Hindu Deities - Know and Follow Hindu Dharma Blog

12/24/2014
HinduDeities|KnowandFollowHinduDharmaBlog
Whatistheoriginoftandavdance?
PostedonNovember24,2010byariseohindu
LordShivaintheformofNataraj
Contents
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1.FormsofShiva
1.1Rudra
1.2Ardhanarinateshvar(Ardhanarishvar)
1.3Kalbhairav
1.4Virabhadra
1.5Bhairav(Bhairavnath)
1.6Vetal
1.7Bhutnath
1.8Nataraj
1.9Kirat
2.Thefamily
2.1Theconsort
2.2Theson
2.3AttendantsofShiva(Shivagans)
2.4MessengersofShiva(Shivadut)
2.5Nandiasthevehicle(vahan)
2.6ComparisonbetweenvariousformsofShivaandHisretinue
3.Shivasregion(Shivalok)andHisabode
1.FormsofShiva
1.1Rudra
TheVedicRudrawasadestroyerandfearfultoobutShivawhoisthedeityofworship
ofallnonAryanclassesandtribesdisplaystheaspectofcreation.TheVedicAryans
didnotknowaboutShiva.TheyonlyknewRudra.AnimportantadjectiveaboutHimin
theVedasisVrushabh(
.Ithastwo
).Thiswordisderivedfromtheroot vrush(
)
meanings,theonegrantingrainandtheonepossessingtremendousabilitytoprocreate.
Rudra gives rain which causes the growth of vegetation. This is the concept clearly
expressedinthemantrasaboutRudraintheRugveda.Presentlythewordvrushabhis
used to refer to a bull since it has an exceptional power to procreate. Some of the
meaningsofthewordRudraareasfollows.
Ru( )meanstocryand dru( )
meanstorun.Rudraistheonewhocries,who
makesonecryandonewhorunsawaywhilecrying.
Rut (
)
means sorrow of the materialistic world. One who vanquishes and
overcomesitisRudra.
Rutmeansthetruth,thatistheUpanishadscomposedofwords.Onewhohas
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realisedorexpoundedthetruthisRudra.
Rut is speech consisting of words or the knowledge of Selfrealisation
expounded through this medium. One who bestows this to worshippers is
Rudra.
AttendantsofRudra(Rudragans):TheyareRudrassubordinateswhoremaininHis
proximity and serve Him. They are said to be one crore in number. Spirits
(bhut),vetal,uchchushma,pretputan,kubhandaretheattendantscreatedbyRudra.The
attendantsofRudradonanattiresimilartothatoftheirmaster.Theyresideinheaven,
destroy evildoers, protect the righteous, observe the pashupat vowed religious
observance(vrat),vanquishobstaclesoftheyogisandserveLordShivaperpetually.
1.2Ardhanarinateshvar(Ardhanarishvar)
Intheancienttimesthedivinebirthpassage(yoni)andthedivinephallus(linga)were
twodistinctentities.LatermancombinedthemintoasingleShivalingaandcommenced
its worship. Later when man became civilized and acquired sufficient talent to sculpt
idolshecreatedtheformofArdhanarishvarasasymbolofthedivinebirthpassageand
divinephallus.Theobjectiveofthesetwoformsisthatifgenerationofoffspringsshould
occurthenthetwoformscertainlyneedtounite.Thesetwosculpturesaimatportraying
thedistinctionofmanandwomanpriortothecommencementofcreation.Intheinitial
stagesthemalefemaleprincipleswereinseparable,thatistheyweremergedintoone
another.Eventodayintheorganismsoftheloweststratafemaleandmaleprinciples
are present in the same body. They themselves are male and female and procreate
fromwithinthemselves.
Agnishomatmakamjagat(

)
isaquotefromthe Shrutis(Vedas).Fire
(agni)isthemaleprincipleandispresentinthemenstrualflowofthefemale.Themoon
(soma)isthefeminineprincipleandispresentinthespermofthemale.Desire(kama)
istheforcebindingthetwo.Thesetwoprinciplesgetattractedtooneanotherdueto
desire. Philosophy too elucidates the same tenet. When Shiva gets associated with
DivineEnergy(Shakti)Hebecomesactive.Inthenonduality(advait)describedinthe
holy text of Shivagam, Divine Energy (Shakti), that is the Great Illusion (Maya) is not
renouncedbutisconsideredastheEnergyofBrahman(Brahmashakti).Thepermanent
union of Shiva and Shakti is considered as nonduality. Hemadri has described how
thishalffeminine(ardhanari) form is to be created in the text Chaturvargachintamani.
AccordingtohimtherighthalfofShivashouldbethatofawoman.Inthisformthe
potentialofthefeminineaswellasthemasculineprincipleisequalhenceitisdescribed
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as Shaktyasahitaha Shambuhu (
:
:
) meaning The Lord Shambhu
(Shiva)alongwithDivineEnergy(Shakti).
1.3Kalbhairav
HeisoneoutoftheeightbhairavsandwascreatedfromShivaswrath.AfterShivahad
the fifth head of Lord Brahma severed through Kalbhairav, He directed Kalbhairav to
stayatKashi,aplaceofpilgrimage.Kalbhairavisalsoreferredtoastheguardianof
Kashi.OnenteringKashi,firstonehastopayobeisancetoHim.Whenreturningafter
payingobeisancetoHimonetiesHisblackthreadacrossonesarm.
1.4Virabhadra
He has made Vetal His vehicle. A legend says that it was Virabhadra who first
ritualisticallyworshippedShivaintheformofHisdivinephallus(linga).
1.5Bhairav(Bhairavnath)
Definitionandmeaning
Bhuhu(:
)bhai(
)bhavaha(:)ravaha(:)meansonewhocreates
anuproarasheisborn.
Bhaihi(
:)meansfrequenciesoflightand ravaha(:)meanssound.Thepoint
where frequencies of light and sound unite is the earth (bhairavi) and
Bhairavnathisthemaster(nath)ofthatearth.
Bhuhu(:
)meansapartformedfromseveralparticlesand ravahameanssmall
particles.Hencebhairavmeans the earth created from several small particles
andBhairavnathisitsmaster.
Types: The text Shiva Agam describes sixtyfour types of bhairavs. Eight bhairavs
constituteonecategory(varga).Thechiefsoftheseeightcategoriesarefamousasthe
eight bhairavs (ashtabhairav). Kalbhairav and Batukbhairav are famous among the
Bhairavs.TheTantratextsconsiderthesixtyfourbhairavsasthemastersofthesixty
four yoginis and display close association between Divine Energy (Shakti) and the
bhairavs.ItissaidthataBhairavguardseveryseatofDivineEnergy(Shaktipith). The
holytextMahapithnirupan states that ritualistic worship (puja) of Divine Energy done
withouttheinclusionoftheBhairavprovestobefutile.InMaharashtragenerallyBhairav
is worshipped as the village deity (gramadevata). He is referred to as Bhairoba,
BahirobaorViroba.Thedeityhasitsseatinalmosteveryvillageinasnakeholeora
crematorium.Attimesitisintheformofanidolorintheformofaroundstone(tandala).
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ItissaidthatwhenatnightHepatrolsonhorsebackHeisaccompaniedbyablackdog.
Subordinate deities (kshudradevata): First chant the Name Bhairav and then any
otherNameofadeitysuchasVishnu,Shiva,Lakshmi,etc.notchantedearlier,eachfor
two minutes. Both the times note the spiritual experience obtained. Then read the
followingsection.Atonesatsang(spiritualmeeting)afterchantingtheNameofBhairav
andNarayanseekersgotthefollowingspiritualexperiences.
Bhairav Narayan
1.Feltpleasant
4
12
2.Feltdistressed
12
1
3.Feltnothing
18
21
Total
34
34
The average spiritual level of the seekers was 35%. During a satsang, at times the
spiritual level of a seeker can rise to even 4050%. The spiritual level of an average
individualis20%whilethatofonewhohasattainedtheFinalLiberation(Moksha) is
100%. If average individuals perform the same experiment, they do not perceive
anything.Henceinsuchexperimentseveryonedoesnotgetspiritualexperiences.Only
thosewithaspirituallevelofmorethan35%areabletoperceivealittlefromthesubtle
dimensionandareabletogiveanswers.
ThiswillprovewhyoneshouldnotundertakespiritualpracticeofBhairav.Justasone
thornisremovedwithanother,spiritualpracticeofBhairavgeneratesanenergywhich
decreases distress caused by distressing energy. During this process the individual
mayundergosomedistress.Bhairavisadeityofthesouthernpath(dakshinmarg) or
region after death while Narayan is a deity from the northern path (uttarmarg) that is
pathofBliss.
1.6Vetal
ThewordVetal(
)iscreatedfromtheword vaital(
)meaningonewhomakes
evenasevereaberrationdancetoHistune.Whenahatandanahatsoundsfusevai(
)
frequenciesaregenerated.Theycorrecttheabnormalities.VetalisalsocalledAgyavetal,
Jvalavetal or Pralayvetal. Skanda soldiers like Vetal, etc. are included in the spirit
attendants(bhutagans)ofShiva.TheMatsyaPurandescribesVetalasonewhofeeds
onfleshandblood.LordShivahasmadeVetalthepresidingdeityofspirits(pishach).
Thesorcerers(mantriks)callVetalvir(brave). Vaitali, the mother of Vetal has gained
importanceasaMatrukadeity.IdolsofVetalaremadeofwoodorstone.Vetalasthe
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villagedeity(gramadevata)isintheformofaroundstone(tandala).InGoaitsidolsare
madeofwoodorstoneandattimesarenude.Theidolssportatridentorastaff.Itis
becauseofthesefearsomequalitiesthatVetalbecameasubordinate(kshudradevata)
or a village deity. He is the village deity in several villages of Goa like Priol, Amone,
Savarde, etc. and in those in the vicinity of Pune in Maharashtra. In western
Maharashtratheidolexistsintheformofaroundstonesmearedwithshendur(asaffron
coloured powder) on the village border. More round stones smeared
withshendursurroundit.TheyarereferredtoasthesoldiersofVetal.Oftentemplesof
thenineplanets(navagraha)adjointhetempleofVetal.ThecommunityofMahars in
MaharashtraworshipHiminthenude.TopleaseHimsacrifices(balis)ofroostersand
goatsareoffered.Insomeplaces,sweetdelicaciestooareoffered.Duringareligious
festival,Heistakenoutinaprocessionseatedinapalanquindecoratedwithflowers.
1.7Bhutnath
HeisoneofthesubordinatedeitiesfromacategorysimilartothatofVetal.Goahas
templesofthisdeity.AtmidnightHecommencespatrollingalongwithHissoldiers.Itis
said that at that time He wields a staff in His hand and a blanket on His shoulder.
Believing that His slippers wear out with His wandering about on foot, people in the
vicinity of Savantvadi in Maharashtra offer Him a pair of new slippers every month. If
oneispossessedbyaspiritthenitisdrivenoffbysummoningBhutnath.
1.8Nataraj
Shiva is believed to assume two states the superconscious state (samadhi) and
thetandavorlasyadance.Theformerreferstotheunmanifest(nirgun)andthelatterto
the manifest (sagun). Body movements which depict a particular event or issue is
callednatanornatya.Theonewhoperformsthisnatanisanat(actor).Traditionallyitis
believedthatNatarajisthepromoterofdance.SinceShivaisthepioneeramongactors
(nats)thetitleNatarajisaccordedtoHim.TheuniverseisHisschoolofdance.Justas
HeisthedancersoisHealsoitsobserver.TherolethatNatarajplaysistobringabout
activityintheuniversewiththecommencementofHisdanceandtomergethemovable
andunmovable(animateandinanimate)creationintoHimwhenHestopsit.Thereafter
HeremainsengrossedinBlisssolitarily.Inshort,Natarajisthemanifestrepresentation
ofallactivityofGod.NatarajsdanceisconsideredtorepresentthefiveactionsofGod,
namelycreation,sustenance,dissolution,thecoveringoftheGreatIllusion(Maya)and
initiation(anugraha)(GodsgracetobeliberatedfromtheGreatIllusion).
The tandav dance: In the Sangitaratnakar (7.5 6) origin of the tandav dance is
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explainedasfollows
Meaning:Then Shiva showed theuddhatdance, which He had performed earlier, to

SageBharatthroughthechiefofHisattendants(Tandu).HealsomadeParvatiperform
thelasyadance,withgreatenthusiasminfrontofSageBharat.Lasyaisadanceform
performed by women wherein the hands remain free. Sage Bharat and others later
taughtthisdance,performedbyTanduknownasthetandavdance,toman.
Thedanceinwhichthesound(nad)ineverycellofthebody(bhuvans)isthatofShiva
iscalledthetandavdance.Itisadanceperformedbymalesandconsistsofpostures
(mudras),forinstancethednyanmudraisperformedbytouchingthetipsofthethumb
and the index finger to each other. On account of this the mounds of Guru (Jupiter)
andShukra(Venus)onthepalmarejoinedtogether,thatisamaleandafemaleunite.
This dance is of seven types 1.Anandtandav, 2. Sandhyatandav (Pradosh dance),
3.Kalikatandav,4.Tripurtandav,5.Gouritandav,6.Sanhartandavand7.Umatandav.
Of these seven types the verse (stotra) Shivapradosh (alias Pradosh) describes
thesandhyatandavasShivaperformsthisdanceintheeveningwithGourithecreator
of the three worlds seated on a throne studded with precious stones. When Shiva
dancesSarasvatiplaysthevina(a stringed instrument), Indra plays the flute, Brahma
keepstherhythm,Lakshmisings,Vishnuplaysthemrudanga(akindofdrum)andall
the other deities stand around and watch the dance programme. In this dance Shiva
hastwoarmsandthesceneofademonbeingcrushedunderHisfeetisabsent.
OftheaboveseventypestheGouritandavandUmatandavarebothfearsomeinnature.
InthisdanceShivaassumestheformofBhairavorVirabhadraandisaccompaniedby
Uma or Gouri. He performs this frightful dance in the crematorium where there are
burning ashes of the corpses, along with the spirit attendants (bhutagans). Among
Natarajs sattvik (sattva predominant) dance forms along with thesandhya dance,
the nadanta dance is also extremely famous. The world famous idol of Nataraj at
Chidambaram is in this very pose. Followers of the Shaiva and the Shaktasects
considerthesedancestobesymbolsofspecificprinciples.Intheiropinion,duringsuch
a destructive, fearsome dance Shiva not only destroys the world but also frees
embodiedsoulsfrombondage.Thecrematoriumischosenforthedancetodepictthat
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the ego of the embodied soul is reduced to ashes. Deities as well as demons are
enthusiastic to accompany Lord Shiva during the tandav dance. An example of a
posture from the Anandtandav illustrated below show how significant the various
posturesadoptedinatandavdanceare.
1.Differentearingsineach
ear
2.Thesmallhourglass
shaped
handdrumintherearright
hand
3.Fireintherearlefthand
4.Thefrontrighthand
5.Thefrontlefthand
6.ThedemonsApasmaror
Muyalakcrushedunder
the
rightfoot.
7.Thesurroundingcircle
8.Thehandandfoot
touched
tothechakra
9.Fivelingasarising
spontaneouslyfromthe
flamesofthechakra
Meaning
Ardhanarishvar
CreationofBrahmanintheformof
soundandword
PurificationofBrahmanintheform
of
soundandword
Protectiontodevotees
Pointstothefootraisedfor
liberation
ofembodiedsouls
Destructionofnescience(avidya)
or
ignorance(adnyan)
CycleofIllusion(Maya)
PurifyingtheGreatIllusion(Maya)
Thesubtlefivecosmicelements
1.9Kirat
ThisistheKapalikform of Lord Shiva. Among the masses this form is as popular as
Shiva.InthisformHedrapesHimselfwithelephanthideandlikestodrinkliquor.Heis
engrossed in various sports of pleasure and is surrounded by thousands of women.
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OppositeHimthespiritsdancemerrily.BhagvatiUmaalsodressedinthesameattire
accompanies Him. During the period of emergence of the Shaiva sect, this pleasure
loving form of Shiva gradually lapsed into obscurity. Only His association with dance
persisted.AsthatdancingformofShivaevolvedfurthertheidolofShivaasNatarajwas
created.
2.Thefamily
2.1Theconsort
ReferScienceofSpirituality:Vol.9BShakti,pointDivineEnergyassociatedwith
Shiva.
2.2Theson
A.Kartikeya
He is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. He is named Kartikeya because He was
nurturedandbroughtupbydeitiesoftheconstellationofsixstarsknownasKrutikas.
The story about Kartikeya goes thus After Kartikeya slayed a demon, Tarkasur, He
becamefamous.Asaresult,ParvatibeganpamperingHim.Toomuchpamperingspoilt
HimandHebeganmolestingtheconsortsofdeities.ThedeitiescomplainedaboutHim
to Parvati. To subdue His boisterousness Parvati began to manifest Herself in every
womanthatHesaw.Thismanifestation(sakshatkar)inducedafeelingofrepentancein
KartikeyaandHesworethatsincethatdayHewouldvieweverywomanintheworldas
His mother. The Shivalilamrut narrates a story in which Kartikeya has cursed women
sayingThosewomenwhocometopaytheirrespectstoMewillbewidowedforseven
births.HoweverthereisnoevidenceofthisinthePurans.InMaharashtraKartikeyaisa
celibate(brahmachari)whileinSouthIndiaHehastwowives.InBangal,intheHindu
lunarmonthofKartikanearthenidol(kshanika)ofKartikeyaisworshippedbywomen
desirousofbearingason.ThisidolholdsapeacockfeatherinHishand,notastaff.
B.Ganapati
InformationonGanapatiisgiveninScienceofSpirituality:Vol9CGanapati.
C.Others
Several infant deities such as Murugan, Shvasta, Shasta, Skanda, Atavi, Atavishvar,
Avalokiteshvar,Avaloki,Kotputra,etc.latermergedintoLordShiva.
At a satsang (spiritual meeting) seven people felt pleasant after chanting Skandas
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Name,sixfeltdistressedandtheremainingtwelvefeltnothing.Distressreferstofeeling
aversed to chanting the Name, heaviness in the chest, headache, etc. That is why
worshipofSkandaisnotprevalent.
2.3AttendantsofShiva(Shivagans)
AttendantsofLordShivaresideinShivasregion(Shivalok). Attendants are servitors.
They control the divine birth passage (mahayoni) and the pure particles (pavitrakas).
Yamadharma and the chief of the southern region (dakshinlok) Virabhadra are also
attendants of Shiva. Virabhadra is the only deity who is directly associated with the
southernregion,henceHeisthemasterofspirits(bhut)andiscalledBhutnath.When
spirits come in contact with purity they are saved from the effects of destiny, become
attendantsofShivainShivasregionandderiveatypeofBlisscalledmod.Thedifferent
typesofShivasattendantsareasfollows.
Ugragans: They undertake spiritual practice of the form of Shankar
calledUgreshvar.
Rudragans:Rudrameanscranky.TheyweepyearningforavisionofGod.
Bhutandpishachagans
Thefunctionsandspiritualpracticeofeachofthesethreeattendantsaredifferent.Some
attendants come to Shiva from Yamas region (Yamalok) while others approach Him
throughNandi,thebullasamedium.
Nandi:Nandaha(
:)meansonewhosenatureisthatofBliss.Nandithusmeansone
whoisBlissful.HereinformationonNandiasanattendantisgiven.FurtherNandiasa
vehicle is discussed. He is the chief attendant of Shiva and has several names viz.
Nandish,NandishvarandNandikeshvar.Nandiperformedrigorousausteritiesattheage
ofeightornineyearsandacquiredtheproximityofLordShiva.Shivaacceptedhimas
HissonandchosehimasthechiefofHisattendants.Later,hemarriedSuyasha,the
daughterofaMarut.ShaivitesconsiderNanditobespirituallyasymboloftheprinciple
of Bliss. When Shiva performs thetandavdance he stands by to keep the rhythm. In
SouthIndia,generally,theidolofNandishispresentontheleftorrightsideofthemain
entranceofShivastemple.
2.4MessengersofShiva(Shivadut)
They are short, stocky and have a reddish complexion. Two tusks arise from their
mouths. They have four arms holding a noose, a serpent, a trident and a vessel
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(mahapatra).TheirdutyistotransportthesoulsofthedevoteesofLordShivawhenthey
die,inthepushpakplanetoKailas,theabodeofLordShiva.
2.5Nandiasthevehicle(vahan)
Nandi in the form of a bull is Shivas vehicle and occupies an important position in
Shivasfamily.NandiispaidobeisancebeforeShiva.
Shrungadarshan: Shrungadarshan means viewing the divine phallus (linga) of Lord
Shiva from in between Nandis horns. Sayanacharya has derived the
wordvrushabh(
)fromtherootvrush(
)and itmeanstheone whoshowers.The
other meaning of the word vrushabh is one possessing tremendous energy for
procreation.ThatiswhyNandiisconsideredasafeatureofevolvedmasculinity.Just
asManuisthefirstexponentofthescienceofrighteousconduct(dharmashastra)and
Bruhaspatithatofeconomics(arthashastra).Nandiisthefounderofthescienceofsex
(kamashastra). In a temple of Lord Mahadev Nandi stands on one leg with the other
threebentattheknees.ItsignifiesthatintheKaliyug,Righteousness(Dharma) exists
onlytotheextentofonefourth.
2.6ComparisonbetweenvariousformsofShivaandHisretinue
Shivasform
retinue
Shiva Manifest Creation Suste Disso

principle energy
%
nance lution
%
%
%
%
1.Shiva
100
10
2
2
96
2.Rudra
70
70
25
40
35
3.Ardhanarishvar
70
50
28
70
2
4.Ganapati
70
10
10
70
20
5.Kalbhairav,
60
60
10
40
50
Kartikeya,
Skanda,
Subrahmanyam
6.Virbhadra
60
40
30
40
30
7.Mangesh
60
30
30
50
20
8.Bhairav
50
50
20
30
50
9.Vaijanath
50
30
30
30
40
10.Jotiba
50
30
20
30
50
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11.Ravalnath
12.Khandoba
13.Vetal
14.Bhutnath
15.Mhasoba
16.Nandi*
17.Nataraj
18.Kirat
19.Attendants
ofShiva
20.Messengers
ofShiva
21.Anaverage
person
22.Anaverage
place
23.Jyotirlinga
24.Banalinga
25.Ravan,
Banasur
50
40
30
30
20
20
10
10
10
25
30
20
10
20
10
10
10
10
20
20
10
10
20
40
10
10
10
30
50
20
40
40
50
80
70
50
50
30
70
50
40
10
10
20
40
10
10
10
40
50
1/1000
1/10000
10
30
60
1/1crore 1/1crore
10
30
60
1/1lakh 1/1lakh
1/10lakh 1/10lakh
30
30
10
10
5
30
30
30
60
60
65
*ThechiefoftheattendantsofShivanotNandiasavehicle.
3.Shivasregion(Shivalok)andHisabode
Shivasregion:AllthosewhoareabletopurifytheirlivesgotoShivasregion.
The region where Serenity, purity and spiritual evolvement exist, is Shivas
region.
Shivasabode:Penance augments the body temperature. To reduce it, Shiva
livesontheKailas(
+)mountain,theplacewhereiceresemblesacluster
ofbananas.LordShankarsotherabodeisthecremationground.
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Filedunder:SriShiva|Leaveacomment
Whatisthesignificanceofadorningrudrakshawhenperformingritualisticworship?
Contents
1.Applicationofholyash(bhasma)
1.1Theritualofcreatingholyash
1.2Whatisusedasholyash?
1.3Whereshouldholyashbeapplied?
1.4Tripundra
2.Adorningrudrakshas
2.1Originandmeaningofthewordrudraksha
2.2Therudra(rudhir)tree
2.3Therudraksha
2.4Specialfeatures
2.5Fakerudrakshas
2.6Anidealrudraksha
2.7Practicalsuggestionsforitsuse
2.8Thetechniqueofusingit
AlongwithShivaallthedeitiesofHisretinuearesimpleandareeasilysatisfied.They
donotrequireatempleasaresidence.Theycanliveatopamountain,beneathatree,
onapimpaltreeoranywhereelsepeacefully.Theyalsodonotaspireforanofferingof
food(mahanaivedya).Offeringacoconutissufficienttoappeasethem.
Preparingfortheritualisticworship
1.Applicationofholyash(bhasma)
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One should not commence the ritualistic worship of Lord Shiva without application of
holy ash (bhasma). More information on holy ash is provided in point Holy ash
(bhasma).
1.1Theritualofcreatingholyash
Pureholyashisthatwhichisproducedfromacakeofcowdungcollectedbeforefalling
totheground.[TheimportanceofcowdungisgiveninScienceofSpirituality:Vol.5
Path of Devotion (Bhaktiyoga).] This holy ash is fit for application only after it is
consecrated with the efficacious Gayatri mantra. One who has not completed
thepurashcharan of the Gayatri mantra may purify the ash by chanting any other
efficaciousShivamantra.
1.2Whatisusedasholyash?
Cowdung is burnt to prepare holy ash. This is mostly used as the average
personisunabletotoleratehumanash.
Earthfromthesiteofanancientsacrificialfire(yadnya).
HolyashfromamountainatGangapur.
Humanash:Thisisusedbysorcerers(tantriks).
1.3Whereshouldholyashbeapplied?
1.Alongwithamantra
Holyashshouldbeplacedonthepalmalongwith
thechantingofmantrassuchasSadyojat,etc.
Itshouldbeconsecratedwithmantras
suchasAgniritya,etc.200
UtteringmantrassuchasManastokenetc.theholyash
shouldberubbedwiththethumb,
AlongwithmantrassuchastheTryambak
itshouldbeappliedtotheforehead.201
ChantingtheTryayushemantraitshouldbe
appliedtotheforeheadandarms,
Thusamidstchantingofthesamemantrastheholyash
shouldbeappliedtodifferentpartsofthebody.202
ShriGurucharitra,Adhyay29
2.Alongwithspiritualemotion(bhav)
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Onewhodoesnotknowmantrasshould
applyitwithpurespiritualemotion.
Ifoneusesitwholeheartedly,itsgloryisgreat!
ShriGurucharitra29:218
1.4Tripundra
Tripundrareferstothethreehorizontalstripesofholyash.
A.Howshouldtheybeapplied?
Brahmans(priests)shouldsmeartheirbodieswithholyashbeforecommencementof
various rituals such as rites for departed souls (shraddhas), sacrificial fires
(yadnyaandhom),ritualisticworship(puja)andVaishvadev.Theritualofapplicationof
holyashisintheBrahmakarmasectionoftheRugveda.Itcanbesummarisedasafter
sippingwaterfromthepalm(achman)andperformingpranayam,soaksomeholyash
onthepalmofthelefthand.Thenusingthesecond,middleandringfingersoftheright
handsmearitacrosstheforeheadhorizontally,applyittotheface,chest,neck,arms,
sides of the abdomen, sex organs and legs amidst chanting ofmantras such as Om
agniritibhasma,Vayuritibhasma(
,
)etc.Afterapplyingall
overthebodychanttheNameofShivathrice.
Firstusingthemiddleandringfingers
itshouldbeappliedtotheforehead.
Thenwiththethumb,themiddleline
shouldbedrawninthereversedirection.
ShriGurucharitra29:204
Meaning:Firsttheupperandlowerstripesshouldbedrawnfromlefttorightusingthe
middleandringfingers.Thenthemiddlestripeshouldbedrawnfromrighttoleftusing
the thumb. [Since the stripes are drawn in both directions instead of the right or left
channel,itfacilitatesactivationoftheSushumnachannel(nadi).]
Thetripundrashouldbeshapedlikeeyebrows.Oftenadotofholyashisappliedinthe
middleofthesethreestripes.
B.Impliedmeaningofthethreestripes
AccordingtoShriGurucharitra(29:205211)
Thestripes
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Upper
Middle
Lower
Letter
a()
u()
m()
Fire
Garhapatya Dakshinagni Ahavaniya
Region(lok) Earth(bhu) Nether(bhuva) Dyu(heaven)
FormofThe Thesoul
Theinnersoul TheSupreme
SupremeGod
Soul
Component Raja
Sattva
Tama
Veda
Rugveda
Yajurveda
Samaveda
Energy
Energyof Energyof
Energyof
Action
Volition
Knowledge
Periodofthe Morning
Afternoon
Evening
day
Deity
Mahadev Maheshvar
Shiva
Tripundra means spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice
ofYoga),soalsothethreeeyesofLordShiva.
According to Vasudevopanishad, tripundra represents the trinity (trimurti), the
threemysticwordsutteredduringtheritualofsandhya(vyahyati)and the three
rhythms(chandas).
According to astrology the three stripes from below upwards represent the
planetsGuru(Jupiter),Shani(Saturn)andRavi(Sun)respectively.
C.Whoshouldapplyit?:Allthatiscelibates,householders,retiredhouseholdersand
renunciants should apply it. People from all the four classes (varnas) have a right to
applyit.
D.Benefits:Holyashisusefulforcleansinganykindofsin.
2.Adorningrudrakshas
Adorning a rudraksha mala (rosary) when performing ritualistic worship is ideal.
EspeciallyfollowersoftheNathandVamsectsandKapaliksuserudrakshas.
2.1Originandmeaningofthewordrudraksha
Thewordrudraksha( )isderivedfromtwowords rudra( )andaksha( ).The
variousmeaningsofthewordrudraaregiveninpointRudra.Consideringsomeofthe
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meaningsofthewordakshathemeaningsofthewordrudrakshaaregivenbelow
Aksha means the eye. Rudra and aksha means the one who is capable of
viewinganddoingeverything(e.g.thethirdeye)isRudra.Aksha means axis.
Sincetheeyerotatesaboutinonlyoneaxis(aksha)ittooiscalledaksha.
Rudrameansonewhoweeps.A()meanstotakeandksha( )meanstogive.
Henceaksha( )meansthepotentialtoreceiveorgive.Rudrakshaistheone
whohasthepotentialtowipeofftearsandendowonewithhappiness.
2.2Therudra(rudhir)tree
This is found at a height of three thousand metres above or below sea level.
Therudrakshatreegrowsincrevices,notonplainground.Itsleavesresemblethoseof
tamarind or nux vomica but are longer. Annually it yields one to two thousand fruits.
TheyatisintheHimalayassurviveonlyonthesefruits.Thesefruitsarealsocalledfruits
ofnectar(amrutphal).Ifeaten,theycurbthirst.
2.3Therudraksha
Itsfruitsripenonthetreeandfallduringwinter.Thentheseedsinitdryup.Eachfruit
has fifteen to sixteen seeds (that isrudrakshas). The more the number of seeds, the
smaller is their size and the less is their cost. Instead of using a
small rudrakshasolitarily, several small rudrakshas are strung together along with a
largeone.Arudrakshahasanaturalopeningfromonesidetotheother.Itneednotbe
created.Thisopeningthroughoutitslengthiscalledavahini(channel).Arudrakshais
reddishincolourwithyellowstripesandisflatlikeafish.Ononesideithasanopen
mouth.
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2.4Specialfeatures
Therudrakshaconvertslightfrequenciesofdeitiesfromtheuniverseintosound
frequencies in the body of man and vice versa. As a result, man can absorb
frequenciesofdeitiesandhumanthoughtscangetconvertedintothelanguage
ofdeities.
Therudrakshaabsorbssama(sattva) frequencies. Similarly sama frequencies
areemittedbyitscrests.Arealrudrakshacanberecognisedbythevibrations
feltbyholdingitinthehand.Atthattimethebodyabsorbsthesamafrequencies
emitted by the rudraksha. If a rudraksha is held between the thumb and ring
finger,vibrationsarefeltanywhereinthebody.Evenifkeptnearbytheeffectof
arudrakshaisfeltforuptohalfanhour.Thusduringthatperiodoneisableto
perceivevibrationsevenifanyotherobjectisheldwiththefingers.Howeverif
thehandsarewashedwithwaterthentheyarenotperceived.
Amala(rosary)ofrudrakshascanbeusedforchantingtheNameofanydeity.
Chanting done adorning a mala of rudrakshas is a thousand times more
beneficialthanchantingdonewithoutwearingsuchamala.Chantingdonewith
arudrakshamalaistenthousandtimesmorebeneficialthanchantingdonewith
a rosary of any other kind. Hence Shaivites believe that one cannot
make mantras efficacious rapidly and without chanting the mantra using or
wearingarudrakshamala.
Rudrakshas facilitate the activation of spiritual energy (kundalini) and the
occurrenceofkevalkumbhak(automaticbreathholding)inpranayam.
2.5Fakerudrakshas
A.Bhadraksha:Itstreeresemblesarudrakshatreebutitsfruitsandseedsare
round.Itsseeds,thatisbhadrakshasdonothaveopenings,thatisnoupperand
lowerparts.Useofbhadrakshasincreasesunfavourable(visham) frequencies.
Generallybhadrakshasweresoldasrudrakshas.Birdsdonoteatitsfruitsandif
theydo,theyperish.
B.Vikrutaksha:Nowadaysmostlythisitselfissoldasarudraksha.Thisisthe
seedofatypeofwildberry.Vikrutakshais used for sacrificial fires of tantriks,
blackmagiclikejaranand maran, uchchatan, etc. by sorcerers. A gypsy tribe
fromNepalcalledtheGurangsfirstbeganusingthevikrutaksha.Anopeningis
madeintheseedwithahotneedle.SimilarlyfigureslikeOm,svastik,aconch,a
wheel,etc.arecarvedonit.Itisdyedbyimmersinginwatercontainingcatechu.
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Thatiswhyitscolourrunswhenitiskeptinwater.
C.Artificialrudrakshas:Thesearemadefromsealingwax,wood,plastic,etc.
D.Differencesbetweenrealandfakerudrakshas
A
Afakerudraksha
realrudraksha
1.Form
Flatlikeafish
Round
2.Colour(reddish)
Fast
Runswhenwashed
in
water
3.Ifthrowninwater
Sinks
Eitherfloatsor
immediately
sinks
graduallywithwavy
movements
4.Anopening
Present
Hastobemade
thoughout
with
itslength
aneedle
5.Rotationaboutitself Occurs
Doesnotoccur
whenhungina
copper
vesselorinwater.
6.Eatenawayby
No
Yes
termitesafter
sometime.
7.Costofeach(inthe Rs4,000
Rs20200
year1997)
40,000
8.Whichfrequencies Sama(Sattva)
doesitabsorb?
9.Perceptionof
Arefelt
Arenotfelt
frequencies
E.Fakerudrakshasandsaints:Externallyevenifsaintsgiveafakerudraksha,
with the divine consciousness (chaitanya) of the former, from within it gets
convertedintoarealone.
2.6Anidealrudraksha
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Features
Heavyandradiant
Withdistinctopenings
OneadornedwithauspicioussymbolssuchasaShivalinga,asvastik,etc.
Thebiggertherudrakshaandthesmallertheshaligram,themoreidealitis.
Merutantra
Arudrakshaobtainedfromatreewhosegirthisbeyondthespanofonesarms,
thatisanoldtree.
Arudrakshaobtainedfromarudrakshatreesituatedatagreatheightabovesea
level.
Arudrakshaobtainedfromthetopbranchesofatree.
Rudrakshas obtained from trees at a great height are more efficacious since
they receive the sattva component coming from above in greater quantities.
[Refer Science of Spirituality: Vol. 7 Supreme God, God, Incarnations and
Deities,pointGuardiandeitiesoftheterritory(Kshetrapaldevata).]
The white coloured one is the best. Rudrakshas of an inferior quality in the
ascending order are crimson, yellow or black in colour. Generally white and
yellowrudrakshasareuncommonwhileredandblackonesarecommon.
2.7Practicalsuggestionsforitsuse
A.Makingtherudrakshaefficacious:Firstconsecratetherudraksha by sprinkling it
with water five to sixtyone times amidst chanting of an efficacious mantra. Then
therudrakshamaybetouchedtoaconsecratedlinga.Withouttouchingajyotirlingaorin
specificdifficultsituations,aconsecratedlinga(pindiorshalunka),arudrakshacannot
be charged with energy significantly. Thereafter choosing an auspicious moment
(muhurt) for instance, Mahashivratra, Amrutsiddhi, etc. depending on the opening of
therudrakshathecorrespondingmantraof that opening should be chanted 21, 42 or
102 times and chanting the mrutyunjay or aghor mantra the rudraksha should be
consecrated(rudrabhishek).Followingthistherudrakshaisconsecratedeitherwiththe
Shiva principle or depending on the opening, with the female deity [Divine Energy
(Shakti)].(Referpoint2.7G.)Sucharudrakshais said to be an efficacious (siddha)
one.
B. Maintaining the efficacy of a rudraksha: Maintaining the efficacy of an
efficaciousrudraksha after adorning it, is important. To maintain it, it is necessary to
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observetherulesgivenbelow.
Applicationofholyash:referpointApplicationofholyash(bhasma).
Ritualistic worship of the Shivalinga: Ritualistic worship of Shivas linga or
arudraksha is important. No other person should be allowed to touch such
efficacious rudrakshas. If someone touches it accidentally, then it should be
purifiedwithurineofacoworholywaterfromaplaceofpilgrimage.
Rememberance of Lord Shiva: After awaking and before going to bed one
shouldrememberLordShiva.
C. Ritual of adorning a rudraksha: Even to wear an efficacious rudraksha it is
customarytochooseanauspicioustime.Beforethisanindividualwhohasactivatedthe
energyinthemantraappliesholyashandchantingmantrasofShivamakesaresolve
(sankalpa) and ties the rudraksha to the seeker. Then the one who knows the
efficaciousmantraadvisestheseekertochanttheShivamantra.
D. Site where a rudraksha is to be worn depending upon the number of its
openings:Thisisdecidedbytheabilityoftherudrakshatoabsorbenergy,theabilityof
various organs to tolerate that energy, the deities of those organs as well as the
objectiveofusingtherudraksha.
Numberof
openings
1
4,6,9
(Variant)4
(Variant)9
5,7,10,12,
13
Site
Wearingagoldorsilver
ringontheappropriate
fingerdependingonones
motiveandaccordingto
astrology,sothatthe
rudrakshamakescontact
withtheskin
Rightarm
Tuftofhaironthecrown
of
thehead(shendi)
Leftarm
Throat
Objective
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of
thehead
Ears
Neck
11,14
(Variant)14
of
thehead
Forehead
Cureofillnesses
GraceoftheSundeity
Cleansingoneofthe
sinsofslayingmen
and
cows
E. Number of rudrakshas: Various holy texts have prescribed the use of 108, 249,
1000 and 1100 rudrakshas. The greater the number the more is the benefit. One
wearingarudraksha is cleansed not only of his sins, but also acquires the ability to
cleanseotherssins.
All benefits are obtained by touching and looking at a rudraksha (darshan). Hence
lookingatiteverydayanditscontactwiththebodybothareimportant.
Numberofrudrakshasandsitesinthebody:Thisdependsupontheabilityof
theorgansinthebody,toabsorbandenduretheenergyofthe rudrakshaand
theirdeities.
1.Theonewhowearsathousandrudrakshasasagarland
becomeslikeLordRudraHimselfandisofferedobeisance
byallthedeities.14
Ifoneisunabletotieathousandthenonemaywearsixteen
onboththearms,oneonthetuftofhairontheheadand
twentyfour*onboththewrists.15
Wearthirtytwoontheneck,fortyontheheadandtwelve
onboththeearsasanalternative.16
Achainofahundredandeightmaybewornaroundthe
neck.ListenOseekeryouwillbelikethesonofRudraby
wearingthemthisway.17
Pearls,corals,marble,silver,akindofpreciousstoneand
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goldmaybeworninthechainofrudrakshas.18
Thebenefitofthisisimmense,achainofrudrakshasis
great.Oneshouldweararudrakshaasandwhenonegetsit.19
ShriGurucharitra,Adhyay33.
*12oneachwrist
2.
Numberof
beads
intherosary
(mala)
22
6
27
32
15
12
249
1000,1100
Site
Aroundthe
head
Ears
Neck
Neck(hanging
uptolevelof
theheart)
Shoulder
Wrist
Waist
Aroundthe
waist
Objective
Usuallythosegiftedby
saints
aretiedtotheshoulder
Specificpenance
Responsibilityforothersor
thebruntofsins
The number of rudrakshas in the japamala (rosary) depending on the

objective:Thisisdecidedbythescienceofnumerology.
Numberofbeads
Objective
32
Wealth
102
Merits
104
Healthandstrength
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107
108
TheFinalLiberation(Moksha)
Righteousness(Dharma),wealth,desire
andtheFinalLiberation
F.Useofrudrakshas
1.Forworldlybenefits
Tofulfillimpossibletasks:Theopeningoftherudrakshashouldbekeptfacing
theright,thatissouthwards.Thisactivatesthesunchannel(suryanadi)ofthe
individual.
Mohini kama [one out of the types of black magic from among
theshatkarmas (six actions) including jaranmaran, etc.]: Here one has to
control the frequencies of the individual facing oneself. Hence the opening of
the rudraksha is kept facing him. As a result, the frequencies emitted from
therudrakshatraptheindividualoppositeit.
2.Asaremedyduringillness:Tociteanexamplehowarudrakshacan be used in
variouswaystocontrolbloodpressureisgivenbelow.
Water should be poured over a rudraksha and then that water should be
consumed.
Therudrakshashouldbetiedaroundtheneckoronthewaistabovethenavelat
thesiteofthesamanvitalenergy.
Bathingfortwentyonedayswearingarudrakshaaroundthenecksuchthatits
opening faces the right. This is an excellent remedy for any kind of illness.
Howeverbeforethatforsometimetheopeningoftherudrakshashouldbekept
facing the left so as to gradually increase the ability of the patient to absorb
frequencies.
A rudraksha is placed with its opening facing the left under the pillow of a
bedridden patient. Once the patient becomes ambulatory it is placed with its
openingfacingtheright.
Onecontinuestogetthebenefitevenifoneadornsarudrakshaforafewdays
andthenremovesit.Evenafterthedeathofthispersontheonewhokeepshis
ashesisbenefitted.
Partakingoftheholyashofarudraksha.
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G.Thedeities,benefits,specialcharacteristicsandusesinillnessesdependingon
thenumberofopenings
Mostpeoplefeelthatthenumberofitsopeningsisequivalenttothecompletelineson
it.Howeverthisisnotso.Thenumberofopeningscorrespondtothenumberofdistinct
elevations on the openings. The older the tree the more are the openings in
therudrakshasthatityields.
Openings
Deity
Shiva
2*
ShivaParvati
(Ardhanari
nateshvar)
Agni(deity
offire)
Benefit
Cleansingofall
sinsincluding
killingBrahmans,
material
success,Liberation
(Mukti),
thesupernatural
powerof
speech,oratory
(winningover
anaudience),
victoryoveran
energy,etc.
Cleansingofsins
arisingfrom
killingcows
Benefitslikethe
dakshinavart
conch,splendour,
hypnotising
(Vashikaran),
acquisitionof
knowledge,
activationof
kundalini(spiritual
energy),
cleansingofsins
Usesinan
illness
Thrombosis,
urinary
stones,respiratory
diseases
Diseasesofthe
stomach,liverand
urinarybladder.
Remedyoverthe
defectsofthe
three
humoursvata
(wind),
pitta(bile)and
kapha
(phlegm),
purification
ofchannels
(nadis).
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LordBrahma
5**
Kalagni
Ganesh
7.
Saptarushis/
arisingfrom
slayingof
Brahmansand
women.
Knowledge,
happinessand
acquisitionof
wealth,cleansing
ofsinsarisingfrom
killingliving
beings
Acquisitionof
Righteousness
(Dharma),wealth,
desireand
theFinalLiberation
(Moksha)
cleansingofsins
createdby
eatingthe
forbidden,adultery
andsinsacquired
frombirth,
preventionof
prematuredeath
Cleansingofsins
arisingfrom
killinghuman
beings,
knowledgeand
happiness,
supernatural
powers,
overcominga
crisis.
Cleansingofsins
Diseasesofthe
ear,
throatandthe
hastijivhanadi
(channel).
Diseasesofthe
vertebralcolumn,
overcoming
obstacles
atthesiteofthe
Manipurand
Anahat
chakras
Indigestion,
arthritis
Purificationof
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Saptamatrukas accruedby
stealinggold,
success,money,
fame
8.
9.
10.
11.
Batukbhairav
Cleansingsins
arisingfrom
speakingfalsely,
longevityand
Liberationafter
death.
(Nava)Durga Cleansingofall
/Bhairav
sins,fame,
happiness,
progeny,becoming
ridevenofthefear
oftime
Guardian
Eliminationof
deitiesofthe sufferingdueto
tendirections nineplanets,
(dashadikpal)/ spirits,Vetals,
Yamaraj
Brahmarakshasas,
serpents,
etc.,protection
fromblack
magic,averting
untimelydeath
Theeleven
Acquisitionof
Rudras
happiness,
protectionof
husband,
longevity,
acquisitionof
wifehood,
acquisitionofson,
victory
sperms,
increaseinsemen,
flowofoja
(precursor
ofdivineenergy
Diseasesofthe
nervous
system,prostate
and
gallbladder
Diseasesofthe
brain,
epilepsy.
Fearofan
apparition(feeling
that
someoneis
standing
besideone).
Excess
ofsamanand
pranvitalenergies.
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12.
Vishnu,the
twelvesuns
13.
Indra
14.
Hanuman
15***
16
Cleansingofsins
arisingfrom
killingcowsor
man,stealing
goldetc.,
eliminating
unhappiness
suchaspoverty,
infertility,etc.,
absenceoffearof
robbersand
fire,happiness
Supernatural
powers,acquisition
ofprogeny,
happiness,
eliminationofsins,
decreasein
sexualdesire,and
increasein
nadibandhaand
faith
Cleansingofall
sins,acquisition
ofprogeny,health
GouriShankar Happiness
(ShivaParvati)
Disordersofthe
eye,
baseofthenose,
the
jyotishmati
(seventh)
chakra.
Psychiatric
illnesses
Increasein
secretions
oftheeighth
(Vishnu)
chakra
Maintainingan
even
flowof108
frequenciesinthe
bodyintoafacour
ablemanner.
Channelisingthe
360
diseasecausing
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17
18
19
20
21
Shiva
frequ
enciesinthebody
evenlyand
directing
themtowardsthe
108
frequencies.
Therudrakshasare
tiedtothe
waist.Asaresult,
thesaman
vitalenergyis
affectedandit
facilitatesthe
attainmentofthe
superconscious
state(samadhi)
Afragrantodour
facilitatesone
toenterthe
superconscious
state
Facilitatesoneto
travelalongthe
pathofzerostress
nature
Ifonesitsina
posturecompres
singthethighsthen
itfacilitates
movementtowards
theKarma
region(lok)
Maleprinciple,
adorningthemon
thehead,around
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thewaist,inthe
neck,underthe
thighsetc.
Conversationwith
demigods
(yakshas),celestial
singers
(gandharvas)and
fairies.Contact
withLordYama
(deityofdeath).
*Therudrakshahasonewhiteandoneblackishside.
**Availableeverywhere.Aminimumofthreeareworn.
***Rudrakshasstucktooneanother.Sucharudrakshaisnotworn,butisworshipped.
2.8Thetechniqueofusingit
Onesideofarudrakshahascrests(openings).Samafrequenciesareemittedbythem.
Hence the opening of a rudraksha should face the left of the one wearing it. As a
result,sattvafrequenciesareexpelledtohisleftandthemoonchannel(Chandranadi)
isactivated.Thismakesthepersonstemperamentpleasing.
WhatdothehorizontalstripesofashonforeheadofLordShivarepresent?
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LordShiva
Contents
1.Originandmeaning
2.SomeotherNames
2.1Shankar
2.2Mahankaleshvar
2.3Mahadev
2.4Bhalachandra
2.5Karpurgour
2.6Stenapati
2.7Pingalaksha
2.8NilkanthaandAshutosh
3.Specialfeatures
3.1Physicalfeatures
3.2Spiritualcharacteristics
4.Mission
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4.1Creationoftheuniverse
4.2Jagadguru
4.3Theoneleadingtothestatebeyondthethreecomponents(trigunatit)
4.4Missionaccordingtothetime(kal)
1.Originandmeaning
A. The word Shiva ( ) has been derived by reversing the letters of the
wordvash(
)
.VashmeanstoenlightenthustheonewhoenlightensisShiva.Shivais
absolute,selfradiant.Heremainsradiantandalsoilluminatestheuniverse.
B.Heistheauspiciousandprosperitybestowingprinciple.
2.SomeotherNames
2.1Shankar
In

:sham(
)meanswelfareand karoti( )isthedoer.Thusthe
onewhoisresponsibleforoneswelfareisShankar.
2.2Mahankaleshvar
Thepresidingdeity[Kshetrapaldev(guardiandeityoftheterritory)]oftheentireuniverse
isKalpurush(onewhoisbeyondtime)meaningMahakal(Mahankal).HenceHeisalso
namedMahankaleshvar.
2.3Mahadev
Atthetimeofcreationandactivityoftheuniversebasicallytherearethreethoughts
absolute purity, absolute knowledge and absolute spiritual practice. The deity who
possessesallthesethreeattributesisreferredtoasthedeityofalldeities,Mahadev.
2.4Bhalachandra
Bhal () means the forehead. The one who adorns the moon ( chandra) on His
foreheadisBhalachandra().Ganapati,thesonofShivaalsohasBhalachandraas
oneofHisNames.
2.5Karpurgour
Shivas complexion is white akin to that of camphor (karpur). Hence the Name
Karpurgour.
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2.6Stenapati
Sten(
)means athief. Stenapati(
)thus meansthe caretakerof thieves.In

ancienttimestemplesofShivawerelocatedontheoutskirtsofthevillage.Theywerethe
hideouts of robbers. It was here that robbers distributed their share of stolen booty
amongstthemselvesandevenleftoneshareforLordShiva!
2.7Pingalaksha
Thewordspingal(
)andaksha( )makeuptheword Pingalaksha(
).The
birdnamedpingal,atypeofowl,isabletoperceivethepast,presentandfuture.Since
LordShivahasthesamequalityHeisreferredtoasPingalaksha.
2.8NilkanthaandAshutosh
ReferpointsCandD.
3.Specialfeatures
Godcreatedtheuniversefromthefivedeities(principles)Prajapati,Brahma,Shiva,
VishnuandMinakshi.ThesedeitiespossessallthecharacteristicsofGodbesidestheir
own special features. According to the Shaiva sect Lord Shiva in the nirbij
superconsciousstate(samadhi)isShivasunmanifestform,thatisinotherwordsThe
SupremeGod.AccordingtothemShivainmeditationisGodandtheonedancingor
playing a game of dice with Parvati is the Great Illusion (Maya). [Among
theVaishnavitesSheshashayi (Vishnu resting on the serpent Shesh as His couch) or
Anantashayani Vishnu is Vishnus unmanifest form, that is The Supreme God. Their
devotee loving Vishnu is God and the one with Lakshmi is the Great Illusion.] The
characteristics vary with the form. The features of God are given in Science of
Spirituality:Vol.7SupremeGod,God,IncarnationsandDeities.Theotherspecial
featuresofShivaareenlistedbelow.
3.1Physicalfeatures
A.Ganga
Justasthesunisthefocalpointofthesolarsystemandthesoulthatofthebody,the
focal point of divine consciousness (chaitanya) in every object and pure particles
(pavitrakas) is gaaun. The flow from which gaaun originates is gan (
) gaha (:)
Ganga(
).GaaunflowsfromShivashead.Thisitselfiscalledthedescentofthe
GangafromShivashead.
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The cohesion of gaaun constitutes gans (attendants). According to the science

ofYoga,ganrepresents the eight demigods (ashtavasu) or the eight guardian deities
(dikpal)oftheeightdirections(dishas).Theoriginoftheguardiandeitiesisalsogaaun.
Theguardiandeitiescompriseoftheanglesofthedirectionsfromwhich gaaunflows.
OnegoestowardsGodandgrowsthroughthemediumofdirectionsalone.Ganapatiis
thepresidingdeityofvariousgaaunhenceHeiscalledGanapati,themasterofpure
particles.
Since the river Ganga has a fraction of the principle of the spiritual Ganga no matter
howevermuchpolluteditbecomes,itspurityisperpetuallyretained.Henceifcompared
to any other water in the world the water from the Ganga is the most pure. This is
realised not only by those who can perceive from the subtle dimension but also by
scientificresearchers.MoreinformationontheGangaisgiveninScienceofSpirituality
:Vol.9BShakti(DivineEnergy).
B.Moon
Shiva adorns the chandra (moon) on His forehead. The words chandramas ()
chandrama()chandrahavebeenderivedfromthethreewordscha(),Indra
()and[muhu(:
)]mas(
)
whichmeanthestateofcohesion.Thismeansblending
with something along with Indra. (Indras frequencies are superior to those of other
deities.) The chandrama has absorbed frequencies from Prajapati, Brahma, Shiva,
Vishnu and Minakshi and imparts them to others along with Indra. The frequencies
arisingfromPrajapati,Brahma,Shiva,VishnuandMinakshiblendwitheachotherand
produce a number of groups of frequencies. Prajapati, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and
Minakshiareunmanifest(nirgun)butTheirfrequenciescontainthethreecomponents
(gunas).Thepointwherethethreefrequenciesthatisaffection(mamata),mercifulness
(kshamashilata) and motherly love (vatsalya) originate is referred to as
thechandra(moon).Thusonecanconcludethatchandrama(themoonprinciple)isthat
state in which the three attributes of affection, mercifulness and motherly love are
present.Thisisnotthemoonthatweseeinthesky.Themoonintheskycontainsa
componentofthischandra(moon).
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Alhadyati iti chandraha (

: ) is the only definition of
thechandra(moon)describedinallthetextsgivingtheoriginofwords.(Allotherwords
havevarieddescriptionsregardingtheiroriginindifferenttexts.)
C.Thethirdeye
Shivaslefteyeisthefirsteye,therighteyeisthesecondandtheverticleonein
the subtle form, just above the midpoint of the eyebrows is the third one. The
uppereyeisarepresentationofthecombinedenergyofboththerightandleft
eyes. It is also the greatest seat (mahapith) of extrasensory energy and is
endowedwithnamessuchasJyotirmath,Vyaspith,etc.
Chandra,ArkaandVaishvanararethethreeeyesofLordShankar.Arkaisthe
sun from the ajanaj region while Vaishvanar is the sun from
thekarmadevregion. Therefore Shankar can view everywhere in the universe.
(Information on the ajanaj and karmadev regions is given in Science of
Spirituality:Chapter25CompositionoftheUniverse.)
ShankaristhreeeyedmeansHecanperceiveeventsinthepast,presentand
futureaswell.
AccordingtothescienceofYogathethirdeyemeansthe Sushumna channel
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(nadi).
D.Theserpent(nag)
One of the Names of Lord
(
). Bhujang(
) means
Shankar is Bhujangapatihari
a serpent or pure particles
(pavitrakas),pati( ),thenurturerand hari( ),theonewithagarlandaround

