||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 26 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 14

Rishis speak “Oh! Prabho, kindly describe the AgniYajjjam, Devayajjam,  Bhramayajjam,  Gurupooja,   and Bhramathripthi.”

Sutha speaks “Oh! Rishis, listen to me, the performance of fire sacrifice offering various ingredients in Agni /fire is called Agni Yajja.  A twice-born Bhramachari should perform fire sacrifices on a daily basis using the Samith/pieces of woods and it should be performed until he gets married.  Aupasanam is the duty of Bhramachari and the fire is protected from the beginning in the fire pit itself.  The Yathis, Vipra, ascetics who lives in the wood, consuming little meal performs Agniyajja, and they protect this fire known as Agnihotra engaging in regular worship of fire for the welfare of the Kingdom and its people as well as pleasing the deities, perform offerings in the Agni evening as well as in the morning.  Devayajja is performed to please Lord Indra and all the deities, the fire sacrifices performed during Sthalipaka and Chauladhikam are for fulfilling one’s own desires.  A Dhvija should perform Bhramayajja on a regular basis to please the deities and the Vedadhyayan is part of this Bhramayajja, these two are the important disciplines of the Dhvija.  Oh! Rishis, listen to me carefully about the performance of Devayajja.  At the beginning of the Universe, the supreme Lord Mahadeva, he is Sarvajja and ocean of mercy; he is the protector of the Universe and its living beings, created numerous warriors.  He is Samsaravaidhya who is the cure for the endless miseries and sorrows of worldly existence; he is the Sarvabheshajabheshajam who is a supreme physician, created seven days with the influence of Maya.  Further Lord Bhrama began creation for the expansion of the three worlds at the instruction of Lord Mahadeva, he created Lord Indra, Lord Yama, and the deities.  The worship of the deities on respective days would bring Bhoga and Moksha as well, whoever worship these deities on the respective days would attain good health, richness, free from ailments, long life, happiness, pleasures, etc.  Lord Shiva provides the auspiciousness and fruitful result of the worship of all the deities.” 

Sutha Pauranika continues “There are five types of worship to please the deities, worship of deities with Japa, Tapa, Manthra, Homa, and Charities.  The consecration of idol, performance of fire sacrifices with the offering of sixteen ingredients or providing the ingredients to Vedic Bhramin, would remove blindness, mental illness, and leprosy.  Whoever conducts the sun worship and serves a meal to a Bhramin for a day, month or years would attain an abundance of piousness and free from all the sins.  The intellectuals worship Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi on Monday and offer a sumptuous meal to a Bhramin to attain wealth, Goddess Sri Mahakali should be worshiped on Tuesday to get rid of illnesses, and a meal should be served to Bhramin with rice, black gram and green gram.  Lord Vishnu should be worshiped On Wednesday, and serve the Bhramin with rice and curd, would provide happiness and health in the family.  The intellectuals perform the worship of deities followed by offerings such as sacred thread across the chest, garments, milk, and ghee, for long life.  The worship of deities on Friday and offering a sumptuous meal of sixteen dishes to Bhramanas would bring all the pleasure.  The worship of Lord Rudra and deities on Saturdays and give away clothes as charity would bring peace in the family, removes untimely and accidental deaths.  Whoever conducts Tilahoma, offer food prepared with Til, or offer Til as charity would attain good health.  A twice-born should perform worship of deities on regular basis, or at least during the auspicious days, and the worship should be conducted after a ritual bath, Japa, Homa, and offer meals to Bhramin at the end of Tharpana.  The worship of Jagatheeshwara on auspicious Thithi, Nakshathra, Yoga, would bring good health.  The worship of the Supreme Lord should be performed without any fruitful desire; the worshiper would attain the grace of Lord according to his faith and sincerity of the performance of the rite.  The planets and stars should be worshiped during auspicious occasions.  In this way, Devayajja/ the worship of deities would fulfill all the desires of the worshiper, the twice-born conducts worship with the recitation of Vedic hymns, rest of the Varna follow Thanthric rites.  Therefore all these seven days worship of deities should be performed according to one’s own capacity.   The poor person, who has no means to conduct the worship of the deity, should engage in recitation.  The rich person can perform the worship of deities with various offerings and utilizing various ingredients for veneration.  Whoever performs veneration of deities with intense faith and devotion would attain heavenly pleasures, and take birth again.  Whoever plants trees, dig wells or ponds, construct gardens, building schools, compose scriptures would enjoy the pleasure in the world; finally, they would attain supreme wisdom.”

