Sreepada Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam - 23

Chapter – 23 

 Explanation of the esoteric significance of Shiva worship 

The greatness of a Shiva Yogi’s devotion- The preachings of Sri Sreepada to him 

 When I was about to move from the opposite bank of Krishna River to Kurungadda, I came across a noble vysya named Dharma Gupta. He was also coming to Kurungadda for the darshan of Sri Sreepada. During the conversation it was learnt that he was related to Sri Pynda Venkatappayya Sreshti of Pithikapuram. There was no end to my astonishment. There was a special peculiarity and importance in the glorious history, sportive plays, miracles, and amazing incidents of Sri Sreepada as narrated by the devotees of Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha, who were meeting me. Only some incidents that happened in a year in the divine life of Sri Sreepada used to be told. They were wonder of wonders and each was not related to the other. They were very strange matters unheard of by me till then. Till now I was taught by His devotees about His divine plays in an orderly way covering a period of ten years in the life of Sri Sreepada. I was thinking in this manner in my mind. I thought that Sri Dharma Gupta may narrate some events that took place in the 11th year of Sreepada. Sri Sreepada rambles in His sportive pastimes every moment. In the meanwhile Dharma Gupta began to narrate, “Sir! Shankar Bhatt! I am a devotee of Shiva. When Sri Sreepada was 11 years old a Shiva Yogi came to Pithikapuram. He was a worthy man. He used to collect alms in the cup of his hands. He did not have any bag, plate or any vessel with him. He appeared like a lunatic to the onlookers. First he came to the temple of Sri Kukkuteswara. On seeing his mad appearance, and dust coated figure the temple priests did not allow him to enter into the temple. He was an avadhoota having no body–consciousness. He was repeatedly chanting Shiva panchaakshari mantra. I was going to the house of Sri Pynda Venkatappayya Sreshti on a horse. Sri Pynda Venkatappayya Sreshti was related to me as a brother-in-law. I was in the habit of visiting Sri Kukkuteswara temple on my way. As I was a prominent vysya, the priests performed a grand pooja in my name. My habit was to give them liberal sambhaavanas. I wanted to give five varahaas to the priests. They would distribute them among themselves. They submitted their financial difficulties, troubles and problems to me. They affirmed that the support of noble vysyas like me was very much essential for the protection of sanaatana dharma. Suddenly Shiva Yogi came in rushing like a blowing wind. Along with him two cobras also entered inside. The priests were sweating profusely.That Shiva Yogi said, “You priests! Don’t be afraid. These are ornaments for Kukkuteswara whom we adore. These cobras are eager to embrace our father Kukkuteswara just as children desire to embrace their father. They are like our brothers. It is a great sin to fear, to run or to kill our brothers on seeing them. They are attracted here by the special pooja performed by the priests. Let us worship Kukkuteswara who wears serpent ornaments, with more care and diligence! Sing namaka and chamaka(mantras used specially in the worship of Shiva) with good voice couple with melody.” The priests were at a loss what to do. The priests had some sycophants among them. They used to say so many words of flattery to please rich persons among devotees provided they were giving generous sambhaavanas. One Surya Chandra Sastry, among those priests in Pithikapuram was not only a good scholar but also a sincere and strict observer of religious ceremonies. He had great devotion towards Sri Sreepada. He remembered Sri Sreepada and began to recite with good voice mingled with melody namaka and chamaka. The visiting cobras also waved their hoods in tune with the melodious rhythm and displayed their happiness. Surya Chandra Sastry brought Shiva Yogi to the house of Baapanaarya. A sumptuous meal was given to the satisfaction of Shiva Yogi. Afterwards Shiva Yogi had the darshan of Sri Sreepada. Sri Sreepada granted him a vision as Shiva-Shakti Swaroopa(a form of Shiva and Parvati or Shakti). That Shiva Yogi was in a state of samaadhi for three days. After three days Sri Sreepada fed him food with His divine hand. Then He explained very succinctly, “My child! Perform the religious rituals mentioned in sanaatana dharma and be liberated. Contents in puraanas are not at all pieces of fiction or lies. Their general meaning is different. Their esoteric meaning is something different. Only for those spiritual aspirants who observe rigorous spiritual discipline, the inner meanings, and profound esoteric secrets of the puraanas flash in their mental horizon. Among sun and moon who cause seasons, sun represents supreme self and moon represents mind. Only when the effulgence of sun representing super self and moon representing mind combine, the activity of creation occurs. Amaavasya stands for illusion. Only this maaya at first creates potencies called Vasuvus. Introducing degrees of light in moon and again merging them in itself (maaya) is taking place. Just as maaya is transmitting the effulgence of Paramaatma into the form of mental moon, the rays of sun are transmitted into moon. Even though maaya and Amaavasya are inert forms, the world which originated on account of them, has become combined both intellectual and inert traits, due to its presence near intellectual influence. Just as the urge for creation of seasons like spring is responsible for creation in nature, the rajassu which produces sensual desire in women, is causing the birth of children. The desire brahmajnaana will only be for the offspring from females