Sadaashiv, the Primordial Guru

By H H Maa Purnananda

“Bhavaanishankarau Vande Shraddhaavishwaas Roopinau; Yabhyam Vina Na Pashyanti Siddhah Swaantastham Ishwaram.” – Sree Ram Charit Maanas (Bal Kand – Dhyan Shlok)

Is it possible to walk the sacred path of Spiritual pursuance without Shraddhaa and Vishwaas? Generally people use these two very important terms most casually and hence these terms have lost their intensity for them. But in true sense, for a devotee or a seeker on the sacred path, both these terms have to be understood in depth and brought up to their actual value.

What is meant by Shraddha (faith) as per the Spiritual term? “Sat Dhaarayatey Iti Shraddha”; “That which can hold the concepts of Reality is Shraddha”. The concepts and understanding of Universal Reality or the Self cannot be held by mind; mind is volatile and extrovert. Once the mind is purified of its Shadvikaar (6-fold disorder), it can be tamed to become calm and steady by cultivating Vishwaas (belief) in the Eternal Existence of the Universal Reality – the Self. The steady mind thus prepared no more disturbs the introverted and inquiring intellect. The quest of the Self thereafter can commence; the intellect can then be guided towards the concepts and understanding of the Universal Reality, under the refuge of a Shrotreeya and Brahmanishtha Guru (the Guru who not only is comprehensively knowledgeable about Shaastra-s, but who also revels in Brahman – the Self).

A disciple who has developed certain qualities by preparing a fertile ground within his Antahkaran (inner-equipment comprising of Mann, Buddhi, Chitt and Ahankaar); is worthy of receiving valuable instructions from such a Guru and would be able to inculcate the required Shraddha (faith). Faith in the Guruvakya, Shaastra-s and Ishwar is the inevitable quality to be cultivated by every sincere seeker who is pursuing Spirituality.

With this understanding, the devotee would have to commence studying “Sree Ram Charit Maanas”, one of the most enchanting, rhythmic and beneficial works of Goswami Tulasidas Ji. In the given verse from this wonderful and poetic expression of true devotion towards Bhagwaan Shiv, Bhagawati Paarvati and Sree Ram, the Saint sings the glory of Shraddha and Vishwaas by giving analogy between these two terms, and, Bhawaani (Devi Paarvati) and Shankar (Bhagwaan Shiv). He says that bow down to such Bhawaani and Shankar who prevail in the Antahkaran of the devotees as Shraddha and Vishwaas; because without those, even Siddha-s (the perfected Masters) are unable to see (behold) the very Ishwara (the Supreme Divinity) residing within their own hearts!

In this way, we can understand why Bhagwaan Sadaashiv is placed in the first position, in the most revered Sree Guru Parampara. Without Vishwaas, there is no possibility of cultivating Shraddha. Bhakti (devotion) is a term to express for a perfect combination of both Shraddha and Vishwaas. So, even the term Bhakti has to be understood and nurtured carefully and steadily. When ‘devotion’ is taken casually, it loses its value as much as ‘faith’ and ‘belief’. On the sacred Spiritual path, all these three words are extremely important and definitely need to be cultivated in due course. Neither can these be utilized blindly for satiating worldly wants and desires, nor at the time of fears and anxieties.

Therefore, all the great Sant-s, Rishi-s Muni-s, Guru-s, Gnyani-s, Yogi-s, Siddha-s and so on, have invariably sung or expressed Their Bhakti (devotion) towards the Supreme in Their own inimitable way. When the great Men-of-Wisdom experience ecstasy and come to Self-Realisation due to Their such unflinching devotion, then the Saadhak-s (seekers) on the spiritual pursuit surely cannot afford to avoid to be more aware and educated towards this one of the most important aspects of their Sadhna. Sreemad Bhaagwatam, Sree Ram Charit Maanas, Sree Naarad Bhakti Sutra and Bhaj Govindam are some of such works that could inculcate ‘Bhakti’ in the Antahkaran (inner-equipment or the soul) of the Saadhak. The observance of the auspicious days all the year round, by offering Puja, Homam, Japa etc. relevant to various Gods and Goddesses, and, proper and regular studies of scriptures could further cultivate and nurture Bhakti.

On Sree Maha Shivraatri, one of the most important auspicious days for a Saadhak on the path of Vedant, this year falling on 8th March, pray hard and seek “Nirbhara Bhakti” at the Holy-feet of Bhagwaan Sadaashiv and Bhagwati Maa Paarvati.