Call Upon Shiva

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

Singing praise for Lord Shiva.

Seek Help

Hari Om

'Freedays' are the 'gather our thoughts' days; Q&As; a general review of the week so far…

Maha Shivratri has just been and gone. Last Freeday, the suggestion of spring cleaning was made. That was based on the Roman and Western perception. With Shivraatri - held in the same month - the principle is to invite the destruction of our vaasanas. For this, The Destroyer God is invited into our lives.

So often Shiva-ji is thought of as some kind of 'devil' personality, or certainly the harbinger of death. On a global scale, that energy might be accurate, but on the personal level it is very much more about destroying our own 'inner demons'. This is what Lord Shiva represents. Most of us are too weak to properly work on this inner cleansing alone. Call upon the Lord to help in the task!!!

Seek Inner Power

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

The Rudri Path calls upon the terrible power of Shri Shiva and is a wonderful focus for spiritual seekers. It benefits health and spiritual development.

Release

Hari OM

'Text-days' are for delving into the words and theory of Advaita Vedanta.

This month the prayer of focus will be the Mahaa-MRtunjaya Mantra. 

Having seen extended meaning of the first to words of the mantra, let us proceed…

Sugandhim follows next and is an adjective; it describes how sweet-smelling is this Lord Shiva. Straightforward compliment? Yes, but this also has the context of prompting our awareness that in our sense of smell, everything which we sniff is nothing but the Lord Himself!  This, of course, means that even the less-than-sweet odours of the world are a part of him; but is that not true of all of us? Importantly, especially in the context of this prayer for the sick and needy, it reminds us to think only of His Sweetness that He might shed some of it upon us and those we for whom we pray. This word, then, also points to the All-Pervasiveness of the Higher Essence. It helps us to remember that little ego-selves are nothing, compared to That. Another facet is that, when crushed in the hand, a flower will leave its fragrance upon the skin; the flower has given of itself even in its being crushed. This equates to Forgiveness; a major part of any healing.

Pushtivardanam is another adjective. Nourishment and growth are being attributed to the Lord. How does He nourish our growth? By chanting the mantra correctly the vibrations themselves help to tune our mind to a more peaceful wavelength. Here we think more clearly and raise our inner standards. By using the word 'pushti' in this compound, the beseecher is also acknowledging that the Lord is the generator of all that is perceived  and not perceived and by attuning to this vibration we also can 'manifest'; thus, whilst this is a mantra to overcome materialism, it also results in prosperity - but not necessarily in the way we expect.

Urvarukam Iva bandhanaat mRtyor mukshiiyam'amRtaat - as a sentence can be translated as 'may I be released from this bondage called death, just as the cucumber.' Odd? No; the cucumber - indeed any fruit - needs to be picked or harvested and freed of its connection to the vine which gave it life… the analogy is that this life and the world as we perceive it is our 'vine' upon which we have become dependent and attached. The Rsis advised never to pick an unripe fruit, for it hurts the plant; a ripe fruit, however, readily gives up its attachment! Therefore, the supplicant is begging to be seen as ripe and ready to leave behind the bondage of the world. Many in the tradition have mistaken this to mean that chanting the prayer over a sick elder, for example, will release their spirit and ease them into death; to be fair, if that is appropriate for that jiva, this is indeed the case. However, this prayer is for all ages and all conditions and is more in reference to the fact that to live a better and healthier life will require surrendering attachments and taking up improved viveka and vairaagya; discernment and detachment. Thus, the mantra is suggesting that, apart from the body, our whole being is diseased by this attachment. By surrendering to the will of the Lord, only the best outcomes can be expected. It is to remembered here that sometimes, the best outcome is indeed to leave the body. However, the 'mRtyor' of this mantra does not specifically relate to physical death as we understand it. To transform our lives by living divinely, leaving our old habits and dropping all which is of no use to us is the equivalent of' 'dying' to the world. In Christianity, it would be called 'born again'. Thus the prayer is also for this spiritual transformation. The highest stage of which is moksha (mukshiiya); liberation. Liberation from the mistaken attitude we have about what life is and how individual we are. Knowing our True Nature frees us, even is we still retain the body. Sorrows are seen for the pinpricks that they are, joys are known as distractions from purpose… this is a blissful state indeed, thus the prayer ends with the plea 'm'mRtaat'… not to fall back into old ways and habits and lose the bliss of this freedom.