Hisneck.Bhujangapatiharithusmeanstheonewhonurturespureparticlesand
wearsthemlikeagarland.Variousserpentsrepresentgroupsofpureparticles.
Thoughexternallytheyappearlikeserpents,internallytheyareakindofladders.
Tomakespiritualprogressonehastoclimbupholdingontothetailoftheserpent.
Shankar adorns serpents at nine sites on His body one on the head, one
aroundtheneck,oneoneacharm,oneoneachwrist,onearoundthewaistand
oneoneachthigh.ThisimpliesthatHisbodyiscomprisedofpureparticlesor
that serpents of pure particles play all over the body of Lord Shiva who is
universalinnature.
TheserpentisalsoconsideredasShivasweapon.Thenineserpentsfromthe
universearealsoreferredtoasNavanarayan.TheNavanathshaveoriginated
fromthesenineserpents.InformationonNavanarayanandNavanaths is given
inScienceofSpirituality:Chapter12Vishnu,pointSomeotherNames.
Kartikeya,Jotiba,RavalnathandSabbuaredeitiesintheformofserpents.
Aserpentisconnectedwithalldeitiesinsomewayortheother.
Afemaleserpent(nagin)ispresentinthebody.Itiscalledthekundalini(spiritual
energy). [Refer Science of Spirituality : Chapter 38 Path of Activation of
Spiritual Energy (Kundaliniyoga)]. Five serpents wander in the body as five
innervitalenergies.Onedoesnotpossesstheotherfourserpentsinthebody.
Howevertheycanbeacquiredthroughspiritualprogress.
The serpent is a representation of the God (Purush) principle. He is the deity
whoendowsprogeny.
E.Holyash(bhasma)
Bhu()
bhava()meanstotakebirth. As()
asma( )ashma( )means
ash.Thatwhichtakesbirthandblendswithashiscalledbhasma( ).Bhasmaisthe
ashoftheonewhoisborn.Shma(
)[sma(
)]meansashand shru()
shan()
meansscattered.So,theplacewhereashisscatteredisthesmashan( ),thatis
thecrematorium.Theearthisbornfromfire(thesun).Allbeingsontheeartharisefrom
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andmergeintoitsfire.Theskullofmanisassociatedwithmemories(smruti)oftheearth.
Fromouterspacetheshapeoftheearthresemblesaskull.Ashcontainsthefollowing
threetypesofmemories(smruti)fromthetimebeforebirthtothatafterit.
Yadnyasmruti:Memoriesofsacrificialfires(yadnyas)intheajanajregion(lok)
and the regions beyond it. (Refer Science of Spirituality : Chapter 25
CompositionoftheUniverse.)
Parthivsmruti: Memories of death which are full of agony and sorrow, with
referencetotheearthandthesevennetherregions.
Tanmaysmruti: Memories of sacrifice (austerities) in context with the regions
fromtheearthtothenorthern(Shiva)regionandthesouthern(dakshin)region.
The three horizontal stripes of ash on the forehead of Lord Shankar represent these
threememories.Ashprojectsthedesiresofaperson.Thisshowshowharmfuldesires
are.The dhananjay vital energy of every dead being made up of the absolute earth
element (pruthvi) surrounds the ash. (The universe has the mahadhananjay vital
energy.)Whenapersonisrebornthisdhananjayvitalenergyreentersthebody.The
frequenciesemittedbyasharemostlyaresultofapainfuldeath.Theashsays,Letgo
ofignorance.Thephysicalbodyisnotreal.Thehappinessderivedfromitisfake.Do
notgettrappedinit.Humanashisappliedtoajyotirlinga.Pureashiscalledholyash
(bhasma). Just as holy ash is an essential ingredient in ritualistic worship so also it
plays a very important role in theShaivasect. It is considered as the semen of Lord
Shiva.Specialsignificanceisgiventotheholyashfromthefireplace(agnikunda)ofthe
Brahmans who perform the ritual ofAgnihotra. The ash obtained after cremation of a
corpse amidst chanting of mantras is called human ash (chitabhasma). Lord Shiva
loves human ash. In Varanasi, the deity Vishveshvar is always smeared with human
ash.Holyashisofthreekinds,namelyshantikar,pushtikarandkamad.Itcleansessins.
TheJabalshrutialsoquotesthatitisalsobeneficialinacquiringknowledgeofBrahman.
Vibhutiisanothersynonymforholyash.Itisusedintantra,mantra,blackmagic,etc.to
guardthedirectionsorasselfprotection.Theholyashisinvokedwithmantrsand is
thenappliedtotheforeheadofthechildorthesickperson.Ashes(bhasma)ofvarious
kindssuchasofiron,gold,pearl,diamond,etc.isusedinAyurveda.Thesearehighly
efficacious.Howeverthisisnotrevealedtopeopleasitmayfrightenthem.
F.Rudraksha
ShivaadornschainsofrudrakshabeadsaroundtheknottedbunofhaironHishead,
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theneck,arms,wristsandwaist.
G.Garmentandtheseatoftigerskin
Thetiger(rajaandtamacomponents)isasymbolofcruelty.Shivaslayedsuchatiger
(thatisdestroyedtherajatama)andmadeaseatfromitsskin.
3.2Spiritualcharacteristics
A.Theoneperformingsevereausteritiesandthegreatyogi:Shivaistheonlydeity
chantingTheLordsNamecontinuously.Heisalwaysseatedinabandhaoramudra.
HistemperaturerisesduetoheatgeneratedbyperformingsevereausteritieshenceHe
usestheGanga,themoonandserpentswhichendowacoolingeffectandlivesonthe
snowcappedKailasmountain.
B.Shorttempered:IfShivastopsHischantingbyHimselfHeremainscalm.Howeverif
someone disturbs His chanting [e.g. as was done by Madan (the deity of love)], the
radiancegeneratedbyspiritualpracticeissuddenlyexpelledandsincethepersonin
front of Him cannot tolerate it, that individual is destroyed. This itself is referred to as
reducingtoashesbyShankarsopeningofthethirdeye.Thetroublemakeris100%
distressed while Shiva is only 0.01% distressed. Because of this distress
Shivasnadibandha stops but the posture is retained. Then Shiva performs
thebandhaonceagain.
C. The one who is willing to undergo any distress for the sake of imparting
happinesstoothers:Thepoisongeneratedduringthechurningofthecelestialocean
(samudramanthan)wasburningtheentireworldbutnodeitycameforwardtoacceptit.
AtthattimeShivadrankthatpoisonandsavedtheworldfromdestruction.Ingestionof
the poison turned His neck blackishblue and He came to be known as Nilkantha
(
)nil()meansblueand kantha(
)meanstheneck.
D.Theonewhoiseasilyappeased(Ashutosh)
E. The one willing to bestow any boon when appeased: Once when Shiva was
pleased with Ravan not only did He gift him His wife but also His divine phallus
(atmalinga)(soul).[RavanhimselfwantedtobecomeShivawiththatdivinephallus.]
F. The one who has both deities and demons as His worshippers: Neither did
demonslikeBanasur,Ravan,etc.worshipVishnunordidVishnubestowboonsupon
anydemon.HowevertheyworshippedShivawhoblessedthemwithaboon.OftenHe
as well as other deities were in trouble because of these boons. Finally each time
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Vishnuwouldfindasolutiontothesesituations.
G.Masterofthespirits:SinceShivaisthemasterofspirits,worshippersofShivaare
generallynotpossessedbythem.
H. One possessing contrasting characteristics (acceptance and repulsion)
simultaneously:He has the potential to create and bring about dissolution, also the
combination of serenityangrer, the moon (tranquility) the third eye (radiance which
reduces to ashes), sattvik (sattva predominant) tamasik (tama predominant)
temperaments,etc.
4.Mission
4.1Creationoftheuniverse
ShivaParvatiarecalled: ,theparentsoftheworld.
Fiftytwosounds(letters),thatisnadabijasorbijamantrasweregeneratedfrom
thefiftytwonotesemittedbyShankarssmallhourglassshapeddrum(Damaru)
from which the universe was created. Nad () nad () is the process of
flowingcontinuously.Thesoundda(),da(),dam()
meaning
(I
amgivingyou)wasgeneratedfromthesebijasofsound.ItwasasthoughShiva
assured the universe I bestow you with spiritual knowledge, purity and
penance.
Since Shiva is urdhvaretas He can create the universe with a mere resolve
(sankalpa).
4.2Jagadguru

, means one should worship Shiva for

spiritualknowledgeandJanardan(Vishnu)fortheFinalLiberation(Moksha).
4.3 The one leading to the state beyond the three components
(trigunatit)
ShankardestroysallthethreecomponentsofPrakrutisattva,rajaandtama, that is
ignorancesimultaneously.
4.4Missionaccordingtothetime(kal)
Period
1.Vedicperiod
Name
Rudra(theone
Form/Mission
Fearfulform
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2.PostVedicperiod
3.Puranicperiod
(0to1000A.D.)
4.PostPuranic
period
(after1000A.D.)
who
makesonecry)
Shiva
Mahesh
Mahadev(the
deity
ofalldeities)
Mildform
Thedeityresponsible
for
dissolutioninthetrinity
ofBrahma,Vishnuand
Mahesh.
Thecreator,sustainer
anddestroyer
WhyaretrifoliatebelleavesofferedtoLordShivawiththeirstalksfacingoneself?
Contents
1.Whereshouldonesitduringritualisticworship?
2.Ritualisticworshipofthepindi
2.1Holyash(bhasma)
2.2Bel
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2.3Thestreamofwater
3.Worshipoftheshalunka(baseofthelinga)
3.1Holyash
3.2Whiteflowersandfoodgrains
4.Somespecialfeaturesofritualisticworship(puja)ofLordShiva
5.Circumambulations
6.Ritualisticworshipwithliquids(abhishek)
7.ChantingtheNameofShiva
7.1UsageofOminthechantingofShivasName
8.ShivaGayatri
9.Shivastemple
1.Whereshouldonesitduringritualisticworship?
Generally worshippers and seekers in a Shankars temple do not sit such that the
deitysfrequenciesdirectlyfallontheirbodiesbecausethiscanbedistressing.Thereis
generallyatortoisebuiltinthefrontofthetemple.Noonesitsinbetweenthedeitysidol
andthetortoise,thusautomaticallynoonesitsexactlyoppositethedeity.Inthesame
way,worshippersinsteadofsittingexactlyoppositetheflowfromtheshalunka(baseof
thelinga),sitonitssides.
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1to7Seekersshouldsithereduringritualisticworship
8Oneshouldnotsithere.
2.Ritualisticworshipofthepindi
OnlycoldwaterandbelisofferedtoLordShankarspindi.Neitherisitbathedwithmilk
and the five nectars (panchamrut), nor offered turmeric, vermilion (kumkum) or white
consecratedrice(akshata).Milkandclarifiedbutter(ghee)symbolisesustenancewhile
turmeric is an underground stem and represents fertility of the soil, that is creation.
Vermilion is prepared from turmeric. Since Lord Shankar is the deity of dissolution
substancessuchasmilk,vermilionandturmericarenotusedinHisworship.Holyash
(bhasma) on the contrary symbolises dissolution and is thus used. However in the
fourteenthcenturytheShaivitestooincorporatedtheusageofthefivenectars,bathing
with milk, etc. as was done by the Vaishnavites. Here, milk is believed to symbolise
energy.
2.1Holyash(bhasma)
Afterremovingthedriedbelleaves(nirmalya)andbathing,eitheronlythreehorizontal
stripesaredrawnonthevisiblesideofthepindi(divinephallus)oracircleisdrawnin
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themiddleofthestripes.ThisisreferredtoasShivaseye(Shivaksha).
2.2Bel
Apindicontainstwotypesofpureparticles(pavitrakas)fromboththeahatsound(that
produced by the falling of water onto its surface) and the anahat (subtle) sound. To
absorb the three pure particles, that is the two pure particles as well as those in
thebelleaves which are offered upon thepindi, trifoliate bel is offered to Lord Shiva.
Tenderbelleavescanuniteahat(languageofsound)andanahat (language of light)
sounds. The leaves should be offered with their stalks facing oneself and the leaf
should be placed upside down on the pindi. The motive behind this is to attract the
combinedenergyofthethreeleavestowardsoneself.Thecombinedenergyofthese
threepureparticlesfacilitatesthereductionofthethreecomponents(trigunas).Bel is
not offered upon the shalunka, but to the eye of Shiva on it. The kayakalpa from the
Ayurvedadiscussestheimportanceofpartakingjuiceofthreeleaves.Ayurvedarefers
tothefruitofthebelasthefruitofnectar(amrutphal).Thereisnodiseasewhichcannot
becuredwithbel.Ifsomemedicineisnotavailablethenbelshouldbeused.Howeverit
iscontraindicatedinpregnancyasitcanleadtofetaldeath.
2.3Thestreamofwater
Since Shiva and Shakti (Divine Energy) are combined together in the pindi a
tremendousamountofradianceisgenerated.Topreventradiancefromhavingadverse
effectsontheparticlesofthepindiandalsoonitsworshippers,acontinuousstreamof
waterismadetofalluponthepindi.ThisstreamofwatergeneratesthesoundofOm(a
symboloftheunmanifestBrahman)ofalownote.Similarlywhenacontinuousstream
ofmantrasfallsuponanembodiedsoulitopensthekalpinda[thebody(pinda) which
has crossed the limits of time (kal) is called kalpinda] of the embodied soul. This
indicatesthatonecangouptotheunmanifestBrahman.
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3.Worshipoftheshalunka(baseofthelinga)
3.1Holyash
Seekersdrawthreehorizontalstripesontheshalunkaatthesevensites,indicatedfor
worship as given in the figure under point Where should one sit during ritualistic
worship?.Acircleisdrawnoverthesestripesandwhiteflowersareoffered.Thecircle
representsthedivinebirthpassage.ItiscalledShivaseye(Shivaksha)orthethirdeye
ofShiva(yogi).
3.2Whiteflowersandfoodgrains
Anofferingofrice(whiteincolour),rarelywheatandwhiteflowersismadetoShivas
eye.Whiterepresentspurity.Thenbelleaves with their stalks facing towards oneself
shouldbeoffered.(Intheusualritualisticworshipleavesareofferedbeforetheflowers.
Asdescribedabove,thebelleavesfacilitatetheattractionofcombinedenergytowards
theseeker).FoodgrainssoakedinwaterarealsoofferedtoShivaseye.Theyrepresent
fertility.Theenergiesemittedbythesoakedfoodgrains,holyashandbelleavesrevolve
aroundtheformoftheshalunka.
4. Some special features of ritualistic worship (puja) of Lord

Shiva
(Basedonpages61and62ofthebookShastraAseSangate.Acriticalreviewbythe
compilers.)
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A.IntheritualisticworshipofLordShivaneitheristheconchworshippednoris
itswaterusedtobatheLordShiva.Ifabanalingaisapartofthefivefoldfamily
ofdeities(panchayatan) then one may sprinkle thebanalinga with water from
theconch.Howeverabanalingawithapindi(divinephallus)ofLordMahadev
shouldnotbebathedwiththiswater.Sincethefeminineprincipleintheformof
the shalunka (base of the linga) is present in the pindi, there is no need to
sprinkle water from the conch which also has a feminine principle.
Abanalingahoweverdoesnotpossessashalunkahenceitisbathedwithwater
fromaconch.DuringritualisticworshipofMahadevinatemple,worshipofthe
conch(shankhapuja)isnotperformed.Blowingoftheconchbeforetheritualof
wavinglitlamps(arti)isallowedandisnormallydoneduringthearti.Thesound
ofaconchnotonlybringsaboutpranayambutalsoalleviatesdistresscaused
byspirits,blackmagic,etc.inthevicinitywhereitisheard.
B.Tulsi(basil)leavesarenotofferedtoLordShiva.Howevertulsileavesoffered
toashaligramoranidolofLordVishnumaybeofferedasShivaisadevoteeof
VishnuandHelovestulsiofferedtoLordVishnu.
C.It is said that on the eighth day (ashtami) of the dark fortnight of the Hindu
lunarmonthofJyeshtha,LordShankarandonthefourteenthday(chaturdashi),
Revatiisritualisticallyworshippedwithblueflowers.Onthatdaybluecolourhas
theabilitytoabsorbtheShivaprincipleasmuchasthegreenbelleaves.Based
on the same principle kevada (a type of fragrant flower) is offered to Shiva
during the ritual of conclusion (udyapan) of the vowed religious observance
ofMahashivaratri.
D.Belleaves, white flowers and holy sacrament of food (naivedya) offered to
apindiofLordShivaarenotacceptedastheycaninducedetachmentwhichan
averageindividualdoesnotdesire.
E.
People
belonging
to
various
sects
such
as Shaiva, Kapalik, Gosavi,Virashaiva, etc. use various lingas earthen

(parthivlinga), lingas in a silver box donned around the neck
(kanthasthalinga), lingas of crystal glass (sphatiklinga), banalingas, a five
stringedlinga(panchasutri),stonelingas(pashanlinga),etc.
5.Circumambulations
CircumambulationsofShivaarelikethehalfmoon.Thechannelwhichrunsnorthwards
towardsthemoon(som)fromtheshalunka(baseofthelinga) till the boundary of the
temple is called the somsutra. When circumambulating one should begin on the left
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handsideandcontinuetillthechanneloftheshalunkafrom where the water offered

duringtheritualisticbathing(abhishek)flows.Withoutcrossingitoneshouldcompletea
circumambulationbymovinginthereversedirectionuptotheothersideofthechannel
(srot).ThisruleappliesonlyiftheShivalingaisinstalledorcreatedbymanitdoesnot
applytoasvayambhuorachalalinga(keptinthehouse).Theflowofashalunkaisnot
crossedasitistheflowofenergy.Whencrossingitthelegsarepulledapart.Asaresult
formation of semen and the five internal vital energies (vayu) are adversely affected.
Thereisanobstructioninthedevadattaanddhananjayvitalenergies.Howevertheseill
effects do not occur if while crossing it the body is contracted, that is the channels
(nadis) are contracted. Rationalists feel that the channel of the linga is not crossed
becausewhiledoingsothedirtononesfeetcontaminatesthewaterthere.Ifthiswater
isconsumedbydevoteesasholywater(tirtha)itcouldresultinillness!
6.Ritualisticworshipwithliquids(abhishek)
Lord Shiva loves being worshipped with liquids. The linga is constantly kept wet by
sprinkling liquids as the divine birth passage of the Primal mother is always wet and
consequently is the linga. Shiva is offerred abhishek by reciting a hymn from the
YajurvedacalledRudra.Itisoftwotypesnamakar(namak) and chamakar (chamak).
Innamakarthewordnamahawhileinchamakar the word chamaha appears more
frequently.This abhishek is performed reciting the Rudradhyay eleven times. Eleven
rounds (avartans) of the Rudradhyay constitute one
ekadashani.
Eleven ekadashanismake up one laghurudra and eleven laghurudras make up
onemaharudra.Finallyelevenmaharudrasconstituteoneatirudra.
7.ChantingtheNameofShiva
NamahaShivaya(: )isLordShivasfivelettered( panchakshari)mantra.Ina
subdivisionoftheYajurvedatheRudradhyaybeginswiththesewords.The mantra is
takenfromhere.Whenitisprefixedwiththesacredsyllable(pranav)Om,itbecomes
Om namaha Shivaya ( : ), the six lettered ( shadakshari) mantra. The
spiritualmeaningofeachletterofthefiveletteredmantraisasfollows:
n()=Theforemostdeityofalltheregions( lokas)
m()=Thebestowerofsupremespiritualknowledge
(dnyan)anddestroyerofthegreatestsins
Shi( )=Benevolent,sereneandresponsibleforthe
initiationbyLordShiva
va()=Therepresentationofabullasthevehicleand
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theVasukiandVamangiEnergies(Shakti)
y()=TheauspiciousabodeofSupremeBlissand
LordShiva.
Henceobeisance(namaskar)tothesefiveletters.
Theabovefivelettersalsohaveacorelationwiththetandavdance of Nataraj Shiva
whichisasfollows:
n=Thehandbeholdingfire(agni)
m=ThefootpressingthedemonMulayak
Shi=Thehandholdingasmallhourglassshapeddrum
(damaru)
va=Theoutstretchedhand
y=Thehandbestowingprotection
ThesefivelettersarealsosaidtobeindicativeofGod(Ishvar),DivineEnergy(Shakti),
the soul principle (atma), the unmanifest one (antardhan) and vanquishing of sins
respectively.
7.1UsageofOminthechantingofShivasName
For creation of the manifest (sagun), the Great Illusion from the unmanifest
(nirgun)Brahman tremendous energy is required. Such energy is generated by Om.
Hence,chantingofOmbyonewhosespirituallevelisnotadequatetodosocancause
physical distress such as hyperacidity, a rise in the body temperature, etc. or
psychologicaldistresslikerestlessness.
ThefrequenciescreatedfromOmgeneratealotofenergy(heat)inthebody.Thisdoes
notaffectthemalereproductiveorgansastheylieoutsidethebodycavity.However,in
case of women this heat can affect the reproductive organs as they lie within the
abdominal cavity. Thus women may experience distress. They may suffer from
excessive menstrual flow, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, infertility, etc. Hence, it is
advisableforwomennottoprefixOmtotheNameunlessotherwiserecommendedby
the Guru for example they may chant namaha Shivaya instead of Om namaha
Shivaya.OtherwisetheyshoulduseShriasaprefix.
8.ShivaGayatri
Meaning:We are quite familiar with that Supreme Being (Mahadev). We meditate on
thatMahadev.MaythatRudrainspireourintellectbenevolently.
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9.Shivastemple
Itscharacteristicsareasgivenbelow.
A.ItissaidthatShivaisthedeityofmarriedcouplesasHeisaccompaniedby
the Divine Energy (
:
:
). Shiva without Divine Energy (Shakti)
becomesacorpse(shava).Sinceotherdeitiesaresolitarythereislessradiance
generatedintheiridols.Asaresult,tranquilityisexperiencedintheirtemples.
However in Shivas temple since radiance is generated in greater proportions
oneexperiencesenergy.
B.OtherdeitiesareabsentonlyinShivastemple.Intemplesofallotherdeities
therearesmalltemplesofotherdeitiestheyarereferredtoasthedeitiesofthe
family.
C. A nonBrahman priest (gurav): A Brahman is not supposed to remove the
driedflowers,etc.usedinworship(nirmalya)inaShivastemple.Hencenon
BrahmanpriestslookafteraShivastempleandbhopeslookafteratempleof
Parvati. Just as Brahmans who perform religious rites like ritualistic worship,
marriage, etc. do not take a meal during an offering made to ancestors
(pindadan),soalsotheydonotremovethedriedflowers,etc.onShivaspindi.
D. Brahmans consecrate Shiva by ritualistic worship with liquids (abhishek)
amidst chanting of Vedic mantras but do not partake of the food (naivedya)
offeredtoHim.Brahmanswhoperformritualisticworshipalsodonotmakean
offeringtoancestors.
WhatistheconceptofFinalLiberationasperthePashupatsect?
Contents
1.Pashupat
1.1Siddhant
1.2Specialfeatures
1.3Risks
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1.4ComparisonbetweenPashupatandsomeotherShaivasects
1.5Thedivineweapon(pashupatastra)
2.Kapalik,KalamukhandAghor
3.TheShaivasectaccordingtotheAgamscriptures
3.1History
3.2Doctrines
4.ShuddhaShaivites
1.Pashupat
Lakulishisthefounderofthissect.Heestablishedthissectinthe2nd centuryB.C.
1.1Siddhant
In the Shaiva doctrine pashu, pash and pati are considered the three basic classes
(trivarga). These also form the basis of the Pashupat doctrine. Shankaracharya has
givenfivedoctrines,thatismeaningsofthePashupatsect.Theyare:1.action(karya),
2.cause(pati),3.spiritualdiscipline(yoga),4.observanceofdirectives(charya)and5.
endofsorrow.
A.Action:Allthatwhichisdevoidofenergyofitsown,thatisdependentonanotheris
anaction.Itisofthefollowingthreetypesvidya,kalaandpashu.
1. Vidya: This is an attitude of pashu (the embodied soul). It is further classified as
follows.
Bodhasvabhava
1. Manifest: The vidya which permits realisation, which becomes manifest
through the sense organs is referred to as the subconscious mind (chitta),
becausethemanifestationornonmanifestationofanobjectwhichmaterialises
duetothisenergyimpartingrealisationisactuallyrealisedbythesubconscious
mind.
2.Unmanifest
Abodhasvabhava:Thisvidyadecides the regulations by which the embodied
souls have to abide. Embodied souls try to behave righteously and avoid
unrighteousbehaviourduetotheseregulations.
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2. Kala (nescience): This being within the control of divine consciousness is itself
devoidofdivineconsciousness.
Kalaintheformofaction:Fiveelementssuchastheearthandfiveattributes
suchastheformhavebeenelucidatedinkalaintheformofaction.
Kalaintheformofcause:Thethirteentypesofkalasintheformofcauseare
thefivesenseorgans,fivemotororgans,intellect,egoandmind.
3.Pashu(embodiedsoul):Theembodiedsoulwhichonevolvementalwaysremains
dependentonmaterialobjectsiscalledananimal(pashu).Becomingananimalmeans
becoming dependent. Animals are further classified as sanjan (
)
andniranjan (
). Sanjan [( +
) darkness)] means full of ignorance
and niranjanmeans devoid of all ignorance. The former ignorant embodied soul is
concernedwiththebodyandkalaswhilethelatterwhichispureisnot.
B.Cause(thesustainer):Theprinciplewhichisresponsibleforcreation,sustenance
and dissolution and which bestows favours upon the world is called the cause. The
sustainer is the one who possesses both the energies of spiritual knowledge and
action.
C. Spiritual discipline: The spiritual practice which unites the soul and The Lord
throughthemediumofthesubconsciousmindiscalledyoga.
D.Observanceofdirectives( ): Righteousseekersrefertoworldlytransactionsas
observanceofdirectivesorestablishedcustoms.Thetypesofobservancesareenlisted
below.
1. Vowed religious observances:Bathing with holy ash (bhasma), sleeping on holy
ash,followingrestrictions(upahar),chanting,circumambulationareallvowedreligious
observances.InthiscontextBhagvanLakulishhas said, One should bathe with holy
ashthriceandsleeponit.Therearesixtypesofrestrictions(upahar)hasit,gita,nrutya,
hudukkar,namaskarandjapa.Hasitmeans uttering h h h h loudly moving the neck
andlips.Gitais singing the glory of Maheshvars attributes according to the norms of
classical music. Coordinated hand and body movements embellished with facial
expressionsisnrutya(dance).Hudukkariscreatingasoundlikethesnortingofabull
bytouchingthetonguetothepalate.Ritualsperformedafterabathsuchaspartakingof
food obtained by asking for alms, partaking of leftover food of the deity, using dried
flowers (nirmalya) from the idol worshipped as a blessed sacrament (prasad),
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donninglingas,etc.arecomplementarytotheritualsofthefirststage.
2.Doors
Krathan:Pretenceofamanwhoisactuallyawakethatheisasleep
Spandan: Moving the parts of the body as if one has developed gaseous
distension
Mandan:Walkingasifcrippled
Shrungaran:Indulginginsexualplayimaginingthatoneissexuallyarousedby
thesightofalady
Avitkaran: Performing actions worthy of criticism by others, like a man without
anyreasoningbetweenrightandwrong(vivek)
Avitadbhashan:Speakingantagonisticallyandmeaninglessly.
E.Endofsorrow:Thisistheintensereductionofsorrow.Thisitselfisreferredtoasthe
ultimate of the four pursuits (parampurushartha) or the Final Liberation (Moksha). As
givenaboveonlyafterthedestructionofthefivetypesofignoranceknowledgeofthe
Great Illusion, unrighteousness, purpose of divine energy, bondage with the Great
Illusion (Maya) and being embodied (pashu) by performing yoga or observance of
regulationsoneacquirestheFinalLiberationintheformofintensereductionofsorrow.
SurrenderingtoLordShivawholeheartedlyisalsoaremedyforFinalLiberation.The
beliefbehinditisthatthesetypesofignorancearedestroyedandtheembodiedsoul
attainstheFinalLiberationwiththeblessingsofLordPashupati.
Types
AnatmakFinalLiberation:Severereductionofunhappiness
Satmak Final Liberation: Attainment of the divine attributes of spiritual
knowledge(dnyan)andaction(karma).
1.2Specialfeatures
A.InotherdoctrinestheeliminationofsorrowistermedastheFinalLiberation
butinthisdoctrinerealisationofTheSupremeGodisalsotermedastheFinal
Liberation.
B. Principle: The Supreme Soul (Parmatma) and the embodied soul doing
spiritualpractice(jivatma)areeternalandseparateobjects.Theworld,Nature
existsbecauseoftheGreatIllusion(Maya).Intheliberatedstatetheembodied
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soul is able to shed (detach itself) ignorance and weakness and becomes
embodied to acquire infinite spiritual knowledge and energy of action
(kriyashakti) and thus by the grace of God becomes the great master of the
attendants(gans)asMahadev.(Pashupatsutra1.38)
C. Dr. Bhandarkar has severely criticized this extremist Shaiva sect. In his
opinion their paths in the pursuit of realisation of God were artificial and
misleading. The deity RudraShiva belonged to the forests and open
uninhabitated places. Temples of Lord Shiva were conventionally established
away from civilization. The devotees too used to be unrighteous, corrupt and
uncultured.ThisopinionofDr.Bhandarkarseemstobetruetoalargeextentas
thesepeopleneverseemedtobebotheredaboutprotectionandgrowthofthe
society.Theycouldnotconceivethatfeelingssuchasauspiciousnessandpurity
develop peace and stability in civic life as they always remained aloof from
social interaction. Consequently in the subsequent period, this sect which
remainedawayfromsocietyandviolatedsocietalnormswasoutcastbysociety
and new sects came into being accepting only broadminded concepts and
behaviour.Althoughtheirpracticesattractedsocialcriticismonemustadmitthat
theyhadreachedastatebeyondsocialcriticismwiththehelpofthesepractices.
1.3Risks
Followers of the Pashupat sect adopted the dualistic philosophy, that is believed in
manymanifestationsofTheLord.Theresultofsuchadualisticphilosophycanbethat
man can get entrapped in spiritual practice with a materialistic viewpoint. When one
accepts a distinction between the Supreme Soul (Parmatma) and the embodied soul
(jivatma)onedoesnotfeelgreatlyinclinedtocrossthechasmofhappinessandsorrow
between them. In the very concept that the ultimate end of sorrow itself is the Final
Liberation (Moksha), is incorporated the duality of happiness and sorrow.
TransgressingboththesestatesitselfisthetrueconceptoftheFinalLiberation.
1.4ComparisonbetweenPashupatandsomeotherShaivasects
SomeotherShaiva
sects
1.Whatisthe
Endofunhappiness
Endofunhappinessor
conceptofthe andattainmentofThe attainmentoftheFinal
FinalLiberation SupremeGod,
Liberation(Kaivalya)
(Moksha)?
attainmentofThe
Pashupat
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SupremeEnergyand
endofunhappiness
thereafter
2.Originofthe
Themissionisperpe
mission
tual,e.g.theembodied
soul
3.Causesofthe Absent.Maheshvar
causes
carriesoutHismission
independently
4.Resultof
SamipMukti(no
spiritualpractice rebirth)
FromtheGreat
Illusion(asat)
Thecauserequiresan
auxillarycauseforthe
fulfillmentofcausation
Attainmentofheaven
(hencethereisrebirth)
1.5Thedivineweapon(pashupatastra)
ThetridentinLordShivashandiscalledthedivineweapon.Itissaidthatthisweapon
hastheformoffireandiscapableofannihilatingtheentireuniverse.
Arjun prayed for this weapon to Shankar who imparted him with it. At that time Lord
MahadevsaidIambestowinguponyouMyweapon,pashupatwhich is very dear to
Me.Youarecapableofsporting,wieldingandwithdrawingit.HoweverPartha,donot
useitonanyoneirresponsibly.Shouldyouhappentouseitononewhoisweak,itshall
destroytheentireuniverse.Theonewhosportsthiscandestroyhisenemywithamere
glance,mentalenergy,speechorbowandarrow.
2.Kapalik,KalamukhandAghor
An ancient Shaiva sect like the Pashupat, Kapaliks are followers of the Path of
DistressingEnergy(Vammarg),arefearsomebytemparamentandworshipLordShiva.
KapalimeansLordShivawhosportsaskull.HisdevoteesareknownasKapaliks.They
toouseskullbonesandpartakeofwine,meatetc.throughit.Slayingman,partakingof
meat and blood and residing in the crematorium are special characteristics of
the Kapaliks. In the Shiva Puran they are termed as those practising the Mahavrat.
The Mahavrat includes such aghori acts as eating in human skulls, sitting in the
crematorium,applyingashfromburntcorpses,etc.Kapaliksare worshippers of harsh
deities such as Mahabhairav and Chamunda. In the spiritual practice
ofsahajvajrayans,companyofwomenisessential.SimilarlytheKapalikstooconsider
the company of women to be very essential. There is not much difference between
theKapaliksandKalamukhs.AtthemostonemaysaythattheKalamukhsareharsher
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thantheKapaliks.
Aghor() isderivedfrom a()andghoraha(:) which means onewho has no
worries(ghor)atall.Thesegenerallyundertakespiritualpracticeinthecrematorium
hencetheyarealsoknownassmashan(crematorium)aghoris.
3.TheShaivasectaccordingtotheAgamscriptures
3.1History
TheAgamscripturesaretheoriginofthedoctrinesoftheancientShaivasect.Thetotal
number of Agam scriptures is considered to be twentyeight. In South India
this Shaivasect according to the Agam was widely preached. The Shaivites of
the Agam school of thought were different from the Shaivites professing faith in the
Vedas and theUpanishads. In their view Vedic scriptures did not have significance.
TheyclaimthatthetwentyeightAgamscripturesdescribedbyLordMahadevaremore
sacred than the Vedas which are deemed to have originated from the very breath of
Lord Brahma. The Shiva whom they worship is the five faced one with the Names
Sadyojat,Vamdev,Aghor,TatpurushandIshan.TheAgamscriptures have originated
fromthesefivefaces.ProbablyalltheAgamtextshavebeenwrittenintheninthcentury.
One should remember that the followers of the Agam philosophy have incorporated
manyamantraandritualsofworshipfromthefollowersoftheVedas.
3.2Doctrines
The Shaiva doctrine describes four parts and three substances. The four parts are
spiritual knowledge (vidya), actions (kriya), spiritual discipline (yoga) and behaviour
(charya) and the three substances are the master (pati), the animal (pashu) and the
bondages(pash).Thesectiononspiritualknowledge(vidyapad)describesthemaster,
animalandthebondagesaswellasmantrasandtheirimportance.
A.Pad(chapter)1Vidyapad
Master:ThemasterreferstoShiva.Shivacreatesdestinyaswellastheobjects
of pleasure or pain according to the destiny of the embodied soul. Thus His
energy of creation is dependent on the actions of human beings. The Divine
Energy(Shakti)hasfivemantrascommencing with Ishan to conceptualise the
partsofTheSupremeGod.ThesefivemantrasrepresentHisfiveenergiesand
His five different forms. With the help of these He performs functions such as
creation, sustenance, dissolution, enveloping with the Great Illusion (tirobhav)
andinitiation(anugraha).
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Animal:Ananimalreferstotheembodiedsouldoingspiritualpractice.Although
the embodied soul acquires the nature of Shiva yet it does not become
independentbutremainsinthecompanyoftheeverfreeShiva.Therearethree
typesofanimals.
1. Those with a tendency to acquire spiritual knowledge (vidnyankal): Those
whohavenullifiedtheimpressionsoftheirpastdeedswiththehelpofspiritual
knowledge and yoga and have detached themselves from all the transitions
(kalas)andthoseinwhomonlyignorance(mala)persists.
2. Those with a tendency for dissolution (pralayakal): Those whose attitudes
(kalas) are destroyed with dissolution of the universe. These seekers are
liberatedfromaction(karma)andignorance.
3.Thosewithalltendencies(sakal):Oneboundwithignorance,actionandthe
GreatIllusion(Maya).
Thenoose(pash): The four types of nooses are ignorance, action, the Great
Illusion(Maya)andthebindingenergy(rodhashakti).
1. Ignorance: That which covers the spiritual knowledge of the soul and the
energyofactionakintothehuskofgrainiscalledignorance.
2.Action:Thatwhichanindividualperformswithdesireforresultsistermedas
an action. Both Righteousness (Dharma) as well as unrighteousness are
includedinit.Actionshavebeencontinuinglikeseedsandtheirsproutssince
timesimmemorial.
3.TheGreatIllusion:Thisisanenergyinwhichtheentirecreationdissolvesat
thetimeofdissolutionoftheuniverseandisrecreateditatthetimeofcreationof
theuniverse.
4.Thebindingenergy(rodhashakti):ThisisanenergyofShiva.Itispresentin
theotherthreenoosesandobscuresthetruenatureoftheanimal.Henceittoo
is considered as a noose. Since it is the energy of speech it performs its
functionsandisresponsiblefornamingofobjects.
B.Pad(chapter)2Kriyapad
Inthisareincludedperfectionofmantras,theritualofsandhya,ritualisticworship(puja),
chanting (japa), offering oblations through the fire (havan), routine actions for the
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acquisitionofpermanentBliss,ritualisticbathing(abhishek)oftheteacherandseekers
andtheritualofinitiationforspiritualupliftmentandattainmentofTheSupremeGodby
theseeker.NamahaShivayaisthefiveletteredmantrausedintheirritualisticworship.
In this sect primarily those renouncing the world would be granted initiation. Prior to
obtainingsuchaninitiationhehadtoacquirethegraceofthefemaledeity(devi).This
initiationbythefemaledeityisitselfthetransferofenergy(shaktipat).
C.Pad(chapter)3Yogapad
In this, 36 principles, their presiding deities, the presiding deities of various regions
(lokas), the embodied soul doing spiritual practice (jivatma), the Supreme Soul, the
Divine Energy (Shakti), the creator of the universe, the Great Illusion
(Maya andMahamaya) are described. It also includes supernatural powers for the
worldly person such as acquiring a subtle, miniature form, pranayam, introversion
(pratyahar),concentration(dharana),meditation(dhyan)andthesuperconsciousstate
(samadhi) as well as the description of the states of the chakras commencing from
theMuladharorthenavel.
D.Pad(chapter)4Charyapad
Hereausterities,purificatoryceremonies,thenatureofaShivalingaanditsinstallation,
avisiblelingaofUmaandMaheshvar,Ganapati,Skanda,Nandi,ajapamala (rosary)
and the ritual for ancestors (shraddha) are described. It is seen that behaviour
contributing to the actions described in the Kriyapad are complemented in
thisCharyapad.Actionswhichareforbiddenaredescribedhereasfollows.
Partakingofanofferingoffood(prasad)ofotherdeities
Criticising the rituals done with expectation (sakam karmas) described in
theShaivaphilosophy,enjoyingTheLordscreation,animalsacrifices,etc.
4.ShuddhaShaivites
In South India another sect known as the Shuddha Shaivites was established in the
later period. Qualified nonduality (Vishishtadvait) maybe described as the special
characteristicofthissect.Thisisalsosaidtobeduetotheinfluenceofthephilosophies
propoundedbyRamanujacharyaandYamunacharya.TheVayaviyaSanhitaapartof
theShivaPuranistheprincipalholytextofthissect.JustasVaishnavteacherscameto
the fore deriving inspiration from the devotional poetry ofAlvars and propounded
theVaishnavsect and philosophy so also, theShaivateachers(naynars) of the south
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grantingprominencetothehymnsofdevoteeslikeNamtara,etc.begantopropagate
thedoctrinesoftheirsect.
WhatarenamesandfunctionofLordDatta?
Contents
1.LordDattatreyaOnewhoprovidesfrequenciesofDivineconsciousness!
2.OtherNamesofLordDattatreya
3.FunctionofLordDattatreya
4.WorshipofLordDatta(whohasonehead)
5.BenefitofchantingLordDattatreyasName
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In the era gone by, the demonic energies grew enormously in the gross and subtle
forms.Godseffortstovanquishthemwereunsuccessful.Then,underordersfromLord
Brahma,LordDattahadtoincarnateatvariousplacesinvariousformsanddestroythe
demons.ThedayofHisincarnationiscelebratedasDattaJayanti.LordGanesh.
1. Lord Dattatreya One who provides frequencies of Divine

consciousness!
The principle that makes available to an embodied soul both gross and subtle (i.e.
manifestandunmanifest)frequenciesofhigherorlowerGodsandDeitiesinashorter
time is called Datta or Lord Dattatreya). The very meaning of Datta is the One who
providesfrequenciesofDivineconsciousness.AScholar.
2.OtherNamesofLordDattatreya
2.1Avadhut
TheOnewhocontrolstheeightfacultiesinthebodyofanembodiedsoulandshowsit
the path to the unmanifest dimension through the manifest dimension. Avadhut is a
mediumthatconnectsboththemanifestformofLordDattaandHisunmanifestform.He
is a manifest form (the gross manifestation) of the three principles Brahma, Vishnu
andShiv.Heisalsorelatedtotheunmanifestdimension(manifestationofthesethree
principles in the form of light). Avadhut comes alive with the radiance of Lord
Dattatreya.
2.2Digambar
IstheprinciplewhichgivescompanytoanembodiedsoultillitgetsFinalLiberationin
theradianceofthesky,i.e.beyondallthedirections.
2.3Sripad
SriistheneverendingprincipleofGod.Theprinciplethattakesanembodiedsoulto
thatprincipleofGodortotheHolyFeetofSriprincipleistheDattaprincipleinSripad.
2.4Vallabh
The Datta principle in the form of Vallabh protects the Universe from the circular
shaped distressing frequencies that create a fear psychosis, and thus protects the
embodiedsouls.AScholar.
3.FunctionofLordDattatreya
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Lord Dattatreya bestows His grace on man by giving speed to the journey of his
ancestorstothenextregionandreducinghisdistressfromancestors.Godgivesmana
chancetogetliberatedfromthedebtofancestorsthroughtheritualthatgivesspeedto
ancestorsonwardjourneyandthroughchantingtheNameofDattatreya.
One cannot get rid of the ancestors debt merely by remembering them off and on,
displayingtheirphotosinthehouseorpublishingtheirphotosinnewspapersontheir
deathanniversaries.ItisonlybychantingtheNameofDattatreyathattheancestorsget
speedtogoontheironwardjourneyintruesense.Fromthiswecanrealisethatitis
imperative to worship the Deity to get liberated from the ancestors debt. This also
reducesthedebtofGodonus.ADevoteeofDatta.
4.WorshipofLordDatta(whohasonehead)
TilltheSatyaYuga,thespirituallevelofallembodiedsoulswashighandtheyacquired
knowledge on the strength of their own spiritual practice. They possessed the state
ofSoham(IamHe).SoLordDattatreyawasrequiredforthefunctionsofdissolution
andimpartingknowledgetoaverylimitedextent.OnlytheVishnuprincipleinHimwas
active that time. As a symbol of this, the idol of Datta had only one head. Thereafter,
duringtheTretaYuga,thespiritualleveloftheembodiedsoulsstartedtocomedown
andtheyfounditdifficulttoprotectthemselvesandacquireknowledgeontheirown.To
impartmoreknowledgetothemthroughthesubtledimension,LordDattatreyahadto
bringoutthedormantBrahmaandShivprincipleinHim.Tosymbolisethis,thethree
headedidolofDattatreyabecameprevalent.
4.1TheJapamala(rosary)inLordDattashandrepresentsperennial
spiritualpractice
BrahmaofthethreeheadedDattahasarosaryinHishand.Dattaschantinggoeson
continuously,withoutabreak.PerennialspiritualpracticeisthequalityofLordShivtoo.
This feature of perennial spiritual practice of both the Deities is found in Lord
Dattatreya.PerennialspiritualpracticeinthepresentErameansfunctioningeitherina
saviouroradestroyerform,asisrequired.ADevoteeofDatta.
4.2Kamandalu(waterpotwithaspecificshapecarriedbyascetics)
Containswaterwhichhasthepotentialtoabsorbtheunmanifestwavesemanatingfrom
theLordandtodrawaprotectivesheathinamomentaroundthethreecelestialregions
forprotectingthemfromthedistressofnegativeenergiesintheUniverse.AScholar.
5.BenefitofchantingLordDattatreyasName
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A. The ancestors get speed in their journey to the next region and this makes the
atmosphereinthehousepleasant.
B.AnembodiedsoulgetsenergyfromLordShivalso.
LordGanesh.
Filedunder:SriDatta|Leaveacomment
WhydidLordDattaacquireknowledgefromtwentyfourGurus?
LordDatta
Contents
1.Meaning
2.SomeotherNames
2.1Avadhut
2.2Digambar(
)
3.HistoryofHisbirth
3.1Accordingtothespiritualtexts(Purans)
3.2AccordingtothescienceofSpirituality
4.GurusandsubordinateGurusofDatta
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4.1Guru
4.2SubordinateGurus
4.3IsitnecessarytohaveanumberofGurus?
1.Meaning
Datta means the one who has been given [the spiritual experience of the unmanifest
(nirgun)] away. In other words the one who has been endowed with the spiritual
experiencethatHeisBrahman,isalreadyliberatedoristhesoulitself,isDatta.
2.SomeotherNames
2.1Avadhut
SomeoftheoriginsandmeaningsofthewordAvadhut(
)aregivenbelow
A()=OnewhoisperpetuallyengrossedinBliss(

).
Va()=Onewholiveseverymomentinthepresent(
).
Dhu ()
= One whose entire ignorance has been cleansed with spiritual
knowledgeandhenceisbenevolent(
:).
T() = One who has destroyed His ignorance by contemplation on the
principle(Brahman)(
IntheAvadhutopanishadthemeaningofthewordAvadhutisasunder
A():Themeaningofthisletterisinfinite.Avadhuthasrealised Brahmaninthe
form of letters (Aksharbrahman). Aksharbrahman also refers to the state of
action.
Va():Thislettersymbolises varenyatva( )whichmeanssupremacy.
Dhu()
:Theletterdhumeanstheonefreefromallkindsofbondages,liberated,
the one who cannot be described with any title or cannot function with any
restriction.
T (): This letter symbolises the great quote meaning You are that
Principle(Brahman).
In short, a great saint who constantly remains engrossed in Selfrealisation is
describedasAvadhut.

