Kurmavatara

 

Essence Of
Kurma Purana

 

16    Shiva Bhakti, Shiva Shakti, Shiva Tatwa and Shiva Tandava

Parama Shiva asserted:

Naaham Tapobhirvividhairna Daanena na cheyjyayaa,

Shakyo hi Purushair jaaturmutey Bhaktiamanuttamaam/

(I am always realisable by Bhakti or Pure Devotion and not necessarily by Tapasya, Daana or Charity and Yagnaas!)

Na madbhaktaa vinashyanti madbhaktaa veeta kalmashaah,

Aadaavetat pratigjaanam na mey bhaktah pranashyati/

Patram Pushpam Phalam toyam madaaraadhana kaaranaat,

Yo mey dadaati niyatah sa meyBhaktah Priyomatah/

(My Bhaktaas would never be destroyed nor harmed but would be washed off their sins as I took a vow that my Bhaktas are protected. Bhaktas are merely required to perform my Puja with utmost sincerity and offer leaves, flowers, fruits and even water as I would be pleased).

Shiva Shakti:

Aham hi Jagataa maadou Brahmanaam Parameshthinam,

Vidhaaya dattavaan Vedaanasehaanaatmanih srutaan/

Ahamevahi Sarveshaam yoginaam Gururavyayah,

Dhaarmika –naam cha goptaahey nihantaa Vedavidwishaam/

Aham vai Sarva samsaaraan mochako yoginaamiha,

Samsaara hetureyvaaham sarva Samsaara Varjitah/

( I had in the beginning created Brahma and gave him Vedas as the Guidelines; I am also the Yoga Guru and provided protection to the Virtuous Persons and punished those who negated the values enunciated in Vedas; and I am the liberator of  Yogis, the Cause of Samsara and yet also displeased with Samsaara.)

Ahamevahi Samhartaa Srashtaaham Paripaalakah,

Maayaavi Maamikaa Shaktirmayaa Loka Vimohini/

Mamaiva cha Paraa Shaktiryaa saa Vidyoti geeyatey,

Naashayaami tayaa Maayaam yoginaam hridi samsthitah/

Aham hi Sarva Shaktinaam Pravartak nivartakah,

Adhaara bhutah sarvaasaam nidhaanamamrutasya cha/

Ekaa sarvaantaraa Shaikih karoti vividham Jagat,

Aasthaaya  Brahmano rupam manmayee madadhishtitaa/

Anyaa cha Shaktirvipulaa Samsthaapayati mey Jagat,

Bhutwaa Naaraayanonanto Jagannaadho Jaganmayah/

Triteeyaa Mahati Shaktirnihanti sakalam Jagat,

Taamasi mey samaakhyaataa Kaalaakhyaa Rudra Rupini/

( I am the ‘Maayavi’or the Great Magician and my Shakti is Maya who is the Top Temptress of  the World. Parashakti is my product and is known as Vidya; I stay in the hearts of Yogis and counter the Maya ; All types of Shakti emerge from me and also submerge into me!) Shiva stated further:  I am the ‘Adhaara’or the Huge Hold of  the Prime Shakti; One facet of that Shakti is Brahma the Srashta;  my secondary Shakti is identified as Jagannadha Narayana.; the Third Ramification is Taamasi Shakti viz. Rudra-Kaala Shakti, which terminates the Creation).

Dhyanena maam prapashyanti kechirjjnanena chaaparey,

Aparey bhakti yogena chaaparey/

Sarveshaameva bhaktaamaamishtah Priyataro mama,

Yohi jnaanena maam nitya maadhaaraahyayati nyaayathaa/

Anye chaye trayo Bhaktaa madaaraadhana kaankshinah,

Teypi maam praapunanteva naavartantey cha vai punah/

(Some persons seek my Darshan through Dhyaana or meditation, some by Jnaana, but those by Bhakti are most dear to me and they would have no re-birth).

 Shiva Tatwa:

