सूत उवाच …



अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि शुद्धं कैवल्यमुक्तिदम .



अनुग्रहान्महेशस्य भवदुःखस्य भेषजम [1]



Suta muni addresses his disciples Saunakadi Munis and said:

Hey Munis! By the grace of the Lord Sri Paramatma Parashivamurti, i’m going to impart a very sacred and divine knowledge which acts as a medicine on the samsaara and takes us to Brahma Swaroopa Kaivalya state known as Moksham

न कर्मणामनुष्ठानैर्न दानैस्तपसापि वा .



कैवल्यं लभते मर्त्यः किंतु ज्ञआनेन केवलम [2]

One cannot attain ‘Kaivalya Padavi’ by performing any kind of virtues or by performing any kind of penances and religious rites. But only through the divine knowledge (Divya Gyana) Salvation (Kaivalya Prapti) can be achieved.

रामाय दण्डकारण्ये पार्वतीपतिना पुरा .



या प्रोक्ता शिवगीताख्या गुह्याद्गुह्यतमा हि सा [3]



यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण नृणां मुक्तिर्ध्रुवं भवेत .



पुरा सनत्कुमाराय स्कन्देनाभिहिता हि सा [4]

In olden days in ‘Dandaka’ forest whatever was preached by Lord Shankara to Rama, which is a divine secret, which when implemented in life would give Salvation to human beings, that ‘Shiva Geeta’ was preached to Sanatkumara by Shanmukha (Skanda).

सनत्कुमारः प्रोवाच व्यासाय मुनिसत्तमाः .



मह्यं कृपातिरेकेण प्रददौ बादरायणः [5]

Subsequently, that Sanat Kumara preached the same to Vyasa । That sage Vyasa became graceful on me and transferred that knowledge to me.

उक्तं च तेन कस्मैचिन्न दातव्यमिदं त्वया .



सूतपुत्रान्यथा देवाः क्षुभ्यन्ति च शपन्ति च [6]

Suta further cautioned his disciples not to discourse this knowledge to anyone, else Demi-Gods of heaven would become displeased and would curse!



N.B:- The reason for cursing is mentioned in below slokas, but these are not be afraid of in today’s era since in today’s world we never do homas and yagyas regularly, neither we follow vedic practices. Devotion towards the almighty is the only thing which we follow. Hence this is not applicable to Kaliyuga. Dharma changes in every Yuga. Hence this is not applicable to us now.

अथ पृष्टो मया विप्रा भगवान्बादरायणः .



भगवन्देवताः सर्वाः किं क्षुभ्यन्ति शपन्ति च [7]



तासामत्रास्ति का हानिर्यया कुप्यन्ति देवताः .



पाराशर्योऽथ मामाह यत्पृष्टं शृणु वत्स तत [8]

Hearing this i said, “Hey Muni! how are you speaking like this? What harm would Gods face if someone tells this Shiva Geeta to others? Why would they become angry? Why would they curse?” When i questioned him, VedaVyasa showered his affection on me and explained me like this.

नित्याग्निहोत्रिणो विप्राः संति ये गृहमेधिनः .



त एव सर्वफलदाः सुराणां कामधेनवः [9]



भक्ष्यं भोज्यं च पेयं च यद्यदिष्टं सुपर्वणाम .



अग्नौ हुतेन हविषा सत्सर्वं लभ्यते दिवि [10]



नान्यदस्ति सुरेशानामिष्टसिद्धिप्रदं दिवि .



दोग्ध्री धेनुर्यथा नीता दुःखदा गृहमेधिनाम [11]



तथैव ज्ञआनवान्विप्रो देवानां दुःखदो भवेत .



