliss of Existence.

2. ! t:tp:Ø,\:ay: ev:¼hð m:hadðv:ay: D:im:eh .
t:À:ð ,dÓH)c::ðdy:at:Î ..
2. OM tatpuruùàya vidmahe mahàdevàya dhãmahi |
tanno rudraþpracodayàt ||

We comprehend (realise) that Celebrated Supreme Being (Purusha), and meditate upon that Great God, Mahadeva; may that Rudra impel us to do so. This is the Rudra Gayatri Mantra.

3. ! *y:öb:kö y:j:am:hð s:Øg:enD:ö p:ØeÄv:D:ün:ö .
uv:aü,kem:v: b:nD:n:anm:àty::ðm:Øüx:iy: m:|m:àt:at:Î ..
3. OM tryaübakaü yajàmahe sugandhiü puùñivardhanaü |
urvàrukamiva bandhanànmçtyormukùãya ma.amçtàt ||

I bow down to that three-eyed Lord Siva, who is full of sweet fragrance, who nourishes the human beings. May He free me from the bondage of Samsara and death, just as a ripe cucumber fruit is separated from the creeper. May I be fixed in Immortality! This is the Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra.

Siva-Panchakshara-Stotram

n:ag::ðndÓharay: e*:l::ðc:n:ay: B:sm:a¤rag:ay: m:hðÃ:ray: .
en:ty:ay: S:عay: edg:mb:ray: t:sm:ò n:karay: n:m:H eS:v:ay: ..
nàgondrahàràya trilocanàya bhasmàïgaràgàya mahe÷varàya |
nityàya ÷uddhàya digambaràya tasmai nakàràya namaþ ÷ivàya ||

Salutations to the ashes-clad, three-eyed Lord, embodied as the first letter Na, who is pure, nude and eternal and whose garland is the lord of serpents.

m:ndaeken:s:el:l:c:ndn:c:ec:üt:ay: n:ndiÃ:r)m:T:n:aT:m:hðÃ:ray: .
m:ndarp:Ø\p:b:hÚp:Ø\p:s:Øp:Üej:t:ay: t:sm:ò m:karay: n:m:H eS:v:ay: ..
mandàkinisalilacandanacarcitàya nandã÷varapramathanàthamahe÷varàya |
mandàrapuùpabahupuùpasupåjitàya tasmai makàràya namaþ ÷ivàya ||

I bow to Him, embodied as Makara, who is adorned with innumerable divine flowers as Mandara and the like, who is the Sovereign King of the Pramatha Ganas and whose body is anointed with the holy waters of the celestial Ganga.

eS:v:ay: g::òriv:dn:arev:nds:Üy:aüy: dx:aDv:rn:aS:kay: .
Â:in:il:kNYay: v:à\:Dv:j:ay: t:sm:ò eS:karay: n:m:H eS:v:ay: ..
÷ivàya gaurãvadanàravindasåryàya dakùàdhvaranà÷akàya |
÷rãnãlakaõñhàya vçùadhvajàya tasmai ÷ikàràya namaþ ÷ivàya ||

To the blue-necked Lord, embodied as the letter Si, the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice and the resplendent Sun of Gauri's lotus-face, whose banner bears the emblem of a bull, may our salutations be.

v:es:ÄkÙmB::ð»v:g::òt:m:ay:üm:Øn:indÓdðv:aec:üt:S:ðK:ray: .
c:ndÓakýv:òÃ:an:rl::ðc:n:ay: t:sm:ò v:karay: n:m:H eS:v:ay: ..
vasiùñakumbhodbhavagautamàryamunãndradevàrcita÷ekharàya |
candràrkavai÷vànaralocanàya tasmai vakàràya namaþ ÷ivàya ||

I prostrate before the God of gods, embodied as Vakara, whose eyes are sun, moon and the fire and whom the gods and the great sages like Vasishtha, Agastya and Gautama, ever pray and Worship.

y:x:sv:-p:ay: j:XaD:ray: ep:n:akhst:ay: s:n:at:n:ay: .
edvy:ay: dðv:ay: edg:mb:ray: t:sm:ò y:karay: n:m:H eS:v:ay: ..
yakùasvaråpàya jañàdharàya pinàkahastàya sanàtanàya |
divyàya devàya digambaràya tasmai yakàràya namaþ ÷ivàya ||

Prostrations to that Ancient Naked God, embodied as the letter Ya, the Yaksha incarnate whose hairs are long and matted and who holds Pinaka in His hand.

p:Wc:ax:rem:dö p:ØNy:ö y:H p:YðecCv:s:eÀD::ò .
eS:v:l::ðkm:v:apn::ðet: eS:v:ðn: s:h m::ðdt:ð ..
pa¤càkùaramidaü puõyaü yaþ pañhecchivasannidhau |
÷ivalokamavàpnoti ÷ivena saha modate ||

Whoever repeats this prayer, composed with the five holy letters before Lord Siva, attains that supreme abode of His and enjoys there with Him in eternal bliss.

Siva-Shadakshara-Stotram

!karö eb:ndÙs:öy:ØVt:ö en:ty:ö Dy:ay:ent: y::ðeg:n:H .
kam:dö m::ðx:dö c:òv: !karay: n:m::ð n:m:H ..
OMkàraü bindusaüyuktaü nityaü dhyàyanti yoginaþ |
kàmadaü mokùadaü caiva OMkàràya namo namaþ ||

May our salutations ever be unto Omkara upon which the Yogins fix their minds constantly in deep meditations and which satiates all desires and sanctions eternal salvation.

n:m:ent: m:Øn:y::ð dðv:a n:m:nty:ps:rs:aö g:N:aH .
n:ra n:m:ent: dðv:ðS:ö n:karay: n:m::ð n:m:H ..
namanti munayo devà namantyapsarasàü gaõàþ |
narà namanti deve÷aü nakàràya namo namaþ ||

The mortals and the sages, the gods and the bands of Apsaras bow to the Supreme Lord, who embodied as Nakara, we salute again.

m:hadðv:ö m:hatm:an:ö m:haxy:an:p:ray:N:m:Î .
eS:v:m:ðkp:dö en:ty:ö eS:karay: n:m::ð n:m:H ..
mahàdevaü mahàtmànaü mahàkùyànaparàyaõam |
÷ivamekapadaü nityaü ÷ikàràya namo namaþ ||

To that Great Effulgent Being, embodied as Makara, who is the Transcendent Self, the destroyer of multifarious sins and the Supreme Object of worship and meditation, we salute ever and ever again.

eS:v:ö S:ant:ö j:g:ÀaT:ö l::ðkan:Øg:Òhkarkm:Î .
eS:v:m:ðkp:dö en:ty:ö eS:karay: n:m::ð n:m:H ..
÷ivaü ÷àntaü jagannàthaü lokànugrahakàrakam |
÷ivamekapadaü nityaü ÷ikàràya namo namaþ ||

To the all-auspicious and all-powerful Lord of the universe, embodied as the letter Si, who bestows peace and prosperity upon the world and who is One and Eternal, may our salutations always be.

v:ahn:ö v:à\:B::ð y:sy: v:as:ØekH kNYB:Ü\:N:m:Î .
v:am:ð S:eVt:D:rö dðv:ö v:karay: n:m::ð n:m:H ..
vàhanaü vçùabho yasya vàsukiþ kaõñhabhåùaõam |
vàme ÷aktidharaü devaü vakàràya namo namaþ ||

Who wears Sakti on the left hand and who has a bull to ride on and the serpent king Vasuki to garland, to him embodied as Vakara we salute again and again.

y:*: y:*: esT:t::ð dðv:H s:v:üvy:ap:i m:hðÃ:rH .
y::ð g:Ø,H s:v:üdðv:an:aö y:karay: n:m::ð n:m:H ..
yatra yatra sthito devaþ sarvavyàpã mahe÷varaþ |
yo guruþ sarvadevànàü yakàràya namo namaþ ||

To the all-pervading Mahesvara, embodied as the letter Ya, God with a form and without, who is the preceptor of the shining ones, wherever He may be, may our salutations be.

p:Wc:ax:rem:dö st::ð*:ö y:H p:YðecCv:s:eÀD::ò .
eS:v:l::ðkm:v:apn::ðet: eS:v:ðn: s:h m::ðdt:ð ..
pa¤càkùaramidaü stotraü yaþ pañhecchivasannidhau |
÷ivalokamavàpnoti ÷ivena saha modate ||

Whoever repeats this prayer, composed with the five letters, 'Namah Sivaya' before Lord Siva, enjoys Supreme Bliss in His Eternal Abode.

