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the seat for thirtynine years.
The Mukapanchasati is read with intense devotion during the Navaratri celebrations in
South India by all religious-minded persons.
Kalidasa was an unlettered shepherd. He also was turned into India s most talented poet
through the benign grace of Mother Kali. Kalidasa in his famous Syamaladandaka, has praised Devi
in a charming manner.
Glory to the Devi who is the giver of the power of speech!
Hymn for Forgiveness to Mother
Mother is more dear to the child than the father. Mother is gentle, soft, sweet, tender and
affectionate. She is full of smiles. Father is stiff, harsh, rude, rough and hard-hearted. The child runs
towards the mother for getting presents, sweets, fruits and other gifts. The child can open the heart
more freely towards the mother than to the father.
Even so, poets and saints also are more familiar with the Divine Mother than with the Divine
Father. They open their heart more freely towards the Divine Mother. They have found much more
intimate cries of the heart when they speak of the Deity as their Mother, than when they address
themselves to God as Father. Go through the following hymn to Mother by Sri Sankara. You will
feel and realise the truth of the above statement.
By my ignorance of Thy commands
By my poverty and sloth
I had not the power to do that which I should have done
Hence my omission to worship Thy feet
But O Mother, auspicious deliverer of all
All this should be forgiven,
For, a bad son may sometimes be born, but a bad mother never.
O Mother! Thou hast many sons on earth
But I, Thy son, am of no worth
Yet it is not meet, that Thou shouldst abandon me
For, a bad son may sometimes be born, but a bad mother never.
O Mother of the world! O Mother!
I have not worshipped Thy feet
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SAKTI YOGA PHILOSOPHY
Nor have I given abundant wealth to Thee
Yet the affection which Thou bestowest on me is without compare
For, a bad son may sometimes be born, but a bad mother never.
Chapter VII
VIRASAIVISM AND KASHMIR SAIVISM
Virasaivism
Virasaiva philosophy is only Sakti Visishtadvaita philosophy. It is a phase of Agamanta. It
underwent radical changes in the hands of Sri Basavanna and his colleagues. Basava was the Prime
Minister to a Jain king named Bijjala who ruled over Kalyan (1157-1167) which is sixty miles from
Gulbarga in Karnataka State.
Basavanna was a magnetic personality. He exercised tremendous influence over the people.
He held a spiritual conference. Three hundred Virasaiva saints assembled. There were sixty women
saints also. Akka Mahadevi, the illustrious lady saint was also present on that grand occasion.
Virasaivism became Lingayatism in the hands of Basava. Lingayatism is the special faith of the
Karnatic Virasaivas. Sharanas are the saints of the Lingayat faith or cult.
Virasaivism or Lingayatism shows the way to attain the Lakshya or Lord Siva. Lord Siva,
Lord Subrahmanya, king Rishabha, Santa Lingar, Kumara Devi, Sivaprakasa had all expounded
lucidly this system of philosophy. Viragama is the chief source for this system of philosophy. Those
who embrace this faith, live in great numbers in Karnataka.
Ordinary Saivites keep the Sivalinga in a box and worship it during the time of Puja. The
Lingayats keep a small Linga in a small silver or golden box and wear it on the body with the chain
attached to the box. Wearing the Linga on the body will remind one, of the Lord and help His
constant remembrance. The Christians wear the cross in the neck. This also has the same object in
view.
Sakti in Virasaiva philosophy is identical with Siva. Sakti works. Siva is the silent witness.
Siva is infinite, self-luminous, eternal, all-pervading. He is an ocean of peace. He is stupendous
silence. Siva illumines everything. He is all-full and self-contained. He is ever free and perfect. The
whole world is an expression of the Divine Will. In Virasaiva philosophy, the world movement is
not an illusion, but an integral play.
Kashmir Saivism
This is known by the name Pratyabhijna system. The Agamas are the basis for Kashmir
Saivism. The Agamanta called Pratyabhijna Darsana, flourished in Kashmir. The twentyeight
Agamas were written in Sanskrit in the valley of Kashmir, in order to make the meaning clear to
every one. This Agamanta arose in North India long before Jainism came into prominence. Then it
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spread westwardly and southwards. In Western India, it was known by the name Vira Mahesvara
Darsanam, and in South India, it was called Suddha Saiva Darsanam.
Siva is the only reality of the universe. Siva is infinite consciousness. He is independent, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]