त्रिदशास्तेन विघ्नन्ति प्रविष्टा विषयं नृणाम [12]



In this world, the Brahmin who is a householder (gruhastha), doing Homams and Yagyams by dedicating food and beverages to Gods through fire; such Brahmins are like Kamadhenu to the Demi-Gods because from their Yagyas and Havans the Gods get their food. The Gods accept these offerings with pleasant heart and happiness. (In turn Gods maintain timely rains and help the earth produce grains properly). So, it’s a duty of Brahmins to regularly do the homams and yagyams and keep the Gods happy (to get food on earth in return). If Brahmins leave doing these fundamental duties to Gods and immerse themselves in Yoga and in learning about the absolute Brahman (Supreme Lord) and attain pleasure in serving him through the path of knowledge/bhakti, it makes Gods unhappy since they wouldn’t get their share of food through sacrifices.For that reason they may become unhappy and may curse.

If someone else steals the milk giving cow and takes in a different direction the way its actual owner would feel uncomfortable and would want to get it back, same way these demi-gods also feel uncomfortable when some Brahmin deviates away from his path of normal duties towards the path of Salvation, and in order to get him back for their happiness they try to create disturbances in all possible ways on the devotee’s path towards salvation.

ततो न जायते भक्तिः शिवे कस्यापि देहिनः .



तस्मादविदुषां नैव जायते शूलपाणिनः [13]



यथाकथंचिज्जातापि मध्ये विच्छिद्यते नृणाम .



जातं वापि शिवज्ञआनं न विश्वासं भजत्यलम [14]

That’s why Devotion for Parama Shiva doesn’t take birth in anyone, due to the Gods devotion for Shiva doesn’t remain constant. In case with a lot of efforts if someone manages to gain devotion for Lord Shiva, due to the disruption from the demi gods, the devotion gets inturrupted. But when that doesn’t happen, Love for Lord Shiva emerges out of the devotion.

ऋषय ऊचुः …



यद्येवं देवता विघ्नमाचरन्ति तनूभृताम .



पौरुषं तत्र कस्यास्ति येन मुक्तिर्भविष्यति [15]

Hearing all these from Suta, Saunakadi Munis questioned Suta in this manner: Hey Sutakumara! If in this manner Gods of heaven keep obstructing humans from walking on the path of Gyana, how would humans attain salvation? For tenacious people is there any way to nullify the obstructions caused by Gods? If such an alternative exists to escape the disturbances from gods, kindly preach that tos us.To their questions, Suta answered this way:

सत्यं सूतात्मज ब्रूहि तत्रोपायोऽस्ति वा न वा .



सूत उवाच …



कोटिजन्मार्जितैः पुण्यैः शिवे भक्तिः प्रजायते [16]

One gets devotion towards Maheshwara only if he has accumulated Virtues over the past crores of births. Due to that devotion he performs many tasks for the sake of the humanity.

इष्टापूर्तादिकर्माणि तेनाचरति मानवः .



शिवार्पणधिया कामान्परित्यज्य यथाविधि [17]



अनुग्रहात्तेन शंभोर्जायते सुदृढो नरः .



ततो भीताः पलायन्ते विघ्नं हित्वा सुरेश्वराः [18]

Because of that, devotee would become dittached from all his desires and would get filled with a devoting everything to Shiva. Due to that nature he would keep doing good deeds and would gain the grace of Lord Shiva. When he earns the grace of Lord Shiva, the demi gods would not dare to interrupt his devotion because of the fear of Lord Shiva’s anger.

जायते तेन शुश्रूषा चरिते चन्द्रमौलिनः .



शृण्वतो जायते ज्ञआनं ज्ञआनादेव विमुच्यते [19]



That’s why human would all the time remain with ‘Shivarpana’ buddhi and would remain immersed in the worship of Shiva and would gain knowledge which gives him Mukti (Salvation).

बहुनात्र विमुक्तेन यस्य भक्तिः शिवे दृढा .



महापापोपपापौघकोटिग्रस्तोऽपि मुच्यते [20]

The devotee who keeps an unshaken faith in lord Paramashiva, only that person would get saved from Maha Papa (Great Sins) and Upa Paapa (Minor Sins) even if they are crores in number.

