Thursday 17 November 2011

Siva Tatvam

The world is made up of Lord Siva and Goddess Shakti, indicating dual aspects of the Lord, Prakrithi (Nature) and Purusha (Self). Beyond this concept of duality resides Parameshwara tatvam (the absolute aspect of God).

" One turns into two.  Two creates many." This is the law of creation as explained by Swami Vivekananda.
Siva  is that state  of  Nirguna ( quality-less),  Nirakara (form-less),  Nischala (motion-less)  Brahman that is  beyond words and mind.
Even though we describe Him as a state, it is not exactly a state. It is something beyond everything conceivable by the human mind.
The Vedas tried to describe this state through statements like --"यतो वाचो निवर्तन्ते अप्राप्य मनसा सह" - Where from the speech, together with the mind, is turned back, unable to reach. "एकमेवाद्वितीयम ब्रह्म नेह नानास्ति किंचन"-- Only the One-without-second exists,there is no duality anywhere.
Siva is that Absolute, one-without-a-second state, which the words fail to describe and the mind fails to comprehend.
One of the key aspects of Vedanta is to perceive “Parabrahma (the Supreme Self)” in every godhead. The goal is to realize Parabrahma by meditating on Lord Siva. Siva means auspiciousness. The absolute state is the embodiment of auspiciousness. The state experienced by a sadhaka in Nirvikalpa Samadhi is Siva tatvam.  To  realize Siva in this state is what every soul has to strive for.
Creation is from One to Many. Sadhana is from Many to One. We went forth from our home and traveled to distant shores. Now it is time to turn back to reach our home. And the home is not very far. It is very near. When we realize the state of Siva, we reach our home. And it is the journey's end.

8 comments:

  1. Dear Sarma garu

    Namaste!

    Very nice post. I am reminded of 'chichaktis chetanarupa, jadashaktir jadaatmika'

    Your line about one to many and many to one is nice. Had to read it a few times to understand the meaning.

    We travel for a reason. How do we know that the purpose of our travel has been accomplished or not? Is it that the thought of home comes to only those who are near it?

    Best Regards
    shanthy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Shanthy,
    Thanks for the comment.Now the answer to your question.If you know the reason for your travel clearly,then you will know when it is accomplished.The thought of home comes to those who are fed up with the travel.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Sarma garu

    Namaste!

    Thanks for explaining.. few more questions arise in my mind..

    While travelling through distant shores, how does one get to retain the focus on the purpose of travel?
    On this shore, how does one realize the reason.

    The thought has come, so, the shore is near (relatively) but although one is fed up of the travel, one's balance sheet needs to tally before they can return home (Geeta).

    Can you please explain the phrase.. "The state experienced by a sadhaka in Nirvikalpa Samadhi is Siva tatvam. To realize Siva in this state is what every soul has to strive for." What is the difference between Siva Manasika puja and this state..

    Best Regards,
    shanthy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Shanty,

    If your goal remains before your vision always, you retain the focus.

    Can you quote the Gita sloka you were referring to?

    Manasika Puja is your imagination. The state I hinted at is something beyond the mind.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Sarma garu

    Thanks for explaining.. responding to your question..

    I have read the English version of Gita.. so, I can quote the chapter numbers and names (if it is fine with you)..

    There are 3 chapters which in essence talks about the same subject

    Chapter 3 - Karma yoga - Everyone must engage in sort of activity in this material world. But action can either bind one to this world or liberate one from it. By acting for the pleasure of the Supreme, without selfish motives, one can be liberated from the law of Karma (action and reaction) and attain transcendental knowledge of the self and the Supreme.

    Chapter 14 - Three modes of Material nature. All embodied souls are under the control of the three modes or qualities of material nature : goodness, passion and ignorance. It also talks about the symptoms of one who has attained the transcendental state.

    Chapter 16 - The Divine and the Demoniac natures
    Those who possess demoniac qualities and who live whimsically, without following the regulations of scripture, attain lower births and further material bondage. But those who possess divine qualities and live regulated lives, abiding by scriptural authority, gradually gain spiritual perfection.

    Chapter 6 - Dhyana yoga does talk about Samadhi, however I could not understand it.. hence, my question to you on the Nirvikalpa samadhi state.

    Sarma garu - my question is genuine, hence explaining in detail. Please let me know if you would like to discuss offline.

    Best Regards,
    shanthy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dear Shanthy,
    I know your questions are genuine. We can discuss offline sometime later. But for now, let us confine our discussion to this blog.I want to know where, in the Gita, your following statement is mentioned.

    >>one's balance sheet needs to tally before they can return home (Geeta).

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  7. Dear Sharma garu,

    Namaste. My name is Mallampalli Upendra Prasad. I am a telugu Brahmin Niyogi (Aradhyalu- Shaiva). I have few doubts about Lord Shiva. In Shivastakam, one sloka says " smashane vasantam manojam dahantam" and I read about the Holy Pilgrimage city Varanasi as Mahasmashanam or Darukavanam. I saw outside many grave yards of Hindus that Lord Shiva statue is present. Some people also say that Lord Shiva in his form Rudra lives in grave yard and so it is called as Rudra Bhoomi. Please clarify my doubt as why Lord Shiva in his form Rudra lives in graveyard and why is he called Smashana Rudra. I also read that Lord Shiva sometimes applies ash throughout his body and that in Varanasi the ash of the burnt human bodies is brought to the temple and is performed as Bhasmabhishekam to the Lord. Is it true? I would like to know about Lord Shiva in depth. Being a Shaiva I would like to know him very deeply and understand Shiva Tatvam. Please send me the reply to my email ID:

    mallampalliupendraprasad@gmail.com at your earliest convenience.

    Thanking You,

    Regards,

    Mallampalli Upendra Prasad.

    ReplyDelete
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