Linga-Ashtakam

b:ÒÉm:Øraers:Øraec:üt:el:¤ö en:m:ül:B:ae\:t:S::ðeB:t:el:¤m:Î .
j:nm:j:dÙHK:ev:n:aS:kel:¤ö t:t)N:m:aem: s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î ..
brahmamuràrisuràrcitaliïgaü nirmalabhàùita÷obhitaliïgam |
janmajaduþkhavinà÷akaliïgaü tatpraõamàmi sadà÷ivaliïgam ||

I bow before that Sadasivalinga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and the other gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.

dðv:m:Øen:)v:raec:üt:el:¤ö kam:dhö k,N:akrel:¤m:Î .
rav:N:dp:üev:n:aS:n:el:¤ö t:t)N:m:aem: s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î ..
devamunipravaràrcitaliïgaü kàmadahaü karuõàkaraliïgam |
ràvaõadarpavinà÷analiïgaü tatpraõamàmi sadà÷ivaliïgam ||

I bow before that Sadasivalinga, the destroyer of Cupid, which the Devas and the sages worship, which is infinitely compassionate and which subdued the pride of Ravana.

s:v:üs:Øg:enD:s:Øl:ðep:t:el:¤ö b:Øe¹ev:v:D:ün:karN:el:¤m:Î .
es:¹s:Øras:Ørv:endt:el:¤ö t:t)N:m:aem: s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î ..
sarvasugandhisulepitaliïgaü buddhivivardhanakàraõaliïgam |
siddhasuràsuravanditaliïgaü tatpraõamàmi sadà÷ivaliïgam ||

I bow before that Sadasivalinga, which is lavishly smeared with variegated perfumes and scents, which elevates the power of thought and enkindles the light of discrimination, and which the Siddhas, the Suras and the Asuras prostrate before.

kn:km:ham:eN:B:Üe\:t:el:¤ö PeN:p:et:v:ðeÄt:S::ðeB:t:el:¤m:Î .
dx:s:Øy:wev:n:aS:n:el:¤ö t:t)N:m:aem: s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î ..
kanakamahàmaõibhåùitaliïgaü phaõipativeùñita÷obhitaliïgam |
dakùasuyaj¤avinà÷analiïgaü tatpraõamàmi sadà÷ivaliïgam ||

I bow before that Sadasivalinga, the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice, which is decorated with various ornaments, studded with different gems and rubies and which glows with the serpent lord coiled around.

kÙ¢Ûm:c:ndn:l:ðep:t:el:¤ö p:¢j:hars:ØS::ðeB:t:el:¤m:Î .
s:eWc:t:p:ap:ev:n:aS:n:el:¤ö t:t)N:m:aem: s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î ..
kuïkumacandanalepitaliïgaü païkajahàrasu÷obhitaliïgam |
sa¤citapàpavinà÷analiïgaü tatpraõamàmi sadà÷ivaliïgam ||

I bow before that Sadasivalinga, which is smeared with saffron and sandal-paste, which is fair with lotus-garlands, and which extirpates the multitude of all accumulated sins.

dðv:g:N:aec:üt:s:ðev:t:el:¤ö B:av:òB:üeVt:eB:rðv: c: el:¤m:Î .
edn:krk:ðeX)B:akrel:¤ö t:t)N:m:aem: s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î ..
devagaõàrcitasevitaliïgaü bhàvairbhaktibhireva ca liïgam |
dinakarakoñiprabhàkaraliïgaü tatpraõamàmi sadà÷ivaliïgam ||

I bow before that Sadasivalinga which is worshipped by the multitude of gods with genuine thoughts full of faith and devotion and whose splendour is like that of million suns.

AÄdl::ðp:er v:ðeÄt:el:¤ö s:v:üs:m:Ø»v:karN:el:¤m:Î .
AÄderdÓev:n:aS:n:el:¤ö t:t)N:m:aem: s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î ..
aùñadalopari veùñitaliïgaü sarvasamudbhavakàraõaliïgam |
aùñadaridravinà÷analiïgaü tatpraõamàmi sadà÷ivaliïgam ||

I bow before that Sadasivalinga destructive of all poverty in its eight aspects, which is the cause of all creation and which stands on the eight Dalas.

s:Ørg:Ø,s:Ørv:rp:Üej:t:el:¤ö s:Ørv:n:p:Ø\p:s:daec:üt:el:¤m:Î .
p:ratp:rö p:rm:atm:kel:¤ö t:t)N:m:aem: s:daeS:v:el:¤m:Î ..
suragurusuravarapåjitaliïgaü suravanapuùpasadàrcitaliïgam |
paràtparaü paramàtmakaliïgaü tatpraõamàmi sadà÷ivaliïgam ||

I bow before that Sadasivalinga which is the Transcendent Being and the Supreme Self, worshipped by all Suras with their priest ahead, with innumerable flowers from the celestial gardens.

el:¤aÅkem:dö p:ØNy:ö y:H p:YðecCv:s:eÀD::ò .
eS:v:l::ðkm:v:apn::ðet: eS:v:ðn: s:h m::ðdt:ð ..
liïgàùñhakamidaü puõyaü yaþ pañhecchivasannidhau |
÷ivalokamavàpnoti ÷ivena saha modate ||

Whoever repeats these eight Slokas, praising Sivalinga in the presence of Lord Siva, attains that Supreme Abode of Siva and enjoys there with Him everlasting Bliss and Beatitude.

Ardhanari-Natesvara-Stotram

c:aöp:ðy:g::òraD:üS:rirkay:ò kp:Üürg::òraD:üS:rirkay: .
D:emm:ll:kay:ò c: j:XaD:ray: n:m:H eS:v:ay:ò c: n:m:H eS:v:ay: .. 1..
càüpeyagauràrdha÷arãrakàyai karpåragauràrdha÷arãrakàya |
dhammillakàyai ca jañàdharàya namaþ ÷ivàyai ca namaþ ÷ivàya || 1 ||

To Her whose body shines as bright as polished gold, to Him whose body shines as brilliant as white camphor, to Her with a fitting head-dress and to Him with matted locks, to Gauri and Lord Siva may our prostrations be.

kst:ÜerkakÙökÙm:c:ec:üt:ay:ò ec:t:arj:p:ØWj:ev:c:ec:üt:ay: .
kát:sm:ray:ò ev:kát:sm:ray: n:m:H eS:v:ay:ò c: n:m:H eS:v:ay: .. 2..
kastårikàkuükumacarcitàyai citàrajapu¤javicarcitàya |
kçtasmaràyai vikçtasmaràya namaþ ÷ivàyai ca namaþ ÷ivàya || 2 ||

To Her of body smeared with musk and saffron, to Him of body smeared with ashes of the crematorium, to Her who radiates love through Her beauty, to Him who destroyed the god of love (Kamadeva), to Gauri and Lord Siva may our prostrations be.

c:l:tVv:N:tk¢N:n:Üp:Øray:ò em:l:tPN:aB:asv:rn:Üp:Øray: .
hðm:a¤dy:ò B:Øj:g:a¤day: n:m:H eS:v:ay:ò c: n:m:H eS:v:ay: .. 3..
calatkvaõatkaïkaõanåpuràyai milatphaõàbhàsvaranåpuràya |
hemàïgadayai bhujagàïgadàya namaþ ÷ivàyai ca namaþ ÷ivàya || 3 ||

To Her adorned with tinkling beautiful anklets, to Him adorned with snake-anklets circled round His lotus-feet, to Her shining with golden bracelets, and to Him with snake-bracelets, to Gauri and Lord Siva may our prostrations be.

