Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji during Maha Shivaratri – February 25, 1998
Speech in morning
Today Sri Swamiji blessed the devotees attending the Shivaratri festival in Mysore Ashrama, with the following message rendered in the form of two songs meaning as under:
1. SHIVA – THE ETERNAL LIGHT
Shiva is the embodiment of knowledge radiating divine brilliance in various aspects of life both physical and spiritual. The word ‘Linga’ literally means a sign or symbol. Extending this principle one can surely conclude that the entire universe is the cosmic form of Lord Shiva. However the merciful God is verily present in every heart to inspire and enthuse one with His divine brilliance.
Stanza-1
By sincere methodical analysis of the right path of life as also self-introspection of our thoughts, words and deeds, in consonance with the ancient dictates of spiritualism, one is sure to be blessed with the light of knowledge in one’s own heart. This light, the divine ray grows in brilliance. The ray gradually develops, with one’s spiritual advancement to become a fine, beautiful pillar. This is nothing else than the reassuring Shiva Linga.
Stanza-2
The Shiva Linga formulated out of inward ray of light is versatile. By philosophical analysis one can conclude that the brilliance has five faces connoting ‘Pancha mukha Siva’. However it is obvious that water poured in a large quantity from a big vessel resembles a pillar resembling ‘Siva Linga’. Shiva is pleased with such ‘Abhisheka’ – pouring of water on ‘Siva Linga’ continuously, uttering the stipulated ‘Mantras’ (chants), or even simply ‘Om Namah Sivaya’.
Stanza-3
Taking another view one can reckon the light of inward knowledge granted by Shiva to take twelve forms connoting the twelve petals of ‘Anahata Chakra’ the fourth spiritual circle at the place of one’s heart. Another view is, that approximately the daytime and nighttime comprise of twelve hours each. The Kind Lord protects and motivates us through out the two halves of the day by our sincere meditation and worshipful attitude. The third aspect is, the figure twelve indicates the famous twelve temples of Shiva. They bestow on us the realisation of the ultimate Truth, another form of supreme consciousness, eventually leading us to the perfect state of eternal bliss. In short this is ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’ (Truth-Knowledge-Bliss).
2. LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Life resembles a night. My child! Don’t forget Shivaratri is very precious in your life.
Stanza-1:
Who is Shiva? He is none else than the ray of divine knowledge Where from the ray emanates? It originates from the fire pit (Homa Kunda) comprising of the three sacred fires used in ‘Yaga’. The fire sacrifice properly performed liberates us from the vicious circle of birth and death.
Stanza-2:
One feels the brilliance of inward light in one’s own heart. It has no beginning. It is endless. Shiva takes the form of precious glow– the light of knowledge. Hence he is called ‘bhava’ i.e. one who has taken a form and also as ‘abhava’ i.e. one who is formless and attributeless.
Stanza-3:
The entire universe is sustained by the energy also called ‘Kundalini’ in the science of spiritualism. This is indicated by His anklet. The universe comprising of several galaxies is the cosmic form of Shiva. This is indicated in a subtle way by the tiger skin worn by Shiva around his waist (the tiger skin consists of several stripes resembling the various aspects of the universe).
Stanza-4:
The power of illusion works through the three knots (granthis) namely Brahma Granthi, Vishnu Granthi and Shiva Granthi. With the gradual development in the path divine, the ‘Sadhaka’ (practicant) is relieved of the influence of these three knots. Poetically speaking they are considered to be destroyed by the trident (Trishula) of Shiva. The supine serpent in a three coiled form is present in ‘Muladhara’, the first spiritual circle. This celestial serpent is an ornament shining as a necklace of Shiva-the perfect yogi.
Stanza-5:
‘Haalaahala’ is a devastating poison capable of annihilating the entire universe. However the kind Lord Shiva protects the universe by holding the entire poison as a mere blue drop in his neck without allowing it to harm outwardly or without gulping it. Sun and Moon, the leaders of daytime and nighttime are respectively the right and left eyes of Shiva.