SAADHANA

Thus, like so many of the key mantras, we find that there is a completeness of scripture within it! The mantra can be listened to and much strength and calm will come from it; however, to maximise the benefits, consider working on pronunciation and metre (per that vid clip provided earlier), inculcate the meanings and deeper significance given here; sit in aasana and focus inwardly. Feel the depth and breadth of the mantra.

Supplication

Hari OM

'Text-days' are for delving into the words and theory of Advaita Vedanta.

First today, Shubh Diwali to all who celebrate the Hindu festival of lights!!!

This month the prayer of focus will be the Mahaa-MRtunjaya Mantra. Last week we saw the verse in its Sanskrit form, the transliteration and the overall English translation as well as being given some further understanding as the importance of chant metre and how this particular mantra is a key to removal of fear and worry; particularly at times of physical strife.

Let us now look a little closer. First let us take the word 'triyambakam' - the three-eyed one. Okay, what are the 'three' eyes?

Lord Shiva's right eye is the eye of Justice; He shines it upon us through our intellect and thinking capacity. Only with judgement can we keep correcting ourselves to improve and avoid repeating any mistakes we make. For every action there is re-action and if we want certain results then we must understand this and act accordingly. We praise Him for providing us with the faculty of judgement. Next is the left eye which represents Compassion. Judgement alone is clinical and can be harsh, it needs balance; to ensure that the judgement is fair and appropriate we need compassion, which arises from Love Universal. Equally, we cannot live by emotion alone, so the two eyes must be balanced, properly adjusted. How is the best balance achieved?  Through the 'third eye', which is Wisdom. Whilst in pictorial representations of Lord Shiva we clearly see the third eye, it is actually present in all of us. We have to beware that it does not become hidden to ourselves through excess of the first two. The level of wisdom which comes when our third eye is equally balanced can often astound us; many people refer to it as their 'gut instinct' or a kind of 'sixth sense'. There is nothing actually mystical or magic about it though. It is merely the highest function of being-ness that has been gifted to us, but it requires a pure and clean personality to wield it well.

Another way to consider the presence of the three eyes is to think of the triavasthaa - the three states of being; waking, dreaming and deep sleeping states. Justice/Awake, Compassion/ Dreaming and Wisdom/Deep Sleep. In the first we think we know what is going on and act in response to that. In the second there is a tendency to get lost, were it not for the first. In the third Reality is discovered, but it takes courage and balance to let it remain permanently with us.

The next word in the mantra is 'yajaamahe'. It means to adore, to worship or revere. We have to feel this sincerely if we are to gain the maximum benefit of the chant. It equates to prostration and surrender of our egos. This is such a key component in spiritual pursuit and it is not until one has properly lain in supplication to the Higher that this truly makes sense. There is also a sense of sharing which comes from this particular word - the context is 'we' and not 'I' making supplication. It is acknowledging that there is strength in numbers and when all are pulling their weight in any given task, how much easier does it become? How much sooner is it achieved? Sharing is Loving and Giving. Forget not the importance of this.

Shiv Mantra

Hari Om

Monday is AUM-day; in search of meditation

For your meditation focus today, a beautiful, languid rendition of the mantra Om NamaH Shivaya in honour of the Destroyer. Shiv-ji is sometimes misunderstood as being a 'negative' deity figure; but in truth, He represents the burning away of our sins and misdemeanours, of cleansing, of the destruction which must take place to reconstruct... of the lowering of our ego to permit the arrival of the divine. That is not a comfortable process but a necessary one if we are to achieve any level of genuine spirituality.

