Sreepada Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam - 24

Chapter–24 

 Explanation of Ardhanaareeswara tattwa 

Afterwards I prayed to Sri Dharma Gupta to explain the inner meanings, if any, of the various ornaments, weapons of Shiva. For that Sri Dharma Gupta narrated, “Shankar Bhatt! For Ganapati ‘paasam and amkusam’(a cord for curbing and a hook) are the main weapons. In the same way‘Sudarsan chakra’ (disc) is the principal weapon of Vishnu. Likewise ‘trident (trishul)’ is the important weapon of Sri Shankara. Trident has three sharp points. They are in the form of flames of fire. All the three joined together at the bottom and shaped as a single trident. Those three points indicate ‘sattwa, rajas and tamo’gunas(qualities). In fact their unity is beyond the three attributes. Trident indicates this inner meaning. Not only that.Breath is flowing through ‘Ida and Pingala nerves’ and reaching the point between the eyebrows in the head. The centre point of brahmajnaana of these three ‘Ida, Pingala and Sushumna nerves’ is called as Triveni Sangamam(confluence of three rivers). This is the inner meaning of trishul!The second one of Sri Shankara is ‘Naagaabharana’. When kundalini Shakti becomes powerful,ashta siddhis(eight types of faculties) are obtained.Kundalini is of the shape of a serpent. To indicate it that way Sri Shankar Bhagavan is named as‘Naagaabharana’. Shiva is also named as Iswara. All these ‘great siddhis’ are dangerous like serpents. As He keeps them under His control and utilizes them for the welfare of the world Shiva also got the name of Iswara.‘Damaru (small drum)’ is tied to the trident of Shiva. The attribute of sound is said to be sky. The vibrations of sound travel in the sky. Vibrations emerge when we chant or hear the mantra japa. Those vibrations cause sounds–resembling the sounds from the‘damaru’ of Lord Shiva –in our ears. Repeated recitation of mantra gives happiness to yogi. In that ineffable joy he dances. As a symbol of this only, Parameswara holds damaru.‘Aagyaa chakra’ located in the middle of the eyebrows is the centre of all knowledge. This chakra has to expand for a wise man to acquire supernatural vision. A yogi will be able to understand past, future and present only through this chakra. Verily this‘Aagyaa chakra’ is the third eye of Parameswara. If this knowledge eye unfolds it becomes possible to burn cupid– the deity of sensual desire.It is said that Shiva resides in burial ground. When all desires are burnt to ashes by the fire of yoga, a yogi experiences a state of nirvana (liberation) bringing forth profound peace. Knowledge or wisdom is compared with white colour. That is vibhooti . A person gets pure wisdom when his thoughts and desires are extinguished. From that happiness results. The purification of wisdom takes place in four stages of natural, super natural, spiritual and mental planes. To denote this devotees of Shiva wear four lines of holy ash on their forehead.There is a supreme medicine called ‘Shilajit’ which looks like a jelly. Those who eat it remain eternally young.In ancient times a Sage called Shilada was living by eating stones. He incarnated as Nandeeswara. Sree Krishna was born in Rohini star in Vrushabha raasi. Star Aarudra is the place of Rudra. Mithuna raasi signifies the phenomenon of Ardhanaareeswara. Vrushabha raasi appears prior to it in the sky. That Vrushabha is Nandeeswara. Nandi shows the form of dharma. Shiva burnt Manmadha who belonged to lower nature and who is a personification of lust. Then Manmadha became formless and was connected to the sacred marital dharma of the higher nature. Therefore, Krishna became a disciple of Sage Upamanyu. He worshipped Shiva very sincerely and from the grace of Shiva he got a son named Pradyumna through Rukminidevi. This Pradyumna was called in his previous birth as Manmadha of the lower nature. This Vrushabha is the house of both Manmadha and Kaama (Cupid and lust). All righteous desires belong to the higher nature. To make it known that it is dharma to satisfy them, a ritual known as ‘Vrushotsarjana’ is performed.Frightful tantric siddhis and powers are as dangerous as tigers. Shiva kept them under His control. Tiger is the vehicle for Shakti.As a sign that He kept Shakti under control as His consort, Parameswara wore the skin of a tiger. Purifier of the world– the sacred Ganga River dwelling in the coils of locksof Shiva’s Crest signify pure brahmajnaana, perennial flow of intelligence and the attainment of immortality. The crescent moon demonstrates the great blissful joyous profound tranquility caused by that eternal graciousness. Therefore, that nature of the Chandrakalaadhara (one who wears the crown of moon) is the source for attainment of immortality and a state of ineffable happiness.The inner meaning of ardhanaareeswara tattwa is that the life force which enables people to live is divided into two and that it remains as ovum in the uterus of a female and as sperm in a male and by the combination of those two a living creature is produced. However, in creation an earthworm contains both mother-father constituents. In both men and women the natures of females and males coexist. It must be noted that in the right side of the body masculine power and on the left feminine power dwells. It should be recognized that the