TO CUT OFF ATTACHMENT, LITERALLY

 

TO CUT OFF ATTACHMENT, LITERALLY

“Shiva, you know I love you like a brother… I loved Sati like my sister…” began Vishnu.

“Loved?” said Shiva quietly.

“Yes, I mean I love Her like a sister. I mean She has gone now, so I loved Her.”

“Gone?”

“Shiva, Shiva! Come on, it’s the most terrible thing that could have happened, but you have to compose yourself. She is gone now, and we must go on, it’s what She would have wanted,” said Vishnu.

“Go on?”

“Shiva, you cannot be like this, you cannot behave like this,” Vishnu was almost pleading.

Nandi shifted uneasily.....

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

Everyone wants Happiness

 

Everyone wants to be happy.This is a simple observation. One, that has been noted throughout time,and as the scientists would quip, this is a fact that has 'tested positive' for all beings of the world!

The mystics go a step further; Divine intention is simple,
they teach; God created, so that all of creation may be happy. And the 'Truth' about the purpose of life,is to find abiding happiness. We want to be happy.The very expression betrays that it is not so (yet). We want to remain happy,that is,even if we find ourselves having a good time, it doesn't last for long,and the world becomes an ocean of sadness again.

So,what has gone wrong? Let's take a look at what gives us pleasure. A promotion, a new car, a date with 'that someone you really like', a delicious meal, exciting clothes, that enrapturing concert, a heavenly landscape, and so much more. But you only have to scratch the surface of these moments, for a closer view,and strange as it may seem, none of them turn out to be the cause of happiness.
I repeat, by themselves,none of them are more than 'neutral events' . They are not all complete,without an important participant- You.
A delicious meal is good, yes ,but when you're hungry,not if you're already stuffed! A promotion is great,but only when you know,its because your ability has been acknowledged,and not for some other motive or compulsion. A new car sounds cool!but what of that nagging anxiety about repayment of loan schedule? Not to talk of the disaster an exciting date can eventually turn out to be if it is not founded on ethical sanctity.
So your appetite,your mood,your inner knowing,these matter more than the object or event at hand. It is quite clear,that for your joyous occasion,your common denomination is required. And if, of course,this is obvious, so silly then, that we went wrong where we were looking, when we looked outside! Hmm...

Clearer still,should be the understanding,that integral to your happiness,is, your knowing of your Self. And what is this"Know Thyself"? How does one come to such knowing? You have begun by noting that in order to enjoy something,your senses have to be okay, and tuned on.
For example,the heavenly landscape wont do anything for you, if you've lost your eyesight.So it is not the object that is responsible,but neither is the physical organ of sight the cause of elation.It is something more. To enjoy looking at snow capped mountains,you must like inwardly,what you are viewing. Suppose you like playing in casinos instead? What if you are inwardly thinking of the great games you missed at Las vegas? You are not going to be happy then,are you? Conversely, someone else,who loves mountains,might find himself stuck in a casino,feeling life's burden as the dealer deals out a hand...

Happiness,then,is something deeper than the outer object, more inward than even the five senses. Contentment,as they say,is a state of mind. So,we are talking of perception.And here comes the problem! Since,even the mind is fickle,the source of lasting joy that we are speaking/seeking of, must surely be even beyond mind. And we move to the inner spirit,the higher Self. Our seers have tracked this for us,dexterously,with Sadhana and Tapasya, Ruhaniyat and spiritual rapture. Out of their mystic vision and meditative insight have they proclaimed with authenticity and authority ' The art is to revel in your Self,your innermost,the core, the ever existent,never changing,where,even the mind is stilled in awe: Your essence,which is,but the essence of God residing in you.' In the east,we call it Atman.