Ya Imam Shrunuthe Adhyayam Padathe Va  Naro  Dhvija: | Shravanasyopakartha Cha Devayajjam Phalam Labeth ||

Whoever reads or listens or recite the chapter describes the Devayajja would attain the fruitful result of performance of Devayajjam.

||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 25 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 13

Jeeva Bhrama Aikhyavishayam Budhdhva Pranavam Abhyaseth | Thrailokhya  Srishtikarththaram  Sthithikartharam Acchyutham || Samharththaram Thatha Rudram Swaprakasham Upasmahe | Gnana Karma Indhriyanam Cha Mano Vriththidhiyasthatha|| Bhoga Mokshapradhe  Dharma Gnane Cha  Prerayeth Sadha | Iththamarthadhiya  Dhyayan Bhrama Prapnothi Nishchayam ||

Rishis speak “ Oh! Sutha, kindly narrate about the righteousness, which could provide an abundance of piousness and victory all over the Earth.  Kindly describe the moral and immoral deeds that provide heaven and hell respectively.”

Sutha pauranika speaks “Oh! Rishi,  a Bhramana/Dhvija, Vipra, twice-born should follow righteousness, disciplines/Sadhachara/daily rites should be an intellectual/scholar, should have a thorough knowledge of Veda and Upanishads, sincerely follow Vedic rites and Vedic way of living.  A Kshatriya is a Rajasevaka/ Rajapalaka who protects the borders of the country and the Kingdom, they should follow a very few disciplines and a little bit of Vedic way of living.  A Vaishya should follow a very little bit of discipline, and engage in farming in agricultural lands and trade/Vanijyam. A shudra should serve the three Varnna of people of Brahmana, Kshatriya and Vaishya.”