power in the form of breath that circulates on the right side is ‘pingala-naadi’, and that circulates on the left side is ‘ida-naadi’. During the breath control exercise when breath is inhaled on the right side heat is generated. So it is called Surya-naadi. When breath is inhaled on the left side body cools down. So it is called Chandra-naadi. In the body of kaala purusha the six months extending from Mesha Raasi to Tula Raasi in the zodiac giving heat are to be regarded as Surya-naadi. The other six months from Aswayuja to Phalguna are to be considered as Chandra-naadi. It must be understood that from the motion of sun and moon, full moon and new moon (Pournami and Amavasya) phases are formed. A yogi by the exercise of breath control achieves in his body all the phases in the circle of time. He gets the knowledge of time which enables him to be aware of everything of past, future and present. This wheel of time is to be recognized as ardhanaareeswara tattwa, and as an inseparable couple. Night and Day, Pournami and Amavasya and all such things appear in succession one after another. One is the basis for the other. There can be no day without night and vice versa. Parents who are called Ardha-naareeswaras are the cause for the emergence of this infinite creation. The inner meaning of terming Shiva as destroyer is that old creation exits and new creation is ushered. Changes in creation come about naturally. Advent of new creation, it’s continuance for sometime and again its annihilation are inescapable. If all the astras, sastras (fiery missiles and weapons used in ancient warfare) and mantras are to be achieved the grace of Eesaana Rudra who is the Lord of all the faculties of astras and sastras has to be necessarily obtained.” Then I prayed to Sri Dharma Gupta to explain in detail about the close connection between star Aarudra and Shiva Parvati. Then he again started narrating, “Rudra appears as a hunter holding a bow and chasing a running deer on a hunting spree. This figure is visible in the Aarudra star in the sky. He works like a hunter. The effect of planetary movement The image of this hunter Rudra is seen in the Constellation across Gemini and Cancer Zodiac houses at a corner. When malefic planets like Saturn, Mars and Raahu move near this Constellation, Universal wars and destruction take place. Battles between Devas and Demons, and the Mahabharata war took place during such planetary movements.‘Kaala Samhaara Moorti’, the dreadful Rudra who holds a bow was described by vedas as form of Manyu devata. The weapon of that Rudra Moorti is not trident. Bow only is His weapon.Chaturdasi which comes before Amaavasya in the month of Maagha is called ‘Maha Shivaraatri’. Chaturdasi which comes before Amaavasya in every month is named ‘Maasa Shivaraatri’.Worship of Shiva during Sani Pradosha time results in removal of malefic influence of Saturn It is highly important if Mahashivaratri falls on a Tuesday. If Trayodasi falls on Saturday, it is called Sani-trayodasi. To remove different types of troubles caused by Saturn who causes consequences of fate, Shiva should be worshipped and gingely seeds should be donated on Sani-trayodasi. Shiva is the Lord of Saturn. So if Parameswara is worshipped with gingily oil, the afflictions from Saturn are removed. If during dusk on Saturday if Shiva is worshipped, all evils from karma get annulled and peace and comfort are obtained because Shiva is the Lord of Saturn. Saturn causes experiencing of karmic results. Shiva causes destruction. Every person should worship Shiva during sani-pradosha time. This worship reduces into ashes all heinous sins arising from inauspicious actions and purifies body, mind, intellect, ego, heart and soul through fresh divine effulgent, auspicious vibrations and bestows a happy new life. For obtaining all these supreme achievements one should perform worship of Shiva during Sani-pradosha period.By the above procedure the fury of Saturn will abate. During the night of Saturday the negative forces ruling over all sorts of sins of that living being, which are forces of misfortune remaining invisible in a thick black colour, great destructive powers, reside in Maha-kaali– the form of shakti of maha kaala. The next day on Sunday at the time of sun rise, on account of the grace of that maha shakti dwelling in the centre of the region of sun, a new life will commence for the spiritual aspirant. Heaps of inauspicious sins are burnt in the fire of yoga of Sree Parameswara. The form of Shiva of five elements Shiva is made up of five elements.In our body in ‘Moolaadhaara’ earthly nature is there. As a symbol of this, spiritual aspirants worship Paardhiva Linga. In the circle of ‘Swaadhisthaana’ nature of water is there.Jala Linga represents this. Circle of‘Manipooraka’ relates to the nature of fire.Jwaala Linga represents it. This is also called ‘Hiranya- stambha (pillar of Gold)’. ‘Anaahata chakra’ in the heart is the seat of airy nature.Vaayu Lingais the symbol of this vaayu tattwa. the ‘Visuddhi chakra’ in the throat which is the seat of sky is called Chidambara Linga. This Chidambara Linga which is called ‘Akaasa Linga’ has no shape at all.The adoration, worship and darshan of these Shiva Lingas of five elemental forces is highly fruitful.In Chidambara kshetra that which lies hidden behind