Shiva Upasana Dialogue with Sri Svamiji (an excerpt)
Today we are discussing Shiv Upasana. Before we move further we need to define and explain what is Shiv Upasana. There are two words here: Shiva and Upasana. The first question is: What is Shiv? That which many people call Shiva. And the second question is: What is Upasana? First try to understand what is Shiv. To know the Shiv is like diving in the Ocean…and one can dive and dive and still one would not know the vastness of the Ocean... Of course one can go on listening, talking, understanding not only for hours, but for days, months and years, and still one can continue to understand [and evolve] ... it is called an “unending story”. During this time [of year] Shiva is invoked and Upasana is done…
Ganga is a very integral part of Shiva. Taking a dip in the Ganga is considered an act of salvation, starting the act of Freedom. Ganga Snan (dip in Ganga) has many different layers - salvation, mukti, getting rid of sins, bad karma and so on. To understand Shiva you have to forget all ideology. It is a lifelong practice, learning and understanding. So many thoughts have been explained about Shiva. Those who follow the path of Shiva are called Saivite... The abode of Shiv is in Kailash in the Himalaya. Kailash is also a lok (realm) in the Cosmic System - Shiva Lok - the Kingdom of Kailash, Kingdom of Shiv.
Shiva is also considered Svayambhu, which means self-created, self-originated. Shiva is not born. If you are not born, you do not die. So the question of dying does not arise if you are not born. Shiva does not die. It is simple. Shiva is also part of the trinity: Shiva who dissolves the Cosmos, who dissolves Creation. And when the Creation is created He has the first dance: the Dance of Shiva, the Dance of Creation. When He does the Dance of Dissolution, that is called Tandav. So Shiva is supposed to be part of Creation, the Creator and Dissolver. Brahma is the Order Giver who compiles the knowledge, teaching the perineal knowledge. Vishnu, of course we know, is the Preserver, the Maintainer, the one who is overall In Charge. Yet, in one way, no one is in charge...
We know the story of Shiva and Ganga. Shiva without Ganga and Ganga without Shiva, is not possible. Having known many facets of Shiva, we don’t know which aspect of Shiva to bring forward. Shiva has many aspects and many manifestations, which are difficult to perceive ordinarily unless you are Shiva Upasak. Who is Shiva Upasak? One who is devoted to Shiva. Upasana has many different meanings including knowledge to pursue the path. One who does Upasana is Upasak: one who searches, explores, finds out; one who is devoted and dedicated; one who wants to become part of Shiva - one who is amalgamated in the Highest Principle. A great Persian stanza says: "One who knows the One, is not less than One". That is the Highest Claim. If you achieve Shiv Enlightened State, you have reached the Highest State.
Shiva is difficult to explain and define; but one can experience Shiva, His Glory and His Manifestations on many different levels. Shiva is Supreme Consciousness, Supreme Tattva… what is left when you invoke the Whole? This [sadhana] gives the opportunity to be Shiva Upasak and do Shiva Upasana… So you have Shiva and Shiva Upasana and you are Upasak. You are approaching the Source, there is no in between. You are not going through any middle man, you are going direct. You have direct access! I am not trying to mediate between you and Shiva. I am trying to explain how you can approach Shiva - how you can reach Shiva Consciousness - to give you the opportunity to attune and connect and acquire the Shiva Energy and Shiva Vibration and Shiva Force in your body, in your mind, in your soul.
Additional Resources: Divine Dialogues Feb 2017 (click here) Divine Dialogues Feb 2022 - MahaShivaratri (click here)
