SARVATRA BHAIRAVA- Shiva is all around !

 

Dear Friends
this very beautiful Nataraja pic gave me a very positive vibration.
And then the realisation:

'Sarvatra Bhairava', Shiva's dance is everywhere.
If you look closely, and match this with your science lessons, you will be taken back to the fact of how the entire cosmos is made up of One energy, which manifests into the smallest matter as atoms, which then join other atoms, to make molecules, and which in turn join yet more, to create elements. Shiva is 'Bhuta Ishwara', Lord of the elements, this then, is His science.
And we are also told that He enhances this skill by Bhuta Sandhaan ( combining) to make compounds, and that He allone knows the mystical science of Bhuta Prithak ( dis- engage)

But unlike the generation of 'things' by AI (artificial intelligence ), it all happens not as a mathematical equation or logarithm. The ancient Kashmir Rishis told us, Shiva creates like a poet, not out of calculation, but out of His over flowing pure ecstasy.This reminds me of a beautiful analogy i once heard : When God was a baby He spilled his milk and created the milky way! ( The entire galaxy where our own planet earth lives)

Shiva is the ancient drummer, His Damaru sounds the pulse of the Universe, it is the 'pacemaker' of the heart of this world....And commensurate with His own beat, next comes the tapping of His Divine feet...
and the dance begins; the play of Nataraja is on, and He seems to invite us by being ' The first on the floo'
We must know that we are are part of it and dance our steps accordingly, with Shiva consciousness; come, join the dance of Shiva.
Aum Namah Shivaye!

~ Shail Gulhati is the author of the book SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

KASHMIR SHAIVISM

 

KASHMIR SHAIVISM

In Kashmir Shaivism , we learn that even Gyan is of two types. Baudh Gyan ( Theory ) and Paurasa gyan ( Practical )

Thus Kashmir Shaivism deals with both Non -dual philosophy and experiential spirituality.

What is meant by Non dual?

It is pure monism:

‘There is nothing in the world except God’ .

This is Advaita Vedanta explaining Non duality.

‘There is ‘ No thing ‘in the world that is not God’.

This is Kashmir Shaivism explaining Non duality.

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

SUDDENLY SATI KNEW THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF HER LIFE

 

SUDDENLY SATI KNEW THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF HER LIFE

There was gold everywhere. Gold in the mountains, gold in the valley, gold in the sky. It was a golden luminosity basking in its own unending lustre. When Sati opened Her eyes, a golden sun was at Her window. She was in the palace.

She remembered everything that Rishi Vashishta had taught Her.

Suddenly, Sati knew the whole purpose of Her life.

The thought of Shiva penetrated Sati like an arrow ,and She actually felt Her heart flutter, like a well-gotten target.

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

Shaivism Today Soul Speak ( 3 ) The woman behind the man.

 

The one person that Shiva loved meeting in this cosmic mind field, the one person whose memory He would not allow to fade even when they were not together, was, unchallengeably, His Woman. In a whole universe that had been projected by Him, She was the one being He loved immensely.
Parvati, His inseparable better-half.
Parvati, without whom, Shiva felt like ‘not Shiva’.
Parvati, without whom, Shiva didn’t feel anything at all.
Parvati, without whom, the Seers summarized, “He was Shava, a corpse.”
And without whom, as He Himself told Her once, ‘Nothing’, was actually possible.
And just as great an enigma as He was, so too was Parvati. It was She who was Sati, in a previous life. She it was, who was Shakti, the Goddess of power, in eternal wedlock with Shiva, making Him Shaktiman, the wielder of all the power there was in the Universe. She was always present in His presence. Even if that meant being reincarnated from one lifetime to another.

These lines from my book  SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.  have been read and appreciated by many, over the past four years , when it was first published. It’s  gratifying for an author to get complimented for his thoughts expressed through his writings, but I now want to take this further on The Shaivism Today blog for an important extension :
How does Shiva's life thousands of years ago affect us in our own daily lives today?

For this, we must first understand that Shiva is different when He is alone, and different when he is with Parvati. By Himself he is a great meditator, a great warrior, a great dancer, a great chieftain. But when He is with Parvati, His meditations are translated to welfare of the world, His might is used to restore order by vanquishing  Rakshasas who have gone astray, His Tandava is not Raudra  Tandava-the dance of destruction, but Ananda Tandav-the dance of joy; and lastly, He is no longer the aloof God somewhere in a Himalayan cave, but a fond father- Kulapati to all the ganas of Kailash and the very Universe.
So we see through all the stories and narrations that Parvati  gets out the best version of Shiva, who is already the best of all! She fulfills Him and His greatness, and we salute her as His Ardhaangani.