: (Avadhut is the one who cleanses and
destroys all defects arising from Prakruti.) This is the definition according to
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theSiddhasiddhantapaddhati(6.1).
Avadhut chintanShri GurudevDatta (

). Thisis the

waydevoteesofLordDattasingHisglory.Avadhutreferstothedevotee.Thusit
means that Shri Gurudev Datta is the one who always thinks about and takes
careofHisdevotees.
Onewhoiswithoutadoubtoraresolveandispureinallaspectsisknownas
Avadhut,HeisafamousBrahman.
TheonewhocleansestheentireworldwithSelfrealisationiscalledAvadhut,
HeisafamousBrahman.
Avadhutistheonewhodestroysego,Heisayogiandispuretoo.Theonewho
isoverwhelmedwithegolivesadegradedlife.
ShriEknathiBhagvat7:270272
2.2Digambar(
)
In

: dik(
) refers to the direction and ambar (
) to the garment.
Digambarmeansonewhoseapparelisthedirectionsthemselves.
3.HistoryofHisbirth
3.1Accordingtothespiritualtexts(Purans)
Anasuya the wife of Sage Atri was very chaste (pativrata). Her chastity endowed her
with so much power that Indra and other deities felt threatened. They approached
Brahma,VishnuandMaheshandtoldThem,Ifsomeoneisblessedbyherhewillbe
abletosubstitutethedeitiesorslayanyofthem.Sopleasefindasolutiontothisorat
leastletusserveher.ThisenragedthetrinityofdeitiesandTheysaid,Letusseehow
greatherchastityis.
Once when Sage Atri had gone out to undertake austerities the trinity of deities
disguisedasguestsapproachedAnasuyaandaskedforalms.SherequestedThemto
waittillSageAtrireturned.Theyrepliedsaying,Itwillbelongbeforethesagereturns.
We are very hungry. Please serve us fast otherwise we will go elsewhere. We have
heardthatyouserveguestsfoodaspertheirwishesinyourhermitage,thatiswhywe
hadcome.ThenshewelcomedThemandrequestedThemtositdownforameal.They
complied.WhenshecametoserveThemTheysaid,Seeingyourbeautywewishthat
youserveuswithoutanygarmentson.Shethoughttoherself,Itiswrongtosenda
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hungryguestaway.Mymindispure,thenwhatcanthedeityofsex,Kamadevdo?The
prowess of my husbands penance will save me. She then told the guests I will
undressandserveYou.EattoYourheartscontent.Inthekitchenshecontemplated
uponherhusbandandthoughttheseguestsaremychildren.Thensheremovedher
garmentsandcametoserveThem.Tohersurprise,theguestshadturnedintothree
wailingbabies!ShethenheldThemtoherbreastandfedThemthusstoppingTheir
cry.
Just then, Sage Atri returned. She narrated everything to Him. He being Omniscient
recognised the babies and offered obeisance to Them. The babies remained in the
cradle and Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh appeared before the couple. Appeased, the
deities told the couple to ask for a boon. Atri and Anasuya asked for the babies to
remainwiththem.Blessingthemaccordingly,thedeitiesreturnedtoTheirabodes.From
the three deities, Chandra was created from Brahma, Datta from Vishnu and Durvas
from Shankar. Chandra and Durvas took permission and left for the chandraregion
(chandralok)andtoplacesofpilgrimagerespectively,toundertakepenance.Thethird,
thatisDattaremainedontheearthtoaccomplishthemissionofLordVishnu.Thisitself
istheoriginoftheGurulineage(pitha).
3.2AccordingtothescienceofSpirituality
A()meansabsent( aisthevowelsignifyingnegation)andtri( )tothetriad.Hence
Atri ( ) means the one in whom the triads of the waking dream deep sleep
states,sattvarajatamacomponentsandthemeditatorobjectofmeditationactof
meditationareabsent.Atrisintellectwaspure,devoidofasuya,thatisdesireandanger
andthesixactions(shatkarmas).ThatpureintellectitselfisreferredtoasAnasuya.Itis
theresolveofthispureintellectitselfwhichgavebirthtoDatta.
4.GurusandsubordinateGurusofDatta
4.1Guru
The eleventh skandha (volume) of the Shrimadbhagvat narrates a conversation
between Yadu and Avadhut. Here Avadhut names His Gurus and narrates what He
learntfromthem.[ThewordGuruusedinthiscontextmeanstheteacher.Thefeatures
ofatrueGuruaregiveninScienceofSpirituality:Chapter6PathofGurusGrace
(Gurukrupayoga).]
EverythingintheuniverseisaGurubecauseonecanlearnsomethingortheotherfrom
it.Frombadthingsonelearnswhatdefectstorejectandfromgoodthingswhatgood
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qualitiestoacquire.ForexampleIaccumulatedknowledgefromthetwentyfourGurus
enlistedbelowandconverteditintoanocean.Thenbathinginit,Icleansedallmysins.
1.Theearth:Oneshouldacquirethevirtuesofenduranceandtoleranceofdualityfrom
theearth.
2.Thewind:Oneshouldbedetachedlikethewind.Justasthewindblowsbothinthe
hotandcoldregionswithoutbeinginfluencedbytheirqualitiesordefectssoalsothose
desirous of Liberation (mumukshus) should wholeheartedly tread along the path
prescribedbytheVedas(Shrutis)inthehotandcoldregionswithoutpayingattentionto
virtuesordefectsofothers.
3.Thesky:Justliketheskythesoulpervadesallanimateandinanimateobjectsyetit
remainsunaltered,singleandsteady.
4.Thewater
Justlikewateroneshouldbehavewithaffectiontowardsall.Oneshouldnever
bepartialtoanyone.
Justaswaterretainsitsimpurityatitsbedandcleansesothersoftheirimpurities
so also should man renounce the impurities arising from attachment to the
physicalbody,acquirethetreasureofspiritualknowledgeandcleansepeople
withvices,oftheirsins.
Just as water flows from a higher altitude uprooting impudent trees, nurturing
humblevegetationonitswaytothelowlyinglandsoalsoliberatedsoulsshould
destroythevainandwealthy,punishthehypocriteevildoersandredeemthose
whosurrendertothem,oftheirsins.
Manisakintowaterwhichbecomesimpurebystagnationandgetspurifiedasit
flows. Hence men with a spiritual attitude should visit various places of
pilgrimages(tirthakshetras)insteadoflivinginoneplace.
5.Thefire
Like fire, man should undertake austerities and get illumined with knowledge.
Heshouldpartakeofwhateverisavailable,refrainfrombaddeedsandutilise
hisvirtuesonlyattheopportunemomentforaworthwhilecause.
When on a pilgrimage, etc. one should eat whatever is available without
accumulatingit.
Alwaysremainingpurelikethefireoneshouldbehavewithequalitytowardsall.
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Fire delivers the oblations to the deities made in it amidst chanting of their
respectiveNames.
Inordertorealisethetransientnatureofthebodytheflameoffireisconsidered
asaGuru.Justashardlyanytimeisrequiredtokindleandextinguishaflameso
alsocreationanddissolutionofabodyfromthefivecosmicelementsdoesnot
takelong.
6.Themoon:Thereareinallsixteenphasesofthemoonincludingthesubtlephaseof
thenewmoonandthefifteenofthefortnight.Thoughthereiswaxingandwaningofthe
moon,itremainsunaffectedbythem.Similarly,thesoulisnotaffectedbychangesinthe
body.
7. The sun: The sun stores water taking the future into account and benevolently
showersitontheearthattheappropriatemoment.Inthesamewaymanshouldstore
usefulthingsandmakethemavailabletoalllivingorganismsimpartially,considering
thetime,placeandtheprevalentconditions.
8.Thepigeon:Amanwholiveswithintenseattachmentforhiswifeandchildrenfeeling
that worldly life is pleasurable is destroyed with time just like a pigeon along with its
family is devoured by a falcon. Thus a seeker desirous of Liberation (mumukshu)
shouldbementallydetachedfromallthis.
9.Thepython:The python lies in one place fearlessly having faith in its destiny. It is
contentwithwhateverfooditgetsandhasnopreferencesaboutthequantity,taste,etc.
Itdoesnotfeelthreatenedifnofoodisavailableforsometimeandinspiteofhavingthe
strengthdoesnotmakeuseofit.SimilarlythosedesirousoftheFinalLiberationshould
partakeofwhateverlittleisavailablereposingfaithindestinyandattimesifnothingis
availablethentheyshouldbecomeintrovertedandremainengrossedinmeditatingon
thesoul.
10.Thesea
Duringmonsoonsjustastheseaisneitherpleasediftheriversbringinplentyof
waternorisdispleasediftheydonot,andconsequentlydoesnotswellorshrink,
soalsomanshouldremainsteadfasttohisdutiesandshouldneitherfeelelated
ifheexperiencesworldlypleasuresnorunhappyifheisfacedwithtragedy.He
shouldalwaysremainimmersedinBliss.
One should not let anyone perceive ones virtues just as the sea keeps its
length, breadth, depth and the treasures in its bed hidden from everyone.
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Howeveroneshouldalwaysutilisethemfavourably,forthesakeofothers.
11.Themoth:Themothenchantedbythealluringradianceofthelitlamp,divesatit
andissooncharredtodeath.Amanwhoissimilarlyfascinatedbyawomansbeauty
andyouthforthesakeofsexualpleasurefinallyperishesinitjustlikethemoth.
12.Thequeenbeeandthehoneycollector
Thequeenbee:Thequeenbeebuildsahiveencounteringseveraldifficultiesin
acumbersomelocationhighuponatreeandcollectshoneyinit.Itneithereats
ititselfnorletsothersfeastuponit.Finallyallofasuddenthehoneycollector
killsitandtakesawaythehivealongwiththehoney.Inthesamewaythemiser
whoaccumulateswealthwithrelentlesseffortsfinallyeitherbecomesunhappy
whenitissuddenlylostinthefire,stolenbythievesortakenawaybythekingor
when unrighteous progeny is born to him which misuses it or if he dies
issueless. Thus after his death the wealth either remains where it is or is
acquired by someone unrelated to him. If at the time of death he still has
attachmentforthatwealththenheharassestheonewhoenjoysitintheformof
aspiritoraserpent.Thuslearningthataccumulationofwealthleadstosudden
deathlikethehoneybee,oneshouldstopamassingwealth.
The honey collector: Just as the one who collects the honey acquires it
effortlesslysoalsoamaleseekershouldpartakeoffoodcookedinthehomeof
a householder instead of spending time in making a fire, collecting utensils,
firewood,etc.andshoulddevotethattimetorealiseGod.Suchseekersdesirous
ofLiberationpartakeoffoodfromhouseholdersandultimatelyupliftthem.
13.Theelephant(Gajendra)
Althoughtheelephantissopowerful,mantriestocaptureitbydiggingapitin
theground,coveringitwithgrassandplacingawoodencowelephantcovered
with elephant skin on that pit. Infatuated by the cow elephant the elephant
craves for sexual pleasure and runs towards that wooden cow elephant with
speedandfallsinthepit.Thusitiseasilymadeacaptivebyman.Similarlyman
luredbysensuouspleasureisinstantlyentrappedinbondage.
Menalluredbyadulterouswomenaredestroyedinthesamewayaselephants
overcomewithlustdiefightingamongstthemselves.
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14.Thebumblebee
Thesunflowerwhichbloomswithsunrisecloseswiththesunset.Atthattimeifa
bumblebeeisseatedonit,thenitgetstrappedintheflower.Thusrealisingthat
attachment to object pleasure gives rise to bondage, one should refrain from
suchattachment.
Justasthebumblebeesavoursthefragranceofseveralsunflowersinsteadof
onesoalsoseekersdesirousofLiberationshouldrealisethateverysciencewill
notbeeasytograspandhenceshouldtrytounderstandtheirimpliedmeaning.
15.TheMuskdeer:Themuskdeerwhichisasswiftasthewindandcanbecaptured
bynone,getsenchantedwithmelodiousmusicandlosesitslifetoothers.Keepingthis
inmindoneshouldnotgetentrappedinanykindofattachment.
16.TheFish:Whenafishhookfastenedwithbaitisthrownintothewater,thefishlured
bythebaitswallowsthehookandgetscaught.Thusitlosesitslife.Mantooistrapped
in satisfying his taste buds and thus continues to suffer in the whirlpool of births and
deaths.
17. The prostitute Pingala: One night despite a long wait not a single client
approachedher.Assherestlesslywaitedpacingupanddown,hopingforaclientshe
wasfinallyboredandsuddenlydevelopeddetachment.Aslongasmanhasdesirehe
cannotsleeppeacefully.Theonewhosacrificesdesireisunaffectedbyunhappiness.
18.Thelapwing:Seeingthelapwingflywithafishinitsbeakhundredsofcrowsand
eaglesbeganchasingit,peckingatitandtriedtosnatchthefish,thusharassingit.This
flockbeganfollowingitwhereveritwent.Finallyexhausteditdroppedthefish.Justthen
aneaglecaughtthefish.Nosoonerhadtheeaglecaughtthefishthanallthecrowsand
eaglesbeganchasingit.Thelapwinghowevercalmlypercheditselfonthebranchofa
tree.Inthisworldthereispeaceonlyifsenseobjectsarerejected,otherwiseitleadsto
greatdistress.
19.Thechild:Forsakingrespectanddisrespect,believingthattheuniverseisgoverned
bydestinyoneshouldlivecarefreelikeachildandenjoytheBliss.
20.Thebangles:When two bangles strike each other a jingling sound is generated.
Themorethebanglesthegreateristhesound.Similarlywhentwopersonslivetogether
it leads to conversation and when many persons live together there is strife. In both
circumstances there is no peace of mind. Hence those doing meditation, yoga, etc.
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shouldsearchforanisolatedplaceandlivethereinseclusion.
21.Theartisan:One day an artisan was chiselling the blade of an arrow with great
concentration.Akingsprocessiontotheaccompanimentofmusicpassedbythatway.
Amanarrivinglaterapproachedtheartisanandenquired,Haveyouseenthekings
processionpassingbythisway,justnow?Theartisanreplied,Iwassoengrossesdin
my work that I was not aware of anything. Just like this artisan a seeker desirous of
Liberation(mumukshu)shouldmeditatesurrenderingallhissenseorganstoTheLord.
22.Thesnake:Two snakes never live or wander about together. They move around
cautiously never making any sound. Instead of making a home for themselves they
occupy someone elses habitat. They neither move around freely, criticise without
reason nor get angry unless injured by someone. Thus two intellectuals should not
movearoundtogether,shouldspeaklimitedly,shouldnotquarrelwithoneanotheror
ridicule anyone, should act thoughtfully, should not address a gathering and should
spend their lives living anywhere instead of building a house for themselves. By
buildingahouseonedevelopsvanityandconsequentlyattachmentdevelops.
23.Thespider:Thespiderspinsawebsecretingafluidfromitsbellyandplaysinitday
and night. When it feels like it, it swallows the entire web and becomes free again.
SimilarlyGodcreatestheworldwhenHewishesandindulgesinvariouskindsofplay
init.WhenHefeelslikeit,witharesolveHedestroysitandbecomessingleagain.Just
as a spider can weave a web with its fluid repeatedly so also can God create the
universebyamereresolve,dissolveitwithinHimselfandrecreateitatHiswill.Hence
oneshouldnotattachimportancetoworldlyevents.
24.Thewasp:Theonewhoregularlymeditatesonanobjectfinallymergesintoit.The
waspbuildsahousefrommudandkeepsaworminit.Itlightlyblowsairovertheworm
time and again. Consequently the worm meditates on the wasp and finally also
becomesawasp.AseekerdesirousofLiberationshouldinthesamemannermeditate
onGodasadvisedbytheGurusothathemergesintoGod.
4.2SubordinateGurus
A. The tree: The man who does unrighteous acts under the predominance of
the tamacomponent becomes a tree in the next birth and because of his vanity is
compelledtoremainstandingasatreeallhislife.Thesetreesremaindependenton
others and cleanse themselves of the sins committed in their previous births by
pleasantlyservingotherstilltheydie.Thatiswhytheyhappilyoffersheltertobirdsand
othercreatures.Theyalsoprotecttheirrefugeesbybearingthebruntofthecold,wind,
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heat, etc. onto their bodies and offer them their leaves, flowers and fruits for survival.
Menbreak,cut,saw,peel,uprootthem,robthemoftheirflowers,fruits,leavesandeven
theirgum.Theyaredebarked,cut,scrapedandusedastimber,firewood,etc.Suffering
is inflicted upon them according to ones wish and any possible task is undertaken
making use of them. Just as the species of trees endures the suffering inflicted by
peopleonthemandcontinuestoservethemtilltheylivesoalsoseekersdesirousof
Liberationshouldendureallsufferingandcontinuetoserveotherstilltheydie.
Just as trees offer shelter to travellers, householders should offer meals to guests
comingtotheirdoorstepandgivethemshelter.Ifbychanceoneacquireswealththen
oneshouldnotbecomeinsolent.Justastreesblossomingwithflowersandfruitsbow
downandserveothersmoresoalsoifonebecomeswealthyoneshouldhumblyrender
moreservicetoothers.
B. The mountains: The mountains and the earth store precious stones, etc. in their
mines. As a result man is benefitted tremendously. Every man should acquire
knowledge likewise and use it favourably. Just as in summer mountains quench the
thirst of man with their springs so also one should develop the habit of talking
melodiouslysoastomakeothershappy.
DattahadseveralsuchsubordinateGurus.
[Based on Brahmibhut Shrimat P.P. Vasudevanand Sarasvati (Tembe) Swaminche
Charitra.Author:ShrimantRajmanyaRajbandhuGandabuvaBrahmachari.]
4.3IsitnecessarytohaveanumberofGurus?
Datta:OKingYadu!YouwillwonderwhyitisnecessarytohavesomanyGuruswhen
only one Guru is sufficient for Selfrealisation. Is this not akin to the behaviour of an
adulterouswoman?
The answer to this is that to attain Selfrealisation only one Guru is sufficient. If any
doubtsregardingHispreachingaregeneratedthentheyshouldbeclarified.Tobeable
toperceiveunityofthesoulprincipleinallanimateandinanimatecreationIimbibedthe
qualitiesfromtheseobjectsintheformofaGuru.ThusthespiritualknowledgethatMy
GuruimpartedMewithwasstrengthenedbyMychoosingtheseattributesasGurus.
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WhatisthesignificanceofvariousformsofLordHanuman?
LordHanuman
Contents
1.Sciencebehindtheidol
1.1Colour
1.2Form
2.Shani(Saturn)andMaruti
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2.1Similarities
2.2Differences
3Demigods(yakshas)andMaruti
4GanapatiandMaruti
5ImportanceofMarutiasdescribedbysaints
6.Worship
6.1Objectives
6.2Ritualisticworship(puja)
7.Marutiinourlives
1.1Colour
One comes across varied information regarding Hanumans form. His complexion is
mostly red and rarely black. A red Hanuman is one smeared with a saffron coloured
powdercalledsindur.PerhapsHisblackcomplexionisduetotheinfluenceofSaturn
(Shani). Hanuman is famous as an incarnation or as a son of Lord Rudra. Since
Rudrascomplexionisred,HanumantoomusthavederivedHiscomplexionfromHim.
AfterHeacquiredaredcomplexionstoriesregardingHisloveforsindurweretold.
OnceafterbathingSitamadearedspot(tila)withsinduronHerforehead.When
HanumanaskedforanexplanationSitareplied,ItisbecauseofthisthatYour
Masters life is prolonged. When He heard this, Hanuman smearedsindur all
overHisbody!
OncewhenHanumanwasproceedingtoLankawiththeDronagirihillsBharat
struck Him with an arrow and wounded His leg. The wound healed with a
mixtureofsindurandoil.HencesindurandoilareHanumansfavourites.
1.2Form
Lookatthetwofiguresgivenbelow.Decidewithwhichfigureyoufeelmorepleasant
andthenreadfurther.
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FigureA
FigureB
AtoneofourworkshopsinMumbaitwentyfiveoutofthirtysixseekerswhoparticipated
inthisexperimentgavetheiranswers.Theaveragespiritualleveloftheseekerswas
35%.Duringasatsang(spiritual meeting) at times the spiritual level of a seeker can
evenbecome4050%.Thespirituallevelofanaveragepersonis20%whilethatofone
who has attained the Final Liberation (Moksha) is 100%. If average individuals
participateintheexperiment,theydonotperceiveanything.Henceinsuchexperiments
everyonedoesnotgetspiritualexperiences.Onlythosewhohaveattainedaspiritual
levelof35%andaboveandareabletoperceivesomethingofthesubtledimensionare
abletogiveanswers.Sixteenoutoftwentyfiveseekersexperiencedserenity(shanti)
withfigureAandtherestwithfigureB.
FigureAdepictsthetailofMarutiastheservitor(Dasmaruti)andfigureBthetailof
Maruti as the courageous one (Virmaruti). One must have realised how without even
looking at the entire form of Maruti merely by looking at His tail, energy or divine
consciousness(chaitanya)inHisformismanifested.EnergymanifestsfromMarutias
the courageous one and divine consciousness from Maruti as the servitor since the
latterismergedintoLordRama.
Maruti as the servitor (Dasmaruti) and Maruti as the courageous one
(Virmaruti):HanumanhastwoformsnamelyMarutiastheservitorandMaruti
asthecourageousone.TheservitorformistheoneinwhichHanumanstandsin
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frontofRamawithHishandsfoldedinobeisance,Histailrestingontheground.
ThestanceofMarutiasthecourageousoneisthatofonereadyforbattle.His
tailisuprightandHisrighthandisturnedtowardsHishead.Sometimesevena
demon crushed under His feet is depicted. To overcome problems of
possession,blackmagic,etc.Marutiasthecourageousoneisworshipped.
Marutiwithfivefaces(PanchmukhiMaruti):
One finds quite a few idols of the five

faced Maruti. The five faces are of an
eagle (garud), a boar (varaha),
ahayagriv,alionandamonkey.Theidol
hastenarmswieldingaflag,asword,a
noose, etc. One explanation for the five
faces of a deity is that the deity keeps
vigilance and has control over the five
directions north, south, east, west and
theupwarddirection/zenith.
Marutifacingthesouth(Dakshinmukhi
Maruti): Here the word south (dakshin)
has two meanings one is the south
directionandsecond,therightside.
South in context to the direction: Here
PanchmukhiHanuman
sinceMarutifacesthesouthHeisnamed
so.Blackmagiclikejaran,maran,etc.are
done primarily in front of this idol of Maruti. Such idols of Maruti are found in
Mumbai,Pune,Aurangabad,etc.inMaharashtraandinBasavgudiinthedistrict
ofKarnatakainIndia.
Southincontexttotherightside:ThisMarutihasHisfaceturnedtowardsthe
right. What do you feel after looking at the following two figures? First decide
with which you experience more energy and only then read the following
section.
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FigureA
At a workshop in Mumbai twelve out of

thirtysixseekersgaveanswers.Nineout
ofthesetwelveexperiencedenergywith
figureBandonly3experiencedenergy
with figure A. In figure B (facing the
right)sincethesunchannel(surya nadi)
of Maruti is active more energy was felt
bymostseekerslookingatit.InfigureA
the moon channel (chandra nadi) of
Maruti is operational hence people felt
less energy. Just like Ganapati with the
trunk towards the right the Maruti facing
the right is a powerful deity. He is
worshippedtoovercomeproblemsdueto
FigureB
distressing
energy.
The sushumna channel (nadi)
of
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GanapatiandMarutiarecontinuouslyoperationalbutwiththetransformationinTheir
formsthesunormoonchannelstoobecomeoperationaltoasmallextent.
2.Shani(Saturn)andMaruti
Although there is close association between Shani and Hanuman prevailing in our
societyitsexplanationisequallycomplicatedandincomprehensible.
2.1Similarities
1. In the verse with a thousand Names of Hanuman
(Hanumansahasranamstotra)ShaniisoneoftheNamesofHanuman.
2. In the Surya Sanhita it is said that Hanuman was born on a Saturday
(Shanivar).
3.ItisgiveninholytextsthatRudraisoneofthetennamesofShani.
4. Just like Shani one occasionally comes across Hanuman with a dark
complexion.
5.SinceShaniispopularintheGadhvalregionHanumanisalsoseensporting
an iron whip akin to Shani. As a result unknowingly a relationship between
ShaniandHanumanmusthavebeenestablishedandHanumansworshipon
SaturdaysandHisinclusioninthevowedobservanceofworshippingSaturday
(Shanivarvrat)musthavecommenced.
2.2Differences
ThedifferencesbetweenShaniandHanumanaremorethantheirsimilarities.
1. Shani is the son of the Sun deity hence is born from the tej (absolute fire)
element whereas Hanuman is the son of Vayu hence is born from
thevayu(absoluteair)element.
2.ThereisdiscordbetweenShaniandthesunwhereasHanumanisadevotee
oftheSundeity.HehaslearntalltheskillsfromtheSundeitywhohasimparted
ahundredthportionofHisradiancetoHim.DuetotheconflictbetweenShani
andtheSundeitythelatterhelpedHanuman,theenemyofHisenemy(Shani).
At that time the vayu element and energy had not manifested completely in
Hanuman.
3.ShaniisslowwhereasHanumanisswiftliketheeagle.
4.ShaniisanevilplanetwhileHanumanisdefinitelynotso.
5.ItissaidthatoneshouldnotselloilonSaturdaysyetitiscustomarytoofferoil
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toHanumanonthatday.
3.Demigods(yakshas)andMaruti
Brave and miraculous are adjectives used to describe the demigods. In the Valmiki
RamayanHanumanisreferredtoasthemiraculousone.Mahavir(thecourageousone)
isHanumanspopularName.ThisindicatestherelationshipbetweenHanumanandthe
worshipofthedemigods.Hanumanisincludedinthefiftytwobraveones(virs)bythe
nameofKapilumbir.InMaharashtra,IndiainthemonthofPhalgunoftheHindulunar
calendar people dressed as warriors (virs) dance in a procession on their way to a
Marutitemple.
4.GanapatiandMaruti
BothofThemhavearedcomplexion(likesindur)andbothofThempossesstheeight
supernaturalpowers(ashtamahasiddhis).
5.ImportanceofMarutiasdescribedbysaints
Saint Ramdas Swami has said Hanumant is our deity. He is a symbol of energy,
ingenuityanddevotion.HenceSamarthRamdasbeganworshippingHim.Elevenidols
of Maruti installed by Him are famous. In North India too saint Tulsidas erected a
number of temples and strengthened the worship of Maruti. Madhvacharya is
consideredasanincarnationofMaruti.VariousothersaintshavealsoplacedMarutias
theidealthroughTheirvariouscompositions.
6.Worship
6.1Objectives
SincethemanifestenergyinMaruti(70%)ismuchmoreincomparisontootherdeities
(10%),Marutiisworshippedinthecontextofenergyforthefollowingreasons.
Toovercomedistressingenergy:Toovercomeproblemsduetospirits,black
magic,ancestorssubtlebodies,sufferingduetoShani,etc.
To control pleasant energy: If there is any obstacle in the pathway of the
activated kundalini (spiritual energy) then to overcome it and channelise it
appropriately.
6.2Ritualisticworship(puja)
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Popularworship:InMaharashtraonthefullmoonday(pournima)oftheHindulunar
monthofChaitraHanumansbirthday(jayanti)iscelebrated.InMaharashtraSaturdayis
considered as an auspicious day for His worship. In the rest of India Saturday and
TuesdaybothareconsideredasauspiciousdaysforHisworship.Onthesedayspeople
offer Him sindur and oil. In some places coconuts are offered. To make spiritual
progress worship of Vamamukhi (facing the left) Maruti or Maruti as the servitor
(Dasmaruti)isused.Thereasonsforofferingoil,sindur,leavesofthecoral(rui) plant
aregiveninWhyaretulsileavesofferedtoVishnu?.
InfluenceofShaniandworshipofMaruti:TherelationshipbetweenShaniandMaruti
has been explained earlier in point Shani and Maruti. Hence when there is an
influenceofShani,toreducetheresultant/resultingsufferingMarutiisworshipped.The
ritualshouldbeperformedasfollows:Takesomeoilinacup(vati),putfourteenbengal
gramgrains(udid)initandthenlookatthereflectionofonesfaceinit.Onlythenofferit
toMaruti.IfoneisunabletovisitthetempleduetoillnessonemayworshipMarutiin
this way. (Information on why bengal gram is used is described in Science of
Spirituality:Vol.20Chapter43Possession,BlackmagicandManifestation.)
A real oil vendor will never sell oil on Saturday because the distressing energy for
whichapersonisofferingoiltoMarutimaystarttroublingtheoilvendoritself.Hence
insteadofbuyingoilfromoilvendorsseatedoutsidethetempleoneshouldcarryoilfor
theoffering,fromhome.
MarutiGayatri
Meaning: We are quite familiar with Maruti, the son of Anjani. We meditate on that
Maruti,thesonofVayu.MaythatcourageousMarutiinspireourintellectbenevolently.
7.Marutiinourlives
IfMarutiisinourbreaththenRama[theembodiedsouldoingspiritualpractice(jivatma)
oratmaram]iswithinus.
||ShriMarutayenamaha||
Filedunder:SriHanuman|Leaveacomment
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WhataretheimpliedmeaningsofthetenincarnationsofLordVishnu?
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TenincarnationsofLordVishnu
Contents
1.PersonagesandpartsofLordVishnu
2.Thetenincarnations(dashavtar)
2.1Matsya(Thefish)
2.2Kurma(Thetortoise)
2.3Varaha(Theboar)
2.4Narsinha/Nrusinha(Themanlion)
2.5Vaman(Thedwarf)
2.6Parshuram
2.7Rama
2.8Krushna
2.9Buddha
2.10Kalki
1.PersonagesandpartsofLordVishnu
A.Personages:FourpersonagesofLordVishnuhavebeendescribedinthe Vishnu
Puran,thefirstreclinesonShesh,thesecondnurturescreation,thethirdassumesan
incarnation and reinstates Righteousness (Dharma) and the fourth destroys
unrighteousnessanddemons.
B. Parts: Lord Vishnu has four main parts. With one He becomes the unmanifest
Brahma,withthesecondPrajapatilikeMarichetc.,withthethirdHeisthetime(kal)and
withthefourthHeisintheformofanimateandinanimatecreation.Thusinthesefour
waysHeexistsincreation.
2.Thetenincarnations(dashavtar)
All information regarding incarnations with regard to why they are assumed, their
mission, types, characteristics, etc. are given in Science of Spirituality : Vol. 7
Supreme God, God, Incarnations and Deities. Here information only on the ten main
incarnationsofLordVishnuhasbeengiven.
Incarnation
sect
Dateof
birth
according
Era Vishnu Mani Name

(yug) prin fest ofthe
ciple ener Divine
Ability(%)
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to
theHindu
Lunar
calender
1.Matsya
(Thefish)
Thirdday
(trutiya)of
the
bright
fortnight
ofChaitra
(Matsya
Puran)
Eleventhday
(ekadashi)of
thebright
fortnightof
Ashadh
(Varaha
Puran)
2.Kurma
Fullmoon
(The
day
tortoise) (pournima)
of
Vaishakh
3.Varaha
Thirdday
(The
(trutiya)of
boar)
the
bright
fortnight
of
Bhadrapad
4.Narsinha Fourteenth
(The
day
manlion) (chaturdashi)
ofthebright
fortnightof
(%)
gy
(%)
Energy Crea Suste Disso

tion nance lution
Satya
20
20
40
50
10
Satya
30
30
30
50
20
Satya
40
40
20
50
30
Satya
45
45
Sarasvati
20
50
30
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Vaishakh
5.Vaman
(The
dwarf)
Twelfthday
(dvadashi)of
thebright
fortnightof
Bhadrapad
6.Parshu Thirdday
ram
(trutiya)of
the
bright
fortnight
ofVaishakh
7.Rama
Ninthday
(navami)of
the
bright
fortnight
ofChaitra
8.Krushna Eighthday
[absolute (ashtami)of
incarnation the
(purnav
bright
tar)]
fortnight
ofShravan
Satya
50
50
Brahm
ashakti
20
50
30
Treta
65
65
Bhumi
20
50
30
Treta
75
75
Sita
20
50
30
Dvapar
100
100
20
50
30
9.Buddha
Kali
50
70
The
eightand
tengreat
super
natural
powers
(ashta
and
dasha
maha
siddhi)
25
50
25
Ninthday
(navami)of
the
bright
fortnight
ofAshvin
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10.Kalki
Kali
80
100
15
50
35
* At the end of the Kaliyug on the third day of the bright fortnight of Shravan the
incarnation,Kalkiwillbeborn(KalkiPuran).
2.1Matsya(Thefish)
ThisistotallyanideafromtheVedas.
A.Mission
Protectingtheseedofcreationatthetimeofdissolutionoftheuniverse(pralay).
This is preserved at the time of every dissolution of the universe by the fish
incarnation.Theuniverseisthenrecreatedfromthatseedbythenexttortoise
incarnation,Kurma.
SlayingofthedemonsHayagriv(BhagvatPuran),Shankhasur(SkandPuran).
B.Idols
Completeformofafish
Thetorsoisthatofaman.ItsfourhandsholdfourinstrumentsofLordVishnu.
C.Impliedmeaning:Justasafishswimsagainstthestreamofariver,thatistowardsits
originsoalsoaseekershouldgotohisplaceoforigin,thatis,toTheSupremeGod.
ThisiswhatItteachesus.
2.2Kurma(Thetortoise)
A.Mission
Creation:AssumingtheformofatortoisePrajapaticreatedprogeny.Thiswas
His duty (karma). His name Kurma was later derived from the word karma.
FurtherHewasalsoreferredtoasKashyap.KashyapwasPrajapati,thecreator
of progeny. Since the entire creation was derived from Kashyap He was
believedtobeKurma.Fromthis,onewillrealisethatthemissioninthetortoise
form was basically that of Prajapati. After the postBrahman era Vishnu came
into prominence overshadowing Prajapati and all the latters actions were
attributedtoVishnu.ThustheKurmaincarnationbecamethesecondincarnation
ofVishnu.
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Supporting all functions: At the time of churning of the ocean

(samudramanthan) the tortoise who supported the Mandar mountain vibrating
with the sweat of deities and demons on Its back was the unrealisable
Adikachchapa (Kurma incarnation) and It considered the churning of the
mountainonItsbackasmerescratchingofItsbody.
B.Idols:IdolsofNrusinha(themanlion)andVaraha(theboar)arefoundalloverIndia
inabundancehoweverthereareveryfewoftheKurmaincarnationfoundseparately.
C.Impliedmeaning:Justasthetortoisewithdrawsitsfourlimbs,headandtailintoits
shellsoalsooneshouldcontrolthesixfoesofthesoul(shadripu).
2.3Varaha(Theboar)
A.Mission
Destructionofdemons:AdemoncalledHiranyakshaabductedtheearthand
tookittohell(patal).Vishnuthenassumedtheformofaboar,retrievedtheearth
fromhellwithItstusksandinstalleditontheheadoftheserpent,Shesh.Itthen
slew Hiranyaksha. Vishnu assumed this incarnation at the beginning of
theVarahakalpa.(VayuPuran23.100109)
Impartingspiritualknowledge:InthisincarnationVishnupreachedSpirituality
toSanatkumarandnarratedtheVarahopanishadtoRubhu.
B.Idols:AccordingtothetextVaikhanasAgamtheidolsareofthefollowingtypes.
Yadnyavaraha:ItisseatedonathronewiththedeityShrideviononesideand
Bhudeviontheother.
Pralayvaraha:OnlyBhudeviisbesideIt.
Nruvaraha:Thebodyisthatofamanandtheheadthatofaboar.Someidols
alsowieldVishnusinstrumentsinTheirhands.
C.Impliedmeaning
Varahaisaonetuskedwildboar.Theboardoesnotacceptdefeatevenatthe
costofitslife.Similarlyaseekertooshouldnotgiveupspiritualpracticeevenif
onthevergeofdeathwhendoingso.
The seventh chakra of the spiritual energy flow system (kundalini) is
calledEkadantaorNarayan.
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2.4Narsinha/Nrusinha(Themanlion)
A.Mission
SlayingthedemonHiranyakashipu
LakshmiNarsinhaisthefamilydeityofsome.Narsinhaisthefamilydeityofthe
royalfamilyofVijaynagar.
B.Idols:Thebodyisthatofamanandtheheadthatofaferociouslion.
C.Impliedmeaningofsomeincidents
Manifestation of Narsinha from a pillar shows the existence of The Lord in
animateaswellasinanimatecreation.
Hiranyakashipu signifies ignorance. Narsinha slew him by tearing open his
abdomen thus liberating the embodied soul situated in the chakra of spiritual
energy(kundalini)atthelevelofthenavel.
D.Ritualisticworship: Since it is difficult to tolerate the radiance of Nrusinha, He is
worshippedafterthebackofHisidolisadornedwitheyes,whiskers,etc.Similarlythe
eyesofBalajiofTirupatiarehalfopenasonecannottolerateHisradiance.Asacrifice
(bal)ofagoatisofferedtoNrusinha.
E. NaraNarayan: Nara was created from the human part of Narsinha and Narayan
fromthefaceofalion(KalikaPuran29).ReferpointNaraNarayan.
2.5Vaman(Thedwarf)
Vaman is the son of Kashyap and Aditi. His other name is Urukram. Urukram means
onehavingawidestride.
A.Mission:HekeptBaliademonking,inbondage.
B.Idols
IdolsofVaman:Short,withapaunch,thefacialexpressionofachild,adorning
thesacredthreadholdinganumbrellainonehandandabatonwiththeother.
Trivikram:Anexpansiveform
C.Impliedmeaning:ThethreefootstepsthatVamanaskedKingBalifor,describethe
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allpervadingnatureofVishnu.WithHisthreefootstepsVamanencompassedtheearth,
space and the sky (or the earth, heaven and hell). (Refer point Vishnus advance
(Vishnukram).)
2.6Parshuram
One comes across stories about Parshuram in theRamayan, the Mahabharat and in
some Purans. There is no separate mythological text (Puran) about Him unlike the
incarnationsprecedingHim.
A.Parents:SageJamadagnioftheBhrugudynastyandRenukaweretheparentsof
Parshuram. Renuka was the daughter of a Kshatriya (warrior). However Jamadagni
beingaBrahmanParshuramtoobecameaBrahman.TheashramofSageJamadagni
was situated on the banks of the river Narmada. Parshuram was born there in the
nineteenth
Tretayug
(in
the
transitional
period
between
theTretaandDvaparyugsaccordingtotheMahabharat).Renumeansparticlesofearth.
Renukaundertookspiritualpracticeofthewaterelement.Henceshecouldfetchwater
in pots made of wet clay. Jamadagni had done spiritual practice of the fire
element. Jamat is a type of fire. Jamat also means a resolve made with a definite
purpose.
B.Mission
SlayingofunrighteousKshatriyas(warriors):ValmikihasreferredtoHimnot
asaslayerofKshatriyasbutofkings.Fromthisaninferencecanbemadethat
ParshuramdidnotkillallKshatriyas,butonlythoseKshatriya kings who were
evil.
Kartaviryaabductedthedivinewishfulfillingcow(kamadhenu)andhercalffrom
SageJamadagnisashram.ThisincidentoccurredinParshuramsabsence.On
His return, realising what had happened, He vowed to slay Kartavirya. In the
ensuingbattlebetweenthetwoonthebanksoftheriverNarmada,Parshuram
slewKartavirya.ThereaftercomplyingwithHisfathersdirectivesHeembarked
onapilgrimageandtoundertakeausterities.
After Parshuram left, to avenge Kartaviryas death, Haihayas beheaded Sage
Jamadagni. When this news reached Parshuram He returned to the ashram.
There were twentyone injuries made with arrows on the dead body of
Jamadagni. Seeing them Parshuram instantly pledged that He would
circumambulate the earth twentyone times to punish and rid the earth of
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evilKshatriyas and Haihayas because of the slaying of a Brahman by them.

AccordingtothisvowHewouldslaytheunrighteousKshatriyasandthenretreat
for penance to the Mahendra mountain. When there was an upsurge in evil
warriors He would return and slay them. He completed twentyone such
missions.HefoughtthelastbattleontheSamantpanchak.ThereHewashedHis
axe(parshu)soakedwiththebloodoftheKshatriyasandlaiditdown.
Erecting temples of deities of territories (kshetrapaldevata): While
circumbulating the earth twentyone times He established one hundred and
eight seats of pilgrimage with divine energy (tirthakshetra), that is temples of
deitiesofterritories(kshetrapaldevata).Beforethatsaintsonlyknewaboutthese
placesbuthadnoterectedtemplesorestablishedholyseats(piths)there.
C.Characteristics
:
:
:

Meaning:ParshuramwhoisverballywellversedwiththefourVedasandsports
thebowandarrowuponHisback(thatistheonewhohastheradianceofboth
theBrahmanandtheKshatriya)willvanquishtheonewhodarestoobstructHim
eitherwithacurseoranarrow.
ImpartingenergytoRama:OncehearingaboutthefameofRama(thesonof
Dasharath)inordertotestHisbraveryParshuramobstructedHisway.ThenHe
offered His bow to Rama and told Him to bend it and mount an arrow onto it.
WhenRamacompliedandaskedwhereHeshouldshootanarrow,Parshuram
toldHim,NullifyMyactivityonthislandofKashyap.RamaobligedHim.Then
ParshuramgiftedthatbowtoRamaandthusimpartedHisenergyofdestroying
evildoerstoRama.
Thebestarcheryteacher:AfterlayingdownHisarmsHegaveupHisfeeling
of hatred for Kshatriyas (warriors) and began teaching archery to
bothBrahmans(priests)aswellasKshatriyaswithequality.Greatarchersfrom
theMahabharatsuchasBhishmacharya,Dronacharya,etc.werealldisciplesof
Parshuram.
Generous: Due to His mission of destroying the Kshatriyas He became the
masteroftheentireearth.AsaresultHealsoacquiredtheprivilegetoperform
theAshvamedhsacrificialfire(yadnya). So He first bathed in all the places of
pilgrimage,circumambulatedtheearththriceandthenperformedthesacrificial
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fire.Thealtar(vedi)ofthesacrificialfirewasmadeofgoldandwastenvave(the
distancebetweenarmsextendedsideways)longandninevavehigh.Attheend
ofthesacrificialfireParshuramofferedtheentirelandwhichHehadacquiredto
theofficiatingpriestofthesacrificialfire,Kashyap.
Creationofnewland:KashyaprealisedthataslongasParshuramcontinuedto
liveonearththeKshatriyaswouldnotprosper.HenceHetoldParshuramThe
landwhichyouhaveofferedtoMeinthesacrificenowbelongstoMe.Youhave
no right to stay on My land anymore. So making the sea recede Parshuram
created His own new territory. The area from Vaitarana to Kanyakumari is
referredtoasParshuramsterritory(Parshuramkshetra).
CreationofBrahmans:SincetherewerenoBrahmansinthenewlandcreated
byHimthepuremindedParshuramkilledeveryonethere,crematedthemand
madethempureBrahmans.
He is one of the seven immortal ones (saptachiranjiva) however the
Mahabharatstatesthatduringthemanvantar(aperiodoftime)Hewillrenounce
Hisbody.
D.TheterritoryofParshuram:TheSalhermountainissituatedatthenorthernendof
the Sahyadri range. Over there, there is a fort from the middle ages with a temple of
Parshuramatitspeak.Twofootstepsfourtimesthesizeofthefootstepofanaverage
personareengravedintheearthatadistanceof100feettothenorthofthetemple.
Theyaredesignedinthestanceadoptedbyapersonwhileshootinganarrowfroma
bow. It is said that Parshuram shot an arrow into the ocean from here and made it
recede.
An ancient temple of Parshuram is located in the Kangada district of Punjab. In the
Konkan there is one on a mountain situated five miles from Chiplun. The temple has
threeidolsstandinginarow,theirnamesbeingKama,ParshuramandKal.Theidolof
Parshuramisalittletallerthantheothers.Thethreeidolsarearrangedsuchthatthey
representBrahma,VishnuandShivarespectively.
E.Idols:The body of the idol is huge like that of Bhim. It has matted hair locks and
sportsabowontheshoulderandanaxeinthehand.
F.Ritualisticworship:ParshurambeinganincarnationofLordVishnuisworshipped
asadeityworthyofworship.Hisbirthday(jayanti)whichfallsonthethirdday(trutiya)of
thebrightfortnightoftheHindulunarmonthofVaishakhiscelebratedbothasavowed
religiousobservance(vrat)andareligiousfestival(utsav).
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2.7Rama
InformationonRamaisgiveninRama.
2.8Krushna
Information on Krushna is given inKrushna. Krushna being an absolute incarnation
(purnavtar) is not referred to as an incarnation but as Lord Vishnu Himself who has
assumedanincarnation.
2.9Buddha
A.SincetheseventhandeighthcenturiestodepicttheconnectionbetweenHinduism
and Buddhism according to the principle of not opposing anyone (

)
GautamBuddhacametobeknownasanincarnationofLordVishnu.Hewasbornonthe
ninthday(navami)ofthebrightfortnightoftheHindulunarmonthofAshvin. Buddha
stopped the concept of offering sacrifices in a sacrificial fire (yadnya) and spread the
messageoftruthandnonviolence.
B. His reign is said to be from the time of the incarnation of Krushna to that of Kalki
scheduledtooccurattheendoftheKaliyug.Inotherwords,Godisalwaysexistingbut
canberealisedonlythroughpurifiedintellect(buddhi)whichisacquiredbyremaining
in the holy company (satsang) of saints and seekers. Hence He is referred to as an
incarnation.Saint.
2.10Kalki
A.Birth:HeisthetenthortwentyfirstincarnationofLordVishnu.Hewillbebornonthe
thirdday(trutiya)ofthebrightfortnightoftheHindulunarmonthofShravanattheendof
the Kaliyug to a Brahman named Vishnuyashas in the village Shambal of Kikat. His
lineage(gotra)willbeParashar.
B.Mission:HewillembarkontheconquestoftheearthonHishorsenamedDevdatta.
HewilldestroytheevilandunrighteousandreinstateRighteousness(Dharma).Hewill
destroy His enemies, the evildoers and rule the world. The priest Yadnyavalkya will
assistHiminthismissionandfinallyattheageoftwentyfiveHewillrenounceHisbody
attheconfluenceoftheriversGangaandYamuna.TheBhavishyaKalkiPuranpredicts
thatafterthistheKrutyug(Satyayug)willcommence.
Various holy texts such as the Vishnu Puran (4.24.98), the Shrimadbhagvat (1.3.25),
the Matsya Puran, the Mahabharat Vanaparva (190. 9697), etc. predict the future
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exactlyliketheKalkiPuran.
C.Idols:TheHayshirshaPancharatraandtheAgniPurandescribetheimageofKalki
intwodifferentwaysonewithtwoarmsandtheotherwithfourarms.TheChaturvarga
ChintamanidescribesHisidolwithtwoarmsas

:
:

: :
Meaning: Kalki wields a sword in one hand, is seated on a horse, is mighty, is the
destroyerofevildoersandhastwoarms.
||ShriVishnaveNamaha||
Filedunder:SriVishnu|Leaveacomment
WhatdoesthelotusinthehandofLordVishnusymbolize?
LordVishnuwithLakshmi
Contents
1.1Instruments,ornaments,thefamilyandtheirscientificmeaning
1.2SheshashayiVishnu(Padmanabh)
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IdolsofVishnucanbetracedfromthe2nd tothe8th century.
1.1Instruments,ornaments,thefamilyandtheirscientificmeaning
Partof
the
Instrument/
Name
body/
ornament
family
1.Head Crown
Kutastha
2.Ears Earrings
Complexion
Mission/
implied
meaning
Sattva
Theperishable
(kshar)and
imperishable
(akshar)
principles
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3.Neck Garlandof
flowers
4.Chest
A.
Footprintof
Hisdevotee
B.
Diamond
5.Hand
A.1.
Conch
2.
B.
C.
Vaijayanti*
Koustubh
Five
colours
ThePrimal
Energy(Adya),
theInvincible
Energy
(Ajayashakti)
Flowers
ofatuber
Red
Lovefor
devotees
Radiance
Payanchajanya Ofthefull
moon
Theposture
assuring
protection
(abhaymudra)
Discus**
Sudarshan
Mace(placed Koumodaki
neartheright
foot)
Of
Krushna
(dark)
Ofa
thousand
suns
Brahmaninthe
formofaword
presentinthe
fivecosmic
elementsorthe
commencement
ofawar
Blessing
Theweapon
whichcanbe
flungor
operatedfrom
adistance
Theweapon
usedwhenthe
enemyisclose,
thePrimal
Knowledge
(Adividya),the
formofthe
universal
intellect(Mahat
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D.
Padma
(lotus)
E.
Bow
Sharanhga
6.Family
A.Wife
Lakshmi***
Golden
Wife
Pushti
B.
Serpent
C.
Vehicle
Anant
Garud
Ofthe
Shirish
flower
Ofa
cloud
Ofa
lotus
principle),the
energy
destroying
ego
Procreation,
creation,
Serenity
(shanti).
ThePrimal
Illusion
(Adimaya)
DivineEnergy
(Shakti)
DivineEnergy
(Shakti)
Pureparticles
Vehicle
*Anenergy.Vaijayanti(
)=vai(
)+jayanti(
). Vai means numerous eras
(yugs)andjayantimeans chains. The one adorning the necklace of Vaijayanti is the
onewearingthechainsoftheerasaroundHisneckandtheonebeyondtime,thatis
LordVishnu.
**TherotatingdiscusistheGreatIllusion.Thefingeraboutwhichitrotatesisstationary
andrepresentsBrahman..
*** The Divine Energy which is constantly engaged in destroying the mind and
distressing energy. Lakshmi is seated at His feet. [Parvati is seated on Shivas lap.
ShivaParvatiseatedtogetherimplythedissolutionofduality,thatisthestateofnon
duality(advait).]
1.2SheshashayiVishnu(Padmanabh)
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OneofthefamousformsofVishnuisthatofSheshashayiVishnuwhereinHereclines
ontheserpentnamedShesh.LakshmiisseatedatHisfeet.Thereisalotusemerging
from His navel. Lord Brahma is seated on the lotus and the earth is supported on
Sheshs head. Such is the form of Sheshashayi Vishnu. The implied meaning of this
formisasfollows.
1.Shesh:Sheshmeansthereserveorremnant.Aftersubtractionofonenumber
from another the result is the remainder. When a particle starts disintegrating,
that particle which is the most subtle and which cannot disintegrate further
meansthecoreoftheparamanu(atom),iscalledShesh.Thethreemostsubtle
particlesinitaredhan(proton),run(electron)andudasin(neutron).[Sheshcan
absorb the 108 (narayan) frequencies coming from the region of the stars
(nakshatralok)andcanalsobringaboutchangesinthem.]
2.Theearth:Theearthismadeupofminuteparticles.Theexistenceofevery
particleisdependentontheserpent(Shesh)withinitscore.Theearthisheldon
SheshsheadimpliesthatSheshissupportingtheearth.
3.Vishnu: Vishnu is the radiance from the dhan, run and udasin frequencies
fromShesh.
4. Lakshmi: If Vishnu is the form of dhan frequencies then Lakshmi is that
ofrunfrequencies.InotherwordsthefeminineformofVishnuisLakshmi.
5.Thelotus:Thelotusisasymbolofcreation.Theenergywhichemanatesfrom
Vishnusnavel,thatisfromtheParamodeofspeechisdepictedasalotus.This
energyofcreationisnotderivedfromVishnualonebutfromtheunionofVishnu
andLakshmi.VishnuisalsonamedPadmanabhduetothelotus(padma)which
springsfromHisnavel(nabhi).
The Sahasrar chakra, the last in the Path of Activation of Spiritual Energy
(Kundaliniyoga) is also called Sahasradal. The lotus in Lord Vishnus hand
symbolisesthatHecanendowthehighestspiritualexperiencefromthePathof
Yoga.
6.LordBrahma:Thespiritualexperiencearisingfromthelotus,thatisfromthe
energyofcreationiscalledBrahmadevorBrahma.
ThetwentyfourNamesofVishnugivenunderpoint2.SomeotherNamesdiffer only
withrespecttotheorderoftheinstrumentsheldinthehandsoftheidols.Otherwisethe
idolsarethesame.
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WhatdoestheidolofLordVitthalwithHishandsonthewaistsignify?
LordVitthalandRukmini
Contents
1.ComparisonofvariousformsofVishnuandHisfamily
2.Narad
2.1Birth
2.2Characteristics
2.3Mission
3.Tumbaru
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4.Viththal
4.1Origin
4.2ThesecondName
4.3Theconsort(DivineEnergy)
4.4Sciencebehindtheidol
5.Vyankatesh(Balaji)
6.Garud
7.JaiVijay
8.MessengersofVishnu(Vishnudut)
9.Shaligram
10.Theconsort
1.ComparisonofvariousformsofVishnuandHisfamily
Ability
Vishnu
Manifest
Principle%
Diss
energy Crea Sust

(God=
tion enance olution
%
100%)
%
%
%
1.Vishnu,
100
10
2
96
2
Narayan,
Vasudev
2.Ardha
100
50
10
90
0
lakshmihari/
Shrihari
3.Narad,
70
10
10
70
20
Tumbaru
4.Hanuman* 60
70
10
70
20
5.Vitthal
50
50
10
80
10
6.
50
50
10
60
30
Vyankatesh
(Balaji)
7.Garud
20
10
20
60
20
8.JaiVijay
20
10
20
60
20
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9.
Messengers
ofVishnu
10.Attendant
(gan),
assistant
deity
[(gana
devata)
soldier]
11.Average
person
12.
Shaligram
(asacred
stone)
13.Average
pieceof
land
10
10
10
70
20
10
10
10
40
50
1/10000
1/10000 10
30
60
1/10lakh
1/10lakh 10
30
60
1/1crore
1/1crore 10
30
60
*AlthoughHanumanisanincarnationofLordShiva,HebeingagreatdevoteeofLord
Rama,theVishnuprincipleinHimisveryhigh.
2.Narad
2.1.Birth
Hewasborninspacebeforetheotherdeities.HeisthesonofLordBrahma.(Formore
information on Narad refer Science of Spirituality : Vol. 7 Supreme God, God,
Incarnationsanddeities,pointPrajapati.)
2.2.Characteristics
Physical
Atuftofhaironthehead(shendi).
Amusicalinstrumentcalledthevina(astringedmusicalinstrument)aroundHis
neck. With the pull of one string of the vina, particles of nourishment are
generated. These are collected by Lord Vishnu. Vaishnavites believe that the
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universewascreatedbythesoundofthevina.Shaivitesbelievethatthesame
occurredbythesoundgeneratedthroughShivassmallhourglassshapeddrum
(damaru).
Alwayswanderingaboutinthethreeregions.
Hecanwanderanywhereintheuniversefromthedeitiestothedemonsthatis
fromheaventohellalongthepathofVishnuatanytimewithinafractionofa
second.(Referpoint2D.)
Psychological
Humourousnature
InstigatesothersbutonlytoassistTheLordsmissionandtoreducedefectslike
ego,etc.inothers.
Spiritual
ConstantlychantingtheNameNarayan
ConstantlyincommunionwithLordVishnu
He is Lord Vishnus close disciple, that is one who has merged into the
OmniscientVishnu.
2.3.Mission
A.Guidancetoseekers
B.Heiscalledadevarshi(saintofacertainheavenlyorder).NaradisthesonofLord
Brahma. He helps in the accomplishment of The Lords mission. Brahman means
worthy of spiritual experience. Narad gets spiritual experiences and gives them to
others hence He is referred to as a great sage (mahamuni). A sage is the one who
speaksonlyonSpirituality.
C.Gettingridofdefectslikeegoinothers
D.Compositionofholytexts:TheNaradbhaktisutras,NaradPuran,Naradsanhitaand
NaradpancharatraarewrittenbyHim.
3.Tumbaru
HeisthesonofKashyapandPracha.Someofhischaracteristicsareasfollows:
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Heisacelestialmusician(gandharva).
Hehasthecountenanceofahorse.
He
is
the
master
of
the
two
Hindu
lunar
months,MadhuandMadhav(ChaitraandVaishakh).InthemonthofChaitrahe
accompaniestheSundeity(Surya)inHischariot.
ThemainsingerintheroyalcourtofthedeitiesIndraandKuber
Player of the vina (a stringed musical instrument): The name of the vina is
Kalavati.
Thetanpura(tambora a stringed musical instrument) has acquired its name
fromhim.
Onspecialoccasionshealsovisitstheearth.
HiswifeisRambhaandhisdaughtersManovatiandSukesha.
4.Viththal
4.1.Origin
ThewordViththalhasvariedorigins.AccordingtoonelateSadhakitwasderivedfrom
thewordVishthal.Vishthalisaplacefaroffinaforest.ItthusimpliesthatLordViththal
isadeitywhoresidesintheforest.
OneSadhaksaysthatthevariationofVishnuinKannadabecomesBittiandViththalis
derivedfromthisvariation.AccordingtothevariationintheAryanPrakrutlanguageit
becomesViththu.AnotherSadhaktoogivesthesameopinion.
Late Vishnubuva Jog narrates the origin based on Saint Tukarams devotional song
(abhang) Vicha kela thoba (
) as vivid ( ) means to know or
devotional knowledge and thoba means an idol. Thus Vithoba becomes an icon of
spiritualknowledge.
4.2.ThesecondName
VithobaisalsoknownasPandurang.OnecannottellhowthisNamewasderivedas
actuallyPandurangisaNameofthefaircomplexionedShiva.InKannadathisbecomes
Pandarange. So one Sadhak opines that the abode of Pandurang or Pandarang is
Pandharpur. Several people wonder how He is named Pandurang (white in colour)
despiteHisidolbeingdarkcomplexioned.Besidesthepointabovetheansweristhatto
atruedevoteeHisidolappearswhitethroughthesubtlevisualorgans.
Viththal is worshipped on the first and Pandurang on the second ekadashi (eleventh
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day)ofthetwoekadashiscelebratedinaHindulunarmonth.
4.3.Theconsort(DivineEnergy)
Consorts of deities are their Energies. They are of two types, saviour and destroyer.
Viththal being the deity of sustenance both His Energies, that is consorts, are
associatedwithcreationandsustenance.RaiandRukminiareViththalsconsorts.
Rai:Raiisaparticleofearth.Itrepresentstheprocreativepotentialoftheearth.
[Shirish is the flower borne by mustard (rai) plant.] Rai is also known as
PadmavatiorPadubai.Padmakoshmeanstheuterus.
Rukmini (Rakhumai): Rukmini means the form of a snake hole or a conch.
Thesealsorepresenttheuterus.
4.4.Sciencebehindtheidol
Viththals idol is dark complexioned with protruding eyes and stands on a brick with
hands held on the waist. When Pundalik served his parents Lord Viththal was
appeasedandappearedbeforehim.Atthattimetoavoidanylapseinservicetowards
hisparents,PundalikthrewabrickandaskedTheLordtostandonit.TheLordstood
watching his service with admiration. This idol is different from idols of other deities
which wield either a weapon or bestow a blessing with the hand. It depicts Viththal
observingeverythingasaspectator(sakshibhav).Thesenseorganslieaboveandthe
motororgansbelowthewaist.Handsonthewaistmeanstheonewiththemotororgans
withinHiscontrol.
5.Vyankatesh(Balaji)
VyankateshhasseveralNamesVyankoba,Venkatraman,Venkatadhvari,Venkatadri,
Shrinivas, Balaji, etc. Another Name is Tirupati.Tiru means Shri, a title which implies
opulence. So Tirupati means Shripati Vishnu. Since the radiance of Balaji of Tirupati
cannotbeeasilytolerated,Hiseyesarehalfclosed.LakshmiisnotbesideVyankatesh.
HertempleissituatedbelowthemountaininthevillageTiruchanur.HereSheiscalled
Padmavati or Almelumang (Alamelumang). The shepherds call Padmavati, Padubai.
SheisalsodescribedasVishnupriya.
6.Garud
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TheGarudhas
acquired
great deal of
importance in
Garud
theVaishnavitesect. It is considered a
major deity from the family of Vishnu.
JustasNandi(thebull)ispresentinthe
serviceofLordShiva,soalsoisGarud
(the eagle) in the service of Lord
Vishnu. In several temples of Lord
Vishnu,aspecialpillariserected.This
is called Garuds pillar (Garudkhamb).
LordVyankatesh
This idol of Garud in front of Lord

Vishnu is usually made of black stone
and is rarely of wood. The idol has a
humanformbutabeakandwingsofabird.Itstandsinaposturewithhandsfoldedin
obeisance(namaskar).WhenGarudhasfourarmsitiscalledVainateya.Anotherofits
namesisArishtanemi.
A.TheGarudscience(Garudvidya):InSanskrutliteraturethereisasciencecalledthe
scienceofsnakes(sarpavidya).Thescienceofpoisons(vishvidya)isasynonym.Shri
Shankaracharyahasnameditthegarudvidya.Thescienceofsnakesisusedtocharm
snakes.Garudisthedeityofthisscience.Theonewhoknowsthisscienceiscalleda
snakecharmer(garudi).
B. Garud Gayatri: The worship of Garud is present since ancient times. The Garud
GayatrihasbeendescribedintheMahanarayanUpanishad(3.15)as