Mayaa tatamidam krutsnam Pradhaana Purushaatmakam,

Mayyeva Samsthitam  Vishwam mayaa sampreryatey Jagat /

Naaham prerayitaa Vipraah Paramam Yogamaashritah,

Prerayaami Jagatkrutsnametadyo Veda somrutah/

Pashyaamaseshamey Vedam Vartamaanam Swabhaavatah,

KarotiKaalo Bhagavaan Mahayogeshwarah swayam/

Yogah samprochyatey yogi Maayaa Shaastreshu Sooribhih,

Yogeshwaro sou Bhagavan MahadevoMahaan Prabhuh/

Mahatwam Sarva tatwaanaam Paratwaan Parameshthinah,

Prochyatey Bhagavan Brahmaa Mahaan Brahma –mayomalah/

Yo maamevam Vijaanaati Mahayogeswareswaram,

So Vikalpena Yogena yujjatey naatra samshayah/

Soham prerayitaa Devah Paramaananda maashritah,

Nrityaami Yogi satatam yastad Veda sa Vedavit/

Iti guhyatamam Jnaanam Sarva Vedeshu nisthitam,

Prasanna chetasy deyam Dharmakaayaahitaagnaye/

( My Purusha Swarupa is spread all over and the Samasara in totality is prompted by it. Yet I am always engrossed in Yoga and as such am not the Prompter either; indeed this is the key secret and those who realise this know every thing. As far as I am concerned, I do note the evolutions of the lives of the Beings and keep analysing the changes no doubt; but whatever actions need to be taken are performed Bhagavan Kaala himself. Vidwans of Shastras use the nomeclature of Maya and attribute it to the Maha Yogeshwara himself; Paramatma is far above and distinct Tatwas yet at the same time significance of Tatwas is hidden in Bhagavan! Those Maha Yogeshwaras visualise that Bhagavan is perhaps in Nirvikalpa Samaadhi and even the prompting of actions are not done my him! This indeed  appears to be the Guhya Jnaana unsolved and appears to have been hidden still in the unknown depths of Vedas! Perhaps the solution is left  in the tranquil imagination of Dharmic and Ever engaged Agnihotris!

Shiva Tandava (The Cosmic Dance of Maha Deva): Veda Vyas described Shiva Tandava on the clear skies along with Vishnu when Maharshis visioned as a feast to their eyes and to the full contentment of their life-time. Those Maharshis who imagine Shiva’s sacred feet in their imagination and get freed from their fears arising from their ignorance had the fill of their ambition; indeed they had  actually seen and heard most memorable action with reverberating sounds across the skies! They visioned Parama Rudra with thousand resplendent heads, hands and feet with matted hair, half moon on his head, tiger skin as his clothing, huge hands swaying Trishula, Danda held in palms, Three Eyes of Surya, Chandra  and Agni representing Three Vedas, Three Gunas, Tri Lokas; his physique encompassing the Brahmanda; producing ‘Agni Jwaalaas’from each thumping of his dancing feet and with an awesome and frightening body profile! The Brahmavaadis had actually seen with their inner eyes while Maha Deva was being worshipped by Brahma, Indra and Devatas besides Yogis and Maha Munis with their heads down, feet prostrated and hands folded kept on their heads; they all witnessed glimpses of Narayana also taking part in the Cosmic Dance. Sanat Kumara, Sanaka, Bhrigu, Sanatana, Sanandana, Rudra, Angira, Vamadeva, Shukra, Atri, Kapila and Marichi had all witnessed too the Celestial Scene and thanked themselves with exclamations of ‘Dhanya’or applauses of  rare and fortunate blessings! As the Tandava was in progress, there were echos of Omkara and Veda Mantras and the enraptured Maharshis resorted to Stuti as follows:

Twamekameesham Purusham Puranam Praneshwaram Rudramananta yogam,

Namaama Sarvey Hridi Samnivightam Prachetasam Brahmamayam Pavitram/ 

Ttwaam Pashyanti Munayo Brahmayonim Daantaah Shaantaa Vimalam Rukmavarnam,

Dhyaatwaatmasthamachalam swye Sharitey Kavim Parebhyah Paramam tatparamcha/

Twattah prasutaa Jagatah Prasutih Sarvaatmabhustwam Paramaanubhutah,

Anoraneeyaan Mahato Maheeyaam swatmeva Sarvam pravadanti Santah/

Hiranyagarbho Jagadantaraatmaa twattodhijaatah Purushah Puraanah,

Sanjaayhamano bhavataa visishto yadhaavidhaanam sakalam sasarja/

Twatto Vedaah sakalaah samprasutaa-stwayyevaantey samsthitim tey labhantey,

Pashyaamastwam jagato hetubhutam nrityantam swey hridaye samnivishtam/

Twayyai Vedaah  bhraamyatey Brahma chakram Maayaavi twam Jagataamekanaathah,

Namaamastwaam sharanam sampraannaa Yogaatmaanam chipytanti Divanrittyam/

Pashyamastwaam Paramaakaasha madhye nrittyatam tey Mahimaanam smaraamah,

Savaatmaanam bahudhaa samnivishtam Brahmaanandamanu bhuyaanbhuya/

Omkaarastey vaachako Mukti beejam twamaksharam Prakrutai gudha rupam,

Tatwaam Satyam pravadanteeh Santah Swayamprabham bhavato yatprakaasham/

Stuantitwaam Satatam Sarva Vedaa Namanti twaamrishayah ksheena doshaah,

Shaantaatmaanah Satyasandhaa Varishtam vishantitwaam yatayo Brahma nishthaah/

Eko Vedo Bahu shaakho hyanantastwaameyvaikam bodhayatyeka rupam,

Vedyam twaam sharanam ye prapaanaasteshaam Shaantih Shaswati netareshaam/

Bhavaaneeshonaadi – maamstejoraashir Brahmaa Vishwam Parameshthi Varishthah,

Swaatmaanada manubhuyaadhishete Swayam Jyotirachalo nitya muktah/

Eko Rudraswam karisheeha Vishwam twam paalayasyakhilam Vishwarupah,

Twaamevaantey nilayam vindateedam Namaamaswaam sharanam samprapannah/

Twaamekamaahuh Kavimeka Rudram praanam brihantam Harimagnimeesham,

Indram mrityu -manilam chenitaanam Dhaataaramaadityamanekarupam/

Twamaksharam Paramam Veditavyam  twamasya Vishwasya param nidhaanam,

Twamavyayah Shaswata dharma goptaa Sanaatanastwam Purushotthamosi/

Twaamekamaahuh Purusham Puraanamaadityavarnam Tamasah parastaat,

Chinmaatram avyaktam achintyarupam Swam Brahma shunyam Pratakritim Nirgunamcha/

Yadantaraa Sarvamidam vibhaati yadavyayam nirmalamekarupam,

Kimapyachintyam tawa rupametatam tadantaraa yatpratibhaati Tatwam/

Yogeshwaram Rudramanata Shaktim paraayanam Brahmatanum pavitram,

Nanaama Sarvey Sharanaarthinastaam praseeda bhutaabhipatey Mahesha/

Twadpaadapadma smaranaadasesha samsaara beejam vilayam prayaati,

Mano niyamyapranidhaaya Kaayam Prasaadayaamo vayamekameesham/

Namo Bhavaayastu Bhadbhavaaya Kaalaaya Sarvaaya Kapardine tey

Namognaye Deva nama Shivaaa!

(We pray to Ishwara, Purana Purusha, Praneshwara, Ananta Yoga Rupa, Hridaya Nivishtha or present in heart, Pracheta or responsible in-charge; and Brahma Maya; you are the Controller of Senses, Shanta, Achala, Nirmala, Swarna Swarupa, Para and Tatpara. You are the Creator of Samsara, Atma Swarupa and ‘Anu’ rupa or of the Form of an Atom; Paramatma! Indeed you are the Minutest and the Grossest; Brahma the Hiranya garbha and the Srashta of the Universe is engrossed in prayers to you; indeed, you are the ‘Vedotpanna’ or Creator of Vedas besides being the Preserver and the Destroyer. We can witness your Cosmic Dance in the center of the Sky; you are the Jagat Kaarana; the Regulator of Brahma Chakra; Mayavi; the Unique Swami of the Jagat; we are able to enjoy glimpses of your profile and are thrilled at the feast to our eyes. Paramatma! Your Omkara Vachaka is the seed of Mukti and is secretly absorbed in Prakriti; Sages call you as Satya Swarupa and Swayam Prakaasha; all the Vedas and Scriptures never tired of your magnificence; Rishi ganaas are always engaged in commending you while Yatis with Brahma nishtha try to enter into the glow of your profile! The several branches of Vedas and Scriptures stress repeatedly about  the Infinity and Singularity of Your Swarupa or the Uniqueness of your Mahatmya as also the extreme plurality of your manifestations; but they  fail to realise you and as such seek their unqualified protection and security.That feeling itself provides great peace of mind and contentment. Ishwara! You are the Anaadi or without a beginning; the Fund of Illumination; Brahma; Vishwarupa; Parameshthi; and Varishtha. Maharshis do experience pointers and hints of your glorious splendour and perform hard endeavour to enter near your orbit. We seek refuge into you Rudra the Srashta- Sharanya and Samhaara.You are commended as  Adviteeya, Kavi, Eka Rudra, Praana, Brihat, Hara, Agni, Esheara, Indra, rityu, Anila, Chekitana, Dhata, Aditya, and Aneka rupa.You are Aninaashi or Perpetual; Parmaashraya or the Greatest Sanctuary; You are Avyaya, Shaswata, Dharma Raksha, Sanatana, Purushottama; Vishnu and Chaturmukha Brahma; Vishwa Naabhi, Prakriti, Pratishtha, Sarweswara and Parameshwara! You are addressed  as Purana Purusha, Aditya Varna, Tamogunatita, Chinmatra, Avykta, Achintya Rupa, Aakaasha, Brahma, Shunya, Prakriti and Nirguna. It is due to you Mahadeva that the Universe gets illuminated and all the Tatwas are displayed. Our humble salutations to you Parama Yogeshwara, Brahma Murti, Ananta Shakti Rudra, Ashraya Swarupa, Bhutaadhipati, Mahesha! Even a thought about you would uproot the seed of Karma and the cycle of Janma- Mrityu. The two regulatory deeds of controlling Mind and Thought as also physical restrictions would indeed take one to step fast to Maheshwara. Our greetings to you Bhava, Bhavodbhava, Kaala, Sarva, Jatadhari, Agni Rupan Shiva, and Shiva the most Auspicious!!) As  the Maharshis eulogised to Shiva, the latter displayed his Viraat Swarupa along with the Full Form of Four Arms with Shankha- Chakra-Gada-Saranga and his typical and alluring smile!  



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