||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 31 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 18 - 1

Rishis speak “Oh! Sutha, kindly describe how to attain redemption/Moksha from worldly bondage?”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Rishis, listen to me carefully, I shall narrate you the ways to achieve freedom from worldly bondage.  The souls are intertwined with the Ashtabandhan/eight types of bondage, once the Jeevathma relieved from these eight types of bondage would be considered as Jeevanmuktha.  The Prakrithi comprises Buddhi, Ahamkara, Guna, Panchathanmathra, the Jeeva is bound by these eight types of bondages, and it performs Karma/duties and responsibilities.  The body is three types known as Jyeyam, Sthoolam and Sookshmam.  The Sthoola shareera/gross body performs the tasks, and the subtle form/Sookshmashareera is the source of performance of Indhriyas/sense organs, the Karma is the source of grief and happiness.  The Jeeva attains body according to their Karma and keeps taking rebirth on the Earth.  If the Jeeva desired to liberate from the Kalachakra is the Mahachakra causes repeated births, it should worship Jagadheeshwara, Lord Shiva who is beyond Prakrithi and Time.  Lord Shiva is the controller of the Universe and its living beings, he is Sarvajja, he is flawless, he is all-pervading and unblemished.  Lord Maheshwara is immeasurable, he symbolizes Veda and Vedantha.  He is the controller of Prakrithi and all the essential elements, hence Lord Shiva should be worshiped to attain his grace.  Whoever worships Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvathi, with no fruitful desires, would please the Lord.  Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of Linga, following austerities, complete control over senses, offering flowers, and various ingredients, followed with the recitation of Vedic hymns, whoever worships Lord Maheshwara with intense devotion and faith would attain the grace of Lord, after leaving the Earth the worshiper would attain union to Lord Shiva/Samba.  The offering of cooked rice to Lord Maheshwara as Mahaprasadha would control the impurities in the worshiper and remains blissful and auspicious.  The worship of Ling following austerities, offering lotus flowers, with the constant contemplation of supreme Lord, provides salvation to the worshiper.”

Rishis speak “Oh! Sutha, kindly describe the method of worship of Lord Shiva and Shivalinga.”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Rishis, I shall narrate the method of veneration of Linga form of supreme Lord Shiva and Goddess ShivA.   The worship of Pranava Linga/Panchakshara Linga is the supreme form of worship of Linga that has subtle form/formlessness.  The worship of Pranavalinga following extreme penance would provide Moksha.  There are several types of Linga, only Lord Shiva could narrate all of them. I have already narrated about the Parththivalinga/linga made out of clay.  The self-manifested Linga/Swayambhu Linga like the sprouts appears piercing the Beeja, Bindu Linga, Gurulinga.  The Devarshis performs extreme penance and attains union with the supreme Lord.  The Linga made of gold, silver, or clay, or drawn and Pranavamanthra has written on it, moveable or immovable Linga can be used for the worship.  The regular worship of Linga brings fortune and prowess.  The worship of Prakrata Linga/created by the artisans provides appropriate companion as a wedded wife, worship of Rasalinga is superior among Charalinga/movable, it fulfills all the desires of the twice-born, worship of Bana linga provides Kingsmanship to Kshatriya, the worship of Linga made of Gold by a Vaishya brings enormous wealth, worship of the Linga made of stones purifies even the Shudras.  The worship of crystal and Banalinga fulfills all the desires of the worshiper.  The Parththiva Linga made of sand or clay on the seashore, or river banks by the woman whose husband is alive, worship of the same would provide an abundance of meritorious rewards, a widow who is engaged in worldly duties can worship crystal Linga, a widow who is freed from worldly duties can worship Rasa Linga.  Oh! Munisaththama, worship of crystal Linga at any stage of life, childhood, youthful and old age fulfills all the desires of the worshiper.  The worship of Linga following austerities, ritual bath, and offer cooked rice and served sumptuous meals to Brahmana.  The renounced souls should worship subtle Linga and adore with ashes.  There are three types of ashes Lokajanitha, Vedajanitha and Shivagnijanitha Bhasma.  The Lokajanitha Bhasma is utilized for cleaning the vessels, this ashes made of worldly fire would cleanse the dust from the vessels, ashes made of domestic fire is Vedagni Janitha Bhasma during the performance of fire sacrifices, reciting Vedic chants, should be preserved.  The Shivagni Janitha Bhasma is produced from the cow-dung, followed with the recitation of  Vedic chants, the ashes collected from the holy trees like Palasha, Banyan, wood apple, burning in the Shivagni is considered as pure.  The Vedagni Janitha Bhasma and Shivagnijanitha Bhasma is considered as highly auspicious, smearing all over the body would provide meritorious rewards and removes illusion.  The food consumed is burned by the Jataragni, likewise, the supreme Lord Shiva who created the Universe and its living beings burns the illusion.  The Supreme Lord Shiva is smeared in sacred ashes all over the body, his matted hair locks represent the sky,  mouth represents wind, the heart represents fire, waist represent water, and knee represents Earth, and all his limbs represent the different part of the Universe.  Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva adore Thripundra/three lines of sacred ashes on their forehead, as respect to Lord Maheshwara.  The worship of Lord Shiva is conducted after smearing sacred ashes, it can be used adding water or without water, anyone can adorn their forehead with Thripundra of sacred ashes at any time; there are no strict rules for woman or man to adore their forehead with the Thripundra of sacred ashes, whoever adores their forehead with Thripundra would attain the merit of worship of Lord Shiva.  The ascetics whose body is completely smeared Shivagni Janitha Bhasma would be considered as Lord Rudra attains the union with Lord Shiva.  Whoever undertakes vows and austerities with the guidance of a preceptor, adoring Thripundra and worships Lord Shiva would get purified and remain free from the impurities of birth and death.”