There is no joy greater than experiencing your Self,no joy greater than knowing that which enables you to know.That,which is knowledge itself. It's inherent nature,is joy,because,simply,it is in union with God all the time! If we are able to become conscious to this happy state that has always been, we then re-cognize that it is our own light whence all happiness emanates, And we shall have fulfilled the purpose of our individual lives,we shall have arrived.
But this is not the end,awakening is only a beginning!
Buddhas,spend the rest of their lives fulfilling all of life. This is the design for the unfolding of man's veiled Divinity. Practice makes perfect, and there are a number of different spiritual ways leading to the one summit of the
Self -illumined state. You may begin with what suits your present attainment and spiritual temper, but begin now! You may take a cue from brother scientist's penchant for "positive test",and practise positivity! By the way,it has given me gratifying happiness in reminding you of the sameness that rests within you,waiting for your centering.
( This article was first written in  2001)Shail Gulhati is the Author of the books :SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.
The Yogi and the snake
Shiva Poetry
NAAM ROOP- A Tribute to the Divine
And Life Said.

AUM PURNAMADAH PURNAMIDAM

 

Dear friends and Shiva bhakts,
we all know the story of how Shiva volunteered to receive Ganga on His head when she had to descend to earth from the heavens for the upliftment of humanity, both living, and the dead. But, she was so full of Divinity that the very earth she was coming to purify would not have been able to take the impact of the torrential 'weight' of her Gyana or satvikta! Shiva stepped forward to make His own matlocks a landing pad for her, Shiva's Yogic hair already contained the ultimate Gyana,infinite Divinity within, and could receive an infinite amount more.

This reminds us of the Purna prayer from the teachings of the ancient hindu rishis, in the Isha Upanishad, which is the first Upanishad.

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते ।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥

Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam Puurnnaat-Puurnnam-Udacyate |Puurnnasya Puurnnam-Aadaaya Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||

Meaning:
Fullness 'that' (Outer World)
Fullness 'this' (Inner World)
From Purna is manifested Purna (From the Fullness of Divine Consciousness within, the outside world is manifested),
Even after manifesting a whole Purna from itself, Purna still remains the same.

Shaivites believe that Shiva is the Adi Purnam, the Original Fullness, therefore no amount of giving or receiving Gyana will affect His own Fullness in any way. And this makes it easier to understand why Shiva has a nature of taking every cosmic event upon His own head, be it the Samundra manthan or then, the reception of Ganga.
Aum Namah Shivaye

~ Shail Gulhati , Author of :
SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.
Shiva Poetry
The Yogi and the snake
And Life Said.
NAAM ROOP- A Tribute to the Divine

PARVATI PASHUPATINATHINI

 

PARVATI PASHUPATINATHINI

Everyone was excited; from the tiny squirrels who couldn’t stop their teeth from incessant chattering, to the huge elephants, who were behaving like little children about to see their mother after a long gap.

Even the sulking wild tiger was smiling, displaying a fine array of pearl- like teeth matched by equally sharp paws, which he held up to his own face and smirked in self appreciation.

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

SHAMSHAN NATH AGHORA

 

Aghoras were the earliest and foremost Shamans to whom absolutely nothing mattered, other than proximity to their Lord Shiva, at all times.

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

MYSTIC DIMENSIONS

 

MYSTIC DIMENSIONS

In the morning, Sati awoke to see Shiva awake already. “A cup of tea for you?” He smiled.

“Yes, please,” She said.

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

WHAT WORK DO YOU DO, ASKED SATI ?

 

WHAT WORK DO YOU DO, ASKED SATI ?

“So, what work do you actually do?” Sati asked coyly like any newly married wife.

“I meditate,” Shiva answered.

“No, I meant what work do you do as in work?”

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

The original Bhaktini

 

One day, Shiva told Sati , “It is said of me that I do not incarnate. And yet I can vouch safe of your love that you are one who can make even Shiva manifest. That makes you an enchanting sorceress! The original Bhaktini indeed!”

“Me, a sorceress! And what are you?” She asked “You, who have hypnotized the whole Universe, especially me.”

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

TO MANIFEST A GOD

 

TO MANIFEST A GOD

“Place this bilva leaf over the top of the Shivalinga,” said the priest.

Himavat gently placed a leaf over the Shivalinga and Parvati followed suit with Her tender hands.

“Now hold the golden vessel firmly, and pour the water over the Shivalinga, and say Aum Namah Shivaye,” said the priest.

“Aum Namah Shivaye,” said Himavat loudly and poured water.

Parvati nodded Her head and carried out the priest’s instructions immaculately.

