||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 16 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 4

 Sath Sangamena  Bhavathi Shravanam Purasthath  Sangeerthanam Pashupatheratha Thath Dhridamsyath| Sarvoththamam Bhavathi  Thanmananam Thadhanthe Sarvam Hi Sambhavathi Shankaradhrishtipathe ||

Rishi speaks “ Oh! Bhrama, How did contemplation and meditation upon supreme Lord Shiva, listening to his glorious myths of Shivamahapuran would elevate the soul? Kindly the narrate the same.”

Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh! Rishi, Listen to me carefully, the recitation of Sri Shivamahapuran which describes endless glories of Lord Shiva, and veneration of Supreme Lord and contemplation upon the supreme Lord would purify the human intellect and mind, it can be achieved only with the grace of the supreme Lord and  these are the most favorable and supreme means to attain supreme bliss.  The middle path/Madhyama of worship is the recitation of Vedic chants praising the splendor of supreme Lord Shiva, or sing in praise of supreme Lord Shiva.  The listening/Shravana to glorious myths of supreme Lord Shiva, listening to intellectuals and scholars who describe the legends of supreme Lord Shiva is considered as most the propitious among devotion.  The association with the saintly people, listening to the splendor of Lord Pashupathi from the noble people would inculcate intense devotion and faith upon the supreme Lord with his grace; this is one of the superior methods of practice of devotion.”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Shanuak Oh! Munishwara, I shall narrate an ancient incident that enhances the devotion to Lord Shiva. Once, my preceptor, Maharishi Vedavyasa who is son of Sage Parashara, was performing intense penance on the riverbank of Saraswathi.  At that moment, my preceptor could witness Sanathkumaras, boarded on a brilliant celestial vehicle and passing through the sky. Maharishi Vedavyasa got out from deep meditation, immediately rose from the seat and offered salutation to them, washed their feet and offered a purified seat.  Sanathkumara asked Maharishi Vedavyasa about the purpose of his penance.  Maharishi Vedavyasa reverentially speaks “ Oh! Rishis, who is prominent, and highly respectable by way of Vedic life, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha,I am fortunate to attain your grace, which benefited me  to contemplate upon supreme Lord and recognize as preceptor of all.  I still feel I have not earned enough of knowledge, therefore I am conducting Tapas to attain the knowledge which is the source of Mukthisadhanam.” 

Shravanam Keerthanam Shambhor Mananam Cha  Mahaththaram | Thrayam Sadhanam Muktham Cha Vidhdhyathe  Vedasammatham ||

Sananthkumara pleasingly replied to Maharishi Vedavyasa “ Oh! Rishi, listen to me carefully, I shall narrate the splendor of Shravanam /listening to the glorious myths of Lord, Keerthanam/singing in praise of Lord, and Mananam/contemplation upon supreme Lord Shambhu as the supreme tool to attain the knowledge of salvation.  Previously, I was following various means of devotion, finally went to conduct Tapas in Mount Mandharachala.  The compassionate Lord Shiva sent Lord Nandikeshwara along with Lord Ganesha. Thus, Nandikeshwara imparted the highest of the knowledge of salvation as Shravanam, Keerthananam, and Mananam as the supreme tool that propounded in Veda to attain Moksha.  Therefore, I shall recommend these three tools as Mukthisadhanam to you.” After saying so, Sanathkumaras mounted on the celestial vehicle and preceded their journey.

Shaunaka speaks “ Oh! Sutha Pauranika, you have already highlighted the three methods such as Shravanam, Keerthanam and Mananam as Mukthisadhanam.  If a person could not resort to any of these three methods how could he attain Moksha?”