As the Vedas teach us , 'Yatha pinde tatha brahmande, yatha brahmande tatha pinde', meaning, “As is the individual, so is the universe, as is the universe, so is the individual” or that if you understand one, you understand the other. And actually, the beauty of the stories of ancient Hindu  Gods  is exactly this:  Much can be derived out of those stories that has a relevance for us even in these contemporary times. Don’t we have a phrase "My better half" which is usually spoken as a salute to one's wife while introducing her to someone ? This is Ardhaangani, the better half, exactly.

You must also have heard the phrase 'Behind every successful man there is a strong woman'. This is so true.  Look around yourself for examples and you will come up with not just wives of Kings in the past, Rani Padmini, wife of Rawal Ratan singh ( Chittorh ), Ahilya bai Holkar, Queen of Khanderao Holkar ( Indore) and of course Rani Joda Bai wife of Emperor Akbar amongst a galaxy of others. But again, even this is true in modern times: Wives of statesmen and political leaders have been known for their  contributions, like  Hillary Clinton, a political figure in her own right, Coretta Scott King ,wife of  Martin Luther King Jr , Michelle Obama , Wife of President  Barrack Obama. And amazingly, it's true even if you venture into the field of music - Yoko Ono wife of John Lenon, who helped him create his most famous song ,' Imagine'.
It holds true even with writers . Did you know that Lillian Disney  wife of Walt Disney  helped him to name the famous character Mickey , otherwise you would have had Mortimor mouse! In the field of science too ,we know Marie Curie, pioneer in radioactivity was married to scientist Pierre curie, But did we know that Gabrielle Émilie de Breteuil, married to the great french historian and philosopher Voltaire was herself  a natural philosopher, mathematician, physicist, and author!

So, the fact is, that if you are married to someone who is your perfect soulmate, She will make you grow like you could never have done on your own. She will actually double your achievements  by always being with you through your decisions. She will enhance your basic goodness, your traits, your attitude and appearance to others, by being your personal critic and even teacher. We often hear that wives tutor their husbands against their old norms and this is when they take them away from their past affiliations.
There is a different way to ‘see’ this. We have thus far, been so used to our own environment that we are no longer capable to ‘see’ any faults in it, we are therefore never going to be able to improve it. Ask any writer, he must always get someone else to check and edit his writing, because once he has written it, and just suppose there is a spelling mistake in his text, he will never be able to detect it! This is natural, it’s the way our mind works: It cannot detect its own mistake shortly after it is committed. And though, in these modern times we have things like  auto correct, spellcheck , and voice commands ( auto dictate ) etc  for the purpose of writing, there are some things technology cannot do for you!

Technology cannot think like a Co-human, it cannot know your innermost Self, and why you react the way you do to certain situations. Only a loving soulmate can both know that, and also tell you how to change that in a future response.
So never think of your woman as just a housewife, never aspire for her to just look after your home when she can actually more importantly ‘look after’ your very soul, your growth, your evolution, and help you to upgrade to the very best version of yourself. Do not wish for Her to be a demure partner who will say ‘Yes’ to your every thought, but rather one who will engage you in a healthy debate to hone that original thought  to a more Universal view.

I once read something long back which described exactly what is true for a soulmate . ‘ I love you not only for what you are, but also for what i am , when i am with you'.  For my own part I must say that my wife Simmi has been my best friend and soulmate through 35 years of marriage. Through thick and thin, through loss or a win, Happy times, sad times, funny times, trying times, and of course, 'Together times', It' been fantastic. And yes, it was She who asked for me to write a blog on Shiva, which has a relevant meaning in our own lives!
                                               
In the end I will leave you to view this picture of Shivji . It always makes me smile with the thought : Who’s are the hands behind Shiva’s back? We are used to thinking of Him as one with many hands, especially when we see His depictions like this. But consider for a moment that it may just be a great woman at His back, the woman who is actually the Great Mother of all, Durga Parvati!
Aum Namah Shivaye.
~ Shail Gulhati

SHIVLINGA

 

SHIVLINGA

You uphold the entire Universe.

Your symbol,the Shivlinga is the very embodiment of creation itself. How then, could you be called the destroyer?!!

But , Ah, yes, destroy this sense of separation in my mind from Thyself. How can anyone even take a breath if God is not present? Aum Namah Shivaye!

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

"The wave came from the ocean," Shiva said softly

 

"The wave came from the ocean," Shiva said softly, "and the drops came from the wave. The wave is not separate from the Ocean, it is something the Ocean is doing !"

~ The Shiva Scientist.

SHIVA PARVATI VIVAH - THE GREATEST WELCOME TO GOD, ON EARTH!

 SHIVA PARVATI VIVAH - THE GREATEST WELCOME TO GOD, ON EARTH!