Meaning:We are quite familiar with the Absolute Being in the form of an eagle. We
meditateonthatgoldenwingedGarud.Mayheinspireourintellectbenevolently.
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7.JaiVijay
Once the two of them had a quarrel over sharing of the offerings (dakshina) given to
them.AtthattimeJaicursedVijaysayingYouwillbecomeacrocodile.Vijayretaliated
andcursedthatJaiwouldbecomeanelephant.Thereafterbothrepentedforwhatthey
haddoneandsurrenderedtoLordVishnuwhopromisedthemthatHewouldupliftthem
aftertheyhadundergonethecurse.Bytheinfluenceofthecursetheycametobeborn
on the banks of the river Gandaki, one as a crocodile and the other as an elephant.
OnceintheHindulunarmonthofKartik,whentheelephantenteredtheriverforabath
the crocodile held its leg. The elephant then fervently prayed to Lord Vishnu for his
deliverance.LordVishnumanifestedthere,releasedbothofthemfromthebondagesof
thecurseandtookthemtoHisdivineabode(Vishnulok).
Once when Sage Sanak along with other sages had gone to pay obeisance to Lord
Vishnu,JaiandVijaystoppedThem.Asaresult,thesagescursedthemasYoutwowill
bebornasdemons.Whentheypleadedformitigationofthecursethesagesreplied,
After three births you will be liberated and will return to Vaikunth. To undergo this
curse Jai and Vijay were later born as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, Ravan and
KumbhakarnaandShishupalandVakradantarespectively.Eachtimetheywereslain
byoneofVishnusincarnationsandfinallyafterthreebirthstheyreturnedtoVaikunth.
8.MessengersofVishnu(Vishnudut)
Vishnutoohasmessengerslikethedeityofdeath,Yama.Theyprotectthedevoteesof
Vishnu and after their death take them to His divine abode (Vishnulok).These
messengersalwaysresideinVaikunth.Theytoowieldaconch,adiscusandamacein
theirhandslikeLordVishnu.Thefourthhandholdsabaton.Anecklaceoftulsileaves
adornstheirneck.EvenLordYamarespectsthem.
9.Shaligram
Itisasacredstone,asymbolofLordVishnu.InNepal,situatedatadistanceof300
milesfromPashupatinathisaplacecalledMuktanath.Thisstoneisfoundthereinthe
riverGandaki.Besidesthereisalsoamountainofthisstone.Idolsaresculptedfromthis
stone.Itisalsocustomarytocarveyantrason it. The genuineness of these stones is
testedbasedoncertaintypesofcirclesandopeningsexistingonthem.Sometimesthe
stone has a fine gold line on it. The genuineshaligramis always heavier than stone
becauseitisnonporouslikemarble.Asaresultitserosiontooisless.(Thebanalingaof
LordShankarissimilartothis.)
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The colour of a Shaligram varies. Its name is derived from its colour 1. White
Vasudev, 2. Blue Hiranyagarbha, 3. Black Vishnu, 4. Red Pradyumna, 5. Dark
green Shri Narayan, 6. Dark blue Nrusinha or Vaman and 7. A shaligram with
twelvecirclesonitiscalledAnant.
89suchvarietiesofashaligramareknown.Ashaligramiskepteitherinmilkorrice.If
this increases its form and weight then it is considered suitable for regular ritualistic
worship (puja). In some South Indian temples of Lord Vishnu, a necklace
of shaligramadorns the neck of the idol of The Lord. Vaishnavites belonging to
theMadhvasect,infact,considertheShaligramtobesuperiortoeventheidolofLord
Vishnu. In the ritualistic worship of the fivefold family of deities (panchayatan puja)
theshaligramisusedasarepresentativeofLordVishnu.FollowersoftheMadhvasect
partakeoftheholywater(tirtha)offeredtotheshaligraminstead of a mixture of milk,
curd, clarified butter (ghee), urine and dung of cow (panchagavya) as atonement
(prayashchitta).
10.Theconsort
InformationonthemainDivineEnergy(Shakti)ofLordVishnu,thatisLakshmiandalso
othersisgiveninScienceofSpirituality:Chapter18DivineEnergy(Shakti).Someof
theincarnationsthatLakshmiassumedwhenVishnuincarnatedaregiveninthetable
below.
IncarnationsofVishnu
1.Vaman
2.Parshuram
3.Rama
4.Krushna
IncarnationsofLakshmi
KamalasambhavLakshmi
Theearth
Sita
Rukmini
LakshmisitsatthefeetofHermaster,VishnubecauseHeholdsHisdevoteesandnot
Lakshmi close to His bosom! Lakshmi looks after the spiritual and worldly needs of
thesedevoteesofVishnu(orratherVishnuHimselfdoessousingHerasamedium).
WhyshouldonechantspecificNameofLordVishnuforaccomplishingaparticularmission?
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LordVishnu
Contents
Originandmeaning
SomeotherNames
Bhagvan
Narayan
Vasudev
Sankarshan
Kiritdhari
Lakshmipati
HariandShrihari
1.Originandmeaning
Yaska has derived this word from vish (
)
which means to be constantly active
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(Nirukta 12.19). Yaska has also opined that the word Vishnu has also been derived
fromvish(
)
whichmeanstopervadeandbasedonthisSayanacharyatoohasgiven
its meaning as vast or all pervading (the commentary of point 1.154.1 and 5 of the
Rugveda).
In
accordance
with
this
meaning
commentary
on
theVishnusahasranamsays
Meaning: He is called Vishnu because He pervades all the animate and inanimate
creation.
2.SomeotherNames
The famous verse of Lord Vishnu is the Vishnusahasranam (
). Amidst
chanting of these thousand Names Lord Vishnu is ritualistically worshipped with an
offeringoftulsileavesorlotusflowerswhilesippingwaterthroughthepalm(achaman).
During the ritual of sandhya the twentyfour Names recited are Keshav, Narayan,
Madhav, Govind, Vishnu, Madhusudan, Trivikram, Vaman, Shridhar, Hruhikesh,
Padmanabh, Damodar, Sankarshan, Vasudev, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Puruhottam,
Adhokshaj,Narsinha,Achyut,Janardan,Upendra,HariandShrikrushna.Althoughall
theseNamesbelongtoLordVishnu,yetaccordingtotherulethatsound,touch,form,
taste,fragranceandenergycoexistwithawordhowadifferentenergyisgeneratedby
chantingeachoftheseNameswillbeunderstoodfromthefollowinglinesofaverse.
Meaning: One should contemplate on Vishnu when consuming medicines, Janardan

wheneating,Padmanabhwhensleeping,Prajapatiduringamarriageceremony,Lord
Chakradhar (Vishnu / Krushna) when fighting a battle, Trivikram during a journey,
Narayanatthetimeofdeath,Shridharduringintercoursebetweenspouses,Govindin
case of a bad dream, Madhusudan in a calamity, Narsinha in the forest, the form of
Vishnu in the celestial ocean (kshirasagar) when threatened by fire, His Varaha
incarnationwhenthereisfearofdrowning,Raghunandanwhenthereisfearoffallfrom
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amountainandMadhavwhenperformingdaytodaychores.
One will realise from the following examples why certain Names of Lord Vishnu are
usedforaparticularmission.
SincePrajapaticreatedtheuniverseandisresponsibleforprocreationduringa
marriageceremonyHisNameischanted.
During a fight the Name of Vishnu who sports a discus (chakra), Chakradhari
shouldbechanted.
SincethelionisthekingoftheforestifonechantstheNameofNarsinha(the
manlionincarnation)intheforestoneisprotected.
The Varaha (boar) incarnation of Lord Vishnu lifted the earth from the waters
and placed it on the head of the serpent, Shesh. Hence when there is fear of
drowningthisNameshouldbechanted.
A.Bhagvan
Thesixattributesnamelywealth,Righteousness(Dharma),success,opulence,spiritual
knowledge and detachment are referred to as bhag. The one who possesses these
attributes is called Bhagvan. In the Bhagvat sect Lord Shrikrushna and Vishnu are
referredtoasBhagvan.
B.Narayan
This is a deity from the post Rugvedic period. The wordnarayan () has been
derivedfromnar()[naraha(:)]=apa ()meaningtheabsolutewaterelement
and ayan () meaning a place. Thus it means that the one who lives in
theapaelementisNarayan.Thewatermentionedaboveshouldnotbeconsideredas
mere water. Before the earth came into existence everything was in the form of
theapaelement.Lateritisfromthisthattheuniversewascreated.Theoriginofwhatwe
refer to as water occurred through a physical process much later. The all pervading
energywhichwaspresentintheverybeginningistheonereferredtoaswaterinthis
context.So,thatprinciplefromwhichtheuniversehasbeencreatedisNarayan.
NarareferstomankindandayantoitsultimatestageisanotherdefinitionofNarayan.
SynonymouswordsintheNarayaniyasectandotherphilosophies
Other
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A.Name
Narayaniyasect
Sahasrashirshapurush,
(Thethousandheaded
Being)(Tripad)
philosophies
Parabrahman,
Parameshvar
B.Forms
1.Unmanifestform HeisSupreme,beyond
thethreecomponents
(guns).Heiscalledthe
tripadnectar(amrut)
Supreme
Brahman
(Parabrahman),
SupremeGod
(Parameshvar)
2.Manifestform
Brahman,God
meansthe
(ishvar)
spaceequivalenttothe
widthoftenindexfingers
remainingafter
encompassingallthe
regionsoftheuniverse.
3.Vast(virat)form Conceptionfromthevast Apa(absolute
formoccursinPrakruti
water),
formofthe
universal
intellect
(Mahat
principle),
theGreat
Illusion
(yoni),Prakruti
C.Energy
Narayani
Thefemale
deity(devi),
spiritualenergy
(kundalini)
D.Creationoftheuniverse
1.Fromwhat?
Tinklingofthevina(a
Akash(absolute
stringedmusical
ether)
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2.Characteristics
instrument)stringsof
SageNarad
Sound(nada)
Word(shabda)
Sheshashayi: This is one form of Narayan. He reclines on the serpent (nag)

who is the king of hell (patal). In the word patalam ()
the word alam
) is derived from the Tamil language and refers to water. Water is not
calledalaminSanskrut.Nagis the name of a Dravidian tribe and Shesh was
probablytheirancientkingorfamilydeity.
Shvetadipa: Just as Vishnus abode is Vaikunth, Shivas is Kailas, so also
NarayansabodeisShvetadipa.
NaraNarayan:Thisisconsideredasapairofdeities.Bothofthemarefriends
and have originated from the same principle. This idea was probably derived
from the Vedic verse Dva suparna (Rugveda 1.164.20). This verse means :
Therearetwobirdsseatedonatree.Bothofthemarebeautifullywinged,close
friendslivingtogether.Oneofthemtastessweetfruitsofthattree.Thesecond
howeverdoesnoteatbutmerelyadoptsthestanceofaspectator.Thusinthe
above quote the one feasting on the fruit is nara (man) and the spectator is
Narayan.
1.Components
(guns)
2.Spiritual
meaning
3.Idol
4.Incarnation
Nara
Composed
ofguns(sagun)
Theembodiedsoulor
the
GreatIllusion(Maya)
Hastwoarms
Arjun
Narayan
Beyondcomponents
(nirgun)
ShivaorBrahman
Hasfourarms
Krushna
Navanarayan and Navanath: The Navanarayans nurture the nine serpents

(nag) in the universal spiritual energy system (vishva kundalini).The group of
nine saints from the Nath sect constitutes the Navanaths. The holy
textNavanathbhaktisar enumerates the couplets of the Navanaths and the
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Navanarayanswhoserespectiveincarnationstheyare:
Whose
incarnation?
1.Matsyendra Narayan
2.Goraksha Hari
3.Jalandhar Antariksha
4.Kanif
Prabuddha
5.Charpati
Pippalayan
Navanath
Whose
incarnation?
6.Nag
Avirhotra
7.Bhartruhari Drumil
8.Revan
Chamas
9.Gahini
Karbhajan
Navanath
From the various compositions about the Navanaths it appears that though
some Names of saints correspond, there is no uniformity. The concept of the
Navanaths probably originated from the school of thought that the Navanaths
arethepresidingdeitiesofthenineopeningsinthebody(navadvar).Laterthe
one who felt drawn to particular Naths must have included them in the nine
saintsandpublishedhislistofNavanaths.ThelistofNavanathsissimilartothat
ofthesixManus,thesevengreatsages(Saptarshi),Ashtachap,Navanarayans,
thesixtythreesaints(TamilShaivites),etc.IntheShaivasecttheNavanathshail
fromtheAdinath(thatisShiva)lineage.
Idol of Narayan: According to the Dravidians Narayan was considered as a
formofLordShiva.ThisideaofunityofNarayanandShivawillbeclearafter
seeing the idols of Narayan at Shivasamudram, Shrirangam and
ShrirangapattanaminIndia.InSouthIndia,NarayanHimselfiscalledShriranga
or Ranganath. Among the three places of pilgrimage mentioned above,
ShivasamudramisbasicallyaShaiviteplaceofpilgrimage.Thecharacteristicof
Narayansidolisthatitisalwaysinarecliningposture.Howeveritisnotasleep
asitseyesarehalfopen.
Narayani : In the Vaishnav sect the Mahanarayan radiance [spiritual energy
(kundalini)]inthebodyisreferredtoasNarayani.
C.Vasudev
Vasaha(:)meanslife,sustenance orstability.Thedeitybestowingthis isknownas
Vasudev(
).

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:
Meaning:HeisreferredtoasVasudev(vasmeanstostay)becauseallobjectscreated
fromthefiveelementsresidewithinHimandviceversa.
D.Sankarshan
Samyak (
) and karshan () constitute the Name Sankarshan (
).
Sankarshanthusmeanstheonewhoattractsunhappinessorillnessandguidesoneto
thelevelofequanimity.Heistheonewhoattractsorgetsridofanykindofinappropriate
frequenciesandtransformsthemintoappropriateones.
E.Kiritdhari
Kiritdharimeansadorningacrown(Kirit).AmongthesuperiordeitiesLordShivadoes
notwearacrown.ItisinthiscontextthatVishnuissaidtobewearingacrown.
F.Lakshmipati
VishnusfeminineformiscalledLakshmi.Lakshammeansconcentration.Theonewho
canbeacquiredwithconcentrationiscalledLakshmipati(MasterofLakshmi).
G.HariandShrihari
1.Hari:

Meaning: Whenever I bestow My grace on someone, I take everything (including

unhappiness)fromhim.(HenceMyNameisHari.)
2.Shrihari:Shrireferstoattributessuchasenergy,beauty,virtues,etc.Vishnusform
alongwithShriisShrihari.
WhendidtheritualisticworshipofLordKrushnabegin?
* ThespellingKrushnaisusedinsteadofKrishnaasit
ismoreappropriateandinaccordancewithSanskrit
pronunciation.
Contents
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History
Ritualisticworship(puja)andreligiousfestivals
Gopichandan
ChantingofthemantraHareKrushna
KrushnaGayatri
Yantrasandbijamantras
Mainsects
1.History:
Krushna belonged to the Satvat clan of the Yadav dynasty. After He renounced His
body this clan began worshipping Him. This was a kind of beginning of the Path of
Devotion (Bhaktimarg). The Alvar saints of Tamilnadu in South India propagated the
devotionofKrushna.
2.Ritualisticworship(puja)andreligiousfestivals
KrushnabeingVishnusincarnationisworshippedjustlikeVishnu.(ReferChapter12:
Vishnu, point Ritualistic worship.) The birth of Krushna is celebrated on the eighth
day(ashtami)ofthedarkfortnightofShravanatmidnight.
3.Gopichandan

:
means that which imparts Bliss to the

consortsofKrushnaisgopichandan(
).Itisalsonamed Vishnuchandan.
This is a kind of white mud found in Dvarka. The holy texts say that just as sins are
cleansedbybathingintheGanga,soalsobyapplyingapasteofgopichandanallsins
areovercome.Itiscustomarytoapplygopichandantotheforeheadamidstchantingof
theVishnuGayatrimantra.
4.ChantingofthemantraHareKrushna
KalisantaranUpanishadis a part of the Krushnayajurveda and is also referred to as
theHarinamopanishad.ThisUpanishadwasnarratedbyLordBrahmatoSageNarad
attheendoftheDvaparyug.ThegistofthistextisthatsolelybychantingtheNameof
Lord Naraya are the illeffects due to the influence of Kali destroyed. This Name is
comprisedofthefollowingsixteenwords.
HareRamaHareRamaRamaRamaHareHare
HareKrushnaHareKrushnaKrushnaKrushnaHareHare
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These sixteen words are associated with the sixteen stages (kalas) of the embodied
soul.Thismantrahasthecapacitytodestroythecoveringoftheembodiedsoul.Some
followersoftheKrushnasectchantthesecondlineofthemantrafirst.
5.KrushnaGayatri
1.

:
:
Meaning: We are quite familiar with Krushna, the son of Devaki. We meditate on
Vasudev.MaythatKrushnainspireourintellectbenevolently.
2.

:
:
Meaning: We are quite familiar with Damodar. We meditate on Vasudev. May that
Krushnainspireourintellectbenevolently.
6.Yantrasandbijamantras
Three yantras of Lord Krushna are wellknown. Klim is Krushnas one
letteryantraorbijamantra.
7.Mainsects
Sanak(Nimbarka):RadhaisLordKrushnasBlissfulEnergy(Alhadinishakti).
Pushti (Vallabh): Rama, Lakshmi or Bhu are the Divine Energies endowing
opulenceandthegopiistheEnergybestowinggentleness(Madhuryashakti).
Radhavallabh:RadhaisthesupremeobjectofworshipandKrushnabeingHer
worshipperisworthyofworship.
Chaitanya:Devotionthroughintenseemotionisitsspiritualpractice.Thegopis
representBlissfulEnergy.ThefounderofthissectChaitanyaMahaprabhuwas
bornin1485A.D.inBangal.
Mahanubhav:ThiswasfoundedbySwamiChakradhar.
ThenewsectHareKrushnawasfoundedinBangalinrecenttimes.
Filedunder:SriKrushna|Leaveacomment
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WhydidLordKrushnanarrateGitaonlytoArjun?
pronunciation.
TheMahabharatandtheGita
1.TheMahabharatisthemostimportantpartofKrushnaslife.WrittenbySageVyasitis
a prominent historical text. Bhihmacharya was the Guru of the Kouravs in the
Mahabharat.BeforeBhishmasbirthHismotherGangahadabandonedHissevenelder
brothers(vasus)intheriverGanga.KrushnawastheGuruofthePandavs.Kansahad
slainKrushnasseveneldersiblings.
2.EklavyahaddevelopedegothatIhavelearntarcherybymyself,withoutanyones
guidance. To destroy that ego of his, Dronacharya asked him for his right thumb, a
representationoftheego.
3.AtthetimeoftheBharatiyawarKrushnawasabout83yearsoldwhileBhishmawas
morethan130yearsold.
4.TheGitamakesamentiononlyofthefourpersonsgivenbelow.
Person
Modeofspeech(vani)
Dhrutarashtra
Vaikhari
Sanjay
Madhyama
Arjun
Pashyanti
Characteristics
Blind
Onebestowedwith
divinevision
Thesoul
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Krushna
Para
TheSupremeGod
5.KrushnanarratedtheGitaonlytoArjunforthefollowingreasons.
The confusion in Arjuns mind was not due to emotions, it stemmed from
intellect.
Arjun was Gudakesha (v) that is the one who could comprehend the implied
meaning(gudhameanssecret)inKeshavs(Krushnas)speech.Atthebeginning
of the Gita Arjun tells Krushna, Senayorubhayormadhye ratham sthapaya me
chyut (

|) (Shrimadbhagvadgita1:21). It means
OAchyut,placemychariotinthemidstofboththearmies.Here,oftheseveral
NamesofKrushnaAchyutisusedbecauseArjunisreferringtotheKrushnawho
does not deflect from His responsibilities, the one who is unflinching. In the
midstofboththearmiesimpliesbetweenthegoodandtheevil.ThusHeasks
Krushnatotakehimbeyondallkindsofduality.
6.TheUddhavgita:WhenKrushnarenouncedHisbodyHisgreatfriendUddhavwas
greatlybereaved.WhatKrushnapreachedtohimatthattimeiscalledtheUddhavgita.
7.Point4.11explainstheteachingsoftheGitainbrief.
8.TheDnyaneshvaridescribestheGitaas
ConsidertheGitaastheidolofTheLord
embellishedwithwords.18:1684
9. Anugita: When Krushna realised that the effect of the Gita on Arjuns mind was
wearingout,Henarratedittohimonceagain.ThisrepetitioniscalledtheAnugita.Anu
meanslater.So,theAnugitaistheGitawhichisnarratedonceagain.
HowdidLordKrushnaendHisIncarnation?
pronunciation.
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Contents
Renunciationofthebody
Chronologicallifeevents
Abode[thegoregion(Golok)]
Sciencebehindtheidol
Theinfantform
Holdingaflute
Madangopal
Parthasarathi
1.Renunciationofthebody
When the Yadavs fought amongst themselves and most died at Prabhas, Balaram
renounced His body in the sea, that is He took jalasamadhi. Then one day, when
Krushna was seated below the ashvattha tree with His left foot on His right thigh, a
hunternamedJaramistookHimforadeerandshotanarrowwhichstruckthesoleof
Hisleftfoot.WhenthehuntercamecloseherealisedhismistakeandaskedKrushnafor
forgiveness. Krushna pacified him and sent him to heaven. The place where this
incidentoccurrediscalledBhalakatirtha.Bhalmeansthetipofaspearoranarrow.At
that time Krushnas charioteer Daruk appeared there. As he alighted the chariot and
approachedKrushna,thechariotdisappeared.ThenKrushnadirectlymergedHisbody
into the five cosmic elements. (Saint Tukaram and Saint Muktai too have done the
same.)Accordingtosome,theashesofSubhadra,Balabhadra(Balaram)andKrushna
wereinabambooboxwhichwiththecurrentofwaterreachedJagannathpuri.People
installedtheashesthereandbeganritualisticworship.
OnhearingthatKrushnahadculminatedHisincarnationVasudev,DevakiandRohini
toorenouncedtheirbodies.Krushnaseightwivesenteredthepyreandbecamesatis.
When Arjun came to know of this he went there and took the remaining wives and
children of Krushna to his capital Indraprastha. After they left Dvarka, it too got
submerged in the sea. Since without Krushna Arjun was powerless wild people
attackedanddefeatedhimandabductedthewomen.
Incarnationsarenotassumedaccordingtodestiny.InspiteofthisHowisitthatRama
had to take birth again as the incarnation Krushna in which He had to renounce His
bodyafterHewasshotatwithanarrowbyValiwhowasrebornasahunterandwhom
Hehadslainwithanarrowinthepreviousbirth?iswhatsomepeoplewonder.Such
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examplesaregivenonlytoemphasisethepointthatoneshouldnottroubleanother.In
realityincaseofincarnationstheconceptofdestinydoesnotholdgoodatallbecause
throughout their lives their actions are nonactions (akarma karma). Apart from this
thosewhoareslainbythemattaintheFinalLiberation(Moksha).
2.Chronologicallifeevents
Periodoftime
BeforeShalivahanShak
3263[theeighthday
(ashtami)of
thedarkfortnightof
Shravan]
3244
Before
Christ
Event
3185
BirthofKrushna
3167
SlayingofKansa
Akrursdeparture
toHastinapur
MarriagetoRukmini
BirthofPradyumna
Droupadisselection
ofhergroom
(svayamvar)
Establishmentof
Indraprastha
Marriageof
Pradyumna
Arjunsembarkingon
apilgrimage
Abductionof
Subhadra
BirthofAbhimanyu
Therajasuya
sacrificialfire
(yadnya)
3241
3163
3238
3236
3160
3158
3220
3142
3218
3140
3212
3134
3210
3132
3198
3120
3196
3118
3195
3117
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3193
3115
3180(Margashirsha)
3101
3180(Phalgun)
3101
3144(Margashirsha)
3065
LossofHastinapurin
agameofdice
TheBhartiyawar
Marriageof
Aniruddha
Krushnasrenunciation
(age119)years
ThischronologyhasbeendecidedbasedmainlyontheMahabharat,theHarivanshand
theBhagvat.
3.Abode[thegoregion(Golok)]
Information on the go region of Krushna is given in the Padma and Brahmavaivarta
Purans.ThisabodeofKrushnaisakintoKailasofShivaandVaikunthofVishnu.
WithregardtothevariousfacetsinKrushnaslifevarioustypesofidolsaregivenbelow.
Thevariationseenintheseidolsisexceptional.Itisnotseenintheidolsofotherdeities
orincarnations.
A.Theinfantform
Santangopal:TheoneclingingontoYashodaswaist
Balkrushna:ThecrawlingKrushna.Thisidoladornsthetempleinmosthomes.
Kaliyakrushna:TheoneslayingKaliya,theserpentking.
Govardhandhari:TheoneliftingtheGovardhanmountain.
B.Holdingaflute
Radhakrushna(Venugopal):KrushnastandingwithHisrightfootcrossedand
held against the left border of the left foot while playing the flute with Radha
standingbesideHim.
Murlidhar:This idol of Krushna has four arms. Rukmini and Satyabhama are
standingoneithersideofHim.TheseidolsarecommoninSouthIndia.
C.Madangopal
Murlidharwitheightarms.
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D.Parthasarathi
TheonenarratingtheGitatoArjun.
HowdidLordKrushnaacquireSudarshanChakra?
pronunciation.
Contents
Originandmeaning
Creationandhistory
Specialfeatures
Composition
Illustrationsofitsuse
Sciencebehindtheidol
1.Originandmeaning
SudarshanChakra
The word sudarshan chakra (
) is derived from two words, su ()
anddarshan().Itmeansthevision( darshan)ofwhichisauspicious(su).Theword
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chakraisderivedfromchruhu(:
)whichmeansmovementand kruhu(
:)whichmeans
to do. Thus chakra means that which is mobile. Of all weapons this is the only one
whichisconstantlyinmotion.
2.Creationandhistory
Therearevariousschoolsofthoughtregardingitscreationasgivenbelow.
1.ItwascreatedbythecombinedenergyofBrahma,VishnuandMahesh.
2.ThiswasgivenbyBruhaspati,theGuruofthedeitiestoVishnu.
3.Krushnaprocureditfromthedeities(devatamandal).
4. Krushna and Arjun assisted the fire deity (Agni) in burning the Khandav forest. In
returnHepresentedKrushnawithadiscusandakoumodakimace.
5.FemaledeitieslikeNarayani,Vaishnodevi,etc.alsowielddiscusesinTheirhands
3.Specialfeatures
1.KrushnausuallyholdsthediscusonHislittlefingerwhileVishnuonHisindexfinger.
HoweverwhenaimingitatsomethingKrushnatoowoulddosowithHisindexfinger.
2.Afteritsreleasetheenemyisannihilatedanditreturnstotheattacker.
3.Evenafterreleasingit,itremainswithinthecontroloftheattacker.
4. It travels along the path of zero stress nature and can reach anywhere within a
moment.ReferScienceofSpirituality:Vol.7SupremeGod,God,Incarnationsand
Deities,pointDestinyandTheSupremeSoul.
5.Whenanobstructionisposedbytheenemythespeedofthediscusisaugmented.
Thisiscalledtherhansaspeed.
6.Itissoundless.
4.Composition
Informationwithregardtoitscompositionisasgivenbelow.
1.Itissaidthatithassixspokesanditscentreiscomposedofvajra.Itisbelievedthat
thewordsSahasrathumphat(

)areinscribedoneachofthespokes.
2.AnoveldescriptionofthediscushasbeenmadeintheVamanPuran(82.2326).Mr.
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VasudevsharanAgravalexpressesitas:Thediscushasbeendescribedasthediscus
oftime(kalachakra).Itconsistsoftwelvespokes(Dvadashar,Rugveda1.164.11)and
sixnavels.ThetwelvespokesrepresentthetwelvemonthsoftheHindulunarcalender
and also the twelve deities (Vij, Agni, Som, Mitra, Varun, Indra, Indragni, Vayu,
Vishvedev,Prajapati,Dhanvantari,etc.).Thesixnavelsrepresentthesixseasons.
3.Partsofthediscusandtheimpliedmeaning
The
named
middle
stable
bhruvi
(equality),
bhag
part:
(radiance),
It
is
nirdesh(speed)
andsampada(endowedwiththenectarofnutrition).
The spokes: It has twentyseven spokes charged with the run energy of the
twentysevenfeminineprinciplescreatedfromPrajapati.Thesespokescontain
the yoginipanchak, that is the basic components of the five cosmic elements.
Theenergyinallfeminineprinciplesisbeyondtherestrictionsofdirectionand
time.
Yogini:

meanstheonewhobestowsthe energywhichis
unattainable.
Lakshmi:Theonewhobestowsonewiththeachievementofthetarget
(lakshyam)ortheabsolutetruth.
Narayani:Allpervading
Murdhini:Murdhais the linear part included in the longitudinal section
between the centre of the eyebrows and the vertebral column. It is
referredtoasthelineofthehead(mastakresha).Murdhinireferstothe
frequencies which intersect the head directly. These frequencies are
presentinrudrakshastoo.MurdhiniorMurdhivahinireferstothatwhich
flowsthroughthemurdha.
Randhra:Thespeedorenergywhichtransformsintothesubtlemost.
Parigh:Thisisconstitutedbythefollowingeightmasculineprinciples.
Aditya: : : means the radiance which first came into existence
andisstillpersisting.
Varuni: Varun is the deity of water. Varun exercises control over
thedikbhavs,thatisthosecreatedfromthedirections.Thedikbhavs are
themaincentresofthedirections.Hencenomatterinwhichdirectionthe
discustravels,itisneverobstructed.
Juhu:Thesubtlemostspeedwhichisenrichedwiththeradiance(jyoti)
derivedfromthelunarasterisms.
Indra:Frequenciesdisplayinggreatness.
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Narayan: The one endowed with the energy of movement of the

Navanarayans,thenineserpents[fromtheuniversalspiritualenergyflow
system(kundalini)]
Navadha:TheNavanarayan,navanagandnavavidhconceptcombined
togethermeannavadha.
Gandhi:Thosewhocantravelontheearth.
Mahish:TheBlissfulprincipleinMahesh.
Size of the discus: It is so tiny that it can be kept on the tip of a leaf of
thetulsiplantandatthesametimeissovastthatitcanencompasstheentire
universe.
5.Illustrationsofitsuse
1. When Lord Krushna lifted the Govardhan mountain for support He held the discus
belowit.
2.KrushnausedittoslayShishupal.
3. It was used to create an artificial sunset so that Jayadrath could be annihilated.
HoweveritwasnotusedbyKrushnaintheBharatiyawarorinanyotherbattletoslay
anyone.
4.WhenArjunsaidthatMarutiwouldnotbeabletobreakthebridgeofarrowscreated
by him, although Maruti jumped on it, it did not break. This was because to help His
friendArjun,KrushnahadsupportedthebridgeplacingHisdiscusbelowit.
5.WhenLordVishnuwasenragedwithSageDurvasforhavingneedlesslycursedHis
beloveddevoteeKingAmbarish,HeflungthediscusontoHim.Thepetrifiedsageranto
the deities, but no one could rescue Him. Finally when He went to Lord Vishnu, The
Lord asked Him to beg the king for forgiveness. When the sage complied Vishnu
withdrewHisdiscus.
6.ItisquotedinaholytextoftheNathsectthatonceGorakshanathhadstoppedthe
discus.
Theidolsportingthediscusisfearsome.Ithassixteenarmsadornedwithaconch,a
discus, a bow, an axe, a sword, an arrow, a pike, a noose, a goad, fire, a horn of a
rhinoceros, a shield, a plough, a pestle, a mace and a spear as weapons. In some
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placesitiscustomarytoconsideranidolsportingadiscusasthatofLordVishnus.
WhyareShivaandDivineEnergy(Shakti)consideredasinseparable?
PostedonOctober26,2010byariseohindu
Contents
1.KashmiriShaivites[nondualitybetweenShivaandEnergy(Shakti)]
1.1Scienceofvibrations(spandashastra)
1.2Scienceofsuprasensorialknowledge(pratyabhidnyashastra)
2.TheNathsect
2.1Doctrine
3.ThepathofspiritualpracticeofRaseshvar
4.Virshaivas(Lingayat)
5.ShivaandDivineEnergy(Shakti)
1.KashmiriShaivites[nonduality between Shiva and Energy

(Shakti)]
IntheperiodwhentheShaivasaints and scholars from South India were advocating
theShaivaphilosophyandwerepreachingthedoctrinesfromtheDarshan,acentrefor
worship of Shiva was established in Kashmir in India. The tradition of this Kashmiri
Shaivasectwasbasedonthephilosophyofnonduality.AccordingtotheShivasutras
this Darshan came to be known as Pratyabhidnyadarshan, Sanvittantra,
Spandashastra, Shambhavadvaitdarshan or Trimakdarshan. Around the year 854
KallatacharyawroteabooknamedSpandakarika.Thistexthasthreechaptersknown
asNishpandaandfiftytwostanzasinall.
TheKashmiriShaivasectisfurthersubdividedintotwobranchesnamelyscienceof
vibrations
(spandashastra)
and
science
of
suprasensorial
knowledge
(pratyabhidnyashastra).TheproponentsoftheformerwereVasuguptaandhisdisciple
KallatwhereasthatofthelatterwasSomanand.
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1.1Scienceofvibrations(spandashastra)
Followersofthisschoolofthoughtpropoundthatanycreatorormaterialcauseisnot
requiredforcreationoftheuniverse.FollowersoftheVedantaconsiderTheLordasthe
Creatorbutfollowersofthescienceofvibrationsdonot.Furthertheydenytheexistence
oftheGreatIllusion(Maya) which is responsible for the illusion. In short, they do not
believe in the doctrine of Shri Shankaracharya that the world is false. According to
themTheLordisindependent.HecreatesallobjectsaccordingtoHisenergyofvolition
(ichchashakti).Heprojectstheentireuniverseinsuchawayasifitweredistinctfrom
Himbuttherealityisotherwise.Justasinspiteofreflectionofapersonsfaceinamirror
the mirror remains unaffected so also The Lord remains unchanged although the
universe is manifested in Him. Hence The Lord is not the cause of creation of the
universe. In short, The Lord creates the universe without any motive. Just as
a siddhayogi can materialise various objects without the assistance of any external
object, solely with the help of concentrated energy of volition so also does Shiva
manifesttheentiremovableandunmovable(animateandinanimate)creationwiththe
prowessofHisdivineenergyofvolition.LordMaheshvarmanifestsintheformofinfinite
embodied souls. Thus according to this doctrine the embodied soul doing spiritual
practiceisindistinctfromtheSupremeSoulbutduetothepresenceofignorance(mala)
hedoesnotexperiencethisnonduality.Thisignoranceisofthreetypes.
A. Anav ignorance (mala): Considering the body to be the soul is termed
asanavignorance.Whenanembodiedsoul,outofignorance,forgettingitsfree
andallpervadingnatureregardsitselftobeincompleteandconsidersthegross
body,whichisinrealitynotthesoul,tobethesoulandconfinesitselfinsucha
stateofbondageitisdescribedasanavignorance.
B.Activeignorance(karyamala):Whenoutofinfluenceoftheantahkaranthe
motororgansbecomeactive,thatignoranceisknownasactiveignorance.For
example the ego which is responsible for performing good and bad deeds
leadingtohappinessandunhappiness.
C. Illusory ignorance (mayay mala): When ignorance remains in the body
createdfromtheGreatIllusionitisreferredtoasillusoryignorance.
Theprincipleofsoundisresponsibleforactivatingallthesetypesofignorance.Sound
istheprimeenergyofShivathatleadstothegenerationofspeech.Worldlyactivities
occurwiththehelpofspeech,thatiswhyignoranceisgeneratedfromthisprincipleof
soundandtheembodiedsouldoingspiritualpractice(jivatma)beginstoconsideritself
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asdistinctfromtheSupremeSoul.AlongwiththisenergyotherenergiessuchasAmba,
Vama, Roudri, Jyeshtha, etc. are also associated with Shiva. Through the energy
acquired from meditation when the subconscious mind gets a manifestation of the
energyoftheSupremeSoul,theembodiedsoulbecomesridofignorance(mala)and
thesubconsciousminddevelopsthethoughtless(nirvikalpa)state.Thustheembodied
soul becomes liberated and itself becomes the Supreme Soul. This vision itself is
termedasBhairavbecauseHeHimselfgrantsHisownvision.
1.2Scienceofsuprasensorialknowledge(pratyabhidnyashastra)
ThebranchoftheKashmiriShaivasectestablishedbySomanandinthetenthcentury
is famous as suprasensorial knowledge. The name of their holy text is Shivadrushti.
HisdiscipleUdayakarwrotethismainholytextofthissect.
Thephilosophyofthissectasregardstheembodiedsouldoingspiritualpracticeand
the Supreme Soul is similar to that of the science of vibrations. In this subsect the
knowledge that He is Him is termed as science of suprasensorial knowledge. In
theShvetashvatarandsomeotherUpanishadsis a quote which means that when He
(the Supreme Soul) manifests, all objects manifest. All objects are illuminated by His
lightalone.ThusourenergyofknowledgeisinrealitythatofTheLordandeveryobject
isrealisedbyusthroughthisilluminatingenergy.Sincewepossessknowledgeandare
active,weareinrealitysubtlepartsofTheLordbutthereisnowaylimitingthissubtle
portion.HenceoneshouldconsiderthatIamTheLord.Howeverinourpresentstate
wedonotrealisethenatureofTheLord,HisknowledgeandtheBlissenjoyedthrough
Him.HenceonedoesnotrealisethatImyselfamTheLordbutbasicallyweareThe
Lord itself. A young lady falls deeply in love with a young man hearing about his
qualitiesbutwhenshehappenstomeethimnotrealisingwhoheissheviewshimas
anordinaryindividualanddoesnotfeelhappy.Howeverwhensheistoldthatthisisthe
same person towards whose qualities she was attracted, she feels elated and
surrenders unto him. The state of the embodied soul undertaking spiritual practice
(jivatma)andtheSupremeSoul(Parmatma)isthesame.Thoughtheembodiedsoulis
unawareoftheBlissinthestateofofGodlinessitisstillTheLordHimself.Itdoesnot
realiseTheLordbecauseitisignorantofthefactthatitpossessesallthequalitiesof
TheLord.TheGurugrantsthatsoultherealisationofthisdivinitywithinitself.Asaresult
the embodied soul gets drowned in the ocean of immense Bliss. According to the
science of vibrations (spandashastra), when the mind acquires a manifestation of
Bhairav(Lord)inthestateofmeditation,ignorance(mala)isdestroyedandBlissofnon
dualityisexperienced.Howeveraccordingtothescienceofsuprasensorialknowledge
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(pratyabhidnyashastra) the sole path of acquisition of Bliss of nonduality is to

experienceTheSupremeGodwithinoneself.
According to Kashmiri Shaivites as well as those of the school of suprasensorial
knowledge the blending of Shiva and Divine Energy (Shakti) that is Kameshvar and
Kameshvariisthesupremeprincipleofnonduality.Thenatureofthesoulbeingdivine
consciousness(chaitanya)itispresentinalllivingbeingsinanunmanifestform.That
itselfisdefinedasParasamvit,TheSupremeGod(Parameshvar)orShiva. The Shiva
principlepresentineveryembodiedsoulisitselfthesoulprinciple.TheSupremeGodis
believedtohavetwopartsthatconstitutingtheuniverseandthatbeyondtheuniverse.
AlthoughtheuniversalformofTheSupremeGodispresentineveryobjectyetthrough
thepartbeyondtheuniverse,Heisdetachedfromallofthem.Thenatureofthissoul
remainsobscureduetoignorance.ThisignoranceisaconsequenceofShivaswish.
After enlightenment, the duality between the embodied soul (jiva) and The Supreme
God(Shiva)disappears.
ThesupremeprinciplethatisShivaalongwithDivineEnergy(Shakti)istheultimate
truth.DivineEnergyisnotdistinctfromShivabutispresentinHim.Herexternalactive
formissometimesgrossorsubtleandatothertimesmanifestorunmanifest.Thecycle
of the universe is maintained by Her subtle or magnified form. Although Shiva is the
supportofthesubtlebodyandtheuniverse,withoutDivineEnergywhichisintheform
ofiinShiva,Heisasgoodasacorpse(shava).ShivaalongwithDivineEnergycreates
everything.JustasmoonlightcannotbeseparatedfromthemoonsoalsoShivasEnergy
cannotbedistinctfromHim.WhenShemanifestsintheuniversalform,inrealityShiva
aloneisthecreator,sustainerandannihilatorandwhenSheisunmanifestShivaisina
stateofselfradiantnonduality.DivineEnergyitselfisconsideredastheCreatorofthe
universe ( :

:
) meaning the Energy selfgenerated through the
spiritual practice is the aim of each and every attainment. She is a state of Absolute
Consciousness.DespitebeinginseparablefromShivaSheisthebasiccauseforcreation
of the universe. Her independence is the principle of vital energy. The totally radiant
SupremeSoul(Parmatma)inspiteofremaininginitsoriginalstatesometimesmanifests
itsinfiniteformsoritsformsundergodissolutionduetothisindependentEnergy.Itis
due to the divine sport of this Divine Energy that despite being one He appears to
manifestininfiniteforms.ShivasnatureisoneofthelightofknowledgewhereasDivine
Energy is of the nature of ego. Shiva is full of divine consciousness whereas Divine
Energy is responsible for generation of ego. Basically Shiva and Energy are of the
natureofAbsoluteConsciousnessandBliss.
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WhenTheSupremeGodwishestocreatetheuniverseHetransformsHimselfintotwo
forms Shiva and Divine Energy (Shakti). Shiva is of the nature of the light of
knowledge while Divine Energy is of the nature of thought. At the creation of the
universethisDivineEnergyenlightenstheuniversewhereasatthetimeofdissolution
thesameEnergyassumesthedestroyeraspect.ThisDivineEnergyisalsoknownas
Absolute Consciousness (Chit), divine consciousness (chaitanya), freedom
(svatantrya), doership (kartrutva) and energy of vibration (spanda). Consciousness
(prama)existsasI(aham)andIt(idam).TheformerrepresentsShivaandthelatter,
theDivineEnergy(Shakti).Onecanexperiencetheradianceofknowledgethatisthe
soulprinciplethroughintellectandintheenlightenedstatecanonegettheideaofthe
thought.Justasonecannotseeonesfacewithoutamirror,soalsowithoutintellectone
cannot realise the true nature of the radiance of knowledge, the soul.
The shava(corpse) is disfigured and neither perceives any sensation nor
consciousness.SimilarlywithoutDivineEnergy,thatistheintellectonecannotrealise
thesoul.Infusionoftheenergyoflifeintoadeadbodyinducesdivineconsciousnessin
it.SimilarlywithoutDivineEnergythatistheenergyoflife,Shiva,thesoulprinciplewill
appearlikeashava(corpse).ThusShivaandDivineEnergyaretwosidesofthesame
coinandarethereforeinseparable.
The Shaivites considered that Shiva without Shakti to be but a corpse. In some
fearsomeShaivasectstheformofDivineEnergy,thedeityisdepictedasdancingon
ShivaschestlayingHimdownontheground.
FortheShaivas(worshippersofShiva)PurushmeansLordShivaandPrakrutimeans
DivineEnergy.HoweverunlikethefollowersoftheconceptofBrahmantheShaivitesdo
notconsiderEnergytobetheGreatIllusion(Maya)andhenceasillusorysincethevery
pervasiveness of Shiva Himself is this movable and unmovable (animate and
inanimate) creation. How can that be unreal? Based on this concept their path of
establishing communion with The Supreme God present in this movable and
unmovable creation based on spiritual love appears to be entirely derived from
devotion.Althoughyoga, penance and meditation are special features of the spiritual
practiceoftheShaivitesyetundoubtedlydevotionuntoLordShivahasbeenaccorded
theprimeseatinthepopulace.
2.TheNathsect
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This is a yoga dominant Shaiva sect. It was founded around 9001000 A.D. Its
philosophyissimilartothatoftheKashmiriShaivas.Thefollowersofthissectattribute
importance to the spiritual practice of yoga and consider Shiva to be the foremost
Master(Adinath).
Since the Supreme Guru and the deity of worship of this sect is the first Master
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(Adinath)Shiva,thissectisknownastheNathsect.Acquisitionoftheuniversalnature
ofNath,thatisoftheShivaprincipleitselfistheultimateaimofthefollowersofthissect.
Thatiswhytheyprefixthetitlenathtotheirnames.Asthissectisyogadominantand
also since acquisition of the state of a perfected one (siddhavastha) or
of avadhut(avadhutavastha) is the aim of this sect it is also known as
theYoga,SiddhaandAvadhutsect.
Gorakshanath is the founder of this sect. Holy texts written by Gorakshanath are the
principal holy texts of this sect. The Guru lineage of this sect is Adinath
MatsyendranathGorakshanath.Thiseventoccurredintheeleventhortwelfthcentury
A.D.
2.1Doctrine
ThephilosophyoftheNathsectisinfluencedbytheKashmiriShaivasect.Theconcept
oftheconjointenergyinShivaDivineEnergy(Shakti)whichcametobeincorporatedin
it from the Kashmiri tradition itself and the concept manifested in its perfect and
adorableforminSaintDnyaneshvarsbookAmrutanubhav.Siddhasiddhantapaddhatiis
apopularlyacceptedSanskrutholytextbyGorakshanath.Itdescribessomeofthebasic
doctrinesofthissectasgivenbelow.
A. Shiva along with Divine Energy (Shakti): At the outset Gorakshanath has
offered obeisance to Lord Adinath who is accompanied by the Divine Energy.
AccordingtoGorakshanath,AdinathShivaHimselfistheultimatetruth,isSelf
radiant, Selfconscious, infinite, immortal, beyond the manifest and unmanifest
and duality and nonduality. This Shiva principle also comprises of Divine
Energy but this Energy is not distinct from Shiva, She is incorporated in Him.
Sheisresponsibleforcreation,sustenanceanddissolutionoftheuniverse.The
natureofthsEnergyiscontinuousactivitywhichattimesextendsfromthegross
tothesubtleandatothertimesfromthemanifesttotheunmanifest.Thecycleof
theuniversecontinuesduetotheprogressorregressionofthisEnergy.Shiva
alongwithEnergyisthesupportoftheembodiedsoul(pinda)andtheuniverse
(Brahmanda).
B.Theembodiedsoulandtheuniverse:Theseconddoctrineofthissectisthat
all that which is in the universe is also present in the embodied soul. Hence
knowledge of the embodied soul has acquired special importance in the
Gorakshaphilosophy.Gorakshanathsaysthattheyogiwhorealisesthatboththe
movable () and the unmovable () are present in the embodied soul,
acquires knowledge about the embodied soul. Getting this experience of the
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divine nectar (amrutanubhav) and becoming immortal by merging into the

OmniscientShivapresentintheembodiedsoulandtheuniverseistheultimate
target of a Nathyogi. This itself is termed as Liberation while still embodied
(jivanmukti).AccordingtosaintsoftheNathsectLiberationistobefirstacquired
intheperfect(siddha)bodyandlaterinthedivinebody.Theperfectordivine
bodyreferstotheimmortalspiritualbody.ItisfreefromtheimpureGreatIllusion
(Maya)butismadeupofthepureGreatIllusion.Inthisstateofthebodysaints
(siddhas)guideotherseekersasGurus.Acquisitionofanimmortalandamature
body is a primary requirement of a saint as due to this body alone the saint
acquirestheSupremeLiberation(ParaMukti).Thisitselfisknownasperfection
of the body (kayasiddhi). The spiritual practice undertaken by saints of
theNathsecttoachievekayasiddhiisknownasreversespiritualpractice.This
spiritual practice is a yogic practice. These yogic techniques of
theNathyogisconvertthedownwardtendenciesofthoseaspiringtoreachthe
zenithandtakethesainttoHisultimatestate,thatisimmortalityintheperfect
body.
Thesun(surya)andmoon(chandra)referredtointhePathofDeliberateRigour
(Hathayoga) are the Ida and Pingala channels (nadis) in the body and their
unionisthatofthepranandapanvitalenergies.AccordingtoGorakshanaththis
sun and moon have a hidden meaning. The book Siddhasiddhantapaddhati
statesthatthebodyoriginatesfromaction,desire,themoon,thesunandfire.Of
thesethemoonsymbolisesras(liquor)orSomandthesunrepresentsthefire
(agni).Somisthatwhichisexperiencedwhilefireisthatwhichexperiencesit.
Thesemenofamaniscomposedoffireandthemenstrualflowofawomanis
generatedbythemoon.Thesubtlebodyiscreatedbytheunionofthesetwo.
Som or the moon is an infinite and immortal principle and remains with Shiva
whereasthesunisafiniteandmortalprincipleandresideswithinDivineEnergy
(Shakti).
Spiritualenergy(kundalini)liesinadormantstateinthehumanbodyandShiva
resides in the Sahasrar chakra in the head. When this dormant energy in
the Agni chakra merges with Shiva in the Sahasrar or Shunya chakra, yogis
attain a natural state of superconsciousness (sahajsamadhi) which imparts
LiberationandSupremeBliss.Thisitselfisdescribedastheunionofthesubtle
bodyandtheuniverse(pindabrahmandaikyaorsamarasikaran).
3.ThepathofspiritualpracticeofRaseshvar
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This sect professes faith in Adinath Shiva and shares some similarities regarding
spiritual practice with the body (kayasadhana) with followers of the Nath sect. The
spiritualpracticeofthissecthasbeendescribedinvariousholytextsbythoseperfected
(siddha) in rasa such as Rasaratnakar by Nagarjun,Rasahruday by
GovindbhagvatpadacharyaandSakarsiddhibyVishnuswami.

