As I Know: The Lord of the Mountains – Shiv Purana: 159

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After the completion of disquisition and yajna – the sacred sattra, the sages go to Varanasi…Brahma speaks about illumination – the cluster of lighting, the sages see at Varanasi is Jyotirmaya lingam…a symbol of ultimate realisation and moksa and it fills sages with divine joy, for they are on the right path to moksa…sage Vyasa’s counsel

Next morning, the sages want to complete holy rites of ablution at the end of holy dialogue and yajna. At that time, on the request of Brahma, goddess Saraswati happily begins to flow as a clean beautiful river with sweet water. It makes sages very happy and so they plunge into the holy river, perform rites of tarpana to the gods of heavens with the sacred water and later, leave for Varanasi.

They notice river Bhagirithi – Ganga flowing down from the great Himalaya. They take bath and go along the riverbank. They reach Varanasi, take bath, and pray and worship Avimuktaesvara, see a dazzling cluster of light as if crores of suns were brilliantly shinning in the sky and enjoy extremely ecstatic moments. It is unique phenomenon pervading the entire cosmos and all the directions. It looks as if many monks had smeared the bodies with holy bhasma. Thousands of these pure and sinless, the Pasupata monks, come and merge with the divine illumination and at that moment, the celestial splendors disappear.

The sages of Namisa forest are amazed to see a strange phenomenon and so, exclaim, “What is it?” and immediately, they go to Brahmavana – the abode of Brahma.

However, lord Maruta – Vayudeva had already told Braham whatever had happened up to the conclusion of great yajna and long divine disquisition. Later, Vayudeva leaves for his abode while Brahma watches eagerly a divine musical recital, a contest between celestial sage Narada and Tumburu. He wishes to intercede as to who is better while celestial beings gandharavas and nymphs wait and watch the divine music. During those delightful moments, the attendants allow none to enter and therefore, when the sages of the forest of Namisa arrive, the gatekeepers do not permit them and so they sit quietly outside Brahma’s divine abode.

In the meantime, the contest ends and it brings amity and conciliation between Tumburu and Narada. He declares them equal in musical skill because they captivate everybody, and now, they become friends and live together with the consent of Brahma. Therefore, after sometime the great musicians leave Brahmaloka with distinctive divine sheen. Sages enquire from Narada and learn that it is the most auspicious time to meet the great lord.

They stand before the Supreme lord with bowed heads respectfully. Though Vayudeva tells everything yet the great sages of Namisa forest, narrate the sequence of journey to Varanasi and other events until they arrive at Brahmavana. They further tell that they are unable to know about the amazing phenomenon of astounding light and merger of many monks in the mystifying illumination.

Brahma is extremely happy and tells monks, “O great sages, astonishing illumination you noticed was the splendor of sacred Linga. You meditated for long during the great discourse and yajna. The lord is happy and now, time has arrived… you would proceed on the same path and attain moksa.”

The radiant cluster of illumination the sages witness at Varanasi is Jyotirmaya Lingam and that is the greatest enthralling image of lord Maheshwara, he tells. Sages are happy at the blissful words of Brahma. The sages merging in the radiance had performed Pasupata rites based on the spirit of the Vedas and were now enlightened souls he revealed.

‘As you saw the divine refulgence, you attained deliverance.’ He says.

He advises sages to go to the southern cliff of mountain Meru.

To satisfy the curiosity of mighty sages of tapa, wisdom and knowledge, Brahma spoke about the illumination – the cluster of lighting, the sages noticed at Varanasi. It was image of lord – holy Jyotirmaya lingam…a symbol of ultimate realisation and moksa and it appeared to fulfill sages with divine joy, for they realised they were on the right path to moksa.

He says, “O sages, sage Sanatkumara, my son, a great monk lives at the summit. At the moment, he waits for the arrival of Nandi, the lord of bhutas.”

After a pause, he narrates an incident that happened in ancient times. Unfortunately, Sanatkumara out of ego and ignorance begins to think that he is the supreme yogi and so is the chief of yogis at that time and consequently, becomes overconfident and therefore, lacks modesty. Out of conceit, when Kumara notices Shiva, he fails to extend respect and thus, offends the great Nandi, who issues a curse and so, the monk turns into a camel. Brahma is upset and later, after he pleases the lord and goddess with prayers and tapa, the lord blesses and restores son Sanatkumara to original figure and aura. It is a sin to speak superciliously and proudly like a dim-witted person about the great lord and so, Shiva tells the chief of ganas Nandi.

Therefore, the lord asks Nandi to spread the message of his doctrine and teaching and also teach and educate Sanatkumara about him and his knowledge and wisdom and later, the same disciple Sanatkumara tells right there that he would in future, coronate him (Nandi) as the chief of Ganas, the deity of nobility and virtues. The sages learn that Nandi obeys the decree of Shiva and knows that at that time, Sanatkumara is also undergoing tapasya to please Nandi. Therefore, all the sages, the Visvayogis, on the commandments of Brahma go to mountain Meru

 Suta speaks warmly of Skandasara, a large lake of nectar like sweet, pure, clean and healthy water, situated on mountain Meru. Nature is generous here as flowers of all seasons continue to bloom and keep spreading fragrance. Nature is at its best and charms hearts of devotees, who visit. The land of blue stones shines brilliantly and illuminates all the directions. People come, descend and take bath and emerge out happily. White sacred threads, loincloth, matted hair and a few with tufts and bark garments look good and pure. Tripundras look impressive and devotees come with different kinds of urns or vessels for taking holy water of lake.

