( Brahma extols Shiva Mahima, Muni Stuti and Shiva’s discourse on Karma & Jnaana Yogas)            

In the days yore, thousands of Munis were engaged in their Tapasya along with their wives and families observing an orderly routine of Vedic duties and performing Yagnas frequently. Into this routine, Maha Deva landed as an attractive and healthy youth along with Vishnu as Maya Devi of enticing body features and matchless beauty. Apparently, both of the Maha Devas viz.Shiva and Vishnu desired to teach the Maharshis about the  ‘Pravrutthi Marga’(Karma Yoga of Grihastis) as against the ‘Nivrutti Marga’ (Sanyasa Yoga).There was a commotion in the Society as the womenfolk got mesmerised with the body features of Shiva as a romantic male and the sons of Munis went berserk with Vishnu as a dazzling female. The presence of the couple was highly disturbing especially as they were displaying romance in public and were even dancing in provocative postures. Some of the elderly Maharshis encountered the male youth and asked him about his antecedents and the latter replied smilingly that they desired to perform Tapasya; the Rishis asked the male youth to do so without his wife but Shiva replied that neither his wife desired to possess another male nor he would leave her any way. Asked as to who was he, Shiva replied that he was a Siddha and had been residing earlier in the ‘Brahma Maya Mandala’! As Shiva in the form of a Male Youth gave such careless replies, the Munis surrounded him despising the youth’s semi-nakedness and assaulted  him physically with blows and  punches and said:

Dushtaa charanti Girisham nagnam vikruta lakshanam,

Prochuretad Bhavaallingamutpaatayatu Durmatey/

(When the semi-nude Girisha faced the Munis, the latter shouted on them and said : Durmatey! You better drop off your Linga, the Symbol of man-hood)! Shiva replied that if they so insisted likewise, he would do so and having done so, Shiva disappeared and so did Vishnu in the feminine form. While this happened, there was sudden darkness all around, severe earthquakes were experienced, Planets were out of their positions and oceans were highly disturbed .

Maharshis prayed to Brahma Deva at this occurrence and a highly nervous and distressed Brahma replied:

Ha kashtam bhavataamadya jaatam Sarvaarthanaashanam,

Dhigbalam dhik tapascharyaa mithyaiva bhavataamiha/

Sampraapya Punyasamskaaraannadheenam Paramam nidhim,

Upekshitam vridhaachaarairbhavadbhiriha mohitaih/

Kaamkshatey Yogino nityam yatnanto yatayo nidhim,

Yameva tam samaasaadya haabhavadbhirupekshitam/

(Ha! What a huge misfortune had befallen; fie on your stupidity and senselessness! What ever Tapasya had been done all these years and decades had come to nought! Alas! Whatever physical and mental sacrifices that were made and almost reached fruition had been ruined and got wasted! Alas indeed, the great Nidhi / Fund that Maha Yogis and Yatis craved for their life times was no doubt achieved but slipped through fingers irretrievably!)

Brahma further expressed his dismay and sorrow at this most unfotunate incident to the Maharshis and described Parama Shiva’s magnificence as follows: At the time of Pralayas or the Great Universal Exterminations repeatedly occuring for thousands of Yugas in the Timeless Past, Bhagavan Shankara assumes Kaala Swarupa and annihilates Devas, Rishis, Pitaras and all Physical Beings in Creation. He then resumes Stishti after each such Pralaya. Since there is no difference between him and Vishnu, some times he transforms himself as he pleases into Vishnu Swarupa with Chakra, Vajra and Shri Vatsa symbol; during Krita yuga Shiva assumes Yogi Swarupa; in Treta Yuga he adopts Yagna Swarupa; in Dwapara Yoga he assumes Kaaala Rupa and in Kali Yuga as Dhumaketu. Rudra has manifested as Three Murtis encompassing the entire Universe. It was stated that the Prime Form of Tamoguna is Agni, Brahma signifies Rajo guna and Vishnu represents Satwa guna. Shiva’s another Swarupa is stated to be  Digambara (Nude), Shaswata and Shivatmika and is known as Para Brahma; his one-half of physical Form is his wife as Artha Nariswara; indeed he is Paramatma Narayana who creates and absorbs every thing into him. He indeed is the Supreme Enchanter and the Final Destiny!

