Shiva’s Samishthi Swarupa (An Integrated Portrait of Maha Deva)

Bhurbhubhuvah swarmahaschaiva Janah Saakshaattapastathaa,

Satyalokascha Pataalam Narakaarnavakotayah/

Taarakaagraha Somaarko Dhruvah Saptarshyastathaa,

Vaimaanikaastathaaney cha tishthantasya prasaadatah/

Anena Nirmitaastwevam tadaatmaano Dwijarshabhaah,

Samishthirupah Sarvaatmaa Samshitah Savadaa Shivah/

Sarvaatmaanam Mahaatmaanam Mahaa Devam Maheswaram,

Na vijaananti Samoodhaa Maayayaa tasya mohitaah/

Tasya Devasya Rudrasya Shariram vai Jagatrayam,

Tasmaat pranaamya tam Vakshey Jagataam nirnayam Shubham/

(The totality of Bhur, Bhuva, Swaha, Maha, Jana, Tapa, Satya, Paataala, Naraka, Arnavaas / Seas, Nakshatras, Nava Grahas, Chandra- Surya lokas, Dhruva, Sapta Rishi Lokaas and so on is all integrated in the Composite Form of Sada Shiva). This basic truth is not comprehended by ignorant persons and display of Maya or Illusion; indeed the Sarvaatma, Mahatma, Maha Deva and Maheswara is far from being discerned and legible to the common ignoramus let alone Maharshis. Let there be awareness that Paramatma alone would be able to decide about the status of the Universe ! Also, let it be known that Shiva denotes the Sapta Pataalas of Atala-Vitala-Sutala-Talaatala-Mahatala-Rasaatala and Patalas; Countless Narakas; the Sapta Dwipas of Jambu, Pluksha, Shaalmali, Kusha, Krouncha, Shaaka and Pushkara; the Sapta Samudras of Kshara, Ikshu, Sura, Ghrita, Dadhi, Ksheera and Swada; the Fourteen Manusviz. Swayambhu, Swarochisha, Uttama, Chakshusa, Tamasa, Raivata, Vaivaswata, Swarani, and Daksha-Brahma-Rudra-Dharma Savarnis); Dasa Dishas; Kaalamaana (Concept of Time); Arishadvargas of Kama-Krodha-Lobha-Mohaa-Mada and Matsaraas; Ekadasa Rudras (Ajaikapaada, Abhirbudhnya, Virupaaksha, Raivata, Hara, Bahurupa, Triambika, Saavitra, Jayanta, Pinaki, and Aparajita); Dwadasha Adityas viz. Indra, Dhata, Bhava, Twashta, Mitra,Aryama, Vivaswan, Savita, Pusha, Amshuman and Vishnu; Chatur Vedas , Ashtaadasha Puranas, Shat-Vedangas viz Siksha including Sangeeta and Nyaya; Vyakarana, Kalpa Grandha, Nirukta, Chandas Shastra, Jyotisha including Jataka Skandha; Sapta Rishis (Marichi, Atri, Angirasa, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu,and Vasishtha); Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanaatana and Sanat Kumara brothers; Prajapatis; Narada; Chatusshasthi Kalas, Sapta Parvatas viz. Sumeru, Kailasa, Malaya, Himalaya, Udyachala, Agastyachala, Suvela and Gandhamaadana; Ananta Shesha at the root of Meru; the Eight Lokapaalakaas viz. Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirruti,, Varuna, Vayu and Ishana; Chaturvarnas, Chaturaashramaas, Yagnas and Yagaas, Agni Homas like Shodasi, Ukta, Purushi, Agnishtoma, Aptoryama, Atiratra, Vajapeya and Goshava; and Devas, Daityas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Nagas, Yajshas and Rakshasaas, Apsaraas; and so on. Parama Shiva’s Samishthi Swarupa also outshines the best of Creations like Surya among Nava Grahas / the Nine Planets; Chandra as the Lord of Nakshatras / Stars and of Auoshadhis; Varuna as the best of Jalaas or Waters; Kubera as the Best of ‘Dhanas’or Wealths; Vishnu as the Swami of the ‘Dwadasa Adityaas’; Paavaka as the best of Vasu -ganaas; Daksha as the most significant Prajapatis; Indra as the King of Devaas; King Prahlada as the Chief of Daitya-Danavas; Nirruti as the Head of Rakshasaas; Rudra as the Pati of Pashus; Nandi as the Commander of Shiva Ganaas; Veerabhadra as the Ruler of Veera Purushas; Chamunda as the Best of Matrikas; Nilalohita as the Principal of Rudras; Ganesha as the Controller of Vighnaas or obstructions and disablements; Uma Devi as the Prime Shakti of Women; Sarasvati as the Queen of Vanis; Parvati as the Chief of Himalaya and other Mountains; Ganga as the Paramount of Rivers; Pipul or Bo Tree (Ficus Reloijosa) the best of Trees; Vidyadhara as the King of Gandharvas and Chitraradha as the Head of Kinnaras; Khseera Sagara as the Leader of Samudras of Seas; Vaasuki as the King of Nagas; Takshaka as the Head of Sarpas; Garuda as the Master of Pakshis or Vihangaas Sky Birds; Ucchaaishrava as the Leader of Horses; Lion as the Leader of Amimals; Vrishabha as the best of the Species of Cows; Guha Swami as the Commander-in- Chief of Deva Sena; and so on.

Sri V.D.N.Rao and Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham

Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Puranas in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India The author can be contacted at [email protected]