“The moment that Lord Shiva put a jaimala around Parvati was more than just a marriage; It was a coming together of being and becoming, of transcendence and manifestation, of yin and yang.

It was a fulfillment of creation; the Creator and the created, of love and bonding, of togetherness, of Godhead and Lila...” said Suta with emotion.

“Yes, Gurudeva,” replied Shaunaka.

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller. Part 2

THE SHIVA SCIENTIST!

 

The intuituive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.

~ Albert Einstein

An intuitive flash of the entire story appears all at once. In Pashyanti, the universe is seen as a singular, unbroken vision. There is no past, present, or future yet—just the complete cosmic blueprint existing as a flash of divine intent.”

~ The Shiva Scientist

Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

Shiva has a ability to meet with Kings and ordinary citizens alike - an equipoise of genuine interest.

 

What impresses me a lot about Shiva is His ability to meet with Kings and ordinary citizens alike; With the same respect and attention; An equipoise of genuine interest.

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism

God leads you to look within either with your own past actions or then with His blessings. Either way you finally embark upon Him.

God leads you to look within either with your own past actions or then with His blessings. Either way you finally embark upon Him. ईश्वर तुम्हें भीतर देखने की ओर ले जाते हैं — या तो तुम्हारे अपने पिछले कर्मों के द्वारा, या फिर अपनी कृपा से। दोनों ही मार्गों से अंततः तुम उन्हीं में प्रवेश कर जाते हो।

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism

BIMBA PRATIBIMBA

 

BIMBA PRATIBIMBA

The Kashmir Shaiv Darsana has a unique way of explaining the Creator and creation, God and the world.

They say all of the world, (Pratibimba) is actually a reflection of God (Bimba). Lord Shiva, is not only the best Yogi, he is also the Highest experient, the greatest Bhogi of all. This is a very interesting spiritual understanding. It is Shivji who experiences the most emotions and understandings in all things, and that is the play of his own Shakti, which gives way to Leela. Through these worldly, experiences, He "Re-cognizes" His own Divinity .

In His great revelations of the Siva sutras to His rishi Vasugupta, Shiva teaches in Shambhav upaya sutra 11, त्रितयभोक्ता वीरेशः Tritayabhoktā vīreśaḥ!

He makes us understand that through all His experiences in all three states of waking, dream and even deep sleep, Shiva is always centered in his Divinity.

God manifests the world, to 'see' Himself in all His own Leelas.

And finally ,the whole spiritual journey uncovers one great realisation :

At the root of all things is Shivshakti.

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

SAHASRARA

 

SAHASRARA

You

lived out the tree of life,

even with, your million lives.

You made do,

and followed

routine aimlessness, into deja vu.

But know this,

you may lose yourself this once,

to find,

that you are rooted in the sky:

And let the million falls,

lead to the thousand petalled high,

The choice, is yours.

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

Lord Shiva sleeping

 

A lovely pic with Lord Shiva sleeping, like a baby, in his supreme pristinity.

It is said of the true Yogi” He is always awake” But that Awakeness is about always being centred in your Spiritual Self. Sleep, when it is very relaxed, surprisingly puts you in a state of freshness, which is a renewal of your own calm Nature. Indeed, in the Siva Sutras, the great revelation text of Kashmir Shaiv Darsana : Kashmir Shaivism, Shivji tells sage Vasugupta how to become centred in your Divinity, and there he affirms that even through sleep one can remain immersed in the great state of awakening. Aum Namah Shivaye!

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

INFINITY

 

INFINITY

You cannot describe infinity. Infinite is such a big word. Yes, but guess what, you can always merge into it! And it is just like that with God.

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

TEACH ME, LORD

 

TEACH ME, LORD

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

“I meditate,” Shiva answered.

“So then, teach me about meditation,” She said.

~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller.

COME BACK, WITH GOD WALKING WITH YOU ON THE TRAIL

 

COME BACK, WITH GOD WALKING WITH YOU ON THE TRAIL

What is it to meditate between pleasure and pain

loss and gain

sensibility and the insane?

What is it to dive deepest down

in an ocean of fear

and surface with that, which is extremely dear

What is it to woe your own human frail

and then,

come back, with God walking with you on the trail?

( A tribute to all those who have had a very difficult time and faced it with courage and fortitude)

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

Shiva is: Gangadhara

 

Shiva is: Gangadhara- The One who bears the Ganga upon His matted locks.