a curtain is called Chidambara rahasya(secret of Chidambara). Nothing is to be seen when the curtain is lifted. Pure sky is ‘Aatma Linga’ of Shiva. Heart is the seat of spirit and, therefore, it is the area of sky where in the soul dwells. In fact sky has no form at all! Yogis who concentrate their mind and meditate with single pointed look upon their real self, the firmament of heart will open up. Entire creation, whole universe, stars,planets and others appear in his heart. ‘Runa’ means sin. ‘Aruna’ means sinless. Parameswara resides in the sky of the heart.Parameswara exists in Arunachala in the forms of Arunachaleswara, Arunachala mountain and in the person of a Maha Siddha. His darshan diminishes all sins. The same Arunachaleswara has incarnated in human form in Pithikapuram as Sreepada Sreevallabha. Now He is brilliantly shining in divine glory in Kurungadda with a view to liberate us. Kurungadda equals Arunachala Mountain.Arunachaleswara in the form of Ardhanaareeswara is Sreepada Sreevallabha. The great Siddha in Arunachala in also in the guise of this sage. Just as the mountain in Arunachala is indeed the image of Shiva, this Kurungadda also is indeed the form of Sreevallabha. Just as the forces of Shiva are in Arunachala Shiva Linga, the forces of Shiva are in the person of Sreepada Sreevallabha. Seeing Parameswara in the ‘form of Maha Siddha’in Arunachala is very difficult but, this ‘Maha Siddha form’ in the person of Sreepada Sreevallabha is easily accessible.”Then I requested Sri Dharma Gupta, “Sir! I heard that Sri Sreepada is the combined form of Sri Venkateswara Swamy along with Sri Padmavathi Devi but you affirmed that He is Shiva–Shakti Swaroopa. You are saying that it is highly meritorious to worship Shiva during Sani-pradosha time. All this is very much confusing to me. Kindly explain.” For that Sri Dharma Gupta replied smilingly, “Sir! The divine nature of Sri Sreepada Vallabha cannot be comprehended even by the Sapta-rishis. Even then I would explain to you to the extent of my ability. Lord Sri Venkateswara is there from kruta yuga. He gave boons to Dasaratha. As He said that He would be born as Sree Rama Chandra, He can also be worshipped as Sri Rama–the son of Kausalya. SreeVenkateswara Swamy was worshipped for sometime as Baala Tripura Sundari, a form of Shakti. After sometime, He was worshipped in the form of Shiva for some days. Some people worshipped Him as Subramanya Swamy. After that on the initiative of His holiness Sri Ramanuja He is being worshipped by Sri Vaishnavites as Lord Maha Vishnu. Buddhists regard Him as the great soonya(vacuum). He is really Lord Datta! This Swamy is a highly cunning director of the drama of delusion. He demonstrates His sportive plays to those spiritual pursuers who call Him in whatever manner by responding to their calls and saving them and thereby proving that He is the only God. He is the same one who is passing as Sreepada Sreevallabha in the world.On the left side of Sreepada’ s body Shakti travels and on the right side Shiva moves. Therefore, He is the personification of Shiva-Shakti. Mother Padmavathi adorns His heart.Heart is the symbol of mercy. It is the place for ‘Anaahata chakra’.Shakti extends from there to ‘upper chakras’ and ‘lower chakras’. (A region or division of the body –A power plexus in the human body is often termed in spiritual language as chakra). Therefore, in another body of divine consciousness He is Sri Padmavathi and Sri Venkateswara. He is the form of Vaani (Saraswati) and Hiranya Garbha (Brahma) also. Vaani Devi i.e., Saraswati who express Herself as Paraa, Pasyanti, Madhyama and Vaikhari forms of speech dwells on His tongue. The divine consciousness of Mother Vaani and Hiranya Garbha remain in a non-dualistic state.The real ‘’Chidambara’ secret is, He assumes three different forms of consciousness at the same time. There is not even a small touch of similarity in any measurement between His body and any other body. He is assuming at the same time the bodies of consciousness of Vaani-Hiranya Garbha, Shiva-Parvati and Padmavathi-Sri Venkateswara. Simultaneously, He took a body of consciousness called Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha that transcended the above forms of consciousness. This is His yoga maaya; hisvaishnava maaya(illusion created through yogic powers; powers of illusion of Lord Vishnu). This is His Chidambara mystery. He can be regarded as One belonging to Dwaita, or an Adwaita or a Visisthaadwaita sects. He can also be considered as One Who is above all those. The reason is, there are no limits to His yoga maaya and vaishnava maaya. For the cunning One who donned the charming figure of Jagan Mohini and distributed nectar only to deities; for the One who enticed Parama Shiva in His Mohini form and who made Parama Shiva enamoured of Him without the need for Manmadha (Cupid); and for One who gave birth to DharmaSaastha, what is impossible! For Lord Datta who imparts the knowledge stating, “I am this Mohini form! I am also DharmaSaastha!”, What is impossible? Aatma said that it will create itself through maaya. Is it not? He who was in the form of Mohini created Himself as DharmaSaastha. Oh! What a cunning way!” Saying this he struck me with wonder. Victory Victory unto Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha!