Mount Kailash is the source of shakti for the entire creation. At the time of the Vedic sciences, it corresponded to the north-east direction. With the change of yugas and the shift in the tilt of earth’s axis, it has assumed the north direction presently. In Vedic times, directions were given by looking at and measuring the congruence of energies. Directions played a pivotal role in the process of creation.
You must have observed that all auspicious tasks are performed towards the north-east direction, which is called ‘ishan’. Interestingly, Ishan is another name for Lord Shiva. In Vedic times he had eight names—Sharva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bheem, Pashupati, Ishan and Mahadev, each representing various aspects and forces that play a pivotal role in the Universe. Rudra is the destructive form of Shiva. The specific mantra ‘Rudra-Rudra-Maharudra,’ which when practiced in the presence of a guru, stops the effect of future adversities. As one completes the sadhna of Rudra jaap, the body develops the capacity to change anything. Then one can change the direction of anything coming towards one or even others. However, this should not be done, as the purpose of a tantric sadhna is only the evolution of the being. Similarly, Bheem represents the strength aspect of Shiv; not of the muscles but strength that is needed to go from one dimension to the next. Pashupati epitomises Nature’s abundance. Pashupatinath Temple was created for this purpose but later the incorrect practice of performing ritualistic sacrifices vandalised its spiritual purpose. Such adulterations of authentic Vedic sciences have led us to completely forget our culture.
With the progression of times and change of yugas, men began to lose touch with creation and became self-centred. As a result, the eight forms of Shiva were not enough. Newer names emerged—Mrityunjay being one of them. Earlier there was no mrityu but iccha mrityu—a person would leave the body at will. Therefore, there was no need for Mrityunjay. But when people started performing wrong acts, they started to fear death and the name Mrityunjay originated. Similarly, there were no jyotirlingas or shaktipeeths in Satyug because they were not required. Their need was felt when civilisation started its descent. Today, the condition of human beings has deteriorated to such an extent that he has moved on from the swaroop of Shiva to the worship of lower beings like rakshas, pishach, bhoot and pret. With every passing day, the situation is becoming worse. Men can no longer see anything beyond themselves and/or their limited circle. This is the reason why Shiva was given a thousand names by men. All of these are readily available on CDs in every marketplace. People who play them think they are worshipping Lord Shiv, unaware of the fact that Shiv has only eight names. A few years from now, the names of Shiv would have multiplied to such an extent that it would be difficult to contain them in a single CD!
People keep asking me strange questions. Often I am unable to know which direction they should be steered towards. I try to take them north but they want to head south. If I talk of something, whereas their direction is some other, they will get confused and would not be able to reach anywhere, which for me becomes a failure. The thousand names of Shivs pertain to different isht devas. Yog says that there is only one mantra, one asan, one maala, one isht deva and only one guru. If you multiply any of these, then it is adulteration in yog—you are being unfaithful to creation. In which case, creation will be unfaithful to you. Hence before embarking on the journey of the spirit, you need to be sure of what it is that you seek; only then can the path to achieving it be carved out by your guru. If you don’t know what you want, and you chant the thousand names of Lord Shiv and start doing thousand sadhnas… where do you think you will reach?
must read for all those who think they understand spirituality....
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