अनादरेण शाठ्येन परिहासेन मायया .

शिवभक्तिरतश्चेत्स्यादन्त्यजोऽपि विमुच्यते [21]

Anyone while doing criticism, or while disrespecting, or due to jealousy, if gets devoted or gains devotion for Shiva, he would get cleansed of all the Sins immediately.



N.B:- Let’s analyze this statement further. We have real examples in our Hindu scriptures where such instances have been seen. Kamsa, Ravana Shishupaala, etc, all were filled with “Virodhi Bhakti” for Lord Vishnu, their hatred for hari increased to such limits that they unknowlingly used to think constantly about Hari only. Finally what happened we all know. They were given Salvation by Lord through killing. So, the same way, even if while criticizing Shiva, or while disrespecting him, or while hating him if one gets filled with that ‘Virodhi Bhakti’ he would get liberated of all sins. The idea here is not to develop Virodh Bhakti, but the sloka tells the importance of Shiva Bhakti. The meaning in short is:- Even if inadvertantly one develops slightest interest and devotion towards Shiva, he would get cleansed of sins right at that moment).

एवं भक्तिश्च सर्वेषां सर्वदा सर्वतोमुखी .



तस्यां तु विद्यमानायां यस्तु मर्त्यो न मुच्यते [22]

One whose Shiva Bhakti becomes strong, such people would get all theyr desires fulfilled by it. But for those who are totally submitted in Shiva Bhakti, would get liberated out of the birth-rebirth cycle and would attain Salvation.

संसारबन्धनात्तस्मादन्यः को वास्ति मूढधीः .



नियमाद्यस्तु कुर्वीत भक्तिं वा द्रोहमेव वा [23]



तस्यापि चेत्प्रसन्नोऽसौ फलं यच्छति वाञ्छितम .



ऋद्धं किंचित्समादाय क्षुल्लकं जलमेव वा [24]

One who is devoted to Paramashiva with veneration, or devoted to him without doing any sins, with such kind of devotee Lord would be highly pleased, would fulfill all his wishes. One who dedicates Shiva the Bilva leaves, or water with full devotion; with him lord would be so pleased that he can bestow the devotee the empire of the three worlds. (Such a kind hearted Lord is our Lorrd Shiva).

यो दत्ते नियमेनासौ तस्मै दत्ते जगत{}त्रयम .



तत्राप्यशक्तो नियमान्नमस्कारं प्रदक्षिणाम [25]



यः करोति महेशस्य तस्मै तुष्टो भवेच्छिवः .



प्रदक्षिणास्वशक्तोऽपि यः स्वान्ते चिन्तयेच्छिवम [26]

One who is unable to worship Shiva (as described in previous slokas), if he circumambulates and offers Namaskara (Salute) to the Lord, the Lord would get pleased and would become happy. Even to this simple thing as well, if someone doesn’t have time or is unable to do, he can simply think of lord Shiva from the same place where he is. With this insignificantly seeming prayer also Lord Shiva would shower all the boons which the devotee is desirous of!!

(That shows the generosity of Lord Shiva. How much he loves us, we can understand from the above Verse!!)

गच्छन्समुपविष्टो वा तस्याभीष्टं प्रयच्छति .



चन्दनं बिल्वकाष्ठस्य पुष्पाणि वनजान्यपि [27]



फलानि तादृशान्येव यस्य प्रीतिकराणि वै .



दुष्करं तस्य सेवायां किमस्ति भुवनत्रये [28]

Chandanam which is prepared from the wood of Bilwa tree (called as Sri Gandham), flowers of the forest, and fruits if offerred to mahadeva, he would become exceedingly pleased, since these items are his favorite items. Such kind of service to the Lord is without a second in the three worlds.

वन्येषु यादृशी प्रीतिर्वर्तते परमेशितुः .