Sutha Pauranika continues “  A Shudhra Bhramana engages in labor service, farming in agricultural lands, wicked natured, engages in creating trouble to others, and remains Chandala.  I shall describe a few of the ethical deeds, getting up in the morning facing auspicious direction would bring good health, long life, free from ailments, fortune, remove sins, etc.  While taking bath one should offer salutation to Lord Varuna, recitation of Manthra should be done with waist-deep water, offering water to Lord Surya, Pithrus and deities, Vasthram should be attired in Panchakaccha, with an upper cloth on the waist.   A righteous person should take holy dip in the Theerthas after regular bath, after holy dip, the water from the clothes should be offered to Pithrus while wearing Thripundra/three lines with the holy ashes, one should recite the hymns of Rishi Jabala, intellectuals take Manthrasnana, worship of Lord Surya reciting Gayathri Manthra during the hours of early hours dawn, mid-noon and evening would bring commendable virtues. The intellectual undertake meditation upon the supreme Bhramam with the constant recitation of Pranavamanthra, which unites the Jeevathma to Bhramam.  Lord Bhrama is the creator, Lord Achyutha is the preserver and Lord Rudra is the destroyer, who is self-illuminating.  Intellectuals observe control over Karma and Gnanendhriyas, contemplates on the supreme Bhramam with pure mind and intellect, eventually attain Moksha.  A Bhramin should recite the Omkaramanthra thousands of times a day; the rest of the Varnna should recite the Omkara Manthra according to one’s own capacity.  The ultimate object of recitation of Manthra is to attain the union of Jeevathma with the supreme Bhramam.  A twice-born who does not perform the sun worship regularly should not be included in the Vedic rites.  The recitation of Gayathri Manthra would remove all the sins, and impurities.  The performance of righteous deeds would provide Arththa/wealth, it enhances the happiness of the follower, and eventually, it will lead to attaining the sense of abandonment/Vairagya.  If a person accumulates wealth and takes immense pleasure in the material wellbeing without performing any of the righteous deeds, it would heave him to the endless cycles of rebirths.  The performance of Dharma can be two types, utilizing the wealth earned for the welfare of the Universe, offering ingredients for fire sacrifices, the performance of fire sacrifices, religious and spiritual rites, etc.  Dharma can be performed with the body by visiting sacred shrines, serving the devotees of the Lord and serving the Lord.  The performance of righteous deed without expecting any fruitful results would purify the intellect, eventually, the worshiper would attain supreme wisdom.  During the Krita Yuga, attainment of supreme knowledge and wisdom required extreme penance, during the Kali era it is easy to obtain with the performance of Dharma with Dhravya/ wealth by providing ingredients for the worship of deities, and performing charities.  The following moral deeds would provide piousness and happiness as well, the performance of immoral deed would bring grief and endless miseries.  The performance of charities to Vipra would bring an abundance of meritorious rewards.  The performance of thousands of Chandrayana Vratha would provide Bhramaloka.  A Kshatriya who performs a righteous task by providing a livelihood for a ten thousand Bhramins would attain Indhraloka and Bhramaloka respectively.  The piousness can be earned with the recital of sacred hymns and visiting holy places with the money earned following truthful ways.  A Brahmin should earn living by charities performed by the Kshatriyas, performance of fire sacrifices, religious as well as spiritual rites.  Kshatriya should earn living by protecting the Kingdom and its borders,  Vaishya should earn living from agricultural land, farming, animal husbandry, and trade,  Shudra should earn living by serving the above three Varnas.  Gnansiddhi and Mokshasiddhi are attainable only through the preceptor.  Brahmins should perform various Vedic rituals with the company of noble Vipras, the householder should offer an abundance of charities in the form of wealth, riches, grains, fruits and sumptuous meals to twice-born, in this way the householder earns abundance of piousness and the Bhramin who receives the charities should perform atonement, otherwise, it would bring sins to him.  Bhramin should perform all the daily rites sincerely, the money earned should be divided into three parts; one portion for the performance of Dharmic rites, one portion for the development/welfare of the society and the third portion should be utilized for the welfare of him and his family.  Persons of the three Varnna should utilize their wealth for the welfare of the society; follow humility, simplicity, kindness, and compassion.  The Vaishya should utilize 1/10 of the produce for charity, and some portion for the welfare of the society, a trader should utilize 1/6 of the money earned for the welfare of society, and charity otherwise he would suffer from hellish torture.  Any wealth or richness earned by unwarranted means would destroy the individual.  The Brahmin should utilize ¼ of his income for the charity and righteous deeds, if he earns sudden wealth in the form of charity, should be invested for the welfare of the society.  Bhramin should not accept the charity of money or wealth earned by illegal means, it should be thrown to the ocean otherwise it would bring horrible sins to him.  A wise one should not indulge in hurting others by words, mind or deeds, and the performance of Surya worship and fire sacrifice, Bhramayajja on a regular basis would bring heavenly abode.”

||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 24 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 12

Kshethre Papasya  Karanam Dhridam Bhavathi Bhoosura: | PUnyakshethre  Nivase Hi  Papamanavapicharathe || Himavath Girija Ganga Punya  Shathamukha Nadhi | Thath Theere Chaiva  Kashyadhi Punyakshethranayanekasha: || Thathra Theeram Prashastham Hi Mrige Mrigabhrigahaspathau| Shonabhadhro Dhashamukha: Punyoabeeshtaphalapradha: || Thathra  Snanepavasena  Padham Vainayakam Labeth | Chathurvimhamukha PUnya Narmada  Cha Mahanadhi || Thasyam  Snanena  Vasena  Padham Vaishnavamapnuyath | Thamasa  Dhvadhashamukha Reva  Dhashamukha Nadhi || Godavari Mahapunya  Bhrama Govadhanashini | Ekavimshamukha Proktha  Rudralokapradhayini || Krishnaveni PUnyanadhi  Sarvapapakshayavaha | Sashtradhashamukha Proktha Vishnulokapradhayini ||Thungabhadhra  Dhashamukha  Bhramalokapradhyini | Suvarnnamukhari Punya Proktha  Navamukha  Thatha ||

