maha shivaraatri

*Magha Bahula Chaturdashi*

– *ಮಹಾಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ* – Maha Shiva Rathri

hara hara parvati pathaye hara hara mahadev

ಹರ ಹರ ಪಾರ್ವತೀ ಪತಯೇ ಹರ ಹರ ಮಹದೇವ್

हर हर पार्वती पतये हर हर महदेव्

*ಶಿವ   = ಶಿ + ವ*
“ಶಿ” = ಮಂಗಳ  “ವ” = ನೀಡುವವ
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮವೈವರ್ಥವು ಶಿವ ಶಬ್ದದ ಅರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಮಂಗಳಪ್ರದನೆಂದು ಹೇಳಿದೆ.

ಮಹರುದ್ರದೇವರು ಗರುಡಶೇಷರೊಂದಿಗೆ ೫ನೇ ಕಕ್ಷ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ.   ಅಂದರೆ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿ – ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀದೇವಿಯರು – ಬ್ರಹ್ಮವಾಯು – ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಭಾರತೀ ನಂತರದ ಸ್ಥಾನ    ಅಹಂಕಾರ ತತ್ವಕ್ಕೆ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಯಾದವರು ರುದ್ರದೇವರು.  ಕೆಲವು ಸಮಯ ಅಸುರಾವೇಶದಿಂದ ಭಗವಂತನಿಗೆ ವಿರುದ್ಧವಾದ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡುವರು.  ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರು ಹತ್ತು ಕಲ್ಪ ಉಪ್ಪು ನೀರಿನ ಸಮುದ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ತಪಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡಿದರು. 

ಹರಿದಾಸರು ಕಂಡ ರುದ್ರದೇವರು Haridasaru Kanda Manoniyamakaru – click

Manoniyamaka Rudra Devaru –  click

“ವೈಷ್ಣವೋತ್ತಮ ಶಿವ” – Click for Kannada Version

Shivanamagalu with meaning – click

Rudra Dwadasha Nama Stotram – click

Rudra Namaka Chamaka – click

Rudra Chamakam with English Accent – click

ಶಿವನ ಸಂಸಾರ –  Shiva’s samsaara – Click

Shaiva kshetras as per Tirtha prabandha – click

Shiva Stuti by Narayana Panditacharya – click

ಸುಪರ್ಣಶೇಷಪ್ರಾಣೇಶಬ್ರಹ್ಮವಿಷ್ಣೂನ್ ಶ್ರಿಯಂ ಶಿವಂ |
ಋತೇ ನಮತಿ ನೋ ರುದ್ರಂ ಕ ಏವ ಪುರುಷಾರ್ಥಭಾಕ್ |

ಗರುಡ – ಶೇಷ – ಮುಖ್ಯಪ್ರಾಣ – ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ – ವಿಷ್ಣು – ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ, ಭಾರತಿ ಸರಸ್ವತಿಯರನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಉಳಿದ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸಾತ್ವಿಕರಾದ ದೇವ ಮಾನವ ಋಷಿ ಗಂಧರ್ವರೂ ಪುರುಷಾರ್ಥ ಸಿದ್ಧಿಗಾಗಿ ರುದ್ರದೇವರಿಗೆ ತಲೆಬಾಗಲೇಬೇಕು. 

When to observe Shivaratri – It is to be observed on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi.    But that chaturdashi should be ‘vidda’ of trayodashi. 
ಮಾಘಸ್ಯ ತ್ವಸಿತೇ ಪಕ್ಷೇ ವಿದ್ಯತೇ ಯಾ ಚತುರ್ದಶೀ |
ತದ್ರಾತ್ರಿ: ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ: ಸ್ಯಾತ್ ಸರ್ವಪಾಪ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಶಿನಿ |
माघस्य त्वसिते पक्षे विद्यते या चतुर्दशी । 
तद्रात्रि: शिवरात्रि: स्यात् सर्वपाप प्राणिशिनि ।
ತ್ರಯೋದಶಿ ವಿದ್ಧವಾದ ಚತುರ್ದಶೀ ತಿಥಿಯು, ಪ್ರದೋಷ ಕಾಲದವರೆಗೂ ಅಥವಾ ಅರ್ಧರಾತ್ರಿಯವರೆಗೂ ವ್ಯಾಪಿಸಬೇಕು.  ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿಯು ತ್ರಯೋದಶಿಯಿಂದ ವಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿರುವ ಚತುರ್ದಶಿಯಂದೇ ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು.
ಹಿಂದಿನ ದಿನವೇ (ಅಂದರೆ) ತ್ರಯೋದಶಿಯಂದೇ, ಚತುರ್ದಶಿಯು ಪ್ರದೋಷ ಅಥವಾ ಮಧ್ಯರಾತ್ರಿ ವ್ಯಾಪಿನಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ ಹಿಂದಿನ ದಿನವೇ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ ಆಚರಣೆ
Rudra devaru has 28 sallakshanaas.  He is the abhimaani devate for Ahankaara tathva.  He gets mukthi only in his 100th Brahmakalpa by getting Shesha padavi. 
Shiva @ UM, Kachiguda, Hyderabad

 

ವೈಷ್ಣವೋತ್ತಮ ಶಿವನ ಸಂಸಾರ

“ವೈಷ್ಣವಾನಾಂ ಯಥಾ ಶಂಭು:” (ಭಾಗವತ ೧೨.೧೩)  –
ವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ಅರಿತು ಆತನನ್ನು ಅತಿಯಾಗಿ ಪ್ರೀತಿಸುವುದರಿಂದ ಪರಮವೈಷ್ಣವನೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ. 
 

*ಮಹರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಚಿಂತನಾಕ್ರಮ* –

Chintana krama of Shiva according to Madhwa Philosophy

ಧ್ಯೇಯ: ಪಂಚಮೂಖೋ ರುದ್ರ:

ಸ್ಫಟಿಕಾಮಲ ಕಾಂತಿಮಾನ್ |

ವಿದ್ಯುಚ್ಚಭ್ರಾಸಿತರಜ: ಶ್ಯಾಮಾನ್ಯಸ್ಯ ಮುಖಾನಿ ತು

ಜಟಾವಬದ್ಧೇಂದುಕಲ: ಪ್ರಿಯಾಯುಕ್ ನಾಗಭೂಷಣ: ||

dhyEya: paMchamukhO rudra: sphaTikaamala kaaMtimaan |

vidyuchchabhraasitaraja: shyaamaanyasya muKaani tu|

jaTaavabaddhEMdukala: priyaayuk naagabhUShaNa: |

ರುದ್ರದೇವರಿಗೆ ಐದು ಮುಖಗಳು, – ಅವುಗಳು ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಮಿಂಚಿನ ಬಣ್ಣ, ಬಿಳಿ, ಕಪ್ಪು, ನೀಲಿ ಬಣ್ಣಗಳಿಂದ ಕೂಡಿದೆ.’ ಅವರ ಮೈಬಣ್ಣ ಸ್ಫಟಿಕದಂತೆ ಸ್ಪುಟವಾದ ಶುಭ್ರದೇಹ; ಅವನ ಜಟೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ ಕಲೆಯಿಂದ ಕೂಡಿಕೊಂಡಿದೆ;  ಅವನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಿಯಳಾದ ಪಾರ್ವತೀದೇವಿ ಇದ್ದಾಳೆ. ಅವನ ಆಭರಣ ಸರ್ಪವಾಗಿದೆ; ಶಿರಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗಂಗೆ ಧರಿಸಿದವನಾಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ,  ಪ್ರತಿಮುಖದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂರು ಕಣ್ಣುಗಳೂ;  ಮೈಮುಖಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಊರ್ಧ್ವಪುಂಡ್ರ ಧಾರಣೆ, ಬಾಹುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಶಂಖಚಕ್ರ ಚಿಹ್ನೆ; ಕೊರಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪದ್ಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತುಳಸೀಮಾಲೆ ; ನಾಲ್ಕು ಕೈಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಜಿಂಕೆ – ಶೂಲ – ವರಮುದ್ರೆ – ಅಭಯಮುದ್ರೆ ;

*Chintana krama of Maharudra Devaru* –

  • Rudra devaru has five faces – the colour of body look like spatika;
  • He has Chandra in his Jate ;
  • He is sarpabhooshana;
  • Always Parvati Devi will be there with him;
  • He has Ganga, the Vishnu paadodaka on his head (to prove Harisarvottamatva);
  • He has three eyes on all his five faces
  • He always has Urdwapundra, shanka Chakra symbol,
  • Has Padmakshi Tulasimaale;
  • In his four hands he has shoola, varamudre, abhayamudre, and deer.
  • The names of the five faces are tatpurusha, Aghora, sadyojaata, vaamadeva and Eeshana.
*ಪಂಚಾಕ್ಷರ ಮಂತ್ರ* –  ಮನಸ್ಥಿತ: ಶಿವಶ್ಚಾತ್ರ ಮನೋನಾಮಾ ಮಹಾಬಲ: | ಅಭವತ್ ಸಾರಥಿರ್ವಿಷ್ಣೋ: |   –  ಗರುಡಪುರಾಣ
*ಶಿವಪಂಚಾಕ್ಷರ ಮಂತ್ರ* –  ಶ್ರೀಮದಾಚಾರ್ಯರು ನಮಗೆ ತಂತ್ರಸಾರ ಸಂಗ್ರಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿವಪಂಚಾಕ್ಷರ ಮಂತ್ರವನ್ನು ಪರಿಚಯಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ –  “ಓಮ್ ನಮ: ಶಿವಾಯ:” | – ಮಂತ್ರದಿಂದ ಜಪಿಸಿದಾಗ ಮನಸ್ಸು ನಿರ್ಮಲವಾಗಿ ಹರಿಧ್ಯಾನಕ್ಕೆ, ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಾಭ್ಯಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಅನುಕೂಲವಾಗುವುದೆಂದು ಶ್ರೀ ವಿದ್ಯಾಮಾನ್ಯತೀರ್ಥರು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ನಿಜವಾದ ವೈಷ್ಣವರು “ಶಿವ ಪಂಚಾಕ್ಷರೀ” ಜಪವನ್ನು ತಾರತಮ್ಯಾನುಸಾರವಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಲು ತಯಾರಾಗಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ.

Acharya Madhwa has given “Shiva panchakshara Mantra” in Tantrasaara sangraha.  i.e., “Om nama: shivaaya:

Rudra devaru likes “Somavaara”.  Rudra is abhisheka priya.  Shiva likes Bilva patra.  As such, the archana of Shiva to be done with Bilva patra.

*Birth of Rudra* –  Chaturmukha Brahmadevaru first did the srusthi of  Ajnaana, Moha, Mahaamoha, taamisra, andhataamisra.  Then he made the srusti of Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatsujaata and Sanatkumaaraas and asked them to do prajaa srusti.  But these sanakaadi rushees refused to do srusti, and told that they shall be ajanma brahmachaarees.  Brahma expressed anger at this, but could not resist the anger.  At this time , a boy was born through the centre of bhru (forehead) of Brahma devaru.  As he was born immediately he was called as Sadyojaata, and as his eye brows were black and had read eyes, he was called as “Neela lohita”.   As he started crying, he was called as Rudra – Rodanaat rudra:.ರೋದನಾತ್ ರುದ್ರ:  

*ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ನಿವಾಸ – ವಾರಣಾಸಿಯಲ್ಲಿ*-

ರುದ್ರದೇವರು ಪಾರ್ವತೀದೇವಿಯನ್ನು ವಿವಾಹವಾಗಿ ಪತ್ನಿಯ ಪ್ರೀತಿಗಾಗಿ ಮಾವನ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.  ಅಲ್ಲಿ ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಗಣಗಳೂ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು.  ಈ ಗಣಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಪಾರ್ವತಿದೇವಿಯ ತಾಯಿ ಮೇನಾದೇವಿ ಬಹಳ ಬೇಜಾರಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಳು. ಅವಳು ಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದಳು “ನಿನ್ನ ಗಂಡ ಶಿವ ಪರಮ ದರಿದ್ರ, ಅವನ ಪರಿವಾರದವರೂ ಅನಾಚಾರಿಗಳು”. ಇದನ್ನು ಆಲಿಸಿದ ಪಾರ್ವತಿಗೆ ಕೋಪ ಬಂದಿತು.  ಅವಳು ರುದ್ರನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾಳೆ “ನಾನಿನ್ನು ಈ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿರಲಾರೆ.  ನನ್ನನ್ನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಗೆ ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗಿರಿ” ಅಂದಾಗ, ರುದ್ರದೇವರು ತಾನು ಮತ್ತು ತಮ್ಮ ಗಣಗಳು ವಾಸಿಸಲು ಸೂಕ್ತವಾದ ಸ್ಥಳವನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕಲು ಅವರ ಗಣಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದರು.  ಕಡೆಗೆ ಕಾಶೀನಗರವೇ ಉತ್ತಮವೆಂದು ತೀರ್ಮಾನಿಸಿದರು. ನಿಕುಂಭ ಎಂಬ ಭೂತವನ್ನುಕರೆದು “ನೀನು ಕಾಶಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಅದನ್ನು ಉಪಾಯದಿಂದಲೇ ಶೂನ್ಯಮಾಡು. ದಿವೋದಾಸನೆಂಬ ಆ ರಾಜ, ಪರಾಕ್ರಮಶಾಲಿ ಯಾಗಿರುವನು” ಎಂದನು.

ನಿಕುಂಭನು ಶಿವಾಜ್ಞೆಯಂತೆ ಕಾಶಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಒಬ್ಬ ಕಂಡುಕನೆಂಬ ಹೆಸರುಳ್ಳ ಕ್ಷೌರಿಕನಿಗೆ ಸ್ವಪ್ನದಲ್ಲಿ, “ಈ ನಗರದ ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನನಗೊಂದು ಸ್ಥಾನವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ, ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆಯನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸು, ನಾನು ನಿನಗೆ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯದನ್ನು ಮಾಡುವೆನು” ಎಂದನು. ಆ ಕ್ಷೌರಿಕನಾದರೂ ರಾಜನ ಬಳಿ ಹೋಗಿ ವಿನಂತಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ನಿಕುಂಭನ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆಯನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಿ, ನಿತ್ಯ ಪೂಜೆಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು.  ಆ ಊರಿನ ಜನರೆಲ್ಲ ಬಂದು ನಿತ್ಯ ಪೂಜಿಸಿ ಅವರ ಅಭೀಷ್ಟಗಳನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.  ಆಗ ಆ ಊರಿನ ರಾಜನ ಪತ್ನಿಯು  ತನಗೆ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಲ್ಲದಿರುವುದರಿಂದ, ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಅಪೇಕ್ಷೆಯಿಂದ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿದಳು.  ಆದರೆ ನಿಕುಂಭ ಮಗನನ್ನು ಕೊಡಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ.  ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಕೋಪ ಬಂದಿತು.  ಈ ಊರಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಇದ್ದು, ಈ ಊರಿನ ಜನರಿಗೆಲ್ಲ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ನೀಡುತ್ತದೆ, ರಾಜನಿಗೇ ಇಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಕೃದ್ಧನಾಗಿ ಆ ದುಷ್ಟ ಭೂತದ ಸ್ಥಾನವನ್ನೇ ನಾಶಗೊಳಿಸಿದನು.

