||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 22 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 10

Namo Nishkalaroopa Namo Nishkalathejase | Nama: Sakalanathaya Namasthe Sakalathmane ||Nama Pranavachyaya Nama: Pranavalingine | Nama: Shrishtichayadhikarthre  cha Nama: Panchamukhayathe || Panchabhrama Swaroopaya  Panchakrithyaya They Nama: | Athmane  Bhramane  Thubhyam Anantha Gunashakthaye || Sakalakalaroopaya  Shambhave Guruve Nama: ||

Lord Bhrama and Lord Vishnu request to Lord Shiva to describe the highly confidential Panchakrithya and its characteristics, Lord Shiva speaks “ Oh! Deities, the Panchkrithyas are Shrishti, Sthithi, Samhara, Thirobhava, and Anugraha.  The creation, preservation, destruction, deluge, and grace are the functions vested upon me, the attainment of Moksha happens only with the grace/Anugraha of mine.  The essential five elements / Mahathbhuthas, such as Fire, Earth, Ether, Water and Air are essential for existence,  the creation takes place on the Earth, preservation in the water, destruction in the Fire, Thirobhava/concealment in the Air and grace in the Sky.   My faces/Panchamukha represents these five essential elements, the four faces facing on the four directions and fifth face on the Oordhvabhaga facing the sky, two jobs are assigned with Lord Rudra and Mahesha who have the same appearance of mine, but no one other than me is competent to perform the task ‘Anugraha’.  Oh! Sons,  you both have forgotten the worship of me, thereby ended up in a battle with each other, whoever engages in the veneration of mine would attain the wisdom and beauty like me.  Therefore, you both should conduct penance reciting the glorious ‘Omkara’ which is highly propitious that would remove all the ignorance.  I shall impart the knowledge of this marvelous Omkara Manthra to both of you, recitation of Omkara which symbolizes my presence, appearance, and soul as well.   The divine sound of ‘Omkara’ originated from my five faces, North/Akara, West/Ukara, and South/Makara,  East/Bindu, facing upward/Nadham respectively.  The Veda and Omkara represent Shiva and Shakthi who are inseparable from each other.  The Panchakshara Manthra is highly propitious, it would bring all the auspiciousness to the worshiper and it provides Bhoga as well as Moksha to the worshiper.”

Nandikeshwara speaks “Further, Lord Bhrama and Lord Vishnu received the Manthropadhesham of the glorious Panchakshara from Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parmambika.  Thus, Lord Bhrama and Vishnu became the disciple of the supreme Lord Mahadeva.”

Lord Bhrama and Lord Vishnu eulogized “ We shall prostrate before the Nishkalaroopa/Agnisthambharoopa of supreme Lord Mahadeva, we shall repeatedly prostrate before the supreme brilliance initiated from the Nishakalaroopa.  We shall prostrate before Sakalanatha who is the protector of All, we shall repeatedly prostrate before supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings.  We shall prostrate before the supreme Lord, who represents Pranava, and Pranavalinga, we repeatedly prostrate before Supreme Lord who undertakes the creation of the Universe and its living beings, we shall prostrate before supreme Lord who has five faces, we shall prostrate before supreme Lord who represents Panchabhramam, and Panchakrithya.  We shall repeatedly prostrate before supreme Lord Mahadeva who is absolute Bhramam, resides as a soul in living beings, and possesses endless prowess and virtues. Oh! Supreme Lord Shambhu who symbolizes all the art forms and supreme preceptor, we shall repeatedly prostrate before you.”

Lord Shiva speaks “ Oh! sons, I have narrated about the Panchathathva, Panchabhramam, and Pranava, for the welfare of all, the recitation of Panchakshara makes me highly pleased, therefore continue recitation of the same, it would provide the serenity of mind, wisdom, fortune, and eternal grace of me.  It should be recited on the auspicious days of Ardra and Chathurdhashi, it would provide my eternal presence in your hearts.  The consecration of Linga and the worship of it with the Omkara would provide Moksha to the worshiper.” Thus, saying so, Lord Shiva disappeared from the sight of Lord Bhrama and Lord Vishnu.

||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 21 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 9

Shivarathravahorathram Niraharo  Jithendhriya: | Archayedha Yathanyayam Yathabalamarchaka: || Thath Phalam Mama Poojayam Varshamekam Nirantharam |Thath Phalam Labathe Sadhya: Shivarathrai Madharchanath ||

