‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

June 2016 Volume: 2 Issue: 05

AArsha Vani ( V o i c e o f S a n a t a n a D h a r m a )

“THE DIVINITY OF GANGA” ‘‘Due to the vision and penance of our sages, we inherited rich tradition and

culture to worship water as sacred rivers and places on their banks as divine pilgrimage centers. Though there are many rivers across the world, significance of ‘Ganga’ among them is unique. It’s a matter of surprise to note special admiration on Ganga not only from Indians, but even westerners alike. Lord Krishna said in Vibhuti Yoga of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, “srōtasāmasmi jāhnavī” meaning “I am Ganga among the streams.”

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said, “Each and every drop of Ganga is Govinda.” For Indians, Ganga is Goddess direct. Along the banks of Ganga, sacred pilgrimages with rich history and divine culture are abundant. Bhagiratha achieved the descent of Ganga onto earth for obtaining exalted state to his ancestors. Hence, Ganga is also called ‘Bhāgīrathī’. There is not an iota of doubt that Ganga came down from divine planes. Even mundane knowledge substantiates the purity and disease-evasion power of Ganga. The statement and experience that Ganga water is medicine i.e. ‘auṣadhaṁ jahnavī toyam’ is well known. Principal aspects of stories about Ganga as mentioned in Puranas – 1.Ganga is the energy flow of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. In Yogic parlance, this is the ‘Kundalini’ that flows from sahaśrāra to mūlādhāra (in reverse direction also) breaking the barriers of Brahmagranthi, Vishnugranthi, and Rudragranthi. Ganga is nothing but ‘cidēka rasarūpiṇi’ (The only one form of blissful Self). 2.Veneration of Bhageeratha towards his ancestors is another great aspect of this episode. 3.Though Ganga is viewed as water at surface level, Ganga is also worshipped as the presiding deity of water along with other River Goddesses. Sages described the form of Ganga as sitting on a crocodile holding a pot of nectar, which is worthy of worship. 4. Devi Bhagavatam mentions that Ganga is the transformed embodiment of Narayana, that which melted into Ganga with the music of Nadaswarupa Siva. On the whole, this sacred river is providing such experiences even today that corroborate the multiple divine visions of our sages about the divinity of Ganga.”

– Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from multiple sources)

Upcoming Pravachanams

Date: Jun 3 – 9, 2016 Venue: Dallas, TX

Date: Jun 11-12, 2016 Venue: Moline, IL

Date: Jun 15-17, 2016 Venue: Columbus, OH

Date: Jun 18-19, 2016 Venue: Cleveland, OH

Date: Jun 24-26, 2016 Venue: Toronto, Canada

Date: Jun 30- Jul 6, 2016 Venue: New Jersey, NJ

(For details visit http://rushipeetham.org/ Event Calendar

– USA Tour or See Page 4)

Traditions-Fulfilments

First sloka told by Bheeshma in Shanti Parva before explaining Dharmas to Yudhishthira. Recitation of below sloka bestows God’s grace to adopt the apt Dharma at the right time and implement in the right way.

namō dharmāya mahātē

nama: kr̥ṣṇāya vēdhasē । brāhmaṇēbhyō namaskr̥tya

dharmān vakṣyāmi śāśvatān ॥

To obtain the merits of taking bath in Holy Ganga – While taking bath, chant the twelve names of Ganga along with

śrī gōvindāya nama:, śrī kr̥ṣṇāya namaḥ, śrī mahā dēvāya nama

Twelve Names of Ganga: nandinī, naḷinī, sītā, mālinī ca, mahāpagā।

bhāgīrathī, bhōgavatī, jāhnavī,

tridaśēśvarī । gaṅgā, tripathagā, dēśī,

śambhu mauḷī vihāriṇī । viṣṇu pādābja

sambhūtā mahā pātaka nāśinī॥

Do not place sandalwood paste in copper vessel and water in leather materials for worship.

Always light oil lamp on the left side and ghee lamp on the right side of God.