If you do not have time for the full stretch of this chant, then at the very least count to 27, or 54 and save the rest for a time when you can complete.

This is a pure mantra and powerful one for preparations in meditation. In His form as Sri Jagadeeshwara, Shiv-ji is the ultimate ascetic and meditator.

Shri Shiva Rudram

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

A chant of deep and stilling quality;

Maha Shivratri

Hari Om

'Freedays' are random this month!

As today is the annual holiday dedicated to Lord Shiva, let us honour Him.

All Focus

Hari Om

Monday is AUM-day; in search of meditation.

We have been exploring the writings of Gurudev, through his book 'Meditation & Life'. All the instructive chapters have been rendered here - but remember that they have, for the most part, been summarised and given this aacharya's treatment; also, as with any book of instruction, these pages are not meant to be read only once then left on the shelf - or the ether. You are again encouraged to seek out a copy of the book to keep to hand as it is an inspiration and with each reading something more will drop into place.

There are just a few chapters more, and Gurudev himself prefaces them thus;
"Each day before meditation read one chapter in this section in a whispering tone. After meditation, instead of immediatley allowing your mind to explode into fields of activity, allow it to glide slowly into the the day - again read the same chapter as before in a whispering tone.

Consider that the words you read are advice given by your own intellect to your own erring mind and indisciplined body. It is an inner sermon heard by your own BMI."

It has been noted that to perform this type of saadhana is very helpful to beginner - intermediate meditators; all the more so if 'brahmamuhurta' (pre-dawn, or around 4:30am) is observed, for this is the time when the mind is receptive. Thus when the information such as will be provided here, or scriptures and other writings are read, their retention and comprehension are most likely to be maximised.

We shall pick up the meditative saadhanas next week - today, take time to review what you feel you have learned thus far and what has stuck with you till now. Make a note to yourself to re-read these teachings at least twice yearly, as you build your meditation saadhana. Note in your books what new things arise or fall into place as you progress.

This being also Mahaashivraatri day, here is a parting thought.

One day in Kailash, Parvati was looking a little bit bored because Shiva was just sitting there in deep, deep meditation.  She called, “Oh Lord.” and Shiva didn’t respond.  She said, “Shiva!” and Shiva didn’t move.

Parvati just stood there watching him for a long, long time.  Ultimately when Shiva opened his eyes, Parvati bowed down with devotion to Shiva.  She said, “Shiva, I have to ask you a question. The whole world meditates upon you, everyone is praying to you, meditating upon you, contemplating you, upon whom are you meditating?”

Shiva replied, “I always meditate on Vishnu. Ram is always in my heart.”

No matter the 'God' you name, all are the same to The Ultimate.

Shiva Shambo

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

Nothing beats japa of the Lord's name for bringing focus - and of course this is the weekend of Mahaashivraatri, so ...

Om Namah Shivaaya

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Monday is Maha-Shivraatri, the great night of Lord Shiva and His consort Parvati. Recall that last year, for each of February's Story-days, articles were written describing aspects of the Mighty One, He who sees to it that what is no longer required is destroyed, in order that what is new can arise. See the side bar for Sri Shiva label to review these.

India has many festivals, it cannot have escaped notice. Many, though, are local to certain geographical areas, or to specific cultural groups. There are several to which many attend on a larger scale and this is one such. All over India, some form of worship of Lord Shiva will take place.

It can be easy to look upon this deity and forget that the festival is about marriage and not birth, as majority other festivals are generally about. Whilst a significant focus is upon the Lord, Parvati is a strong figure Herself. Other names include Maheshvari (the power of the Lord Shiva), Mahodari (the 'large belly'...holding the universe as mother), Tapasvini (woman of austerities), Vaishnavi (invincible)… there 108 names, as is the tradition of all deities and gurus. Shakti (energy, power, strength) is the essence of this Goddess - that which feeds the creative and destructive forces as embodied by the trinity. Shakti appeared in many forms as the consort to all three aspects of the cycle of creation as represented by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.  Without the Goddess principle, the God principle is nothing!