The scenario around the vast lake speaks of prayers and worship as one finds sacred material relating to puja-prayer-worship etc– like the sesame seeds, raw rice grains, flowers, sacred grass – druba and little pavitries for the fingers on flat rock. One could see people offering oblations before the sun. Some pray and worship, and here even the beasts and animals come leisurely, take bath, quench thirst and roam about because nature is generous to all, one observes. Chirping of birds of different kinds including cranes – saras, crackles of gooses, humming of bees and cooing of cuckoos behind the shades attract and hynotize. One can easily imagine how birds and animals are constantly in conversation with one another and thus, talk eloquently of eternal harmony one could infer.

Under a Kalpa tree in the north of lake, on a rocky platform decorated with jewels, the sages of Naimisa forest observe Sanatkumara sitting calmly on a deerskin. It looks he is just out of deep trance. At that moment, many sages and yogis appear to offer obeisance while the sages from Naimisa witness unique scenario, and so, they also bow and then, stand before him with folded hands.

The holy sages of Naimisa forest begin to reveal the purpose of the visit and very soon, they hear turbulent sound of musical instrument dudumbhi Suta tells. Dazzling with the divine radiance it was and looked as if it were a shining sun. They experience extreme contentment and notice an aerial aircraft, which many ganas of Shiva surround from all sides. It looks more beautiful and majestic. It also carries apasaras – the celestial women and girls of Rudras. Charming tunes of various musical instruments – mridang, drums, flute and lute fill ears. Many strings of pearls and jewels decorate the large canopy of aircraft that adds beauty to the airplanes of celestial beings.

Many monks, sages, siddhas, gandharavas, yaksas, kinnars and vidyadharas encircling the divine aircraft are happily dancing and singing hymns of glory of the lord, and they play on musical instruments and leisurely move ahead. Beautiful flag flutters that carries the sign of bull, and adds grandeur to the entire scenario.

In the center of aircraft sits goddess Suyasha with Nandi, son of Silada on a beautifully decorated throne. Nandi has four arms and wonderful body with the sign of moon. Each limb and organ appears a symbol of generosity, and so, he appears as a pure moon. He sits under a huge umbrella that amazes and astonishes the eyes. He has three eyes and appears as if he were god, who obeys decrees of lord Shiva. He stands before the great lord. Trident is the powerful weapon he holds in hand. He is the chief of ganas, the attendants of Shiva, and appears to enjoy the powers to give reward or the authority to punish created beings including the rulers of the worlds based on the nature of karmas. A naga – a serpent adorns the neck with the sign of moon on head seems as an embodiment of divine opulence and vigorous potential.

All monks and son of Brahma Sanatkumara are extremely delighted and therefore, stand with folded hands, feelings of reverence and acquiescence. The aircraft lands at that moment and sage Sanatkumara prostrates before lord Nandi and sings songs of praise and glory.

He modestly introduces monks, “O lord, the monks belong to the six dynasties and have been organising yajna – sattra and discourses in the forest of Naimisa. To enjoy your holy glimpses they are already present here.”

“Nandi blesses the monks with a benign smile and glance, frees them from the bondages – the worldly pasas that had ensnared, and later, imparted knowledge and wisdom of Shaivite’s virtues – Shaivism – Shiva yoga, and immediately goes back to the great lord. After he gets perfect knowledge in Shiva yoga – Shaivitre, he gives it in an ideal manner to revered sage Vyasa and thereafter, the most venerable sage Vyasa imparts this great knowledge and wisdom of Shaivite to him.” Monk Suta tells sages of Naimisa, “I wish to bequeath unique wisdom of Shiva yoga to you briefly.”

Those who possess knowledge of the Vedas are eligible to get wonderful knowledge and wisdom of Shivapurana. Men who are not devotees of Shiva or are atheists, are unfit to acquire this gem of wisdom, he had already told. To impart and spread the essence of supreme knowledge is the most sacred divine mission as it blesses all.

After a thought, he tells, “O monks, if the sacred knowledge, one bequeaths, imparts and one agrees and then, hears and reads out appropriately and if karmas are true and virtuous and service to the people is selfless, a man’s attains fulfillment as the lord blesses him with all the pleasures of the world – Dharma, artha and kama. Ultimately, it leads to deliverance. I realise what I wish. We have together helped one another on the path to salvation. I fulfilled the objective and now, I go. I wish you very auspicious times ahead.”

Sutaji blesses and goes away. The monks are deeply indebted and therefore, decide to settle down permanently around Varanasi after they perform the great yajna at Prayag, for they had learnt that the age of evil – Kali had began to besmirch and corrupt everything living or non-living. Therefore, the sages organise and perform Pasupata rituals and rites in a perfect order with an earnest wish to get rid of bondages and attachment, and later, attain the highest bliss – a state of Samadhi – deep meditation and enlightenment.

Therefore, sage Vyasa speaks up clearly, “People should make serious efforts to read and hear the great Purana with full deference and respect. He, who is an atheist and lacks faith in the lord or is audacious and behaves like a rascal or an impertinent fellow, and is not a devotee, should never advise on the teachings of Shivapurana. It reduces to ashes all sins even if one remembers it once. Mere listening to the sacred Purana turns a non-devotee, a bhakta of Shiva and so, he becomes more intense in bhakti. Listening to it grants salvation.

For great benefits and blessings, one should read or hear it five times with a fixed and pure heart. O holy souls, in ancient times, Ksatriyas, brahmins and vaisyas heard and read the holy book with devotion and faith seven times and attained supreme bliss, the glimpses of lord Shiva. O noble souls, if a man hears and reads it with devotion, he gets joys, pleasures and comforts of life and later, attains liberation. Know, O virtuous souls, it is a very sacred book and at par with theVedas and very dear to the lord. It grants pleasures of the world, enhances feelings of devotion and ultimately, grants moksa. Later, the lord prays for blessings on the devotees, who elucidate the essence of the holy Purana and listen to its depiction with dedication.”

 CONCLUDED