Sadhu Vachanam “Love does not grow on trees or bought in the market, but if one wants to be "LOVED" one must first know how to give unconditional LOVE.” ―Sant Kabir Das.

(Sant Kabir Das was born on Jyeshta Pournima 1440)

Bharateeyam “I am convinced that everything has come down to us from the banks of the

Ganga – astronomy, astrology, spiritualism, etc. It is very important to note that

some 2500 years ago at the least Pythagoras went from Samos to the Ganga to

learn geometry.” - Francis M. Voltaire, French historian, and philosopher.

Spiritual Quest (Answers by Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma)

Our culture is under many threats and facing direct attacks. Religious conversions are happening. Why? What should

we do? Please guide.

Basic difference between us and others is that their upbringing inculcates adoration towards their religion and culture.

Moreover, there are rigorous stipulations enforcing the observation of the same. This situation is not found in Hindu homes.

How many of us have Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata etc. in our homes, whereas it is very common to find Bible in

Christian homes or Quran in Moslem homes? Their veneration, faith and commitment to imbibe and practice their religion

is not found in Hindus towards Hinduism, which is resulting in vicious attacks and conversions. We're only concentrating on

material pleasures instead of living life filled with Dharma and Spirituality. Hindus should live as Hindus.

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

śrī gaṅgā daśaharā stōtram

Brahmōvāca --

namaḥ śivāyai gaṅgāyai śivadāyai namō namaḥ ।

namastē rudrarūpiṇyai śāṅkaryai tē namō namaḥ ॥ 1॥

namastē viśvarūpiṇyai brahmamūrtyai namō namaḥ।

sarvadēvasvarūpiṇyai namō bhēṣajamūrtayē ॥ 2॥

sarvasya sarvavyādhīnāṁ bhiṣak-śrēṣṭhyai namōstu tē।

sthāṇujaṅgamasambhūta viṣahantyrai namō namaḥ ॥ 3॥

bhōgōpabhōgadāyinyai bhagavatyai namō namaḥ।

mandākinyai namastēఽstu svargadāyai namō namaḥ ॥ 4॥

namastrailōkyabhūṣāyai jagaddhātryai namō namaḥ।

namastriśuklasansthāyai tējōvatyai namō namaḥ ॥ 5॥

nandāyai liṅgadhāriṇyai nārāyaṇyai namō namaḥ।

namastē viśvamukhyāyai rēvatyai tē namō namaḥ ॥ 6॥

br̥hatyai tē namastēఽstu lōkadhātryai namō namaḥ।

namastē viśvamitrāyai nandinyai tē namō namaḥ ॥ 7॥

pr̥thvyai śivāmr̥tāyai ca suvr̥ṣāyai namō namaḥ।

śāntāyai ca variṣṭhāyai varadāyai namō namaḥ ॥ 8॥

ugrāyai sukhadōgdyrai ca san̄jīvinyai namō namaḥ।

brahmiṣṭhāyai brahmadāyai duritaghnyai namō namaḥ। ॥ 9॥

praṇatārtiprabhan̄jinyai jaganmātrē namōఽstu tē

sarvāpat pratipakṣāyai maṅgalāyai namō namaḥ ॥ 10॥

śaraṇāgata dīnārta paritrāṇa parāyaṇē।

sarvasyārtiharē dēvi nārāyaṇi namōఽstutē ॥ 11॥

nirlēpāyai durgahantyrai dakṣāyai tē namō namaḥ।

parātparatarē tubhyaṁ namastē mōkṣadē sadā ॥ 12॥

gaṅgē mamāgratō bhūyāt gaṅgē mē dēvi pr̥ṣṭhataḥ।

gaṅgē mē pārśvayōrēhi tvayi gaṅgēఽstu mē sthitiḥ ॥ 13॥

ādau tvamantē madhyē ca sarvaṁ tvaṁ gāṅga tē śivē।

tvamēva mūlaprakr̥tistvaṁ hi nārāyaṇaḥ paraḥ ॥ 14॥

gaṅgē tvaṁ paramātmā ca śivastubhyaṁ namaḥ śivē।

ya idaṁ paṭhati stōtraṁ bhaktyā nityaṁ narōఽpi yaḥ ॥ 15॥

śr̥ṇuyāt śraddhayā yuktaḥ kaya vāk citta sambhavaiḥ।

daśadhā sansthitairdōṣaiḥ sarvairēva pramucyatē ॥ 16॥

sarvān kāmān avāpnōti prētya brahmaṇi liyatē।

jyēṣṭhē māsi sitē pakṣē daśamī hastasanyutā ॥ 17॥

tasyāṁ daśamyāmētacca stōtraṁ gaṅgājalē sthitaḥ।

yaḥ paṭhēd daśakr̥tvastu daridrō vāpi cā kṣamaḥ ॥ 18॥

sōఽpi tat phalamāpnōti gaṅgāṁ sampūjya yatnataḥ।

adattānāmupādānaṁ hinsā caivāvidhānataḥ ॥ 19॥

paradārōpasēvā ca kāyikaṁ trividhaṁ smr̥tam।

pāruṣyamanr̥taṁ caiva paiśunyaṁ cāpi sarvaśaḥ ॥ 20॥

asambaddhapralāpaśca vāṅmayaṁ syāccaturvidham।

paradravyēṣvabhidhyānaṁ manasā niṣṭa cintanam ॥ 21॥

vitathābhinivēśaśca mānasaṁ trividhaṁ smr̥tam।

ētāni daśa pāpāni hara tvaṁ mama jāhnavi ॥ 22॥

daśapāpaharā yasmāttasmāddaśaharā smr̥tā। trayastrinśacchataṁ pūrvān pitr̥n̄atha pitāmahān

uddharatyēva sansārānmantrēṇānēna pūjitā ॥ 23॥ namō bhagavatyai daśapāpaharāyai gaṅgāyai

nārāyaṇyai rēvatyai। śivāyai dakṣāyai amr̥tāyai

viśvarūpiṇyai nandinyai tē namō namaḥ ॥24॥

iti dharmābdhisthā gaṅgāstutiḥ sampūrṇā ॥

Reciting this stotra removes the ten sins committed with the body (violence, offerings to unworthy, lust), speech (untruth, harsh words, unnecessary talks, slandering) and mind (think to harm others, interest in evil doings, greed towards others wealth).

Scriptures define Dharma as ‘dhāranāt dharmamityāhu:’,

‘dharati iti dharma:’ That which holds firmly and guides

steadfastly in the journey of life is ‘Dharma’. One should not

wait to know Dharma but should start following Dharma,

which then shall provide pleasant experiences. Hindu Dharma

is as ancient as the creation itself. Whatever is known today

as Hindu Dharma is referred with many other names in our

scriptures. Some of them are 1. Sanatana Dharma 2. Aarsha

Dharma 3. Bharateeya Dharma. 4. Vaidika Dharma. A deep

comprehension into these names itself gives us holistic view

of Hindu Dharma’s form and nature. ‘Sanatana’ means eternal

i.e. that which is not transient and ever renewing. Much

before the invasions that occurred on India, it is flourishing

with 1. Full-fledged Civilization 2. Rich Culture 3. Glorious

heritage 4. Traditions and Lineage (Family, Guru etc) and 5.

Lifestyle – Fine arts such as painting, sculpture, dance, music

etc. Hindu Dharma is the native religion of Bhāratā. Bhāratā

and Hindu Dharma are inseparable. ‘Bharata’ in Vedas is used

only for two people – 1. Supreme Lord 2. Yagnagni – Sacred

Fire in Yagna. Those who live by performing rituals such as

Yagna as prescribed in Vedas and thereby propitiate the

Supreme Lord are called ‘Bhāratīya’.

Hindu Dharma is not dependent upon any one book, one

scripture, one person or one place. Hindu Dharma is based on

three fundamentals -

1. Rich & vast literature - Vedas, Eighteen Puranas, Itihasas,

Mantra Treatises, Dharma scriptures.

2. Temples, sacred places, and holy pilgrimage centers –

Spread all over Bhāratā.