Meaning:Odeity(Parvati),micaisYourovumandmercuryisMysperm(semen).The
unionofthesetwoeliminatesdeathandpoverty.
Seekersbelongingtothissectbelievethatmercurypossessesthepotentialtobestow
theFinalLiberation(Moksha)inthisbirthitself.Henceitismorebeneficialtoattainthe
Final Liberation when alive than after death. According to them to attain the Final
Liberationthebodyhastobestrong,healthyandfit.Mercuryoxidehasthepotentialto
impartthesebenefitstothebody.Mercury(para)isdescribedasRaseshvar,onewhich
can take one across (par) the ocean of materialistic life. In this context Shiva says
Consumptionofsolutionscontainingmercurymakesthebodystrongandhealthy.This
facilitates attainment of Selfrealisation. If a mixture of mercury and mica is drawn
upwardswiththehelpofaparticularyantra(device)intothebodythenahumour(rasa)
whichcanmakethebodyimmortalisgenerated.Thethreestatesofmercuryareinert,
inactiveandbound.Inertmercurycuresillnesses,inactivemercurybestowslongevity
and bound mercury imparts the ability to fly. Eight rituals such assvedan, murchan,
pavan, nirodhan, maran, etc. have been described with regard to mercury. Saints of
the Nath sect had a close association with Raseshvar. It is believed that those
belongingtotheRaseshvarsectknewthesecretofcreatinggold.
4.Virshaivas(Lingayat)
TheseShaivitesadornthe(Shiva)lingaandhenceareknownasLingayats.Thissect
was founded by Panchacharya and propagated by Basveshvar. Their basic texts are
theBasavPuranandtheChannabasavPuran.TheGurusoftheLingayatsareknown
as Jangam. Jangam means a worshipper of a chalalinga. This sect has become
popularinKarnatakainIndia.
The nondual Supreme Brahman manifesting in the form of Absolute Truth (Sat),
AbsoluteConsciousness(Chit)andBliss(Anand)isitselfknownasShivaprinciple.Itis
also known as sthal . It is the primal causative bija of the creation of the universe
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consistingofprinciplessuchastheMahatprinciple. Similarly the visible and invisible

creationarisingfromtheunionofthePrakrutiandPurushprinciplesdissolvesintoItat
thetimeofdissolutionoftheuniverse.Henceithasacquiredthenamesthal( )by
combinationofstha(
)fromtheprimalcausative bijaandl()fromdissolution( laya).
Thesthalisoftwotypesnamelylingasthalandangasthal.Lingasthalreferstothedeity
of worship, that is Lord Shiva andangasthal is the embodied soul worshipping Him.
(LingasthalisthusTheLordandangasthalisthedevotee.)Theunionofthisisdeityof
worship,Shivawiththatoftheworshippingembodiedsoulisknownastheblendingof
thelinganga(lingangasamarasya).
Thelingasthalhasthreepartsbhavalinga,pranalingaandishtalinga. They are also
namednishkal,sakalnishkalandsakalrespectively. Bhavalinga is the Absolute Truth
form of Shiva as the Supreme Brahman whereas the pranalinga is the Absolute
ConsciousnessnatureandishtalingaistheBlissful(Anand)form.Thebhavalingaisthe
mostsupremeprinciple,thepranalingaisthemostsubtleandtheishtalingaisitsgross
manifestation. This triad oflingasgets converted into kala, nada and binduunder the
influenceoftheprayoga,mantraandkriya.Eachoftheselingasissubdividedintotwo
parts.Thesixlingasmahalingaormahatmyalinga, prasadlingaand prasadhanlinga,
chiralinga, Shivalinga, Gurulinga and acharlinga are known as shatsthal. These six
types of lingas get endowed with divine consciousness and assume six forms. They
possess six Divine Energies (Shakti). They are namedChitshakti, Parashakti,
Ichchashakti,Adishakti,DnyanshaktiandKriyashaktirespectively.
TheDivineEnergywithinLordShivagetstransformedintotwowithHerownwish.The
firstEnergyisnamedKala.SheresideswithShiva.ThesecondisnamedBhaktiand
She resides within the embodied soul, that is the devotee. This active Energy
responsible for leading the embodied soul to Shiva is itself devotion (bhakti). Hence
theLingayatsconsiderintensedevotionuntoLordShivaasthemainspiritualpractice
toattaintheFinalLiberation(Moksha).TheunionoftheSupremeSoul,Shivaandthe
embodiedsouldoingspiritualpractice(jivatma)istheirultimategoal.
The principle aim of the angasthal (embodied soul) is devotion. Devotion is of three
typesyogang,bhogangandtyagang.Duetoyogangthereisunionoftheembodied
soul with Lord Shiva. Tyagang helps the embodied soul to realise the impersonal
natureoftheuniverseandhencetheembodiedsoulsacrificesit.Bhogangbringsabout
a merger of the embodied soul with Lord Shiva. The ultimate objective of
theVirshaiviteispermanentunionoftheembodiedsoulandShiva.Onecanperceive
theinfluenceoftheVaishnavitephilosophyofqualifiednonduality(Vishishtadvait) on
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theirphilosophy.
(BasedonPanchUpasanapanth.Firstedition:Shriramanavami,Shake1901,pages
6891. Author : Prof. R.R. Gosavi. Publisher : Manohar Y. Joshi. Prasad Publications,
1892,SadashivPeth,Pune411030.)
5.ShivaandDivineEnergy(Shakti)
Shiva
Energy
1.Special
Formofyoga*
Formofspiritual
characteristics
(UnionwithGod) knowledge
2.Mission
Detachment
Towardsmaterialistic
attachment
3.Spirituallevel
Supreme*
Superior
4.Askingforofferings Nothing
Asubordinatetypeof
deity(Energy)asks
Givemesuchand
suchthingtofulfill
suchandsuchtask
5.Annualsacrifice
Notoffered**
Isoffered
*
:
:
Meaning:Man who is endowed with the qualities of intense faith, is prompt in action
andhasmasteryoverhissensesacquiresspiritualknowledge.
** No sacrifice is offered even to the combined form of Shiva and Divine Energy
(Shakti).
||OmNamahaShivaya||
Whyaresvayambhupindissituatedbelowthegroundlevel?
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ShivLinga
Contents
1.Formofthephallus
2.Intheformofananimal
3.Intheformofaman
3.1Dakshinamurti
3.2Kalyansundarmurti
4.Theformofapindi
4.1Typesofpindis
4.2Linga(DivinePhallus)
4.3shalunka[baseofthelinga(lingavedi)]
4.4Jyotirlingas
4.5Banalingas
4.6Lingasaccordingtotheera(yug)
5.ThefivefacedShiva
6.TheShivalingawithfivefaces
7.Thethreefacedform
8.Lingasofthefivecosmicelements
9.Thehundredandeightandthethousandlingas
10.Dharalinga
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Shivasidolunderwentchanges,withthepassageoftimeasgivenbelow.
1.Formofthephallus
Shankarisreferredtoasthefatheroftheuniversethatiswhy,atfirst,theidolusedto
be in the form of a phallus. It is mostly five faced. The face facing the east is called
Vishnu, that facing the west is called Brahma, that facing the south Rudra and that
facingthenorthShiva.Thefifthfacepointsupwards,thatistowardsspiritualprogress.
InspiteofShivabeingthedeityofdissolution,onewillwonderhowthelingasofShiva
havingformssuchasthephallus,Nandi,divinephallus(linga)anddivinebirthpassage
(bhag/yoni),etc.havebeencreated.AccordingtotheShaivasect,Shivaisthedeityof
all that is creation, sustenance as well as dissolution. Only in the concept
ofTrimurti(Datta)isShivathedeityofdissolution.Accordingtopsychologytooformostit
iseasiertoworshipwithregardtocreationandsustenanceanddifficultwithregardto
dissolution.
2.Intheformofananimal
NandiistheformofShivafromtheVedicperiod.
3.Intheformofaman
ThisformwascreatedduringthePuranicperiod.HereParvatiisdepictedasseatedon
Shivaslap.ItsymbolisesthatShivaParvati[DivineEnergy(Shakti)aretheparentsof
the universe. This idol is always white, that is like camphor (karpur) and is
namedKarpurgour. Shiva being the deity of purity, the idol is white in colour as a
representationofthisabsolutepurity.ThishumanformofShivapossessesthefollowing
foursymbolicinstrumentsinhishands.
A.Thesmallhourglassshapeddrum(damaru):ThisrepresentstheBrahman in the
form of the word (shabda Brahman). Alphabets consisting of the sounds of fiftytwo
basiclettersandtheformsoffourteenMaheshvarverses(sutras)havegeneratedfrom
it.Latertheuniversewascreatedfromit.
B.Thetrident:Itrepresentsthefollowing
Thethreecomponents(trigunas)
Therootofcreation,sustenanceanddissolution
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Volition,knowledgeandactionarethetipsofthethreeprongsofthetrident.
Theyama,suryaandprajapatifrequencies
C.Thenooseorthedeer:Thenooserepresentsthenooseoftime(kalpash).(Therope
inGanapatishandtooisthenooseoftime.)ThedeersymbolisesthefourVedas.
D.Theaxe:Thisrepresentsthedestructionofignorance.
3.1Dakshinamurti
Theworddakshina represents intellect. Dakshinamurti is that form of The Lord the
realisationofwhichoneacquireswiththehelpoftherightintellect.Alegendsaysthat
ShivaassumedthisformtobeabletopreachphilosophytoHisdevotees,constantly.
TheDakshinamurtiidoltooexistsinfourformsVinadhar,Yoga,DnyanandVyakhyan.
The idol of Vinadhar is in an erect posture and has four arms. It teaches the
devoteesthevina(astringedinstrument),thatismeditationuponnotes.
The idol of Yoga is seated in meditation. It is through this form that the
knowledgeofyogaisacquired.
TheidolofDnyanteachesphilosophy.
TheidolofVyakhyanteachesothersciences.Itisseatedinvirasan (adamant
posture)anddepictsthemudrasofdnyan,sandarbhaandvyakhyan.
InthisformShivaiseitherinthestandingorinthesittingposture.Hiscountenanceis
pleasant and beautiful. He possesses four arms. Often several animals,
serpents, yatisand sages surround this idol. At times Parvati too is close by.
Shankaracharyahascomposedtwoverses(stotras)ofDakshinamurti.
3.2Kalyansundarmurti
ThisidoldepictstheweddingceremonyofShivaandParvati.
4.Theformofapindi
Thedivinebirthpassageandthedivinephallusarethetwosexorgansresponsiblefor
animate creation. Realising this, primitive man worshipped both these organs.
Thepindi was created by union of the base of the linga (shalunka) representing the
divine birth passage and thelinga representing the divine phallus. The earth means
procreationandShivameanspurity.Althoughtheshalunkahasbothcreationandpurity
yet the universe was not created from semen but by the resolve (sankalpa) of Lord
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Shiva. Thus Shiva and Parvati became the parents of the world. Huishka, the son of
Kanishka began worship of Shivas linga since the second century. The concept of
theShivalingaoriginatedaftertheunionoftheShivaandShakti(DivineEnergy)sects.
ShivacannotdoanythingwithoutDivineEnergy(Shakti)hencetheworshipofShakti
commencedalongwiththatofShiva.Shivaslingaintheformofapindirepresentsthe
energy of effulgence. The modern nuclear reactors too are shaped like the lingas of
Shiva.
4.1Typesofpindis
A.Chalandachal:Achallingaiscreatedforacertainritualisticworship(puja).Thisis
created like an idol of Ganesh made for Ganesh Chaturthi and is then immersed.
Anachallingaisinstalledinoneplaceandnotmoved.
B.Withcontexttotheground
1.Situatedbelowthegroundlevel(svayambhu):Thispossessestremendous
amountofenergy.Henceitissituatedbelowthegroundlevel.Ifsituatedabove
the ground then devotees will not be able to tolerate the energy emitted by it.
(TheeyesofLordBalajiofTirupatiarehalfopentopreventdevoteesfrombeing
affected by the radiance from His eyes.) Worshippers lie down on the ground
andinsertingtheirhandsinside,worshipit.TheamountofShivaprincipleinitis
nexttothatinthejyotirlingas.TheselingasarecreatedwiththeresolveofLord
Shiva.Laterthelingamanifestsbeforesomedevoteeandafteritisdiscovered,
itsworshipbegins.
2. Situated at the ground level: These are installed by sages or kings. They
possess less energy. Devotees are able to endure only that much of energy.
Worshippersperformritualisticworshipofthepindisittinginahollowbesideit.
3. Situated above the ground level: These are installed by devotees
collectively.Thesehavetheleastenergywhichpeoplecaneasilytolerate.The
worshipper performs its ritualistic worship sitting on the platform constructed
besideit.Lingasof type 2 and 3 are referred to asmanush lingas. These are
called so probably because they are created by man (manushya). They are
includedinthestablelingas.Amanushlingaiscomposedofthreepartsthe
Brahmapart,theVishnupartandtheRudrapart.Thelowermostpartisreferred
toasBrahma.Itissquareinshape.ThecentraloctagonalpartiscalledVishnu.
Boththesepartsareburiedintheground.Theuppermostroundraisedportionis
called Rudra. This is also known as puja part as all the substances used in
ritualisticworshipareoffereduntoit.Holytextsonthescienceofidolsstatethat
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the Rudra part should have some lines on it. These are called Brahmasutras.
Divineandarshaklingasdonotdisplaysuchlines.
4.Suspendedinair:ThepindiofSomnathcreatedfrommercuryfloatsintheair
at a height of five metres above the ground. Worshippers pass below it. This
itselfbecomesthecircumambulation(pradakshina)ofthepindi.
4.2Linga(DivinePhallus)
A. linga is a representation of an object or an emotion. The text Medinikosh
explainsthemeaningofthiswordasfollows.

Meaning: The word linga is used with reference to a symbol,

inference,PrakrutiaccordingtotheSankhyaphilosophybySageKapil,special
features of the idols of Shiva and the phallus and is of the neuter gender.
HoweverincommonusageitinfersarepresentationofShiva.
B.Itiscalledsobecauseatthetimeofdissolution(pralay)alongwiththefive
cosmic elements the entire world merges into the linga and originates from it
again,atthetimeofcreation.
C.Themahalingapossessesthreeeyes.Theyrefertocreation,sustenanceand
dissolutionandtotama(tiryak),raja(visphutit)andsattva(saman)frequencies.
4.3Shalunka[baseofthelinga(lingavedi)]
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Bhumi(Earth)istheeldestdaughterofDakshaPrajapati.Aditi,Uttanpada,Mahiand
Shalunkaareitsforms.Therootnameoftheshalunka is Suvarnashankhini because
the sex organs of a woman resemble a conch (and a seashell) in shape. Ritualistic
worship of the shalunka implies the worship of the mother deity (matrudevata). The
grooves located on the inner aspect of the shalunka are important. Due to them
thesattvik (sattva predominant) energy generated in the pindi mostly remains in
the pindiand in the central part of the temple (gabhara) while the
destructivetamapredominantenergyconstitutestheoutflow(srot)fromtheshalunka.
A.Typesofshalunkasbasedonthecircumference
1.Ashalunkawithacircumferencethricethatofthelingaiscalledinferior.
2. A shalunka with a circumference one and a half times that of the linga is
calledmedium.
3.Ashalunkawithacircumferencefourtimesthatofthelingaisasuperiorone.
B.Height:TheheightofalingashouldbeequivalenttothatofitsVishnupart.
C.Shape:Itmayhave4,6,8,12or16sidesbutismostlyround.
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Ifthe shalunka faces northwards then its shape resembles the figure below. Sperms
andgoldencolouredadhahashayi(the embodied soul (jiva) which enters the foetus)
(:)(referScienceofSpirituality:Chapter24 CreationoftheUniverse)aswell
asneonatesresembleit.
4.4Jyotirlingas
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Therearetwelvejyotirlingas.Theymaterialisedinaradiantform.Thethirteenthpindais
called kalpinda. The body (pinda) which has crossed the limits of time (kal) is
calledkalpinda.Thetwelvejyotirlingasaregivenbelow.
Jyotirlinga
1.Somnath
2.Mallikarjun
3.Mahankal
4.Omkar/
Amleshvar
5.Kedarnath
6.Bhimashankar
Site
Prabhasapattan,nearVeraval,Sourashtra
Gujarath
Shrishailya,AndhraPradesh
Ujjain,MadhyaPradesh
Omkar,Mandhata,MadhyaPradesh
Himalay
Dakiniregion,talukaKhed,districtPune,
Maharashtra
7.Vishveshvar
Varanasi,UttarPradesh
8.Tryambakeshvar NearNashik,Maharashtra
9.Vaidyanath
Parli,DistrictBid,Maharashtraor
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(Vaijnath)
10.Nagesh
(Nagnath)
11.Rameshvar
12.Ghrushneshvar
(Ghrushnesh)
Vaidyanathdham,Bangal.
Darukavan,Oundha,districtParbhani,
MaharashtraorAlmoda,UttarPradesh
Setubandha,nearKanyakumari,Tamilnadu.
Verul,districtAurangabad,Maharashtra.
The twelve jyotirlingas are bodies the heads of which lie at Pashupatinath of
Kathamandu. For acquisition of the supernatural power of a rudraksha one should
choosethelingawiththerequiredqualityandenergyandworshipitbysprinklingwith
water(abhishek).Forexample,Mahankalcontainstamasi(tamapredominant)energy,
Nagnath is a form of Hari (Vishnu) and Har (Shiva) and is predominant
insattvaandtamacomponents,Tryambakeshvariscomposedofthethreecomponents
(Avadhut)whileSomnathisappropriateforalleviatingdisease.
Themeaningofajyotirlinga
TheallpervadingBrahmatmalingaorallpervadinglight.
IntheTaittiriyaUpanishadthetwelveprinciplesofBrahman, the Great Illusion
(Maya),theembodiedsoul,themind,intellect,subconsciousmind,egoandthe
fivecosmicelementshavebeenreferredtoasthetwelvejyotirlingas.
ThetwelvesectionsoftheShivalinga.
Inthesummitofasacrificialfire(yadnya)theshalunkarepresentsthealtar(vedi)
ofthefireandthelingatheflameofthefire.
Arepresentationofthetwelveadityas.
Thesitesoferuptionoffirefromthedormantstateofthevolcano.
Since Lord Yama the master of the south is controlled by Shankar, the south is the
direction of Lord Shankar. The jyotirlingas (that is the mouths of the shalunkas) face
southwarddirection.Mostofthetemplesdonotfacethesouthwarddirection.Whenthe
mouth of the shalunka faces southwards its pinda possesses more energy while
thepindawiththemouthoftheshalunkafacingnorthwardshaslessenergy.
4.5Banalingas
These are a type of Shivalingas. A particular kind of pebbles from the bed of the
Narmada river is referred to as banalingas. Banasur had created these lingas for
ritualistic worship and then left them on the mountain situated on the banks of the
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Narmada. The Yadnyavalkyasanhita states that along with the water currents
theselingasreachedtheNarmada.AkintotheNarmadabanalingasare also found in
theriversGangaandYamuna.Sincebanalingasandshaligrams of Lord Vishnu are
madeofnonporousstonelikemarbletheyarebothheavyanddonoterodeeasily.
4.6Lingasaccordingtotheera(yug)
Yug
Linga
Satya(Krut) Precious
stones
Treta
Gold
Yug
Linga
Dvapar Mercury
Kali
Earth
5.ThefivefacedShiva
ThefollowingtablegivesinformationontheNamesofthefacesinthefivefacedShiva,
the associated elements, the direction of the face, special features and their implied
meaning.
Name
Element
1.
Pruthvi
Mahadev (absolute
earth)
Direction
East
2.Bhairav Apa
(absolute
water)
South
3.Nandi Tej
vaktra
(absolute
fire)
West
Special
features
A.Three
eyes
Implied
meaningof
thespecial
feature
Sun,moonand
fire
B.Tenarms Tendirections
A.Amacein Shakti(Energy)
thehand
Minuteparticleor
B.Acitron vishvabija
fruit
(Mahalung)
inthehand
A.Ahidein Manifest
the
hand
Unmanifest
B.Atrident
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4.Uma
vaktra
Vayu
(absolute
air)
in
thehand
A.Amirror
in
thehand
North
Spiritual
knowledge
Detachment
5.
Akash
Sadashiv (absolute
(Ishan)
ether)
B.Alotusin
thehand
Zenith
Gaze
Spiritual
(Upwards) towards
progress
thesky
Features
Implied
commontoall meaning
Jatabhar
Brahman
Chandrakor
Opulence
TheVasuki
serpent
Divinewrath
Features
Implied
commontoall
meaning
Spottedtiger Desire
skin
Nandi
Divine
Righteousness
6.TheShivalingawithfivefaces
Shivalingaswithfivefacesarealsofoundinsomeplaces.TheNamesofthefivefaces
are Sadyojat, Vamdev, Aghor, Tatpurush and shan. The four faces of Lord Brahma
represent knowledge of 1. creation, 2. sustenance, 3. dissolution and 4. spiritual
experiences.ThefourfacesofShivarepresentthefourdirections.Thefifthfacewhich
pointsskywardsistheuniversalfacesymbolicofpurityandspiritualprogress.
7.Thethreefacedform
If there is a Shivalinga or a Nandi in front of a three faced idol then it is an idol of
ShankarandifnotitisanidolofDatta.
8.Lingasofthefivecosmicelements
SouthIndiahasthefollowingfivelingasofthefivecosmicelements:pruthvi(absolute
earth) Shivakanchi, apa (absolute water) Jambunath, tej (absolute fire)
Arunachalam, vayu (absolute air) Kalhasti and akash (absolute ether)
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Chidambaram.
9.Thehundredandeightandthethousandlingas
Theselingasare created by vertical and horizontal lines engraved on the Rudra part
creatingonehundredandeightorathousandsquaresrespectively.
10.Dharalinga
Thisiscreatedbydrawing5to28deepverticalgroovesontheVishnupartofthelinga.
Because of these grooves water from the ritualistic bathing (abhishek) flows down
easily.
WhatisthesignificanceofchantingSriGurudevDatta?
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IncarnationsofLordDatta
Contents
1.Missionandspecialfeatures
3.Impliedmeaningofthefamily
4.Incarnations
5.Spiritualpractice
6.Sects
6.1TheNathsect
6.2TheMahanubhavsect
6.3TheChaitanyasect
6.4TheAnandsect
6.5TheSripadSrivallabhandtheSriNrusinhaSarasvatisects
6.6Others
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7.Mainplacesofpilgrimage(tirthakshetras)
8.Mainholytexts
9.Someprominentincarnations
A.Theonemaintainingthehonourofthecodeofthefourclasses(varnas)andstages
(ashrams).
B. The model of the Guru principle and preacher for Yoga (Shandilyopanishad).
Sahasrarjun,Parshuram,etc.aretherenowneddisciplesofDatta.
C.TheteacherofthescienceofTantra(Tripurasundarirahasya).
D.TheonewhowandersasperHisownwill,theone(likeKrushna)beyondrestrictions
(MarkandeyaPuran).
E.TheonebehavingaccordingtoHiswishandalwaysbeingthereforsomeonewho
remembersHim.
F.Bestowerofdetachment(otherdeitiesbestoweverythingelse).
G.Avadhut(Referpoint2.1.)
H.Asymbolofequanimity.
ShaivitesandVaishnavites:BoththesesectsaredrawntoDattaduetoHisform
asaGuru.
Hindus and Muslims: In the ritualistic worship (puja) of Datta by Hindus both
musicandincense(dhup)areimportantasintheMuslimreligion.
I.Theoneresolvingtheproblemofancestorssubtlesouls(ReferpointTheproblemof
ancestorssouls.)
J.Constantwandering
1.Bath:Varanasi
2.Applicationofsandalwoodpaste:Prayag.
3.Collectionoftheafternoonalms:Kolhapur
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4. The afternoon meal: Panchaleshvar (Bid district) in the stream of river

Godavari.
5. Chewing a roll of betel leaves together with betelnut, lime, catechu, etc.
(tambul):RakshasbhuvaninBiddistrict,Marathvada.
6. Listening to spiritual discourses (pravachans and kirtans): Naimisharanya
(Bihar)
7.Sleep:Mahurgad
8.Yoga:GirnarTheplacesatpoints1,3and7arefamous.
K.Principle,abilityandmanifestenergy
Principle:100%(Isham=100%)
Ability:Creation10%,sustenance80%anddissolution10%Sincetheabilityfor
sustenanceis80%accordingtovariousholytextsDattaisgenerallyconsidered
thesixthamongthe24incarnationsofLordVishnuandrarelythefourthorthe
seventh.
Manifestenergy:10%
Around1000A.D.theidolofLordDattabecamethreefaced(trimukhi). Before that it
hadonlyoneface.
Objectinthehand
Representingwhom?
1.Kamandalu(waterpot)andjapamala
Brahmadev
(rosary)
2.Conchanddiscus
Vishnu
3.Tridentandsmallhourglassshaped
Shankar
drum(damaru)
3.Impliedmeaningofthefamily
Thecow(behindtheidol):Theearth
Thefourdogs:ThefourVedas
Theholyfigtree(oudumbar):AsymbolofDatta,worthyofworshipastheDatta
principleexistsinitinagreateramount.
4.Incarnations
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Numerousaretheincarnations
Whichundergodissolutionwiththepassageoftime
LordDattatreya(thatistheGuruprinciple)howeverisunlikethis,
Heneverundergoesdissolution.
Ramavijay13:21bySridharswami
Impliedmeaning:SinceDattaperformsthefunctionoftheGuruprincipleHismission
continuestillallattaintheFinalLiberation(Moksha).
In all, Sri Datta assumed sixteen main incarnations. The book Sri Dattatreya
Shodashavataraha by H.H. Vasudevanand Sarasvati narrates the stories of these
incarnations.
5.Spiritualpractice
A.Meticulousobservanceofthecodeofconductaccordingtothefourclasses(varnas)
andstagesoflife(ashrams)
B.AccordingtothePathofYogaandinitiationbytransferofenergy(shaktipatdiksha)
C.DattaistheGurudeity.Hehastobeworshippedinthatformitself.Heisglorifiedas
Sri Gurudev Datta or Sri Gurudatta. Since Dattatreya is the Supreme Guru the
traditionofthehumanGurudisciplelineagehasnotbeenmaintainedintheDattasect.
D.Disciplineplaysaveryimportantroleinthesect.
E.Extremelyharshobservancesandphysicalhardshipsareundertaken.
F.Paduka(woodenfootwear)andtheholyfigtree(oudumbar)insteadofanidolwas
usedforworship.Formerlyasinglefacedidolwasused.Presentlyhoweverthreefaced
idolsarebecomingmorecommon.
G.Strictobservanceofcleanlinessandpurity(withrespecttoclothing,utensils)
H.RitualisticworshipofSatyadatta(Satyadattapuja)[ritualisticworshipsimilartothatof
Satyanarayan]
I. Mantras of Dattatreya: The following seven mantras of Dattatreya are related to
spiritualpracticeofTantra.
Theonelettermantra(ekaksharimantra):Dam (
)isthe bijaof Datta and
also His one lettermantra. The chanda (rhythm) of this mantra is Gayatri, the
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sageSadashivandthedeityDattatreya.Thisisasaviourmantraandtheentire
universeisincorporatedinit.
The six letter mantra (shadakshari mantra): Dam om rhim clim gloum
dram(

) is the six letter mantra. Chanting of this mantra
bestowsthesupernaturalpowerofyoga.
Theeightlettermantra(ashtaksharimantra):ItgoesthusDam(draordram)
Dattatreyaynamaha[
(

)

:]InthismantraDattatreyayis
thekilak(cluetoamysticalpuzzle)andthebijaandnamaha,theenergy.
Thethirteenlettermantra(trayodashaksharimantra):Omamrhimkromehi
Dattatreyaysvaha(

) The chanda (rhythm) of
this
mantra
is
Gayatri,
the
sage
Sadashiv,
the
Dattatreya,Omthebijakshar,svahatheenergyandDattatreyathekilak.
deity
The sixteen letter mantra (shodashakshari mantra)Om aim krom klim klum
rham
rhim
rhum
souhou
Dattatreyay
svaha(

:

)
Theanushtubhmantra:DattatreyaHareKrushnaunmattananddayak
Digambarmunebalpishachdnyansagar

Datta Gayatri: The Gayatri of Dattatreya is akin to that of other deities

as:

Meaning:WearequitefamiliarwithDattatreya.WemeditateonAvadhut.May
thatDattainspireourintellectbenevolently.ThechandaofthismantraisGayatri,
thesageShabarandthedeityDattatreya.
Theproblemofancestorssouls:Nowadayssincemostpeopledonotperform
rites for the departed (shraddhas), etc. as in the olden days nor undertake
spiritualpractice,mostsufferduetothesubtlebodiesofancestors.Onlysaints
can tell whether one is suffering or will suffer due to ancestors. If one is not
fortunateenoughtomeetsuchasaintthenconsideringthatcertainsufferingis
inflicted due to ancestors subtle souls one can do spiritual practice as given
below. Inability to get married, marital disharmony, difficulty in conceiving a
child, miscarriages, mentally retarded or handicapped child or all female
progeny, death during childhood, etc. are some of the indications of suffering
duetoancestorssubtlebodies.Poverty,physicalillness,etc.canbesomeother
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indicators.A.Ifonehasnoproblemsatall,toavoidsufferinginthefutureorif
one has a minor problem, one should chant three malas (rosaries) of Sri
GurudevDattaeveryday.Apartfromthistoavoidsufferingduetodestinyaswell
astomakespiritualprogressoneshoulddomaximumamountofchantingofthe
Nameofthefamilydeity.B.Iftheproblemismoderate,thenalongwithchanting
oftheNameofthefamilydeityoneshouldchantatleastsixmalasofSriGurudev
Datta. In addition every Thursday one should visit Sri Dattas temple and
perform five circumambulations and chant one or two malasof Sri Gurudev
Dattainthetemple,foratleastayear.Thereafteroneshouldcontinuetochant
threemalas.C.Iftheproblemissevere,aminimumofnineshouldbechanted
everyday.RitualslikeNarayanbali,Nagbali,Tripindishraddha,Kalasarpashanti,
etc. should be performed at places wherejyotirlingas (the divine phallus as a
symbol of Lord Shiva) are situated. In addition to this one should undertake
spiritual practice at the seat of worship of Lord Datta or render service unto a
saint and acquire His blessings.D. Sri Datta Jayanti (Birthday of Sri Datta):
DevoteesofLordDattacelebrateHisbirthdayonthefullmoonday(pournima)
oftheHindulunarmonthofMargashirsha.
6.Sects
NowhereelseisworshipofLordDattaascommonasinMaharashtra.
6.1TheNathsect
TheAvadhutstateasdescribedintheAvadhutgitacompiledbyDatta,issimilartothat
inSiddhasiddhantpaddhaticompiledbyGorakshanath.
Yogis belonging to theNathsect are also referred to as Avadhuts. They are beyond
restrictions and accept food from all classes of society with the exception of
theShudras (labourers). These yogis emulate pythons and spend all their time in
contemplationofthesoul.IntheBrahmanirvantantrafourtypesofAvadhutshavebeen
described.
Brahmavdhut:TheseworshippersofBrahmanarefromanystage(ashram) of
life.
Shaivavdhut: They are the ones who have ritualistically taken the vow of
celibacy. They matt their hair, observe silence (moun), and sit beside a fire
place.Theyalsosmearmudontotheirbodies.
Viravdhut: Their hair is long and unruly. They wear a necklace of bones
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orrudrakshas and carry a staff, an axe and a small hourglass shaped drum
(damaru).Theseyogissmeartheirbodieswithholyash(bhasma)andweara
loincloth(langoti).
Kulavdhut: These yogis are initiated into the Koul sect and are
householders.Avadhut ascetics consider Sage Gorakshanath as their Guru.
(ReferpointAvadhut.)
6.2TheMahanubhavsect
InthissectthelineageisofDattatreyaChangdevRaulGundamRaulChakradhar.
LiteratureofthissectstatesthatDattaisBrahman.
6.3TheChaitanyasect
RaghavChaitanya,thefounderofthissectundertookthespiritualpracticeofDattatreya
atGirnar.
6.4TheAnandsect
HereDattaisconsideredastheforemost(adi)Guru.
6.5TheSripadSrivallabhandtheSriNrusinhaSarasvatisects
SripadSriVallabh
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SriNursinhaSaraswati
SripadSrivallabhwasthefirstincarnationofLordDatta.HebeganworshipofDattain
Maharashtra in the 15th century. Sri Nrusinha Sarasvati was His second incarnation.
TheSriGurucharitragivesinformationonboththeseincarnations.
ProminentsaintsfromtheDattasect:TheyareEknath,Manikprabhu,Swami
Samarth of Akkalkot, Vasudevanand Sarasvati, Pantamaharaj Balekundrikar
(BalekundriisavillagenearBelgauminIndia.)
Incarnations:InthehistoricalagethethreeincarnationsassumedwereSripad
Srivallabh,SriNrusinhaSarasvatiandManikprabhu.Thefourthincarnationwas
SriSwamiSamarth.Thesefourareabsoluteincarnationsbutthereareseveral
partialincarnations.SriVasudevanandSarasvati(Tembeswami)isincludedin
Them.To avoid disturbance from people Sri Nrusinha Sarasvati retired to the
Kardali(theplantaintree)forestafterinformingHisdisciples.Whenperforming
austeritiesthere,antscoveredHisentirebodywithanthills.Severalyearslater
when a woodcutter was cutting wood in the forest his axe lightly struck the
anthill. Seeing the blade of the axe stained with blood frightened him and he
duguptheanthill.NrusinhaSarasvatiemergedfromitasAkkalkotSwami.The
Swami used to live at the present hermitage (math) below the holy fig
(oudumbar)treeatAkkalkot.Informationonsomeofthemainincarnationsofthis
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sectisgivenin9.0
Incantation of the Name: Digambara Digambara Sripad Vallabh Digambara.
Come
quickly
Lord
Sri
Nrusinha
Sarasvati
Digambara

)
isoneoftheincantationsofthissect.
6.6Others
JainsworshipDattatreyaintheformofNeminathwhileMuslimsremainintheattireofa
mendicant.AmendicantisalwaysadevoteeofLordDatta.
7.Mainplacesofpilgrimage(tirthakshetras)
1.Mahur:Kinvattaluka,Nandeddistrict,Maharashtra.
2.Girnar:NearJunagad,Sourashtra.Thishas10,000steps.
3. Karanja: The birthplace of Sri Nrusinha Sarasvati. It is known as Lad
Karanje.BrahmanandSarasvatiofKashifirstbuiltatempleofLordDattahere.
4.Oudumbar:Inthefourmonthsofchaturmasof the Hindu lunar calendar Sri
Nrusinha Sarasvati lived here. This place is situated at a distance of 10
kilometresfromBhilvadirailwaystationinMaharashtra,onthebanksoftheriver
Krushna.
5. Narsobavadi: This is located in Maharashtra. Sri Nrusinha Sarasvati lived
here for twelve years. The confluence of the two rivers Krushna and
Panchagangaoccurshere.ThisistheplacewhichinspiredTembeswami.
6.Gangapur:ThisissituatedinKarnatakaonthePuneRaychurhighway.The
confluence of the rivers Bhima and Amaraja occurs here. It is here that Sri
NrusinhaSarasvatispenttwentythreeyearsandcarriedoutHisentiremission.
LaterHeproceededtoSriShailyafromhere.
7.Kuravpur:ThisisanislandinthewatersoftheKrushnariverinKarnataka.
One can reach this destination by road from Raychur till Palladini (Kurguddi).
ThisiswhereSripadSrivallabhundertookHismission.
8. Pithapur: The birthplace of Sripad Srivallabh, in Andhra Pradesh. It was
Tembeswamiwhobroughtthisplaceintothelimelight.
9. Varanasi : Here, the Dattatreya hermitage (math) is situated on the
Naradghat. The family members of Sri Nrusinha Sarasvati who still live here
have the surname, Kale. Later, the name Kale was changed to Kaliya. Even
todayagardenandalanenamedKaliyaexisthere.
10.SriShailya:LocatedclosetoHyderabad,SriNrusinhaSarasvatitravelledto
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thisplace.
11. Bhattagaon (Bhadgaon): This is at a distance of 35 kilometres from
Kathmandu.
12.Panchaleshvar:DistrictBid,Maharashtra.
8.Mainholytexts
1.DattaPuran:ThisPuranhasthefollowingthreeparts.
A.Partofritualisticworship(karmakand)
B. Part of mental worship (upasanakand) : H.H. Vasudevanand Sarasvati
(Tembeswami)hastranslatedthisintoMarathi.ItiscalledDattamahatmya.
C. Part of spiritual knowledge (dnyankand) : This is referred to as
Tripurasundarirahasya.
2. Avadhutgita: This is one of the main holy texts of the Nath sect. This Gita was
preachedbyDattatreyatoKartikeya.
3.SriDattaprabodhbyViththalAnantsutKavadibova
4.SriGurucharitra:ThisdescribesthegloryoftheGuruandthecodeofconductofthis
sect. The pattern is as follows chapters 1 to 24 : Part of spiritual knowledge
(dnyankand),2537:Partofritualisticworship(karmakand)and3853:Partofdevotion
(afterSelfrealisation)[bhaktikand].
9.Someprominentincarnations
Nameof
Nameof Period
Nameof
the
the
of
thefather
incarnation
mother
birth
1.Sripad
Apalraj Sumatibai Shake
Srivallabh
1245
2.Sri
Nrusinha
Sarasvati
3.Sri
Manik
Prabhu
Native
Village
Siteof
Total
themission surrender
Madhavrao Ambasati
Shake
1339
Pithapur
(Andhra
Pradesh)
Karanja
(Vidarbha)
Andhra
Pradesh
At7
years
Gangapur
(Karnataka)
At12
years
Manohar Bayamma
pant
Shake
1739
Ladvanti Maniknagar
(Karnataka)
Inchild
hood
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4.Sri
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Akkalkot
Unknown
Swami
(district
Samarth
Solapur)
(Akkalkot)
5.Sri
Unknown Unknown Unknown Pathari
Shirdi
Unknown
Saibaba
6.Sri
Parshuram Anandibai Shake
Mhapan
Kankavli
At22
Bhalchandra
1825
(district
years
Maharaj
Sindhudurga)
||SriGurudevDatta||
HowdidSriMarutiacquirethenameHanuman?
Contents
1.HistoryandsomeotherNames
2.1Omnipotent
2.2Devotee
2.3Constantvigilanceandspiritualpractice
2.4Intelligent
2.5Agreatpsychologistandanexpertpolitician
2.6Masteryoverthesenses(jitendriya)
2.7Expertinliterature,philosophyandtheartoforatory
2.8FounderofthescienceofMusic
2.9FounderoftheDhvajanathsect
2.10Onewhorespondstothevowsofdevotees
2.11Immortal
2.12Principle,abilityandmanifestenergy
1.HistoryandsomeotherNames
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ThereisnomentionofHanumanmadeanywhereinVedicliterature.Researchersfeel
thatHanumantmustbetheSanskrutformofaTamilword.WhentranslatingDravidian
wordsintoSanskrutthereisapracticeofmostlyprefixingthealphabethtotheword,
forinstanceIdumbika(proudwoman)becomesHidimba,soalsoAnmandi(anmeaning
monkey and mandi meaning man) when translated to Sanskrut becomes Hanuman.
HanumanisalsoknownasAnumandaninSouthIndia.Thisimpliesthathfromthe
Sanskrutwordhasbeenomittedhere.ThestorybehindthebirthofHanumanisgiven
in Valmiki Ramayan (Kishkindhakand, sarga 66) as follows: Anjani gave birth to
Hanuman.Afterbirth,thinkingthattherisingsunwasagoldenfruitHeleaptintothesky
forit.Thatdaybeingasolareclipse(parvatithi)Rahu(thedragonshead)hadcometo
engulfthesun.ThinkingthatHanumanwasanotherRahuSriIndraattackedHimwith
His thunderbolt. It struck Hanumans chin (hanuvati) which got cut and developed a
cleft.ThusheacquiredthenameHanuman.
InawayMarutialsobecomesRamasbrotherbecausealongwiththequeensofKing
Dasharath,Anjaniwhowasalsoperformingausteritiesreceivedthesweet(payas)from
thesacrificialfire(yadnya)anditwasbecauseofthisthatMarutiwasborn.Itwasthefull
moon(pournima) day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra. This is celebrated as the
birthdayofHanuman(Hanumanjayanti).
HanumantisalsoknownasMaruti.IntheMahabharatHeisreferredtoasMarutatmaja.
ThewordMarutihasoriginatedfromthewordMarut.Therearemanyschoolsofthought
regardingMarutiandRudra.
MarutsarethesonsofRudraandsoisMaruti.
Thereareelevenrudras.SinceHanumantooisarudraHeisincludedintheseeleven.
BhimisoneoftheNamesoftheelevenrudras.Hanumanhasalsobeenreferredtoas
Bhimrupi Maharudra. It is believed that probably Hanumants five faced idols have
beenderivedduetotheinfluenceofthefivefacedidolofRudrashiva.
Hanuman is considered an incarnation of Sri Rudra. Researchers opine that the
relationship between Hanuman and Rudra must have originated in the era of the
Purans. In the story from the Ramayan narrating Hanumans birth, Vayu (generated
from absolute air) is referred to as His father. Later due to His innate qualities He
becameanincarnationofSriRudra.TherelationshipbetweenHanumanandSriRudra
hasbeenclearlyillustratedintheSkand Puran, Brahmavaivarta Puran, Narad Puran,
ShivaPuran,BhavishyaPuran,MahabharatPuran,etc.
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2.1Omnipotent
AmongalldeitiesonlyMaruticannotbetroubledbydistressingenergies.InLankathere
werelakhsofdemonsyettheycouldnotdoanythingtoMaruti.Thereisatalewhich
saysthatMarutileapttodevourthesunassoonasHewasborn.Fromthisitisobvious
thatMaruti,sonofVayu[generatedfromvayu(absolute air)] was one who could win
overthesun[tej(absolutefire)element].Ofthepruthvi(absolute earth), apa(absolute
water), tej (absolute fire), vayu (absolute air) and akash (absolute ether) elements
thevayuelementisthemostsubtleandthereforemorepowerfulthanthetejelement.
SpiritsandMaruti:Maruti is considered as the master of spirits. Hence when
someone is possessed by a spirit he is taken to Hanumans temple or verses
(stotras)ofMarutiarerecited.
2.2Devotee
Eventodaythebestexampletoillustratedevotionasaservant(dasyabhakti)isthatof
MarutitowardsRama.HewaseverreadytosacrificeevenHislifeforthesakeofHis
Sri.BeforetheserviceofHisSrievenattainmentofLiberation(Moksha)wasworthless
toHim.Hanumanisacombinationofaservitorandasoldier!
2.3Constantvigilanceandspiritualpractice
As the battle continued Maruti would sit aside and meditate for sometime. However
evenatthattimeHewouldremainalert,withHistailrestingonHismace.
2.4Intelligent
NonecouldmatchMarutiingrammarrules,asaninstructoranddirector,anenvoy,a
commentatorandacompiler.(Uttarramacharita,36.4446)Marutiisreferredtoasthe
eleventhproponentofgrammar.
2.5Agreatpsychologistandanexpertpolitician
InmanyinstancesnotonlySugriva,thekingofmonkeysbutevenRamahasheeded
Marutis advice. When several lieutenants opposed the move of giving refuge to
BibhishanwhohaddesertedRavansarmycamp,Marutiwastheonlyonewhoopined
that he should be taken onto their side and Rama accepted His counsel. His
intelligence and expertise in psychology is clearly illustrated in several instances like
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whenHegeneratedtrustinSitaatTheirveryfirstmeetinginLanka,HissettingLanka
ablaze to demoralise the enemy camp His being chosen by Rama to see Bharats
responsetoRamasarrival,etc.
2.6Masteryoverthesenses(jitendriya)
HanumansmentalstatewheninsearchofSitainRavanshavenillustratesHisnoble
character. At that time He says to Himself Although I saw Ravans wives lying about
carefree,Iwasnotatalltemptedbylust.ValmikiRamayan,Sundarkand11.42 43.
SeveralsaintstoohaveritualisticallyworshippedthisHanumanwhohadmasteryover
HissensesandplacedHimasaniconbeforesociety.
2.7Expertinliterature,philosophyandtheartoforatory
2.8FounderofthescienceofMusic
Maruti is considered a prominent founder of music. His connection with Rudra is
probably the reason why He is called so. Rudra is a form of Sri Shiva. Since sound
originatedfromShivassmallhourglassshapeddrum(Damaru)Shivaisthoughttobe
thefounderofmusic.ItisonlyafterrealisingthemusicaltalentinMarutithatSamarth
RamdasSwamiconferredthetitleSangitdnyanmahantameaningthegreatknowerof
music,uponHim.
2.9FounderoftheDhvajanathsect
TheNathsecthastwelvesubsectsandHanumanisconsideredtobethefounderof
theDhvajanathsectamongthem.ThefollowersofthissectaredevoteesofHanuman.
2.10Onewhorespondstothevowsofdevotees
EventodayseveralmenandwomencircumambulateHanumansidoldailyasavowed
observanceduetothebeliefthatthisdeityrespondstoonesvows.Somepeoplefindit
amazing that girls whose marriages do not materialise are advised to worship the
celibateHanuman.Basedonpsychologysomeerroneouslyjumptotheconclusionthat
girlswhowishtomarryarobustmanworshipMaruti.Howevertherealreasonsforthe
worshipareasfollows.
30%ofthosewhoremainunmarriedaresobecauseoftheinfluenceofspirits,
black magic and other distressing energies. By worshipping Maruti these
obstacles are overcome and they are able to get married. (10% of people
remain unmarried due to high expectations about the bride or groom. Once
these expectations are reduced they can get married. 50% remain unmarried
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duetodestiny.Ifthedestinyismildormoderatethenbyworshippingthefamily
deitythiscanbeovercome.Howeverifthedestinyisseverethenitisonlywitha
saints grace that marriage can occur. The remaining 10% remain unmarried
duetootherspiritualcausesandforthat,thetreatmentdependsonthecause.)
Among deities of the highest level there are no differences between celibates
andmarriedones.Alsosincetheyarebornbyamereresolve(notbornthrough
the vaginal route) there are no gender differences among them. These
differences are created by man. A female deity is but a representation of a
deitysenergy.
2.11Immortal
EachtimeSriRamaincarnatesHeisoneandthesamebutineachincarnationMaruti
isdifferent.AlthoughHeisoneofthesevenimmortalbeings(saptachiranjivas) these
beingsattaintheFinalLiberation(Moksha)attheendofthefoureras(yugs).Theyare
thenreplacedbysevenveryhighlyevolvedbeings.
Principle:Vishnu principle 70%, Shiva principle 10% (Vishnu / Shiva / God =
100%principle).AlthoughMarutiisanincarnationofSriShivaduetoworshipof
SriRamatheVishnuprincipleinHimisgreaterthantheShivaprinciple.
Ability:Creation10%,sustenance70%anddissolution20%.
Manifestenergy:70%
Filedunder:SriHanuman|Leaveacomment
WhyaretulsileavesofferedtoSriVishnu?
Contents
1AccordingtotheVaishnavitedoctrines
2Tulsi
2.1WhyaretulsileavesofferedtoVishnu?
2.2YathaHaristhathaHaraha
2.3Aniconofdetachment(vairagya)
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3.Vishnuandtime
4.Somemantras
4.1ChantingofHareRama
4.2OmnamoNarayanaya
4.3VishnuGayatri
5.Sandalwoodpaste(gandha)
6.Sects
6.1Narayaniya
6.2Ramanuj
6.3Sanak(Nimbarka)
6.4Brahman(SvatantrataSvatantravad)thephilosophyof
independentexistence
6.5Pushti(GraceofTheLord)
6.6Mahanubhav
6.7Varkari
6.8Samarth
6.9Comparisonbetweensomesects
Ritualistic worship of Vishnu is prevalent since the Vedic period. The

greatestVaishnav is Shiva and the greatest Shaiva is Vishnu because They worship
eachother.
1.AccordingtotheVaishnavitedoctrines
Vishnu is also worshipped in sixteen steps (shodashopachar puja) like the other
deities. Tulsi leaves are essential for His worship. If lotuses are available, it is even
better.Khir(asweetdelicacymadefrommilkandriceorvermicelli)orshira (a sweet
delicacymadefromsemolina,pureclarifiedbutterandsugar)isVishnusfavouriteholy
sacrament(naivedya).Themainritualisticworshipisperformedasfollows:Theworship
shouldbedonethroughouttheyearusingadifferentNameeverymonth.Itshouldbe
done on the twelfth day (dvadashi) of the Hindu lunar month. Keshav in the month
of Margashirsha, Narayan in Poush, Madhav in Magh, Govind in Phalgun, Vishnu
inChaitra,MadhusudaninVaishakh,TrivikraminJyeshtha,VamaninAshadh,Shridhar
in Shravan, Hrushikesh in Bhadrapad, Padmanabh in Ashvin and Damodar
inKartikshouldbetheNamesusedintheworship.Theidolmadeofgoldshouldbe
drapedinwhiteclothandinstalledonapot(kalash). Every substance in the worship
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shouldbeofferedchantingthetwelvelettermantra,OmNamoBhagvateVasudevaya
(

). The flowers and fruits offered every month should be
different.
SomeinformationastowhyadifferentNameshouldbeusedeverymonth,whytheidol
should be of gold, clothing white, different flowers and fruits should be offered every
month will be obtained from point 2.1 Why are tulsi leaves offered to Vishnu?and
point3.Vishnuandtime.
SincedevoteeshavehumanisedVishnuagreatdeal,aspartofHisworshipthedoors
ofaVishnutemplearekeptclosedwiththereasoningthatHeiseating,sleeping,etc.
2.Tulsi
Tulsiisasacredplant.Theplantgrowstoaheightoftwotothreefeet.Therearetwo
varietiestheblack(krushna)andthewhite.Thisplanthasverticalspringswhichbear
smallflowers.Mostprobablyitsrootnameistulas(
)andtulsi(
)isitsSanskrut
version.

Meaning: Man saw this plant but could not compare it to any other. Hence
archaeologistsbegancallingittulsi.BrahmavaivartaPuran,Prakrutikhand15
IfoneworshipsVishnuwithouttulsileaves then it is in vain because without offering
tulsileavesorwithoutsprinklingfoodwithwaterusingthem,Vishnudoesnotpartakeof
theoffering.Lookingat,touching,meditatingupon,prayingto,worshipping,plantingor
eatingtulsileavescancleanseoneofsinscommittedinseveralbirthsinthebygone
eras.Itissaidthatalldeitiesresideinthisplantrightfromtherootstotheshoots.
2.1WhyaretulsileavesofferedtoVishnu?:Commonlyitissaidthatintheritualistic
worshipofadeity,itisoffereditsfavouriteitemforexample,Ganapatilikesredflowers,
Shankar bel and Vishnu tulsi. Then a story as to why that deity likes that particular
substanceisnarrated.InrealitysuperiordeitieslikeShankar,Vishnu,Ganapatidonot
have any likes or dislikes. Yet the reason for offering certain substances to certain
deitiesisasfollows.
One of the objectives of ritualistic worship is that the idol which is to be worshipped
shouldgetchargedwithdivineconsciousness(chaitanya)andthatitshouldhelponein
makingspiritualprogress.Inordertogeneratethatdivineconsciousness,thesubstance
which is offered to that idol has more ability to attract the pure particles (pavitrakas)
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[mostsubtlespiritualparticles]ofthatdeity,fromasfarasthemaharegionascompared
to other substances. Red flowers have the ability to attract the pure particles of
Ganapati,belofShankar,tulsiofVishnu,etc.HencetulsileavesareofferedtoVishnu.A
tulsi plant is planted on a pedestal in front of the house and tulsi is even wedded to
Krushna.
2.2YathaHaristhathaHaraha(
:)
Meaning:VishnuandShivaareoneandthesame.
Thesimilaritywithrespecttoritualisticworshipisasfollows:Accordingtothetime,the
qualitiesofasubstancechange.OntheeleventhdayoftheHindulunarmonthofKartik
(Kartikiekadashi),tulsileavescanabsorbthepureparticlesofShivaandbelthose of
Vishnu. Hence on that day Shankar is offered tulsi and Vishnu is offered bel. The
psychologicalexplanationforthisisthatthisisdonetoillustratethenonduality(advait)
betweenHari(Vishnu)andHar(Shankar).
2.3 An icon of detachment (vairagya): A tulsi plant symbolises detachment. Once
whenperformingtheritualoftula(weighingwithfoodgrain,gems,etc.)ofShrikrushna
despite putting diamonds, precious stones, gold, etc. in one pan, the other pan with
Krushnaseatedonitrefusedtobalanceit.Finallyonlyafteratulsileafwasplacedon
allthewealthdidthepanbalance.ThroughthisincidentKrushnataughtthatHecould
be won over only with detachment and not with wealth. Placing tulsi leaves on the
housedepictssacrificeofthehome.
3.Vishnuandtime
Onacertainday,date(tithi)andmonththefrequenciesofaparticulardeityreachthe
earthingreaterquantities.Thatdayisconsideredasthedayforthatdeity.Forinstance
Monday for Shiva, Thursday for Datta, the fourth day (chaturthi) of the Hindu lunar
monthforGanesh,theeleventhday(ekadashi)oftheHindulunarmonthforVishnu,etc.
If one considers the months then on the eleventh day of the Hindu lunar months
of Ashadh and Kartik the Vishnu frequencies are more than in any other month
henceekadashisassume great significance with respect toVishnu. On this day if one
fasts and increases ones sattvik (sattva predominant) nature then one can absorb
Vishnufrequenciesinagreaterquantity.
4.Somemantras
4.1ChantingofHareRama(
)
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The Kalisantaran Upanishad is a part of the Krushnayajurveda. Its other name is

Harinamopanishad. This Upanishad was narrated by Lord Brahma to Sage Narad
towards the culmination of the Dvaparyug. In short, it says mere chanting of Lord
Narayans Name eliminates the ill effects due to the influence of Kali. This mantra
consistsofsixteenwords
Thesesixteenwordsareassociatedwiththesixteenkalasoftheembodiedsoul.Thusit
isamantrawhichdestroysthecoveringoftheembodiedsoul.Somesectsworshipping
LordKrushnachantthesecondhalfofthemantrafirst.
4.2 Om namo Narayanaya ( ), Om namo Bhagvate

