23 - Worship of Shiva

Suta said:

1-2. I shall now explain the worship of Shiva conducive to the achievement of virtue and love etc. With the following three mantras, beginning with Om and ending with Sväha, Achamana shall be performed. 

Om Ham Atmatattvåya² Svähä

Om Him Vidyatattvåya³Svähä

 Om Hum Shivatattvaya⁴ Svähä 

2. To soul-element. 

To knowledge-element.

 4. To Shiva-clement. 

The salutation to the ears should be made with the heart. 

3. For the bath of ashes and Tarpana¹ the mantras are Om Ham Yam Sväha. For all devas, all sages the adoration is with the Mantra ending with Namah and Vauşhat². 

1. Presenting libations of water to the manęs.

2. An exclamation uttered while offering oblations to the deities. 

4. For all the Pitrus and Pitamahas (fathers and grandfathers) the mantra should end with Svadha. 

Om Hām to the great-grand-fathers and maternal grand fathers as well. 

5. Ham Namah to all mothers. Then Pränāyāma should be performed. Achamana and Märjana³ should be made. Gayatri⁴ be recited next. 

3. Cleansing, sprinkling water by means of band or a blade of kusha grass. 

4. Gayatri generally means a verse composed in the Vedic metre called Gāyatri which is of 24 syllables, usually a triplet of eight syllables each. 

Butin the Indian culture it has assumed a specific meaning and the following Rugvedic Verse is popularly known as Gayatri (because it is also composed in the Gayatri metre). 

Tat savitur varenyam

bhargo devasya dhimahi/

dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayat// 

(RV 3.62.10)

Every caste Hindu is expected to repeat this versc during morning and evening devotions (sandhyā). As it is addrewed to Savitri, the sun, it is also called Såvitri. 

Gayatri is also personified as a goddess and is said to be the wife of Brahma and the mother of the four Vedas and the first three casta. 

It is held very sacred and attriibuted with many mystical and philosophical potentialities. The Tántrikas bavc a number of mystical veries, cach one attributed to a particular deity, aod there are also known by the name of Gåyatri. (Also Linga (AITM), p. 796, SED, P. 352;CDHM, pp. 111-2). 

Nonetheless the verse given here beginning with Om ham is quite different to that one generally accepted as Gayatri and quoted above, 

6. Om Hāṁ Tan Mahesaya Vidmahe / Vāgvishuddhaya Dhimahi/Tanno Rudraḥ Prachodayat//⁵ 

5. This verse, also composed in Gayatri metre, is addressed to Shiva and seems to be composed on the model of the RV 3.62.10. 

7. After Süryopasthapana (special recital of prayers with mystic gesticulations with the hand) he should begin worship with solar mantras. 

Om Häm Him Hüm Haim Haum Hah. Salutation to Shiva Súrya. Om Ham obeisance to Khakolka, the form of Sun. 

8. Om Hram Hrim Sah obeisance to the sun. Dandin and Pingala and other Bhūtas should be systematically remembered. After propitiating the pure Ishana in fire great pleasure shall be obtained. 

9-10. He should worship Padma with Ram; Dipta with Rim; Sakshmå with Rūm; Jayd with Rem; Bhadra with Raim, Vibhuti with Rom; Vimala and Amoghika with Raim; Vidyuta with Ram in the eastern and other quarters; Rom in the middle, Sarvatomukhi with Ram; the sun's seat and the form of sun with Hram and Hrum; and the sun with Sah. 

11. Om and Am for the sun in the heart; head and tuft of hair and Bhūh, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ, Om. Jvälini should be worshipped with Hram. Coat of mail and weapon should be assigned duly. 

12. The queen properly initiated should be worshipped with Sürya-Hrudaya Mantra. The planet Soma (Moon) should be worshipped with Som; Mangala (Mars) with Mam; Budha (Mercury) with Bam; Bruhaspati (Jupiter) with Br; Bhargava (Shukra-venus) with Bham; the planet ShanaiShchara (Saturn) with Sam. 

13. Rahu with Ram; Ketu with Kam and the fierce lustre should be worshipped with Om. After worshipping the sun and performing Achamana the Anganyasa should be made beginning with the little finger. 

14. Ham Him for the head; Him for the tuft, Haim for the coat of mail and Haum for the eyes. Hah for the weapon. Having fixed Shakti, Nyasa should be made for the purification of elements. 

15. Then making a vessel for Arghya it shall be sprinkled with holy water. 

16. The Atman should be worshipped as seated on the lotus. With Haun Shivaya the exterior should be worshipped. Nandin¹ and Mahakala² at the gate; Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati.³ 

1. The bull of Shiva. His image of white colour is always put before the idol of Shiva in cvery temple of Shiva. He is supposed to be the guar dian of all four-footed animals. He is one of Shiva's ganas and accompanies bim during his tåndava dance, 

2. The chief of Shiva's ganas (personal attendant).

 3. v.l. gauh. 

17. Shrivatsa, Vastuadhipati (presiding deity of the plot); Brahmă, Gana, preceptor, Shakti and Ananta-all these in the middle, Dharma¹ and others in the east; 

1. A personification of Religion of Rightcousness or virtue. Dharma is also a name of Yama, the god of death. (SSED, P. 268), 

18. Adharma² in the south-east; Vama and Jyeshtha in the middle and in the pericarp of the lotus; Raudri, Kali, Shiva and Sità in the east. 

2. A personification of Vice. It is very peculiar that adharma is also to be worshipped with dharma. 

19-20. Oṁ Haum obeisance to Kalavikariņi. The following should be worshipped in the iniddle of the seat in front of Shiva. Balavikārini, Balapramathini Sarvabhūtānan damani & Manonmanī, the great form of Shiva's seat and in its middle Shiva. 

21-23. All these rites should be performed duly-Avähana, Sthapana, Sannidhana,³ Nirodhana,⁴ Sakalikarana, Mudradarshana, Arghya, Padya, Achamana, Abhyanga,⁵ Udvarta,⁶ Snana, Nirmañchana.⁷ Next he should offer garments, unguents, flowers, incense, lamp, food offerings, Achamana, fragrant spices, betel leaves, water for washing hands, umbrella, chowries and sacred thread and perform Paramikaraña. 

3. Receiving or putting down together.

4. Endorsing, covering up.

5. Smearing with oily substances.

 6. Smearing with perfumes

7. v.l. nirmohana. 

24. After imagining the deity in its solitary form recital of prayers and the dedication thereof should be performed. This is called Namanga worship-i.e. prayer, kneeling etc. by means of the heart. 

25. In the south-east, north-east, north-west and south-west, the worship mentioned for the cast should be made in the middle. He should worship Indra and others and Nirmālya should be applied to Chanda. 

26-29. The prayer shall be:- O Lord Shiva, thou art the protector of the secret of secrets, Please accept this chanting of prayer performed by us. Let there be successful achievement for me by thy grace in thy presence. Whatever sin I may have committed do thou destroy that since I am in Shiva's region. Thou art the giver of Renown. Shiva is the giver, Shiva is the enjoyer, Shiva is this entire world, Shiva is victorious everywhere. I am he who is Shiva. Whatever I have done, whatever I will do let everything be sacred unto thee. O Śhiva thou art the saviour, the leader of the universe. I do not have any other lord.” 

30-35. I shall explain another method of worship of Shiva. Beginning from the east these should be placed in the gates Gana, Sarasvati, Nandi, Mahakala, Ganga, Yamuna, & Vastvadhipa. Indra and others should be worshipped. The Tattvas (principles) should be worshipped viz:- Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Ether, smell, taste, form, Sound, touch, speech, hands, feet, anus, penis, ears, skin, eyes, tongue, nose, mind, intellect, ego, Prakruti,¹ Puruşha, Rāga,² Duesa,³ Vidyā, Kāla, Akala,⁴ Niyati,⁵ Maya,⁶ pure learning, Ishvara, Sadāśhiva, Shakti and Shiva. Having known all these he should become wise and liberated. He who is Shiva is Hari and Brahma and I am Brahman due to liberation. 

1. Nature.

 2. Passion

3. Jealousy.

4. Obviously opposite of Kala (time).

5. Destiny. 

6. Illusion, Deception. Illusion is personified as a female form of celestial origin, created for the purpose of beguiling some individual. In Vedānta philosophy, it means illusion by virtue of which one considers the unreal universe as really existent and as distinct from the supreme spirit. It is regarded as a power of God. Maya is considered by some to be synonymous with Ajnana or Avidya which is the cause of false knowledge. In sankhya philosophy it means thc Pradhana or Prakruti. (Vide CDHM, p. 207; CSL, P. 437). 

7. According to the Tantras, it is the principal nerve in the human nervous system, being on the left side of the body. (CSL, p. 446). 