3. Holy people – Mahatmas – Those who live such pious and

pure life, lead others by example and thus inspire & motivate.

‘Veda’ means knowledge. Sages of the yore had visions of

perpetual universal truths that are beyond the senses in

severe penance under deep concentration. These revealed

truths are promulgated as ‘Vedas’. They were the seers of this

Vedic mantras but not the creators. It is very essential to

understand that these proclamations neither contradict nor

confuse but in fact compliment and corroborate with each

other, though revealed by multiple Sages at different times.

Hindu Dharma is the only Dharma that has very sound

foundation and thorough substantiation of Sastras such as

Science, Yoga, Astrology, Mantra, Medicine, Philosophy etc.

At this moment, I’m reminded of what Swami Vivekananda

said in this context. He said, “As science grows, it is only the

Hindu Dharma that can withstand these scientific

challenges. All other religions based on mere faith shall be

shattered like porcelain.” Many westerners today boldly

agree the fact that Hindu scriptures are abundant with

revelations hitherto unknown even to scientific researches.

Some illustrations to this fact are mysteries about cosmos,

dimensions of time from the smallest to the largest, Yoga for

healthy body and strong mind, Ayurveda etc. As early as in

17th century itself, John Woodruff experimented and

declared the efficacy and effectiveness of Ayurveda and

Mantras. Continued on page 3..

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

Sage Veda Vyasa said in Mahabharata, ‘yadi hāsti tadanyatra yannē hāsti na tat kvacit’. This means, ‘Whatever is here is

there elsewhere. What is not here is not there anywhere.’ This statement is equally applicable to Hindu Dharma also.

Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi said that Hindu Dharma defined all the possible modes of thought about ‘Jagat’ (Universe),

‘Jiva’ (self or soul) and ‘Ishwara’ (Lord). The fundamental tenet of

Hinduism is ‘Live and Let Live’. As said in the Vedic dictum ‘rucīnāṁ

vaicitryāt’, every tongue appeals to different taste. Likewise, every

individual chooses and practices different path such as Path of Action

(Karma), Path of Devotion (Bhakti) and Path of Knowledge (Jnana). Even

the mode could be different – Sankirtana, Yoga, Upasana, Puja and many

others. Devotees demonstrating these truths are found all over India.

Annamayya, Tyagayya, Tukaram, Meerabai etc. attained salvation with

‘Sankeertana’ - singing Lord’s names and leelas. Bhagavan Ramana

Maharshi and such others attained liberation with Jnana. Chaitanya

Prabhu, Tulasi Das, Sri Ramanujacharya, Sri Madhvacharya, Sri Adi

Sankara and many others are beacon lights to the followers of Sanatana Dharma. But, it is important to note that all these

ultimately lead to the only ONE SUPREME – UNITY IN DIVERSITY, which is otherwise stated as ‘ēkaṁ sat – viprā bahudhā

vadanti’. Elucidating the multiplicity of Gods in Hinduism, a westerner said the following – “Existence of many Gods in

nature is true not just for Hindus. This universe has multiple forms of God. Hindus identified and came to know all of

them.” Let’s all always reminisce what Swami Vivekananda boldly declared about Hindu Dharma in the World Parliament

of Religions held at Chicago in 1893 in the presence of thousands of delegates from all other world religions - “I bow down

to you all in the name of the most ancient religion of this world. I bow down to you all in the name of the Mother of all

Religions. I bow down to you all in the name of that religion which has grand lineage of sages and Gurus.”

- Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Hindu Dharmamu - Swarupamu, Swabhavamu & Prabhavamu’ discourse, TTD)

HINDU TEMPLES ARE EPICENTERS OF ENERGY

Upasana (Worship & Spiritual Practice) and corresponding Sastras such as Mantra, Tantra, Shilpa, and Agama etc. envisioned

the ‘Deity ‘in three basic forms. 1. Mantra – This is the sound form of the deity and is micro 2. Yantra – This is the

geometrical form of the deity and is little macro. 3. Vigraha – This is the metaphysical embodiment of the deity that can

be experienced by human senses.