Vasudevaya (

) and Om namo Ramaya
()
These are taken from Kriyayogasar, a Vaishnavite sub(upa) Puran. Om namo
Narayanaya, the eight letter mantra is named Narayan mantra. A synonym for it is
mantraraj.ThismantraisbelievedtosymbolisetheeightimagesofVishnu,namelythe
five cosmic elements, the sun, the moon and the host performing the sacrificial fire
(yadnya), as also the eight matras of the Omkar. The Vaishnavite saint,
Ramanujacharyawasinitiatedwiththismantra.
4.3VishnuGayatri
Meaning : We are quite familiar with Narayan. We meditate on Vasudev. May that
Vishnuinspireourintellectbenevolently.
5.Sandalwoodpaste(gandha)
Torepresentthe108(narayan)frequenciesemergingfromTheGodprinciple(Isham)
theVaishnavitesapplysandalwoodpasteontheirforeheadsvertically.Shaivitesonthe
other hand apply holy ash (bhasma) horizontally to represent the 360 frequencies
revolvingaroundtheearth.
[For more information on ritualistic worship refer Science of Spirituality : Chapter 7
PathofDevotion(Bhaktiyoga).]
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6.Sects
6.1Narayaniya
Its other names are Pacharatra, Satvat, Ekantik. Narayan in this context is originally
Savita Suryanarayan. He is also known as Yadnyanarayan. Sage Narayan is His
human form. After performing the Sarvamedh sacrificial fire (yadnya) Sage Narayan
becametheSupremeSoulpervadingtheentireuniverse,Narayan.Nara,Narayan,Hari
and Krushna are His four idols. NaraNarayan perform austerities in Badrikashram.
SinceSageNarayanperformedtheSarvamedhasacrificialfireforfivenights,thissect
iscalledPacharatradharma.ThisbeingitsoriginaccordingtotheVaishnavitesectthe
NarayaniyaorPacharatradharmaistotallyVedic.Thissectisnotagainstsacrificialfires
but against the violence that is the sacrifice of living beings involved in them. The
Vedas,Aranyakas, Sankhyas, Yogas and Pacharatra are the five components of this
sect.TheAbsoluteBeing(Purush)beyondthethreecomponentsortheknowerofthe
soul(kshetradnya)isthesoulpervadingthecosmicelements.Themanifestformofthe
Absolute Being beyond the three components is itself called the unmanifest Great
Illusion(Prakruti).ItmanifeststheAbsoluteTruth(sat)asthecause(karan)andthenon
truth(asat)asHismission(karya).Ritualisticworshipofdeities,ancestorsandthefive
greatsacrificialfiresareadvocatedbythissect.Heinspiresonetoundertakeritualsto
appeasedeitiesorancestors.WhenperformingthisHeshouldberememberedinlieu
of the deity or the ancestor. His main special characteristic is devotion without
expectation (nishkam bhakti). This sect propounds the faith that The Lord assumes
incarnationstodestroyevildoerswhotormentsociety.Thoughinthissectdevotionis
givenprimeimportanceyetitisbasedontheschoolofthoughtofmaterialism(pravrutti)
and not that of detachment (nivrutti). In the present times this sect has dwindled to a
largeextent.
Vyuhavad(philosophyofconstellationofdeities)oftheSatvatorBhagvatsect:The
Shantiparva of the Mahabharat describes the Narayaniya sect. This sect was first
preached by The Lord to Arjun and then to Sage Narad (Mahabharat Shantiparva
346.1011 348.68). Later Sage Narad formulated the doctrine of the array in the
Narayaniyasect.Vasudev,Sankarshan,PradyumnaandAniruddhatogetherwerethe
four parts of the doctrine. Here Vasudev is The Supreme God and the Creator of the
universe.Atthebeginningofthekalpa(periodoftime)whenLordVasudevcreatesan
universe along with the unmanifest basic Great Illusion (Prakruti), He also creates
Sankarshan, a particular embodied soul. The mind manifests through the union of
SankarshanandtheGreatIllusion.TheminditselfisPradyumna.ItisfromPradyumna
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thatAniruddha,ego,isgenerated.Fromthelatterarecreatedthecosmicelementsand
theircomponents.LordBrahmatooiscreatedatthattimeandalongwiththeelements
Hecreatestheuniverseconsistingoflivingbeings.
6.2.Ramanuj
Adi Shankaracharya preached the philosophy of total nonduality known
as advait orpurnadvait. It can be summarised as: Only The Supreme God
(Parmatma orParabrahman) is the ultimate truth. The embodied soul doing spiritual
practice (jivatma) and The Supreme God are one and the same. The apparent
difference seen in the objects composed of the Great Illusion (Prakruti) is false. This
distinctionisexperiencedbecauseoftheGreatIllusion(Maya)ornescience(avidya).It
isonlythroughspiritualknowledgethattheFinalLiberation(Moksha)isattained.Hence
acquisitionofabsolutespiritualknowledgeofnondualityratherthandevotionorlove
should be considered to be the ultimate target. This concept was unacceptable to
theVaishnav teachers, so they propounded their doctrines as, The embodied soul
doingspiritualpractice(jivatma) and the universe are in reality both attributes of The
SupremeGod.ItisthroughthemthatthenondualformofTheLordmanifestsitself.
6.3Sanak(Nimbarka)
Referpoint6.9.Comparisonbetweensomesects.
6.4 Brahman (SvatantrataSvatantravad) the philosophy of

independentexistence
Madhvacharyawasthepropounderofthissect.BoththeSankhyaphilosophyandthis
sectadvocatedualityhoweveraccordingtotheSankhyastheAbsoluteBeing(Purush)
and the Great Illusion (Prakruti) are two separate entities which are eternal and the
absolute truth, while in Madhvacharyas philosophy of duality, two principles the
independentandthedependentexist.Forexample,SriVishnuisindependentwhilethe
embodiedsoul(jiva)andthegrossuniversearedependent.Therelationshipbetween
Brahman and the embodied soul is that of a master and a servant. Madhvacharya
preaches two kinds of spiritual practice, study of the scriptures being the first and
meditation,thesecond.Bythefirsttypeofspiritualpracticeindirectspiritualknowledge
(aparokshadnyan)isacquiredandbythesecond,asaresultofremainingengrossed
incontinuousremembranceofTheLord,oneattainsLiberation(Mukti).Afteracquiring
indirectspiritualknowledge,intensedevotionisgenerated.Devotionisakindofflowof
love.FollowersofthissectbelievethatitdevelopsspontaneouslyafterSelfrealisation
(sakshatkar). They treat the followers of the Shaivasect with equality. Between
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otherVaishnaviteandShaivitesectshoweverthereissomeamountofanimosity.This
secthasspreadinKarnataka.
6.5Pushti(GraceofTheLord)
Vallabhacharyas commentary on the Brahmasutra is known as Anubhashya and
thus formulated the theory of pure nonduality shuddhadvait (shuddha advait).
AccordingtoHim,BrahmanItselfistheunparalleledprinciple.Allotherlivingandnon
living beings are indistinct from It and hence are permanent. Since The Lord cannot
remain in only one state He divided Himself into the Great Illusion (Prakruti), the
embodied soul doing spiritual practice (jivatma) and the Omniscient Soul. Just as
sparksflyofffromfiresoalsothesethreeprincipleshaveemergedfromHim.Itisonly
because of His wish that the Great Illusion lacks Absolute Consciousness (Chit) and
Bliss(Anand)andtheembodiedsouldoingspiritualpracticelacksBlisshoweverthe
thirdprincipleisintheformoftheAbsoluteTruth(Sat), Absolute Consciousness and
Bliss.Actuallytheworldisimperishableandeternal.HoweverduetotheGreatIllusion
ofVishnuitiscreated(avirbhav)anddestroyed(tirobhav).(Tirohitmeansdissolvedor
obscure).TheGreatIllusionbeingTheLordsDivineEnergy(Shakti)boththeEnergyas
well as the possessor of that Energy are not distinct from each other. The embodied
soul under the sway of the Great Illusion cannot attain knowledge about the Final
Liberation(Moksha)withoutthegraceofTheLord.Thisgrace,isreferredtoaspushti.
Onaccountofthisgracedevotionandspiritualemotion(bhav)areenhancedandthe
embodiedsoulmergesintotheabsoluteprinciple.Inthissectmoreimportanceisgiven
tothetheoryofmaterialism(pravrutti)thantodetachment(nivrutti).
6.6Mahanubhav
About 800 years back Chakradharswami founded this sect. According to Him the
embodied soul, the universe, worldly life and The Lord are four independent,
permanent aspects. Both spiritual knowledge and devotion play a role in this sect.
Poetry like the Lilacharitra are famous in the sect. This sect had a large following in
Maharashtra,inIndia.
6.7Varkari
Saintshaveblessedus,andthetemple(theBhagvatsect)iscomplete
LordDnyaneshvarlaidthefoundationtoraisethetemple,
Namawasthemusicianwhospreaditfarandwide,
JanardanandEknathhoistedtheflagofBhagvat,
Carryonyourdevotionsteadily,
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NowTukahasbecomethedome.
The presiding deity of this sect founded by Saint Dnyaneshvar seven hundred years
ago,isViththal.Thespiritualpracticeofthissectconsistsofwearingamala(akindof
rosary) of tulsi seeds, fasting on the eleventh days (ekadashis) of the months of the
Hindu lunar calendar, reading or listening to the Haripath and Dnyaneshvari, a
pilgrimage (vari) to Pandharpur on Ashadhi and Kartiki ekadashis, etc. This sect is
widespreadinMaharashtra.
6.8Samarth
ThiswasfoundedbySamarthRamdasSwamiinthesixteenthcentury.Spiritualpractice
ismoreimportantthanpoliticssayingthus,Headvocatedtheimportanceofpoliticsfor
protectionofonesownreligionandprosperity,afterfollowingSpirituality.Narrationof
storiesofHari,politics,continuedvigilanceandinterventionarethefourfolddoctrinesof
this sect. He guided Shivaji Maharaj in the latters mission of reinstatement of
Righteousness(Dharma)boththroughspiritualandworldlyguidance.RamaandMaruti
wereHisdeitiesofworship.Dasbodhisaholytextofthissect.Thissectiswidespread
inMaharashtra.
6.9Comparisonbetweensomesects
Nameof
the
sect
1.
Founder
2.Birth
of
the
founder
(A.D.)
3.Birth
placeof
the
founder
4.Name
of
the
Advait
Ramanuj
Sanak
(Nimbarka)
Nimbark
acharya
Around
1114
Brahman
Pushti
(Svatantrata
Svatantravad)
Madhavacha Vallab
rya
acharya
1197
1479
Shankar
acharya
700800
Ramanuj
acharya
1016or
1017
Kolti,
Keral
Near
Nimbapur,
Kanjivaram, near
Tamilnadu Haidrabad
NearUdupi,
Karnataka
Only
advait
alias
Vishish
tadvait
(qualified
Dvait(duality) Shuddhadvait
orshuddha
advait(pure
Dvaitadvait
(duality
nonduality)
Kakarvad,
Andhra
Pradesh
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philo
sophy
5.
School
of
thought
purn
advait
(totalnon
duality)
Differences
between
objectsare
onlybeca
useofthe
Great
Illusion
(Maya)
Brahmanis
allpervad
ing
6.Spiritual
practice
A.Main Pathof
spiritual Knowledge
practice (Dnyan
yoga)
nonduality)
nonduality)
Boththe
embodied
souldoing
spiritual
practice
(jivatma)
andthe
universe
are
attributesof
TheLord.
Itisthrough
themthat
thenondual
Lordacqu
iresa
particular
form.
The
embodied
soul,
theuniverse
andGod
aredistinct
fromeach
other(hence
dual).The
relationship
betweenthe
embodied
souland
theuniverse
andtheirvery
existenceis
dependent
onThe
Lordswish
(Ishvarechcha)
[hencenon
duality]
Thereisa
difference
betweenthe
soul,The
Supremesoul
andtheGreat
Illusion
(Prakruti)
Withoutthe
graceofThe
Lord,the
embodied
soulinthe
GreatIllusion
cannotattain
knowledge
aboutthe
Final
Liberation
(Moksha)
Pathof
devotion
(Bhakti
yoga)
through
meditation
Spiritualemo
tionsof
Serenity,a
servitor,a
friend,
motherly
affectionand
purity.
Studyofthe
scriptures,
meditation,
controlover
themind
(sham),
controlover
thesenses
Pathof
devotion
(Bhakti
yoga),
graceof
TheLord.
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B.The
presiding
deity
C.
Method
ofappli
cationof
sandal
wood
paste
(gandha)
7.
Propa
gation
Through
outIndia
Three
horizontal
stripes
(tripundra)
Narayan
and
Lakshmi
Avertical
stripe
South
India
Radha
Krushna
(dam),
surrenderand
detachment.
Vishnu
Bal
krushna
Applicationof
gopichandan
withablack
spotinthe
centre
Twovertical
stripesof
gopichandan.
Ablackline
withamixture
ofsandalwood
pasteandholy
ash(bhasma)
initscentre
andaspotof
turmericover
it.
Intheoutskirts SouthIndia
ofMathura
andinBangal
Three
horizontal
stripes.
Gujarat
*BasedonPanchUpasanapanth,pages167186.
WhyisLordVishnucalledasforemostGuru?
Contents
Missionandspecialcharacteristics
The deity of nourishment (annarasadevata) [the one who nurtures all
livingbeings]
TheonewholovesHisdevotees(bhaktavatsal)
TheonewhooftengivespromisesandremainstruetoHisword
Theonewhomaintainsthebalanceoftheuniverse
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Thestabledeity
TheforemostGuru
Theonewhoconvertsgrossmedicineintothesubtleaerialform
Physicalfeatures
PathofActivationofSpiritualEnergy(Kundaliniyoga)andVishnu
Principle,abilityandmanifestenergy
The abode, Vishnus region (Vishnulok Vaikunth), Vishnus advance
(Vishnukram)andthePathofVishnu(Vishnumarg)
Theabode
Vishnusregion(VishnulokVaikunth)
Vishnusadvance(Vishnukram)
PathofVishnu(Vishnumarg)PathofTheCreator
1.Missionandspecialcharacteristics
God created the universe through the five deities (principles) Prajapati, Brahma,
Shiva, Vishnu and Minakshi. These five deities have all the characteristics of God
besides Their own. Sheshashayi, Anantshayani is Lord Vishnus unmanifest (nirgun)
formintheVaishnavsect and is a representation of The Supreme God. Vishnu who
lovesHisdevoteesisGodandtheonealongwithLakshmiistheGreatIllusion(Maya).
[IntheShaivasect,Shivainthenirbijsuperconscious state is His unmanifest form or
TheSupremeGod.ShivainmeditationisGodandtheoneinadancingposeortheone
playingagameofdice(saripat) with Parvati is the Great Illusion.] The characteristics
correspond to the respective form. The other characteristics of Lord Vishnu are given
below.
A.Thedeityofnourishment(annarasadevata)[theonewhonurtures
alllivingbeings]
Annaad(

) meansthat which feeds on living beingsand that which living
beings feed on is referred to as food. There are quotes like

and
.meansfood,
meansoja(precursorofdivineenergy)
and dhdhru ()
means to bear. So oushadh () means that which carries the
radianceinthebody.IntheverseVishnusahasranam,vaidyameaningdoctorisoneof
theNamesofLordVishnu.
B.TheonewholovesHisdevotees(bhaktavatsal)
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Mythologists have greatly glorified Vishnus love for His devotees. It was He who
rushedtotherescueofthekingelephantGajendrainacrisisandledhimtosalvation.It
isHewhoassumedtheformofMohiniandacquiredthenectar(amrut)forthedeities
during the battle between deities and demons. It was He who placed Dhruv in the
infallibleposition.HealonemanifestedfromapillarasNrusinha(themanlion)forthe
sake of Prahlad. Sage Durvas had cursed Lord Vishnus devotee Ambarish that he
would be reborn ten times. For the sake of His disciples welfare The Lord took this
curse upon Himself. He took the burden of spiritual and worldy problems of His
devotees,uponHimself.
C.TheonewhooftengivespromisesandremainstruetoHisword

:

:
Meaning:Mydevoteeneverperishes.
Shrimadbhagvadgita9:31

:

Meaning: Whenever there is a deterioration of Righteousness (Dharma) and
unrighteousness (adharma) reaches the zenith, I assume an incarnation.
Shrimadbhagvadgita4:7
D.Theonewhomaintainsthebalanceoftheuniverse
In the Kaliyug mans temperament is more tama predominant. So, to maintain the
balanceoftheuniverseitisnecessarytoincreasethesattvacomponent.Toincrease
devotionanddecreasethetamacomponentHeaccomplishesHismissionofdestroying
theevilinsociety.

Meaning:Todeliverthepiousandtoannihilatethemiscreantsaswellastoreestablish
theprincipleofRighteousness,Iincarnate,eraafterera.Shrimadbhagvadgita4:8
E.Thestabledeity
Vishnu functions without leaving His seat because He exists wherever there are
particlesofnourishment(annarasa)thatisinwater,onland,inwood,stone,etc.inother
wordseverywhere.
F.TheforemostGuru
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ItwasVishnuwhostartedthetraditionoftheGuruandthedisciple.Narayanisthefirst
GuruandNarad,thesonofLordBrahmathefirstdisciple.SincetheGurusverymission
is to take His disciple to the Final Liberation (Moksha), it is said that one must seek
knowledge from Sadashiv and the Final Liberation from Janardan, that is Vishnu
(

).(According totheShaivasect the Guru

discipletraditionbeganwithLordShiva,HisfirstdisciplebeingVishnuorParvati.)
G.Theonewhoconvertsgrossmedicineintothesubtleaerialform
ThebookBruhadNighantuRatnakargiveinformationontheAyurveda,thescienceof
medicines. The following five types of medicines have been mentioned in it. 1.
Medicinesfromgrass,2.Medicinesfromtheforest,3.Medicinesfromlivingorganisms
(e.g.algae),4.Medicinesfromwaterand5.Medicinesfromtheearth.Vishnuconverts
allthesemedicinesintoanaerialform.Consequentlymedicinesintheaerialformare
quickly absorbed into the blood stream and therefore into the body cells, that too by
mereinhalation.
H.Physicalfeatures
Complexion: Vishnu has a blue complexion. The blue dot seen during
meditation and that of the most subtle divine blue water (nil toya) is that of
Vishnusbluecomplexion.
Garmentdrapedaroundthewaist:Itiscalledapitambarandisyellow(pit)in
colour.
I.PathofActivationofSpiritualEnergy(Kundaliniyoga)andVishnu
TheVishnuglandissituatedclosetotheAnahatchakra.
J.Principle,abilityandmanifestenergy
Principle:100%[God(Ishvar)=100%]
Ability: The basic functions are creation, sustenance and dissolution. With
referencetoVishnutheyare2%,96%and2%respectively.
Manifestenergy:LikeGod,Vishnutooutilisesonly10%ofHisenergytocarry
outHismission.Thisenergyisreferredtoasthemanifestenergy.Thatenergy
whichisdormantiscalledunmanifestenergy.Ifaccordingtothemissionmore
energyisrequiredthenthemanifestenergyismore.
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2.Theabode,Vishnusregion(VishnulokVaikunth),Vishnus
advance(Vishnukram)andthePathofVishnu(Vishnumarg)
A.Theabode
VishnulivesonlywithHisdevotees.Itcanbeexplainedinflowerylanguageasfollows:
VishnusabodeisinVishnusregion(Vaikunth).Lakshmi,Vishnuswifeisthedaughter
of the king of hell (patal). Hence Vishnu goes and lives in the celestial ocean
(kshirasagar).YetHisrealabodeiswhereHisdevoteessingHisglory.

:

Meaning:ONarad,IneitherliveinVaikunthnorintheheartsofyogis.Iresidewherever
MydevoteessingMyglory.
B.Vishnusregion(VishnulokVaikunth)
That from which all impurity has disappeared is Vaikunth. Vaikunth means Blissful.
VaikunthitselfistheregionofLordVishnu(
:
:
).Itisabovethe
sevenheavensandisdivinelybeautiful.JaiVijayarethegatekeepersofVaikunthand
allow only devotees of Lord Vishnu to enter it. A river named Viraja flows through
Vaikunth. Devotees of Vishnu who live in Vaikunth sit on the banks of this river and
undertakespiritualpractice.SinceVishnupossessesthebasiccomponentsofallfoods,
splendourofallsortsispresentinHisregion.Therearealsomusicianswhoplaystringed
musical instruments. The celestial musicians (gandharvas), demigods (yakshas) and
celestial singers (kinnars) go to Vishnu and sing. However the demigods consider
Shivaastheirmaindeity.
C.Vishnusadvance(Vishnukram)
In the Brahman age Vishnus three footsteps have been clearly associated with the
earth, space and akash (absolute ether). This is referred to as Vishnus advance.
Space is the part between two regions, (for example between the earth and
heaven).Akashisahollow,eventhehollowbetweentwomostsubtleparticles.
D.PathofVishnu(Vishnumarg)PathofTheCreator
Inthevastuniversethereisazerostressnature(shunyamarg) extending from the
Vishnuregiontopatal(hell).ThatitselfisreferredtoasthePathofVishnu.Ifonetravels
uponitthereisnofriction.NaradcantravelalongthispathhenceHeisabletoreach
theearthorhellfromVishnusregionwithinamoment.
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WhatistherealrelationshipbetweenRadhaandSriKrushna?
SriKrushnaandRadha
Contents
Birth
Specialfeatures
FutilityofmisinterpretationoftheRadhaKrushnarelationship
Theflute
Impliedmeaning
ThedivineplayofLordKrushna(rasalila)
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1.Birth
KrushnabelongedtotheroyaldynastywhileRadhatoanordinarymilkmansfamily.
LikeSita,Shetoowasbornoutofaresolve(sankalpa).
2.Specialfeatures
RadhaisthemanifestformofdevotionuntoKrushna.InresponsetothequestionHow
devotedshouldonebe?theNaradbhaktisutrawritesLikethegopis(wivesofthe
cowherds)ofVraj(
)
.KrushnaHimselfsentHisgreatfriendUddhavto
thegopistoteachhimwhatdevotionmeant.Theincidentgoesasfollows
OncetodisplaythedevotionofthegopistoothersKrushnapretendedthatHehad
intenseheadachewhichdidnotrespondtoanymedicine.ThenHepronounced,
Krushnaspainwillvanishwiththeapplicationofmudbeneathanyonesfeet.However
theonegivingthemudbeneathhisfeetwilldie.Proclaimthisandthenbringthemud
whichsomeonegives.Noonewaspreparedtogivethemudfromunderhisfeet.
OnenteringGokulwhenUddhavaskedthisquestiontothefirstgopithathemet,she
replied,IfthemudundermyfeetwillrelieveKrushnasheadachethenIameven
preparedtogotohell.
Thedevotionofthegopisisanillustrationofultimatedevotion.Radhaamongthemwas
likeajewelinthecrown.
3.FutilityofmisinterpretationoftheRadhaKrushna
relationship
Radhasspirituallove(priti),thatisdevotionuntoKrushnahasbeenmisinterpretedas
loveintheRadhaKrushnarelationship.Itsfutilitywillberealisedifoneconsiders
Krushnasageatthattime.WhenKrushnaleftGokulpermanentlyHewasonlyseven
yearsoldthusHisrelationshipwithRadhawasonlyduringtheperiodwhenHewas
threetosevenyearsold.
4.Theflute
Thesoundoftheflutemeanstheanahatsound.Thatsoundhadmaddenedallthe
gopis(wivesofthecowherds).Soonewillrealisehowhighlyspirituallyevolvedthey
were.WhenleavingGokul,KrushnagaveHisflutetoRadhaandneverplayeditagain.
ThusHemadesurethatSheconstantlygotthespiritualexperienceofAbsoluteness
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(Purnatva)whichissuperiortoanahatsound.
5.Impliedmeaning
5.1.Waterflowsfromahighertoalowerlevel.Itiscalledastream(dhara).Whenthe
lettersoftheworddhara()arereversedthewordbecomes radha().Thatstream
whichflowsfrombelowupwardsiscalledradhagati.Whenitreachestheorigin,itgetsa
spiritualexperienceofbeingRadhaHerself.Acquisitionofthisstateitselfiscalled
blendingintozeroorsainthood.InotherwordsRadhaandKrushnawereoneand
thesame.KrushnahadHimselfassumedRadhasformtoloveHimself.Hencealthough
RadhahadmergedintoKrushna,ShecontinuedtoworshipHimforthesakeofguiding
theothergopis,thatisattitudes.Onewillthinkthatonceagopireachesthezenithshe
willseeseveralRadhas.ThosefollowingRadha,thatisthoseseekersfollowingthe
PathofDevotionwillseeonlyoneRadhabecausethereisnodualityinspirituallove,
onlynonduality.H.H.KaneMaharaj,Narayangaon
5.2.AccordingtotheTantrikandVaishnavitesectsRukminirepresentingtheEnergyof
opulenceisoneofthetwoDivineEnergies(Shaktis)ofKrushnawhileRadhaisthe
BlissfulEnergy(Ahladini).
A.TheEnergyofopulence:WhenSudamacametomeetKrushnahebroughtalong
fourhandfulsofpuffedrice.Eventhatwasborrowedbyhiswife,fromaneighbour.After
KrushnahadeatenjustapinchofthepuffedriceRukminisnatcheditfromHishands
andsaid,Weare16,008innumber.Letusallpartakeofatleastonegrain.Shedidthis
becauseSheknewthatifKrushnaateevenapinch,Sudamascitywouldturnintogold.
SoifHeweretoeateverythingthentheeightsupernaturalpowersalongwiththeentire
wealthfromthethreeregionsearth,netherworldandheavenwouldhavetoserve
Sudamaalltheirlives.Sogreatwouldbetheopulencethathewouldacquire.Rukmini
didthisbecauseShewastheEnergyofopulenceratherthedeityofwealth,Lakshmi.If
adevoteeofTheLordhasdevotionwithexpectation(sakam)thenitisonlytheEnergy
ofopulencewhichstopshimfromacquiringalltypesofopulencetotally.H.H.Kane
Maharaj,Narayangaon.Inshort,theEnergyofopulencehelpsinendowingadevotee
havingexpectationwithsomeopulencewhiletheBlissfulEnergyimpartsthespiritual
experienceofBlisstothedevoteewithoutexpectation(nishkam).
B.TheBlissfulEnergy:RadhawastheBlissfulEnergy.Sheneverintervenedwhen
TheLordendowedsomeonewithrichesbecauseHerincarnationwasmeantfor
spiritualemotiongeneratedfromdevotion.Hencethatspiritualemotion(bhav)is
referredtoasRadhabhav.ThespiritualemotionofRadha(Radhabhav)orRadharefers
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totheAdnyachakra.Theimpliedmeaningbehindthisiswhenaworldlypersonora
GurumergesintoKrushnawhencarryingoutworldlytransactionsorpreachingto
disciplesrespectivelytheydescendtotheleveloftheAdnyachakra.
Thisstreamofspiritualemotionprogressingfrombelowupwardsinotherwordsisthe
progressofthedevoteetowardsSelfrealisation.RadhabeingKrushnaHimselfwasa
devoteewhoremainedabsorbedinBliss.Shecertainlydoesnotobstructsomeone
frombeinggiftedwithopulence.EvenifGodweretoendowsomeonewithBlissShe
wouldnotstopHimbecauseHerBlissneverdeclines.Themoralbehindthisisthatby
givingopulencetoothersitdecreases,Blissdoesnot.
Inreality,internallywereRukminiandRadhadistinctfromeachother?Certainlynot.
ButTheybehavedaccordingtothemissionofKrushnasincarnation.ThoughThey
weremergedintoKrushnaTheydidnotbecomeseparatebecausetobecomeseparate
oneneedstohaveego.SinceTheLorddoesnothaveegoHisactions(karmas)are
referredtoasdivineplay(lila)andtheplayofmanarecalledactionsbecauseofhis
ego.
5.3.RadhawasfirstcreatedintheGoregion(Golok)andthenbecameKrushnas
lover.LaterShewasborninVrundavantothecowherd(gopa),Vrushbhanuand
becametheidolofthedevoteesinVrajamandal.ShemarriedaVaishya(businessman)
youthnamedShashanactuallyitwasonlyHerreplicawhichmarriedhim.KeepingHer
imageinHerphysicalbodyRadhaleftthatbodyandmergedHerselfintoKrushnas
heartinHerprimalform.
6.ThedivineplayofLordKrushna(rasalila)
Thewordrasa()hasoriginatedfromtwosources(
:)meansthecollection
ofninerasasand(:

)
meansthatfromwhichrasisgenerated.Therasa
dance(rasakrida)isabeautifuleventinthelivesofKrushnaandthegopis(wivesofthe
cowherds).DuringthedanceKrushnaendowedthemwiththespiritualexperienceof
nonduality(advait).
WhyisLordKrushnaconsideredanabsoluteincarnation?
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Contents
Originandmeaning
Birth
Impliedmeaningofsomemembersofthefamilyandrelatives
Specialfeaturesandmission
Childhood
Physical
Historical
Familial
Aloverofarts
Social
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Anexpertpolitician
Regardingbattles
Selfless
Polite
Agreatphilosopher
TheGuru
TheonewiththeattributesofGod
EffectsofHisspecialfeatures
1.Originandmeaning
Krushna(
):()
meanstheonewhoattracts.
Vasudev:ThisisoneoftheNamesofSriKrushna.
HeiscalledVasudevsinceHeisthesonofVasudev.
Vasu ()
+ dev (
) = Vasudev (
). Vasaha (:) means
sustenance or the reinstatement of sustenance. From among creation,

sustenanceanddissolutionthedeitywhogovernssustenanceisVasudev.
Thedeitywhobestowsthefrequenciesnecessaryforlifeontheearth,to
acquireaspecificstateisVasudev.(Atharvaveda)
When ahat and anahat sound waves travel together with the same
speed,theircombinedpathiscalledVasudev.(Samaveda)
Thestatewhichconsistsofthecombinationofsoundandlightiscalled
Vasudev. [Gandharvaveda Sangitveda, a sub (upa) Veda of the
Samaveda]
2.Birth
2.1Date(tithi)
Krushna was born on the eighth day (ashtami) of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan.
Thenumbereightisareducingnumber(kshayank).Ramawasbornontheninthday
(navami) of the Hindu lunar month ofChaitra. Nine is a complete number (purnank).
Information on reducing and complete numbers is given under point 14. Rama and
Krushna. According to numerology number eight is responsible for generating
revolutionarythoughts.ItwouldnotbewrongtosaythatKrushnasentirelifewasanera
ofrevolution.
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2.2Incarnationsofotherdeities
Along with The Lord other deities too assume incarnations. Based on this rule when
LordVishnuincarnatedasKrushna,whatincarnationstheotherdeitiesassumedand
whoseincarnationstheotherswereisgiveninthetablebelow.
Whose
Incarnation?
A.InthecontextofKrushna
Devak
Gandharvaraj
Devaki
Aditi
Vishnu,Sage
Shrikrushna
Narayan
Incarnation
Thecows
Sages
Incarnation
Vasudev
Balaram
Gopal
Radha
Whose
Incarnation?
Kashyap
Adishesh
Subordinate
deities
Indrasqueen
Shachi*
Sanatkumar
Viprachitti
Hayagriv
Rukmini
Adimaya
Pradyumna
Kansa
Kalnemi
Jarasandha
Kubja**
Manthara
Keshi
B.InthecontextofKouravsandPandavs
Kunti
Siddhi
Madri
Dhruti
Dharma
Drupad
Varun
Yamadharma
(Yudhishthir)
Indra,Sage
Yayu(deityof
Arjun
Bhim
Nara
air)
NakulSahadev Ashvinikumars
Droupadi
Parvati
Thefivesonsof
Vishvedev
Virat
Marut
Panchali
Theeleventh
Dhrushtadyumna Pavak(Agni)
Maruti***
rudra,Shiva
*ShehadperformedausteritiessothatLordVishnuwouldloveher.
**RamahadcursedMantharaforherbaddeeds.Whenshebeggedforamitigationof
thecurseRamahadtoldherthatHewouldupliftherinHisnextincarnation.
***HewasseatedontheflaghoistedonArjunschariot.
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3. Implied meaning of some members of the family and

relatives
3.1Thebrother:BalaramwasKrushnasbrother.Hecarriesaploughshapedlike
(8) the number eight in Sanskrut in His hand. This implies that He has control
overPrakruticonsisting of the eight principles. The eight principles of Prakruti are the
fivebasiccosmicelements,themind,thesubconsciousmindandtheintellect.
3.2Thematernaluncle:KansawasthebrotherofKrushnasmother.OncewhenKing
Ugrasenhadgoneonabattle,ademonexpressedthedesiretohaveintercoursewith
his queen, Pavankumari. In response she said, I am willing provided the child born
fromthisunionwillbecomeanemperor.ThedemonagreedtothisandsoKansawas
born.Kansathushadademoniacalratherthanasattvik(sattvapredominant)attitude
unlikeKingUgrasen.LaterKrushnaslewKansa.Literallyinarithmetickansameansa
bracket()whichsymboliseslimitation.SinceKansasprowesswaslimitedhecouldnot
withstandKrushna.
3.3 The wives : Rukmini was Krushnas chief queen. His seven other main queens
were Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Satya, Bhadra and Lakshmana.
These eight queens represent the eightfoldPrakruti. The implied meaning is that the
eight principles are within the control of Krushna. Krushna married the 16,000
princesses imprisoned by Narkasur after freeing them, so that they acquired social
status. The 16,000 princesses represent the 16,000 spiritual energy flow channels
(nadis)inthebody.Marryingthemmeansactivatingthem.
4.Specialfeaturesandmission
Krushna was an absolute incarnation (purnavtar). His special features are given in
ScienceofSpirituality:Vol.7SupremeGod,God,IncarnationsandDeities.Actually
anabsoluteincarnationisnotanincarnationbutTheLordHimselfhenceitpossesses
allthecharacteristicsofTheLord.SomespecialfeaturesandmissionsofSriKrushna
areenumeratedbelow.
4.1Childhood
Frombirthtillthenaming:DevakiandVasudevweretheparentsofKrushna.Onthe
command of Lord Vishnu, the Great Illusion (Yogamaya) placed the seventh child of
DevakiinthewombofVasudevssecondwife,RohiniandHerselfenteredthewombof
Devaki.AfterbirthwhenKansacametokillHer,Sheescapedfromhisclutchesandleft
forHerabode.KrusshnaisDevakiseighthchild.AfterHewasborn,VasudevtookHim
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tothehomeofNandaandYashodainGokul.VasudevalsosentRohinialongwithher
sontoGokul.ThepriestoftheYadudynasty,
SageGargaattherequestofVasudev,secretlyperformedthenamingceremonyofboth
thechildren,RohinissonasRamaandDevakisasKrushna.LaterRamacametobe
knownasBalarambecauseofthetremendousstrengththatHepossessed.
Childhoodforonlysevenyears:KrushnawenttoMathuratoslayKansaattheageof
sevenyears.ItwasthenthatHischildhoodended.
TheregionontheoutskirtsofMathuraiscalledVraj( ). :|
meanstheplacewherecattlegrazeandroamisVraj.SinceInfantKrushnasdivineplay
tookplacehere,thisplaceissaidtobesacred.
Intelligent:AftertheslayingofKansaandthethreadceremony,BalaramandKrushna
wenttotheashramofGuruSandipaniinthecityofAvanti.Therewithinaspanofsixty
fourdaysHelearntthefourteentypesofsciences(vidyas)andthesixtyfourarts(kalas).
Generallytolearnonescienceonerequirestwototwoandahalfyears.
EldersheedingHisadvice:Hewascloseeventopeoplewhoweremucholderthan
Him. At the age of just seven Krushna did not allow the milkmaids to go to Mathura
because He did not want the money that was procured by selling milk to evil Kansa.
Sincethen,theeldersbegantoheedHisadviceandHeprovedtruetotheirfaith.
Bestowerofspiritualexperiences
A.Oncethecowherds(gopas)toldYashoda,Krushnahasswallowedmud.So,she
askedKrushnatoopenHismouth.WhenHeopenedit,shegotthevisionoftheentire
universeinit.Thisexampleillustrateshowanincarnationcarriesoutitsmissionevenin
childhood.
B.Onamoonlitnightinautumn(sharad)Heperformedtherasadance(rasakrida)with
the gopis (wives of the cowherds) in Gokul. At that time they experienced Bliss
(Brahmanand).
4.2Physical:
Krushnasbeautywasunparalleled.Allwouldgetenticedbyit.
4.3Historical:
To capture Krushna, Jarasandhas armies surrounded Mathura eighteen times.
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Nowhere in the world have so many attempts been made to capture an individual.
Kansaferried280elephantsonwoodenraftsacrosstheYamunariver.Hesurrounded
Mathura for three months, but Krushna could not be captured because He would
changeHishomeeveryday.ApartfromthisthethousandchildrenlivinginMathuraalso
wore peacock feathers in their hair to resemble Krushna. Kansas soldiers assaulted
them,yettheydidnotrevealwhotherealKrushnawas.
4.4Familial
The ideal son : Krushna behaved in a way which pleased both His parents
VasudevandDevakiandHisguardiansNandaandYashoda.
Theidealbrother:KrushnawouldrespectHiselderbrother,Balaram.
Theidealhusband:Whenitissodifficulttopleasejustonewife,Krushnacould
please16,008wives!Naradsattemptstocreatestrifebetweenthemfailed.
Theidealfather:Because His sons behaved unrighteously, He Himself slew
themduringthebattleoftheYadus.
The ideal friend : Krushna affectionately welcomed His povertystricken
childhoodfriendSudamaevenwhenHebecametherulerofDvarka.DuetoHis
friendship with the Pandavs, He constantly rushed to their aid. The Pandavs
worshippedKrushnaasafriend(sakhyabhakti).
4.5Aloverofarts
Krushnalovedtheartsofdance,music,etc.andwasanexpertinthem.Hisplayingof
the flute and His performance of the rasa dance (rasakrida) are famous. Even the
animalsandbirdswouldgetenticedwhenHeplayedtheflute.
4.6Social
1.Theonewhodidnottolerateinjustice(valorous):KrushnaeitherfoughtHimselfor
assistedothersinfightingtheinjusticecausedbyKansa,Jarasandha,theKouravs,etc.
2.TheonewhowasconscientiousaboutHisdutiestowardssociety:Realisingthat
the 16,000 princesses released from Narkasurs prison would not have any social
standingwhichwouldresultinseveralproblems,Krushnamarriedthem.
3. The one who worked for the welfare of others: Some people criticise Krushnas
behaviour. However all that He did was for others welfare. At times, He even broke
norms, for instance, when slaying Jarasandha, during the abduction of Subhadra so
thatshecouldmarryArjun,marryingthe16,000women,etc.DuringtheBharatiyawar
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HehadpledgedthatHewouldnotwieldaweapon.YettofulfillBhishmacharyasvow
that I will make Krushna wield a weapon, Krushna broke His vow and attacked
Bhishmacharyawithaweapon(awheel).
4.Theonewhoguidedothersforthewelfareofsociety:Protectionofsocietywas
HisobjectiveandHehadrealisedthatitwasnecessarytoannihilatethetroublemakers
and evildoers to achieve this end. Destruction of evildoers is never possible by
remainingsteadfastuntotruthandpurityalone.Realisingthissadshortcominginthe
history of mankind, to protect truth and purity they have to be curbed in worldly
interactions.Ifthatisnotdone,theninthislawlessworld,crueldemonstriumph,society
deterioratesandthesubjectsaredestroyed.ThiswasthefirmdecisionofHisintellect.It
isbecauseofthisthatmanyatimeOftentheuntruthseemssuperiortothetruth,One
hastogiveupRighteousness(Dharma)andfight,Bhimsenwillnotbesuccessfulifhe
fightsrighteously,itisessentialtofightunrighteously,etc.istheadvicethatHeoften
preached.
4.7Anexpertpolitician
1. An excellent orator :With His eloquent speeches, Krushna was able to win over
severalpeopletothecampofthePandavs.
2.Anidealambassador:KrushnapresentedthecaseofthePandavsintheroyalcourt
oftheKouravsinanexcellentmanner.
3. The one who made good use of psychology :At the opportune moment Krushna
toldKarnathesecretofhisbirthandthusupsethismentalcomposure.
4.8Regardingbattles
1.Anexpertinwarfare:
A. A master in archery : Akin to Arjun, Krushna won over His queen Lakshmana by
strikingtheeyeofafishwithHisarrow.
B.Amasterinwieldingthemace:KrushnaslewVakradantainafightusingmaces.
C.Amasterwrestler:KrushnaslewChanurinafistfight(mushtiyuddha).
2. Brave and valiant: Krushna slew several evil monarchs and demons possessing
illusorypowers.
3.Brave:ThoughJarasandhaandKalyavan,twopowerfulkingsattackedatthesame
time,KrushnabravelyprotectedtheYadavs.
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4. An excellent charioteer : In the Bharatiya war Krushna skillfully steered Arjuns

chariot.
4.9Selfless
KrushnaslewKansaandseveralotherkings,establishedthegoldencityofDvarka,yet
didnotascendthethrone.DespitethisundoubtedlyHewastheuncrownedemperorof
Histimes.
4.10Polite
Duringtherajasuyasacrificialfire(yadnya)ofthePandavs,Krushnawashedthefeetof
theBrahmansandevenclearedupleftoversoffoodinothersplates.
4.11Agreatphilosopher
ThephilosophypreachedbyKrushnaisgivenintheGita.InHisphilosophyKrushna
hasshowntheappropriateadmixtureofattachmentanddetachment.Hehasaccepted
thePathofAction(Karmayoga)accordingtotheVedas,PathofKnowledgeaccording
to the Sankhya philosophy, suppression of the tendencies of the subconscious mind
accordingtothePathofYogaandrenunciation(sannyas)accordingtotheVedanta,but
has opposed the view that each one of them is the ultimate by itself as proposed by
them. He balanced the appropriate significant part of each one harmoniously and
created a new doctrine based on actions devoid of expectations or results. In
theBhagvadgita He has mainly preached how one should carry out ones duty. The
scripturesdecidewhatonesdutiesshouldbe,butHehasexplainedexcellentlyhowto
execute them well. In the Bhagvadgita He has narrated to Arjun how to convert
attachmenttodetachmentandviceversaandhowmanshouldexecutehisduties.
4.12TheGuru
KrushnaeliminatedArjunsdoubtsbynarratingtheGitatohimverballyandimparting
him with spiritual experiences which are beyond words. During the Bharatiya war
Krushnahadadoptedthednyanmudra(mudraofknowledge).
4.13TheonewiththeattributesofGod
1.Supernaturalpowersandapeacockfeather:Krushnahadeighteensupernatural
powersinall,eightbeingtheeightgreatsupernaturalpowers(ashtamahasiddhis)His
eightwivesandtherestHisown(Gods)tensupernaturalpowers.Itwaswithoneof
these supernatural powers that Krushna assuming a form of the provider of clothes
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savedDroupadishonourbyprovidingclothingtoherwhenshewasbeingstrippedin
thecourtoftheKouravs.
The centre of minute observation is the focus of suprasensory energy. When it gets
activated the house of Vaishvanar and the horoscope in it assume the form of a
peacockfeather.ThepeacockfeatheradornedbySriKrushnasignifiedthatthiscentre
inHimwasperpetuallyactive.FormoreinformationonthisreferScienceofSpirituality:
Vol.18PathofActivationofSpiritualEnergy(Kundaliniyoga)andPathofTransferof
Energy(Shaktipatyoga).
2.Aloverofalllivingbeings:WhenthekingofbearsJambuvant,requestedKrushna
tomarryhisdaughterJambavati,despiteoppositionfromothers,Hemarriedher.Itis
difficultforonetoevenconceiveofsuchanidea.
4.14EffectsofHisSpecialfeatures
ThefollowingexampleswillillustratetheeffectsofallHisspecialfeaturesonothers.
1.IntheBharatiyawar,nooneventuredtoattackKrushna.Theothercharioteerswere
attacked.
2. After the war, there was a conversation between a vulture and a fox about the
deceased.Init,theyhavediscussedthefaultsofallmen,includingthoseofYudhishthir
butnotasingleoneofKrushna.
WhycouldSriKrushnaperformRasleela?
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Contents
1.Divineplay(Rasleela)
1.1Qualitiesofgopees
1.2ReasonswhySriKrushnacouldperformRasleela
2.Daheekala
2.1Daheematakee
2.2Whyisbreakingthedaheematakeebywomenconsidered
inappropriate?
2.3Whyisbreakingthedaheematakeewithmoneyinitisconsideredas
malpractice?
2.4BreakingdaheematakeewithspiritualemotiontowardsGod
2.5Theeffectsofbreakingdaheematakee
3.Importanceofpreventingdenigrationofdeities
3.1Disrespectofdeitiesisanassaultonourfaith
3.2ExamplesofdenigrationofBhagawanSriKrushna
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1.Divineplay(Rasleela)
AtthementionofRasleelaanalluringsceneofthefestivalofRas(Rasotsav)createdby
Sri Krushna along with Radha and the other gopees on the full moon night in early
autumn (Sharad rutu) flashes before our eyes. The festival of Ras, as described in
theSreemadbhagawatPuran,beganonthefullmoonnightintheSharadseason and
continued all night until daybreak. Saint Kabeerjee elucidates about the devotion
ofgopees:

Meaning: Do not consider Kabeer a superior devotee. Go to the banks of the river
Yamunaandlookatthegopees.Theunconditionallovetheyhavefor Bhagawan Sri
KrushnaissuperiortolacsofKabeers.
1.1Qualitiesofgopees
A.Attitudeofservice:Thegopeeshad intense spiritual emotion (bhav) to serve Sri
Krushna.Hence,theyservedHimwiththeirbody,mindandintellect.
B.Intensespiritualpractice(sadhana)Thegopeesdidintensespiritualpractice.That
iswhytheywereabletoachievethelevelsofDivineconsciousness(Chaitanya),bliss
(Anand)andserenity(Shanti)inashortspanoftime.
C. The best disciples:Allthegopees had the qualities of an ideal disciple. So their
every action right from contemplating on Him to serving Him was performed without
expectation,withutmostspiritualemotion(bhav)andataspirituallevel.
D.Lackofego:Themostuniquefeatureofthegopeeswasthetotallackofego.
1.2ReasonswhySriKrushnacouldperformRasleela
SriKrushnahadonlyonethoughtthattheRasleelacouldbringaboutspiritualprogress
of the gopees. There was no trace of even subtle ego in Sri Krushna. Despite this
inKaliyug,Rasleela,therelationshipbetweenSriKrushnawithgopeesandwithRadha
isviewedwithsuspicion.Inoneperiodical,therelationshipofSriKrushnaandRadhais
elucidatedastheworldsmostfamouslovestory.Thisiswronganditisnecessaryto
refutethis.
Futile allegations on the relationship between Radha and Krushna: The futility of
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allegations labelled against the relationship between RadhaKrushna is evident from

Sri Krushnas age at that time. When Sri Krushna left Gokul, His age was just seven
years. After leaving Gokul, He never returned. One more point to be noted is that
Shukacharya,theembodimentofdetachmentistheproponentofRasleela.
2.Daheekala
The mixture of various food items like curd, milk and butter is
called daheekala orkalewa. The kalewa consists of puffed rice, milk, curd, buttermilk
andbutter.Kalewadepictsdevotion.Lateracustomofmakingthekalewaandbreaking
anearthenpotcontainingcurdkeptataheightonthedayafterGokulashtameebecame
prevalent.ThisiscalledDivineplayofbreakingadaheematakee (daheematakeefod
leela).Onthisday,thepyramidofyouths(calledGovindas)standingoneovertheother
to break the pot are seen everywhere. Today under the pretext of the custom of
breaking thedaheematakee many malpractices like forcible collection of funds,
obscenedancing,eveteasing,ladyGovindasetc.occurpublicly.
2.1Daheematakee
AflowofthePrincipleofSupremeGod,ChaitanyaandShaktiisattractedthroughthe
mediumofthecoconutkeptinthedaheematakeetiedataheight.Thereafteraspiralof
the Principle of Supreme God, Chaitanya and Shakti is
created
in
thedaheematakee.Chaitanyaflowsthroughthefestoon(bandhanvar).
2.2 Why is breaking the daheematakee by women considered

inappropriate?
Itisevidentthroughabovesubtlepicturethatthedaheematakeehastheabilitytoattract
goodvibrations.Despitethis,whyisbreakingthedaheematakeebywomenconsidered
inappropriate?
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Due to high ego a spiral of tamaguna is created in the women breaking

thedaheematakee.
Ablackcoveringisformedontheirintellect.
Due to breaking the daheematakee by women, a raja predominant spiral is
createdinthedaheematakee.
Raja predominant flows are emitted into the environment due to the sound
createdbybreakingthedaheematakee.
Raja predominant spirals are emitted continuously towards the pyramid of
womenstandingoneabovetheother.
Ablacktamapredominantspiraliscreatedaroundthedaheematakee.
Tamapredominantflowsareemittedintheenvironment.
A thorny tama predominant spiral is created in the women breaking
thedaheematakee.
Tamapredominantparticlesareemittedintheenvironment.
Ablackcoveringisformedaroundthebody.
Theconstitutionofwomenisnotappropriateforbreakingthedaheematakee.Therefore
womendonotgettheinherentbenefitofbreakingthedaheematakee.
2.3Whyisbreakingthedaheematakeewithmoneyinitisconsidered
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asmalpractice?
Nowadays,moneyiskeptinthedaheematakee.Thisisalsoamalpractice.
Thepeoplebreakingthedaheematakeeformoneyhavehighego.Therefore,a
blackballofegoisgeneratedinthem.
Greedincreasesinsuchpeopleandaspiralofgreedisgeneratedinthem.Due
to these thoughts of greed the negative energies attack the intellect of these
people.
An illusory (mayavee) spiral is generated around the daheematakee due to
moneybeingkeptinitinsteadofkalewa.
Due to the use of currency notes instead of festoons (bandhanvar) illusory
frequenciesareemittedintotheenvironment.
Illusory(mayavee)particlesareemittedintotheenvironment.
An
illusory
(mayavee)
spiral
is
created
around
the
people
breakingdaheematakee.
A tama predominant flow of the negative energy is attracted in
thedaheematakeefromtheenvironment.
Atamapredominantspiraliscreatedthroughit.Blacktamapredominant flows
areemittedintotheenvironmentandduetothespreadoftheblackparticlesin
theenvironmentitgetspolluted.
Blacktamapredominantspiralsrevolveinthebodyofthepeopleinanactivated
form.
Tamasikinertiapredominantspiralsareemittedfromthepyramidofthepeople
erectedfordaheematakee.
A black covering is created around the bodies of people breaking
thedaheematakee.
2.4BreakingdaheematakeewithspiritualemotiontowardsGod
Breaking the daheematakee is reminiscing the Divine play (leela) of Bhagawan Sri
Krushna.WhenthisactisperformedwithappropriatebhavtowardsGodonedefinitely
acquiresadditionalbenefitsfromit.
As the person breaking daheematakee has spiritual emotion (bhav) towards
GodandtheyearningforGodrealisation,aspiralofbhav is generated in his
mind.
Duetothekalevakeptinthepottiedfordaheematakee, Principle of Supreme
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God is attracted in the pot through the tuft of the coconut placed on
thedaheematakee.
AspiralofthePrincipleofSupremeGodisgeneratedinthedaheematakee.
Aflowofnirgunprincipleisattractedinthedaheematakee.
Aspiralofnirgunprinciplerevolvesinthedaheematakee.
AflowofanandisattractedinthedaheematakeefromGodandspiralofanandis
generated.
ParticlesofanandintheformofChaitanyaspreadsintheenvironment.
AflowofChaitanyaisattractedinthedaheematakeefromGod.Thisleadstothe
generationorcreationofaspiralofChaitanya.
Flows of Chaitanya are emitted into the environment due to this spiral
ofChaitanya.
Spirals of Chaitanya are emitted from the direction of the pyramid of people
erectedforbreakingthedaheematakee.
AspiralofChaitanyaiscreatedinthepeoplebreakingthedaheematakee.
DuetoChaitanya,thepeoplebreakingthedaheematakee get the Chetana to
functionandaspiraloftheChetanashaktiisgeneratedinthem.
Particles of spiritual energy spread in the bodies of the people breaking
thedaheematakee.
2.5Theeffectsofbreakingdaheematakee
On breaking the daheematakee, the Principle of Supreme God attracted in
thedaheematakeeisemittedintotheenvironmentintheformofflows.
Spiralsofanandareemittedintotheenvironmentthroughthepot(matakee)and
particlesofanandspreadintheenvironment.
Flows of Chaitanya are emitted into the environment through the spirals
ofChaitanya.
Particles of Chaitanya are emitted into the environment through the flows
ofChaitanya.
3.Importanceofpreventingdenigrationofdeities
3.1Disrespectofdeitiesisanassaultonourfaith
Todaythedenigrationofdeitiesthroughthemediumofplays,movies,advertisements,
paintings etc. has become rampant. There are examples of such denigration about
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BhagawanSriKrushnatoo.
Thesignificanceofcurbingthedenigrationofdeities:
A. If a child watches mockery of Hanumanjee in an advertisement, would he recite
HanumanchaleesaorHanumanstotrawithcompletedevotionandsincerity?
B. Curbing the denigration of deities through the medium of advertisement, plays,
paintings etc. amounts to spiritual practice for the spread of Spirituality (samashti
upasana).Bothindividualworship(vyashtiupasana)andsamashtiupasanaofthedeity
areimportant.Withoutsamashtiupasanatheworshipofthedeityisincomplete.
C.Bycurbingthedenigrationofdeities,Dharmaisprotected.Worshippingdeitiesisan
indispensiblepartofDharma. Denigration of deities amounts to loss of Dharma. It is
important to curb loss of Dharma. Sanatan Sanstha is working towards this in a
legitimate way together with other likeminded individuals and organisations. Each
individualcanalsoparticipateinthismission.
3.2ExamplesofdenigrationofBhagawanSriKrushna
1.ThefaceofSriKrushnausedasatattooonthelegs:Theorrinhurley.comwebsite
used Bhagawan Sri Krushnas face as a tattoo on the legs. It was named Krushna
snail.
2.DenigrationofgopeeandSriKrushnainanadvertisement:Forthepublicityofits
new short messaging service, a website http://www.indiatimes.com showed an
advertisementonitssite.Thisnewservicewasmeanttoencouragetheyouthtodateas
per the Western culture. In this advertisement a young man is shown wearing a blue
attirelikeSriKrushnabutofWesternstyle.Hewasshownsittingonatreeandsending
shortmessagestothegopeesbathinginthelakebelow.Demonstrationsweredoneby
HinduJanjagrutiSamiti.Togetherwiththatpolicecomplaintswerealsofiled.
3. Denigration through cartoons: In Andhra Pradesh, in the issue dated 11th April
2009ofthedailynewspaperEnadutheincidentofBhagawanSriKrushnadelineating
GeetatoArjunhadbeendepicted.InitAlluArvind,theTelugufilmproducerisdepicted
as Krushna while Chiranjeeveejee, actor and a member of Prajarajyam party is
depicted as Arjun. Allu Arvind says to Chiranjeeveejee, You destroy the army of the
enemies,Iwilldestroymine.
4. Using the picture of Bhagawan Sri Krushna for commercial benefit: A picture
ofBhagawanSri Krushna and Arjun riding a chariot and going towards the battlefield
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was used by Tatasky for advertising the cricket matches. In this picture
theBharatiyaflagisshownonthechariot.
Onecancontemplateontheseexamples.Beawareaboutthesedenigrationsoccurring
indaytodaylife.
WhyisLordRamaknownasMaryadapurushottamandLordKrushnaasPurnapurushottam?
SriRam
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SriKrushna
1.TheRamayanandtheMahabharat
Ramayan
1.Author
SageValmiki
2.Writerand
Waswrittenbeforeit
events
occurred
3.Begining
BeginingfromLav
andKushitincludes
the
historyoftheprevious
sevengenerations
4.100sons
BorntoSage
Vasishtha
Mahabharat
MaharshiVyas
Waswrittenasit
occurred
ItbeginsfromKing
Janmejayandincludes
thehistoryofthe
previousseven
generations
BorntoDhrutarashtra
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5.Theroyal
secret
[pathtoFinal
Liberation
(Moksha)]
6.Reading
Wasrevealedby
Ravan
toLakshmanwhen
the
formerwasdying
Shouldbedone
before
theMahabharat.One
is
abletounderstand
the
limitationsand
implied
meaningfromit.
Wasrevealedby
Bhishmacharyato
Yudhishthirwhenthe
formerwasonHis
deathbed
AftertheRamayan.If
readbeforethenone
beginstofeelthatone
shouldalsohave
severalgopislike
Krushna!
2.RamaandKrushna
Rama
1.Birth
A.Lineage
B.Dynasty
C.Place
D.Era(yug)
E.Date(tithi)
F.Time
Ikshvaku
Surya
Palace
Treta
Ninthday(navami)of
the
Hindulunarfortnight
(completenumber)*
Twelvenoon
G.Complexion
Blue
2.Familylife
A.Brothers
1.Orderamongthe Eldest
siblings
2.Thebrotherwho Lakshman,Ramas
Krushna
Yadu
Chandra
Prison
Dvapar
Eighthday(ashtami)
ofthe
Hindulunarfortnight
(reducingnumber)**
Midnighti.e.zero
hours
Bluishblack
Youngest(eighth)
Balaram,Krushnas
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wasanincarnation youngerbrother
ofSheshthe
serpent
3.Brotherly,
Gurudisciple
relationship
RamaandBharat
B.Childhood
Wasspentinroyal
spendourinthe
palace
C.Wife/Companion
1.Number
One
2.Relationship
RamaandSitawere
husbandandwife
D.Abduction
E.Thesearch
1.Forwhom?
2.Assistance
3.Politicallife
A.Firstslayingof
awoman
B.SonoftheSun
deity
elderbrother.Hehad
tolistentoKrushnaon
everyoccasion
despite
beingoldertoHim.
KrushnaandArjun
(Theyshareda
brotherly
relationship.
Hehadtofaceseveral
killerswhowantedto
slayHim
Sitawasabducted
byRavan
Many
Krushnaandthegopis
sharedaGurudisciple
relationship.
Krushnaabducted
Rukmini
AfterSitawas
abducted,
Ramawentinsearch
ofHer
Hereceived
assistance
fromseveralpeople.
TheKouravswentin
searchofthePandavs
whentheywereliving
inexile(adnyatvas).
Hehelpedthe
Pandavs
duringthisperiod.
Tratika
Putana
HeprotectedSugriv, HemadeArjunslay
son
Karna,sonoftheSun
oftheSundeity
deity
SonofLord
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Indra
C.Accepting
others
advice
D.Mission
HeslayedVali,the
son
ofIndra
Often
Setanexampleto
others
bycarryingitout
Himself
E.Acquisitionofthe FirstHisNamewas
titleShri[Shri
Rama.
(opulence)itself
AfterslayingRavanit
comestotheone
becameShrirama
who
deservesit]
F.Abandonmentof HeevendesertedHis
a
wife
woman
accordingtothe
circumstances
HehelpedArjun,son
ofIndraonthe
battlefield
Never
UndertookitHimself
andoftenalsogotit
donefromothers
FirstHisNamewas
Krushna.Afterslaying
Kansaitbecame
Shrikrushna
Despitecriticismof
being
withthegopisHe
never
abandonedthem
G.Idealking
Ruleof
Heneverascended
Righteousness
the
(Ramarajya)
throne
H.Behaviourduring Heillustratedhowa Heshowedhowaking
theperiodof
king
shouldbehaveduring
prosperityand
shouldbehaveduring theadversetimes.
adversetimes
theprosperousperiod
4.Religiouslife
A.Livingwithinthe Always,henceHeis Dependingonthe
limitationsof
called
situation,
Righteousness
theSupremelimitof attimesHecrossed
(Dharma)
Righteousness
the
(Maryada
limitationsof
purushottam).
Righteousness
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(Nowadays
limitationsarecalled
bondages!)
B.Livingand
teachingothers
HeliveditHimself
C.Guidanceto
society
Throughunityofthe
family
D.Spreadof
Righteousness
Throughrighteous
behaviour
butinrealitysince
Hewasonebeyond
the
threecomponents,
TheSupremeBeing
performingthedivine
sport
(Lilapurushottam)
andTheAbsolute
SupremeBeing
(Purnapuru
shottam)Hewas
always
beyondlimitations.
(Onlythosewhoare
within
thethreecomponents
are
boundbynormsand
restrictions,righteous
limitations,etc.)
Besideslivingit
Himself
Hetaughtittoothers
Hencethequote
goes
SalutationOLord
Krushna,theteacher
oftheuniverse
Byperformingvarious
actionsinthe
society
Accordingtothe
situation
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evenbycrossingthe
limitationsof
Righteousness
E.Theyogiandthe HewasayogiyetHe ThoughHeledalifeof
oneengrossedin
ledaworldlylife
worldlypleasuresHe
worldlypleasures
was
ayogi(TheLordof
YogaYogeshvar)
F.Miracles
SinceBrahmanis
GreatIllusionis
obscured
surroundedby
bythecoveringofthe Brahman.
GreatIllusion(Maya) Henceevenin
Hedidnotperform
childhood
miracles
Heperformed
miracles
5.Typeoflifeled Heexperienced
Hewasalwayshappy
outwardly
several
unhappyevents
6.Incarnationsandothers
A.Impressionof
Composed,serious Naughty,mischievous
the
peopleregarding
Histemperament
B.Howdidpeople Theywerereserved Theywereopen,free
behavewithHim?
C.Feelingofthe
Respect
Love
commonmanfor
Him
7.Renunciationofthebody
A.Method
Jalasamadhi
Pretenceofbeing
(samadhiinwater)
injuredwithahunters
arrow
B.Perishingofthe AfterRamas
Beforetheendof
inhabitantsofthe
renunciationofthe
Krushnasincarnation
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cityafterthe
renunciationof
thebody+
bodyinhabitantsof
Ayodhyarenounced
theirbodiesinthe
Sharayuriver
8.Accordingto
the
scienceofletters
(aksharshastra)
12Sanskrut
alphabets
[froma()to
aha()excluding
ru(),r(),
lru()
andlr()
]
12kalas
9.Accordingto
the
scienceofkalas
(kalashastra)++
10.Progressin
spiritual
practicefromthe
seekerspointof
view
Asonechants
Ramas
Name,onecan
merge
intoHim
inhabitantsofDvaraka
foughtamongst
themselves
anddied.AfterHis
renunciationDvaraka
toogotsubmerged
16Sanskrutalphabets
[froma()to
aha()including
ru(),r(),
lru()
andlr()
]
16kalas
BychantingKrushnas
Nameonedoesnot
acquireHisform
because
theentireuniverse
itself
iscomposedof
Krushna!
*Analysisofthewordcompletenumber(purnanka)isasfollows:
Tableofnine:Completenumber
9x1=9
9x2=18(18accordingtothenumerologymeans)
1+8=9
9x3=27(27,,)2+7=9
9x4=36(36,,)3+6=9
Asseeninthetableof9aboveorinanymultiplesof9ifthedigitsareaddedthentheir
sumequals9.Hence9iscalledacompletenumber.Sinceitiscomplete,itdoesnot
change.
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**Analysisofthewordreducingnumber(kshayanka)isasfollows:
Tableofeight:Reducingnumber
8x1=8
8x2=16(16accordingtothenumerologymeans)
1+6=7
8x3=24(24,,)2+4=6
8x4=32(32,,)3+2=5
8x5=40(40,,)4+0=4
8x6=484+8=12(12,,)1+2=3
8x7=565+6=11(11,,)1+1=2
8x8=646+4=10(10,,)1+0=1
8x9=727+2=9
8x10=808+0=8
8x11=888+8=16(16accordingtothenumerologymeans)
1+6=7
8x12=969+6=15(15,,)1+5=6
Thelastnumberinthetabledecreasesfrom9to1.Hencethenumbereightiscalleda
reducingnumber.
+Severaldeitiesandsaintsalsoreincarnatealongwithanincarnation.Whenan
incarnationcompletesitsmissionandrenouncesitsbody,withinashortperiodThey
toofollowsuit.
++
1.TheHindulunarmonthhastwofortnightsthefirstfromthefirstday(pratipada)tothe
fullmoonday(pournima)andthesecondfromthefirstdaytothenewmoonday
(amavasya).Theeverlastingprinciplefromwhichtheyoriginateisreferredtoasthe
sixteenthphase(kala)
2.Tillthefullmoondaythemoonhas15favourablephases,thesixteenthbeingthe
unfavourablenewmoonday.Thustherearesixteenphasesinwhichalldualitysuchas
blackandwhite,etc.areincluded.Theimpliedmeaningistheonewhoconsidersboth
happinessandunhappinessthesame.
3.16phasesmean100%while12mean75%.Tillthefullmoonday,themoonhas15
phases.15phasesmeancomplete100%,16meanabsolute,justlikeonesays101%.
||SalutationOLordKrushna,theteacheroftheuniverse||
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(KrushnamVandeJagadgurum)
WhyshouldonechanttheNameSreeRaminsteadofRam?
PostedonSeptember26,2010byariseohindu
WhyshouldonechanttheNameSreeRam
insteadofRam?
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LordRama
Contents
1.WorshipofRamaandseekers
)
1.2SpiritualexperiencesobtainedwhenchantingtheNamesRamaand
SreeRama
1.3DifferencesbetweenvariousNames
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1.4SpiritualpracticeofwhichformofRamaisusefulforaseekerata
particularspirituallevel%?
1.5Beneficialtogofrommanytoone
1.6Ritualisticworship(puja)andcelebrationofreligiousfestivals
1.7RamaandSitaGayatri
2.TheRamayaninourlives
1.WorshipofRamaandseekers
)
The Kalisantaran Upanishad is a part of the Krushnayajurveda. Its other name is
Harinamopanishad. This Upanishad was narrated by Lord Brahma to Sage Narad
towards the culmination of the Dvaparyug. In short, it says mere chanting of Lord
Narayans Name eliminates the ill effects due to the influence of Kali. This mantra
consistsofsixteenwords
Thesesixteenwordsareassociatedwiththesixteenkalasoftheembodiedsoul.Thusit
isamantrawhichdestroysthecoveringoftheembodiedsoul.Somesectsworshipping
LordKrushnachantthesecondhalfofthemantrafirst.
1.2 Spiritual experiences obtained when chanting the Names Rama

