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Showing posts from April 24, 2020


Ten Tasks in Shaiva Siddhanta For The Spiritual Evolution Of Soul Towards Liberation

The ten tasks in the spiritual evolution of soul towards liberation as per Shaiva Siddhanta is known as Dasa Karyam. The ten tasks are: Understanding the cognitive functions of the mind as occasioned by the 36 physical categories constitutes the first task or stage called tattva rupam. Understanding that these are inert instruments, not the conscious self. This is called tattva darshanam. Variable states of experience like waking, dreaming and sleeping are distinguished from the constant self. This is called tattva shuddhi. The soul knows itself as essentially free from accidental adjuncts. This is atma roopam. The soul’s self-appreciation called atma darshanam. The soul stands, bereft of all ego and self-will, makes no decision and initiates no action of its own. This is atma shuddhi. As a result of the instruction by the preceptor, awareness dawns that it is the grace of God that breaks the soul’s identification with body mind. This is called Shiva roopam. Soon this s

Sage Bhrigu Cursing Agni To Consume Pure Or Impure – Brahma Changing The Curse

Agni, the fire god in Hinduism, was cursed to consume anything that is pure or impure. Brahma intervened and changed that curse. This story found in Kashidasi Mahabharat is based on the belief that in the beginning Agni only accepted pure things like soma, ghee etc. A demon once arrived at the ashram of Sage Bhrigu when he had gone out for his morning ablutions. Puloma, the pregnant wife of Sage Bhrigu, was alone at home and she only had the Agni in kitchen as her protector. The demon claimed that Puloma’s father had promised her in marriage to him. But her father did not keep the promise and married her to Sage Bhrigu. Agni was the witness to all this the demon claimed. Agni was not sure so he gave a diplomatic answer. He told that may be her father might have promised. But he is only sure about the fact that Puloma is the wife of Sage Bhrigu as they had gone seven times around the fire as part of marriage. Puloma was angry at Agni for not completely favoring her.

Each one will carry away what his vessel can contain

No teacher can give the best in Him unless He has disciples to appreciate and understand Him. When the disciples drink in the words of the guru as immortal nectar, then Truth flows from the teacher as from a perennial spring. The real guru possesses all Truth. But the disciples carry away with them only as much as they can comprehend and contain. The holy man is like the fabulous stone called chintamani, which yields anything its possessor thinks of. The guru draws out the best in us. But if we approach him with an indifferent mind full of worldly desires and thoughts, then he will not be able to draw out much spirituality. The mental attitude in which we approach a teacher is so important. There must be humility, a great desire to learn, gratitude and willingness to serve. In India the guru is approached with great reverence and never empty-handed. No matter how humble the little gift may be, something is offered to show one’s attitude willingness to serve the guru. We are all d