ev:l::ðl:n:il::ðtp:l:l::ðc:n:ay:ò ev:kaes:p:¤ñ,hl::ðc:n:ay: .
s:m:ðx:N:ay:ò ev:\:m:ðx:N:ay: n:m:H eS:v:ay:ò c: n:m:H eS:v:ay: .. 4..
vilolanãlotpalalocanàyai vikàsipaïgeruhalocanàya |
samekùaõàyai viùamekùaõàya namaþ ÷ivàyai ca namaþ ÷ivàya || 4 ||

To Her with eyes as broad as the petals of the blue lotus (Nilotpala), to Him with eyes as broad as the petals of the fully blossomed lotus, to Her with an even number of eyes (two), to Him with an odd number of eyes (three), to Gauri and Lord Siva may our prostrations be.

m:ndarm:al:akel:t:al:kay:ò kp:al:m:al:ae¢t:knD:ray: .
edvy:amb:ray:ò c: edg:mb:ray: n:m:H eS:v:ay:ò c: n:m:H eS:v:ay: .. 5..
mandàramàlàkalitàlakàyai kapàlamàlàïkitakandharàya |
divyàmbaràyai ca digambaràya namaþ ÷ivàyai ca namaþ ÷ivàya || 5 ||

To Her whose hair is decorated with garlands of sweet-smelling divine flowers, to Him whose neck is adorned with a garland of skulls, to Her decorated with excellent divine garments, to Him clad with eight quarters, to Gauri and Lord Siva may our prostration be.

AmB::ðD:rSy:am:l:kÙnt:l:ay:ò t:eRt)B:at:am:Òj:XaD:ray: .
eg:riÃ:ray:ò en:eK:l:ðÃ:ray: n:m:H eS:v:ay:ò c: n:m:H eS:v:ay: .. 6..
ambhodhara÷yàmalakuntalàyai taóitprabhàtàmrajañàdharàya |
girã÷varàyai nikhile÷varàya namaþ ÷ivàyai ca namaþ ÷ivàya || 6 ||

To Her with hair as dark as the fresh rain clouds, to Him with matted hair resembling the colour of lightning, to Her who is the Supreme Goddess of the Mountains (Himalayas), to Him who is the Lord of the entire universe, to Gauri and Lord Siva may our prostrations be.

)p:Wc:s:à\®Ønm:ØK:l:asy:kay:ò s:m:st:s:öharkt:aNRv:ay: .
j:g:jj:n:ny:ò j:g:dðkep:*:ð n:m:H eS:v:ay:ò c: n:m:H eS:v:ay: .. 7..
prapa¤casçùñyunmukhalàsyakàyai samastasaühàrakatàõóavàya |
jagajjananyai jagadekapitre namaþ ÷ivàyai ca namaþ ÷ivàya || 7 ||

To Her whose dance marks the creation of the world, to Him whose dance indicates the total destruction of everything in this world, to Her who is the World-Mother and to Him who is the Father of this universe, to Gauri and Siva may our prostrations be.

)dipt:rtn::ðjjv:l:kÙNRl:ay:ò sPÙrnm:hap:Àg:B:Ü\:N:ay: .
eS:v:aenv:t:ay:ò c: eS:v:aenv:t:ay: n:m:H eS:v:ay:ò c: n:m:H eS:v:ay: .. 8..
pradãptaratnojjvalakuõóalàyai sphuranmahàpannagabhåùaõàya |
÷ivànvitàyai ca ÷ivànvitàya namaþ ÷ivàyai ca namaþ ÷ivàya || 8 ||

To Her with bright shining ear-rings of gems, to Him who wears the great serpent as ornament, to Her who is ever united with Lord Siva, to Him who is ever in union with Gauri, to Gauri and Lord Siva may our prostrations be.

Siva-Kavacham

Rishi Rishabha spoke to the prince:

Om! My Salutations unto Lord Neelakantha, the Beloved of Uma, the three-eyed and thousand-armed Sambhu, who destroys the enemies by His mighty valour!

I now, for your good, reveal the supreme secret of all penances, possessing which you will be ever successful, redeemed from all sins and pains.

After adoring the Omnipresent Lord, I declare the esoteric truth of Siva-Kavacha, for the weal and welfare of the human beings.

Having seated himself in composure, in a sacred place, one should contemplate upon the Imperishable Siva, with all his senses subdued and Pranas controlled.

He is to meditate upon the Subtle and Infinite, having installed Him in the lotus of the heart, who is all-pervading and beyond the senses.

Having disentangled himself from the bond of actions, by constant meditation and merging wholly in the Supreme Bliss, and with his heart ever intent on the Shadakshara, "Om Namah Sivaya", he is to protect himself thus wearing the armour of Siva (Siva-Kavacha).

May that Supreme Divinity raise me from the dark fathomless well of Samsara, and may His glorious name destroy my sins in their totality.

May He render me free from all fears in all places, who exists in all forms, who is all-blissful, who is smaller than the smallest and is possessed of Mighty Power.

May the eightfold form of Siva who supports the universe as earth, protect me from all earthly ailments, and may He who gives life to humanity as water, remove all my fears from water.

May the Kala Rudra, who having burnt the worlds at the end of Kalpa, engages Himself in Tandava rescue me from all troubles from wild conflagrations and wind.

May He, the four-headed Trinayana, who is resplendent like lightning and gold, look after me in the East, and He who holds axe, Veda, hook, noose, trident and rosary in His hands, whose colour is dark and glossy as the raining clouds, in the South.

I adore Him who is pure and spotless as jasmine, moon, conch and crystal, who bears the Vedas and rosary in His hands, as the emblems of bestowing boons and fearlessness, for my safety in the West; and Him who shines like the filament of a blossoming lotus, in the North.

May the five-faced Isvara, who is white and transparent as the crystal, who holds hook, noose, hatchet, skull, drum and trident in His hands and also the Vedas and a rosary as the token of security, protect me above.

I pray to Lord Chandramauli to take care of my head, Phalanetra to look after my forehead, and Him, the destroyer of lust, for the protection of my eyes.

I worship Visvanatha, who is renowned in Vedas and who holds a skull in His hand to keep my nose, ears and skull, safe and sound.

The five-faced Lord, whose tongue is the very Vedas, may protect my face and tongue; the blue-necked One who holds Pinaka in His hands may protect my throat and my hands.

May the Lord, the destroyer of the sacrifice of Daksha, whose arms are the very embodiment of Dharma, guard my chest and arms against all dangers and evils.

May my hip, waist, stomach, navel, be in the care of Dhurjati, the destroyer of Cupid, and who holds the mountain as His bow.

I leave my thighs, knees and feet to His grace who is all graceful.

In the first watch of the day, may Mahesa be my protector; in the second, Vamadeva; Trilochana in the third and Vrishaketu in the fourth.

Sasishekara may keep me from all the evils in the evening, Gangadhara during midnight, Gauripati at dawn and Mrityunjaya at all times.

May Sankara be my protector when I am in, Sthanu, when I am out, Pasupati in the intermediate region and Sadasiva in all places.

May He, who is known by the Vedas, be my saviour when sitting, the Lord of the Pramathas while walking and the Sovereign Ruler of the universe while at rest.

May Nilakantha, the formidable foe of the three cities, dispel my fears and dangers while on the way, and amidst impassable mountainous peaks and valleys.

May the All-powerful Almighty save me from the cruel clutches of the wild animals, while journeying through thick forests.

I offer my hearty prayers to Lord Virabhadra who is as fierce as Yama at the end of Kalpa and whose terrible laughter causes the worlds to tremble, for destroying my fears in crossing the terrible ocean of formidable foes.

I worship the Lord, to destroy the fearful hosts of the enemy armies, arrayed against with the four divisions, infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants with the sharp and ferocious edge of his sword.

May the blazing fire emitted by the trident of the Lord, reduce the desperadoes to ashes and His bow, Pinaka, frighten the wild beasts such as tigers, lions and bears.

May He protect me from all evils arising from inauspicious dreams and omens, from all mental and bodily agonies, and from all the calamities of different types.