Sahasra Purushah Sahasraakshah Sahasrapaat,

Eka Shringo Mahatmaanaa Puraanashtaksharo Harih/

Chaturvedaschaturmurtir- trigunaha Parah,

Ekamurtirameyaatmaa Narayana iti Shrutih/

(Maha Purusha Shri Hari , the Ashtaakshara Murti of Om Namo Narayanaaya, who possesses thousands of heads, eyes and feet had the distinction of pulling up the Universe with one ‘shringa’ / horn; the Shritis underscore that Narayana is of the Manifestations of Chatur Vedas, Chatur Murtis, Tri Murtis and Tri Gunaas and yet is really of a Single Form!)

Narayana who is the Prime Form of Water is the decider of the Karma Phala of every Being.  All the virtuous practitioners of Dharma look to him as an Example and through various Stutis and Mantras seek solace from him in their strife for Salvation. That Paramatma who creates and ends up the Samsara is neither born nor terminated nor even grown. In the Swarupa of Brahma, He sows the seed; as Vishnu he preserves and as Shiva uproots. Thus Paramatma assumes different Swarupas depending on their end-objectives!

Having said this, Brahma instructed the Maharshis to instal Lingas along the Pratimas of Devi and Putras and worship vigourously with the help of relevant Mantras. The installation of Lingas has to be accomplished with utmost reverence along the recitations of Vedas and Shata Rudriyas and the next generations too should be sensitized to worship the Shiva Linga with increased vigour and faith. After Brahma explained on the above lines and disappeared, the Maharshis felt ashamed of their thoughtless action and resolved to propagate universal awareness of Linga Pratishtha and regular Shiva Linga Puja. Then they prostrated before Bhagavan Shiva in their own hearts, minds and inner visions and most repentantly made the following Stuti:

