Shiva Puja
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Shiva Puja is the action by which we give birth to the highest merit, the privilege to sit in the presence of Shiva. The Sanskrit word Puja is translated as Pu, from punya which means the highest merit, and Ja, from jata which means to give birth.
Conceive in your mind the ultimate goodness and when you have your picture of perfect goodness, infinite goodness, then make it better. That is the beginning of the understanding of Shiva.
He is known as Kalyan, who is absolute welfare. He is Shankar, the cause of peace. He is Shambho, whose being is peace. And Ishwara, whose perception is without limitation. He is the Consciousness of Infinite Goodness.
In this Puja we place Shiva in our hearts, place ourselves in the presence of Shiva, and then strive to come closer to this Highest Goodness, the Highest Divine Spirit. When we get to where we can't get any closer, that is where the puja begins. Shiva is beyond limitations. He takes us beyond the mind.
Puja contains a great deal of information and inspiration. The mantras describe His character, and what attributes devotees must exhibit in order to be like Him. They adore Him, praise Him, and define how to emulate Him.
By practicing worship, devotees learn how to sit still, how to focus the mind, and then fill themselves with devotion, so they can pay attention. They become efficient in life, and free from obligations, and are privileged to cultivate spirituality all the more.
[edit] See also
- Aum Namah Sivaya, Shiva Mantra
- Shri Rudram, a Vedic chant on the early manifestation of Shiva as Rudra
- Kapalika, a secretive sect worship Shiva in his Bhairava form
- History of Evolution of Saivism
- Saivism
- Aghori
- Hindu views on God and gender
[edit] Further Reading
- Shiva Puja Beginner, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, 2001. (ISBN 1-877-79527-5)
- Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, 1998. (ISBN 1-887472-62-2)