36-37. I shall explain the purification of elements, through which a man being purified becomes Shiva. The mantra is in the lotus of the heart. The return is immediate. These two are the Nadis, (nerves) Ida⁷ and Pingala.⁸ The two Präna and Apāna in the square Mandala (diagram) shall be the bodies of Indra and Brahma. 

8. The principal nerve on the right side of the body. (CSL, P. 446). 

38-40. The mandala is marked by Vajra¹ and illuminated. The arrows are of the quality of single stroke. The quiver in the place of heart is spacious and contains hundred chambers. Om Hrim Pratishthāyai Hum Hah Phat; Om Hram Vidyāyai Hram Hah Phat. The Bhūmi Tantra is eightyfour crores in height. In its centre he should contemplate the Bhavavruksha (the tree of worldly existence) and the soul. 

1. v.l.vakra. 

The Earth should then be thought of as with a face downwards. Then everything should be made pure. 

41. Vama Devi is the Pratishthā (base). Sushumna,² is dharika (the supporting prop). The deities are Samāna, Udāna and Varuņa. Vishņu is the cause. 

2. The most important nerve in the buman nervous system, being in the middle of the body. (CSL, p. 46t.) 

42. Udghatas (beginnings) are four times. The dhyana is Sveta (white). The lotus of the neck should be made thus. The mandala (diagram) shall be called Ardhachandra (Crescent moon). 

43. Marked by a lotus it shall extend to two hundred crores. The Atman ninetyfour (times) in height shall be thought of as with face downwards. 

44. There are places and lotuses. The Aghora (non-terrific) shall be accompanied by learning. 

Naga (Serpent) and the deity of fire are to be contemplated as the tongue of an elephant with the lips in the centre. 

45. Rudra is the cause, The Udghata is for three times, Its colour is that of blood. It is in the form of a blaze, triangular in shape. Its altitude and width are four hundred crores. 

46-48. Rudra Tattva should be contemplated thus. 

It is in the forehead that the Purusha has his Shakti. A grassy place with tortoise and partridge, O scholars. Väyu is the deity. Ishvara is the cause. 

The Vayu Tattva should be contemplated as extending to fourteen crores. Udghāta is for two times. The mandala is haxagonal in shape called Vrusha. It is marked by a dot. The width and the altitude are eight crores. 

49. In a lotus of twelve ends the Ishvaras are beyond. Shanti (peace) Kuhu, Shankhini, Devadatta and Dhananjaya are the Nadis. 

50. The cause is Shikheśhāna and SadāShiva. The Udghata is for once only. It should be remembered as resembling bright glass. 

51. The width is sixteen crores. The altitude is twenty five crores. Thus the abode should be contemplated is circular in shape. Bhata Shuddhi has been explained thus. 

52. Ganaguru, Bijaguru, Shakti, Ananta, Dharmaka, jñana Vairāgya, Aishvarya-all these are in the petals beginning with. that in the east. 

53. Both of them are prone-faced and supine-faced. The pericarp and filaments of the lotus are contemplated. One should always conteniplate the Atmavidyā (study of soul) and those others beginning with Vāma. 

54. The Tattva named Shiva should be thought of in the seat of Shiva. The Mürti is Ho Haum. Obeisance to Vidyadeha. 

Lord Shiva is seated in the pose Padmasana¹, white in colour and sixteen years old. 

1. A particular posture in religious meditation. 

ürümüle vamapadam punastu dakshinam padam/ 

Vamorau sthapayitva tu padnudsanamiti smrustam// (SSED, P. 314).

55. He has five faces. Of his ten hands, the five on the right carry Abhaya², Prasāda, Shakti³, Shula (trident) and Khatvänga. ⁴

2. A particular mudrá of hand promising protection.

 3. A kind of missile, spear, dart, pipe or lance. 

4. A club or staff with a skull at the top considered to be a weapon or Shiva and carried by ascetics and yogins. (SSED, P. 174). 

56. And the left ones carry Serpent, Akshasūtra⁵ drums, blue lotus and the pomegranate. 

5. A rosary. 

57. SadaShiva is three-eyed. He has Iccha shakti (willpower), Jnanašhakti (knowledge-power), and Kriyāśhakti (Action -

power). A person who worships Shiva like this and contemplates thus will be devoid of Kala (become deathless). 

58. If one circle of worship is completed in a day and night, the worshipper shall live for three years, if in two days, he shall live for two years. 

59. If in three days he shall live for one year. He will never have premature death or death due to cold or heat.