On MahaShivRatri day – 2024
Shiva is not a concept. He is a phenomenon. He is the first yogi, called dearly as Adiyogi. By worshipping Shiva, we open an energy vibration that taps the state when the Universe was not even manifested. What was there before the creation of this material Universe was a state of equilibrium, where just the spiritual energy of the ‘one-and-only’ pervaded. And then it happened. Shiva Roared. This set upon motion a cataclysmic chain of events and that was the birth of our Universe. That was also the beginning of Kaala (Time). The Universe that we see today is 13.9 billion years old (Our Sun is just 5 billion years old) and is expanding as witnessed by the red shift in spectrometers, also called the Doppler effect.
Shiva is not a possibility. He is the only reality that never changes. He is Mahadev (The God of Gods) and Mrityunjaya (“Mrityu” means death, and “Jaya” means victory or triumph) – the conqueror of death. He has many other names but basically, he is ‘Shunya’ or ‘Zero’. The ways of the world don’t affect Him. He is above the rules and regulations that human beings have created. Untouched, unscathed, and unbothered. He is pristine, pure, and perfect. Like data (Devi). He is also Bholenath (The innocent one) and grants the wishes of all people who approach him. His favorites are ‘Bel’ leaf, ‘Datura’ flower, and ‘Bhaang’ drink. He does not discriminate among his devotees. Anybody who calls Him with a pure heart will get his darshan. (glimpse)
His best friend is ‘Vishnu’, the all-knowing, all-encompassing God. While Shiva is above the rules, Vishnu simply plays with it. He is rooted firmly in traditions. If Shiva is ‘Zero’, Vishnu is ‘One’. That means that His consciousness is fully awakened. He can read the minds and hearts of people who approach Him. He cannot be tricked into giving boons or favors. While Shiva is a vagabond, Vishnu is grounded in this world. He is knowledge, creation, awareness, and para-brahma. He is the protector of ‘Shiva’. Vishnu very well knows that the world is full of different kinds of people with different intentions (which Shiva seems to ignore). He can read the intentions of people and grant wishes according to one’s disposition.
In computer parlance, while Shiva is the compute, Vishnu is the router that enables us to reach the ‘CPU’. A ‘router’ is akin to our right brain. It’s the gateway to ‘Shiva’. To get to ‘Shiva’, we first must encounter ‘Vishnu’. If we receive his merciful grace, we will be able to proceed ahead to meet ‘Shiva’. The end of our journey is either if we reach ‘Vishnu’ (‘1’) or Shiva (‘0’). It takes a tremendous amount of effort to reach them. Because we are carrying our samskara with us. If we can bypass or get over our baggage, then there is a good chance that we may escape this ‘cycle’ of birth and death. For this, we need their divine grace. The mantra is ‘Be simple. Be like a child. Serve. Pray.’
God Bless!
