||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.”
