Text of Sri Swamiji's message on 25th morning
Today Sri Swamiji blessed the devotees attending the Shivaratri festival in Mysore Ashrama, with the following message rendered in the form of two songs meaning as under:-
1. SHIVA - THE ETERNAL LIGHT
Shiva is the embodiment of knowledge radiating divine brilliance in various aspects of life both physical and spiritual. The word 'Linga' literally means a sign or symbol. Extending this principle one can surely conclude that the entire universe is the cosmic form of Lord Shiva. However the merciful God is verily present in every heart to inspire and enthuse one with his divine brilliance.
Stanza-1
By sincere methodical analysis of the right path of life as also self-introspection of our thoughts, words and deeds, in consonance with the ancient dictates of spiritualism, one is sure to be blessed with the light of knowledge in one's own heart. This light, the divine ray grows in brilliance. The ray gradually develops, with one's spiritual advancement to become a fine, beautiful pillar. This is nothing else than the reassuring Shiva Linga.
Stanza-2
The Shiva Linga formulated out of inward ray of light is versatile. By philosophical analysis one can conclude that the brilliance has five faces connoting 'Pancha mukha Siva'. However it is obvious that water poured in a large quantity from a big vessel resembles a pillar resembling 'Siva Linga'. Shiva is pleased with such 'Abhisheka' - pouring of water on 'Siva Linga' continuously, uttering the stipulated 'Mantras' (chants), or even simply 'Om Namah Sivaya'.
Stanza-3
Taking another view one can reckon the light of inward knowledge granted by Shiva to take twelve forms connoting the twelve petals of 'Anahata Chakra' the fourth spiritual circle at the place of one's heart. Another view is, that approximately the daytime and nighttime comprise of twelve hours each. The Kind Lord protects and motivates us through out the two halves of the day by our sincere meditation and worshipful attitude. The third aspect is, the figure twelve indicates the famous twelve temples of Shiva. They bestow on us the realisation of the ultimate Truth, another form of supreme consciousness, eventually leading us to the perfect state of eternal bliss. In short this is 'Sat-Chit-Ananda' (Truth-Knowledge-Bliss).
2. LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Life resembles a night. My child! Don't forget Shivaratri is very precious in your life.
Stanza-1:
Who is Shiva? He is none else than the ray of divine knowledge Where from the ray emanates? It originates from the fire pit (Homa Kunda) comprising of the three sacred fires used in 'Yaga'. The fire sacrifice properly performed liberates us from the vicious circle of birth and death.
Stanza-2:
One feels the brilliance of inward light in one's own heart. It has no beginning. It is endless. Shiva takes the form of precious glow-- the light of knowledge. Hence he is called 'bhava' i.e. one who has taken a form and also as 'abhava' i.e. one who is formless and attributeless.
Stanza-3:
The entire universe is sustained by the energy also called 'Kundalini' in the science of spiritualism. This is indicated by his anklet. The universe comprising of several galaxies is the cosmic form of Shiva. This is indicated in a subtle way by the tiger skin worn by Shiva around his waist (the tiger skin consists of several stripes resembling the various aspects of the universe).
Stanza-4:
The power of illusion works through the three knots (granthis) namely Brahma Granthi, Vishnu Granthi and Shiva Granthi. With the gradual development in the path divine, the 'Sadhaka' (practicant) is relieved of the influence of these three knots. Poetically speaking they are considered to be destroyed by the trident (Trishula) of Shiva. The supine serpent in a three coiled form is present in 'Muladhara', the first spiritual circle. This celestial serpent is an ornament shining as a necklace of Shiva-the perfect yogi.
Stanza-5:
'Haalaahala' is a devastating poison capable of annihilating the entire universe. However the kind Lord Shiva protects the universe by holding the entire poison as a mere blue drop in his neck without allowing it to harm outwardly or without gulping it. Sun and Moon, the leaders of daytime and nighttime are respectively the right and left eyes of Shiva.
Stanza-6:
Shiva uses 'Pralaya Agni' to annihilate the universe. This fire is indicted by his third eye in the middle of the forehead, between his eyebrows. In a way the cooling effect of river Ganga flowing from the lock of hair on his head looks like a mere drop of water.
Stanza-7
The rays of the Moon decorating his head indicate the rays of divine knowledge within. Thus Shiva who removes the darkness of our ignorance by his brilliance of divine knowledge is worshipped on Shivaratri by sincere worship of devotee. This is considered to be an auspicious night bestowing the devotee with Sat-Chit-Ananda i.e. Truth - Knowledge - Bliss.
Jaya Guru Datta
Note: It can be inferred by the foregoing special message of Sri Swamiji on this sacred day of Shivaratri through the medium of these two sweet songs that one must observe the rituals and other spiritual practices with firm faith and deep devotion specially on Shivaratri. This makes one's life truly purposeful. Let's recollect the vedic prayer
"Oh! Lord lead us
1) From untruth to truth
2) From darkness to light and
3) From ignorance to light".