ಆಗ ನಿಕುಂಭನು ನಿನ್ನ ನಗರವು ನಿಷ್ಕಾರಣವಾಗಿ ಶೂನ್ಯವಾಗಲಿ ಎಂದು ಶಾಪವಿತ್ತನು. ಅದರಂತೆ ಆ ಕಾಶೀ ನಗರವು ಜನರಿಂದ ಶೂನ್ಯವಾಯಿತು. ದಿವೋದಾಸನೂ ಆ ನಗರವನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಊರ ಹೊರಗೆ ಗೋಮತಿ ಎಂಬಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡನು.

ಆಗ ರುದ್ರದೇವರು ಪಾರ್ವತೀದೇವಿಯೊಡನೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದು ವಾಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.   ಅದೇ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರವನ್ನು ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರು ಅವಿಮುಕ್ತ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ – ಅಂದರೆ ಮೋಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣವಾದ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ರುದ್ರದೇವರು ಇಂದ್ರಾದಿ ಸರ್ವದೇವತೆಗಳಿಂದ ಸೇವಿತರಾಗಿ, ಪಾರ್ವತೀ ಸಹಿತರಾಗಿ ವಾಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕಲಿಯುಗದಲ್ಲಿ 36೦೦೦ ವರ್ಷ ಕಳೆದ ಮೇಲೆ ಆ ರುದ್ರದೇವರಿದ್ದ ಕಾಶಿ ಪುರ ಮರೆಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. 

*Shiva and Daksha Yajna*

Daksha prajapathi the son of Brahma is the father in law of Shiva.  He had given his daughter Sati, the incarnation of Parvathi to Shiva.  Daksha prajapathi did Satra Yaga, wherein he had invited all the devataas, of all kakshya and had the blessings of almost all the sages, kinnara, kimpurasha, etc.  In the sabha, Brahma was sitting, Shiva was also sitting.  When Daksha entered the Sabha, he did sastanga namaskara to Brahma, his father.  Shiva didn’t do namaskara to his father in law.    Actually Shiva need not have respected Daksha as it is neechadhistana.  Shiva had done the namaskara to Brahma and as he was in deep dhyana of Srihari did not got up and could not notice anyone except Srihari at that time.   This made Daksha anger at Shiva.

Daksha in the sabha, insulted Shiva by saying that Shiva’s eye resembles the eye of a monkey and that even though he does not deserve, he had given his daughter Sati in marriage to Shiva.  He also insulted that Shiva is Digambara, he is occupied by bootha gana, always wanders in Ghaats (smashana), he does snaana with the ash of the dead, he is amangala and  cursed that Shiva shall not “Havis”  of Yajna in future.    On hearing the curse by Daksha, Nandeeshwara also cursed Daksha to loose yathartha Jnaana and that he shall have the face of a sheep.  Nandeeshwara also cursed the Brahmins that all their earnings in the form of money, vidya, tapassu, vratha shall be utilized for daihika kaama.

This enraged Brugu Rushi who in turn also cursed that those who does the pooja – vratha to please only   Shiva shall be away from Sachchaastra Shravana.  They shall be away from shuchitva, do the Dharana of bhasma of dead.  They shall be away from Vedaas and that they shall become paashandi.

After the completion of Satra which lasted for thousands of years – all the rushees, devataas, departed. But the enemity between the father-in-law and son-in-law still continued. Brahma also named Daksha as the adhipathi of Prajapathi, which increased the “Aham” in Daksha.

After some time, Daksha decided to do one more yajna named “Bruhaspati Savam”, a maha yajna,  wherein he invited all Brahmarshis, Pitrus, Devataas, Gandharvas,  and the entire family of devataas.  He refused to invite his daughter Sati, and her husband Shiva for the Yajna.    Sati wished to attend the Bruhat Yajna and pleaded Shiva to come.   Shiva told that as they are not invited for the yajna, it is not good to attend the function.    Sati told that for going to her father’s house, there need not be invitation.  Shiva replied that Sati is right in her intention to attend her father’s yajna, if he had no enemity with us but as he hates us and as he does not have the characters of sajjanas, it is not good to attend the yajna.

But  insisted that she shall go to Daksha Yajna.  Shiva told that he will not come but Sati went herself sitting on Nandi to the Daksha yajna.  She was followed by thousands of Shiva sainiks.  In the sabha no one did respect her except her sisters and her mother.  Even her father didn’t even bother to speak to her.    In the yajna, she noticed that Shiva is not given the Havis and that his father is insulting Shiva.  She repented for having born as the daughter of Daksha and thought that she shall never be called as Dakshayani (daughter of Daksha) and entered Agni and did the shareera thyaaga.  Now, Daksha started feeling guilty of his sins.  On seeing Satidevi entering the fire, Shiva’s servants who had accompanied Sati tried to kill Daksha and for destroying the Yajna.    Sage Brugu  did special “ahuti” in  Dakshinaagni  from Yajurveda mantras.  With the special Ahuti, Brahmana’s shakthi i.e., Rubhu devataas came in the form of weapons and attacked the Shiva parshvadharas who ran away.

Here Shiva @ Kailasa, on hearing the incident that happened in the Daksha Yajna, created Veerabhadra out of his Jataa and asked him to destroy the Yajna.  These Shivaanucharaas attacked the entire Yajna mantapa and destroyed everything there.  Veerabhadra removed the mustache of Brugu Maharshi, and removed both the eyes of Bhaga and the teeth of Poosha.  Veerabhadra tried to remove the head of Daksha but failed, then he did the dhyana of Shiva, who came immediately and removed the head of Daksha Prajapathi.

All Devataas approached Brahmadeva to control Shiva.  With the blessings of Brahma, Rudradevaru got anger reduced and he completed the Daksha Yajna after adding the head of sheep to the body of Daksha.   Now it is the turn of Daksha to beg the pardon of Shiva for having committed the sin. {Source – Bhagavatha Chaturtha Skandha)

*ದಕ್ಷಯಜ್ಞ ಮತ್ತು ಶಿವ – (ಭಾಗವತ)*

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಪುತ್ರ ದಕ್ಷಪ್ರಜಾಪತಿಯು ತನ್ನ ಮಗಳಾದ ಸತೀದೇವಿಯನ್ನು ಶಿವನಿಗೆ ನೀಡಿ ಶಿವನ ಮಾವಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ.  ಒಮ್ಮೆ ದಕ್ಷಪ್ರಜೇಶ್ವರನು ಒಂದು ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಟ ಸತ್ರಯಾಗವನ್ನು  ಮಾಡಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ದೇವಾದಿದೇವತೆಗಳನ್ನು, ಗಂಧರ್ವ, ಕಿನ್ನರ ಕಿಂಪುರುಷರನ್ನೂ, ಋಷಿಮುನಿಗಳನ್ನು ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಿದ್ದನು.  ಆ ಯಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮರುದ್ರಾದಿ ದೇವತೆಗಳೂ ಆಗಮಿಸಿದ್ದರು.  ದಕ್ಷಪ್ರಜೇಶ್ವರನು ಆ ಯಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗಮಿಸಿದಾಗ, ತಾನು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದೇವರಿಗೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಮುನ್ನಡೆದನು.  ಶಿವನು ತನ್ನ ಹೃದಯ ಕಮಲದಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಲೆಸಿರುವ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂತರ್ಗತ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯನ್ನು ಧ್ಯಾನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ತನ್ನ ಮಾವ ಬಂದದ್ದನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸದೆ ಇದ್ದನು.  ಇದರಿಂದ ತನ್ನ ಅಳಿಯನು ತನಗೆ ಮರ್ಯಾದೆ ಮಾಡದುದ್ದರಿಂದ ಕ್ರುದ್ಧನಾದ ದಕ್ಷನು ಶಿವನನ್ನು ನಿಂದಿಸಿ, ಸ್ಮಶಾನವಾಸಿಯಾದ ಇಂತಹವನಿಗೆ ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟದ್ದೇ ತಪ್ಪೆಂದು ಎಲ್ಲರ ಮುಂದೆ ಅವಮಾನಿಸಿ,  ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಯಾರೂ ಶಿವನಿಗೆ ಹವಿಸ್ಸನ್ನು ನೀಡಬಾರದೆಂದು ಶಪಿಸಿದನು.  ಈ ಶಾಪವನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಸಹಿಸಲಾರದ ನಂದೀಶ್ವರನು ಪ್ರತಿ ಶಾಪವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿ ದಕ್ಷನು ಯಥಾರ್ಥಜ್ಞಾನದಿಂದ ವಂಚಿನಾಗಲಿ, ಮತ್ತು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಆಡಿನ ಮುಖ ಬರಲಿ ಎಂದು ಶಪಿಸಿದನು.

ಸಾವಿರಾರು ವರ್ಷ ನಡೆದ ಈ ಸತ್ರದ ನಂತರ ಮುಂದೊಂದು ದಿನ ದಕ್ಷನು ಮತ್ತೆ “ಬ್ರಹಸ್ಪತಿಸವಂ” ಎಂಬ ಬೃಹತ್ತಾದ ಯಜ್ಞವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಲು ಉದ್ಯುಕ್ತನಾಗಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ದೇವಾದಿ ದೇವತೆಗಳನ್ನೂ, ಋಷಿಮುನಿಗಳನ್ನು, ಕರೆದು ತನ್ನ ಮಗಳು-ಅಳಿಯನನ್ನು ಮಾತ್ರ ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ.  ಸತೀದೇವಿಯು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಜನರಂತೆ ನಟಿಸುತ್ತಾ ತಾನೂ ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯ ಯಜ್ಞಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಅಪ್ಪಣೆ ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ಶಿವನು ಸಮ್ಮತಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ.  ಆದರೂ ಹಠ ಮಾಡಿ ಯಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿವನಿಗೆ ಹವಿಸನ್ನು ನೀಡದಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯಿಂದ ಅವಮಾನಿತಳಾಗಿ, ತಾನು ದಾಕ್ಷಾಯಿಣಿ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದೇ ಬೇಡವೆಂದು ತೀರ್ಮಾನಿಸಿ ಬೆಂಕಿಯನ್ನು ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸಿ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿ, ದೇಹತ್ಯಾಗ ಮಾಡಿದಳು.

ಇವಳ ಜೊತೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದ ಶಿವಚರರೂ ಎಲ್ಲ ಯಜ್ಞವನ್ನೂ ಧ್ವಂಸ ಮಾಡಿದರು, ದಕ್ಷ ಪ್ರಜೇಶ್ವರನ ತಲೆಯನ್ನೇ ವೀರಭದ್ರನು ಕಡೆಯಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದಾಗ, ವಿಫಲನಾದಾಗ, ಶಿವನೇ ಬಂದು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದೇವರ ಅನುಗ್ರಹದಿಂದ ಆ ತಲೆಯನ್ನು ಕಡೆದು ಹಾಕಿದರು.  ಮತ್ತು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಆಡಿನ ತಲೆಯನ್ನು ಜೋಡಿಸಲಾಯಿತು.

*ಶಿವ ಮತ್ತು ಕಾಮದಹನ* –

ಅಂದು ಫಾಲ್ಘುಣ ಶುಕ್ಲ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ.  ಕಾಮದೇವನನ್ನು ರುದ್ರದೇವರು ಭಸ್ಮಮಾಡಿದ ದಿನ.  ಬೃಹಸ್ಪತ್ಯಾಚಾರ್ಯರು ರುದ್ರದೇವರಿಗೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿಯನ್ನು ಮದುವೆ ಮಾಡಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.  ಆದರೆ ತಪೋನಿರತರಾದ್ದರಿಂದ ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರ ತಪವ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸುವುದು ಅಷ್ಟು ಸುಲಭವಲ್ಲ. ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಮನಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಕಾಮ ಪೂರಿತವಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಲು ಕಾಮನನ್ನು ನೆನೆದರು.  ಮನ್ಮಥನು ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಕಿವಿಯ ಬಳಿ ತೆರಳಿ ಅವರ ಮನಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿ ಭಂಗಗೊಳಿಸಿದನು. ಕೂಡಲೆ ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಿಯ ಪತ್ನಿ ಸತೀ ದೇವಿಯನ್ನು ನೆನೆಸಿದರು. ಕೂಡಲೆ ಮನ್ಮಥನು ಮೋಹಿನಿ ಎಂಬ ಅಸ್ತ್ರವನ್ನು ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರಯೋಗಿಸಿದನು. ಆಗ ಗಿರಿಜೆಯು ತನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತೆಯರೊಂದಿಗೆ ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರ ಬಳಿ ಬರುತ್ತಾಳೆ.  ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಕೊರಳಿಗೆ ಹಾರವನ್ನು ಹಾಕುತ್ತಾಳೆ.  ಈ ಗಿರಿಜಾ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣದಿಂದ ಮನ್ಮಥನು ಸಂತಸಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾನೆ.    ಅಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ ರುದ್ರದೇವರಿಗೆ ತಾನು ಬಾಹ್ಯ ಪ್ರಪಂಚಕ್ಕೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಬಂದೆ, ದಾಕ್ಷಾಯಿಣಿ ಇಲ್ಲೇಕೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾಳೆ ಎಂಬ ಅರಿವಾಗಿ, ತನ್ನ ಕೋಪಪೂರಿತ ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಯಿಂದ ಮನ್ಮಥನನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಮೂರನೆಯ ಕಣ್ಣನ್ನು ತೆರೆದಾಗ, ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಬೆಂಕಿ ಬಂದು ಕ್ಷಣಮಾತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮನ್ಮಥನು ಸುಟ್ಟು ಬೂದಿಯಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ, ಕಾಮದಹನವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

ದಕ್ಷಪುತ್ರಿಯಾದ ಸತಿದೇವಿಯು ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರ ಮಡದಿಯೇ.  ಆದರೆ ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ರುದ್ರದೇವರನ್ನು ದಕ್ಷ ಅವಮಾನ ಮಾಡಿದಾಗ ಶರೀರ ತ್ಯಾಗ ಮಾಡಿದಳು. ಮುಂದೆ ಪರ್ವತರಾಜನ ಪುತ್ರಿಯಾಗಿ ಜನಿಸಿ ಮತ್ತೆ ಅದೇ ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರನ್ನು ವರಿಸಲು ತಪಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡಿದಳು.  ಅದರ ಫಲವೇ ಈ ಕಾಮದಹನ ಪೂರ್ವಕ ಗಿರಿಜಾಕಲ್ಯಾಣ.