Namo Devaadi Devaaya Mahadevaaya tey namah,

Traiyambakaaya Namastubhyam Trishula vara dhaariney/

Namo Digvaasasey tubhyam Vikrutaaya Pinaakiney,

Sarva Pranata dehaaya Swayam Pranataatmaney/

Antakaanta krutey tubhyam Sarva Samhaaranaayacha,

Namostu Nrittya sheelaaya Namo Bhairava Rupiney/

Naranaari shariraaya yoginaam Guravey namah,

Namo Daantaaya Shaantaaya Tyaapasaaya Haraaya cha/

Vibhishanaaya Rudraaya Namastey Krittivaasasey,

Namastey Lolihaanaaya Shitikanthaaya tey namah/

Aghoraghora rupaaya Vaamadevaaya vai namah,

Namah Kanakamaalaaya Devyaah Priyakaraaya cha/

Ganga saliladhaaraaya Shambavey Parameshtiney,

Namo Yogaadhipataye Brahmaadhipataey Namah/

Praanaaya cha Namastubhyam namo Bhasmaanga raaginy,

Namastey Ghana vaahaaya damshtriney Vahniretasey/

Brahmanaas cha Shiro hatrey namastey Kaala rupiney,

Aaaganti  tey na jaaneemo ganti naiva cha naiva cha,

Vishweshwara Maha Deva yosi sosi namostutey/

Namah Pramathanaayaaya Daatrey cha Meedhushtamaaya tey,

Namah Kanaka Lingaaya Vaari Lingaaya tey namah/

Namo Vahnyarkya Lingaaya Jnaana Lingaaya tey namah,

Namo bhujanga haaraaya Karnikaara priyaaya cha,

Kirtiney Kundaliney Kaal Kaalaaya tey namah/

Vaama deva  Maheshaana Devadeva Trilochana,

Kshamyataam yatkrutam mohaat tatwameva sharanam hi nah/

Charitaani vichitraani gruhaani gahanaanicha,

Brahma deenaam cha Sarveshaam Durvijayosi Shankara/

Ajnaanaad yadi vaa Jnaanaad yatkinchit kurutey Narah,

Tatsarvam Bhagavaaneva kurutey Yogamaayayaa/

(Our sincere salutations to you Devaadi Deva, Maha Deva, Trishula dhaari, Traimbaka, Digambara, Vikruta Rupa, Pinaakini; You are the refuge to one and all while you do not require anybody’s shelter or support; if Yama is the destroyer, you are capable of destroying Yama, if need be; You are the Greatest Dancer and is Bhairava; You are of Nara-Naari Swarupa or Ardha Naarishwara and the Yoga Guru; our greetings to you the Daanta, Shaanta and Taapasa Swarupa; Rudra! You are the Most Ferocious one, wearing Animal Skins ; Lolihaana (Serpent: an epithet for Shiva); Sthitikantha ( white throated); Aghora; Ghora Rupa or of  Grotesque Form; Vaama Deva; garlanded by Kanaka pushpas; Devi Priya Karta; Gangaadhara; Pramatha naatha; Shambhu; Yogadhipati; Brahmaadhipati; Of Ash leden Limbs; Praana Rupa; Megha Vahana or The One carried by Clouds; Damshtri! Vahni Reta or Fire-Spermed; Brahma Shira Harana or He who snipped one of Brahma’s heads; Kaala Rupa; Gamanaagama Jnaana nirata or he who knows about the Entry and Exit of all Beings; Vishweswara! Maha Deva! We salute you in the same Swarupa as You were when you disappeared; You are Pramadha Nadha! Sampada daata or the Bestower of Prosperity; Kapaala dhaari! Meedhushta Linga! Kanaka Linga! Vaari Linga! Agni Linga! Surya Linga! Jnaana Linga! Sarpamaalaa Dhara! Karnikaara Pushpa Maalaa Dhara! Kireeta-Kundala Dhara! Kaala Kaala! Vaama Deva! Trilochana! Maheshaana! Devaadhi Deva! You have hypnotized us and we are ashamed of what we did to you; do very kindly pardon us for our inexcusable and disgraceful action but we are all in your protection! You defy description as you are deep, secretive and complex. Maha Deva! Brahma and others could  simply not comprehend you! Whatever Human beings act is only the product of what Maya does and indeed Maya’s actions are the product of your own choice!)

As Munis made the above submission to Maha Deva, the latter granted to them his appearance; there after select Maharshis like Bhrigu, Angira, Vasishtha, Vishwamitra, Goutama, Atri and so on made a request to Maha Deva as to how one should worship him; should it be by the means of Karma Yoga or Jnaana Yoga! In fact Maha Deva entered Deva Daru Vana like a semi-lunatic as an attractive youth along with Vishnu in Stree Swarupa only to clarify on this very subject of worship: should it be by the Pravrutti Marga or Nivrutti Marga?

Shiva’s discourse on Karma and Jnaana Yogas: Mahadeva replied to the above queries on the same lines of what he revealed to Brahmadeva too: To attain Mukti, human beings have two options of Sankhya Yoga; one is Karma Yoga another is Jnaana Yoga; Karma Yoga alone would not secure Moksha and it has to be supplemented with Jnaan Yoga:

Na kevalena Yogena drushyatey Purushah Parah,

Jnaanam tu kevalam samyagapavarga phala Pradam/

Bhavantah kevalam yogam sdamaashritya vimuktayey,

Vihaaya Saamkhyam Vimalamakur-vanta parishramam/

Etasmaat kaaranaat Vipraa Nrunaam kevaladharminaam,

Aaagatohamimam desham jnaapayan Moha sambhavam

/(Merely Karmayoga shall not reach one to Mukti; Jnaana nishtha or the discipline of Jnaana too is essential. You persons are merely following karma sadhana without jnaana and that was the reason why I had to descend down in disguise to correct you!). You should all try to learn, understand and visualise the Jnaana route to Mukti.  Atma (Inner Soul)  is pure, unadulterated with inhibitions, transparent and permanent. That is the Brahma bhava; Yatis who practise the vision of Vishwa Swarupa become aware of that Jnaana and distinguish wood for the forest! Karma yoga or the relentless practice of virtuous deeds is no doubt useful and essential  upto a point but knowing of  Paramatma and of his qualities of Omni Presence, Omni-Science, Omni Potence, of His Infinity and Permanance needs to be understood clearly and  then continuous meditation be resorted to).

