ShriShivaRahasya

SHIVA RAHASYA

C

SHRI

SHIVA RAHASYA

(THE SECRET TEACHING OF SHIVA)

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SHIVA RAHASYA

In the Name of Shiva, the Most Glorious, the Most Obvious, the Highest God, Master of the Universe, Lord of Yoga, Lord of Unity

To the Eternal Teacher and Master, Obeisance. May He Enlighten the heart of all Seekers

And set their purified mind upon that Path which is straight and not crooked!

May He forever guide us From Delusion unto Truth, From Darkness unto Light, From Death unto Eternal Life.

SHRI

SHIVA RAHASYA

(THE SECRET TEACHING OF SHIVA)

being

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERY OF SUPREME REALITY

according to

HIS DIVINE HOLINESS

MAHAGURU

SHRI SOMA-NATHA MAHARAJ DEV

with Abridged commentary

by

Shri Somananda

Copyright © 2004-2006 The Yoga Order International

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SHIVA RAHASYA

THE FIRST LIGHT

(Chapter One)

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Wherein His Supreme Majesty Lord Shiva introduces the Eternal Teaching of Yoga

to the Four Holy Seers

Om is the Eternal Sound Supreme. Of that all other sounds are born.

Thus spoke Sage Vyasa, the divinely appointed Compiler and Disseminator of Sacred Scriptures:

1.OM. Adoration be to Shiva, the Essence of all Goodness, the Kindly, the Pure, the AllKnowing, the All-Powerful, the Most Merciful One!

2.O you who have sought instruction in the Highest Truth! seek no more. For, I shall now speak to you the Word of God which was proclaimed for the deliverance of Souls from delusion, pain and sorrow. By hearing It men know what is right and tread upon the Path of Light.

3.Om is the Eternal Sound of Truth that ever abides in God's Heart. From That, the Will to Speak arose; from Will a Thought came forth; and Thought manifested as Word. Thus God's Word of Truth was born. His Holy Word shall not be doubted. For, he who follows It, is rightly guided.

4.Hear you now the Secret Lore revealed by the Lord unto the Blessed Yogis of yore. Desiring to bring knowledge of the Spirit into the World, the Sages Duravasa, Nageshanatha, Kapalin and Anandanatha addressed their thought to the Supreme Lord.

5.They intoned holy mantras and chants; their prayers went up to the lofty Gods and beyond them, to the God of Gods: to the Very Greatest One Whose Glory is measured by none.

6.Moved by their earnest devotion, the Great Ever-Living Ocean of Life sent forth a dazzling Stream of Light, like a redeeming River of Compassion, whereby the Lord of Mercy came down into the World.

7.A whirling Glow of Silver parted the Sky and lo! a mighty Orb of Light was descended from the Highest Height. A light so bright no mortal man had seen before. Even those that saw It from afar off were bedazzled and perplexed.

8.In the midst of that great Brightness the Lord of Life outshined all other lights. His sky-blue complexion was delightful and fair and His eyes shined like two Stars. A third eye, even brighter, illumined the World.

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9.The Crescent Moon shined upon His radiant brow announcing the Dawning of Enlightenment. For He was the Glorious Lord of Light, the Fiery One Who has come into the World to dispel all darkness, pain and sorrow.

10.He was seated upon a royal lotus-seat with petals of blue sapphire and a middle part of gold. The Sky offered Him shelter like an azure canopy of silk whilst the Sun enveloped His head with a halo of golden rays. A threefold Bolt of Light rested in His mighty hand.

11.Thus the Great Compassionate One, the Embodiment of Beauty, Truth and Goodness, descended from the Secret Place in Heaven and appeared before His faithful devotees shining like unto the Sun as he rises over the Sea at dawn.

12.On seeing the Supreme Deity, the Three-Eyed, Moon-Crowned Lord of the Universe, the Four Quarters stood still and then trembled with Joy: Creation trembled in the Presence of its Creator.

13.Unheard-of heavenly sounds poured out of the Sky and filled the Three Worlds. All things in sight became translucent like crystal and precious gems. The whole World came alive with an inner glow of light.

14.A great gladness came into all beings' heart and their Souls rose up as high as the North Star and beyond. The Yogis made obeisance before the Lord and with joyful hearts spoke these wise words of praise.

15.There is no higher Truth than Shiva, the Universal Consciousness, Who is the Cause of all causes, Who at the beginning of Time created the World and the Gods who rule over the World. He is Eternally Higher than the highest and the One Who is worshipped by all men on Earth.

16.Hail to You, O Greatest God, O Shiva, Lord of all beings! Glory unto You, O Lord of Sages, O Master Who are worshipped by means of Knowledge of the Self!

17.You are the Soul of the Universe, You create all things by assuming a thousand forms. You are the One by Whose Power alone everything moves, O Infinite One! May You be Glorified, You Who are the Cause of the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the World.

18.May Victory be Yours, O Lord of Life! You Source of Supreme Peace, All-Pervading One, Deity Whom the foremost among Yogis bow down to, Whom Mother Earth ever reveres as her Lord. Obeisance to You, Supreme God!

19.Having graciously listened to their praises, the Three-Eyed Lord Shiva, favourably disposed towards His devotees, spoke unto them with His delightful voice: O noble Sages! what good can I do to those who are perpetually immersed in the Light of Truth? How can I enlighten them?

20.On hearing those words of His, the Sages bowed down to the Eternal Lord of Life, the Very Soul of the Universe, and spoke to the Great God Who had appeared before them, graciously inclined to fulfil their every wish.

21.O Lord! by Your Grace, we lack nothing and are ever-satisfied. Yet though we know the Truth, our minds are not entirely free from doubt. We therefore seek shelter with You, the

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Original Wise and Perfect One, the Unmanifest Being. For You alone have full knowledge of the highest secret teachings.

22.You are the Primal Ever-Living One Who preceded all other things. Except You, the Great Lord (Maheshvara), there is no other knower of Truth in all the Worlds. Therefore, pray dispel our doubts.

23.We desire to know, Where do all things come from? How did the World come into existence? What is the true Home of all Souls? What causes a Soul to be born and reborn into this World? What is the cause of suffering and pain? How is deliverance from sorrow attained?

24.What is the best Path in life for men to follow? What are the various planes of existence? Who is the All-Witnessing Self? What is the Highest Reality? How is Higher Knowledge attained? What are the means for gaining lasting Peace and Happiness? Kindly dispel our doubts by means of the dazzling beams of Your Eternal Glory.

25.O Lord of Unmeasured Greatness! we are your faithful devotees; with Pure Souls, we have sought refuge in You; if You be pleased with us, graciously grant us knowledge of Your Self Divine.

26.For, You Alone O Shiva! know Your Own Self. No one else does so. Therefore, deign to reveal Your Divine Self unto us.

27.O Jewel of Mercy! O Wielder of the Bolt of Light! You are the Comforter of the distressed, the Friend of the destitute, the Protector of the oppressed, the Lord of the Three Worlds. Whatever be a Soul's anxiety and pain, You offer him Salvation and make him hale again, You Who Are the Saviour of all! You are ever-gracious to those who seek refuge in You. Elevate our Souls with the nectar of Your Perfect Knowledge!

28.Bowing down to the God Whose Emblem is the Bull of Heaven, the Sages the foremost of whom was Duravasa, thus requested of the Supreme Lord.

29.The Supreme Sovereign, the God of Unmeasured Greatness, the Creator of the Universe and Lord of Yoga, illumined the World with His Radiance Divine.

30.The Lord of Life and Master of all beings, the Great One within Whom the entire Universe lies, and by Whose Power alone everything moves, the Most Compassionate One, the Greatest God, thus instructed the Sages concerning the excellent Yoga of the Self.

31.O pure ones! listen you now, with steady minds, to the knowledge of the Lord, being imparted to you that your heart may find peace.

32.Lord Shiva made the Secret Wisdom Sign (Jnana Mudra) and spoke: This Perfect Knowledge of Mine is an eternal mystery and secret. It cannot be adequately expressed. Those who follow other Paths do not know it though they may strive for it, O twice-born ones!

33.Resorting to this Perfect Knowledge, in days gone by, the first among Seekers of Truth attained unity with Truth. Having found Truth, their Souls have attained Perfection (Sampurnata) and are free from the fetters of the earthly World.

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34.The Perfect Ones (Siddhas) know not delusion, nor pain, nor sorrow. For they have joined the Immortals (Amaras, the Deathless Ones) in the Firmament and shine like the Rays of the One Light. They have taken their seats among the Heavenly Guardians who ever watch over the World from on high.

35.This Knowledge which is the Secret of secrets must be carefully guarded. I shall declare it unto you who are speakers of Truth and full of devotion.

36.Listen well! In the Beginning I, the Great Life (Maha Satta) Alone Existed: the One EverLiving, Nameless, Unfathomed Ocean of Being Who Eternally Is before all other things. Surveying My Infinite Self, I Eternally rejoiced at My Sheer Brightness and Might. It was by My Brightness that My Self was known and seen; and by My Might I established Myself as the Only Existing One (Ekam).

37.Being the One and Only, I wished in My Heart to be Many. My Thought was made firm by My Desire and was uttered as My Word of Power. Thereby what My Heart Wished was brought to pass. My Radiance spread forth into the World and filled the Skies like gemstones and gold. Thus My Divine Brightness and Might were manifested in a multitude of ways.

38.As Light is one in daytime - in the form of the Sun - and again many - shining as the Moon and Stars at night, so My Divine Radiance though being One in the Abode of Light, appears as Many in the Realm of Night.

39.For in My Abode of Light, wherein there is no darkness, the One Is Ever Awake. And Being Awake He Sees. But in the Realm of Night where all is dark, the Many are asleep. And being asleep, they see the One not but the Many. Thus while I ever Abide in the Light, the others abide in the Dark.

40.O you who are most wise! it is absence of Light that makes the One appear as the Many. When I, the Lord, conceal My All-Revealing Light, I Appear as the Many to those who abide in the Dark.

41.I Myself, however, ever See the One even behind the Veil of the Many. For I was One in the Beginning, I Am One Now, and I shall be One in the End and in All Eternity.

42.I, the One Lord, through My Play of Darkness and Light bring forth everything in sight. All created things are but sparks of My Divine Light. A part of Me, of My Infinite Self, lies hidden in all things.

43.Therefore, know all things to have an unseen inner core, an essence and a Soul that is the true nature and the life of every thing. That imperishable core, being part of My Eternal Self, has been called the Self (Atman). That very Self is the Lord of Life.

44.The Self is the True Man concealed within the body of blood, flesh and bones, and it is by nature Divine. It is absolute, pure, peaceful, subtle and eternal. It exists beyond the darkness of ignorance and beyond knowledge that is expressed in words.

45.It is the Inner Being, the Soul of the Universe, the Life-Principle, the Lord of Time, the Great Lord, the Perfect One. Though being unseen and unknown, yet He knows. For He is present everywhere and witnesses all things from within. He is the Eternal Witness of all.

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46.The Universe is born of Him and in Him alone it dissolves. He is the Master of the Magic Power whereby He assumes various forms while remaining ever-unaffected and unchanged.

47.The Self is not subject to the cycle of birth and death. He is not the physical World, being neither Earth, nor Water, Fire, Wind nor Sky.

48.The Self is neither physical objects, nor the bodily frame; neither the breath, nor the mind; neither matter nor non-matter. He is neither sound, nor touch, nor colour and form, nor taste, nor smell, nor the Ego, nor yet a limited person who thinks, feels, speaks and acts.

49.O holy ones! the Self is neither a sense organ, nor the foot, neither the anus, nor the genitals. He is neither inanimate Matter, nor a living Person. In truth, the Conscious Self is neither the Breath of Life, nor the Void of sleep, nor even the Cosmic Play of Magic.

50.For all these pass away like waves upon the Sea. But the Self is the Imperishable, Changeless, Undying, Undecaying, Self-Existing, Self-Supporting Sea of Consciousness Itself. The Changeless Witness of all that passes.

51.This World consists of the five senses, hearing, seeing and the rest. The One Supreme Self is different from this even as light is different from darkness. As shade and light are different from each other in this World, so indeed the material World and the Self-Luminous Self are different.

52.Were the Self to be in any way soiled or impure, created and changeable, it could never become Perfect even in hundreds of lifetimes. Nor would there be any escape from that which is imperfect.

53.The Awakened Ones perceive their Perfect Self as intrinsically free from defects or change, free from the pairs of opposites such as light and darkness, cold and heat, pleasure and pain. They realise that the Self is eternally blissful and unchanging.

54.Such thoughts as, I am doing this or that, I am happy or unhappy, I am slender or stout and the like, are created by the mind of incognizant folk and superimposed upon the Perfect Self.

55.Having created a thought, through repetition man identifies therewith and believes himself to be that, regardless of his true nature. O Sages of broad understanding! Man is called Man (Manu) because he is determined by his Mind (Manas). Verily, what Man thinks, that he becomes. Under the influence of material existence, the Self who is by birth a God, thinks himself to be a Man, and a Man he at last becomes.

56.Elevating himself by noble thoughts, he becomes again Divine. Remembering Me, the AllSource, he and I are Reunited. For, all things come from Me and to Me they shall return. This is the Eternal Law (Sanatana Dharma).

57.Truly, those who know the Truth declare that the Self is the All-Witness, beyond the Sphere of Matter. It is the Universal Enjoyer, deathless, omnipresent, perfect and ever-free.

58.Hence, all embodied beings remain subject to worldly existence as a result of ignorance (avidya), which is not knowing the Truth. Due to ignorance and wrong knowledge, Reality is confused with Matter.

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59.As a deluded king who believes himself to be a ploughman takes to ploughing a delimited field when the whole wide World is his, even so, though the ever-shining, self-luminous Self is immensely vast and all-pervading, due to the thoughtlessness and lack of discernment of the unawakened mind, man believes himself to be a limited, individual thing and lives a diminutive life.

60.The Sages realise that the Self is Uncreated, Unborn, Formless, Self-Existing, Changeless, Eternal and Pure, whilst Matter is Created, Born, Many-Formed, Dependent On The Self, EverChanging, Transient and Tainted. But the ignorant, immersed in worldly existence like a man enmeshed in a dream, sees nothing but Matter and believes that to be the Supreme. Thus, the Self, though pure, changeless and perfect, has the qualities of Matter attributed to It, by association.

61.Deceived by the deluded mind, the ignorant does not comprehend that his own Self is in reality the imperishable Ultimate, the Perfect One. Thus he confuses the Self with the not-Self and the not-Self with the Self. He knows not what is Real and what is only a Dream. Ignorant of what is good and what is evil, he shuns what is right and craves what is wrong. Hence he suffers like a man whose mind is overcome by delusion.

62.Verily from lack of Awareness, there arises Self-forgetfulness. From that springs wrong knowledge. From wrong knowledge comes greed, lust, envy, hatred and other defects of the mind. Moreover, man reaps the fruits of his own actions. And actions are done according to his knowledge. Therefore, the performance of actions that spring from wrong knowledge is the greatest defect of all.

63.It is due to this cause that men are invested with different kinds of physical bodies and minds. For, one is born with a body and mind that correspond to the inner latent tendencies one has developed in a previous existence. All bodies are born of mind. And the mind is nothing but the light of the Soul tinted by latent tendencies acquired in the past. Therefore, know that whatsoever corporeal form a Soul assumes in this life or the next, the same will reflect his mental state, even as the light that passes through a coloured gem (assumes that very colour).

64.Verily, this is a matter a million times true: whether in this World or the next, in Heaven or on Earth, whatever comes to pass in the Three Worlds, know that there is a meaning and a reason to all things. The World was not created in vain but with a purpose. And so it is with all other things: in every thing there is a sign that teaches man a hidden secret.

65.This is known to Me, the Wise One Who See all things from Above and to those (the Yogis) who dwell in Unity with Me but not to any others. For, the others, being as if asleep and ever immersed in vain thoughts, even if the Truth were shown them, they would see It not.

66.Therefore, let all those who yearn after knowledge of the Truth listen to My Word of Truth that they may see the Truth. For, only by seeing the Truth shall their Souls find Peace and never otherwise.

67.Truth is the remedy for all sorrows: It frees the Soul from the burdens of the World. By hearing the Truth, bound Souls remember their Self. Remembering the Self, they know that as air is present both within and without a jar, so the Self, being Omnipresent, lies both concealed within oneself, and pervades everywhere without. It is eternal, free and ever-stainless.

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68.Although It is One, It appears as Many through Its Magic Power and not due to Its inherent nature. For this reason, the Knowers of Truth bear witness that the Truth is One (Satyam Ekam).

69.As the Sky does not become soiled through contact with clouds and the Sun is ever untouched by darkness, even so the various activities of the mind such as thoughts, feelings or sense perceptions, do not affect the Perfect Self. Only the mind and the body, being by nature imperfect, are affected thereby.

70.As a pure crystal shines by virtue of its own lustre, as the Sun shines unaided by any lamp, as the Lightning blazes across the Sky independently of man-made fire, even so does the pure Self shine independently of any conditioning cause.

71.Wise men regard this Universe as being made of knowledge. For it arises from the waves of thought dancing upon the surface of the Ocean of Universal Consciousness. That Great Intelligence Which is Boundless and Radiant Beyond Measure, fashions thought from Its rays of light. Thought gives rise to perceptions; and perceptions make up the objects of the World.

72.Thus men of Higher Vision know that the World is made of Knowledge. Yet the dim-sighted see it as nothing but physical matter and objects. Their vision being faulty and blunt, they see not beyond the surface. Verily, the Self or Spirit is by nature changeless, omnipresent Consciousness, beyond material attributes. But it is held to be insentient matter by men of wrong knowledge. For only the Perfect Ones can see what is Perfect.

73.As the pure crystal when in contact with a red object like the seeds of the Gunja-berry appears to be red, or a looking-glass appears to take the shape of the objects reflected therein, even so the Great Being is perceived in the form of objects though remaining distinct from, and unaffected by, the same. As sunlight shines in many colours as it passes through a shower of rain, so the Great Lord (Maheshvara) appears as this many-formed World when seen through the eyes of mortal men. Verily, the World is He and nothing else. This is the Truth and the Good Tidings that I Myself bring unto the World.

74.They who know this shall be safely guided to the Abode of That Which Ever Is. But the others shall abide in darkness. Verily you who have seen My Divine Self are very fortunate indeed! In My Visible Form you have a Sign from the Unseen that you may know His Glory and follow His Will. But those who have seen Me not, will be troubled by doubt and in their anguish will ask, My Lord, how may we know that the Divine Self Is? Now of these, there are three kinds, the stubborn and the proud that doubt My Word and seek to try you; the thoughtful that yearn for a reasoned answer; and the believers who desire to have their faith confirmed.

75.Say to the stubborn and proud: O you of little faith! life on Earth lasts but a moment. Before you know it, you are overcome by Death. Of this there can be no doubt. If, at the end of your life you find that there is no Afterlife and no God, then you shall have no reason for concern. For, he that no longer is, has no concerns. But if at the end of this life you find that there is an Afterlife and a God, then you shall be overcome by remorse. Thus you shall cry, Alas! would that I had not come hither unprepared. For, you will go to an unknown place unprepared, like a fool who sets off upon a long journey with no provisions and no knowledge of the land he is bound for. Therefore, beware! do not knowingly walk in the footsteps of fools. Think not that your knowledge is faultless and that there is no one above you whose knowledge is best. You have been forewarned.

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76.Say to the thinking man: Do you believe in Love, Beauty and Joy? Do you believe in Truth, Justice and Goodness? If so, then you believe in God. For God Is Truth, Goodness and Beauty. He Is also the Force that drives man to seek, and empowers him to appreciate and enjoy, these things. Verily, God is all that and much more beside. If all this is, then God Is, too. Open your eyes and see! Up there, the Sun, the Moon and the shining Stars forever mark the day and night, the fortnight, the month, the seasons, the year and the space of many years. From the smallest atom to the Universe itself, all is established in Perfect Harmony and Order. Say, could all this be without a Wise Creator?

77.Furthermore, how does a new-born babe know how to suck at his mother's breast? and who taught the weaver-bird the art of building handsome nests? who teaches the duckling how to swim and the diver to dive in search of fish? who tells bird, insect and beast when and how to go to far-off places where they have never been before? how do a myriad ants in their nest, a flock of thousand birds and a shoal of countless fish all move without hindering each other, all as if one, and all in peace? How, indeed, if not by the Power of the Mighty One, the Lord Who lives in all things and upon Whom all things depend even as a kingdom rests upon a mighty king? Assuredly, there is a clear sign in all this.

78.But if you cannot see, then at least believe. Faith is the Guide and the Light of him that cannot see. And believing, you shall be guided and not go astray. Therefore, let those who are without sight follow the guidance of one who is wise. Verily, there is time both before and behind the present moment. Likewise, there is life before this life just as there was a life behind it. For life is neverending. That from Which all life comes is the Great Life, the Great Lord Who Ever Is. From Him we bring you this Revelation that you may know His Truth and follow His Will. Those who believe shall have nothing to fear in this life nor in the next.

79.And unto the believer, say: All life comes from the Lord, the Great Life. You, a living Soul, are but a Spark from that Great Light. Look deep into your heart and you shall find all that you seek. Verily, the Soul is the keeper of all great secrets. In the silence of your heart, listen to the Soul's whisper. He will enlighten you with Wisdom and Truth, whereas the mind only confounds you with its imaginations, delusions and its doubts.

80.Speak the plain Truth unto all men who wish to know and let the unbelievers go their own way. But by those who are Seekers of Perfection, the Self shall ever be worshipped, meditated upon and heard about as being Ever-Existing, Stainless, Unchanged, All-Pervading, Perfect and Free.

81.The Light Whereby both Day and Night are seen, Which sees Itself and all other things, Which depends on none other but Itself, That, O you who are most wise! is the Light of Consciousness, the Great Unseen.

82.Him Who is the Constant among the inconstant, the Intelligence among intelligences, the One among the many, the Unseen among the seen, Who grants all desires, Whom Yogis perceive as abiding in themselves, by knowing Him and not otherwise one attains Eternal Peace.

83.When by means of Yoga man comes to perceive nothing but Consciousness everywhere, he becomes a Perfect Knower of the Self. He abides in the Self and abiding Therein he knows It like unto his own self. When he perceives all living beings as abiding in the Self and the Self in all living beings, he realises the Supreme.

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