*Ilavartha Khanda & Rudra ಇಲಾವರ್ತ ಖಂಡ ಮತ್ತು ರುದ್ರದೇವರು* –  In Ilavartha Kandha, only Rudra is the purusha and all others are women.  As per the curse by Bhavani, all who enters this place shall become women.  Here Rudra is doing the dhyana of Sankarshana roopi paramathma.

*Tripurasura samhaara* – Tripurasura – They are three demons viz., Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha and Kamalakshya, who were sons of Tarakasura.    After the killing of Tarakasura by Skandha, these three sons did a severe penance to Brahma and asked for the amarathwa which Brahma refused saying it can’t be given. Then they planned and sought another boon seeking three different cities made of Gold, silver and iron respectively and that three cities align once in thousand years and these forts built in different worlds shall align once in every 1000 years. This combined fort will be called  Tripura  And if anyone can destroy Tripura with only a single arrow that shall be the death for all three of us”. Brahma granted this rare boon and Mayasura built three forts – The golden fort in heaven, the silver fort in the sky and the iron fort on earth. They were Golden City for which Tarakshya was the king.  For the Silver City Kamalakshya was the king and for the Iron City – Vidyunmaali was the king.

*Maya’s saathwika chintana bodhana* –  The three brothers were the kings of three cities created by Maya (daithya shilpi – architect among the daithyaas).  Maya built these cities with the power bestowed by Brahma as a special power.  Maya is the demon architech and it is his duty to build whatever the demons ask. He is also a saathwika. Maya also built Rudra Devara Temple in the Golden city of Tarakakshya.  He was giving many saathwika upadeshas to the three brothers and his subordinates. The upadesha prabhava which Maya gave was there for these subordinates even during the Budhaavataara.  Maya understood that Kali and Alakshmi had entered the forts but he could not save the demons . 

Hari, the son of Tarakakshya did penance at Brahmadeva and sought the construction of Mrutasanjeevini canal, which Brahma granted.  Those who were killed were immersed in the Mrutasanjeevini canal and they used to get back life with enhanced powers. Indra, Surya, etc., gods attacked Tripurasuraas, and no one could win them as all those who die would be brought back immersed in Mrutasanjeevini river. Then all the gods went to Brahma devaru, who sent them to Rudra devaru.  Brahma also went with the other gods to Shiva and told him to kill Tripurasuras.     Here, by seeing some of the puraanaas, one may think that Brahma is subordinate to Rudra as he also went to Shiva and pleaded for killing of the daithyaas. {But one must understand that he did it for asurajana mohanaartha and he was praying the Srihari in Rudradevaru as per Madhwa Tathwa}. Rudradevaru told all the gods to give half their powers to him so as to enable him to kill the daithyaas, which they gave.   

The gods arranged for a beautiful Chariot, built by Vishwakarma wherein Brahma himself stood as his charioteer.  One arrow was built with the power and presence of Vishnu, Soma and Agni in the arrow. Vishnu was in the edge of the arrow.    Rudra told devategalu that his Charioteer shall be supreme than him. As such, Brahma agreed to become Charioteer for the Chariot. 

Rudradevaru killed all the three demons with the help of Brahma and Vishnu. Rudradevaru waited for the occasion, when all the three lokaas come in the same line. When Shiva entered the battlefield, the three forts were about to merge into a single Tripura, which condition would last for just a second, which will happen once in thousand years. At the exact time, Rudra devaru used the most destructive weapon controlled by him, the Pashupatastra and killed the tripuraasuraas and Tripura.  He proved the boon by Brahmadevaru by killing the three daithyas in a single arrow. Thus he got the name “Tripuraantaka”. The roopa which he took for samhaara of Tripurasura is called as *Aghora*

The story of killing of Tripurasura  is called as “Rudra Vijaya”. Those who does the reading, listening of the said story will get “vijaya (win) “and would be blessed by Rudradevaru Further it is also good to hear the Tripurasura samhara story during Shraddha kaala as it earns sarva yagna phala.  (As per Matsya Purana). 

*HARI – HARA FIGHT – MBTN (ADHYAYA 4.45, 4.46)*

“SHAANGA” IS THE WEAPON OF SRIHARI AND “PINAAKA” IS OF SHIVA.    Once all devatas went to Srihari-Shiva in order to decide the Tatva nirnaya and asked them to fight each other so that who is supreme will be determined.  They both agreed and started fighting.  As Srihari is the preraka for ALL, he stayed in HARA, who stood like a shile (rock) and could not fight at all.  Shiva could not even move, not even open his eyes, and could not even breath.  (This story is also found in Valmiki Ramayana).

Shiva prays Sri Ramachandra for samapthi of his Raama roopa –     As he is the grandson of Srihari, all the gods prayed Shiva to plead Sri Ramachandra to leave bhooloka.  Shiva pleaded that the avatara kaarya in dushta shikshana and shishta rakshana has been completed and it is the right time to come back.  Ramachandra agreed and returned back.

In another incident – Banasura, one of shiva bhaktaas fought with Krishna.  To support him Shiva also joined Banasura in his fight with Krishna but Shiva could not do anything to Krishna.  Shiva could not even move his body and was unconscious.    At that time, Brahma came and make him wake up.  Shiva came to Krishna and repented for his act.  Krishna who was about to remove the head of Banasura also excused Banasura as pleaded by Shiva.

*ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ದೇಹದೆಲ್ಲೆಡೆಯಲ್ಲೂ ಸರ್ಪಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣವೇನು* ?  – ರುದ್ರದೇವರು ವಾಸಿಸುವುದು ಹಿಮಮಯವಾದ ಕೈಲಾಸಪರ್ವತ.  ಅಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಹಾವುಗಳಿಗೆ ಹಿಮವನ್ನು ತಡೆಯಲು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಶಿವನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಲು ತನ್ನ ಶರೀರವನ್ನೇ ಅಶ್ರಯವನ್ನಾಗಿ ನೀಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಕೈ, ಕಾಲು, ಕಂಠ, ಶಿರ, ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆಯೂ ಸರ್ಪಮಯ

*ರುದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮತ್ತು ಶಿವ* –  ತಾರಕಾಸುರನ ಪುತ್ರರು ಅಧರ್ಮ ಆಚರಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿದ್ದಾಗ ರುದ್ರದೇವರಿಗೆ ದು:ಖವಾಗಿ ಅವರ ಕಣ್ಣಿನಿಂದ ರುದ್ರಾಕ್ಷವೃಕ್ಷವು ಹುಟ್ಟಿತು.

*ನಂದಿವಾಹನ “ಶಿವ”* –
ಶಿಲದ ಎಂಬ ಋಷಿಗಳು ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಕುರಿತು ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗಾಗಿ ತಪಸ್ಸನ್ನಾಚರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಅವರಿಗೆ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಮಗು ದೊರೆಯುತ್ತದೆ.  ಅಶರೀರವಾಣಿಯಂತೆ ಆ ಮಗುವಿಗೆ “ನಂದಿ” ಎಂದು ಹೆಸರಿಸಿ ಸಾಕುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಮಿತ್ರಾವರುಣರು ಶಿಲದ ಋಷಿಗಳ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದಾಗ ಈ ಮಗುವಿಗೆ ಆಯಸ್ಸು ಕಡಿಮೆಯಿರುವುದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಆ ನಂದಿಯು ತಪಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡಿ ರುದ್ರದೇವರನ್ನು ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷೀಕರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರ ಸೇವೆ ಸದಾ ಮಾಡಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಬಯಕೆಯನ್ನು ಕೋರುತ್ತಾನೆ.  ಅದರಂತೆ ಅಂದಿನಿಂದ ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ವಾಹನನಾಗಿ ಋಷಭನಾಗಿ ಸೇವೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾನೆ ನಂದಿ.  ನಂದಿಯು ರಾವಣನಿಗೆ “ನೀನೊಬ್ಬ ಕೋತಿಯಿಂದ ಸೋಲು” ಎಂಬ ಶಾಪವಿರುತ್ತದೆ.

*ರುದ್ರದೇವರ ಮೂರು ಕಣ್ಣುಗಳ ವೈಶಿಷ್ಟ್ಯವೇನು* ?

ರುದ್ರದೇವರನ್ನು ತ್ರಕ್ಷ್ಯ, ತ್ರಿಲೋಚನ, ಮುಕ್ಕಣ್ಣ, ತ್ರಿನೇತ್ರ ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ಹೆಸರಿಗಳಿಂದ ಪೂಜಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆ.  ಎಡಗಣ್ಣಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಚಂದ್ರನು, ಬಲಗಣ್ಣಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸೂರ್ಯನು, ಮೂರನೇ ಕಣ್ಣಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಗ್ನಿಯೂ ಇರುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಬಲಗಣ್ಣಿನಿಂದ ನಿರಂತರ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯನ್ನು ಧ್ಯಾನಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಎಡಗಣ್ಣಿನಿಂದ ಉಮೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯನ್ನು ತೋರುತ್ತಾ, ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಲಯ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರವನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಮೂರನೇ ಕಣ್ಣು ದುಷ್ಟಶಕ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಸಂಹಾರಮಾಡುವುದಕ್ಕಾಗಿಯೇ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ.   

*Shiva’s Boon to Ambe* –  Ambe who was rejected by Bheeshma did penance to Brahma for boon to ensure killing of Bheeshma.  Then again she did penance to Shiva for the boon to born as Purusha (male human).  But Shiva said he can’t give such a boon as it is not his capacity to give such a boon for a woman to born as a man.  However, he agreed for a boon that she shall be born as woman and she would get Purusha shareera  subsequently.

*Shiva’s boon to Drupada* –   Drupada Maharaja also did penance to Shiva for getting a son.   Shiva blessed him that he shall get a female baby and that the same shall become male subsequently.  She is none other than Shikandi (MBTN – adhyaya 11)

*Shiva defeated by Garuda*–  During Paarijatapaharana, Indra fought against Krishna.  Shiva, who is the guru of Indra also fought for Indra against Krishna.  At this time Garuda, threw Shiva alongwith his vehicle Nandi to a far off distance (Sarasabharati vilasa by Vadirajaru, Bhagavatha 10.66, MBTN 20.130).  This shows that Hara is not free from Asuravesha.

*Arjuna’s fight with Shiva* –   Arjuna did penance to Rudrantaryami Srihari at Indrakeela.  After six months he saw a daithya named “mookaasura”, who came in the disguise of a pig.    Arjuna applied his arrows at the pig with his Gaandeeva.    Shiva who came there in the roopa of a kiraata also hit at that daithya with his arrow.  The asura who was in the disguise of a pig died with his real roopa of raakshara roopa.   Now, kirata disguised Shiva told Arjuna that he had chased that pig, but Arjuna had hit at it, as such asked him to fight with him.  Arjuna agreed and the fight began between the two.  Shiva swallowed all the arrows applied by Arjuna.  Now, Arjuna hit Shiva with his Gaandeeva itself.   Shiva laughed at Arjuna and swallowed that Gaandeeva also.  As such, the two started fighting in Malla yudda (wrestling).  With the severe blows by Shiva, Arjuna lost his consciousness and fell.

Then after getting back his consciousness, Arjuna repented for having fought with that Kiratha (Shiva) and worshipped the Shiva linga nearby.  The flowers decorated on that linga by Arjuna were falling on that Kiratha.   Pleased with the worship of Arjuna, Shiva gave him Pashupatastra.    This Paashupatastra s Vishnu devataak astra given by Shiva.  (MBTN 22.143)

*Shiva told Gantaakarna that Vishnu only can give Moksha* –    Once Krishna had been to Badarikashrama alongwith Rukmini.    At this time Gantakarna and Karna named two devils (pishachees) were doing the Aradhana of Shiva with the intention of getting moksha.   They were against Vishnu naama that any body who does the chanting of Vishnu namaa, must not be heard by any body.    They used to bell the Gantaas loudly to ensure that Vishnu naama does not come to their ear.    Shiva came and told them that “mukti pradaataa sarvEshaam viShnurEva na samshaya:” – i.e., only Vishnu can give Moksha.  As a remembrance of them even today, there is one temple of Gantakarna in front of Badari Narayana Temple at Badari.

*Difference in shakthi of moola & avatara roopa of Shiva*–

ಶಿವನ ಮೂಲ ರೂಪಕ್ಕೂ ಮತ್ತು ಅವತಾರ ರೂಪಕ್ಕೂ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇದ –
ಅಶ್ವತ್ತಾಮನು (ಶಿವನ ಅವತಾರ) ಕುರುಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಯುದ್ದ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಂಡವರ ಶಿಬಿರಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದಾಗ, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂಲರೂಪದ ಶಿವನೇ ಕಾವಲುಗಾರನಾಗಿದ್ದನು.  ಇವನನ್ನು ಒಳಗೆ ಬಿಡದಿದ್ದಾಗ ಘೋರ ಯುದ್ಧವಾಗಲು, ಅಶ್ವತ್ತಾಮನು ಪ್ರಯೋಗಿಸಿದ ಬಾಣವನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಶಿವನು ನುಂಗಿದನು.  ನಂತರ ಶರಣಾಗತನಾದ ಅಶ್ವತ್ತಾಮನಿಗೆ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನ ಆದೇಶದಂತೆ ಆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಅಸ್ತ್ರಗಳನ್ನೂ ಹಿಂತಿರುಗಿಸಿದನು. ಇದರಿಂದ ಶಿವನ ಮೂಲ ರೂಪಕ್ಕೂ ಅವತಾರ ರೂಪಕ್ಕೂ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಸಾಮ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಧೃಡವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.  ಆದರೆ ವಾಯುದೇವರ ವಿಷಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಗಲ್ಲ – ಅವತಾರವಾಗಲೀ ಮೂಲ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಾಗಲೀ ಎಲ್ಲೂ ಶಕ್ತಿಹ್ರಾಸವಿಲ್ಲ.

