||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 15 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 3

Manasa  Mananam Thasya Mahasadhanamuchyathe | Shrothavya: Keerthithavyashcha  Manthavyashcha Maheshwara: ||

Maharishi Vedavyasa speaks “The Shaunakadhis after listening to the significance of Sri Shivamahapuran and various legends,  and methods of conducting the recital of Sri Mahapuran and the austerities should be followed, requested to describe the Vedanta based legends from the Purana.  Suthapauranika/Munisaththama, immersed in meditation upon supreme Lord Shiva for a few moments, and began to speak”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Rishis, I shall narrate the Vedanta based legends in Sri Shivamahapuran, offering my humble salutations to Lord Shiva.  Oh! Rishis, listen to me carefully,  Sri Shivamahapuran and all the scriptures are the essence of Veda and Vedanta.  In  the  beginning of Swethavaraha Kalpa, there were six illustrious ascetics engaged in the series of discussion of the scriptures, finally, they have approached Lord Bhrama, with folded hands and requested “Oh! Lord Bhrama, you are the cause of all the causes, kindly narrate who is the creator of Panchathaththva? Who is primordial? Who is beyond all the Thaththva?”  Lord Bhrama speaks “  Oh! Rishis,  the supreme Lord Mahadeva who is Sarvajja, is the Jagatheeshwara, he is visible to virtuous and righteous with intense devotion, otherwise he remains invisible.  He is Lord of Lords who is worshiped by  Rudra, Hara, Hari and deities.  The devotion to supreme Lord is attainable only with his grace, veneration of Lord Mahadeva  with intense devotion and faith would please him, the worshiper would attain liberation from worldly existence.  Oh! Dhvija, therefore you go to Prithviloka and conduct fire sacrifices for thousands of years to please Lord Shiva.  In the fire sacrifices, mysteries of the supreme knowledge propounded in Veda would be revealed with the grace of Lord Shiva.”  Rishis spoke “ Oh! Lord, kindly narrate which is the Paramam/beyond description or perception attainable for humans?”

Lord Bhrama speaks “ The ultimate object should be the devotion to supreme Lord Shiva for a Sadhaka, and remain devoted to Lord Shiva, without expecting fruitful results and all the righteous deeds should be performed without expecting any merit.  Whoever performs all the spiritual and religious rites meticulously following the prescribed rites in scriptures, and surrender all the rewards to supreme Lord Shiva, would definitely achieve Shivapadha, ultimately attain the union with Lord shiva/Shivasayujya.  Lord Shiva described several means for the welfare of his devotees.  I shall describe the highest of the philosophies to you, listen to them carefully and recite them.  Listening to the glories of supreme Lord Maheshwara, listening to the glorious Sri Shivamahapuran, recitation of his glories and contemplation upon him is the highest of practice for a Sadhaka.  It would purify the intellect and mind, the constant practice of contemplation and meditation upon supreme Lord Maheshwara would bring the serenity of mind, eventually attain the realization of supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings.   Therefore, it is important to listen to the glorious Purana from a preceptor, or from the learned person, it would enhance union of the soul with the supreme soul/Shivayoga = supreme soul + union, finally it would bring salvation at the lotus feet of Mahadeva.  It is a gradual process, it can be achieved with the constant practice of listening, reciting and contemplating upon supreme Lord Mahadeva, ultimately the worshiper would remain in a state of bliss.”