Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
by Arpita Chakraborty | 2013 | 33,902 words
This page relates ‘Atharvashikha on Brahman’ of the study on the Shaiva Upanishads in English, comparing them with other texts dealing with the Shiva cult (besides the Agamas and Puranas). The Upaniṣads are ancient philosophical and theological treatises. Out of the 108 Upanishads mentioned in the Muktikopanishad, 15 are classified as Saiva-Upanisads.
3. Atharvaśikhā on Brahman
Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra and Indra are creating all beings, all organs and all karaṇas. They are also capable of controlling them. But Lord Śiva exists in between them like sky and is permanently stable. It is advised hat the five gods Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Īśvara and Śiva should be worshipped in the form of praṇava [Aa+Uu+Ma+sound+Bindu.]
Even if for one second, if one can stay and meditate on these, he gets more results than that of performing one hundred fire sacrifices. With the full understanding and knowledge, one should only meditate on Paramaśiva, which would give rise to all benefits. It is definite that, by sacrificing all other things, the twice born, should learn and understand this and he would get rid of the suffering of living in the womb and attain salvation.[1]