MBTN 28.124  –    Ashwattama, the avatara of Shiva entered the camp of Pandavaas, where Shiva was standing as security.    A fierce battle went on between Ashwattama and Shiva wherein Shiva swallowed all the weapons hit by Ashwattama.  This shows that the power of Shiva in his moola roopa is superior to Ashwattama.  But in the case of Vayudevaru, it is not so.  His shakthi whether in moola roopa or in the avatara roopa remains the same.   Then as per the directions of Krishna paramathma returned all the weapons swallowed by him earlier back to Ashwattama and Shiva disappeared.

ಯಾರು ಪಾಷಂಡಿಗಳು ? –                      ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ದೇವಿಯರು ರುದ್ರದೇವರನ್ನು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ.   ಪಾಷಂಡಿಗಳೊಡನೆ ಮಾತಾಡಬಾರದು, ಪಾಷಂಡಿಗಳು ಚಂಡಾಲರಿಗಿಂತಲೂ ನಿಂದ್ಯರು ಎಂದಿರಿ.  ಪಾಷಂಡಿಗಳೆಂದರೆ ಯಾರು ? ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಿದರು.  ಆಗ ರುದ್ರದೇವರು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ ” ಯಾರು ಜಗತ್ತಿಗೆ ನಿಯಾಮಕನಾದ ನಾರಾಯಣನಿಗಿಂತ ಇತರ ದೇವತೆಯನ್ನು ಸರ್ವೋತ್ತಮ ನೆಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೋ ಅವರು “ಪಾಷಂಡಿಗಳು”.  ಯಾರು ಕಪಾಲ ಭಸ್ಮ ಎಲುಬು ಇವುಗಳನ್ನು ಧರಿಸುವರೋ, ವಾನಪ್ರಸ್ಥಾಶ್ರಮವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಜಟೆಯನ್ನು ಮರದ ತೊಗಲನ್ನು ಧರಿಸುವರೋ, ವೇದವಿಹಿತವಾಗದ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಮಾಡುವರೋ ಅವರು ಪಾಷಂಡಿಗಳು.  ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಅನ್ಯ ದೇವತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕುರಿತು ದಾನ ಹೋಮ ಮಾಡುವವನು, ವೇದದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದ ಕರ್ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಭಗವಂತನಿಗೆ ಸಮರ್ಪಿಸದವರು, ಬ್ರಹ್ಮರುದ್ರಾದಿಗಳನ್ನು ನಾರಾಯಣನಿಗೆ ಸಮನಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿಯುವವರು ಅವರು ಪಾಷಂಡಿಗಳು.   ವಿಷ್ಣುಭಕ್ತಿಯಿಲ್ಲದವರನ್ನು ಮುಟ್ಟಬಾರದು, ಮಾತನಾಡಬಾರದು, ನೋಡಬಾರದು” ಎಂದರು.  
ಆಗ ಪಾರ್ವತಿದೇವಿಯರು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ – ಕಪಾಲವನ್ನು ಭಸ್ಮವನ್ನು ಚರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಎಲುಬನ್ನೂ ಧರಿಸುವುದು ವೇದದಲಿ ನಿಂದಿತ ಎಂದಿರಿ.  ತಾವು ಹೇಗೆ ಅದನ್ನು ಧರಿಸಿರುವಿರಿ ಎಂದು ಕುತೂಹಲದಿಂದ ಕೇಳಿದಳು.  ಆಗ ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ – ಇದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಗುಟ್ಟಾದ ವಿಷಯ.  ಪೂರ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಾಯಂಭುವ ಮನ್ವಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಬಲಿಷ್ಟರಾದ ನಮುಚಿಯೇ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಅಸುರರು ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸಕ್ತರಾಗಿದ್ದರು.    ಅವರು ಇಂದ್ರಾದಿ ದೇವತೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ಗೆದ್ದರು.  ಆಗ ದೇವತೆಗಳೆಲ್ಲ ಭಗವಂತನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೋರುತ್ತಾರೆ “ಭಗವಂತನೇ, ದೇವತೆಗಳಿಂದ ಪರಾಜಯ ಶೂನ್ಯರಾದ ತಪಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ದೋಷಹೀನರಾದ ಈ ಮಹಾದೈತ್ಯರನ್ನು ನೀನೇ ಜಯಿಸಬೇಕು” ಎಂದು ಕೋರುತ್ತಾರೆ. 
ಆಗ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನು ರುದ್ರನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ “ರುದ್ರನೇ, ನೀನು ಅಸುರರ ಮೋಹಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಪಾಷಂಡ ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಅನುಸರಿಸು.  ಅವರಿಗಾಗಿ ತಾಮಸ ಪುರಾಣಗಳನ್ನು, ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳನ್ನೂ ಹೇಳು.    ಕಪಾಲ, ಚರ್ಮ, ಎಲುಬು ಇವೆಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ನೀನೇ ಧರಿಸಿ ಲೋಕ ಮೋಹಗೊಳಿಸು” ಎಂದನು.  ಆಗ ರುದ್ರದೇವರು ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನನ್ನು ಕೋರುತ್ತಾರೆ “ನಾನು ಆ ರೀತಿ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ನಿನ್ನಾಜ್ಞೆ ಮೀರಿದಂತಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲವೇ? ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ದೋಷವಾಗುವುದಲ್ಲವೇ?” ಎಂದಾಗ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನು “ನೀನು ಮಾಡುವುದು ನಿನ್ನ ನಾಶಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣವಾಗದು.  ದೇವತೆಗಳ ಹಿತಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ನನ್ನ ಮಾತಿನಂತೆ ಮಾಡು.  ನಿತ್ಯವೂ ನನ್ನ ಸಹಸ್ರನಾಮವನ್ನು ಜಪಿಸು, ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮರೂಪವನ್ನು ಧ್ಯಾನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ ರಾಮಷಡಕ್ಷರ ಮಂತ್ರವನ್ನು ಜಪಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಇರು.  ಇದು ಸರ್ವ ದು:ಖ ಪರಿಹಾರಕವಾದದ್ದು.  ಈ ಮಂತ್ರವನ್ನು ನಿತ್ಯವೂ ಪಠಿಸುವುದರಿಂದ ನೀನು ಶುದ್ಧನಾಗುತ್ತಿ.  ಕಪಾಲ, ಭಸ್ಮ ಧಾರಣಾ ದೋಷ ರಾಮಮಂತ್ರ ಜಪದಿಂದ ಪರಿಹೃತವಾಗುವುದು.  ಅದರಂತೆ ರುದ್ರನು ಭಸ್ಮ ಮೊದಲಾದವನ್ನು ಧರಿಸಿರುವನು.  ತಾಮಶ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದನು.  ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರನ್ನು ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿ ವೇದ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದನು.  ಇದರಿಂದ ರಾಕ್ಷಸರೆಲ್ಲ ಭಗವಂತನಿಂದ ವಿರುದ್ಧರಾದರು, ಅವರೆಲ್ಲ ಅಧೋಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದುವರು.  ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾರು ಈ ರೀತಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೋ ಅವರೆಲ್ಲ ನರಕವನ್ನೇ ಹೊಂದುವರು” ಎಂದರು.  
ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ದೇವಿಯರು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ ಆ ತಾಮಸಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳಾವುವು ?  ಆಗ ರುದ್ರ ದೇವರು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ – ಪಾಶುಪತ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಶೈವ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ವೈಶೇಷಿಕ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ಗೌತಮರ ನ್ಯಾಯಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ಕಪಿಲ ಮುನಿಯ ನಿರೀಶ್ವರ ಸಾಂಖ್ಯ, ಬೃಹಸ್ಪತಿಯ ಚಾರ್ವಾಕ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ಬುದ್ಧಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ತಾಮಸಪುರಾಣಗಳಾದ ಮತ್ಸ್ಯ, ಕೂರ್ಮ, ಲೈಂಗ, ಶೈವ, ಸ್ಕಾಂದ, ಆಗ್ನೇಯ ಎಂಬ ಆರು ತಾಮಸ ಪುರಾಣಗಳು. ಸ್ಮೃತಿಗಳಾದ ಬಾರ್ಹಸ್ವತ್ಯ,ಸಾಂವತ್ರ, ಯಮ, ಶಾಂಖ, ಔಶನಸ ಇವೆಲ್ಲ ತಾಮಸ ಸ್ಮಿತಿಗಳು.  (Source : Late Coimbatore Vadirajacharya’s article in Satkathaa Saagara published by “Aitareya shoda Prakashana peeta, Bhandarakeri Mutt”.

