||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 32 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 18 - 2

Gurupujaiva  Pooja  Swayam Shivasya Paramathmana: | Guruseva  Thu Yath Sarvathmashudhdhikari Bhaveth||

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Vipra, the preceptor is the one who removes the darkness of ignorance in the disciple, he is pure and beyond Gunas, considered as Param Shiva, implants virtues in his disciple.  The preceptor removes all three Gunas in his disciple and enlightens him with faith and knowledge of Lord Shiva, therefore the preceptor is considered as Gurulingam, and the worship and services are performed to him so that the disciple remains intellectual always.  The disciple who promised to follow the command of the preceptor should sincerely abide them by words, action, and thoughts, in this way the disciple who sincerely follows all the commands of the preceptor is considered as an ideal disciple, should relentlessly serve the preceptor, as a son.  The preceptor whose tongue like Linga, and the Manthra as semen, deposits in the ears of the disciple which is considered as Yoni, in this way they create the bondage of father and son.  The preceptor bestows knowledge and wisdom in a disciple, to easily cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence.  The preceptor’s body is considered as the form of Lord Shiva, it should be worshiped and relentlessly served by the disciple, it is the duty of the disciple to serve the preceptor with the wealth and ingredients possible, offering wealth and sandalwood Padhuka, serving him with needs, performing Abhisheka and Naivedhya, etc. The adoration of the preceptor is considered as the adoration of Lord Shiva, it purifies the disciple.  The leftover ingredients after the veneration of preceptors are considered as Prasada, possession of items without the permission of the preceptor is considered as stolen items.  The preceptor, who removes the ignorance in the disciple should be honored and should not create any obstruction in attaining knowledge from him."

Sutha Pauranika speaks "The worship of any deities can be carried out with the initial obeisance to Lord Ganesha/Vignesha, the worship of all the deities removes physical ailments.  The Shanthiyajja is performed to remove the nightmares and inauspicious dreams, and sins, epidemic, etc as prescribed in the scripture.  The performance of sun worship and recitation of Panchakshara Manthra hundred and eight times or Suryanamaskar and worship Lord Shiva and performance of circumambulation would bring an abundance of piousness and removes sins of the worshiper.  The worship of Bhramin and serving them with meals would bring an abundance of wealth; Lord Bhairava should be worshiped to please the spirits, along with the performance of Shivapooja, offering Mahaneivedhyam to Lord Shiva, etc. should be carried out meticulously.  The Shanthiyajja is conducted once in a year in the month of Phalgun, to remove all the sins of the worshiper.  If the worshiper is too poor, he/she can offer charity of earthen lamp, or something which is affordable, after bath perform salutations to sun, and recitation of hundred eight Panchakshara Manthra or the worshiper can perform several thousands of sun worship/Suryanamaskara to please Lord Surya with theAthmayajja as well.  The circumambulation of Lord Shiva removes all the sins of the worshiper, sins are the root cause for the sufferings and ailments.  These sins can be washed out following the Dharmic way of living prescribed in the scriptures.  The performance of any righteous deed that pleases Lord Shiva would remove the sins of the worshiper.  The recitation of Omkara and circumambulation of Lord Shiva is highly propitious.”

Jananm Maranam Dhvandham Mayachakramithiritham | Shivasya Mayachakre Hi Balipeedam Thadhuchyathe ||

Sutha Pauranika continues “ Oh! Mahamathe, The repetition of birth and death takes place under the influence of ‘Mayachakra’ of Lord Shiva, worship of the Balipeedam which represents Mayacakra, is a method of surrendering to supreme Lord who is the creator of Mayachakra.  The performance of Mahapuja/Shodasha Puja of Lord Shiva provides an auspicious reward to the worshiper.  The circumambulation of Lord Shiva removes all the sins of the worshiper.  A Mouni/speechless person who conducts adoration of Lord Shiva yields the merit of truthfulness, Tapas, meditation and wisdom,  Siddhi, attractive physique, removal of ignorance, nobility and closeness to Lord Shiva.  The worship of Lord Shiva should be conducted according to the Time, and Zone of the country the worshiper and physical health and financial status. An intellectual who have fair means of earning should reside close to the vicinity of the temple of Lord Shiva, he/she should not engage in the killing of creatures or causing disturbance to others.  A devotee of Lord Shiva should impart the knowledge on sacred chants on Lord Shiva, even though Lord Shiva himself only knows about the glories of these sacred chants.  Oh! Bhoosura/twice-born, the ardent devotees of Lord Shiva remains close to Linga,  in this way taking refuge close to a Sthanulinga, he himself turns out Lord Shiva on the Earth.”

Shivabhaktho Vasennithyam Shivalingam Samashritha: | Sthanulingashrayenaiva Sthanur Bhavathi Bhoosura: ||

Whoever reads or listens to it would attain all the auspiciousness, intense devotion at the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Shiva.  Whoever reads or listen to this glorious chapter would attain knowledge on the beliefs of Lord Shiva with his grace.