4 - The Glory of Shiva

 In this chapter full of quotations from the BG., the author describes the greatness of Shiva in Vedantic epithets cmphasising the path of Bhakti for god-realishation. The description of his own self by Ishvara constantly reminds one of Krişhņa's discourse in the BG. He explains how the process of this universe goes on due to his potencies called Maya, Vidya, and Tämasi or Kāla (18-23). He classifies the devotees according to the path of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Dhyana (meditation or Yoga?) followed by them (24-26). He proclaims his identity with Hari by stating that devotees of Hari also propitiate him. 

Ishvara said: 

1. I shall recount the greatness of the God of the gods from whom everything is produced (or functions). Ye, expounders of the Brahman, listen with concentration of the mind. 

2. I cannot be realised by men, by means of the various kinds of penances or by means of charitable gifts or by means of sacrifices. * Without ardent and excellent devotion it is impossible to know me. 

*BG, 11.48. 

G. 9.24. 

3. Indeed I abide within all living beings, all round. But the leading sages, people do not know me, the cosmic witness. 

4. I am the Dhätri (creator) and Vidhātri (the dispenser of destiny), Kāla (Time), the Fire-god with faces all round. All this universe exists in me and I am the transcendental annihilator of all (v.l. and I, the supreme deity inherent in all). 

5. The sages, the Pitrus and the heaven-dwellers do not see me. Nor do the others of well-known prowess such as Brahma, the Manus, and Shakra (the king of gods) know me. 

6. The Vedas perpetually eulogise me as the only Supreme Lord (Parameshwara). The Brāhmaṇas worship me with various kinds of Yajñas and Vedic Makhas (sacrifices). 

7. All the worlds, god Brahmă, the grand-sire of the world, do not perceive me. The Yogins (however) meditate on me, the luminous God, the lord of all creatures. 

8. As everything gets submerged in me and as I am the Atman of all, I assume the bodies of all the gods and become the enjoyer (recepient) of all Havis (sacrificial offerings $) and the dispenser of the fruits thereof. 

9. Pious scholars, the expounders of the Vedas see me here itself. I am always present near them who always worship me devoutly. 

10. Virtuous Brāhmaṇas, Kshatriyas and Vaiśhyas worship me. On them I bestow that supreme abode that is the bliss of Ātman itself. 

11. Even the others (such as) Shūdras, other persons of low birth, who observe duties and are endowed with devotion a reliberated even though they are united with Kāla (v. l. liberated in due course and become one with me). 

• 12. My devotees do not perish. My devotees are devoid of sins. It has been promised by me at the very outset that my devotees do not perish. * 

*BG. 9.31.

13. The fool who censures my devotee actually censures me the lord of Devas. He who worships him with devotion, perpetually worships me. 

14. Whether it be a leaf, a flower or a fruit or mere water, if any devotee of mine regularly offers it by way of propitiating me, is beloved of me. ** 

**BG.9.26. 

15. At the beginning of universe, I created Brahmā, Parameşhthin and handed over to him the Vedas that came out of myself. 

16. I alone am the unchanging (eternal) preceptor of all Yogins; I am the protector of the virtuous and the slayer of those who hate the Vedas. 

17. I am the liberator of Yogins here from all worldly bondage. I am the cause as well of worldly existence though I am bereft of all worldly ties. 

18. I alone am the annihilator, the creator and the protector of the universe. Maya, the enchantress of the worlds, is my own potency. 

19. What is called as Vidyā (knowledge) is my own transcendental power. Stationed in the hearts of Yogins, I annihilate that Māyā. 

20. I am the originator and restrainer of all powers. I am the support of all potencies. I am the storehouse of nectar (or immortality). 

21. Presided over by me, one of my powers which inheres in all and is identical with me assumes the form of god Brahma and creates this world which is full of variety and diversity (O Brāhmaṇas who have resorted to the supreme Yoga, I am not the prime mover or propeller (of the universe). 

22. Another immense power of mine becomes Nārāyana, the infinite, the Lord of and the pervader of the world, and sustains (with stability) the universe. 

23. The third great Shakti annihilates the entire universe. It is mine and is called Tamasi as well as Kāla. It is in the form of Rudra. 

24. Some perceive me through meditation, others through the path of spiritual knowledge; others through the path of devotion and still others through the path of action. 

25. Among the devotees, he who always propitiates me through spiritual knowledge and not otherwise, is my most beloved devotee. 

26. Others who are the devotees of Hari but who (there by) propitiate me also, attain to me. They do not return again to Samsāra. 

27. This entire universe constituted of Prakruti and Puruşha is pervaded by me.1 The Chitta or mind (v.1. Vishva or the universe) is stationed in me alone. The universe is impelled on (or directed) by me. 

1. BG. 9.4; 18.46.

28. O Brāhmaṇas! I am not the (direct) impeller but by adopting the highest Yoga, I urge on the entire universe. He who realizes this is immortal (i.e. is liberated from Samsāra).2 

2. Shvet, Up. 3.1; 3.13. 

29. I (hereby) observe this entire universe as if existing of itself (naturally). It is Lord Kāla, the master of great Yogins who creates, maintains and destroys it. 

30. It is I who am mentioned as Yogin and Máyin (Master of Maya) in the scriptures by wise sages; (I am) He, the master of Yogins, Lord Ishvara of the great Yoga himself. 

31. The greatness of Parameshthin is due to his being the most excellent of all Sattvas (living beings). Lord Brahma is mentioned as identical with the great Brahman. He is free from blemish. 

32. There is no doubt in this that he who knows me like this as the overlord of all the masters of Yoga is united with me through the sure path of Yoga (or by nirvikalpa meditation) 

33. Such am I the impelling God. Resorting to the supreme bliss, I, the Yogin, dance on forever. He who knows it is the knower of Yoga*. 

*v.l. I impel the entire universe. He who knows it, is the knower of the Vedas). 

34. This secret-most knowledge is the decision enshrined in the Vedas. This should be imparted to one of pure mind, to one who is virtuous, and to one who maintains the sacrificial fires (as an Ahitāgni).