I bow down to that Lord Sadasiva, who is that Supreme Truth, who is the very form of holy hymns and sacred rites, who is beyond all knowledge and truth, who is the incarnation of Brahma and Rudra, whose very eyes are the sun, moon and fire, who has a body smeared with white holy ashes, who wears a crown and artless jewellery, studded with various gems and diamonds, who is the creator, sustainer and destroyer of the whole universe, who destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, who kills the tide of time, who resides alone in Muladhara, who transcends the categories of knowledge, upon whose head the holy Ganga makes her permanent abode, who is immanent in all beings, who possesses the six qualities, who is the truth and essence of philosophy, who is the means to attain the three Vargas (Dharma, Artha and Kama), who is the Lord of the worlds, who wears the eight serpent-kings round His neck and who is the very form of Pranava.

I adore Him who is the embodiment of consciousness, whose form is of ether and the directions, who wears the necklace of stars and planets, who is pure and spotless, who is the preceptor of all the worlds, who is the Supreme Witness of the whole universe, who is the Supreme Secret of all Vedas, who transcends all philosophy, who bestows boons upon all His devotees and who showers mercy upon the poor and ignorant.

I pray to the all-merciful Lord who is ever pure and all-blissful, who is free from all lust, greed and sorrow, who is bereft of all flaws and qualities, who is devoid of desire, disease, ego and attachment, who is all-pervading, endless and eternal, who is beyond the chains of causes and effects, in whom all pains and pleasures, pride, power and pomp, fears and dangers, sins and sufferings sink and die.

I worship Him, who is the embodiment of Pure Consciousness, in whom doubts are dried and actions cease, who is beyond all change, time and destruction, who is full, pure, mute and eternal, who is Satchidananda (Existence-Absolute, Knowledge-Absolute and Bliss-Absolute), who is the incommunicable place personified, who is all-effulgence and effulgence embodied, who is the beneficent One, the radiant vision of Infinite Beauty and Beatitude. O my Lord! Victory on Thee. Thou art the incarnation of Rudra, Raudra and Bhadra. Thou art that Mahabhairava, Kalabhairava. Thy garlands are the necklaces of skulls and Thou holdest the divine weapons Khatvanga, sword, skin (Charma), noose, hook, drum, trident, bow, arrow, club, Sakti (a weapon) and the like in Thy hands. O thousand-faced God! Thou art fearful to look at with Thy terrible teeth and Thy pealing laughter pierces through all the worlds. Serpents are Thy ear-rings, Thy garlands and bracelets. Thou wearest elephant-skin on Thy body. Thou art the conqueror of death, the destroyer of the three cities, O three-eyed God!

Thou art all-existent, Immanence of things, Essence of Peace, and the Supreme Bliss and Silence, O Sambhu! Thou art verily the Brahman of Veda and Vedanta. Thou art all-pervading, ancient and eternal. Save me, my Lord! Dispel my fears from unnatural death and dangers, destroy my enemies, with Thy trident and chop them off with the edge of Thy sword. Frighten the bands of Betala, Kushmanda and the like with the bow and arrows. Save me from falling into the pit of fearful hell and render me free and fearless. Cover me with Thy armour and protect me always. I am poor, meek, humble and helpless. I dedicate all at Thy feet and leave myself at Thy disposal. Thou art my only prop and saviour. O Lord Sadasiva! Mrityunjaya! Tryambaka! Salutations to Thee again and again.

Rishabha spoke: In this manner, I have unfolded the supreme secret of Siva-Kavacha which grants every boon and gratifies all desires and which relieves one from all pains and sufferings.

Always, one clad in this (Armour of Siva), is free from all fears, all dangers and downfall, by His divine Grace.

One, released from chronic diseases and premature death, enjoys long life and Eternal Bliss.

This Armour (of Siva) strikes at the root of evil and elevates one to the lofty heights of peace and prosperity.

One, in the end, redeemed from all sins and obstacles, attains the blissful seat of salvation by its mighty power.

Therefore my boy! Wear this presented by me with full faith, by which you will be very happy.

Suta said: Having spoken thus, sage Rishabha gave the prince a big conch, a mighty sword with which he would be able to conquer his enemies in no time.

Then he sprinkled some holy ashes on his body and gave the magnetic touch which rendered him feel the strength of twelve thousand elephants.

Having obtained such strength, power and courage, the prince shone with the glory of the autumn sun!

The Sage again told him: This sword given by me is purified by sacred Mantras, by whose mere sight, the enemy will become lifeless. Death itself will be terrified and take to his heels.

Hearing the thundering sound of this conch, the enemies will fall down unconscious, with their weapons cast aside.

These are the two instruments which will destroy the opposing armies and encourage your own.

Clad in Siva's Armour, you will destroy your enemies with these two divine weapons. You will obtain your ancestral kingdom and become the sovereign ruler of this earth.

Consoling him thus, with all his blessings, the Sage after receiving due respects and honours, departed.

Sarvalinga Stava

O Omkaresvara, Umamahesvara,
Ramesvara, Tryambakesvara,
Mahabalesvara, Mahakalesvara, Muktesvara,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Jambukesvara, Kalahastisvara,
Tarakesvara, Paramesvara,
Narmadesvara, Nagesvara, Nanjundesvara,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Ardhanarisvara, Kapalisvara,
Brihadisvara, Bhuvanesvara, Kumbhesvara,
Vriddhachalesvara, Ekambaresvara,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Kailasapate, Pasupate,
Gauripate, Parvatipate,
Umapate, Sivakamipate,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Visvesa, Tyagesa, Sarvesa,
Sundaresa, Mahesa, Jagadisa,
Ghusrunesa, Matribhutesa,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Kailasanatha, Kashinatha,
Kedaranatha, Muktinatha,
Amaranatha, Pasupatinatha,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Kasi Visvanatha, Kanchinatha,
Somanatha, Baijnatha, Vaidyanatha,
Tunganatha, Trilokinatha,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Kalabhairava, Tripurantaka,
Nilalohita, Haro Hara,
Siva, Sambho, Sankara, Sadasiva,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Mahadeva, Mahakala,
Nilakantha, Nataraja, Chandrasekhara,
Chidambaresa, Papavimochaka,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Halasyasundara, Minakshisundara,
Kalyanasundara, Kadambavanasundara,
Srisaila-vasa, Virabhadra,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Gauri Sankara, Gangadhara,
Dakshinamurte, Mrityunjaya,
Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Vaikkatappa, Tiruvoniappa,
Chittambala, Ponnambala,
Chitsabhesa, Chidambaresa,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Kamadahana, Brahmasiraschheda,
Kurma-Matsya-Varaha-Svarupa,
Virabhairava, Vrishabharudha,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Kalantaka, Mallikarjuna,
Arunachala, Nandivahana, Bhikshadana, Bhaktarakshaka,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Bhimasankara, Bhasmadhara,
Pannagabhushana, Pinakadhari,
Trilochana, Trisulapane,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Who can describe Thy glory O Hara!
Even Sruti says Neti Neti,
Thou art Supreme Brahman,
Thou art full of auspicious qualities,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Destroyer of Tripuras,
My silent adorations unto Thee,
Thou art Rudra, the destroyer,
Thou art bestower of Immortality,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Thy vehicle is the bull,
Tiger-skin is Thy garment,
Trident, Damaru, Axe, Are Thy instruments,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Snake is Thy ornament,
You are besmeared with ashes,
Ganga flows from Thy head,
Moon is Thy Chudamani,
Om Namah Sivaya.

You incarnated as Dakshinamurti,
To initiate Sanaka, Sanandana,
Into the mysteries of Brahma Jnana,
Through silence and Chinmudra,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Thy form speaks of renunciation,
Thou art embodiment of knowledge,
Thou art famous for Nritya,
Agada Bhum is Thy song,
Om Namah Sivaya.

You assumed the form of light,
Brahma and Vishnu failed
To measure Thee,
Thou art Infinity and Eternity,
Om Namah Sivaya.

You saved Markandeya, Manikkavasakar,
You blessed Kannappa, Tirunavukkarasu,
Tirujnanasambandhar, Sundarar,
Appar and Pattinathadiyar,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Thou art ocean of mercy,
Thou art giver of boons,
You blessed Arjuna and Bana,
You swallowed the poison,
And saved the world,
Om Namah Sivaya.

You destroyed the Cupid,
Thou art the Father
Of Ganesa and Subrahmanya,
You cut the head of proud Daksha,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Tripurasundari, Rajarajesvari,
Gauri, Chandi, Chamundi,
Durga, Annapurna,
Are Thy Saktis,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Thy garland is strung of skulls,
Thy matted lock is the abode for Ganga,
Thou dwellest in the cremation ground,
Thy form is terrible, Thou art Mahakala,
Thou art Death unto death itself,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Thou art the greatest Devotee of Hari,
Thou wearest in Thy head the Ganga,
Which flows from Hari's feet,
You initiate the Rama Taraka Mantra at Banares,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Lord Rama worshipped Thee alone at Ramesvar,
You existed in sound as Sadasiva,
In the heart as Atmalinga,
In the Vedas as Pranava,
Om Namah Sivaya.

O Hara! O Lord! O Siva!
Prostrations unto Thee again and again,
Let me remember Thee always,
Let me ever dwell in Thee,
Om Namah Sivaya.

Make me desireless, fearless and 'I' less,
Let me ever repeat Thy five letters,
Let me behold Thee everywhere,
Let me merge in Thee for ever,
Om Namah Sivaya.

He who sings or repeats or hears this Sarvalinga Stava
Morning and evening with faith, devotion and Bhava,
Will be freed from all sins and diseases,
Will attain son, wealth, prosperity,
Bhakti, Bhukti, Mukti.

Attributes Of Siva

1. Advaita, Akhanda, Akarta, Abhokta,
Asanga, Asakta, Nirguna, Nirlipta,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Non-dual, indivisible, non-doer, non-enjoyer,
Unattached, without qualities,
I am Siva (auspiciousness), I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

2. Avyakta, Ananta, Amrita, Ananda,
Achala, Amala, Akshara, Avyaya,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Unmanifested, endless, immortal, bliss,
Immovable, without impurities, imperishable, inexhaustible,
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

3. Asabda, Asparsa, Arupa, Agandha,
Aprana, Amana, Atindriya, Adrisya,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Soundless, touchless, smell-less, formless,
Without Prana, without mind, without senses, unseen,
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

4. Satyam, Sivam, Subham, Sundaram, Kantam,
Sat-chit-ananda, Sampurna, Sukha, Santam,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Truth, auspiciousness, good, beautiful, resplendent,
Existence-knowledge-bliss, all-full, pure happiness, peaceful.
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

5. Chetana, Chaitanya, Chidghana, Chinmaya,
Chidakasa, Chinmatra, Sanmantra, Tanmaya,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Consciousness, mass of knowledge, full of knowledge,
All-pervading like ether, consciousness alone, full of That,
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

6. Amala, Vimala, Nirmala, Achala,
Avangmanogochara, Akshara, Nischala,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Pure, stainless, immovable,
Beyond the reach of mind and speech, imperishable, steady,
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

7. Nitya, Nirupadhika, Niratisaya Ananda,
Nirakara, Hrimkara, Omkara, Kutastha,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Eternal, without attributes, supreme bliss,
Without form, Hrim and Om (Pranava), rock-seated Self,
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

8. Purna, Para Brahma, Prajnana Ananda,
Sakshi, Drashta, Turiya, Vijnana Ananda,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
All-full, Paramatman, knowledge and bliss,
Witness, Seer, the fourth state, self-knowledge, bliss.
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

9. Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam, Anandam,
Sat-chit-ananda, Svayam Jyoti Prakasam,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Truth, knowledge, endless, bliss,
Existence-knowledge-bliss, self-luminous,
I am Siva I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

10. Kaivalya, Kevala, Kutastha, Brahma,
Suddha, Siddha, Buddha, Sat-chit-ananda,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Immortality, alone, changeless, Self
Pure, perfect, illumined, existence-knowledge-bliss,
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

11. Nirdosha, Nirmala, Vimala, Niranjana,
Nitya, Nirakara, Nirguna, Nirvikalpa,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Without defects, pure, spotless,
Eternal, formless, without qualities, superconsciousness,
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

12. Atman, Brahma Svarupa, Chaitanya-Purusha,
Tejomaya, Ananda, 'Tat-Tvam-Asi' Lakshya,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
Self, Supreme Self, consciousness,
Full of light, bliss, that which is indicated by 'Tat-Tvam-Asi-Thou art That'.
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

13. 'Soham', 'Sivoham', 'Aham-Brahma-Asmi' Mahavakya,
Suddha, Sat-chit-ananda, Purna Para Brahma,
Chidanandarupah Sivoham Sivoham.
'I am He', 'I am Siva', 'I am Brahman',
Pure, existence-knowledge-bliss, all-full Self,
I am Siva, I am Siva of the form of knowledge and bliss.

The Sublime Vision

I

The adorable Lord of all bliss, all love, all mercy
The supreme light that shines in my heart
The Lord who fed Sambandhar and Appar
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Great Ancient, the Goal of Yogis
The Supreme Purusha that dwells in the Puri
The Adi Deva, whom the Vedas sing of
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The pillar of light which baffled Brahma and Vishnu
The ocean of mercy who saved Markandeya
The Lord of Madurai whom the Pandya beat
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The supreme Teacher who taught the four
The Adi Deva who has assumed the five
Parama, Vyuha, Vibhava, Archa and Antaryamin,
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Lord who pervades the universe
The thread-soul, the Sutratman,
The over-soul, the purport of Srutis
Him I saw at the abode, of Rishis.

The effulgence who is above the Three
Who exists even after the Pralaya
Who saved Kannappa and Sundarar
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

He who drank the poison and saved the world,
He who danced at Chidambaram,
He who shines as the Jyotirlinga
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

He who brought the jackal-horses to Pandya
He who gave pearl-palanquin to Sambandhar
He who is the essence of Panchakshara
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

He who dwells in Banares and Vedas,
In Ramesvar, Arunachal and Kanchi,
In the hearts of all beings
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

He who pleaded on behalf of Darumi
He who dwells in Kailas with Uma
He who restored the eyesight of Sundarar
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

II

The Lord who gave stick to blind Appar
The Grace who begged alms for Sundarar
The Marga Bandhu who showed the way to Appayya Dikshitar
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Mercy who took the message to Paravai
The Love who wrote the poem for Darumi
The Fire that burnt Nakirar
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Lord who became a cooly at Madurai
And carried earth for stopping the floods
For the sake of a little sweetmeat
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Lord who created tank and garden for the devotee
Who became the slave of His devotees
Who sent the pearl-palanquin to Sambandhar
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The hunter who quarrelled with Arjuna
The untouchable who debated with Sankara
The groom who took the horses to Pandya
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Lord who has Uma as His left side
Who is also Narayana of the milk ocean
Who is the child sleeping on the banian leaf
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Lord who is the Holiest, the Oldest
Who is Jyoti within the Jyoti
Who is praised by the Devas and Rishis
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

He who is Ambalam in Chidambaram
Who is brilliance in Arunachalam
Who is the great thief hiding in forms
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Satguru who reveals in the Chidakasa
Who breaks all the three bonds
Who leads the aspirants to the land of Moksha
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

The Lord who dwells in the Sahasrara
Who is the way, the goal and the centre,
Who is the truth in the Mahavakya
Him I saw at the abode of Rishis.

Song of Lord Nataraja

Sivaya Nama Om Sivaya Namah,
Sivaya Nama Om Namah Sivaya,

O Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram,
King Dancer of Thillai Ambalam,
Beloved consort of Sivakami Sundari,
Bhuvanesvari, Rajarajesvari,
Destroyer of sin, bestower of prosperity,
Remover of suffering, giver of Immortality,
Sivaya Nama Om Sivaya Namah,
Sivaya Nama Om Namah Sivaya.

Holder of Trident, drinker of poison,
Master of Yogis, ruler in the Sun,
Dweller in Kailas, rider of Nandi
Destroyer of Cupid, Lord of Siddhi,
The three-eyed Lord, the five-faced God,
The blue-necked God, the God of gods,
Sivaya Nama Om Sivaya Namah,
Sivaya Nama Om Namah Sivaya.

Thou art my Guru and sole-refuge,
Salutations unto Thee O Lord of Mercy,
Bless me with Thy shower of Grace,
Let me behold Thy benign face,
Let me merge in Thee for ever,
This is my real fervent prayer.
Sivaya Nama Om Sivaya Namah,
Sivaya Nama Om Namah Sivaya.

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-Guru), 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, Sadasiva, Rudra, Sulapani, Bhairava, Uma Mahesvara, Nilakantha, Trilochana (the three-eyed), Tryambaka (the three-eyed), Visvanatha, Chandrasekhara, Ardhanarisvara, Mahesvara, Nila-lohita, Parama Siva, Digambara, 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 lotus-feet quickly. He desires to give them His glorious 'Siva-Pada'. 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 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 Murti. In Chidambaram even the untouchable Pariah saint, Nandan had Darsan of Lord Siva. He ran with tremendous speed to make the boy Markandeya immortal, when he was in the clutches of the God of Death-Yama. 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 (Jyotirmaya-Svarupa). They were baffled in their attempts. How magnanimous and self-effulgent He is! He lived in the house of Pattinattu Swami 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 Asana, 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 thousand-petalled lotus at the crown of the head. They drink the nectar of Immortality (Siva-Jnana-Amritam). This is termed Amritasrava. When the Sakti is united with Siva, full illumination comes for the Yogi.

Lord Siva represents the destructive aspect of Brahman. That portion of Brahman that is enveloped by Tamo-Guna-Pradhana-Maya is Lord Siva who is the all-pervading Isvara and who also dwells in Mount Kailas. He is the Bhandar or storehouse of Wisdom. Siva minus Parvati, Kali or Durga 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.

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 three-eyed 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 index-finger 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 sea-level. 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 Pujari, 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, soul-stirring scenery. You will have to ascend from Didipha Guha, the first halting stage in Parikrama 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 Gauri Kund 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-Stotra and Names of Lord Siva. The Stotras 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 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 refuge 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, Nama-Smarana 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 Siddhis 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 blessings of Lord Siva be upon you all!

Om Santih! Santih! Santih!

Chapter II

Siva Tattva

In Me the universe had its origin,
In Me alone the whole subsists;
In Me it is lost-Siva,
The Timeless, it is I Myself,
Sivoham! Sivoham! Sivoham!

Salutations to Lord Siva, the vanquisher of Cupid, the bestower of eternal bliss and immortality, the protector of all beings, destroyer of sins, the Lord of the gods, who wears a tiger-skin, the best among objects of worship, through whose matted hair the Ganga flows.

Lord Siva is the pure, changeless, attributeless, all-pervading transcendental consciousness. He is the inactive (Nishkriya) Purusha. Prakriti is dancing on His breast and performing the creative, preservative and destructive processes.

When there is neither light nor darkness, neither form nor energy, neither sound nor matter, when there is no manifestation of phenomenal existence, Siva alone exists in Himself. He is timeless, spaceless, birthless, deathless, decayless. He is beyond the pairs of opposites. He is the Impersonal Absolute Brahman. He is untouched by pleasure and pain, good and evil. He cannot be seen by the eyes but He can be realised within the heart through devotion and meditation.

Siva is also the Supreme personal God when He is identified with His power. He is then omnipotent, omniscient active God. He dances in supreme joy and creates, sustains and destroys with the rhythm of His dancing movements.

He destroys all bondage, limitation and sorrow of His devotees. He is the giver of Mukti or the final emancipation. He is the universal Self. He is the true Self of all creatures. He is the dweller in the cremation-ground, in the region of the dead, those who are dead to the world.

The Jivas and the world originate from Him, exist in Him, are sustained and rejected by Him and are ultimately merged in Him. He is the support, source and substratum of the whole world. He is an embodiment of Truth, Beauty, Goodness and Bliss. He is Satyam, Sivam, Subham, Sundaram, Kantam.

He is the God of gods, Deva-Deva. He is the Great Deity-Mahadeva. He is the God of manes (Prajapati). He is the most awe-inspiring and terrifying deity, Rudra, with Trisul or trident in His hand. He is the most easily pleased (Asutosha). He is accessible to all. Even the untouchable Chandalas and the illiterate rustics can approach Him.

He is the source of all knowledge and wisdom. He is an ideal Yogi and Muni. He is the ideal head of an ideal family with Uma as His devoted wife, Lord Subrahmanya, the brave general of strength and courage, Lord Ganesa, the remover of all obstacles.

Sadasiva

At the end of Pralaya, the Supreme Lord thinks of re-creation of the world. He is then known by the name Sadasiva. He is the root-cause of creation. From Sadasiva creation begins. In Manusmriti He is called Svayambhu. Sadasiva is unmanifested, He destroys the Tamas caused by Pralaya and shines as the self-resplendent light bringing forth the five great elements, etc., into being.

The Siva Purana says that Siva is beyond both Prakriti and Purusha. Siva is Mahesvara. He is the witness, well-wisher and nourisher of all beings. The Gita says: 'Upadrashtanumanta cha bharta bhokta mahesvarah'.

Mahesvara conducts the work of creation according to His will and pleasure. The Sruti says, 'Mayam tu prakritim viddhi mayinam tu mahesvaram'. Know Prakriti to be Maya and Mahesvara to be the wielder of Maya or Prakriti. The Sakti of Siva works in two different ways. Mula Prakriti and Daivi Prakriti. Mula Prakriti is Apara Prakriti from which the five elements and other visible objects and the Antahkarana are evolved. Para Prakriti is Chaitanya Sakti which converts the Apara Prakriti and gives name and form to it. Apara Prakriti is Avidya and Para Prakriti is Vidya. The controller and dispenser of these two Prakritis is Lord Siva.

Siva is distinct from Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra.

Lord Siva is the Lord of innumerable crores of Brahmandas or worlds. Isvara united with Maya gives rise to Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra out of Rajas, Sattva and Tamo Gunas respectively, under the command of Lord Siva. Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra are the trinities of the world.

There is no difference among the trinities, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. By the command of Mahesvara these three do the creative, preservative and destructive duties of the world. The work of all the three deities is done conjointly. They all have one view and one definite purpose in creating, preserving and destroying the visible universe of names and forms. He who regards the three deities as distinct and different, Siva Purana says, is undoubtedly a devil or evil spirit.

The Lord who is beyond the three Gunas, Mahesvara, has four aspects: Brahma, Kala, Rudra and Vishnu. Siva is the support for all the four. He is the substratum for Sakti also. Siva is distinct from the Rudra included in the trinities. Rudra is really one though according to the different functions He is considered to have eleven different forms.

The first face of Siva does Krida or play, the second does penance, the third destroys or dissolves the world, the fourth protects the people and the fifth, being knowledge, fully covers the entire universe by its power. He is Isana the creator and promoter of all beings, from within.

The first form of Siva is the enjoyer of Prakriti as Kshetrajna Purusha. The second is Tatpurusha resting in Sattva-guna, rooted in Bhogya-Prakriti, the Prakriti-enjoyed. The third is Ghora rooted in the eightfold Buddhi like Dharma, etc. The fourth is Vamadeva rooted in Ahankara and the fifth is Sadyojata, the presiding deity of the mind. The eight forms of Siva are Sarva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bhima, Pasupati, Isana and Mahadeva, rooted respectively in earth, water, fire, air, ether, Kshetrajna, sun and moon.

Ardhanarisvara

Brahma was unable to create and bring forth creatures from his mental creation. To know the method of creation he did Tapas. As a result of his Tapas Adyasakti arose in Brahma's mind. Through the help of Adyasakti Brahma meditated upon Tryambakesvara. Pleased by the penance of Brahma, Lord Siva appeared in the form of Ardhanarisvara (half male and half female). Brahma praised Ardhanarisvara. Lord Siva then created from His body a Goddess by name Prama-Sakti. Brahma said to the Goddess: "I was not able to bring forth creatures by my mental creation. Though I created the Devatas yet they could not multiply. Therefore, I wish to bring forth creatures by intercourse. Before Your appearance or till now, I was not able to create the endless female species. Therefore, O Devi, be merciful and take birth as the daughter of my son, Daksha."