It is very important to understand that Idol contains both Mantra and Yantra, just like

our body contains both Prana and Buddhi. As many deities, so many Mantras and so

many Yantras. Though there is one principal Ganapati mantra, some rearrangement

in the root letters (Bījākṣara) brings in transformation in the Ganapati form.

Knowledge about this rearrangement and transformation that occurs thereby is the

knowledge about Mantra. Only a ‘Seer’ Rishi can enunciate that aspect. Hindu

temples are just not mere houses of worship based on simple faith. They are the

epicenters of energy. Agama scriptures clearly dictate all the aspects of a temple.

Construction, selection and arrangement of other deities differs from deity to deity.

For example, in a temple with Ganapati as Pradhāna dēvata, Parivāra dēvatas and

Upāṅga dēvatas will be different in a temple with Vishnu as Pradhāna Dēvata. Also,

the very selection of stone for sculpting the idol of deities of different gender is

different. Pum Sila (stone with masculine features), Stri Sila (stone with feminine

features) and Napumsaka Sila (stone with inert features) are used for male, female

and objects respectively. After the completion of sculpture, many rituals such as Adhivāsams such as Jalādhivāsam,

Dhānyādhivāsam, Sayyādhivāsam etc. are done to purify the idol. Meanwhile, the mantra of the presiding deity is recited

prescribed number of times and the corresponding Yantra is worshipped daily. Havans are performed. Annadāna is done.

Kalākarshanam, Netronmilanam etc. are performed with due sanctity before the Murti Pratishtha (idol installation). This

worshipped Yantra is placed below the idol. Henceforth, that place becomes charged with the energy of the deity. Sri

Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni described in Uma Sahasram – ‘arcana kālē rūpagata। sanstuti kālē śabdagata | cintana kālē

cittagata। tattva vicārē sarvagata॥.’ This means that the ‘Supreme Brahman’, be it Siva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganapati,

Subrahmanya, Surya etc. is present in ‘Form’(rūpa) while worshipping(arcana), in ‘Mantra’(sanstuti) while

‘Chanting’(śabda), in ‘Conscious’(citta) during ‘Contemplation’(cintana) and ‘Everywhere’ (sarva) at a philosophical (tattva)

plane. (Adapted from ‘Sri Lalithopakhyanam’ discourse) - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

śrī mātrē nama:

YOGA – AN INTEGRAL PART OF HINDUISM Siva is the ‘Aadi Yogi’. Maharshi Patanjali compiled 195 Yoga Sutras around 400 CE that became the foundation of Yoga philosophy. The core essence of Patanjali’s Yoga Aphorisms is the ‘Eightfold path’ (Ashtanga Yoga) that focusses upon strong body and sound mind. Patanjali defined Yoga as ‘yōga citta vr̥tti nirōdha:’. ‘yōga: karmasu kauśalaṁ', said Lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagavadgita. Swami Vivekananda said, “Yoga is the study and practice that will take us beyond this world.” (International Yoga Day is June 21, 2016)

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

Major Festivals

Jyeshta Suddha Dasami -

Dasapapahara Dasami – Jun 14, 2016

Worship Ganga, Narayana, Siva, Brahma,

Surya, Bhageeratha and Himavanta with

sandalwood paste and flowers.

Chant as many times as possible.

nama: śivāyai nārāyaṇyai

daśaharāyai namō nama:

Chant Ganga stotra or the twelve names

of Ganga.

Worship Ganga with below mantra.

namō bhagavatyai daśa pāpaharāyai

gaṅgāyai nārāyaṇyai dēvatyai

śivāyai dakṣāyai amr̥tāyai

viśva rūpiṇyai nandinyaitē namō nama:

Jyeshta Suddha Dwadasi –

Gangavatarana, Sri Adi Sankara

Kailasa Gamanam - Jun 17, 2016

Worship Ganga and Sri Adi Sankara.

Jyeshta Pournima - Maha Jyeshti -

Jyeshtabhisheka : Jun 20, 2016

‘Tila dana’ (sesame seeds) on this

day confers the punya of performing

Aswamedha yaga. – Aditya Purana.

