||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 30 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 17 -2

Gurupadhesham Sangasya Sukhavase Subhoothale | Poorvapakshe  Samarabhya Krishnabhoothavadhi Dhvija: || Panchaksharam Panchalaksham Japeth Shivamanusmaran |Padmasanastham Shivadham Ganga Chandhra Kalanvitham ||Vamorusthitha Shakthya  Cha Virajantham Mahaganai: |Mrigadangadharam Devam Varadha Abhayapanikam || Sadhanugrahakarththaram Sadhashivamanusmaran | Sampoojya Manasa Poorvam Hridhiva Suryamandale ||

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Dhvija, being close to the association of a preceptor would provide happiness in the life.  The months of Bhadhrapadha and Magha is considered as highly propitious for all the recitation of Manthra Japam, following strict austerities, consuming little quantity of food that too once in a day, perfect control over sense and vow of silence.  The worship of Pithrus, recitation of Panchakshara Manthra at least thousands of times in a day would help for self-purification.  The recitation of Panchakshara Manthra for five lakh times, contemplating supreme Lord Shiva who has adorned in sacred river Ganga and crescent moon on matted hair locks, would provide welfare to the worshiper.  The recitation of Panchakshara should be conducted after the worship of Lord Surya,  envision the supreme Lord Shiva who is seated with Goddess Parvathi on his left, and surrounded by Ganas.  The Supreme Lord Shiva who is Varadha showers abundance of piousness to the worshiper, attired in the skin of a leopard, holding kettle drum, and one hand in Abhayahastha posture, that provides shelter to the worshiper who is surrendered at his lotus feet.  The Panchakshara Manthra is recited after the performance of the daily rites on the day of Krishna Chathurdhashi, taking a seat in a sanctified area facing the east.  Whoever worships the Linga form of Lord Shiva without any desires would attain higher abodes.  Whoever worships all the deities except Lord Shiva would attain lower abodes.  The Nirgunalingopasana is considered more superior than the Sagunaupasana of Linga.  Whoever worships supreme Lord Shiva with intense devotion and faith would get liberated from Kalachakra/Adharmam Mahisharoodam.   The celestial bull represents Dharma and celibacy, its four legs represent Dharma, two horns represent forgiveness, its ear symbolizes peace where the Vedic chants reverberate, its eyes represents faith, and it breathes represent supreme wisdom.  The Supreme Lord Shiva who is beyond ‘Time’ mounted on the bull/ Dharma always.

Shivalayam Idham Proktham Shivasya Paramathmana: | Parashakthya  Samayukthasthathraiva Parameshwara: || Shrishti: Sthithishcha  Samhara Sthirobhavoapyanugraha| Panchakrithyapravinoasau Sacchidhanandha Vigraha: ||

The shrine of Lord Shiva is where the supreme Lord Paramathma Parameshwara resides with Goddess Shakthi.  He symbolizes Sacchidhananda/supreme bliss who undertakes Panchakrithya known as Shrishti, Sthithi, Samhara, Thirobhava, and Anugraha.  He showers abundance on grace upon his ardent devotees who follow righteousness, simplicity, kindness, compassion and contemplate upon him.  The devotion and faith upon supreme Lord Shiva can be achieved by following the daily rites and worship; eventually, the worshiper would attain Shivaloka.  The Mukthi is permanent bliss that can be achieved through Japa/recitation of scriptures and Veda and Upanishads, Thapa/following strict austerities and vows, Gnana/Wisdom, meditation and following Dharmic rites.  The Shivadharshanam would remove the darkness of ignorance in the worshiper like the Sun removes the darkness.  The worshiper attains supreme wisdom with the compassionate grace of Shambhu, which is the pathway of Moksha.

||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 29 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 17 -1

Shudhdha Yogena  Samyuktho Jeevanmuktho Na Samshaya: | Sadha Japen Sadha Dhyayeth Shivam Pranavaroopinam || Samadhistho Mahayogi Shiva Yeva Na Samshaya: | Rishi Cchandho Devathani Nyasya Dhehe Punarjapeth ||

Rishis speak “Oh! Mahamune, Oh! Prabho, kindly describe the worship of Pranava Linga and Shabdhalinga.”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Illustrious ascetics, you have raised a brilliant question, but I am incompetent to answer all your queries, only Mahadeva is capable to enlighten you.  I shall take sincere efforts to describe whatever I have gained from the supreme Lord.  Oh! Vibhudha, the Prakrithi has offered a marvelous ferry of Pranava/Omkara to cross the ocean of worldly existence, I shall describe the elaborate meaning of Pranava as Pra/Prapanch/Prakrithi/ which undergoes constant transformation is the source of life on the Earth, Na/Navam/No/Maya, Va/Varam.  The recitation of this glorious Manthra of Pranava one gets relieved from illusion/Maya, it removes the worldly bondage and Karma, ultimately provides Mukthi.  The Pranava has a subtle form which has a single letter and it is invisible nature, the gross form of Pranava has five letters/Panchakshra and visible.  The Jeevamuktha and Yogis contemplate upon the subtle form, they keep conduct their search in the highest of philosophies and Veda, they conduct the meditation for several years, during this course their bodies become fragile, finally attain Lord Shiva.  The Yogis recites this subtle form of Manthra more than 36 crores of times, contemplating upon Lord Shiva.  The Pranava is the compilation of  Akara, Ukara, and Makara, Bindu, and Nadha resides in the hearts of Yogis.  The Makara, reveals the union of  Shivashakthi that represents Rajasik, Sathvika and Thamasik nature, the recitation of Pranava removes all the sins.  The illustrious Sages describe the Prithvi, Vayu, Thejas, Shabdha, and the ten directions are the source of Karma/worldly attachments.  The constant recitation of Pranava contemplating upon supreme Lord   would provide the power to overrule Pancha Thaththva, Ahamkara, to the worshiper and gets purified.  Whoever contemplates the supreme Lord Shiva who is Mahayogi, and recite the Pranava Manthra would get relieved from worldly matters and bondage.  There are three types of veneration of supreme Lord Shiva, such as Kriya Yoga, Thapo Yoga, and Japa Yoga.  In Kriya Yoga the worshiper venerates the Linga with riches, jewels, flowers, garments, incense, earthen lamps, offerings of fragrances, fruits, etc. and engages in various gestures to worship the Lord.  The Thapo Yogis consume limited meals; they keep very good control over senses, keep the purity of mind as well as the body, and undertake extreme austerities.  The Japa Yogis worship the supreme Lord, remain free from desires, and all the impurities, engage in the constant recitations of Vedic chants and scriptures, in this way they keep their mind calm.

Whoever worships Shiva Yogis, with Shodasha Upachara/sixteen types of veneration, would get purified, and attain Salokhya Mukthi.  Oh! Dhvija, Listen to me carefully, an ascetic has the right to perform JapaYoga, in this way they get purified and the sins get washed away.  Oh! Brahmana, the Panchakshara represents the Panchathaththva.  The Sthoola Pranava is Panchakshara ‘Om Nama: Shivaya”.  The recitation of Panchakshara Manthra would provide all that desired by the worshiper, it should be recited with Pranava always like ‘Om Nama: Shivaya”.

Panchakshara Japenaiva  Sarvasiddhim Labeth Nara: | Pranavenadhi Samyuktham Sadha Panchaksharam  Japeth||