Nandikeshwara speaks “ Oh! Kumaras, deities, Lord Bhrama, and Lord Vishnu worshiped supreme Lord Mahadeva along with Goddess Parvathi, Ganesha and Karthikeya, seated in the middle of the grand assembly of deities.  The supreme Lord  Mahadeva was adorned in Hara, Noopura, Keyoora, Kankana, Kireeda, Manikundala, Yajjasuthra, ornaments on Anguli/finger, Rudraksha, Pushpa, Thamboolam, Karpooram, Chandanam, Agaru, Dhoopa, Dheepa, Sithacchathram, Vyajjanam, Dhvajam, and various Dhivyaupaharas were offered, in this way the deities offered various divine ingredients to supreme Lord Mahadeva who is  beyond the perception of the humans.  Oh! Dhvija, whatever superior ingredients available on Earth should be offered to Lord.  Later, Lord Mahadeva was highly pleased and all that offered to him were distributed to the deities.  Lord Mahadeva who enhances devotion in the hearts of all were delighted with the veneration of Lord Bhrama and Lord Vishnu and pronounced, that   auspicious day would be widely celebrated as ‘Maha Shivarathri’.” 

The supreme Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Sons, whoever worships me in this Nishkala form/Linga on the day of Mahashivarathri with utmost faith and devotion would attain an abundance of piousness.  Whoever performs veneration of Linga with various divine ingredients on this auspicious day would attain commendable virtues of supreme Lord who is the creator, preserver, and destroyer as well. Whoever undertakes fast on this auspicious day of Shivarathri, following strict austerities, and venerates the Linga, within one’s own capacity, the worshiper would attain the meritorious reward of worship of Linga for a year, like the high tide on the day of Paurnami, it multiplies the piousness of the worshiper.  Oh! Kumara, I have appeared as Agnisthamba in the Month of Margasheersha, the sun was under the constellation of Ardra.  Whoever worships the Nishkala form of me along with Goddess Uma,  on the day of Arudra, he/she would become dearer to me like Karthikeya/Guha, whoever witnesses the Linga form of mine on this auspicious day would attain various merit, and people who venerate me on this day would attain abundance of commendable virtues which is beyond words.  The war field where I have appeared as Agnisthamba would be known as Linga Sthana.  Oh! Son,  The Agnisthambha has neither beginning nor end.   The worship of Linga would bring an abundance of piousness to worshiper; it would bring Bhoga and Moksha as well.   Therefore Dharshan, Sparshan, Dhyanam, and Poojanam of Linga would liberate the worshiper from worldly existence.  The Agnisthambha initiated has the resemblance of mountain-sized fire/Analachala, therefore it would be known as ‘Arunachala’.  This sacred Theertha would be well-known in the future, whoever resides on this sacred Theertha would attain Mukthi and would get relieved from the fear of death.  In this shrine, Rathosava and Kalyanam would be performed in a grand manner, and various pious deeds would be performed, which provides commendable merits.  This shrine would be famous among all the Kshethras, remembering the shrine itself would provide Mukthi.  This is one of the most prominent shrines that would provide all the auspiciousness as well as pleasures on the Earth.  Whoever worships me in this Lingeshwara form would attain Salokya Sameepya Saroopya and Sarshti as well.  All your desires would get fulfilled by the worship of Lingeshwara.”

Analachala Sankasham Yadhidham Lingamuththitham | Arunachalamithyeva Thadhidham Khyathimeyshyathi || Mathkshethradhapi Sarvasmath Kshethramethan Mahaththaram | Athra Samsmrathi Mathrena Mukthirbhavathi Dhehinam||

Nandikeshwara speaks “ In this way, the supreme Lord Mahadeva showered benevolence upon Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and all the warriors on the battlefield.  The Warriors who lost their lives in the war field once again regained their lives.   Lord Shiva advised Lord Bhrama and Vishnu to get rid of their ignorance and enmity.  There is no deity is worshiped in Nishkala form, the supreme Lord Shiva is worshiped in Sakala as well as Nishkala form.  The Supreme Lord Shiva advised Lord Bhrama and Vishnu and all the deities to worship him leaving their pride, his grace will be always upon the Universe and its living beings.  The supreme Lord Mahadeva represents trinities and Parambhramam as well.  He is all-pervading, illuminating as Athmaswaroopa.  He has assumed the form of Agnisthambha to reveal the knowledge of Bhramaththva.  The supreme Lord Mahadeva should be worshiped in Linga form that would bring endless virtues, therefore whoever constructs a Linga, the supreme Lord immediately assumes his presence on it.  Whoever installs a Linga and conduct regular worship would attain the status of Lord Shiva; whoever installs two Linga and conducts worship would attain the union with the Supreme Lord.”

