Authentic Concept of SHIVA

This book contains insights about Lord Shiva. Many beliefs are not meant to change, but a novel approach to the whole concept can make reading informative and interesting. This book introduces, the ninety-six Avtars of Lord Shiva and twenty-nine Avatars of Lord Vishnu.

The book contains some hitherto unknown information for many of us. Often Shiva is associated with intoxicants. Isn't the thought of associating Parmatma with intoxicants weird? The book clarifies many such myths about Shiva.

Put concisely, the candid and objective views on this subject in the book, encompassing all aspects of Shiva, will make the reader re-visit some of the concepts deemed as true.

This is a very invaluable work brought out by Shri Anshul Pandey. To really understand and appreciate the value of this gem, it is important to have a right perception of the Sanathana Dharma.

Sanatana Dharma the elements

Shiva and Shakti are the two basic elements that represent the Sanathana Dharma. In its purest interpretation or meaning, Sanathana means eternal and Dharma means the order which represents this eternity. This basic element of the Sanathana is later interpreted in different forms and methods but beauty of the Sanathana is in the various types of interpretation that can well be traced back to the escalation or expansion of these two elements in even forms.

Now what are these two elements? Let us attempt to define them. Modern physics defines two elements which are not created or destroyed. These two elements are mass and energy. There are only two conservation theories. Further what is mass? This is defined as matter contained in the body. Therefore we can safely conclude that every mass which is indestructible is a body that exists. Existence is the key. This existence is defined as Bhava in Sanathana. We all know that Bhava is the epitome of Shiva. If this Bhava doesn't continue to be in the same state permanently, it goes through continuous process of metabolism even in a state of absolute Bhava. This process which is eternal is known as Kara (Karya) or it manifests for larger benefit of Sanathana, is Shankara (San Karoti in Shankara). Kara is also known as work.

Again relying back on modern physics principles, we all know that for doing every work we need energy or power. In fact, in Physics Energy is defined as capacity to do work. All of us in our childhood have learnt this in our school days. We call this energy in all languages of Sanathana as Shakti. This is the premise on which the entire three Lokas have been universally and eternally existing.

It began with my translation of Rig Ved and other Sanatan scriptures, under the guidance of my Guru, my inspiration Shri Swami Anjaninandan Dass. As inner meaning of the Mantra or Verses revealed itself, it was natural that charisma of cosmic intelligence beckoned. The Puranas & Itihaasa are usually known for their enticing stories, but to me it proved to be a repository of knowledge. The decimation of this immense data from the Puranas & Itihaasa, when cross matched with that of the Vedas, proved to be engaging and challenging at the same time very exciting and rewarding. What began as curiosity turned into a full time pursuit and my decade long mundane job career lost its relevance. The key to this deeper understanding proved to be Shiva or Sankara. The mystic world of Shiva actually encompasses both ends of the spectrum. In Shiva the worldly and the ascetic, religious traditions and the irreverence - all differences seem to melt away. Only Parmatma in Hindu philosophy, who is popular, is worshiped in both forms- almost formless 'Lingam' and also as a Living being, as husband of Parvati & Sati, father to Ganesha, Ashok Sundari and Karitikeya.

For me the name Shiva- creates a sense of serenity, calmness and piousness. There is in fact no dearth of scriptures (Shruti, Smriti. Itibaas & Paranas) related to Shiva. But sadly much of this has been picked up from ever expanding folklore. An authentic documentation of Shiva based on age old Scriptures is the need of the hour. Last few years dedicated by me towards this book could just be a beginning of this onerous task, I feel. In the name of fiction many authors have not only distorted history and immensely harmed to what could have been, or rather should have true concept of Shiva. In an attempt to reach out to a wider audience, this book does not wander beyond the overall view of this subject. The language is purposely kept simple, where even a layman having working knowledge of English could grasp the facts. Although complex Hindu philosophical thought have been summarised in simple term, care has been taken not to compromise on its authenticity. This book has been strictly adhered to those facts, that could be authenticated through Scriptures & Guru-Shishya tradition, every caution has been exercised to quote the sources to the information indicated.

The book begins by explaining the Shiva Tarva mentioned both in Vedas and Upanishads. It's true that Shiva cannot be constricted in the boundaries of time. He has existed in time immemorial and will continue to guide the destinies of entities perhaps forever. The origin of Shiva has been explained in detail. One may ask how the Lingam originated. Do read about this and also find detailed classification on the types of Lingams. You will also know which sort of Lingam does the various Devis and Devtas worship. One of the most important duties this book takes upon itself is to clear certain misconceptions about Lingam. Or the unsubstantiated claim of Shiva's so called attraction to narcotic substances like Cannabis and Marijuana.