Offering umbrella and footwear

grants prosperity here and exalted

status here after. – Vishnu Purana

Giving Udakumbha (pitcher with

water) and a fan in charity bestows

Vamana’s blessings. – Vamana Purana.

THREE PRINCIPAL CENTERS OF DHARMA

Home, School and Temple – These three are emphatic influencing places for any individual, especially children. In many

Hindu families, elders themselves are not living as ‘Hindus’ following customs, traditions, disciplined life etc. No

stipulations are observed either daily or many a times even on special days and festivals. They themselves do not have

thorough comprehension about the eminence of Hindu Dharma, significance of It’s traditions, and prominence of

unfathomable and serene Sanatana Dharma, existing since ages all over the world. It needs no special mention that

parents are the primary teachers of any child. Children have no ideal role models either around them or in the festivals

they celebrate or in the books they read or stories they listen to.

Another important place is school. Gradual but deliberate changes in educational system and syllabus content under the

cover of secularism are totally misrepresentative attempting to attack the very fabric and structure of Indian lifestyle.

Anything related to Indian culture is removed from the syllabus attributing conjunction with Hinduism. These so called

intellectuals are not willing to accept that ‘Hinduism’ is just another name for Bhāratēyata and Indian culture. Even youth

and elders are falling into this trap very easily without any second thought or self-pride. A thorough overhaul of the entire

educational system along with restructuring the schools and colleges is essential from time to time.

Last but never the least, temple is another influential center in the life of an individual. Unfortunately, many Hindu

temples are more concentrating on income, management and promotion rather than the propagation of Hinduism,

involvement and participation of devotees. Devotees are not treated with courtesy. Attempts to keep the temple premises

clean and pure are few. Spiritual fervor in the programs that are conducted or service attitude and commitment in the

organizers is on the decline. It is essential to remember that temple is the pivotal place for Jnana, Dharma, Seva and Shanti.

Lack of respect, self-pride and confidence in Hindutva among Hindus, and continuation of this rash and negligent attitude

is sure to unveil enormous turbulence and danger to Hindu Dharma. It is the responsibility of everyone as a parent,

teacher and devotee to work towards improvising this situation. Let’s pray the Lord Almighty to grant sufficient faculties

to all to safeguard Sanatana Dharma! - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Rushipeetham’ Magazine Editorials)

1. gaurīyutāya gaurāya śūlinē bhavahāriṇē।

maṅgaḷaṁ maṅgaḷāṅgāya nityāya paramātmanē॥

2. bhavāya bhaktapālāya bhavapāśa harāya tē ।

īśāya khalanāśāya śarvadēvāya maṅgaḷaṁ ॥

3. maṅgaḷaṁ natalōkāḷi vipadambudhi vahnayē ।

mattēbhavaktra ṣaḍvaktra sēvitāyāstu maṅgaḷaṁ॥

4. asurāmara martyāḷi pūjitāya parātmanē ।

puṇyāya puṇya rūpāya maṅgaḷaṁ pāpanāśinē॥

5. dhavaḷēśvarāya bhargāya sthāṇavē śubhahētavē ।

maṅgaḷaṁ dēvadēvāya khalānāṁ dhūmakētavē॥

6. mr̥tyun̄jayāya sāmbāya sāmagānaratāya tē ।

maṅgaḷaṁ sarvalōkēśa! maṅgaḷaṁ madanāntaka॥

7. maṅgaḷaṁ vr̥ṣavāhāya pāpāraṇya kuṭhāriṇē ।

maṅgaḷaṁ sundarākāra maṅgaḷaṁ bhavahāriṇē॥

8. nāmnā rūpēṇa māṅgaḷya dānāyāmita tējasē ।

maṅgaḷaṁ natalōkēṣṭadātrē kartrē sumaṅgaḷaṁ॥

Sri Ramamurty Sarma garu authored "śrī dhavaḷēśvara stōtra sudha" on Lord Siva

containing suprabhātaṁ, ṣōḍaśanāma māla, śatakaṁ, sannuti, śaraṇāgatyaṣṭakaṁ,

maṅgaḷāṣṭakaṁ, bhujaṅga prayātaṁ, stutiratna pan̄cakaṁ etc. maṅgaḷāṣṭakaṁ given

above is to be recited at the time of Mangala arati.