andSreeRama
ChanttheNamesRamaandSreeRamaeachfortwominutesandrecordyourspiritual
experiences,thatisnotewithwhichNameyoufeelpleasantordistressed.Thenread
the following paragraph. The table below enlists the spiritual experiences of seekers
whowereattendingaworkshoponSpirituality,inMumbai.
Spiritualexperienceobtained
Rama SreeRama
duringchanting
1.Effortswerenecessary
8
(presenceofgrossness)
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2.Feltserene
3.FeltlikechantingShrirama
insteadofRama
4.Occurredautomatically
5.Feltdistressed
1
1
8
5*
* Since the spiritual experience of Bliss or Serenity is new for an average seeker
chantingtheNameShriramacancausehimdistress.
The majority felt more pleasant when chanting Shrirama rather than Rama. This will
clarifythedifferencebetweenthetwoNames.Despitethis,fiveindividualsexperienced
distresswhenchantingShrirama.ToavoidthisaseekerisadvisednottochantaName
meantforaspirituallevelhigherthanhis.
ThewordsinthemantraShriramajaiRamajaijaiRama( )
meanthefollowing
Shrirama:
ThisisaninvocationofShrirama
JaiRama:
ThisisinpraiseofRama.
JaijaiRama: Likenamahaitsignifiessurrender.
1.3DifferencesbetweenvariousNames
Themale/
female
familydeity
(kuladevata)
2050
1.Atwhatspiritual
level
%oftheseekeris
isituseful?
2.Manifestenergy
10
%
3.Mission
Activationof
energy
Rama
SreeRama
5060
6080
70
Theenergy
performsa
specific
Conversion
of
theenergy
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function
intoShiva
1.4SpiritualpracticeofwhichformofRamaisusefulforaseekerata
particularspirituallevel%?
FormofRama
Spiritualleveloftheseeker%
1.Ramapanchayatan(Thefive
2040
foldfamilyofRama)
2.RamaSitaandHanuman
3050
3.RamaandSita(Sitarama)
3050
4.Rama
5060
5.Shrirama
6080
1.5Beneficialtogofrommanytoone
Oncethestageofworshipofthefamilydeityiscompleted,thespiritualpracticeofRama
whoistruetoHisword,devotedtoonlyonewifeandwhoattainsthetargetwithjustone
arrowisusefulformanyaseekertogofrommanytoone..
1.6Ritualisticworship(puja)andcelebrationofreligiousfestivals
Since Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, He too is worshipped like Vishnu. The
birth of Shrirama is celebrated on the ninth day (navami) of the bright fortnight of the
HindulunarmonthofChaitra,attwelvenoon.
1.7RamaandSitaGayatri
Meaning: We are quite familiar with Rama, the son of Dasharath. We meditate on
Rama,thehusbandofSita.MaythatRamainspireourintellectbenevolently.

Meaning:WearequitefamiliarwithSita,thedaughterofJanak.WemeditateonSita,
thedaughteroftheEarth.MaythatJanakiinspireourintellectbenevolently.
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2.TheRamayaninourlives
Ifoneisdisinterestedinsomethingonesaysthereisnocharm(Ramanahi)init.From
someNamesintheRamayanonewillrealisehowtheRamayanisgoingonintheday
todaylifeofaseeker.
A.Rama:Atmaramisthesoulprinciple.
B.Sita:AdimayaistheGreatIllusion.TheabductionbyRavan,Herenteringthe
firewereallapartoftheplayoftheGreatIllusion.Inoneslifetootheplayofthe
GreatIllusionintheformofhappinessandunhappinesscontinues.
C.Lakshman:Laksha( )whichmeansattentionand man()meaningmind
constitute the name Lakshman ( ). Ones attention should always be
concentratedonthesoul.
D.Bharat:The nameBharat () isderived from bha () meaning radiance
andrat() meaningengrossed. Aseeker isthus onewho isengrossed inthe
worshipofradiance.
E. Shatrughna: The name Shatrughna ( ) is derived from shatru ( )
andghna(
).Shatrumeanstheenemyandghnathedestroyer.Thesixfoesof
thesoul(shadripu)areonesenemies.
F.Rama, Sita and Lakshman:Rama means spiritual knowledge, Sita means
devotionandLakshmanmeansdetachment.
G.Hanuman:Theactivatedspiritualenergy(kundalini).
H.Ravan:Thesixfoesofthesoul(shadripu)desire,anger,greed,attachment,
vanityandenvy.
I.Kumbhakarna:Laziness
ThusliketheRamayan,theMahabharattoogoesoninonesdaytodaylife!
ShriramajaiRamajaijaiRama
Filedunder:SriRam|Leaveacomment
WhydidBharatinstallpadukasofLordRamaonthethroneinsteadofHisidol?
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WhydidBharatinstallpadukasofLordRamaon
thethroneinsteadofHisidol?
LordRama,Sita,LakshmanandHanuman
Contents
1.ImpliedmeaningofsomenamesintheRamayan
1.1AccordingtotheBhavarthaRamayanbySaintEkanath
1.2AstoldbySaint
2.ImpliedmeaningofsomeincidentsfromtheRamayan
2.1Sita,thedaughteroftheEarth
2.2Kaikeyisaskingforaboon
2.3BharatsaskingforRamaspaduka(woodenfootwear)
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2.4BharatsstayatNandigram
2.5Lakshmanslifeinexile
2.6Sitasabduction
2.7Ramasembracingthetrees
2.8SlayingofVali
2.9RajaksaccusingSita
2.10SlayingofShambuk
2.11RamasrenouncingHisbodyinwater(jalasamadhi)
1.ImpliedmeaningofsomenamesintheRamayan
1.1AccordingtotheBhavarthaRamayanbySaintEkanath
Aja:ParabrahmanorParamatma(TheAbsoluteBeing).
Dasharath:ThewordDasharath()is derivedfrom twowords, dash()
andrath().Dashmeanstenandrath,thebody.Dasharaththusreferstothe
bodywiththefivesenseorgansandfivemotororgans.Dasharathwascreated
fromAja.
Rama: Without loosing ajatva (absoluteness) Rama that is ahamatma (The
embodiedsoul)wasborntoDasharath.
Kousalya:Sadvidya(TheDivineintellect)
Sumitra:Shuddhabuddhi(ThePureIntellect)
Kaikeyi:Avidya(Nescience)
Manthara:Kuvidya(TheImpureIntellect)
Lakshman:Atmaprabodh(Awakenedstateofthesoul)
Bharat:Bhavartha(Theimpliedmeaning)
Shatrughna:Nijanirdhar(HisownResolve)
Vishvamitra:Vivek(TheIntellectthatdifferentiatesbetweenSatandAsat)
Vasishtha:Vichar(TheHolythinking)
Sita:Chitshakti(TheDivineEnergy).TheunionoftheAbsoluteBeingandThe
DivineEnergyiseternal.
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1.2AstoldbyH.H.AnnaKarandikar
A.DasharathiRama
SuchabodyinwhichRamadwellsisthesoulprinciple(atmaram).
Dasharathreferstotheseeker,andtheintellectintheformofKousalyaishis
wife. When the seeker behaves in a manner conducive for Selfrealisation,
having faith and detachment generated from devotion, he is showered with
Bliss.ThisitselfisSelfrealisationandtheincarnationofLordShrirama.
B. According to Ramottartapaniya Upanishad: Syllables of Omkar have been
describedintheRamottartapaniyaUpanishadasfollows.
Syllables
of
Stateofthemind
A()
Waking(jagruti)
U()
Dream(svapna)
M()
Half
Mantra
Deepsleep(sushupti)
Superconsciousness
(turya)
Principle
Universe,
Vaishvanar
Taijas,
Hiranyagarbha
Pradnya,God
Parameshvar,
the
Absolute
Brahman
Creation
of
whom?
Lakshman
Shatrughna
Bharat
Shrirama
TheUpanishadfurtherstatesthatthePrimalEnergyintheformofPrakrutiwhichcauses
creation,sustenanceanddissolutionoftheuniverseisShriSita.
C.NamesintheRamayanandnumerology
Rama()andSita():Thereare2lettersineachoftheseNames.
Lakshman(
)andUrmila( ):Thereare3lettersineachofthesenames.
Bharat()andMandavi(
):Ineachofthesenamesthereare3letters.
Shatrughna(
)andShrutkirti(
):Thereare4lettersineachofthesenames.
According to numerology the number 3 is closer to number 2. Hence Lakshman and

Bharatbothbeingthreeletterwords,wereclosertoRamawhichisatwoletterword.
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Since number four is not as close to number two, there is not much reference of
ShatrughnaintheRamayan.
D. Lav: One who bends in whatever direction the wind blows and does not get
destroyed,onewhocanthriveunderallcircumstances.
E.Kush:This is a type of grass. Just as grass thrives even on rocks he is one who
survivesunderallcircumstances.
F. The everlasting quiver: The same amount of radiance emanating from the sun
principleisreflectedbackontothebasicsunprinciple(mulasurya)hencethesunis
eternal.Similarlythenumberofarrows(energy)shotbyRamareturnedtoHim.Hence
Hisquiverwaseverlasting.
G.Shabari:ShabariwasconversantwithShabarividya,atypeofoccultscience.Under
thepretextofeatingberries,Ramalearntitfromherandsheimpartedthatknowledgeto
Him.
H.Marich:Thesupernaturalpowerwhichenablesonetotransformoneselfintoadeer
iscalledMaruchi.TheonewhoposessessuchapoweriscalledMarich.
I.ThetenheadedRavan:RavanwastenheadedthatisaBrahmanwellversedinthe
knowledge of the ten scriptures (dashgranthi). Ravan was the son of Sage
Pulastya.Pulaisthevaginaorthebirthpassage.Thissagehadmadespiritualprogress
through the Path of Distressing Energy (Vamamarga). Once Ravan shook every
channel(nadi) in his body and created a sound like that of Rudras vina (a stringed
instrument).ThisappeasedLordShiva.
J.Bibhishan:Theembodiedsoulissituatedabovethenavelaccordingtooneschoolof
thought.Duringspiritualpracticeasitdescendstotheregionofthenavel(
),onegets
a terrifying () experience. Hence it is called bibhishan [ = bhishan()
+bimba(
)byreversingtheorderofwords].Bibhishansspirituallevelcorresponding
tohisnamewasuptothelevelofthenavel,thatistheleveloftheManipurchakra.
K.Lanka:Lankameanstheheadwhichliesabovetheneck.Ramahandedoverthe
kingdomofLankatoBibhishanmeansthatHemadeBibhishanprogressspirituallyupto
theleveloftheSahasrarchakra.
L. Indrajit: Indrajit had control over all His organs (jitendriya). (Jit means victory
andindriyameanssenseorgans.)
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M.BinduandRekha:ThesearetheconsortsofNarantakoneofthesonsofRavan.The
embodiedsoulshouldnotremainboundbyattractionsofBinduandRekha,thatisany
kindofattraction.Otherwisetheybringabouttheend(ant,antak)ofman(nara).
2.ImpliedmeaningofsomeincidentsfromtheRamayan
2.1Sita,thedaughteroftheEarth
Incident:Sitawasfoundwhileploughingthesoil.
Impliedmeaning:Infant Sita was the manifest form of the hiranyagarbha frequencies
emanating from the centre of the earth. Since sound, touch, form, taste, odour and
energycoexist,whenoneofthecomponentsispresent,alltheothersarealsopresent.
Forinstance,whenaNameischanted,theform,odour,etc.accompanyitsoalsoInfant
Sitawasthemanifestformofaspecificenergythatishiranyagarbhaenergy,whileSita
as Ramas wife was the form of Ramas Energy. Further information
onhiranyagarbha frequencies is given in Science of Spirituality Chapter 11
Supreme God, God, Incarnations and Deities, point Guardian deity of a territory
(kshetrapaldevata).
2.2Kaikeyisaskingforaboon
Incident:WithoneboonKaikeyigotRamabanishedtotheforestforfourteenyearsand
withtheother,sheaskedthatBharatbemadethecrownprince.
Implied meaning: Shravankumars grandfather was Sage Dhoumya and his parents
were Ratnavali and Sage Ratna. Sage Ratna was the royal priest of the kingdom of
NandigramruledbyKingAshvapati.KaikeyiwasthedaughterofKingAshvapati.Sage
RatnahadtaughtKaikeyiallthescripturesandhadalsowarnedherthatDasharaths
children would not be able to ascend the throne and that if they did ascend it within
fourteenyearsafterhim,thentheRaghudynastywouldbedestroyed.Topreventthis
mishap,SageVasishthatoldKaikeyitoaskDasharathfortwoboons,byoneofwhich
shesentRamaintoexileforfourteenyearsandbytheotheraskedBharattorulethe
kingdombecausesheknewthataslongasRamalived,Bharatwouldneverascendthe
throne. It is on the advice of Sage Vasishtha, that Bharat installed
Ramas paduka (wooden footwear) instead of His idol, on the throne. If instead of
thepadukaanidolwasinstalledonthethrone,thenbytherulethatsound,touch,form,
tasteandodourallcoexist,theeffectwouldhavebeenjustasifRamahadascended
the throne. The original Valmiki Ramayan contains three verses (shlokas) in this
context. However some researchers feel that those who rewrote the Ramayan after
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1228A.D.omittedthese.
2.3BharatsaskingforRamaspaduka(woodenfootwear)
Askingforthepadukameansplacingtheheadonthefeetorcompletesurrender.
WhenBharataskedforRamaspadukathelattergavethemtohim.Theformercarried
themplacingthemonhisheadsuchthatthebigtoesfacedthefront.Thenheinstalled
them on the throne and worshipped them. Since then the custom of
worshippingpadukaofthespirituallyevolvedbegan.
2.4BharatsstayatNandigram
A. Incident: After acquiring Ramas paduka Bharat took them to Nandigram and
installedthemthere.HedidnotresideinAyodhya.
Implied meaning: Nandigram means the testes. So it implies that Bharat observed
celibacy.InstallationofRamaspadukaimpliesthatBharatlivedlikeaseeker.
B.Incident:WhenacceptingRamaspadukaBharatrequestedHimtoinformhimabout
HisreturnfromexilealongwithSita,ontheeveofHisarrival,sothathecouldmake
preparationsforHisreception.Uponthis,Ramauttered,Sobeit(tathastu).
Implied meaning: Along with Sita means along with Divine Energy, that is after
activationofthespiritualenergy(kundalini).AboutHisreturnmeansbeforeattainment
of Selfrealisation, that is before going into thenirbij superconscious state (samadhi).
BharatsaidthatheshouldknowwhenHewouldgointothatstate.
2.5Lakshmanslifeinexile
Incident:Sitausedtofeelthatbeforefetchinghomerootsandtubers,Lakshmanmust
havealreadyeatensome.RamausedtofeelthatSitamusthaveservedhimameal.So
bothofthemdidnotbothertoenquireabouthismeals.
Impliedmeaning:ForfourteenyearsLakshmansurvivedonlyonair.Hedidnoteven
sleepforthesakeofRamassecurity.HepractisedSpiritualityconstantly.
2.6Sitasabduction
Incident:RavanabductedSitaandkeptHerwithhim.
Implied meaning: The real Sita never went with Ravan. She entered the fire. It was
Sitas image which accompanied Ravan. It was here that Ramas divine sport
(Ramalila)reallybegan.AfterbeingliberatedfromtheclutchesofRavan,onthepretext
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of purification in the fire, this form of Hers entered the fire again and the real Sita
emergedfromit.
2.7Ramasembracingthetrees
Incident:AfterSitasabductioncryingoutforSita,Ramaembracedthetrees.
Impliedmeaning:Hefoundouthowthetreesandcreepersfelt.
2.8SlayingofVali
Incident:RamashotValiwithanarrowandkilledhim.
Impliedmeaning:AfterthearrowstruckVali,hisspiritualprogresswhichhadstopped
attheleveloftheAnahatchakrabeganonceagainandhewasliberated.
2.9RajaksaccusingSita
Incident:AwashermannamedRajakpronouncedthatSitawasunchaste.HenceRama
forsookHer.
Impliedmeaning1:TheoneaccusingSita,Rajakisdepictedasawasherman.Hisjob
istowashclothesandcleansethemofstains.ThewashermansaidsotopreventRama
frombeingstigmatised.
Implied meaning 2: The washermans name Rajak () is derived from two words
raja () and k (). K denotes a small part of an object. This means that the
washermanwasonewhopossessedsomeportionoftherajacomponentinhim.Hence
hecouldnotperceivethesattvik(sattvapredominant)natureofSita.
2.10SlayingofShambuk
Incident:RamaslayedShambuk,amatang(onebelongingtoalowclass)becausehe
undertookausterities(tapashcharya).
Implied meaning: Shambuk undertook the wrong austerities. Consequently the
atmosphere on the earth was polluted to such an extent that the subjects were
distressedandthespiritualpracticeofthesageswasinterrupted.Sotofulfillthedutyof
a king, in the interest of His subjects and to protect the sages Rama beheaded
Shambuk.
2.11RamasrenouncingHisbodyinwater(jalasamadhi)
Incident:AfterSitawasengulfedbyMotherEarth,RamaendedHislifebyjumpinginto
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riverSharayu.
Implied meaning: Rama did not commit suicide by jumping into river Sharayu, but
tooksamadhi in water. There are several types of samadhis samadhi in the earth
(bhumisamadhi),inwater(jalasamadhi),inthefire(agnisamadhi),etc.SaintEknathand
SaintRamatirthaalsotooksamadhiinwater.Thisispossibleonlyforthosewhohave
noattachmenttothebody.AlltheresidentsofAyodhyatoofollowedsuitbecause,after
Shriramas renunciation of the body they felt that their life without Rama was now
meaningless.
Detailed information on the superconscious state (samadhi) is given in Science of
Spirituality:Chapter36PathofMeditation(Dhyanyoga).
WhatistherealmeaningofRamarajya?
WhatistherealmeaningofRamarajya?
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LordRama
Contents
1.Ramayan
1.1Originandmeaning
1.2VariousRamayans
2.OriginofsomeNamesofRama
3.Ramasfamilyandincarnations
4.Specialfeatures
4.1Idealinallaspects
4.2FollowerofRighteousness(Dharma)
4.3TruetoHisword
4.4Theonewhostruckthetargetwithonlyonearrow
4.5Humannature
4.6Ramasservant(Ramadas)andRamaskingdom(Ramarajya)
1.Ramayan
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1.1Originandmeaning
A. The word Ramayan () has been derived from two words ram (
)
andayan().Ramramayate(
)meanstoremainengrossedinonestarget.It
is with reference to remaining engrossed in Bliss which is derived from spiritual
practice.Ayanmeansthesevenregions(saptalokas). The Ramayan preaches how to
attaintheFinalLiberation(Moksha)crossingthesevenregions,remainingengrossed
inspiritualpractice,thatisinBliss.
B.InthequoteSamasyaayanamRamayanam(
)
ayanmeans
speed,thepathortogo.RamayanisthusthatwhichleadsonetoTheSupremeLord,
Shrirama,inspiresorenthusesoneorratherendowsonewiththespeedtoreachThe
Lordorshowsonetherealpathinlife.Italsomeansthat,thatwhichincludesthemain
story of the destruction of the unrighteous Ravan by the righteous Rama is the
Ramayan.Ayanalsomeansshelter.RamasexistenceitselfistheRamayan.
1.2VariousRamayans
A.TheValmikiRamayan:ThereareseveralRamayans,butthe Valmiki Ramayan is
considered to be the standard among them. The Valmiki Ramayan does not include
parts written by other authors just like the other Ramayans. The opinions of various
researchersaboutthisRamayanareasfollows.
WhenthefishermanValyaundertookchantingforsixtythousandyearshefinally
became Sage Valmiki. According to another school of thought Sage Valmikis
real name was Ratnakar, not Valya the fisherman. Valmik is the name of a
speciesofantswhichbuildsanthills.Theseantsbuiltananthillonthebodyofa
sagenamedRatnakar.HencepeoplebegancallinghimSageValmiki.
RamawasbornahundredandfiftyyearsafterSageValmikiwrotetheRamayan.
According to some theRamayan was written in the Satyayug and Rama was
bornintheTretayug.
Sage Dhoumya was a friend of Sage Valmiki and Sage Bharadvaj. He has
written the holy text Agnidhumavati on the spiritual practice by inhalation of
smoke(dhumrasadhana). Sage Valmiki and Sage Dhoumya lived together for
twentytwoyears.SageDhoumyamadetwentyfouramendmentsintheoriginal
Ramayan.ActuallywhatwecalltheValmikiRamayanshouldbetheDhoumit
Ramayan. The original Valmiki Ramayan was never available. TheValmiki
RamayaninusetodayistheonewritteninthePuranicperiod.
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SageValmikihadtakenavowofnotleavingtheashram(kshetrasanyas)hence
SageDhoumyapropagatedtheRamayan.ItwasHewhopreachedtoeveryone
thatRamawouldbebornandthattheRamayanwouldactuallyoccur.Heeven
told Sage Vasishtha whose ashram was situated at Prayag (Alahabad) in
VindhyachalaboutRama.
B.ThePurvaRamayanandtheUttarRamayan:ThePurva Ramayan explains how
one should travel through the seven regions (saptalokas) by undertaking spiritual
practiceofthebijamantraram(
).TheUttarRamayanontheotherhanddescribesthe
lifeofRamawhoperformedsuchspiritualpractice.
C.TheJainRamayanandtheBuddhaRamayan:ThebiographyofRamaissoideal
thatinthelaterperiodtheJainsandtheBuddhistsbegantofeelthateventheirreligions
shouldbeenrichedwithit.HencetheJainandBuddhaRamayanswerewritten.
D.TheAdbhutRamayan:Thishasbeenwrittenaroundthefourteenthcentury.Itisalso
known as Adbhutottarkand. It is in the form of a conversation between Valmiki and
Bharadvaj. In this Sita is depicted as the deity Kali instead of the
usualsattvik(sattvapredominant) chaste woman (pativrata). It is said that seeing that
RamawasunabletoslayRavanSheHerselfslayedhim.
E. The Adhyatmaramayan: This is in the form of a conversation between Uma and
Shankar.UmamakesaprayertoLordShankar,ThePathofDevotion(Bhaktiyoga)isa
superioronetoattainTheLord.ButduetovariedopinionsIamnotconvincedofHis
nature. So please endow Me with Your grace and reveal His true form to Me. In
responsetothisShankarnarratedtheAdhyatmaramayantoHer.
TheValmikiRamayanisthebasisofthisholytext,butinsomeplacesafewvariations
areseen.ThisholytextisalsoknownastheAdhyatmaramacharitand the Adhyatmik
Ramasanhita.
F.TheTulsiRamayan: This is more devotional, while the Valmiki Ramayan is more
historical. (This is akin to the Bhagvat which is more devotional and
theMahabharatwhichismorehistorical.)
2.OriginofsomeNamesofRama
2.1Rama
ThisNamewasprevalentevenbeforethebirthofRama.
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2.2Ramachandra
Ramas original Name is only Rama. He is a descendant of the sun dynasty
(suryavanshi).InspiteofbeingbornattwelvenoonHewasnotnamedwithnamessuch
asRambhanuwhichincorporateanameofthesun.Laterfromtheincidentinwhichas
a child He obstinately cried to have the moon (chandra), He was probably named
Ramachandra.
2.3Shrirama
WhenRamareturnedwithSitaafterHisvictoryatLankaHewascalledShrirama.Shri
isanadjectiveusedforTheLord.WhenRamarevealedthatHewasanincarnationof
God, everyone started calling Him Shrirama. In the Valmiki RamayanRama is not
referredtoasGodbutiscalledTheSupremeMan(narapungav).[Hanumanisreferred
toasThesuprememonkey(kapipungav).Howeverbyitselfthewordpungavmeansa
bullock.]
3.Ramasfamilyandincarnations
When The Lord incarnates other deities too incarnate along with Him. Based on this
rule, when Lord Vishnu assumed the incarnation of Rama the other deities who
followedsuitaswellastheotherincarnationswhoaccompaniedHimaredescribedin
thefollowingtable.
RamaandHis
family
1.Rama
2.Sita
3.Lakshman
4.Bharat
5.Shatrughna
6.Maruti
Whoseincarnation?
Vishnu
Divineenergy(Shakti)ofVishnu
Adishesh
Theconch
Thediscus
TheeleventhRudra,Shiva
4.Specialfeatures
4.1Idealinallaspects
A. The ideal son: Though Rama obeyed His parents, at times He also advised the
elders.ForinstancewhenleavingfortheforestHeexhortedHisparentsnottogrievefor
Him.
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B. The ideal brother: Even today people quote RamaLakshmans love as the ideal
illustrationofbrotherlylove.
C.Theidealhusband:RamawasdevotedsinglytoHiswife.
Even after abandoning Sita, Rama lived in detachment. Later when He performed a
sacrificialfire(yadnya) He placed Sitas idol by His side but did not choose another
wife.Duringthosedaysitwasapracticeforkingstohaveseveralconsorts.Takingthis
backgroundintoconsiderationthisdepictsHisfaithfulnesstoonlyonewife.
D.Theidealfriend:RamahelpedSugriv,Bibhishan,etc.duringcatastrophesintheir
lives.
E. The ideal king: When His subjects expressed doubts about the chastity of Sita,
ignoringHispersonalrelationshipwithHer,HeabandonedHerinaccordancewiththe
codeofRighteousnessoftheruler(rajdharma).Inthiscontext,Kalidasafamouspoet
haswrittenameaningfulverse(shloka)
:

whichmeansfearingsocialstigmaRamadroveSitaoutofHishome,butnotoutofHis
mind.
F.Theidealenemy:AfterRavansdeathwhenhisbrotherBibhishanrefusedtoperform
his last rites, Rama told him, Enemity ends with death. If you do not perform his last
rites,Iwill.HeisMybrotheraswell.
4.2FollowerofRighteousness(Dharma)
He followed all the bounds of Righteousness. Hence He is referred to as Maryada
purushottam,theSupremelimitofRighteousness.
4.3TruetoHisword
A. Generally when one has to emphasize a point one says I am speaking the truth
thrice. Similarly, the word Shantihi (
:) is recited thrice. The word thrice is used
withthefollowingtwomeanings.
Tospeaktakingtheoathofthetrinity,Brahma,VishnuandMahesh.
Thewordtrivar( )meaningthriceisderivedfrom tri( )andvar(),thatis
threedays.Ifonegetsthesamedreamonthreeconsecutivenights,thenitissaid
to be a spiritual dream. One should either act accordingly or ask a spiritually
evolvedpersonaboutit.Similarlyonlyifsomethingisheardthriceshoulditbe
consideredtobethetruth.Ramahowever,wastruetoHisword,thatisonceHe
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utteredsomethingitwastheultimatetruthandtherewasnoneedtoemphasise
thatpointagainthreetimes.
B.InSanskrutgrammartherearethreenouns,singular(ekvachan), dual (dvivachan)
andplural(bahuvachan).Ramawassingular.Thisimpliesthatoneshouldmergeinto
Rama,thatistraversefromthree(many)toone.InSpirituality,progressoccursasone
goes from many to one and then from one to zero. Here, zero refers to the absolute
incarnation,LordKrushna.
C. According to geometry three depicts the three dimensions but Rama is
unidimensional.
4.4Theonewhostruckthetargetwithonlyonearrow
Ramacouldstrikethetargetwithanarrowatthefirstshot.Therewasneveraneedfora
secondone.
4.5Humannature
Ramadisplaysemotionsofhappinessandunhappinessjustlikehumanbeings.Hence
onefeelsmoreattractedtoHimthantootherdeities.Forinstance,afterSitasabduction,
Ramabecamemelancholic.HoweverinsuchcircumstanceshowtheGodprinciplein
RamawasintactwillbeclearfromtheensuingconversationbetweenShiva(Shankar)
andParvati,quotedbelow.
Parvati:JustseehowtheonewhoseNameYouchantisgrievingforHiswifelikean
averagemortal.
Shankar:Thatgriefisnamesake.HehastodothatasHehasassumedahumanform.
Parvati:Ramaiswanderingaboutembracingthetrees.ThatprovesHeisreallypining
forSita.
Shankar: Why dont You experience whether what I said is true or false, Yourself ?
AssumetheformofSitaandappearbeforeHim.ThenobserveHisbehaviour.
ParvatididasShankarhadsaid.SeeingHerRamaofferedobeisancetoHerandsaid,
I have recognised You. You are the Great Illusion (Adimaya). With this Parvati was
convincedthatRamasbereavementwasbutasuperficialdisplay.
4.6Ramasservant(Ramadas)andRamaskingdom(Ramarajya)
Ramasservant(Ramadas):Thiswordhastwomeanings.
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Theservant(das)ofRama
TheonewhoseservantisRama!
Ramaskingdom(Ramarajya)
DuringHistimes,thatisintheTretayugRamaalonewasnotwise,Hissubjects
toowereprudent.HenceduringHisreignnotasinglecomplaintwasbroughtto
Hiscourt.
The real kingdom of Rama (implied meaning): Absolute control over the five
senseorgans,fivemotororgans,mind,subconsciousmind,intellectandegoby
Rama(Atmaramthesoulprinciple)dwellingintheheartitselfisRamasreal
kingdom.
Themeaningofthesewordsis,
Principle:Vishnuprinciple75%(Vishnu/God=100%)
Ability:Creation20%,sustenance50%anddissolution30%
Manifestenergy:75%
(Like God (Ishvar), Vishnu too utilises only 10% of His energy to accomplish His
mission.Thisenergyisreferredtoasthemanifestenergy.Thedormantenergyiscalled
the unmanifest energy. If the mission is such that more energy is required then the
proportionofmanifestenergyishigher.)
Look at the picture of the fivefold family of Rama (Rama panchayatan) including
Hanuman,givenbelowanddecidefromwhomonecanexperienceenergy?Onlythen
readfurther.
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Ramapanchayatan
ThetablebelowenumerateswhetherEnergyorBlisswasexperiencedfromeachofthe
figuresbythe29seekersattendingoneofoursatsangs(spiritualmeetings).
Lookingat
whom?
1.Rama
2.Lakshman
3.Bharat
4.Shatrughna
5.Sita
6.Hanuman
Total
Presenceorabsenceofa
spiritualexperience
Present2
2
0
0
10
5
Absent10
29
The average spiritual level of the seekers was 35%. During a satsang (spiritual
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meeting)attimesthespirituallevelofaseekercanevenbecome4050%.Thespiritual
level of an average person is 20% while that of one who has attained the Final
Liberation(Moksha)is100%.Ifaverageindividualsparticipateintheexperiment,they
donotperceiveanything.Henceinsuchexperimentseveryonedoesnotgetspiritual
experiences.Onlythosewhohaveattainedaspirituallevelof35%andaboveandare
abletoperceivesomethingofthesubtledimensionareabletogiveanswers.
10outof29seekersdidnotperceiveanything.Outofthe19whoperceivedsomething,
halfthatis10ofthemsensedtheenergyinSita.ThisexperimentillustrateswhySitais
referredtoastheEnergyofRama.5seekersexperiencedEnergyinMaruti.Fromthis
onewillrealisewhythemanifestenergyinMarutiismuchgreaterthaninotherdeities.
LordRama:AnIdeal
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||SriRamJayRamJayJayRam||
Content
LordRama:AnIdeal
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LordRama:AnIdeal
TheIdealson:AlwaysobeyedHisparentsattimesevenadvisedtheelders.
TheIdealbrother:RamaLakshmansloveiscitedastheidealofbrotherlylove.
TheIdealhusband:DevotedtoHisoneandonlywife.Kings,then,usetohavemany
wives.
TheIdealfriend:HehelpedSugreev,Bibhishanandmanyothersduringtheirdifficult
times. The Ideal King: Followed all codes of conduct for Kings as laid down in our
scriptures.
TheIdealEnemy:BibhishanrefusedtoperformthelastritesofRavan,hisbrother.Lord
Ramasaidtohim,Ifyoudonotdoit,Iwill.Hewasmybrothertoo!
Maryadapurushottam:HerepresentstheSupremeextentofRighteousness.
LordRamasHumannature
Content
LordRamasHumannature
LordRamasHumanNature
He displays emotions of happiness &
unhappiness just like humans do. (His
melancholy at Sitas abduction is an example.)
Hence, we feel closer to Him than we feel
towardsotherdeities.
TheRamayanainourlives:WhileAtmaramis
thesoulprinciple,SitaistheGreatIllusion.Lakshmanalludestothefocusonthesoul,
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instead of the worldly. Bharat signifies a seeker engrossed in worship of radiance.

Shatrughnaisonewhodestroysthesixfoes(Shadripus)ofthesoul.Rama,Sitaand
Lakshman together stand for spiritual knowledge, devotion and detachment
respectively.HanumanistheactivatedKundaliniandRavanatheDesire,anger,greed,
attachment,vanityandenvy.
EveryIncarnationcomestoEarthwithaspecificpurpose:The main task of every
IncarnationistodestroyevilandestablishtheDivineKingdombutthepercentageand
proportion of this varies in different Yugas. And, all activities of the Incarnation are
centeredaroundthistask.
Killing of Ravana: Ravana was highly learned and possessed knowledge of
Righteousness(Dharma).LordRamahadtodestroyhim,sothatHecouldprotectthe
embodiedsoulsdoingspiritualpractice.LordRamaacquiredagrossbodytohelpthe
soulspursuetheirspiritualaspirationsappropriately.
Final Liberation: Many embodied souls completed their individual spiritual practice
through the path of Knowledge (Dhyanyoga) but since their spiritual practice for the
sake of society (Samashti sadhana) was incomplete, their spiritual practice for Final
Liberation remained incomplete. In Satyayuga there was no way to perform spiritual
practiceforthesakeofsocietyandasaresultmanyembodiedsoulsgotstuckmidway.
For their progress and liberation, they were born as monkeys (vanars) during Lord
Ramastime.SomeoftheGodswhohadbeencursedwerealsobornduringthisperiod
asmonkeys.Inordertomakealltheseembodiedsoulspracticespiritualityforthesake
ofsocietyandtheirprogress,LordRamaacquiredagrossbody.
To set an ideal for the people:Lord Rama set an example through each and every
actionofHis.HeexplainedhowanembodiedsoulcanattainFinalLiberationbyacting
inaccordancewiththescriptures.
He set an example of a Divine Kingdom for the people: When Righteousness
(Dharma)manifestedinthegross,Unrighteousness(Adharma)alsomanifestedinthe
gross. Many embodied souls started troubling Sages and others who acted in
accordancewiththescriptures.DuringthattimeLordRamaprotectedtheSagesand
setanexamplethroughHisowndeedsforallkingsastohowaDivineKingdomshould
be.LordRamaisanidealofhowselfless,freefromdesireandimpartialaKingcanbe!
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WorshipofLordRama
Content
WorshipofLordRama
WorshipofLordRama
Once the stage of worship of the divine principle or deity according to ones religion
(thatofthefamilydeityforHindus)iscompleted,thespiritualpractice(worship)ofLord
Rama is useful for many seekers to go from many to One. This is because of Lord
RamasattributesofbeingtruetoHisword,devotedtoonlyonewifeandattainingthe
targetwithjustonearrow.
RitualisticWorship(Puja):
SinceLordRamaisanincarnationofLordVishnu,He,too,isworshippedlikeVishnuin
sixteensteps(shodashopacharpuja).Tulasi(sacredandmedicinalplantfoundinIndia)
leaves are essential for His worship. Tulasi has the ability to attract the subtlest pure
particles(pavitrakas)ofVishnu.ItisevenbetterifonecanuseLotusesfortheworship.
Khir(asweetdelicacymadefrommilkandriceorvermicelli)orshira(asweetdelicacy
made from semolina, pure ghee and sugar) is Lord Vishnus favorite sacrament
(naivedya).Choosingthesubstancesofferedintheworshipaccordingtothescienceof
Spiritualityhelpsgeneratedivineconsciousness(chaitanya)inthestatue,sothatitaids
onesspiritualprogress.
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AttributesofLordRama
Content
Name: Lord Ramas Name was prevalent even before His birth. After His victory at
Lanka,thatis,upondemonstratingHisGodhood,everyonestartedaddressingHimas
Shrirama(LordRama).
Ideal in All Respects:Lord Rama is an example of the ideal son, brother, husband,
king,friendandenemy.
The Follower of Righteousness (Dharma): Lord Rama observed all decorum
prescribed by Dharma that is why He is referred to as Maryadapurushottam. Also,
honoringonesword(Ekvachani)andneedingjustonearroworshottofindthemark
(Ekbani)andhavingonlyonewife(Ekpatni)areHiswellknownattributes.
LordRamasKingdom(Ramrajya):DuringLordRamasrule,thatis,intheTretayugit
wasnotLordRamaalonewhowaswise,Hissubjects,too,wereprudent.Hence,during
HisreignnotasinglecomplaintwasbroughttoHiscourt.
TherealkingdomofLordRamadwellswithinoneself.Theimpliedmeaningofthisis
absolute control over the five sense organs, five motor organs, mind, subconscious
mind,intellectandegobytheRamaprinciple(Atmaramathesoulprinciple).
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WhyisGaneshidolmadeofclayonlyscientific?
Content
1.Makinganidolfromchinaclayormud
1.1Spiritualexperiencesofidolmakerswhenmakingidolsofmudorclay
2.Sculptinganidolissuperiortousingamould
3.Idolsshouldnotbehuge
4.Formoftheidolshouldbeaccordingtothesciencebehindtheidol
4.1IdolsofLordGaneshshouldnothaveweirdformsandattires
4.2LossesincurredwhentheGaneshidolisworshippedinaformotherthanthatisto
beworshipped.
4.3Idolshouldbeaseatedone,notstanding
4.4Idolmakersshouldrefusetomakeidolsnotinconsonancewithscience
5.Colouroftheidol
6.Necessityofobservingreligiousrestrictionswhenmakinganidol
7.Makingidolsconsideringittobeaholymission
8.Theidolshouldhaveareligiousbackground
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Ganeshidolmadeofclay
Anythingwhichisinconsonancewiththescripturesprovestobeidealandbeneficial.
Accordingtothisrule,iftheidolofLordGaneshissculptedasperthesciencebehind
theidolthenthepurespiritualparticlesofLordGaneshgetattractedtowardstheidolto
agreaterextentandthoseworshippingitarebenefited.Unfortunatelytoday,idolsare
worshippedinvariousformsandshapesbasedononeslikingandimaginationwithout
takingintoaccountthesciencebehindtheidol.DuringthefestivalofGaneshChaturthi,
the Ganesh idol is worshipped on a large scale both, individually and in a collective
manner.Thenonconformityoftheidolsisconspicuousatthistime.Itisforthisreason
thatitisdiscussedindepthastohowtheGaneshidolshouldbesculptedforGanesh
Chaturthi,thebenefitsofdoingsoandthelossifnotmadeinthatmanner.
1.Makinganidolfromchinaclayormud
Ganeshidolmadeof
Plaster
OneshouldpreparetheGaneshidolfromchinaclayormud.Nowadays,idolsaremade
fromplasterofParissothattheybecomelightweightandmoreattractive.Thereisa
differencebetweenidolsmadefrommudandplasterofParis.Therearereferencesin
the Purans (mythological texts) that Ganapati was created from grime. Hence it is
appropriatetouseaGaneshidolmadeofmudforritualisticworship.Thepurespiritual
particles(pavitraks)ofGanapatigetattractedtoagreaterextenttowardsanidolmade
ofmudthantothatmadeofplasterofParis.Thefollowingpointsshallillustratehowitis
improperaswellasharmfultomakeidolsfromplasterofParisorfromsubstancesother
thanchinaclay.
PlasterofParisdoesnotdissolveeasilyinwaterandhencetheidolfloatsonwaterafter
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immersion.Sometimesincities,theremainsofidolswhichhavenotdissolvedinwater
for a long period are collected and a bulldozer is run over them to convert them into
mud.Thisamountstoextremedenigrationofthedeity.Thedeityshouldbeofferedthe
samereverencewhenimmersingitaswhenitisinvoked.Sincetheidolisnotimmersed
properly,inawayitamountstodishonouringthedeity.Itisbeneficialifaholeiskeptat
aspecificpointontherearsideoftheplasterofParisidolsothatduringimmersionit
getsproperlyimmersedinwaterwithinminimaltimeanddissolvescompletely.
MixingoftheplasterofParisinwaterpollutestheriver,sea,lake,etc.andcanhavean
adverseeffectonthehealthoflivingbeings.
Nowadays a wrong trend has set in whereby idols are even made from coconuts,
bananas,betulnut,silver,coins,etc.Someoftheseobjectsdonotdissolveinwaterafter
immersionoftheidol.Theremainsofsuchidolsareusedforotherpurposesorastoys
bychildren.
1.1Spiritualexperiencesofidolmakerswhenmakingidolsofmudorclay
ManyidolmakersgetthespiritualexperienceoftheGodprinciplewhenmakingidolsof
mudratherthanofplasterofParis.Thespiritualexperienceofanidolmakerisgiven
hereasanexample.
ImadeidolsofplasterofParisaswellasclayfortheGaneshfestival.Iexperienced
immenseBliss(Anand)whenmakingidolsofmud.Soalsomyrepetition(chanting)of
the Name of my family deity (kuladevata) was occurring continuously. I did not
experiencethiswhenmakingplasterofParisidols.Mr.LakshmanAhomanChavhan,
P.O.Dhule,Maharashtra
2.Sculptinganidolissuperiortousingamould
Nowadays,idolmakinghouseshavetakentheformofavocationtoearnmoneyrather
than considering it to be a holy mission or art. The Ganesh idols are made using a
mouldsothattheycanbemadeavailableforsalefaster,merelykeepingacommercial
angle. However as far as possible, a readymade mould should not be used. The
reasons for this are as follows. When making the idol manually, idol makers get an
excellent opportunity to exhibit their artistic skill and consequently they obtain
satisfaction.Besides,sculptingtheidolgeneratesmorespiritualemotion(bhav)inthe
sculptor and such an idol is more sattvik (sattva predominant). From a sculptors
viewpoint, the amount of spiritual emotion generated when sculpting the idol is more
important than making the idol artistic and attractive. Hence as far as possible idol
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makers should make idols manually. Sanatans perspective too is Art for God
realisationandnotmerelyartforthesakeofartorasbusiness.
3.Idolsshouldnotbehuge
28FeetGaneshIdol
Since1980,therehasbeenaconsiderableincreaseinthenumberofhugeidolsused
intheGaneshfestivalcelebrations.Priortothat,theidolsweremadeuptoamaximum
heightof5feet.Nowadaysidolsof11,21,51feetheightaremade.Thepossiblelosses
whichcanbeincurredduetohugeidolsaregivenbelow.
A.Accordingtothescriptures,theheightoftheGaneshidolshouldbelimited.Theidol
shouldhaveamaximumheightof1.5metresbecauseanidollargerthanthatmakesit
difficult to perform ritualistic worship. The custom of keeping a small idol for ritualistic
worshipandahugeidolforexhibitionisabsolutelyincorrect.Idolsofdeitiescannotbe
objectsofexhibition.
B.Assufficientclayisnotavailabletomakehugeidols,sometimestheidolsaremade
from dry leaves and grass with a coating of clay over it. How much divinity will be
presentinsuchanidol?
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C.Whenmakinghugeidols,ironrods,bamboos,etc.arerequiredtobeinsertedwithin
themforsupport.Itisimpropertousesuchobjectsintheidols.Besides,iftheseidols
surfaceabovethewatersourceafterimmersion,somepeopleevenbreakthemandsell
theironrodsandwoodenplatesfoundwithin.
D. It is very cumbersome and expensive to transport huge idols. Traffic congestion
duringtransportationoftheseidolsisacommonphenomenon.Thereisalsotheriskof
touchingelectriccableswhentransportingidolswhichare51feethigh.Attimes,people
evengetinjuredwhileloadinganddownloadingthehugeidolsfromtrucks.
E.Sincetransportationofhugeidolsisveryslow,theirarrivalatthesiteofimmersionis
delayed.Bythenifthereishightide,onecannotgodeepintothesea.Byrule,thehuge
Ganesh idols should be taken into the sea for immersion before high tide, where the
wateris10to15feetdeep.Inrealityhowever,thehugeidolsareimmersedinwater
whichismerely6to7feetdeep.Duringimmersion,theidolsontrolleysarethrowninto
the water by fastening a rope around the neck of the idol. Thus the idol cracks and
breaks down into several pieces. So also, sometimes the volunteers of the festival
committeesaresoexhaustedbysinginganddancingintheprocessionthattheyarenot
preparedtoimmersetheidolindeepwater.Theypartiallyimmersetheidolinwater,
placeithorizontallyandleave.
F.TheotheridolsandsceneskeptalongwiththeGaneshidolshouldnotbehugein
size.Whenofferingobeisance,oneshouldtouchthefeetofthedeitybywhichonecan
derivegreaterbenefitoftheenergyemittedbythedeity.Thisisnotpossibleinthecase
ofhugeidols.ItwouldbeworthknowingtheexperienceofadevoteeofLordGanesh
whoinsistedonhavingahugeidol.AtColvalinGoa,adevoteeobstinatelymadean
idolwhichwasthebiggestintheentirevillage.Hehadtobreakthedoorofhishouseto
taketheidolinsideandtilltodaythatdoorcannotbefittedproperly!Thegovernment
itself should enact a law to check the production of huge idols. If those making huge
idolsandGaneshfestivalcommitteesarefinedheavilythenitwillcurbthispractice.
4.Formoftheidolshouldbeaccordingtothesciencebehindtheidol
Theformoftheidolshouldbesuchthatdevotion(bhakti)andspiritualemotion(bhav)
towardsthedeityshouldbeawakenedinstantlyonseeingit.TheGaneshidolshould
be made according to the science behind the idol. The trunk of the idol should be
curved towards the left. Importance of the idol with a leftsided trunk is elucidated in
otherarticle.
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4.1IdolsofLordGaneshshouldnothaveweirdformsandattires
Nowadays,thecustomofmakingidolsofLordGaneshinvariedformsandattireshas
become prevalent, e.g. Lord Ganesh attired in a loin cloth, resembling Lord Krushna
adorningapeacockfeatheronthehead,resemblingLordDattatraya,attiredasachild,
etc.areseen.Duringtheperiodofthefreedomstruggle,Ganeshidolswouldbemade
in the form of Gandhiji or Nehru on public demand. Similarly, idols resembling King
Shivaji Maharaj or a saint are made today also. Idols of Ganapati playing cricket or
football,ridingamotorcycle,etc.arealsomade.AGaneshfestivalcommitteeinKalyan
nearMumbaihadmadeaGaneshidolfrommedicalequipment,asyringetodepictthe
trunk,kidneytrayswereusedfortheears,abottleforthecrown,glovesforthehands
andcapsulesforeyes.Anunnecessaryandfutileeffortmerelytocombineimagination
andmodernlifestyleisseenwhenmakingsuchidols.Thisistotallyerroneousbecause
Lord Ganapati cannot be compared to a leader, soldier, sportsman, etc. The Ganesh
idolishumanisedtogaincheappopularityandpublicity.Thereisadifferencebetween
saintsanddeitieshenceidolsshouldnotbemadeintheformofsaintstoo.In1950,the
MaharashtragovernmenthadimposedabanonthevariationinattiresofGaneshidols
andtheirhumanisation.Howeverinthecourseoftime,theseruleswererelaxed.Idols
in varied forms and attires adversely affect the faith (shraddha) and spiritual emotion
(bhav)harbouredbypeopletowardsthedeity.Soalso,depictingthedeityinsuchweird
formsamountstodisrespectforthedeity.AccordingtothescienceofSpirituality,each
deityisaspecificprinciple.Accordingtothedoctrinethattheword,touch,form,taste,
fragrance and the energy associated with them coexist, only if the idol is made in
accordance with the science behind the idol, is the principle of the respective deity
drawntowardsit.Ifthisdoctrineisnotfollowedwhenmakingtheidolthenthatprinciple
is not imbibed in that idol. Consequently, the devotee does not benefit from that idol
fromtheviewpointofSpirituality.
4.2LossesincurredwhentheGaneshidolisworshippedinadifferentformrather
thanthatwhichisusuallyworshipped
Somesuchexamplesaregivenbelow.
Once a devotee of Lord Ganesh installed an idol of Lord Ganesh slaying demon
Sindurasur,inhishouse.Sincethatday,theatmosphereinhishomewasruined.
Once a person gave a picture of Lord Ganapati seated on a snail to Mr. Gajanan
Salgaonkar,anidolmakerfromBardezinGoatohaveasimilaridolmade.Payingno
heedtotherefusalbytheidolmaker,hegotsuchanidolmadefromhimmerelyoutof
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obstinancy.Laterthatindividualincurredtremendousloss.
Some years ago, a member of a Ganesh festival committee from Miraj bought a new
Bullet motorcycle. During Ganesh Chaturthi, he installed a Ganesh idol on his motor
cycledepicting,GanapatiridingaBullet.Withinafewdaysoftheimmersionoftheidol,
thatindividualhadafallfromthatverymotorcycleandsustainedinjuries.
An individual insisted on having an idol of Ganapati riding a tiger and got it made.
Thereafter,withinayearallhiscattlewerekilledbyatiger.
4.3.Idolshouldbeaseatedone,notstanding
Ifaguestpaysavisit,weofferhimaseatandnotkeephimstanding.DuringGanesh
Chaturthi,weinvokeLordGanapati,thatisinviteHim.OneshouldofferHimaseatand
proper hospitality. Harbouring the spiritual emotion (bhav) that Lord Ganapati has
actuallycometovisitus.Besidesduetotheentireweightoftheidolrestingonthefeet,
theidolmayevenbreakifitiskeptinthestandingpositionfortenconsecutivedays.
Henceoneshouldmakeanidolwhichisseatedonawoodenseat(pat).
4.4Idolmakersshouldrefusetomakeidolsnotinconsonancewithscience
Refusalbytheidolmakerstomakeidolswhicharenotinconsonancewiththescience
behind the idol shows their committment to Righteousness (Dharma) and their
dutifulness.Ifidolmakersemphaticallyrefusetomakesuchidols,suchidolswillnotbe
made at all. It is now necessary that idol makers themselves take the initiative to
eliminate the ignorance of the society and the Ganesh festival committees about the
sciencebehindtheidol.Theyshouldnotworryaboutlosingcustomersandstarvation
because if we make a sacrifice for the sake of Righteousness then God will certainly
take care of us. Sanatan launches a widespread campaign so that the idol makers
understandthesciencebehindtheidolandmakeidolsinaccordancewithit.Oncethis
awarenessiscreatedinidolmakers,itwillnotbelongbeforepeopletoorealiseit.
5.Colouroftheidol
AnidolmadewithnaturalcolourlooksmoreappealingandimpartsmoreBliss(Anand)
thanonemadewithartificialredcolour.
6.Necessityofobservingreligiousrestrictionswhenmakinganidol
According to the scriptures, prior to the commencement of making Ganesh idols, it is
necessarytoperformreligiousritualssuchasritualisticworship(puja),etc.Itisvitalthat
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the idol maker observes all the religious restrictions in the idol making house when
making the idol. The idol maker should observe restrictions such as abstaining from
eating meat, not wearing foot wear, not allowing women having menses in the room
wheretheidolsaremade,etc.
7.Makingidolsconsideringittobeaholymission
The idol maker should harbour the spiritual emotion (bhav) that it is not he who is
making the idol rather it is The Lord Himself who is getting it done through him. He
shouldreposefaiththatmakingidolsisnotavocationbutaholymission.Whenanidol
is made with this faith and with repeatition (chanting) of The Lords Name along with
observance of all the restrictions given above, it becomes more sattvik (sattva
predominant).
Since I made the idols considering it to be a holy mission, I always got all my
promotions in service at the time of Ganesh Chaturthi itself. Although there are
numerousobstaclesyetbythetimetheidolsofLordGanesharetobemade,theyget
resolvedandbythegraceofLordGaneshwhoeliminatesobstacles,onlyauspicious
eventstakeplaceduringthisperiod.
8.Theidolshouldhaveareligiousbackground
Manyatime,scenesrelatedtopolitics,theKargilwar,etc.areerectedaroundtheidol.
Such rajatama items erected merely for public entertainment and cheap popularity
adversely affect the overall sattvik atmosphere there. If at all any scenes are to be
displayedinfrontoforbehindtheidolofLordGaneshorotheridolsaretobekeptthere
then they should be associated with Lord Ganapati. This helps to generate spiritual
emotion(bhav)inthedevotees.
Filedunder:SriGanesh|Leaveacomment
WhatarethedifferentvariationsofGaneshidol?
1.UsualIdol
The
science
behind
the
idol
of
Lord
Ganesh
is
given
in
the
Shriganapatyatharvashirsha as Ekadantam, Chaturhas