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Prajja, listen to me carefully, I shall describe the sacred Shivakshethra on the Earth which could provide Mukthi to the worshiper,  you have arrived in the Dharmakshethra Prayagaraj with an intention for the welfare of the Universe.  The fifty crores of Yojanas on the Earth enfold the mountain, dense forest, and forest of shrubs and creepers, at the command of supreme Lord Shiva.  The compassionate Lord Mahadeva established numerous Shivakshethram for the welfare of the living beings on the Earth and showers abundance of grace and Moksham as well.  The Supreme Lord Shiva appeared as a self-manifested Linga in these Shivakshethras, and showered his grace upon all the living beings, Rishis and deities.  The sacred Kshethras are established for the performance of Snana/holy bath, Japa/recitation, Dhanam/performance of charities, etc. otherwise people will undergo various ailments, poverty, blindness, etc.  The people who do not engage in any of the pious deeds meet unexpected death in the shrine of self-manifest Linga Shivashkethra would attain human life once again.  Oh! Bhusura, the performance of sinful deeds in the Shivakshethra would bring endless miseries; therefore no one should engage in sinful deeds in these sacred places.  There are several Shiva shrines located close to rivers and oceans.  Whoever lives close to the river Saraswathi which is surrounded by sacred shrines and perform various austerities would attain Bhramapadham.  The sacred shrine Kashi located on the river banks of Ganga, the place where the daughter of Himavan, Girija resides is considered as one of the sacred shrines on the Earth.  The shrine located on the sacred river bank of  Shonabhadhra where Dhashamukha performed austerities and attained abundance of piousness, therefore whoever perform austerities on the riverbank of Shonabhadhra would become intellectuals and all the desires would get fulfilled.  Whoever undertakes austerities living on the river banks of Mahanadhi Narmada, would obtain the grace of Lord Ganesha and an abundance of piousness.  Whoever undertakes austerities living on the riverbank of Thamasa and Reva would attain the devotion upon the supreme Lord Vishnu.  Whoever undertakes austerities on the river banks of Godavari, would showers abundance of grace/Mahapunya, it relieves the sins of Bhramahathya and killing of cows, ultimately it would provide the Rudraloka to the worshiper.  The sacred river Krishnaveni Punyanadhi would remove all the sins of the worshiper, whoever undertakes austerities living on the riverbank of Krishnaveni would attain the abode of Lord Vishnu.  The river Thungabhadhra is Bhramalokapradhayini, whoever undertakes austerities on the riverbank of Thungabhadhra would attain the abode of Lord Bhrama, the river Suvarnnamukhari is equally capable to provide an abundance of piousness.  The river Saraswathi, Pampa, Kanya Shwethanadhi, are highly auspicious, whoever conducts austerities on these river banks would attain Indraloka.  The rivers located on the Sahyadri hills and river Kaveri are considered as highly auspicious, therefore whoever follows austerities on these sacred river banks would attain commendable meritorious rewards, it would provide heavenly abode and the abode of Bhrama and Vishnu as well.  Whoever performs austerities on the hills of Badari and Naimisharanya would attain the abode of Lord Shiva.  Whoever performs austerities on the riverbank of Sindhu would attain the abode of Lord Bhrama.  The performance of austerities on the river banks of Kedhara and Godavari would provide an abundance of piousness and Shivaloka.  The performance of austerities performed on the river banks of Yamuna, and Shona would bring an abundance of merits, the performance of austerities on the riverbank of Kaveri and worship of Lord Vishnu would fulfill all the desires of the worshiper.  The austerities performed on the riverbank of Narmada would provide Vishnu Loka.  The austerities performed on the riverbank of Suvarnnamukhari would provide the Shivaloka, Bhrama Loka and Vishnuloka respectively.  The performance of austerities on the riverbank of Ganga during the auspicious Magha and Kumbhamela, and perform ancestral rites and Pindadhanam would please the Pithrus.  The performance of austerities on the riverbank of Krishnaveni would bring an abundance of piousness.  The performance of austerities in Ganga and Krishnaveni would bring Indhrapadham.  The performance of the austerities in the sacred Theerthas would provide Rudraloka.  The performance of austerities on the riverbank of  Thamraparnni and Vegavathi would provide Bhramaloka and Swargaloka respectively.  Oh! Deities on the Earth/Bhusura, every sacred land on Earth could provide an abundance of meritorious rewards to the person who undertakes strict austerities, disciplines, and perform Japam and Dhanam.  Therefore, any austerities and charities and rites performed in the Punyakshethra would provide an abundance of piousness, in the same manner, any minor misdeed or sin committed with the mind, body or words, on these Punyakshethra would provide endless miseries.  The worship of supreme Lord Shiva in the Punyakshethra following sincere austerities, without performing any sin by words, mind, or intellect would definitely provide an abundance of meritorious rewards, all the sins committed in the several births would get destroyed.  The performance of austerities followed with Japa and charities in the Punyakshethra is compulsory, it would remove all the sins committed by Manasa Vacha and Karmana, otherwise the sins remain with the individual for several births, the piousness as well as the wisdom would get vanished, ultimately it would push the individual to the cycles of repeated births.  Whoever undertakes extreme pleasure in the material world would accumulate sins, it can get rid only with the performance of noble deeds.  Therefore, whoever performs Devaradhana/worship of deities, charities to twice-born, performs austerities and pious deeds in these sacred shrines would remove all their sins.”