उत्तमेष्वपि नास्त्येव तादृशी ग्रामजेष्वपि [29]



तं त्यक्त्वा तादृशं देवं यः सेवेतान्यदेवताम .



स हि भागीरथीं त्यक्त्वा काङ्क्षते मृगतृष्णिकाम [30]

The way lord Shiva likes the flowers and fruits born in the forest compared to the so called better flowers of the villages, similarly, if someone neglects the easily pleasing Lord Shiva and worships other deities, it’s as like as desiring for a mirage water by leaving the holy ganges beside.

किंतु यस्यास्ति दुरितं कोटिजन्मसु संचितम .



तस्य प्रकाशते नायमर्थो मोहान्धचेतसः [31]



न कालनियमो यत्र न देशस्य स्थलस्य च .



यत्रास्य चित्रं रमते तस्य ध्यानेन केवलम [32]

Fact is, a person who has done sins in numerous births and has accumulated a lot of vices such sinners, knowledge less people would not take interest and wouldn’t like this ‘Shaiva Tatwam’.

To do service to Lord Shiva, there is nothing like right time or right place. Whatever time, whichever season, whichever place it might be, a person who meditates on Shiva within his own heart with happiness such a pure hearted person would achive Salvation in Lord Shiva’s abode Kailasha. And there is no doubt in that!!

आत्मत्वेन शिवस्यासौ शिवसायुज्यमाप्नुयात .



अतिस्वल्पतरायुः श्रीर्भूतेशांशाधिपोऽपि यः [33]



स तु राजाहमस्मीति वादिनं हन्ति सान्वयम .



कर्तापि सर्वलोकानामक्षयैश्वर्यवानपि [34]



शिवः शिवोऽहमस्मीति वादिनं यं च कञ्चन .



आत्मना सह तादात्म्यभागिनं कुरुते भृशम [35]



Even is someone is an incarnation of Mahesha if he develops self pride by thinking, “I’m the Lord”, such a person’s life span would decline and also his lineage would get culminated. hence, even if someone is a lord of the three worlds, if he remains free from ego and pride, and simply either remains filled with “Shivoham” feeling or else with the feeling of Lord’s Servant (Devotee), that Supreme Lord Shiva would get pleased with him and would make him merge inside himself.

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां पारं यस्याथ येन वै .



मुनयस्तत्प्रवक्ष्यामि व्रतं पाशुपताभिधम [36]



कृत्वा तु विरजां दीक्षां भूतिरुद्राक्षधारिणः .



जपन्तो वेदसाराख्यं शिवनामसहस्रकम [37]

Hey Monks! i would narrate one great ‘Vratam’ which bestows all the ‘Chaturvarga Phala Purushardhas’ viz. Dharma, Artha, Kaama, Moksha. that Vratam is called ‘Pasupata Vratam’. You all may take the ‘Viraja Deeksha’ as per my instructions by applying Ash and wearing Rudraksha Mala, and chant the Shiva Sahasranama which is a summary taken from all the four vedas. if you do this kind of ‘deeksha’ you would leave your this ephimeral human body and would attain divinity by gaining Shiva’s form itself.

संत्यज्य तेन मर्त्यत्वं शैवीं तनुमवाप्स्यथ .



ततः प्रसन्नो भगवाञ्छंकरो लोकशंकरः [38]



भवतां दृश्यतामेत्य कैवल्यं वः प्रदास्यति .



रामाय दण्डकारण्ये यत्प्रादात्कुम्भसंभवः [39]



तत्सर्वं वः प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं भक्तियोगिनः [40]



Then Lord Shankara who is all auspicious for all the worlds, would appear in front of you all and would give you salvation.

Long time ago, in Dakdakaranya forest, to Sri Ramachandra who had lost his wife, sage Agastya discoursed this ‘Yoga Shastra’. The same i would preach entirely to you all. So, listen to me with full focus and devotion.

### Here ends the first chapter of Shiva Geeta from Padma Purana Uttara Khanda:###