HERE at Arunachala, Siva shines forth as the Yogi Supreme, with his forehead smeared with three lines of sacred ashes and adorned by a patch of musk, clad in a loincloth, wearing a brilliant garland, the invincible serpent on his body and the crescent moon on his head. Vyasa said: The holy men of Naimisaranya asked Suta: We desire to know from you about the greatness of Arunachala, please tell us. Suta thereupon described it as follows: In former times Sanaka asked Brahma the same question. I shall repeat what Brahma narrated to Sanaka. Listen attentively. The sins of those who listen with faith to this narrative will be destroyed. Once upon a time Sanaka, with hands folded in salutation asked Brahma: O Creator of the Universe! Lord of the devas! Thou art known through the study of the Vedas! Four-faced One! I have by Thy grace acquired the ability to know everything. Thou art the Universal Guru. By Thy grace the knowledge of Siva (Sivajnana), the essence of the Vedas, has become clear. Ocean of Mercy! The divine lingas of Siva on earth, installed by human beings or siddhas are all of a concrete form. Kindly tell me which of these lingas found in the Island of Jambu (one of the nine islands or land masses into which the earth is divided according to Hindu mythology. India, situated in this island, is the purest, the best, Self-created, full of Effulgence and has the virtue of destroying desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride and jealousy). Ocean of Compassion! Kindly tell me as to which of these can, by merely thinking of it, destroy all sins and grant the eternal state of Siva. Please enlighten me about that linga which is the primal cause of the world and which truly represents the imperishable splendour of Siva and the sight of which makes one feel that the supreme aim of life has been fulfilled. On hearing these eager words of Sanaka, Brahma was pleased. Sitting on the lotus he meditated on Sambhu (another name for Siva) for a long time and was immersed in bliss. In this state he had a vision of Siva as He had formerly revealed Himself as a Column of Light. The four-faced Brahma lost awareness of the surroundings. By Siva’s Grace and on His instructions, Brahma emerged from his trance and noticed Kumara (literally the son, Sanaka) standing in a worshipful attitude. With hair standing on end and with tears of joy brought forth by1 the vision of Siva, he spoke in a faltering voice: O Son! You have made me remember the ancient yoga of Siva. You have developed supreme devotion to Siva as a result of great austerities. Those pure souls who possess unceasing devotion to the Eternal Siva purify the entire world by their lives. To talk, associate or sport with devotees of Siva removes all sins; even mere remembrance or sight of them removes all sins. Now I shall describe how Siva, the Ocean of Grace, manifested as Arunachala, the Light of Consciousness. From the Supreme Effulgence which is the Eternal Siva, arunachala-live/Glory%20of%20Arunachala.pdf
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:38:34 +0000
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