“Aum Namah Shivaye. Aum Namah Shivaye…”

A bilva leaf slid from the top and came to rest at the centre. It was the one that Parvati had placed. The priest was about to pick it up and put it back when he noticed something amazing:

The leaf had slid and come to such a strategic point, it started looking like the eyes and nose of the Shivalinga. The next words that the priest said, were to be forever etched into Parvati’s soul.

“You have made Shiva come alive!”

“Ah, but father, I am alive because of Shiva. We are all alive because of Him…”

Himavat smiled at his young daughter’s wisdom.

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller. Part 2

TIME

 

TIME

What time was it? In His case, the answer to that could be anything possible from any history book ever written, and so it was with real gratitude that He looked at His watch, which Nandi gifted to Him on one of their travels to the future. They did that often, Shiva and Nandi: travel to the future.

Shiva liked the insignia on top - an enigmatically winged hourglass. It reminded Him of His Damaru. “The Damaru…” He had once told Nandi,”is also an hourglass, if you look at it properly. It contains all the time that has been, and all that will be, and can flip the position of both, if you know how, Nandi,”

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller..

TAMIL NEW YEAR (PARAAPAVA) SPECIAL POOJA– Tuesday, 14th April 2026 at Sri Durgai Amman Temple, Senawang Jaya, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

 

Dear Devotees,

To welcome the Tamil New Year (of Paraapava), special abishegam and pooja will be held at the Sri Durgai Amman Temple, Senawang Jaya, Seremban on Tuesday, 14th April 2026, starting at 9.30 a.m. The New Year Special Pooja will begin at 9.30 a.m., followed by New Year greetings by the Temple President and the distribution of Pirasaadham.

All devotees are welcome to participate in the ceremonies and obtain the grace of Sri Durgai Amman on this auspicious day.

ONCE HE HAS YOU

 

ONCE HE HAS YOU

God works in mysterious ways , Often fulfilling what you would wish , especially to catch your attention. But once He has it, you should focus on what He would like.

It has been said He would like you to share love and kindness for His other children.

~ From the book ' And life said ' by Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

SHIVA WORSHIPS THE SHIVALINGA

 

This depiction of Shiva worshipping the Shivalinga , is a favourite Shaivic imagery. It full of spiritual meaning.
Why does Shivji sit behind His own Shivalinga in prayer?
Because, in the simplest words: He is committed to His own creation. He, is His own first votary.

If you compare this to a modern day analogy, where during an election, the contender for  'Head of state'  also goes to caste his vote, we note that he is up early, one of the first to caste his own ballot selection! But this comparison, i give only to make you understand that a good leader believes in what he stands for, he signs up for the teachings and vision he himself gives us.

The difference is that in Divinity, there is no election, no selection,and no contest. But a seeker must respect the Divine ideal he seeks, and this can only happen if the Divine itself upholds its foundations! So too, Shivji respects what His own Shaivism stands for, He is the first adherent, the first to vouch for the Shiva way,
and we understand that He is His own first votary. He believes in His own manifesto, and stands by His principles.He leads by example and from the front.
But of course, the analogy ends here, you cannot be " Voted" God !
And although i truly loved reading them, I do not personally subscribe to some stories theorising that Shiva was a man , raised to the level of God by his feats and followers. Rather, my work is based on the understanding that Shiva was always God, but endearingly Human, lovable like a good man in our midst!
And this understanding is based on the notings of the ancient Rishis; They said a surprising thing in the Vedanta and Upanishads:
You cannot Become God, You are always that!

What did they mean by this?
Their teaching was expanded for us by the Rishis of Kashmir in their Shaiv Darshan.They explained that sometimes, God makes Himself forget that He is God, just before he descends to earth. This paves the way for play- Lila.
So once God ( Shiva) comes to earth as another jiva, he undergoes the same world and stages as everyone else, the same joys and sorrows, and finally he begins to question if there is a creator to all this. God looks for God! The Nath Sampradaya states:
Shiva seems to play the lila of losing Himself, then looking for Himself , and finally finding Himself out. According to them, God finds His own true nature when He is in deep Dhyana, Samadhi ; and it is that great realisation which the great Adi shankara termed as Chidanand roopam shivoham. It is also called Satchitananda or Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
We note also, that ultimately we are all seekers of the same truth and helped by Gurus and saints who have journeyed before us.
When He comes on the same journey, In this lovely Lila, God is also helped by His own Rishis as Gurus.
The teacher becomes the taught! This is not difficult to understand, rather, this is the real beauty of God's Lila and love. That is why you have examples of Ramji being taught by Rishi Vashisht, Krishnji being taught by Guru Sandeepan: So that they may remain centered in their Godhood.