World-Teacher

The most auspicious and useful work beneficial to mankind ever carried out by Lord Siva, is to impart the knowledge of Yoga, Bhakti, Jnana, etc., to the world. He blesses those deserve His grace and who cannot get out of Samsara without His grace. He is not only the World-Teacher but also an ideal example to the Jivanmukta or sage. He teaches by His very actions in His daily life.

Pasupata Yoga

Uniting the self with the true Siva Tattva by the control of the senses is real wearing of Bhasma, because Lord Siva through His third eye of wisdom burnt passion to ashes. The meditation of Pranava should be done through Japa. One should attain the real Jnana, Yoga and Bhakti by steady practice. In the heart, there is a ten-petalled lotus. It has ten Nadis. It is the Jivatma's abode. This Jivatma lives in a subtle form in the mind and it is Chitta or Purusha itself. One should ascend to the moon by cutting open or transcending the Dasagni Nadi by the regular practice of Yoga as instructed by the Guru and practising dispassion, righteousness and equality. The moon then gradually attains fullness, as it gets itself pleased with the Sadhaka on account of his regular application in Yoga and purification of Nadis. In this state, the Sadhaka overcomes waking and sleeping state and through meditation merges himself in the object meditated upon in this waking state itself.

Chapter III

The Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy

Siva And Tattvas

Satyam Sivam Subham Sundaram Kantam

The Saiva Siddhanta system is the distilled essence of Vedanta. It prevailed in Southern India even before the Christian era. Tinnelvelly and Madurai are the centres of Saiva Siddhanta school. Saivites elaborated a distinctive philosophy called the Saiva Siddhanta about the eleventh century A.D. Even Saivism is a very popular creed in South India. It is a rival school of Vaishnavism.

Tirumular's work-Tirumantram-is the foundation upon which the later structure of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy was built. The twenty-eight Saiva Agamas, the hymns of the Saiva saints form the chief sources of Southern Saivism.

In the books which treat of Saivism, there is a reference to four schools, viz., Nakulisa-pasupata, the Saiva, the Pratyabhijna and Rasesvara.

Lord Siva is the supreme Reality. He is eternal, formless, independent, omnipresent, one without a second, beginningless, causeless, taintless, self-existent, ever free, ever pure. He is not limited by time. He is infinite bliss and infinite intelligence.

Lord Siva pervades the whole world by His Sakti. He works His Sakti. Sakti is conscious energy of Lord Siva. She is the very body of Lord Siva. The potter is the first cause for the pot. The stick and the wheel are the instrumental causes. The clay is the material cause of the pot. Similarly Lord Siva is the first cause of the world. Sakti is the instrumental cause. Maya is the material cause.

Lord Siva is the God of love. His grace is infinite. He is the saviour and Guru. He is engaged in freeing the souls from the thraldom of matter. He assumes the form of a Guru out of the intense love for mankind. He wishes that all should know Him and attain the blissful Siva-Pada. He watches the activities of the individual souls and helps them in their onward march.

In the Saiva Siddhanta, there are 36 Tattvas of which 24 are known as Atma Tattvas, 7 as Vidya Tattvas, and the remaining 5 as Siva Tattvas. The 24 Atma Tattvas are the 5 elements, ether, air, fire, water and earth; the 5 Tanmatras, sound, touch, form, taste and smell; the 5 sense-organs, ear, skin, eye, palate and nose; the internal organ; the 5 motor organs, speech, hand, foot, anus and the generative organ; and Ahankara, Buddhi and Guna. The 7 Vidya Tattvas are Purusha, Raga (love), Vidya (knowledge), Kala (art), Niyati (order), Kaala (time) and Asuddha (impure) Maya. The 5 Siva Tattvas are Suddha Vidya, Isvara, Sadasiva, Sakti and Siva.

Maya evolves into the subtle principles and then into the gross. The individual soul experiences pleasure and pain through Vidya. Siva Tattva is the basis of all consciousness and action. It is undifferentiated (Nishkala) Suddha. Maya, the Sakti of Siva starts her activities. Then Siva becomes the experiencer. Then He is called Sadasiva known also by the name Sadakhya, who is not really separate from Siva. The Suddhamaya becomes active. Then Siva, the experiencer becomes the Ruler. He is then Isvara, who is not really separate from Sadasiva. Suddhavidya is the cause of true knowledge.

The five activities (Pancha-Krityas) of the Lord are Srishti (creation), Sthiti (preservation), Samhara (destruction), Tirobhava (veiling) and Anugraha (grace). These, separately considered, are the activities of Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Mahesvara and Sadasiva.

In the five-lettered Mantra (Panchakshari) 'Namassivaya', Na is the screening power of the Lord that makes the soul to move in the world, Ma is the bond that binds him in the Samsaric wheel of the births and deaths, Si is the symbol for Lord Siva, Va stands for His grace and Ya stands for the soul. If the soul turns towards Na and Ma he will be sunk in worldliness. If he associates himself with Va he will move towards Lord Siva.

Hearing the Lilas of Lord Siva and the significance of Panchakshara, is 'Sravana'. Reflection on the meaning of Panchakshara is 'Manana' or 'Chintana'. To develop love and devotion for Lord Siva and meditate on Him, is 'Sivadhyana'. To become immersed in 'Sivananda', is 'Nishtha' or 'Samadhi'. He who attains this stage is called Jivanmukta.

Pati-Pasu-Pasa

'Pati' is Lord Siva. It is the object of all the Vedas and the Agamas to explain the concepts of Lord (Pati), bound souls (Pasu) which really means cattle, and bondage (Pasa). Lord Siva is infinite, eternal, one without a second. He is changeless and indivisible. He is the embodiment of knowledge and bliss. He energises the intelligence of all souls. He is beyond the reach of mind and speech. He is the ultimate goal of all. He is smaller than the smallest and greater than the greatest. He is self-luminous, self-existent, self-contained and self-delight.

'Pasus' are the individual souls who are sunk in the quagmire of Samsara. They assume bodies to work out their good and evil actions and are born as lower and higher beings according to their nature of Karma. They do virtuous and vicious actions in the course of experiencing the endless fruits of their Karma and have countless births and deaths. Ultimately they attain the grace of Lord Siva through meritorious acts and their ignorance is dispelled. They attain salvation and become one with Lord Siva.

'Pasa' is bond. The web of bonds is distinguished into Avidya or Anavamala, Karma and Maya. Anavamala is egoism. It is the taint due to the false notion of finiteness which the soul has. The soul imagines itself to be finite and confined to the body and of limited knowledge and power. It erroneously identifies itself with the perishable body and mistakes the body for its reality. It has forgotten its essential divine nature.

'Karma' is the cause of bodies and manifold bodily experiences and births and deaths. It is beginningless. It is the cause of the conjunction of the conscious soul with the unconscious body. It is an auxiliary of Avidya. It is done through thought, word and deed. It takes the form of merit and sin and produces pleasure and pain. It is subtle and unseen (Adrishta). It exists during creation and merges into the substratum of Maya during Pralaya. It cannot be destroyed. It must work out its results.

Maya is the material cause of the world. It is unconscious or unintelligent, omnipresent, imperishable. It is the seed of the world. The four categories, viz., Tanu, Karana, Bhuvana and Bhoga beginning with the bodies, spring up from Maya. It permeates all its developments and causes perversion in the Karmic souls. During Pralaya it is the basic resort of all souls. It is itself a bond for the souls. All these processes in it are due to the energising influence by Lord Siva. Just as the trunk, the leaf and the fruit grow from the seed, so also the universe from Kala to earth, springs from Maya.

The real Nada, the root of sound is evolved from pure Maya by the will of Lord Siva. From Nada, the real Bindu springs up. From it, the real Sadasiva originates and gives birth to Isvara. Suddha Avidya is developed from Isvara. The world originates from Bindu and develops into various forms.