tam .(

),

meaning one who has only one tooth (ekadanta), four hands (chaturbhuj), adorns a
noose(pash)andagoad(ankush),holdsa(broken)toothinonehandandholdsthe
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other hand in a posture bestowing blessings (varadmudra), whose flag bears the
symbolofamouse,whohasaredcomplexion,alargeabdomen(lambodar), whose
earsarelikesiftingpans,whoadornsredclothes,whosebodyissmearedwithapaste
ofredsandalwood(raktachandan)andwhoisworshippedwithredflowers.
2.SomeVariations
1. Mudra : Sometimes one comes across Ganapati idols in the lotus posture
(padmasan)orattimeseveninthedancingposture(nrutyamudra).
2. Mundkata Ganesh : There is a beheaded (Mundkata) Ganesh idol in the
Himalaya.Thenameitselfsuggeststhatthisidoliswithoutahead.Itissaidthat
this is the idol of the son who was created by deity Parvati from the coating of
sebumonHerbodyandwhowaslaterbe
headedbyLordShankar.
3.Othercomplexions:HaridraganapatiandtheUrdhvaganapa
tihaveayellow
complexion. The Pingalganapati is tawny (pingat) while the Lakshmiganapati is
whiteincomplexion.
4. Divine phallus (linga) : Just like the divine phallus of Lord Shiva, that of
Ganapatitooexists.ItiscalledGanpatyalinga. It is shaped like a pomegranate,
lemon,whitegourdorjamun.
5. Nude : In the Tantra path of worship, the Ganesh idol is mostly nude. The
Energy(Shakti)ofGaneshtooaccompaniestheidol.
7. Types of Ganapati idols:There are several types of Ganapati idols like the
Saumyaganapati,
Haridraganapati,
Balganapati,
Herambganapati,
Uchchishtaganapati,
Suryaganapati,
Lakshmiganapati,
Varadganapati,
Dvibhujganapati,Dashbhujganapati,Nartanganapati,Uttishthitganapati,Ganapati
withthetrunkcurvedtowardstheright,etc.
6.Feminineform:IntheShaktasect,LordGaneshisworshippedinthefeminine
form.Somesuchexamplesaregivenbelow.
A.Ganeshvari:AnextremelyattractivesculptedidolofGaneshvariisfound
intheSuchindramtempleinTamilnadu.
B.ArdhaGaneshvari:IthasahighlymeaningfulformintheTantrapathof
spiritualpractice.
C. Ganeshani : This female deity is found in an extremely rare form of
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worship performed by tantriks and mantriks (followers of the Path

ofTantraandMantra).
WhyisGanapatiwiththerightSidedtrunknotcommonlyworshipped?
1.Entireidol:Omkar,theunmanifest(nirgun)principle
2.Trunk:Itisapopularbeliefthatanidolwiththetipofthetrunkpointingtowardsthe
rightandleftarecalledrightsidedandleftsidedidolsrespectivelyhoweverthisisnot
thecase.Oneshouldnotdecidewhethertheidolisrightsidedorleftsideddepending
uponwhichsidethetrunkisdirected.Itshouldbedecideddependingonthedirection
inwhichtheinitialcurveofthetrunkpoints.IftheinitialcurveofthetrunkinaGanesh
idolpointstowardstherightandthetipofthetrunkpointstowardstheleftyettheidol
shouldbeconsideredarightsidedidol.Thereasonforthisisthat,theinitialcurveofthe
trunk pointing towards the right indicates that the right (that is Sun) channel (nadi) of
Ganapatiisactive.
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RightSidedTrunkGanapati
2.1Rightsidedtrunk: An idol of Ganapati with the trunk curved towards the right is
called dakshinmurti or dakshi
nabhimukhi murti (the idol facing the south). Dakshin
means the southern direction or the right side. The southern direction leads to the
regionofLordYama(Yamalok),thedeityofdeathwhiletherightsidebelongstothe
Suryanadi(Sunchannel).OnewhoisabletofacethedirectionoftheregionofYamais
powerful.Soalso,onewithanactivatedSuryanadiisalsoradiant.Thusinbothsenses,
theGanapatiidolwiththetrunkcurvedtowardstherightissaidtobeactive(jagrut).
Onefeelsrepulsedbythesouthdirectionbecauseitisinthatdirectionthatscrutinyof
onessinsandmeritsiscarriedoutafterdeath,intheregionofLordYama.Scrutinyakin
tothatdoneinthesouthafterdeath,beginswhenaliveifonefacesthesouthorsleeps
withthelegsdirectedtowardsthesouth.Thedakshinabhimukhiidolisnotworshipped
ritualisticallyintheusualmannerbecausetiryak(raja)frequenciesareemittedfromthe
south. The ritualistic worship of this idol is performed by observing all the norms of
ritualisticworshipmeticulously.Consequentlythesattvacomponentisaugmentedand
oneisnotdistressedbytherajafrequenciescomingfromthesouth.
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LeftSidedTrunkGanapati
2.2Leftsidedtrunk:AnidolofGanapatiwiththetrunkcurvedtowardstheleftiscalled
Vamamukhi. Vam means the northern direction or the left side. The Chandra nadi
(Moonchannel)issituatedtotheleft.Itbestowstranquility.Besides,sincethenorthern
direction is spiritually favourable and bestows Bliss (Anand), mostly the Vamamukhi
Ganapatiisworshipped.Itisworshippedritualisticallyintheusualmanner.
3.Modak(asweetdelicacy)
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3.1ModameansBliss(Anand)andkameansasmallpart.So,modakisasmallpart
ofBliss.Amodakisshapedlikeacoconut,thatisitislikethecavitykhainthe
Brahmarandhra.Whenthekundalini(spiritualenergy)reachesthekhacavity,the
spiritualexperienceofBlissisobtained.ThemodakheldinthehandsignifiesBliss
endowingenergy.
3.2Themodaksymbolisesspiritualknowledge(dnyan):henceitisalsocalled
dnyanmodak.Initiallyitseemsthatspiritualknowledgeislittle(thetipofthemodak
representsthis)butasonestartsstudyingSpirituality,onerealisesitsvastness(the
baseofthemodaksymbolisesthis.)Amodakissweetintaste.TheBlissacquired
throughspiritualknowledgetooislikethat.
4. Goad (ankush) : Destroyer of the energies which are harmful to the mission of
acquisitionofspiritualknowledgeandBliss.
5.Noose(pash):Worldly bondage. The noose wielded by Ganapati signifies that He
willtiethenoosearoundnegativeentitiesandtakethemaway.
6.Serpentwoundaroundthewaist:Theuniversalkundalini(spiritualenergy)
7.Hoodoftheserpent:Activated(jagrut)spiritualenergy
8.Rat:TheratwhichrepresentstherajacomponentiswithinthecontrolofGanapati.
WhataretheincarnationsofLordGaneshineachyug?
Contents
1.Incarnations
1.1MahotkatVinayak
1.2Gunesh
1.3Ganesh
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1.4Dhumraketu
2.Ganapatiandothers
2.1ShivaandGanapati
2.2HanumanandGanapati
2.3Omkar()andGanapati
2.4Kundalini(spiritualenergy)andGanapati
3.Pervasiveness
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1.Incarnations
1.1MahotkatVinayak
He was born to Sage Kashyap and Aditi in the Krut era (yug). In this incarnation, He
reinstated Righteousness (Dharma) by slaying the two demons, Devantak and
Narantakandthenendedthisincarnation.
1.2Gunesh
In the Tretayug, Ganapati was born to Uma on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the bright
fortnightoftheHindulunarmonthofBhadrapadasGunesh.Inthisincarnation,Heslew
thedemonSindhuandmarriedSiddhiandBuddhi,thedaughtersofLordBrahma.
1.3Ganesh
IntheDvaparyug,onceagainHewasborntoParvatiasGanesh.SinceHewasuglyby
birth, Parvati deserted Him in the forest and He was brought up by Sage Parashar.
GaneshthenslewthedemonSindurasurandsetfreeseveralkingsandvalorousmen
whom he had imprisoned. It is in this incarnation that Ganesh preached the eternal
philosophyintheformofGaneshgitatoHisdevoteenamedVarenya.
1.4Dhumraketu
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DhumravarnaGaneshIdol
According to the Bhavishya Puran, the fourth incarnation of Ganesh by name
DhumraketuorDhumravarnawilltakebirthintheKaliyuganddestroytheevildoers.
2Ganapatiandothers
2.1ShivaandGanapati
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ThoughcurrentlyitisbelievedthatGanapatibelongstothefamilyofLordShivaandis
Hisson,yetaccordingtooneschoolofthought,ShivaandGaneshwereformerlyone
and the same, that is Shiva was Ganesh and Ganesh was Shiva. In Shriganapati
Atharvashirsha,Ganeshis referredto as,

:

:meaning Youare
Brahma,VishnuandRudraaswell.
ThesimilaritiesandprowessofGaneshandShivaaresooutstandingthattheycanbe
easilyperceived.ThethreespecialcharacteristicsofShiva,thatisadorningthemoon
onthehead,thethirdeyeandembellishmentwithserpentsarealsoseenintheidolof
Ganesh.GaneshisalsonamedBhalachandra,theonewhoadornsthemoononthe
head. He is also referred to as Trinetra (one with three eyes) in the
Gajavadanamchintyam, the holy verse of meditation on Ganesh. Ganesh too has a
girdleofaserpentaroundHiswaist.AlegendsaysthatLordShankarworeornaments
of the Sun and adorned the moon on His head in order to cool down the intolerable
heat generated after consuming poison. One comes across a similar story about
Ganesh, in the Ganesh Puran. When the demon Analasur was destroying the world
assuming the form of fire, Ganesh swallowed him. The deities then used cooling
measuressuchasserpents,themoon,etc.tocooldowntheheatgeneratedinHim.
2.2HanumanandGanapati
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Both of them have a red complexion and the eight great supernatural powers
(ashtamahasiddhi).IntheworshipofHanuman,flowersofthemilkweed(rui)areoffered
whileinthatofGanapati,leavesofthecoral(mandar)treeareoffered.
2.3Omkar()andGanapati
IftheOmkarisconsideredasthebijaksharfromtheTantrapathinthepreAryantimes
thenitisbutnaturalthatGanapatiwhoisoriginallythedeityofthetantriksshouldbe
endowedwiththelabelofOmkar.OnedoesnotcomeacrosstheOmkaranywherein
theVedas.Rather,sincetheVedicAryansdidnotgivemuchimportancetotheOmkar,
naturally not even a single aphorism (sukta)or verse (rucha) on it was written in the
Vedas.ThisimpliesthattheOmkarwasthebijaksharofthepathofTantrainthepre
Aryan era. Later, however the Aryans had to accept several spiritual tenets from the
nonAryans.ItwaspossiblyaroundthattimethatthebijaksharOmkaracquiredacclaim
as the pranav worship and consequently, in the later period Ganapati who was
considered to be the origin of the entire animate and inanimate creation came to be
associatedwiththeoriginofallthewords,thatisOmkar.
When speaking about the philosophy of creation of the universe it is said, Creation
began with the sound Om (
The manifest form of this sound is
).
describedassavaiGajakaraha(
),thatisthesoundOmkarisliketheface
of an elephant. Thus initially a sound was generated and that was Om. If viewed
vertically,onewillrealisethattheOmkarappearslikethecountenanceofGanapati.In
short,OmandGanapatiareoneandthesame.HenceworshipofOmkarisequivalentto
thatofGanapati.Atthetimeofcreationoftheuniverse,thetwowordsOmandathawere
emittedfromthethroatofLordBrahma.
Hencethesetwowordsaresaidtobeauspicious.Omkaristheverynatureof
Ganapati.
2.4Kundalini(spiritualenergy)andGanapati
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In the Ganapati Atharvashirsha, Lord Ganesh has been described by the sage as
, meaning You dwell perpetually at the site of the Muladhar

chakrainthebody.LordGaneshisconsideredtobethedeityoftheMuladharchakra(a
centreofthespiritualenergysystem).TheMuladharchakraandthelotuswithinitare
bothredincolour.Ganapatiscomplexiontooisred.TheMuladharchakrabeingthefirst
of the six chakras, spiritual progress starts only after its activation. Similarly before
commencinganytask,LordGanapatiisworshipped.
3Pervasiveness
1.Themoonsymbolisesthehead.
2.Theearthsymbolisestheabdomen.
3.Thesevennetherworlds(saptapatal)symbolisethelegs.
WhyLordGaneshiseasilyappeased?
Contents
1.1Onewhogetsridofobstacles(Vighnaharta)
1.2Onewhoeliminatesdistresscausedbydistressingenergies
1.3Onewhoaugmentsthevitalenergy(pranshakti)
1.4Presidingdeityofknowledge(Vidyapati)
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1.5 One who converts the language of light (prakashbhasha) into the language of
sound(nadabhasha)
1.6Onegrantinganembodiedsoul(jiva),thepermissiontotakebirth
1.7Worshippedbyallsects
1.8Deityglorifiedbysaints
1.9Expertinmusicanddance
2Retinue
2.1Familymembers
2.2Vehicle(vahan)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1.1Vanquisherofobstacles(Vighnaharta)
On account of this attribute, He is worshipped before commencing any function right
from a folk dance for entertainment to a wedding and all rituals including house
warming(gruhapravesh).(Refer:MeaningofVighnesh)
1.2Onewhoeliminatesdistresscausedbydistressingenergies
30%ofpeopleinsocietyand50%ofgoodseekersareafflictedbydistressingenergies.
An individual experiences physical or psychological distress due to distressing
energiesorheconstantlyencounterssomeortheotherobstacleinhislife.Distressing
energiesposeobstacleseveninthespiritualpracticeofseekersandtakethebenefitof
thespiritualpracticeofseekers.Fromthisitisevidenthownecessaryitisforeveryone
togivepreferencetoovercomedistressduetodistressingenergies.Informationabout
howdistressduetodistressingenergieslikepossession,blackmagic(karani),etc.can
be overcome by repeating (chanting) the Name of Ganapati is given in the holy text
RemediestoovercomedistressingenergiesyettobepublishedbySanatanSanstha.
Sanatan Sanstha is an organisation undertaking the mission for the sake of society
(samashti), that is propagating Righteousness (Dharma) in society. Just as Sanatan
wants to reinstate the Divine kingdom, the distressing energies want to establish a
demoniacalkingdom.Hencepresentlydistressingenergiesareposingobstaclesinthe
spiritual practice undertaken by Sanatans seekers as well as in the mission of
propagatingRighteousness,onalargescale.Sanatansseekersundertakecollective
repetition (chanting) of Om Gang Ganapataye namaha and Om namo Bhagavate
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VasudevayaaloudthriceeachalternatelyassuggestedbyTheLordduringmeditation
in order to alleviate this collective distress faster. They are also benefited by it. This
illustratesthatGanapatihasthepotentialtoovercomethedistresscausedtosociety.
1.3Onewhoaugmentsthevitalenergy(pranshakti)
Various body functions in man occur due to various types of energies. (Information
about these various energies is given in Science of Spirituality : Chapter 35
Pranayam.) The basic energy of all these energies is the vital energy. Repetition
(chanting)oftheNameofLordGanapatiaugmentsthevitalenergyinourbody.
1.4Presidingdeityofknowledge(Vidyapati)
MaharashiVedVyasandGanesh
Refer:MeaningofVidyapati.Thereisanancientcustomofwriting,ShriGaneshaya
namaha,ShriSarasvatyainamaha,ShriGurubhyonamaha,thatisobeisancetoLord
Ganesh, deity Sarasvati and the Guru, before beginning any writing, for example a
letter.Whyisthisorderfollowed?Knowledgeofanysubjectisfirstacquiredthroughthe
intellectandGanapatiisthebestowerofintellect.HenceShriGaneshayanamahais
written first. Deity Sarasvatis mission is to put into words the knowledge acquired
throughtheintellect.Sarasvatiiscalledabhinavvagvilasini,thedeityofdevelopment
ofspeechbySaintDnyaneshvarandshabdamulvagdevata,thedeityoftheoriginof
wordsbySaintSamarthRamdasswami.Hence,deitySarasvatiissecondintheorder.
Since the Guru is the medium of acquisition of knowledge and its transcription into
words,Heisthirdintheorder.
Maharshi Vyas wanted an intelligent writer to write the Mahabharat. So He prayed to
LordGanapatitoundertakethistask.
1.5Onewhoconvertsthelanguageofsound(nadabhasha)intothelanguageoflight
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(prakashbhasha)andviceversa
Firstrepeat(chant)theNamesBrahma,Vishnu,MaheshandGanapatiforoneortwo
minutes each and if you see light, assess whether it is faint or bright. Only then read
further.
Therewere42seekersataspiritualmeeting(satsang)conductedbytheSanstha.The
spiritualexperiencesobtainedbythemwhendoingtheaboveexperimentaregivenin
thetablebelow.Theaveragespiritualleveloftheseekerswas35%.Duringaspiritual
meeting, at times the spiritual level of seekers can even rise upto 40% to 50%. The
spirituallevelofanaveragepersonis20%whilethatofonewhohasattainedtheFinal
Liberation(Moksha)is100%.Ifaverageindividualsperformthesameexperiment,they
donotperceiveanything.Henceeveryonedoesnotgetspiritualexperiencesinsuch
experiments.Onlythosewhohaveattainedaspirituallevelofmorethan35%through
spiritualpracticeandareabletoperceivesomethingfromthespiritualdimensioncan
perceivethis.
SpiritualExperiences
Nameof
Those
which
seeing
deity? faintlight
Those
seeing
bright
light
Total
number
ofthose
seeing
light
Those
unable
tosee
light
Total
1.Brahma
11
31
42
2.Vishnu
33
42
3.
Mahesh
10
32
42
4.
Ganapati
12
20
22
42
Fromtheabovetable,onewillrealisethatagreaternumberofseekersgotthespiritual
experienceofseeinglightbyrepeating(chanting)theNameofGanapatithanwiththe
NamesofBrahma,VishnuandMahesh.ThiswillalsoclarifywhyGanapatiisreferredto
asonewhoconvertsthelanguageofsoundintothatoflight.
SinceGanapaticancomprehendthelanguageofsoundwhichwespeak,Heisadeity
whoiseasilyappeased.Ganapatiisthedeitywhoconvertsthelanguageofsoundinto
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thatoflightandviceversa.Mostoftheotherdeitiescanunderstandonlythelanguage
oflight.Someexampleswithregardtothisaregiveninthetableahead.
Deity
Ability
to
comprehend
Abilitytocomprehend
the language of light the language of sound
(%)
(%)
1.Brahma
98
2.Vishnu
80
20
3.Mahesh
80
20
4.
Divine
Energy
(Shakti)
70
30
5.Ganapati
60
40
1.6Onegrantinganembodiedsoul(jiva)thepermissiontotakebirth
Maha(theembodiedsoultakingbirth)isbornwiththepermissionofGanapati.
1.7Worshippedbyallsects
Asectisonewhichconsidersonlyitsdeityofworship(upasyadevata)tobesupreme
andbelievesthatitaloneisresponsibleforthecreation,sustenanceanddissolutionof
theuniverseitdoesnotbelieveinotherdeities.Despitetheexistenceofseveralsects,
every sect performs the ritualistic worship of LordGanesh. The Shaiva sect considers
Ganapati to be the son of Lord Shiva and His main attendant (gan) whereas in the
VaishnavsectHehasvariousformslikeAniruddha,Vasudev,etc.TheShakta(Divine
Energy) sect is of two types Dakshinmargi and Vamamargi, both of which worship
Lord Ganesh. In this sect, Lord Ganesh is portrayed along with His consort as
Shaktiganapati or Lakshmiganapati as well as worshipped in the feminine form too.
LordGaneshisworshippedbytheJainsecttoo.Charumati,thedaughterofEmperor
Ashok who professed Buddhism, built a Ganesh temple in NepaL. Literature on Lord
GaneshmentionsthattheidolofLordGaneshinstalledinthattemple,popularlyknown
asHeramb,isseatedonathroneandhasfiveheadsandtenarms.
1.8Deitypraisedbysaints
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Althoughsaintsfollowingdifferentpathsofspiritualpracticemayworshipvariousdeities
yet all of Them have earnestly prayed to and sung the praises of Lord Ganesh.
LordGaneshishighlyvenerabletoallsaints.Marathiliteratureauthoredbysaintshas
describedtheworldlyandspiritualnatureofLordGaneshinabeautifulmanner.The
greatsaint,ShriDnyaneshvarhasofferedHishumbleobeisanceuntoLordGanesh,O
Lord Ganesh, You alone enlighten our intellect (implied meaning). Saint Eknath has
offered obeisance unto LordGanesh at the very beginning in His commentary on the
holy text, Bhagvat, Though the universe has originated from the Omkar, Lord you
existedevenbefore.Youarethemasterofknowledgeinvedas,vedantsanddifferent
sciencesintheuniverse.Ofallthoseworthyofsalutation,youaretheSupreme.Youare
themasterofallandeverythinglieswithinyou(impliedmeaning).ItissaidthatSaint
Tukaram Maharaj had invited Lord Viththal and Lord Ganesh for a meal, both at the
sametime.SaintNamdevhassaid,OLambodar,(anothernameofLordGanesh)with
yourtrunk,youvanquishallobstacles(impliedmeaning).SaintTulsidastoohassung
praisesofLordGaneshatthecommencementofHisRamacharitamanas.
1.9Expertinmusicanddance
Omkar is the manifestation of Brahman in the form of sound. Lord Ganesh is also
referredtoasShriganeshwhoseformisofthenatureofOmkar.Numerousversesin
theShriganeshVaradstotraclearlyillustratetherelationshipofLordGaneshwithmusic.
The devotional songs (abhang) composed by Saint Dnyaneshvar, Saint Namdev,
SamarthRamdasswamiandothersalsoillustratethecloserelationshipofLordGanesh
withmusic.OnealsocomesacrossidolsofLordGaneshindancepostures.Thisidolof
Ganapati has a golden complexion with eight arms and His left leg rests on a lotus
whiletherightlegisinmidair.SageMadhvahassungpraisesofthetreasureofdance
postures possessed by Lord Ganesh,O Lord Ganesh, You are the vanquisher of all
obstacles, the compassionate One, the One praised in all the three worlds and the
Master of dance and music (implied meaning). The poet Moropant has excellently
portrayed the beautiful and attractive form of Lord Ganesh through his masterly and
imaginative exposition of words while narrating that the dance performed by Lord
Ganesh puts to shame even celestial singers (gandharva) and celestial dancers
(apsara).
Principle:70%(Isham=100%)
Ability:Creation10%,sustenance70%anddissolution20%
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Manifestenergy:10%
2.Retinue
2.1Familymembers
AccordingtothePurans,Shivaisthefather,ParvatithemotherandSkandisthebrother
ofGanapati.ShivaandParvatiareHisparentsimpliesthattheGaneshfrequenciesare
generatedbytheconfluenceoftheradiant(tej)frequenciesofShivaandMinakshi.
2.2Vehicle(vahan)
The word vahan () is derived from the root, vruvaha (
) which means, to
transport.Thevehicleofdeitieschangesaccordingtotheirmission.Thevehiclemostly
usedbyGanapatiistherat.ButHehasothervehiclesaswell.A()+vahan()=
avahan () which means, to invoke. A deity does not manifest itself without
invocation,thatiswithoutaninvitation.(However,ifadevoteeisindistressthenitrushes
to his rescue even without invocation.) Thus when a deity is invoked to carry out a
mission,thevehicleshouldcomplementthatmission,forinstance,alionforabattle.The
vehicle of Heramb Ganapati is the lion while that of Mayureshvar Ganapati is the
peacock. The table below gives the vehicle and special features of the idols of Lord
Ganeshaccordingtotheyug(era).
WherewillyoufindSwayambhuGanapatiandMahaganapati?
Contents
SwayambhuGanapati,thefamousGanapatiidolsinIndiaandMahaganapati
1.Threeandahalfseats(piths)ofGanapatiinMaharashtra
2.EightVinayaks(Ashtavinayaks)inMaharashtra
3.TwentyoneseatsofGanapatiaccordingtothePurans
4.TwelvefamousGanapatiidolsinIndia
5.Mahaganapati
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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SwayambhuGanapati,thefamousGanapatiidolsinIndiaandMahaganapati
1.Threeandahalfseats(piths)ofGanapatiinMaharashtra
No Name
Place
District
1 Moreshvar,Mayureshvar
Morgaon
Pune
2 Mangalmurti
Chinchwad Pune
3 Mahaganapati
Rajur
4 PravaLganesh(halfaseat) Padmalay
Jalana
Jalgaon
2.EightVinayaks(Ashtavinayaks)inMaharashtra
Ashtavinayaks(EightVinayaks)
TheeightVinayaksarefamous.Theeightsupernaturalpowers(ashtasiddhi)arethe
consorts of Ganapati. Each of the eight Vinayaks have become famous as being
representativeofonesupernaturalpower.TheeightVinayaksarealsoassociatedwith
theeightdirections.
No Name
Place
1 Moreshvar,Mayureshvar Morgaon
District
Pune
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2 BallaLeshvar
Pali
Raygad
3 Varadvinayak
Mahad
Raygad
4 Chintamani
Theur
Pune
5 Girijatmaj
Lenyadri
Pune
6 Vighneshvar
Ojhar
Pune
7 Ganapati(Mahaganapati) Ranjangaon Pune

8 Gajamukh
Siddhatek
Ahmadnagar
3.TwentyoneseatsofGanapatiaccordingtothePurans
Name
Place
District/State
Morgaon
Pune
2.Chintamani
Theur
Pune
3.Ganapati
Ranjangaon
Pune
4.Girijatmaj
Lenyadri
Pune
5.Ballaleshvar
Pali
Raygad
6.Gajamukh
Siddhatek
Ahmadnagar
7.Chintamani
Kalamb
Yavatmal
8.Sharmavighnesh
Adasa
Nagpur
9.Vidnyanganesh
Rakshasbhuvan
Jalana
10.Mahaganapati
Rajur
Jalana
11.Bhalchandra
Gangamasale
Parbhani
12.Lakshavinayak
Verul(Ellora)
Aurangabad
13.Pravalganesh
Padmalay
Jalgaon
14.Ahundivinayak
Kashi
Banaras
1.
Mayureshvar
Moreshvar,
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15.Omkar
Prayag
Alahabad
16.Bhrushundiganesh
Namalgaon
Bid
17.Vighnaraj
Vijaypur
Andhra
Pradesh
18.Vinayak
Kashyapashram
NearKashi
19.Mangalmurti
Ganeshpur
Bangal
20.Shvetvighneshvar
Near
Kumbhakonam
Tamilnadu
21.Mangalmurti
Pariner
NearUjjain
4.TwelvefamousGanapatiidolsinIndia
Name
Place
Name
Place
Vakratunda
Madras
Vighnarajend
Near
Kurukshetra,
Ekadanta
Bangal
Dhumravarna Keral
Krushnapingaksha Madras
Bhalachandra
Near
Rameshvar
Gajavaktra
Orisa
Vinayak
Kashi,Banaras
Lambodar
Mahabaleshvar,
Ganapatipule,
Mahaganapati Maharashtra,
Maharashtra
Gokarna
Vikat
Himachal
Pradesh
Shrigajanan
Himalaya
5.Mahaganapati
Ganapati along with RuddhiSiddhi [Divine Energy (Shakti)]. The Ganesh created by
deity Parvati is an incarnation of Mahaganapati. She sculpted a form out of mud and
invokedGanapatiintoit.Beforethecreationoftheuniverse,sinceTheSupremeGod
(Mahat)principleexistedinanunmanifestandeternalform,itiscalledMahaganapati.
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WhenMahaganapatiisworshippedforacquisitionofaparticularsupernaturalpoweror
purely for attainment of the Final Liberation (Moksha), it is customary to choose a
Ganapatiidolwiththetrunkcurvedtowardstheright.Butinsuchcircumstances,asfar
aspossibletheidolismadeofearth.Rarelydoesonecomesacrossgoldandsilver
Ganapatiidolswiththetrunkcurvedtowardstheright.
ItisbelievedthateverymaledeityhasaspecificEnergy(Shakti),forexampleBrahma
Bharati,VishnuLakshmi,ShivaParvati.Thusitisnotsurprisingthatdevoteesof
Ganapati believe in one Energy of Ganapati in the Parabrahman form. There is a
sculpture which portrays Ganapati embracing His Energy, seated on His lap. Even
todayonecanseesuchpaintings.Soalso,sculptureswithSiddhiandBuddhi,His
twoconsortsseatedoneithersideofHimarealsoavailable.InthescienceofTantra,
GanapatialongwithHisEnergyisreferredtoasMahaganapati.
WhatistheimpliedmeaningofthemanyNamesofLordGanapati?
SattvikPictureofLordGaneshbySanatan
Sanstha
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SageMudgalhaswrittentheGaneshsahastranamcontainingthethousandNamesof
LordGanesh.TheDvadashanamverse(sto
tra)containsthefollowingtwelveNamesof
Ganapati.
Meaning:FirstVakratunda,secondEkadanta
ThirdKrushnapingaksha,fourthGajavaktra
FifthisLambodar,sixthisVikata
SeventhVighnarajendra,eighthDhumravarnam
NinthBhalachandra,tenthVinayak
EleventhGanapati,twelfthGajanan.
Themeaningofthesetwelvenamesandsomeothersisgivenbelow.
1.Vakratunda
GenerallyitisconsideredthatVakratundameansonewithacrookedmouthortrunk.
However,thisisincorrect.
:,meaningVakratundaisonewho
punishes those who follow the wrong (unrighteous) path and leads them onto the
righteouspath.Vakratundaisonewhostraightensthetiryakandvisphutitfrequencies,
thatisthecrookedrajatamapredominant360frequenciesbymeansofHistrunkand
makesthemsattvik(sattvapredominant)likethe108frequencies.
2.EkadantaorEkashrunga
ThisNameisbestowedbecauseHehasonlyoneunbrokentusk(theotherisbroken).Of
thetwotusks,therighttuskiscompletewhiletheoneontheleftisbroken.Therightside
representsthesurya(sun)channel(nadi).Asthesuryachanneliseffulgent,thetuskon
thissideofLordGanapaticanneverbebroken.ItissymbolicofthesingularBrahman
(Godprinciple).Theworddantin(
)isderivedfromtherootdrudarshayati( )
[meaning to show]. Thus the Name also means that He is the one who shows the
directiontoacquirethespiritualexperienceofBrahmanwhichisnondual.Accordingto
one school of thought, medha and shraddha (faith) are the two tusks. Medha means
intellect,theabilitytocomprehend.Medhaistheincomplete(broken)tuskandshraddha
thecompleteone.
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3.Krushnapingaksha
Thiswordis derivedfromKrushna() +pinga(
)+aksha ( ).Krushnameans
theonewithadarkcomplexion,pingameanssmokyandakshameanstheeye.Thedark
complexionisinthecontextofearthwhilesmokyreferstotheclouds.Thusitmeansone
whohastheearthandthecloudsastheeyes,thatisonewhocanvieweverythingonthe
earthandtheclouds.
4.Gajavaktra
Gajameanscloudwhichisconsideredtobetherepresentativeofthedyuregion(devlok)
theregionofthedeities.Vaktrameansmouth.ThusGajavaktraisonewhosemouthis
constituted by the dyu region (expansive). If Om()is placed vertically, one gets the
experienceofGajavadan(Ganapati).TheMudgalPuranhasexplainedthemeaningof
thewordgajaasga=theprinciplewhereineverythingundergoesdissolutionandja=
theprinciplefromwhicheverythingiscreated.SoGajameansBrahman(Godprinciple).
5.Lambodar
Lambodarisderivedfromthewordslamba(large)andudar(belly).SaintEknathhas
explainedthemeaningofthiswordas,
The entire animate and inanimate creation dwells within You. Hence You are called
Lambodar.ShriEknathiBhagvat1:3
According to the Ganapatitantra,Lord Shiva played the Damaru (a small hour glass
shaped drum). Lord Ganesh grasped the knowledge of the Vedas through the deep
soundoftheDamaru.HelearntdancingbywatchingtheTanDavdanceeverydayand
music from the sound of the anklets of deity Parvati. Since He imbibed such varied
knowledge,thatisdigestedit,Hedevelopedalargebelly.
6.Vikat
Vi( )+krut(
)+akat()[akuti].Vimeansinaspecificmanner,krutmeansdone
and akat means the Final Liberation (Moksha). Hence, Vikat means the one who
generatesfrequenciesinaspecificmannerandbestowstheFinalLiberation.
7.Vighnesh
Vighna ( ) + ish () = Vighnesh (
). The word vighna is derived from
visheshen ghnati which means mainly distress. The one who controls and destroys
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obstaclesisVighnesh.Theobstacleinthiscontextisentrapmentbythe360(rajatama)
and108(sattva)frequencies.Thisiscontrarytotheaimoftraversingbeyondthethree
components(trigunatit).Ish()isderivedfromi()+sha().Iikshate(
)means
towatch andshashamayate(
)means tocool.SoIsh istheonewho keepsa
watchanddestroystheheatgeneratedbythe360and108frequencies.Vighnaharta
(vanquisher of obstacles) is another Name of Ganapati. Since Ganapati gets rid of
obstacles,Heisworshippedbeforeperforminganyauspiciousreligiousceremony.
8.Dhumravarna
Dhumra means smoke. Smoke is the initial state of materialisation. It is the transitory
statebetweenthesolidmanifest(sagun)andtheunmanifest(nirgun)states.Thus,one
whopossessessuchasmokycomplexionisDhumravarna.Accordingtotheprinciple
that where there is smoke there is fire, Ganapati also possesses the fire element
[embers(angar)].
9.Bhalachandra
Bhal means the forehead. The frequencies arising from Prajapati, Brahma, Shiva,
VishnuandMinakshimergeintooneanotherandproducemanygroupsofthousands
offrequencies.ThoughPrajapati,Brahma,Shiva,VishnuandMinakshiareunmanifest
(nirgun),Theirfrequenciesarecomposedofthethreecomponents(gun).Thepointof
originofthreeofthesefrequenciesnamelythoseofaffection,mercifulnessandmotherly
love (ahlad) is referred to as the moon (chandra). Thus, the one who adorns such a
moonontheforeheadisBhalchandra.
ActuallythisistheNameofLordShankar.ButsinceGanapatiisHisson,italsocameto
belinkedwithHim!
10.Vinayak
The word vinayak is derived from visheshrupen nayakaha. It means one who is
endowedwithallthefeaturesofaleader(nayak).Itisuniversallyacceptedthatthere
are six Vinayaks. The summary of information on Vinayaks given in the
Manavgruhyasutra and Baudhayangruhyasutra is that the Vinayak attendants (gan)
create obstacles and are troublesome and cruel. When they start harassing, people
begintobehaveasifinsane,gethorrifyingnightmaresandconstantlyharbourfear.To
overcomethisobstacleposedbytheVinayakattendants,thescriptureshaveadvocated
various rituals (Shantividhi). Vinayak, that is Ganapati is the presiding deity of these
Vinayaks(whobringaboutdestruction).
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AccordingtotheinformationgivenintheManavgruhyasutra,therearefourVinayaks
1.Shalakankat,2.KushmanDarajputra,3.Urimatand4.Devjayan.SageYadnyavalkya
hasmentionedsixVinayaks1.Mit,2.Sammit,3.Shal,4.Kantak,5.KushmanDaand
6. Rajputra. Lord Rudra and Lord Brahma appointed the Vinayaks as the presiding
deitiesoftheattendantsandentrustedthemwiththetaskofposingobstaclesinvarious
human activities. Although Vinayak is ferocious by nature yet He bestows happiness
whenappeased.AccordingtotheShaivasect,GanapatiisthemildformwhileVinayak
is the ferocious form. The Smrutis Purans (mythological texts), stone engravings, etc.
mentionthatGanapatiandVinayakareoneandthesamebutitcannotbesaidwhen
thisconceptbecameprevalent.(ReferenceAbhinavMarathiDnyankosh,partfour.)
11.Ganapati
Referpoint1.Originandmeaning.
12.Gajanan
Gaja means elephant and anan means countenance. Thus Gajanan is one whose
countenance is like that of an elephant (and whose body constitutes the entire
universe).
13.Vratapati
IntheGanapatyatharvashirsha,GanapatiisofferedsalutationasNamoVratapataye.
Vratapatiisthechiefofthevratyas.TheAryansbestowedthenamevrat,onthegroupof
nonAryans who favoured vowed religious observances (vrat) and did not believe in
sacrificial fires(yadnya). Thepeople belongingto thisgroup arevrat. ,
meaning those like the vrat are vratya. A twice born (dvij) who does not have any
sanskars(rites)performedonhimiscalledavratya.
14.Chintamani
Chintamani is another Name of Lord Ganapati. An extroverted tendency (kshipta), a
more extroverted tendency which may even lead to sin (mudha), an introverted
tendency (vikshipta), a more introverted tendency (ekagra) and a state in which all
activitieshaveceased(niruddha)arethefivestatesofthesubconsciousmind(chitta).
[InformationonthisisprovidedinScienceofSpirituality:Vol.16PathofMeditation
(Dhyanyoga).] The one who enlightens on these states is Chintamani. The theory
accordingtotheMudgalPuranisthatbydevotionuntoChintamani,thefivestatesofthe
subconsciousmindaredestroyedandtotalSerenity(Shanti)isacquired.
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15.Mangalmurti
ManmeanscompleteandglugayatemeansoneendowingSerenityorpurity.That
which purifies both internally as well as externally is auspicious (mangal). An icon
bringingauspiciousnessisMangalmurti.
In Maharashtra, Mangalmurti morya is used to proclaim Ganapatis glory. The word
morya in it refers to a famous devotee of Lord Ganesh from the fourteenth century,
MoryaGosavifromChinchvaD,nearPuneinMaharashtra.Thisdepictstheinseparable
relationshipbetweenGodandHisdevotee.
16.Umaphal
Uma is Parvati and phal means product. Ganapati acquires this Name as He is the
product, that is the son of Parvati. Umaphal also means spiritual knowledge (dnyan).
Ganapatiisthedeityofspiritualknowledge.SothisNamebefitsHiminbothways.
17.Vidyapati
Lord Ganesh is the master of the 18 vidyas 1. Science of proper articulation and
pronunciation(shiksha),2.ApartoftheVedasexplainingrituals(kalpa),3.Grammar
(vyakaran), 4. Etymological explanation of difficult Vedic words (nirukta), 5. Astrology
(jyotish),6.Scienceofprosody(chandas),7.Rugveda,8.Yajurveda,9.Samaveda,10.
Atharvaveda, 11. PurvaUttarmimansa (concerned with the correct interpretation of
VedicritualsandthesettlementofdubiouspointswithregardtoVedictexts),12.System
of Hindu philosophy founded by Sage Gautam (nyaya), 13. Purans, 14. Science of
Righteousness (Dharmashastra), 15. Ayurveda, 16. Dhanurveda, 17. Gandharvaveda
and18.Scienceofethicsormorality(nitishastra)Hencebeforecommencingthestudy
ofanyoftheseorintheritualperformedfortheirstudy,theritualisticworshipofLord
Ganeshisimportant.
18.Brahmanspati
The Vedas are referred to as Brahman. They may also be termed as Vedabrahman.
Lord Ganesh is the master of the mantras in these Vedas. Hence He is called
Brahmanspati.
19.VariousNamesaccordingtotheregions
One finds that Lord Ganesh is known by varied names in various regions. The
DravidianculturecallsLordGaneshRajmukhorMurugan.InNepal,Heisknownas
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Suryaganapati,inMyanmar(formerlyBurma)asMahapini,inMongoliaasDhotkar,
inTibetasEkadanta,inCambodiaasPradganesh,intheJavaislandsasKalantak,
inChinaasKvanshitiyikwhileinJapanHeisknownasVinayakasha.
GaneshFestival
SriGanesh
Contents
1.SpecialfeaturesofSriGaneshji
1.1NamesofSriGaneshjiandtheirmeanings
1.2SpiritualscienceunderlyingcallingSriGaneshjiVighnaharta
2.TithiassociatedwithSriGaneshji:Chaturthi
3.SriGaneshopasana
3.1DailyworshipofSriGaneshji
3.2SpecialsubstancesusedintheworshipofSriGaneshji
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Sri Ganeshchaturthi is not only a festival but also a religious festival and a vrat.
Ganeshchaturthi is celebrated not only in Bharat but abroad too. Among the popular
religiousfestivalsinBharatafterDipavali,itisonlySriGaneshchaturthiwhichisworthy
of mention. Due to Ganesh festival the sattvikta of the society increases and social
integrationisalsoachieved.
1.SpecialfeaturesofSriGaneshji
A.Beingworshippedfirstineveryauspiciousevent:Withtheworshipandremembering
ofSriGaneshjiatthecommencementofanytask,thetendirectionsarecleared.This
means Sri Ganesh ji makes the necessary Deitys principle available to us. This is
calledMahadvarpujanorMahaganapatipujan.
B. Understanding mans sound language and the Deities light language and inter
convertingthem:SriGaneshjiconvertsmanslanguageofsoundintothelanguageof
lightofDeitiesandthelanguageoflightintothelanguageofsoundandconveysour
prayerstotheDeities.
C.Eliminatingdistresscausedbynegativeenergies:Mostpeopleinthesocietyhave
many difficulties in life. A variety of physical and mental distress is suffered due to
negativeenergies.Thedistressofnegativeenergiescanbeeliminatedbychantingthe
nameofSriGaneshjiwithspiritualemotion.
1.1NamesofSriGaneshjiandtheirmeanings
Vakratund,Ekdant,Krushnapingaksh,Gajavaktraetc.aresomeNamesofSriGanesh.
SriGaneshjiisalsocalledVighnaharta.VighnahartameanstheOnewhoremoves
obstacles.
1.2SpiritualscienceunderlyingcallingSriGaneshjiVighnaharta
Three hundred sixty different frequencies are continuously in motion in the eight
directions. The raja frequencies among them are called tiryak frequencies and the
tamafrequenciesvisphutit.Theseclustersoffrequenciesadverselyaffecttheworldof
livingbeings.SriGaneshjicontrolstheseclustersanddestroystheobstacles.Hence
SriGaneshjiiscalledVighnaharta,thatis,theremoverofobstacles.
2.TithiassociatedwithSriGaneshji:Chaturthi
Thetithi,thatis,thedateaspertheHindulunarcalendaronwhichthefrequenciesof
Sri Ganesh ji Principle descended on Earth for the first time was chaturthi. Hence on
chaturthithevibrationsofSriGaneshjicomeontheEarthinhigherproportion.
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On the day of chaturthi of every month, the Ganesh Principle is hundred times more
activeonEarththanusual.TheworshipofSriGaneshjiperformedonthisdaygives
morebenefitofSriGaneshPrinciple.Ineverymonththerearetwochaturthis.
*TheVinayakichaturthithatfallsinthebrightfortnightofthemonth,thatis,
Shuklapaksha
*TheSankashtichaturthithatfallsinthedarkfortnightofthemonth,thatis,
Krushnapaksha
ThechaturthithatfallsonaTuesdayiscalledAngarakichaturthi.
3.SriGaneshopasana
Every person worships Sri Ganesh ji in various forms according to his faith. Many
actionsareincludedintheworshipofSriGaneshaji.Somepeopleutterthethousands
NamesofSriGaneshjionebyoneandofferthefragrantgrass,thatis,DurvatoHim
alongwitheachName.Thisiscalleddurvachan.TherearetwotypesofSriGaneshji
idols
A. Dakshinabhimukhi means the idol whose trunk is curved towards the right side.
Southmeanstherightside.Onewhoisabletofacethesouthdirectionleadingtothe
regionofLordYamaispowerfulandOnewithanactivatedSuryanadi(Sunchannel)is
radiant.Thusinbothsenses,theDakshinabhimukhiGanapatiissaidtobeawakened.
The ritualistic worship of the Dakshinabhimukhi idol is performed by meticulously
observingalltherulesoftherituals.
B.Vammeanstheleftside.Mostlythevamamukhiidolsareusedforworship.Thetrunk
oftheidoliscurvedtowardstheleftside.
3.1DailyworshipofSriGaneshji
*ApplythesandalwoodpastetoSriGaneshjiwiththeringfinger.
*Offerthehinascent.
*OffertheDurvagrasstoSriGaneshji.
*OffereightredflowerswiththestemsfacingSriGaneshji.
*Offertwolitincensesticks
*OffertheHolysacrament(naivedya)ofModaktoSriGaneshji.
*OfferthearatitoSriGaneshjithreetimesinaclockwisedirection.
*Performminimumeightcircumambulations(parikrama)aroundSriGaneshji.Ifthisis
notpossible,performthreecircumambulationsbyrevolvingaroundyourself.
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3.2SpecialsubstancesusedintheworshipofSriGaneshji
IntheworshipofSriGanesh,theDurvagrass,theleavesofShamiandMandar,objects
ofredorsaffroncolourlikeRaktachandan,redorsaffroncolouredclothandflowerare
speciallyused.
In order to get more benefit of Sri Ganesh Principle, the use of incense sticks of
sandalwood,kevada,jasmineandkhasfragranceisbeneficial
After the ritualistic worship, modaks are offered to Sri Ganesh ji as a Holy sacrament
andkheertothemouse,Hisvehicle.Itisbeneficialforapersontowearredorsaffron
clothesforobtainingGaneshPrinciple.
SpiritualexperienceGaneshPrinciplebeingabsorbedinhigherproportionbecause
ofwearingofaredcolouredsaree:On2ndOctober2006afterwearingaredcoloured
sareewithazariborder,IexperiencedthataspiralofGaneshPrinciplewasrevolving
aroundme.Ibecameintenselyconsciousthatduetowearingofaredcolouredsaree,
theGaneshPrinciplewasbeingabsorbedinhigherproportion.Mydevotion,spiritual
emotionandAnandincreased.ThisstatelastedforfourhoursMs.SmitaJoshi.
WhyisLordGanapatifirstworshippedbeforeanypoojaortask?
Contents
1.Originandmeaning
1.1.AccordingtoMaharshiPanini
1.2AccordingtotheSanskrutkosh
1.3AccordingtotheNighantukosh
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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1.Originandmeaning
Gana()+pati( )=Ganapati.Patiisthenurturer.Thevariousmeaningsoftheword
ganaaregivenbelow.
1.1.AccordingtoMaharshiPanini
Ganaisagroupoftheeightvasus.Thewordvasureferstodirectionortheguardian
deityofthedirections(dikpalordikdev).Ganapatiisthenurturer,master(swami)ofthe
directions. (According to one school of thought, Ganapati is the master of the ten
directions. The upward and downward directions along with the eight directions
constitute the ten directions.) Other deities cannot reach the site of ritualistic worship
(puja) from any direction without His permission. Hence any auspicious task or the
ritualistic worship of any other deity is commenced with the ritualistic worship of Lord
Ganapati. Once Ganapati clears the directions, the deity one is worshipping can
manifestitselfthere.ThisitselfisreferredtoasMahadvarpujanorMahaganapatipujan.
[In the Ganpatya sect, the word Ganapati is used instead of Brahman (God) and
MahaganapatiinsteadofParabrahman(SupremeGod).]
1.2AccordingtotheSanskrutkosh
Ganameansapurespiritualparticle(pavitrak).Apavitrakisthesubtlemostparticleof
divineconsciousness(chaitanya).Ganapatiisthemasterofsuchpureparticles.
1.3AccordingtotheNighantukosh
Ganaisthecollectionoftiryak(raja)andvisphutit(tama)frequencieswhichareharmful
to the animate creation. The one controlling them is Ganapati. As given in the table
below, there are 360 different frequencies which travel continuously in the eight
directions.Acollectionofthesefrequenciesisreferredtoasgana.SageHiranyagarbha
wastheexponentofthesefrequencies.
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Meaning:Then Shiva showed theuddhatdance, which He had performed earlier, to

Shiva Manifest Creation Suste Disso

The number of rudrakshas in the japamala (rosary) depending on the

)means athief. Stenapati(

)thus meansthe caretakerof thieves.In

The cohesion of gaaun constitutes gans (attendants). According to the science

Alhadyati iti chandraha (

(pavitrakas),pati( ),thenurturerand hari( ),theonewithagarlandaround

, means one should worship Shiva for

4. Some special features of ritualistic worship (puja) of Lord

as Shaiva, Kapalik, Gosavi,Virashaiva, etc. use various lingas earthen

handsideandcontinuetillthechanneloftheshalunkafrom where the water offered

1. Lord Dattatreya One who provides frequencies of Divine

One finds quite a few idols of the five

At a workshop in Mumbai twelve out of

The sushumna channel (nadi)

Era Vishnu Mani Name

Energy Crea Suste Disso

Supporting all functions: At the time of churning of the ocean

evilKshatriyas and Haihayas because of the slaying of a Brahman by them.

energy Crea Sust

This idol of Garud in front of Lord

Meaning: One should contemplate on Vishnu when consuming medicines, Janardan

Sheshashayi: This is one form of Narayan. He reclines on the serpent (nag)

Navanarayan and Navanath: The Navanarayans nurture the nine serpents

) and karshan () constitute the Name Sankarshan (

Meaning: Whenever I bestow My grace on someone, I take everything (including

means that which imparts Bliss to the

Narayan: The one endowed with the energy of movement of the

1.KashmiriShaivites[nonduality between Shiva and Energy

(pratyabhidnyashastra) the sole path of acquisition of Bliss of nonduality is to

divine nectar (amrutanubhav) and becoming immortal by merging into the

consistingofprinciplessuchastheMahatprinciple. Similarly the visible and invisible

Meaning: The word linga is used with reference to a symbol,

4. The afternoon meal: Panchaleshvar (Bid district) in the stream of river

Datta Gayatri: The Gayatri of Dattatreya is akin to that of other deities

Ritualistic worship of Vishnu is prevalent since the Vedic period. The

The Kalisantaran Upanishad is a part of the Krushnayajurveda. Its other name is

4.2 Om namo Narayanaya ( ), Om namo Bhagvate

6.4 Brahman (SvatantrataSvatantravad) the philosophy of

beings feed on is referred to as food. There are quotes like

).(According totheShaivasect the Guru

sustenance or the reinstatement of sustenance. From among creation,

3. Implied meaning of some members of the family and

4. An excellent charioteer : In the Bharatiya war Krushna skillfully steered Arjuns

allegations labelled against the relationship between RadhaKrushna is evident from

2.2 Why is breaking the daheematakee by women considered

Due to high ego a spiral of tamaguna is created in the women breaking

1.2 Spiritual experiences obtained when chanting the Names Rama

According to numerology the number 3 is closer to number 2. Hence Lakshman and

instead of the worldly. Bharat signifies a seeker engrossed in worship of radiance.

Shriganapatyatharvashirsha as Ekadantam, Chaturhas

worship performed by tantriks and mantriks (followers of the Path

, meaning You dwell perpetually at the site of the Muladhar

7 Ganapati(Mahaganapati) Ranjangaon Pune

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