Shiva stands magnificently beneath the Himalayan sky, Ganga descending from heaven in a tremendous celestial torrent, gets received in His jata as a landing pad . And the story behind the name gives the image real meaning: this heavenly river , who is actually a Goddess, is too powerful to fall directly upon Earth, so Shiva receives her in His locks and releases her gently. शिव गंगाधर हैं:

वे जो अपनी जटाओं पर गंगा को धारण करते हैं।

शिव हिमालय के आकाश के नीचे भव्य रूप में खड़े हैं। गंगा स्वर्ग से एक प्रचंड दिव्य जलधारा के रूप में उतरती है और उनकी जटाओं में मानो एक सुरक्षित अवतरण स्थल की तरह ग्रहण की जाती है।

और इस नाम के पीछे की कथा छवि को सच्चा अर्थ देती है: यह स्वर्गीय नदी, जो वास्तव में एक देवी हैं, पृथ्वी पर सीधे गिरने के लिए इतनी शक्तिशाली हैं कि शिव उन्हें अपनी जटाओं में धारण करते हैं और फिर धीरे-धीरे, कोमलता से मुक्त करते हैं।

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

WITH HIS LOVE AND COMPASSION

 

WITH HIS LOVE AND COMPASSION

Friends, i saw this beautiful Image of Shivji on the net, where a bhakt has obviously tried to decorate Him in silver as is often done on calender art with a sort of silver dust to enhance the image.

But the Image gave me another feel: it was as if Lord Shiva is just arriving from a scene of extreme winter, snow, and of an ancient past.

Like the Arrival of an Ancient scientist, doctor, healer, to change the present Life cycle with his love, knowledge and compassion. Aum Namah Shivaye.

~ Shail Gulhati

~ Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

HOW SHIVA PLAYS!

 

The Yogi and the snake is a story written by author Shail Gulhati ,  which is basically  a conversation of a bhakt with God Shiva. Here,  the Bhakta has taken the form of a snake, in order to be able to meet the Great Yogi, Shiva. It is like a spiritual diary full of questions that  we want to ask  God, and the answers in simple conversations.In the following chapter, the bhakt discovers that the whole Universe created by Shiva is still young, and it will become full of more and more adventures.

“Does God aspire?” asked the snake.

“I had asked you to meditate upon this”, said the Yogi.
“They say God cannot desire. This calls for a high spiritual understanding.
If God does not desire, there is no need for creation, life, and God itself.
The God of no desire can only rest in a void, in the primordial state, why should He go for the dynamics of creation?
The God of no desire would thus be a neutralized force.
Such a state of God can last for longer than the age of the Universe itself”, the Yogi was becoming very still.
“Then, there is a stir!  and the God of desire begins to vibrate!” said the Yogi, changing his tone dramatically. “This vibration is His very Nature. He always aspires for play and growth. He is not just content with tranquility, as in the state of extreme nothingness.
He needs to manifest, needs to reflect His own power of creation, to put it to use.
So the process of cosmic evolution is still in its infancy, and God is just a baby whose play has just begun.
Shiva’s Mantra is not just Om Shanti, it must culminate in Om  Anand, ultimate bliss!  at all levels of existence”     

~ From the book The Yogi and the snake ( conversations with God Shiva)!

WHO IS THE REAL BHAKTA OF SHIVA?

 

One day Shiva said to Parvati, "Where are all those who cared so much for the planet, for life, for love, for goodness, and, for God? We need to re-group all the saints who walked this earth for the betterment of all beings. We need to galvanize a council of mystics, from all ages and all lands, who in turn , will galvanize love, kindness and spirituality only; turning God’s flight back onto the course of Universal harmony.”
“Oh ! How beautiful your mind is, Shiva,and how beautiful are your thoughts..so are you really looking for good souls?”
"Yes"
"And how will you find them? in which place, or which profession?"
"Not place or profession, Parvati, i will find them by their actions"
"What do you mean Swami?"
"A persons's social status is of no meaning to me.Because everyone has divinity in them, everyone is made of my own Shiva Tattva."
"Everyone?"

" Yes. Devi, you must know that know that everyone has it, not just saints not just you, everyone is Shiva’s child, and Shiva is no one’s monopoly. How one dresses, be it ochre or be it white, makes no difference to me. All the colours are mine. In fact, young people wearing jeans seem to have sub-consciously hit upon my  favourite  colour,  Blue! Look how much of it  i used in the sky! How much spice a man  eats in his food is not of much consequence either.  I think it should be a topographical rather than spiritual preference. If he speaks softly, yet is given to hatred, or is loud, but warm hearted, i have enough discernment to see through both. Indeed, I have seen profane men speak profundities for their own interests and heard profound men being coarse, to deliver a refined message.”

What then are the real indicators of an evolved being, a God’s man?”  asked Parvati.

“Love and Kindness” , answered Mahadeva, “Some things never change, some things we can never have enough of ; love and kindness, the two real indicators of God’s man, and luckily these are far more difficult to feign than a dress or a dietary code. These spring only from true knowledge and understanding"
~ SHIVA, The Ultimate Time Traveller. by Shail Gulhati