Sadhana

One will develop love and devotion for Lord Siva if he is freed from egoism. Chariyai, Kiriyai, Yoga and Jnana are the four Sadhanas or steps to kill egoism and attain Lord Siva. Erecting temples, cleaning them, making garlands of flowers, singing Lord's praises, burning lamps in the temples, making flower gardens constitute Chariyai. Kiriyai is to perform Puja, Archanas. Yoga is restraint of the senses and contemplation on the internal light. Jnana is to understand the true significance of Pati, Pasu, Pasa and to become one with Siva by constant meditation on Him after removing the three Malas, viz., Anava (egoism), Karma (action) and Maya (illusion).

The worship of the all-pervading, eternal Supreme Being through external forms, is called Chariyai. The requisite initiation for this, is Samaya Diksha. The worship of the cosmic form of the Eternal Ruler of the universe externally and internally, is called Kiriyai. The internal worship of Him as formless, is called Yoga. For Kiriyai and Yoga, the requisite initiation is called Visesha Diksha. The direct realisation of Lord Siva through Jnana Guru, is called Jnana. The initiation that leads to it, is called Nirvana Diksha.

The aspirant should free himself from the three kinds of Mala, viz., Anava, Karma and Maya. Then only he becomes one with Lord Siva and enjoys 'Sivanandam'. He should thoroughly annihilate his egoism, free himself from the bondage of Karma and destroy the Maya which is the basis of all impurities.

Guru or the spiritual preceptor is very essential for attaining the final emancipation. Siva is full of grace. He helps the aspirants. He showers His grace on those who worship Him with faith and devotion and who have childlike trust in Him. Siva Himself is the Guru. The grace of Siva is the road to salvation. Siva lives in the Guru and looks with intense love on the sincere aspirant through the eyes of the Guru. Only if you have love for mankind, you can love God.

If the aspirant establishes a relationship between himself and Lord Siva, he will grow in devotion quickly. He can have the mental attitude or Bhava-Dasya Bhava or the relationship of master and servant which Tirunavukarasar had, or the Vatsalya Bhava wherein Lord Siva is the father and the aspirant is the child of Lord Siva which Tirujnanasambandhar had, or the Sakhya Bhava or the relationship of friend (Lord Siva is regarded as the friend of the aspirant) which Sundarar had, or the Sanmarga wherein Lord Siva is the very life of the aspirant which Manikkavasagar had, which corresponds to the Madhurya Bhava or Atma Nivedana of the Vaishnavites.

The devotee becomes one with Siva, like salt with water, milk with milk, when the three Malas (Pasa) are destroyed, but he cannot do the five functions of creation, etc. God only can perform the five functions.

The liberated soul is called a Jivanmukta. Though he lives in the bogy, he is one in feeling with the Absolute. He does not perform works which can produce further bodies. As he is free from egoism, work cannot bind him. He will do meritorious acts for the solidarity of the world (Lokasangraha). He lives in the body, until his Prarabdha Karma is exhausted. All his present actions are consumed by the grace of the Lord. The Jivanmukta does all actions on account of the impulsion of the Lord within him. Glory to Lord Siva and His Sakti!

Ashtamurti

Siva is spoken of as being in eight forms (Ashtamurti). The eight forms of Siva are the five elements, the sun, the moon and the priest who performs sacrifice.

Vishnu appeared in the Mohini form after the churning of the milk-ocean. Siva embraced Vishnu in that form. Sasta is the offspring of Siva and Mohini. Sasta is called also by the name Hari-Hara-Putra or the son of Hari and Hara.

Appar wanted all Saivas to regard Vishnu as only another aspect of Siva.

According to Appar, there are three aspects of Siva. (1) The lower Siva who dissolves the world and who liberates Jivas from their bondage. (2) The higher form is called Parapara. In this form Siva appears as Siva and Sakti (Ardhanarisvara). It has the name Param-Jyoti. Brahma and Vishnu were not able to comprehend this Jyoti. (3) Beyond these two forms is the Param, or the ultimate being from whom Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra originate. It is purely the Saiva form. It is formless. It is the Sivam of the Saiva Siddhanta. It is Para Brahman of the Upanishads and Vedantins.

The Mahavishnu of Vishnu Purana corresponds to Param of Saiva Siddhantins. Narayana or the higher Vishnu corresponds to the Param-jyoti of Appar or Saiva Siddhantins. The lower Vishnu does the function of preservation. He corresponds to the lower Siva.

What is the inner meaning of all the Saiva allusions about Vishnu worshipping Siva and all the Vaishnava allusions about Siva worshipping Vishnu? The lower Siva must take Narayana, the Parapara or Param-jyoti as his Superior. The lower Vishnu must take Param-jyoti or the Parapara as his Superior. The higher Vishnu and higher Siva are identical. They are inferior to Param, the Highest.

In that highest condition called Siva Mukti, there is no duality. No one can see anything. One merges himself in Sivam or the Highest. If you wish to see, you will have to come to the stage immediately below the Highest.

The Siva Murti or manifestation is inferior to the real 'Sivam' which is formless.

According to the Saiva Siddhanta philosophy, the Tattvas are reckoned as ninety-six. They are as follows:

24 Atma Tattvas, 10 Nadis, 5 Avasthas or conditions, 3 Malas or impurities, 3 Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas), 3 Mandalas (Surya or the sun, Agni or the fire and Chandra or the moon), 3 humours (Vata, Pitta and Sleshma), 8 Vikaras or modifications (Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya, Dambha and Asuya), 6 Adharas, 7 Dhatus, 10 Vayus, 5 Koshas and 9 doorways. The twenty-four Tattvas are the 5 elements (Bhutas), 5 Tanmatras (Sabda, etc.), 5 Jnana-Indriyas, 5 Karma-Indriyas and 4 Karanas (Manas, Buddhi, Chitta and Ahamkara). All these 96 relate to the body. Over and above these 96, there are the 5 Kanchukas or coverings. They are Niyati, Kaala, Kala, Raga and Vidya. The five enter the body and cause weariness to the Tattvas of the body and afflict the body.

Suddha Saiva

The Suddha Saiva does not attain the final emancipation by Kriya (Kiriyai) alone. He attains only Salokya. Jnana in Kriya leads to Salokya, the world of Siva. Jnana in Charya (Chariyai) leads him to Samipya (proximity to Siva). Jnana in Yoga bestows on him Sarupya (likeness in form). Jnana in Jnana leads him to Sayujya, merging or absorption.

'Ambalam' means 'open space of the heart' or Chidakasa or Chidambaram.

And Lingam is the Visvarupa or the God's form of the Universe.

He who brings about the destruction of the world is Siva or Rudra. That is the reason why He is held superior to Brahma and Vishnu.

The Siddhantins divide Jivas or Pasus into three orders, viz., Vijnana Kalar, Pralaya Kalar and Sakalar. Vijnana Kalar have only the Anava Mala (egoism). Pralaya Kalar have Anava and Maya. Sakalar have all the Malas, Anava, Karma and Maya. The Malas affect only the Jivas and not Siva. Those who are freed from the Malas or impurities become identical with Siva. They are Siddhas or perfected beings.

Chapter IV

Philosophy Of Symbols

Philosophy Of Symbols

Lord Siva represents the destructive aspect of Brahman. That portion of Brahman that is enveloped by Tamo-Guna-Pradhana Maya is Lord Siva who is the all-pervading Isvara and who also dwells in Mount Kailas. He is the Bhandara or store-house for wisdom. Siva minus Parvati or Kali or Durga is Nirguna Brahman Himself. With Maya-Parvati He becomes the Saguna Brahman for the purpose of pious devotion of His devotees. Devotees of Rama must worship Lord Siva for 3 or 6 months before they take to worship of Rama. 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 wields 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.

The crescent moon indicates that He has controlled the mind perfectly. The flow of the Ganga represents the nectar of Immortality. Elephant represents symbolically pride. His wearing the skin of the elephant denotes that He has controlled pride. Tiger represents lust; His sitting on tiger's skin indicates that He has conquered lust. His holding a deer on o