In Her own right, the Goddess took ten 'aspects', or forms. All these ten aspects are jointly known as Dasamahaavidyas and each one of them is a form that She undertook to destroy evil and bless Her worshippers.

   : Kali is the first representation of Goddess Parvati and She was known as the destroyer. She is also known as the Goddess of time.

   : Tara is known as the source from which the universe evolves as She is known to represent the power of the golden embryo. Boundless space or void is the other thing that She is known to represent.

   : Sodasi is the third representation of Goddess Parvati and is known to represent perfection and fullness.

   : The forces of the material world are represented by Vidya Bhuvanevari

   : Desires and temptations that often lead to destruction and death are represented by the fifth form of Goddess Parvati known as Bhairavi.

   : Vidya Chinnamasta is the sixth form of Goddess Parvati and is known to represent the created world in a continuous cycle of creation and destruction.

   : Destroying the world by fire is the seventh form of Goddess Parvati and is known as Dhumavati. After the world is destroyed by fire only the smoke and ashes will remain

   : Vidya Bagala is the eight form of the Goddess and is known to represent cruelty, hatred and jealousy. These are the negative aspects of any individual.

   : The power of domination is represented by the ninth form of Goddess Parvati and is known as Matangi.

   : Vidya Kamala, who is also known as Lakshmi, is said to be the Goddess of fortune.

Thus, in celebration of Masculine, the Feminine as acknowledged fully; two sides of the same coin. Indeed, there is a deity figure (murti) which represents this essential connection. 

The name is अर्धनारीश्वर/Ardhanārīśvara.

Up Beat

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

Today's clip has a number of soulful and joyous modern Hindi ('filmi'!) bhajans dedicated to Lord Shiva. Love and devotion are expressed in many ways!!!

Festival

Hari Om

'Freedays' are the 'gather our thoughts' days; Q&As; a general review of the week so far…

The first of May holds some significance for many in the Northern hemisphere and most particularly around Europe; it is a pagan festival day, acknowledging the move from the ravages of winter into the last days of spring and anticipation of a summer in which it is hoped crops will be abundant and harvest bountiful. It is one of the few truly 'glamorous' and colourful celebrations of this nature which is retained in these regions. (There are fond memories of learning how to dance around the May Pole as a youngster!)

As a small indulgence of further memory today but a little more suitably joyous and festive on the part of Vedanta, this short video…. It is a thirty minute ceremony jammed into little more than three minutes here, but it gives a wonderful feel for the Jagadeeshwara Mandir at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya. This heart has no small part still lingering there and this little video placed one directly before the gharba perfectly. For many of you this may be a first viewing of such a ceremony so it is just long enough and cut well enough to give you a worthwhile experience. The main chanting voice you will hear is that of Sw. Sharadananda, formerly Br Samvid Chaitanya, who was our sanskrit tutor for the 15th batch Vedanta Brahmacharis.

I Am That

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

Sri Adi Shankaraacharya-jayanti passed by us on Thursday... let us honour his memory with a chanting of one of his wonderful works...

Tri-gunaaH - Melting Pot

Hari Om

Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality and become more congruent within our personality.

KINDLE LIFE. We continue exploring points raised by HH Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda-ji in the publication of this name. Remember, you can purchase, (very economically!), the book from  Chinmaya Mission Publications or if you prefer, the Amazon Link. Thus you can read Gurudev's words directly and bring your own voice to the discussion.

(We have been breaking up Chapter 26 of KL, firstly for length, but also for 'digestion'...mananam! It is hoped that you think deeply upon what you read, making notes and finding levels of inspiration. This is saadhana. To review the chapter so far, click the Choose-day label on right panel.)

"Yaa maa saa maayaa - that which is not, is Maya" was our discussion last week. Now the example of Somadatta's father.

One newly initiated hermit, during a pilgrimage, felt tired and weary as the day was burning hot.  He, seeing a shady spot near the Ganges' bank, took shelter there to rest.  There was a narrow piece of rock upon which he stretched himself, making comfy.  As he was dozing off, at that point just between waking and sleeping, his attention was attracted to two village girls who had come to collect water.  They filled their pots and went quietly away, but the visitors generated a line of thinking in the hermit.

"Why not? Certainly there is no harm.  Supposing I marry one of them, then I shall keep a small house...three rooms at least...and I shall be a very severe and grave husband…working my own fields.  I shall live a happy life of contentment and joy." The fellow goes off to the village and seeks out the girl whom he had favoured from the group. Later, he is well settled and he thinks, "The agrarian life suits me well. The harvest has been good and a little prosperity is ours.  Devi-wife is attentive and a mighty fine cook!"

Then the first born, yes a fat, beautiful son.  "Of course I must name him Somadatta..and we shall all three sleep happily in the bed together...but is there space for my son? Devi, please give some more space for our son, or he may fall out of the bed!"

"Husband, how can I? Move? To where?  You move a bit your side!"

"Alright…"

Splash...gnuh..ghooooooo……… Poor 'Somadatta's father moved a little towards his side and the stone was narrow.  He lost balance and rolled into the waters of the Ganges! Awakened now, the hermit swam out.

Now, think, what made the hermit fall? After his awakening, where should he go to regain his young wife and child? The poor ब्रह्मचारिन्/brahmachaarin (monk/solitary one) created the world of Somadatta in himself and, identifying completely with it, came to live the dream-life as though 'real', thus suffered the fall.

So, too, Pure Eternal Self we all are, The Self, in a dream, has forgotten itself and is now dreaming its own samsaara, filled with Somadattas and Devis and so much more.  WAKE UP! Roll off your stone beds, dip into the cool waters of Ganges (Shruti/scripture) and get awakened fully.  End the undivine dream at one stroke.  The power of Somadatta's father, with which he lived his domestic life and ultimately fell down into the mighty river, is Maya - that which is not, existing in his own mind.

त्रिगुणाः/trigunaaH - three qualities.

Maya is manifested in the world as three distinct गुणाः/gunaaH - eternal qualities. The सत्त्व/sattva (unactivity), the रजस् /rajas (activity) and the तमस् /tamas (inactivity).  All the three qualities are ever in a state of flux, mixing more of one then another. Their proportions vary from individual to individual and the same individual will differ from time to time.

When the Supreme Reality gets reflected in the part of Maya which is predominantly sattvic (सत्त्व गुण प्रधान माया/sattva guna pradhaana maayaa), we get a very distinct and clear reflection of that Supreme; this is the "God" principle.  The reflection is dimmer in the sattva which has mixed with rajas and/or tamas (मलिन सत्त्व माया/malina sattva maayaa)… this becomes the ego-centric जीव/jiiva, individual mortal.  The "God" principle manifests itself around us, in the world outside, as three main accomplishments.  We observe that at every moment, things and beings are created (born) and destroyed (dead) and certainly between these two points of an unknown beginning and an equally uncertain end, we also watch things and beings maintained (living their existence). In order to facilitate the common man to grasp these three powers manifest about him, we have them represented as the Creator (ब्रह्मा/Brahmaa), Sustainer (विष्णु /Vishnu) and Destroyer (शिव/Shiva).

To create a pot, the potter must have pre-knowledge of what (and how) he is going to make; thus the creator must 'know' his creation, prior to the act itself. We have, thus, Brahmaa-ji married to सरस्वती /Sarasvatii, the goddess of learning and knowledge (the feminine side of creation). In order to sustain (maintain), we need the capacity for it, with power and skill - a pauper cannot head and maintain a family.  Thus we have लक्ष्मी/Lakshmii, goddess of wealth and plenty as consort of Vishnu-ji. Further, the act of destruction, the removal of that no longer required, requires that there be something there at first to be destroyed. In this manner then, the partner of Shiva-ji is the goddess उमा/Umaa who is none other than प्रकृति/prakRti - Mother Nature, the manifest world - which represents that even in destruction there is renewal. Even when the Trinity is thus shown to be three distinct, divine 'personalities', it is also shown clearly that they are distinct and separate divine powers.  The Oneness of them is the soulful song of the scriptures, but the subtle song is heard only by the most attentive and most cultured.  In satguru Sri दत्तत्रेय/Dattatreya, the teachers' teacher, we have a synthesis of all the three lords and in goddess दुर्गा/Durgaa, we have the representation of a total synthesis of the three consorts.

                                                   

SAADHANA

Consider the play of Maya in existence. Ponder the elegance of the naming of the powers, those very processes which modern science is still trying so hard to explain.

Universal Master

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

This is the final (for now) of our focus on the form of Lord Shiva. Today let us ponder upon his manifestation as LORD JAGADEESHWARA. Here we find Him in total meditative pose. His stillness knows no bounds - yet we also get the feeling that much is moving within. Here is the very kernel of all the energy in the universe. Here is Universal Love.

Sri Jagadeeshwara is the lord of all who would follow the spiritual path, who would meditate to the ultimate end, and who would then seek to bring their understanding to the world.  It is for this reason that the temple at Sandeepany Sadhanaalya, the primary gurukula campus of Chinmaya Mission, is the home of this मूर्ति/muurti (image). It is here that दीक्षा/deekshaa (investiture/ exclusive observation) takes place; where the Guru confers a spiritual name and blesses the simple clothes to be worn (yellow or orange accordingly) - and generally this occurs at Maha-Shivraatri.

We need 'men of the cloth' for our guidance. Just as mountaineers and other adventurers require their experienced guides. The journey is made so much less formidable when we have the company of those who have already trodden the path.

Those who wear such vestments are clearly visible as 'instruments of the Lord'; same can be said for those of any faith who wear the outward signs of their spiritual commitment. In theory, this means that an acceptably high level of purity and clarity has been attained within: but of course the individual, still present in human form, continues to be subject to all the nonsense that gives! Until such time as the ultimate goal is reached and they become God-men (a rarity indeed), the ego must constantly be battled, the senses constantly disciplined. This is why many will withdraw into bastions of faith - cloisters for the Christian, forests and caves for the Vedantin; noble enough in their continued Higher focus. There are others, though, who seek to bring the solace and enlightenment to the society. In doing this they must face all the same temptations and frustrations this brings. In their seeking to guide, they must guard against their own 'slippage'.

These guides, themselves, require such a one further along than they are - and in the case of sanyaasins, this is Lord Jagadeeshwara.  He is the one to whom they can turn for their guidance and encouragement. They can attune themselves to Him, receiving His challenges when they stray - for He will lay down the obstacles to make the traveller rethink their course! - accepting with gratitude His upliftment and the smoothing of the path.

Sri Jagadeeshwara is the ultimate साधु/saadhu (renunciate), living only on bhikshaa (alms food), possessing nothing beyond basic clothing and items of devotion, using all time not taken up with mananam or teaching for meditation. Simplicity and supreme focus are His examples. These become the rewards of His devotees.

Taking His name is itself a devotion and a meditation form.

जगत्/jagat = relates to all the elements, to mankind, to mobility, to all the worlds, to the cosmos

ईश/eesha = supreme, total mastership, owning

वर/v(w)ara = best, precious, most excellent, princely

These are but a few of the meanings when the name is broken into its component parts. As is often the case, and particularly in Sanskrit, bringing the parts together gives a greater whole. 

The Supreme Master of All He Surveys is Our Most Excellent Prince!

Raise Your Spirit

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

Last week a small glimpse was given on traditional Vedic chanting.  For celebration, though, devotees may take some text, or create their own words and add music for bhajans - hymns.  To round off our month with Lord Shiva, then, here is a bhajan... clap along, shake those shoulders, smile in His Glory!

This next one is a more meditative piece but every but as uplifting.

Physical Universe is Nataraj

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

For the month of February the focus will be exploring different aspects of Lord Shiva. Today, let us look at Sri Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance.  The 'About Hinduism' pages are acknowledged for the following;

In a marvelously unified and dynamic composition expressing the rhythm and harmony of life, Nataraj is shown with four hands represent the cardinal directions. He is dancing, with his left foot elegantly raised and the right foot on a prostrate figure — 'Apasmara Purusha', the personification of illusion and ignorance over whom Shiva triumphs. The upper left hand holds a flame, the lower left hand points down to the dwarf, who is shown holding a cobra. The upper right hand holds an hourglass drum or 'dumroo' that stands for the male-female vital principle, the lower shows the gesture of assertion: "Be without fear."

Snakes that stand for egotism, are seen uncoiling from his arms, legs, and hair, which is braided and bejeweled. His matted locks are whirling as he dances within an arch of flames representing the endless cycle of birth and death. On his head is a skull, which symbolizes his conquest over death. Goddess Ganga, the epitome of the holy river Ganges, also sits on his hairdo. His third eye is symbolic of his omniscience, insight, and enlightenment. The whole idol rests on a lotus pedestal, the symbol of the creative forces of the universe.

The Significance of Shiva's Dance: This cosmic dance of Shiva is called 'Anandatandava,' meaning the Dance of Bliss, and symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy — creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion. According to Coomerswamy, the dance of Shiva also represents his five activities: 'Shrishti' (creation, evolution); 'Sthiti' (preservation, support); 'Samhara' (destruction, evolution); 'Tirobhava' (illusion); and 'Anugraha' (release, emancipation, grace).

The overall temper of the image is paradoxical, uniting the inner tranquility, and outside activity of Shiva.

A Scientific Metaphor: Fritzof Capra in his article "The Dance of Shiva: The Hindu View of Matter in the Light of Modern Physics," and later in the The Tao of Physics beautifully relates Nataraj's dance with modern physics. He says that "every subatomic particle not only performs an energy dance, but also is an energy dance; a pulsating process of creation and destruction…without end…For the modern physicists, then Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic matter. As in Hindu mythology, it is a continual dance of creation and destruction involving the whole cosmos; the basis of all existence and of all natural phenomena."

The Nataraj Statue at CERN, Geneva: In 2004, a 2m statue of the dancing Shiva was unveiled at CERN, the European Center for Research in Particle Physics in Geneva. A special plaque next to the Shiva statue explains the significance of the metaphor of Shiva's cosmic dance with quotations from Capra: "Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern physics."

Also, This article is of relevant interest to the scientifically minded of you.

The Key Purpose

Hari Om 

Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality and become more congruent within our personality.

KINDLE LIFE. We continue exploring points raised by HH Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda-ji in the publication of this name. Remember, you can purchase, (very economically!), the book from  Chinmaya Mission Publications or if you prefer, the Amazon Link. Thus you can read Gurudev's words directly and bring your own voice to the discussion.

The ESSENCE IN MAN is the subject of chapter 20.

What is surely becoming clear as you read through these chapters is a simple message; to have an appropriate and fully functioning connection to 'the world', one must be secure in one's own identity - knowing the Real You is paramount to contentment and progress. Behind all our physical, mental and intellectual identity lies the sentient nature which 'knows' them all. Finding our connection with that, which we call 'spirit', the very core of our being-ness, is the pinnacle of personality development.

As you will see in detail as we move along in studies, the physical, the mental AND the intellectual are nothing but matter, albeit of ever more subtle quality. That which 'knows' these things, observes them, drives them, is the Consciousness. Matter without the power of Consciousness is inert. Consciousness without the equipment of matter has no activity. When Consciousness connects with matter, where action and interaction occur, there we find the definition of 'life'. A clear example which is often used here is that of electricity. Think of any piece of equipment you use around the home. Toaster? Kettle? Oven? Refrigerator?..... Gardening tools?  Door bell?  All these things are but matter moulded into different forms. Without power of electricity to drive them they are nothing more than that.  Until they are boosted into their respective actions by that electricity they are nothing more than metal, plastic, and so on. They can only be called 'toaster' or 'kettle' once they are doing what the electricity drives them to do. Only then are they fulfilling their purpose.