Jnaana yogarataah Shaantaamameva sharanam gataah,

ye hi maam bhasmanirataa dhyaayanti satatam hridi/

Madbhakti Paramaa Nityam yatayah ksheenakalmashaah,

Naashayaamyachiraat teshaam ghoram Samsaara saagaram/

Those who truly understand the futility of Samsara in their hearts would smear Bhasma on their face and body as a sign of Vairagya, seek my protection  recognising my Supremacy and engage in my Dhyana constantly). My Bhaktas must practise equanimity of sorrows and joys; from temporary failures and successes besides worldly distractions and joys.Then they should practise Brahmacharya, accord least importance to dress and related attributes of physical looks, false prestiges and vanity; enforce physical-mental control and think of nothing else than me.

 Mahadeva stated that in the past, he prescribed Paashupata Vrata:

Yesha Paashupato Yogah sevaneeyo Mumukshubhih,

Bhasmacchannairhi satatam nishkaamairiti vishrutih/

Veetaraaga bhayakrodhaa manmaaa maamupaashritaah,

Bahavonena yogena putaa madbhaava –maagataah/  

(Those ‘Mumukshus’ who aim at Moksha have no desires and are always in the practice of Pashupata Yoga with Bhasma and Nishkaama as their hall-marks. They are fully rid  of desire, fear and anger and surrender themselves into my sanctuary).

Bhagavan further asserted:

Veda murtiraham Vipraa naanya Shaastraardhavedibhih,

Jnaayatey matswarupam tu muktwaa Vedam Sanaatanam/

Sthaapayadhwamidam Maargam Pujayadhwam Maheshwaram,

Achiraadaishwaram Jnaanamut- pashyati na samshayah/

Mayi Bhaktischa Vipulaa Bhavataamastu Sattamaah,

Dhyaatamaatrohi Saamnidhyam daasyayaami Munisattamaah/

(Brahmanaas! I am the Veda Murti. Persons like you who ignored Sanaatana Vedas and sought to adopt novel interpretations of  Shastras could indeed never realise me; You must now on revise your ways of thinking and observe Ishwara Puja which should provide you the Sanatana  Jnaana of Ishwara  without doubt. May you all be granted with enormous devotion to me; as you ponder about me and meditate to me, you should be able to come near to me!)

As Maha Deva preached the above and disappeared, the Maharshis commenced worship with full vigour and in the process and passage of time, they broadened their vision and raised certain relevant and germane queries in the quest of further knowledge:

Kimasya Jagato Mulamaatmaa chaasmaka –meva hi,

Kopi syaat Sarva bhaavaanaam hetureeshwara eva cha/

(What is the root cause of this Universe! The reply would be : The Atma is the genesis of the Universe!; What is the causation or inter-connection between Atma and the Material in the Universe! The reply would be:  Maha Deva is the Creator of all ‘Bhaavaas’ or Material.)

To annotate these pertinent queries, Devi Parvati appeared and the Maharshis who visioned her with thousands of ‘Tejojwaalaas’ or innumerable strings of extra- ordinary flames as the Maharshis came  to realise that Maheshwari was the Mula Shakti- the ‘Paramasya Beejam’ or the Supreme Seed- which was the Causation! They commended Parvati as the Maha Maya Shakti and saluted her:

Iyam hi saa Jajato yonirekaa Sarvaatmikaa Sarvaniyaamikaa cha,

Maaheshwari Shaktiranaadi Siddhaa Vyomaabhidhaanaa Divi Raajateeva/

Asyaam Mahat Parameshthi Parastaanmaheshwarah Shiva Ekotha Rudrah,

Chakaara Vishwam Para Shakti nishthaam Maayaamathaaruhya sa Deva Devah/

Eko Devah Sarva Bhuteshu Goodho Maayee Rudrah Sakalo nishkalascha,

Sa yeva Devi na cha Tadvibhinnametatjjyaatwaa hyamrutatvam vrajanti/

(This Maheshwari Shakti is indeed the core source of the Samsara and its Supreme Enforcer and Regulator; Devadi Deva Parameshthi the Unique and Adviteeya depends  on his own manifestation as Maya does ably assist in the Creation and deeds of the Universe).