Bhogavahammidham Lingam Bhukthi Mukthyoka Sadhanam | Dharshanam Sparshana Dhyanath Janthupoojanam Janmamochanam||

||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 20 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 8

Namasthe  Natha ! Mey Janma Nishphalam Bhavadhajjya | Saphalam Thrithyatham Thatha! Kshamyatham Mama Kilbisham || Gnana Agnanakritham Papam Nashyathyeva They Smrithi: | Thadhdhrishe Thvayi Dhrishte Mey  Midhyadhosha Kutho Bhaveth ||

Nandikeshwara speaks “Oh! Kumaras, Lord Mahadeva who is Purusha, in an extreme rage looked at Bhrama, a dreadful form of Bhairava initiated from the middle of the curved eyebrows of Lord Mahadeva to punish Lord Bhrama.  Lord Bhairava offered salutation to Lord Shiva and spoke “ Oh! Prabho, I am your sincere attendant waiting for your command.”  Lord Shiva speaks “ Oh! Vathsa, you adore the primeval deity Lord Bhrama with your Khadga.”  Lord Bhairava got hold of one of the heads of Lord Bhrama that pronounced lies and sieved off with the Khadga.  Pitha, Lord Bhrama, who was in extreme guilty prostrated at the lotus feet of Lord Shiva.  Lord Vishnu after seeing the terrible state of Lord Bhrama who was trembling in intense pain, fallen at the feet of Lord Shiva, with tears overflowing like a child requested “Oh! Esha, you have provided five heads to Lord Bhrama, he has lost one among them, kindly leave him, do not punish him anymore, kindly shower your grace upon him.”  Lord Shiva immediately ordered Lord Bhairava to stop further actions and spoke “ Oh! Lord Bhrama, you have tricked on Lord Vishnu to prove your supremacy over him.  That is the reason you have lost one of your heads, here onwards no one will conduct the worship of you on the Earth.”

Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh! Mahadeva, Oh! Mahavibhoothe, you have showered supreme grace on me by removing the head that lied to you. Oh! Bhagavan, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you, Oh! Bandhave, Oh! Vishwayonaye Oh! Sahishnave, you are the remover of impurities of mind and intellect, Oh! Shambhave, Oh! Shailadhanvane, who is wielded Mount Kailash as a bow. I shall prostrate before you.”

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Son, the entire Universe will get destroyed without an efficient ruler, I have punished you for the sins, and otherwise the entire Universe and its people keep engaging themselves in various atrocities, fighting and killing each other in the absence of a wise ruler.  You will be honored as the preceptor of fire sacrifices as described in Vedas, you will receive oblations from the Yajjas, you will remain one of the prime deities in the fire sacrifices, any Yajja performed without offering salutations to you would become unfruitful.  Oh! Kethaki flower, you have stood as a false witness for Lord Bhrama, therefore your presence in my veneration is discarded forever, and you will not be included in any of my worship.”

Kethaki flower started shedding tears of guilt before Lord Mahadeva “  Oh! Natha, I shall prostrate before your lotus feet, my life would become futile with your command.  Oh! Lord, kindly make my life fruitful, kindly forgive my grave sin.  Oh! Bhagavan, reciting your names would destroy all the sins committed knowingly or unknowingly, remembrance of you itself would wash off all our sins,  Oh! Bhagavan, watching your glorious form would wash away all our ignorance.  Therefore, kindly forgive me, and shower your grace on me.”

Lord Mahadeva speaks “ Oh! Kethaki flower, you have committed a terrible sin, for that, you have deserved to be punished, but the words pronounced by me cannot become untrue.  I will do a favor, listen to me carefully, you will be included in the veneration of Lord Vishnu and all the deities, your flowers would use for the decoration of my Mandap during the festivities, in this way I can make your life fortunate once again.”  Thus Lord Mahadeva showered grace upon Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and Kethaki flower, and took a seat in the majestic assembly of deities.