||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 23 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 11

Punyakshethre Sthitha Vapi Koopadhyam Pushkarani  Cha| Shivagangethi Vijjyeyam Shivasya  Vachanam Yaya || Thathra  Snathva  Thadha  Dhathva Japithva Hi Shivam Vrajeth | Shivakshethram  Samashrithya  Vasedhamaranam Thadha ||

The Rishis speaks “Oh! Sutha, How did the Linga consecrate? What are the characteristics of a Linga? How did the performance of Linga should be carried out according to Dhesha/region and Kala/Time?”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Rishis, listen to me carefully, I shall describe the methods of veneration of Linga, according to the places and favorable times of worship.  The Linga should be consecrated on the river bank on an auspicious time.  The Linga can be made out of clay, metal or precious stones, once consecrated it should be worshiped on a regular basis.  The worship of Linga on an auspicious day and time would bring an abundance of meritorious rewards.  There are various types of Linga,  Shivaling made of cow-dug,  flowers, Jaggery/Gud, butter, ashes, and fruits, Chalith Shivalinga/movable, should be small in size, easy to carry with the person to conduct worship, and Lingas worshiped in shrines should be in bigger sizes, and the base/pedestal of the Linga may be in circular or triangular shape, the Peeda and Linga should be made of same ingredient/clay, gem, or metal.  The Banalinga will not have any pedestal.  According to the Lingapramanam, the height of the Linga should be twelve times of the finger of the maker, if it does not meet the requirement, there is no harm in it.  A beautiful Vimanam of the Linga with the image of all the deities imprinted on it should be installed close to the mirror in the Garbhagriha.  The installation of Linga should be conducted with the recitation of Vedic chants, the main doors should be decorated with nine types of gems, Neelam, Rathnam, Vaidooryam, Shyamam, Marakatham, Pearl, Gomedham, Vajram, and Linga should be installed in the middle of these Navarathnas.  The worship of Linga on its five faces and fire sacrifices should be carried out while consecration.  In the same manner, the image of the Lord should be consecrated in the sanctum; worship of both would bring Shivapadham to the worshiper.  The Sthavara Lingas are made of wood or shrub, the Vibudha/intellectuals, conduct worship of Linga with intense devotion and faith, and the pedestal represent Paramba/Bhagavathi/Devi Parvathi gives out the appearance as Devi Uma seated on the left thigh of supreme Lord Shiva.  The veneration of Mahalingam should be worshiped on a daily basis offering Shodasha Upachara, and Dvaja according to one’s own capacity.  The Linga consecrated following the prescribed rite and worship of the same would guarantee Sakshathshivapadham.  The Lingadharshana following austerities would bring commendable virtues, offering a contribution to the worship of Linga or making Linga also earns an abundance of merit.  The worship of Shivalinga with intense devotion and faith, or reciting the  Pranavamanthra for ten thousands of times would bring Shivapadham, recitation of thousands of Pranavamanthra in the dawn would bring the serenity of mind.  The recitation should be performed in one’s own heart, not with an intention to get the attention of others.  The recitation of Panchakshara thousands of times in the dusk would provide Shivapadham, the recitation of hymns after obtaining Manthradheeksha from a preceptor would give an abundance of rewards.  Whoever engages in the veneration of Linga, or work for the welfare of the shrine of Shiva or living in the shrine of Lord Shiva would attain Shivapadham.  Whoever dies in the shrine of Lord Shiva, whether the person is intelligent or not, he would definitely attain Shivapadham.  The well, pond, rivers located in the vicinity of Shivakshethra are considered as Shivaganga.”

The Rishis speaks “Oh! Sutha, Oh! Yogavarashreshta, kindly enlighten us with the knowledge of sacred shrines on the Earth.”

||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.