Brahmasri Samavedam Ramamurty Sarmagaru (1931 – 2013)

‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

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śiva jñānaṁ – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

Philosophy of Siva liṅga

Part 8 1

Worship of Linga is the worship of both God and Nature i.e. the conjunction of both philosophies.

Nature, otherwise, is also known as ‘Pārvati’ or ‘Aparṇa’. ‘Aparṇa’ literally means a creeper without any leaves. Siva is ‘Sthaṇu’ - a raw stump without branches or leaves. This raw stump is encircled with a leafless creeper i.e. Siva is in conjunction with the limbless Shakti in His attributeless state.

Panavattam is the ‘Yoni’ (base or origin) pedestal i.e. the foundation of energy. ‘Yoni’ represents the energy of Mother Nature. Siva is the supreme attributeless Brahman mounted on that Shakti (‘Yoni’ pedestal).

“pīṭhamambāmayaṁ sarpaṁ śivaliṅgaṁ ca cinmayaṁ” Seat or Pedestal (Peetham) is filled with Amba (Mother). Siva Linga is consciousness (‘Cinmaya’). ‘Yoni’ means the ‘root cause’ (‘Nature’). This is termed as ‘Mahat Brahma’.

“mama yōnirmahadbrahma tasmin garbhaṁ dadāmyaham sambhāva: sarvabhūtānāṁ tatō bhavati bhārata” – Lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagavad Gita. This means ‘The total material substance, called Brahman, is the source of birth, and it is that Brahman that I impregnate, making possible the births of all living beings, O son of Bharata.’

Expanding characteristic of ‘Nature’ is ‘Yoni’. ‘Linga’ is the Supreme Cosmos that is the cause of creation. sataśca yōni masataśca (yajurvēdaṁ); yō yōniṁ yōni madhitiṣṭatyēka: (Śvētāśvatara) yacca svabhāvaṁ pacati viśvayōni: (Śvētāśvatara) dhvātvā munirgacchati bhūtayōniṁ (kaivalyōpaniṣattu)

Based on above various dictums as proclaimed in Upanishads, ‘Yoni’ is clarified as the basic energy source.

“sarva bhūtēṣu kauntēya mūrtaya: sambhavanti yā: tāsāṁ brahma mahadyōni: ahaṁ bījaprada: pitā” – Lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagavad Gita. This means ‘O Kauntēya, whatever forms are formed from any type of womb, I am the Brahman, the great source and the seed-giving father.’ ‘Nature’ is the mega womb of all creation, whereas Siva (Lingam) is the source or cause of creation i.e. He is the on the top of Yoni pedestal ‘mahādyōni pīṭhasta’. This is the embodiment of Mother and Father. In other words, this is the ‘Paternal’ form of Mother of the Universe. This is the philosophy of ‘arthanārīśvara’ i.e. Siva and Parvati in half and half form. (To be continued…)

Cleveland, OH

June 30-July 6, 2016

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‘Samarasya is Sanatana – Samanvaya is Bharateeyata’

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Brahmasri Samavedam Shanmukha

Sarma garu performed Homa on the

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‘Rasa Panchadyayi’ Pravachanam, Secunderabad

‘Sri Sankara Jayanti’ Celebrations at Sri Vallabha Ganapathi Temple, Kontamuru

‘Sri Ranganatha Swami Tattvam – Vaibhavam’ Pravachanam at Sri Godaataayaaru Ranganatha Swamy Devalayam, Moulaali.

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May 2016 Events

‘Siva Padam’ concert by Smt. SP Sailaja garu at Chittoor

Sri Sarma garu at Chittoor

‘Sahasra Modaka Homam’ on Sankata Hara Chaturthi