Sivarathri message

Sivarathri is a special day to meditate upon Sree Parameshwara who manifested (Avirbhava) in the intuition of Maharshis and in the worlds to bestow Sanathana Dharma (Veda). It can also be said to be the day of manifestation of Sree Parameshwara and establishment of Sanathana Dharma Sastra and the Aarsha Guru Paramparas. Avirbhava means to manifest. Sivarathri is a sacred day to gratefully remember the occasion when Sree Parameshwara who is Akaya (without body), Nirakara (without form), and Niravayava (without organs), manifested before the beings of the three Lokas to bestow the Veda (divine knowledge, Sanathana Dharma).

Parameshwara is the Parama Tatva (highest principle) who is the Ishwara (supreme god) of the Vishwa, Kala (time), and Characharas (all living & non-living things). Since he is the Ishwara of all the Bhagwans in the Karana Loka (Causal world), Devas of the Sookshma Loka (Astral world), and of the beings in the Sthoola Loka (Physical world), and there is no equal or superior to him, he is Parameshwara (the supreme God). He is Sanathana, who is ever-existing, and the lord of the universe, time, and beings. This Parabrahma itself is Vishweshwara, Kaaleshwara, Aatmeshwara, Bhooteshwara. He is the Sarveshwara who is the lord of all living & non living things! He is described in the Vedas & Upanishads, and by the Guru Paramparas as Ishwara of the Ishwaras – Maheshwara, Ishwara of the Devas – Sureshwara, Devadeva, Mahadeva, Vishwanatha who is the lord of Karana, Sookshma, and Sthoola Lokas – Vishweshwara, Jagadeeshwara, Jagannatha, lord of Kala – Mahakala (Kaleshwara, Kalanatha), the protector of all Characharas – Pashupati (Bhootanatha, Bhooteshwara, Ganapati, Ganesha, Ganeshwara, Gananatha, Jeevanatha, Jeeveshwara, Aatmanatha, Aatmeshwara).

Sree Parameshwara is Anantha (endless or infinite). He has Anantha qualities, powers, and names. This Parama Tatva has numerous names such as Paramasiva, Parashakti, Vishnu, Brahma, Rudra, Sankara, Shambhu, Ganapathi, Subrahmanya, Sanathana, Paramatma, Paramporul, Parabrahma. He is Sanathana because He is Adya who existed before the three worlds (matter – energy – consciousness realms or the causal, astral, and physical worlds made up of Satva Rajas and Tamas respectively), time, living beings, etc came into existence, Avyaya (Achyuta) who remains unchanged when these emerge and evolve without any change in his nature, powers, characteristics, or greatness and is not subject to the creation, evolution, and the natural laws, and Kevala who merges back everything into himself and exists as the only absolute truth.

He is called Shambhu because he is the epitome of Mangalam (auspiciousness), Sankara because he is the bestower of ultimate goodness, Narayana because he is the basis of creation, Vishnu because he is all-pervading, Brahma because he is the cause of creation and possesses Srishti Jnana (vast knowledge of creation – Prapancha Bodha), Rama because he gives happiness and pleases everyone, Krishna because he attracts everyone to him, Hara who destroys sorrows, miseries, and sins, Hari who is the lord of the world, Rudra who bestows Jnana (wisdom) by warding off Maya (illusion) and Avidya (ignorance). He is Paramjyoti Sachidananda Swaroopa who is the only Parabrahma Tatva.

He is Ajaikapath because he is the only protector who transcends birth and death, and Ahirbudhnya because he is the basis of everything. He is Sarvavyapi (omnipresent) and Sarvantaryami (immanent). He is Brahma in the Samashti Roopa (whole) and Aatma in the Vyashti Roopa (part). Sree Parameshwara is Nirguna in his true self. One who is beyond the three Gunas – Satva, Rajas, Tamas, and unaffected by Maya is called Nirguna. Niranjan, Niravadya, Niramaya are synonymous with Nirguna. Yet he also became Hiranyagarbha, (Saguna) when creation processes and phenomena occurred in nature.

But due to these different forms and names, various conflicts have arisen. Ishwara is beyond all names & forms. He needs to be realized through Antardarshana (intuition) developed through Dhyana – Samadhi, which is beyond sense perceptions and rational thinking.

The Shrutis and Rishi Paramparas described the same Parameshwara Tatva with various names.

Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti – there is only one supreme truth, the scholars describe him by various names.

Sacchidekam Brahma – Sat, Chit, Ekatwam (ever-existence, ever-consciousness, Oneness) – these are the qualities of Parabrahma.

So much evidence!

Maharshi Yaska points out in the Nirukta, a Vedic dictionary, that all the names of the various deities mentioned in the Vedas refer to the various qualities of the one Parabrahma Tatva.

Ekasya atmano ‘nye devah pratyangani bhavanti – all other names of deities are Pratyangas (limbs or qualities) of the one God.

Therefore, there need to be no misconceptions or conflicts over names.

Let us think about form.

Parameshwara is Akaya (without body), Nirakara (without form or shape), and Niravayava (without organs). Then how can there be conflicting ideologies? (But we must not forget that since Parameshwara is omnipotent, he can be Sakaya, Sakara, Savayava.He can assume any form due to his omnipotence The various forms of Parameshwara that appeared before the Sadhaks, the way they desired, were promoted through the Dhyana Shlokas.)

(to be continued)