Incidentally, the term Yoga, means " To conjoin with the Divine" and Shivji is also called Yogeshwar, the God of the Yogis, which title further simplifies the point that Shivji is always centered in His Supreme God consciousness.Always meditating for the welfare of the Universe. And we note how beautifully the Shivalinga is meant to represent the whole manifest world.


Aum Shiv Shakti Namah.
~ Shail gulhati author of the books :

SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller. The Yogi and the snake Shiva Poetry
NAAM ROOP- A Tribute to the Divine
And Life Said.

Lord Shiva

 

Who Is Shiva?

Transcendent God: Shiva is the timeless God of the universe.Before even the creation of our world, He alone exists; as existence itself,and can be understood as the ultimate transcendence,the supreme being..Personal God

This supreme being,wants to become something,So, He manifests the world as we know it,with himself the projector,but alongside all that he creates,he enters the project as an embodiment,much like the director taking a role in his own play!He now involves himself in meditating and re-connecting with his transcendent Godness,Such connecting is termed as “yoga”,and so, shiva the yogi, is replete with divine knowledge and power.Shiva constantly deploys his powers and wisdom, his godhood,to uplift all his children , In this,he is goodness personified,and many who have faith in his immanence, worship him as their personal god.

Why then is Shiva known as the destroyer? Hinduism believes that the processes of God are principally threefold: creation,preservation,and destruction. It further believes,that God optimizes his attributes in a particular manifestation to enable the execution of a specific process with the greatest efficacy,Thus Brahma is the creator of the world, Vishnu incarnates time and again , for he is it’s preserver.Which , in some thinking leaves Shiva as the destroyer at the end of a world cycle.However, this is one view. Those who know Shiva better (the shaivites), see His role in a different way.In a world full of changes, something must mark the parameter of permanence, and that permanent principle is Shiva. Shaivites prefer to understand Him as the”Re-absorber”. Their view is :

The Shaivite Belief :Shiva is one of four main Gods of Hinduism, the other three being Brahma, Vishnu andDevi, Shiva’s consort Herself.In the beginning, only Shiva is. He is endowed with immense power,Shakti,which is none other thanDevi,the eternal consort. The two are inseparable, like any one thing and its inherent nature: God, and Mother Nature “In-here” in each other as one. They create Brahma and Vishnu. Brahma creates the world,and enters it, so does Vishnu,and,yes, So do shiva and devi. Most of us know Shiva from here,in his popular depiction as Shiva, the yogi. He is dhyanastha,meditative,mindful,beneficent, always immersed in transmitting spiritual guidance,sharing many methods of attainment. Ultimately, all is absorbed back to him,but,those are lucky, who get absorbed in godheadin their current birth, whilst retaining their body,that is, before dying .This is attainment. So,to one who wants to learn of shiva’s mysticism, destruction does not mean ‘finishing of the world’, It rather connotes the ending of ignorance and falsehood,the ending of identifying too much with the finites. Shiva guides us to higher wisdom by the ‘taking away’ of junk messages that haveaccumulated in our minds through ages,and have resulted not only in personal misery,but also creating chaos and disharmony when we come together in collective soceities.Foremost amongst our errant conditionings, is:We think we are distant from god.Shiva ends the delusion that we are only body and mind,distant from god.Ending of delusion,ends limitation. So if there is something shiva does destroy,its your limitation.‘Verily’,teaches Shiva, ‘god is nearer to you than your very breath’for simply understood,is not god the breath in you?And thus, Shiva begins to remind us of where it all began….Shiva teaches that we, in fact, are made of the same shivashakti principle that began the world.All creation is from one source and that there are no two different origins.This makes him the teacher divine, Shiva dakshinamurti. He who taught without taking a fee.

~ Shail Gulhati is the author of

SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.
The Yogi and the snake
Shiva Poetry
NAAM ROOP- A Tribute to the Divine
And Life Said.