The matter ensemble which is labelled 'man' may have different levels of consciousness driving it. There may only be enough that the 'man' can identify simply as a physical being. Everything such a personality does is focused on acquisition, protecting territory, satisfying the senses. Enough is never enough, agitation is constant for fear of loss, for desire to gain more.

Or there may be enough 'juice' that the man lives through his emotional (mental) manifestation. Here at least, there is some level of thought for others. More than physical satisfaction, he seeks the subtler joys of love and companionship. To obtain these, the man begins to understand the need to subjugate some of his own desires in order to maintain relationships.

Further power may be there to drive the man into his intellectual nature.  One who identifies with this as the dominant feature of his being begins to understand that the physical and the emotional states must be managed. Even more so, in gaining ever deeper insight, there comes an ability to stand apart, to withdraw from the fires and floods the lower levels of being throw out and his focus is sharpened to whatever subject he has set his sight upon.

Concsiousness, then, is the essence of all living things and is at its most adaptive in man. Just like the electricity, which remains the same regardless of the tool it enters, it changes not. The output may appear different though. All creatures are served by consciousness. The same Consciousness which serves the amoeba serves the man. What makes the difference is the intricacy of the equipment and therefore the tasks which can be undertaken. Only in the human creature can awareness of the 'power which drives' arise. Even then, investigations take many forms and there are many answers available even within the matter formations which the material sciences seek to provide. It is only when man comes to an appreciation of the Unchanging aspect of his nature, that which is ever present and proves to be the foundation upon which he rests, can he find peace from the turmoil of 'life'. The subjective science taught to us via the spiritual texts is as noble a pursuit as any material science.

Through it our focus becomes that spiritual core, the Consciousness which is our real nature; seeking the bliss of returning 'hOMe' is true 'self-care' and through this path alone can we come to understand that the material world has nothing to match it, yet we are also strengthened to deal with that material world.

SAADHANA

Reading about the spirit is certainly a saadhana. Reading alone will not bring things into focus however.  Practice is what gives meaning to theory. The key practice of Vedanta is mananam - deep and meaningful cogitation upon the subject. A key part of this is to sit in contemplation and leading up to meditation. Today is  महाशिवरात्रि/MAHAASHIVRAATRI, when Lord Shiva is worshipped for 24 hours. Sri Jagadeeshwara is the ultimate sadhu, sitting in eternal meditation. He sets the example for all Vedantins. All sadhakas mark at least one hour of the day in which they will sit in full meditational practice. Those who are well-practiced and dedicated will utilise the entire 24 hours. The optimum hours are between 9pm of this day and through to 2am of the following day.

Set aside some time to think on the Lord this day, in whatever form you choose. Be deliberate in this action. Dedicate your hour+ to the Lord by name. Note that this is also the time in the Christian calendar when a period of austerity is undertaken in order to readjust the worldly focus to one of spiritual acknowledgement.

Nitya Shuddhaaya - Eternal Purity

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

Continuing the focus on Lord Shiva. Calling the name of the Lord itself will bring purification. Om NamaH Shivaaya...

In Vedic chanting, the meter (rhythm) is of immense value and the structuring can be kept simple (for children and learners) through to highly complex.  The Ghana-paatha is considered the most intricate of chanting forms, as it incorporates others as well as working in almost a 'spiral' in upon itself.  The 'cchandas' (meter) holds a spiritual value beyond the mere words and syllables of the mantra. In purist tradition, of course, no music as such is included.  However, for the untrained ear, Srimati Uma Mohan-ji's offerings, keeping chanting tradition but with musical underpinnings, gives a wonderful introduction. Do now enjoy her version of Sri Shiva Mantra in Ghana-paatha cchandas.