semen. The rajassu in the females is said to be against Brahma the creator. So it is said by pandits that it was generated by the brahma-hatya(killing of a brahmin). As the secrets of veda are shrouded in chandassa (prosody) they are called chaandasa. As rajassu has crooked quality a menstrual lady is kept out at a distance for three days. Heaven is a lustrous sphere having a natural brilliance. Earth of the mortals is a place of deaths and births. All the nether lands are illuminated by the sun-light. Therefore,they are called ‘Prusnulu’. All the seven nether lands (Paataalaas) have divine potentates like Jaataveda and others. The earth where we live is before the seven Paataalaas! Fire is its presiding deity. All these eight divine potentates (rulers) have names called ‘Ashta Vasuvus’. As these deities strive on account of the sun-light they are named ‘Vasuvus’. Theairy spaces between these eight spheres are called seven seas. Sage Yaachya remarked that air is also symbolized as sea. Ordinary people consider seven seas as forms of water but, it is not correct.” The greatness of Shiva. The images of Shiva in Ekadasa Shiva Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh Shiva is personification of eleven Rudras. There are eleven Shiva Kshetras in Andhra Pradesh. Visiting them will confer great benefit.They are (1) Nagareswara in Bhruhatshila Nagara (Penugonda); (2) Mallikarjuna in Sreeshaila; (3) Bheemeswara in Draaksharaama; (4) Rama Lingeswara in Ksheeraarama; (5) Amaralingeswara in Amaravati; (6) Kotiphaleeswara in Kotiphali Kshetra; (7) Kukkuteswara in Pithikapura; (8) Mahanandeeswara in Mahaanandi; (9) Kaaleswar in Kaaleswaram; (10) Kaalahastiswar in Sri Kaalahasthi; (11) Tripuranthakeswar in Tripuranthakam. In reality there is no image for Shiva. Shiva Linga is nothing but the form of jyothi glowing in all souls. Spatika Linga (Crystal Linga) is the purity enshrined in the form of pure mind achieved after siddhi (perfection). Rudra who helps us to bestow knowledge in the brain encased in our head, is called ‘Kapaali’. Arteries, veins which spread as nerves from brain downwards upto neck are called ‘rudra jadas’. Shiva is called Lakuleesa in the form of a ‘Hatha Yogi’.Shiva goes begging bhiksha and takes away the sins of jeevas.Shiva dances in ecstasy in tune with the great vibrations of musical, rhythmic creation, sustenance and liquidation processes. Therefore, Shiva is called Nata Raja. Shiva can also grant salvation which brings the greatest bliss. ‘Chit’ means mind, ‘Ambara’ means sky or cloth. Chidambara is one who dwells in the form of sky. The sky which you behold in this vast universe is the form of Rudra. The twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’ represent the twelve houses in the zodiac. So Shiva is time personified. Eight directions are the form of‘Chidaakasa’ of that ‘Ashta Moorthi’. The five elements are His five faces. Five sensory organs, five functional organs and mind put together become eleven Rudra potencies. They are called ‘Ekadasa Rudras’ (11 Rudras). The image of Uma Maheswara is a perennial, benevolent and beautiful form. The form of Tripurantaka is the one that destroyed the three attributes. Wisdom eye is the third eye. When in a state of samaadhi during profound peaceful meditation, holiness constantly flows. That sacred flow is the very holy Mother Ganges in the coils of hair on the head of Lord Shiva.The form of ancient couple Shiva–Parvati is the zodiac house ‘Mithuna’. When the star ‘Aarudra’ shines in the sky Shiva grants darshan. One has to cross the ‘Vrushabha’ Zodiac house before reaching ‘Mithuna’ house. That Vrushabha is Nandeeswara. That is the personification of dharma. That light that shines between the eye brows is crescent moon that adorns the forehead. On account of yogic state lust is conquered. The difference between male and female genders is destroyed and unified position is reached. That position is the Form of Ardhanaareeswara. During the time of Lingodbhava(emergence of Shiva Linga) a camphor flame sparkles as a divine light in the thousand petalled Sahasraara chakra(a centre in the topmost portion of the head, and is considered to be the seat of maha sakthi). Linga means the subtle body hidden in the gross body. Veda affirms that this shines like a light. The secrets of Shiva’s worship can only be known by regular disciplined practice, and the grace of a guru.Just as there is physical Pithikapuram, there is another Golden Pithikapuram which is formed out of heavenly illumination. That is constructed by My consciousness. Those devotees and wise men who constantly remember Me can know about it from experience. Irrespective of the great distances where they reside, they become residents of the Golden Pithikapuram. I am always easily accessible to them.The priests you saw in the Kukkuteswara temple in physical Pithikapuram are born from the origin of pramada ganaas(servitors of Lord Shiva). There are many hordes of devils, ghosts and spirits.As one practices yoga, worships Sreepada Sreevallabha, those devils and ghosts create disturbance. Those who get over those obstacles are indeed fortunate. I told many a time that a ‘Maha Samsthan’ would be established in the house of My maternal grandfather. My Will is very efficacious. Like rows of ants, lakhs and lakhs of devotees and groups of yogis visit My Samsthan. I only will decide about who, when, how many and in what mode they come. It is utterly false to think that simply because they are residents of Pithikapuram, they will come to Sreepada Sreevallabha Samsthan and have darshan. My grace showers ambrosia on worthy ones. It will be like a mirage to unworthy ones.” Victory Victory unto Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha !