Chapter 15 - Yoga of Devotion (bhakti-yoga)

2.15.1. How devotion is generated?

At this point Rāma entreated the Lord to explain to him the nature of devotion towards the Lord and how it is generated and how one attains the Supreme Bliss and Release by realizing the Brahman-hood.

15.2. Offering to the Lord.

The Lord gave Rāma a patient and detailed reply. One who studies the scriptures, performs sacrifices, gives various gifts with the thought that he does them all Abhijñāna Śākuntala offerings to the Lord, is alone His devotee and he only is dear to Him.^[1]

15.3. Sacred ash, Rudrākṣa and OM.

One who wears the sacred ash taken from the agnihotra alter of a śrotriya and who wears constantly rudrākṣa on the head and neck and chants the pañcākṣarī-Namaḥ Śivāya—is dearest to Lord.^[2] A deserving devotee of God is happy with chanting Śrī Rudra, Kaivalya Upaniṣad, Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad and Atharvaśiras. Moreover, he should meditate on Supreme Brahman Abhijñāna Śākuntala OM in the heart which is a lump of flesh. The measures of this OM are known Abhijñāna Śākuntala four fold. The a-kāra, u-kāra, ma-kāra and ardhamātra, half measure.

15.4 First Measure of OM.

The first measure A stands for earth, Ṛg-veda, Brahmā, the eight vasus, similarly Gārhapatya fire, the Gāyatrī, the river Gaṅgā and the morning sacrifice and is of red colour.

15.5 Second Measure.

The second measure U is said to represent the world of bhuva, viśva, Rudra, the anuṣṭubh metre, Yajur Veda, similarly Yamunā River, the dakṣiṇā fire and midday sacrifice and is of bright nature.

15.6. Third Measure.

The third matra M represents Suva world, the sun, Maheśvara, the āhavanīyā fire at home, Jagatī metre and goddess of learning Sarasvatī and evening sacrifice, the Atharvaveda and is like the lightning.

15.7 Fourth, the Ardha Mātra.

The fourth, ardha mātra, represents moon, the seer Atharva-Āṅgirasa, the deluge fire and maha, the fourth vyāhṛti, the virāt—the Brahman of visible universe, the sacrifices Sabhya and āvasathya, the river Śuttudrī and Lord Śiva, the protector and is of radiant white nature.

15.8 Oṃkāra meditator released.

All that is born already and going to be born in future is said to be Rudra.^[3] It is in Him alone again that vital air abides and all is said to be Oṃkāra. One who meditates on OM gets insight and is released.

15.9 Sacred Ash too liberator.

One who adorns his limbs with the holy and consecrated ash taken from a yajña-śāla or from fire in the forest is liberated even if he be of low caste.^[4]

15.10 Pradoṣa worship

One who praises the Lord with the chant of OM, worships with forest flowers and offers fruits and roots and meditates especially on Pradoṣa evening attains greatest prosperity and there after merges in Lord.^[5]

15.11. Ekādaśī worship.

One who worships the Lord on a new moon night, full moon night, on the eighth day of bright fortnight and fourth day of dark fortnight, with body smeared with ash and one who observes fasting on Ekādaśī, monday being particular, he is a worthy devotee and shall not perish.

15.12 Chanting Rudra.

One who does abhiṣeka to the Lord with pañca gavya, pañcāmṛta, liquid sandal paste, milk, ghee, honey or sugar cane juice chanting Rudra (vedic mantra) or facing the sun and standing in water with uplifted hands chanting Atharva aṅgīrasa offers oblation, is dearest to the Lord.

15.13. Hymns of Īśāvasya.

One who chants in front of the Lord by hymns of Īśavāsya Upaniṣad attains instant glory in the Lord’s world.

Thus ends the fifteenth chapter of Śiva-gītā.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ibid XV-2

[2]:

Ibid XV-5

[3]:

Ibid XV-23

[4]:

Ibid XV-26

[5]:

Ibid XV-30