Shaivism - Discussion Thread

[Aupmanyav]

That is a whole course, not just a class.

 

[DPK_RG]

Thanks for sharing. Lots to know about Sri Tirumoolar and Sri Tirumantiram.

 

[Bhadr]

The Bhakta to begin with practices Charya and Kriya,
Then blessed with grace takes to Yoga pure;
And that way reaches the path of Jnana
And in the end by Guru's grace becomes one with Siva.
The Four Paths are the Steps in the Ladder to Siva Union.
- Sri Mantramala(Tirumantram)

Sanmarga, Sahamarga, Satputramarga, Dasamarga,
to gain Siva, Good Paths four are these.
Gyana, Yoga, Kriya, Charya,
thus also these are called.
The muktis gained by these paths are of four kinds:
Sayujya, Sarupya, Sampiya, Salokya.
The mukti gained by the aforesaid Gyana,
the learned say,is Para Mukti,the supreme liberation.
The other three,they call Pada Mukti.
- Sri Sivagyana Siddhi


The Yogi who is established in Siva Gyana doesn't lose the balance of mind even when assailed by worldly disturbances.

What though the welkin thunders,
What though the seas rise and foam,
What though the fires spread and burn,
What though the tempests roar and blast,
Unconcerned I seek Siva in devotion intense.

Well may denizens of seven worlds, all,
Entire try,
They cannot know Him;
Who can say where Lord is?
Who dares say,
Where that peerless Pearl is!
Unless He of Himself appears
In devotion of His devotees,

Those whose thoughts inseparable in Siva merge,
In their thoughts, Siva reveals;
Those who can vision their thoughts doubt-free,
In their thoughts, Siva is.


Brahma said:
Of what avail is a verbose statement? One is liberated by devotion unto Siva.Devotion to Siva is due to His grace; and His grace is due to devotion just as the seed gives rise to the sprout and the sprout produces the seed.

Other lords of Devas are ever desirous of seeing Him,moved by great devotion.He can be realized by supreme devotion.

Those who are drenched by the nectarine downpour of Siva's names never feel ill at ease even in the middle of conflagration of worldly existence.
- Srimat Siva Mahapurana

Siva Bhakti is the base for everything else.Remembering the names of Lord Siva is delightful,just the nama of two syllables "Siva" is more than enough,it itself is the supreme jewel.

Bhakti is mother,Bhakti is father,
Bhakti is the wish fulfiller like Kamadhenu and Kalpavriksha,
Bhakti is Amrita the nourishment of the Bhaktas.
By Siva Bhakti alone misery is destroyed and bliss is attained.
- Srimat Parameshvara Agama

Even they who have tapas none,
By chanting "Siva",
May yet Siva become,
The Lord of tattvas,
This is true, beyond doubt.
- Sri Mantramala

 

[Vinayaka]

Those first 3 lines really distinguish the Saiva Siddhanta view about the 'yogas' from the far more common view spread by Vivekenanda and others.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I understand and appreciate that, though I used a short-cut.