Stanza-6:
Shiva uses ‘Pralaya Agni’ to annihilate the universe. This fire is indicted by his third eye in the middle of the forehead, between his eyebrows. In a way the cooling effect of river Ganga flowing from the lock of hair on his head looks like a mere drop of water.
Stanza-7
The rays of the Moon decorating his head indicate the rays of divine knowledge within. Thus Shiva who removes the darkness of our ignorance by his brilliance of divine knowledge is worshipped on Shivaratri by sincere worship of devotee. This is considered to be an auspicious night bestowing the devotee with Sat-Chit-Ananda i.e. Truth – Knowledge – Bliss.
Jaya Guru Datta
Note: It can be inferred by the foregoing special message of Sri Swamiji on this sacred day of Shivaratri through the medium of these two sweet songs that one must observe the rituals and other spiritual practices with firm faith and deep devotion specially on Shivaratri. This makes one’s life truly purposeful. Let’s recollect the vedic prayer
“Oh! Lord lead us
1) From untruth to truth
2) From darkness to light and
3) From ignorance to light”.
Speech at midnight
Ganga Utsava , the procession of the water pots carrying the Kaveri water took place in the evening. Soon after the same, the Abhisheka (pouring of water) on Sachchidanandeshwara Shiva Linga went on for about 5 hours. Just at the auspicious time of Linga Udbhava (appearance of Shiva Linga as per mythology) i.e. at 12 O’clock midnight, Sri Swamiji gave a special message.
Pujya Sri Swamiji’s Message
Once there was an argument between Brahma and Vishnu about who among the two was greater. Then a huge pillar like brilliance emanated in their presence. Wondered at the sudden sight, Brahma soared higher to try to reach the upper end of the glowing pillar, while Vishnu went downward to try to reach its bottom. Brahma gave a false statement that he saw the head of the huge form and a specific flower Kethaki and a cow testified his word. Shiva, the Supreme Lord seen as Linga – the endless pillar-like brilliance, out of anger on hearing the untruth, cursed Brahma that he does not deserve worship by any one, that the plant Kethaki will shelter venomous snakes and its flowers should not be used for any worship and lastly that the cow’s head shall not be fit to be worshipped.
However, the curses of Shiva have deeper inner significance. To say that Brahma does not deserve customary worship emphasises that the Brahma Jnana, the Supreme Knowledge be acquired by people by way of real intimate experience. By debarring the Kethaki flower for any worship is to protect one and all since its fragrance is dear to poisonous snakes and will be dangerous to grow the Kethaki plants in domestic premises. Since the hind part of the cow is to be worshipped, the urine of the cow is being used as medicine for sure cure of many diseases.
There will be natural calamities and breach of trust in the ensuing year. More so, unworthy fraudulent people will be honoured and saved while the capable and good ones will be harassed. For example, the person who eats a stolen fruit escapes punishment, where as the innocent person near whom the skin of the fruit appears will be victimised. Also business partners appear to be very friendly in conferences, but harm each other stealthily. Let us see whether there is any way out to get over such crises.
One need not be pessimistic at all under any circumstances. It is the same good Lord who created both the deadly snake as also the mongoose who can kill it. Hence it is only the kind God who can solve all our problems with certainty. Swamiji does not intend to frighten you about your future problems. The only purpose is just to caution you and to give proper saving guidance.
Worship of and meditation of Shiva is the antidote for all your difficulties in the ensuing year. Go to Shiva temples on every Monday and chant ADITYA HRUDAYA, an ancient hymn on SUN on every Sunday without fail. This is beneficial for all people of all birth stars.
Shiva emerged Himself. He has no parents. He has no beginning. He is endless. He is beyond all the narrow differentiation of caste, creed, religion, language, nationality or country. Shiva is the saviour of one and all. He is adorable for every one.