Different Shivanama with meanings –

Ashutosha; Andhakasurahara; Chandrashekara; Damarugapani; Doorjati; Gangadhara; Kaamaari; Kruthivaasa; Kailasavaasa; Gajacharmambara dhara; Mano niyamaka; Maheshwara; Mrutyunjaya; Nandivaahana; Nataraja; Naagaabharana; Nagabhushana; Neelakanta; Paarvateesha; Pinaki;  Rudra; Sadyojaata; Sarangapani;  Shambhu; Shankara;  Sharva; Shiva; Somashekara; Vamadeva; Virinchiputra; Vrushadhwaja; Vishakanta; Trishulapaani; Trinetra;  Trilochana;Tripuraari; Ugra; Ugratapas, etc.. are some of the names of Shiva.
  • Andhakasura hara – as he killed Andhakasura named daitya
  • Ashutosha – As he gives the boon very early
  • Aghora –  The roopa which he took to kill Tripurasuras
  • Chandrashekara/somashekara – as he has Chandra on his head
  • Damarugapani – As he has Damaruga in one of his hands swhile dancing
  • Doorjati – As he has JaTaa
  • Gajacharmambaradhara – As he has killed a daithya named Gajasura by entering the body of an elephant and he was covered with the body of the elephant when he did the Tandava Nrutya, he is called as Gajacharmambaradhara.
  • Gajasuramardhana – Daithya Neela came in the disguise of an elephant as Gajasura गजासुर  who entered the body of an elephant and attacked Shiva.  Shiva also entered the body of the elephant and did the Taandava nrutya there itself  and killed the demon Gajasura from within the elephant.  Thus he is called as Gajasuramardhana.
  • Nandi Vahana – As he has Nandi as his vehicle
  • Gangadhara – As he always has Ganga on his head.  Some poets, novelists have called Ganga as the wife of Shiva.  But it is wrong.  Ganga was never the wife of Shiva. Ganga is the wife of Varuna.  Shiva was holding her as she requested him to give some place in him and Ganga had vishesha sannidhana of Srihari, as she is Vishnu paadodaka.
  • Kaamaari – As he burnt alive Kaama/Manmatha –  When Gods sent Manmatha to break the penance of Shiva, he throwed his kaama arrow on Shiva, which made Shiva angry and he opened his third eye and Manmatha was burnt to ashes.
  • Kailasavaasa – As he is kailasavaasi
  • Kruthivaasa – as he wears charma or animal skin as his dress – he is also called as Charmambaradara
  • Manoniyamaka – As he controls the chitta of all
  • Maheshwara – As he is superior to Indradi sakala devategalu
  • Mrutyunjaya – As he has more power than the so called Mrutyu devate Yama – Sage Markandeya had a very short lift of only 16 years.    Markandeya was known that his life is very short.  So, he worshipped Shiva with utmost devotion. After the completion of 16th year, Yamadharmaraja came to take Markandeya by pulling him with arrows, Shiva came and rescued Markandeya and blessed him with Chiranjeevatva.  That is why Markandeya is considered as one of the Chiranjeevi.
  • Nataraja – As he is an expert in Dancing – Naatya
  • Nagabharana – As he has Naga(snake) as one of his ornaments
  • Nagabhushana – As he has Snake to his neck
  • Neelakanta – As his throat colour turned blue after drinking hala hala visha.
  • Paarvateesha – As he is the Isha of Parvathi
  • Pinaaki – As he has pinaka as his weapon
  • Rudra – “Rodanaath Rudra:”  –   As soon as he was born he was crying continuously.  That is why he is called as Rudra.
  • Sadyojaata – As he was born all of a sudden from Chaturmukha
  • Sarangapani – As he has in his hands Saranga (deer)
  • Shambhu – As he is the source of Sukha, he is termed as Shambhu
  • Shankara – As he gives “Sukha”
  • Sharva – As he is laya kartha with the blessings of Srihari.
  • Shiva – As he is mangalakara – he is termed as “Shiva”
  • Vamadeva –  “vaama” means handsome/beautiful/sundara.   Leaving Hari Vayu Brahma, Garuda shesha, he is ati-sundara very handsome.   That is why he is called as Vamadeva.
  • Vamadeva – He is called  as Vamadeva as he has Srihari to his left always
  • Virinchiputra – As he is the son of Brahma (Virinchi)
  • Vrushadhwaja – as he has Vrushabha Dwaja
  • Vishakanta – As he drunk the left over of halahala visha after majority of it was drunken by Vayudevaru.
  • Trishulapaani – As he has Trishula in one of his arms
  • Tripuraari – As he killed tripurasuras with the blessings of Srihari
  • Trinetra/trilochana/mukkanna – As he has three eyes
  • Ugra – As he is shatru bhayankara
  • Ugratapas – As he has done tapas for Kalpadi paryanta
SHIVA & GANGA  ಶಿವ ಮತ್ತು ಗಂಗ –   ಕೆಲವರು ಗಂಗೆಯನ್ನು ಪಾರ್ವತಿಯ ಸವತಿಯಂತೆ ಚಿತ್ರಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.  ಆದರೆ ಗಂಗೆ ಶಿವನ ಭಕ್ತಳೇ ಹೊರತು ಪತ್ನಿಯಲ್ಲ  ಗಂಗೆ ವರುಣನ ಪತ್ನಿ ಶಿವನು ಗಂಗೆಯನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ತಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆಂದ ಮಾತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಗಂಗೆಯು ಶಿವನಿಗಿಂತ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಟಳೂ ಅಲ್ಲ.  ಆ ಗಂಗೆ ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ಪಾದೋದಕವಾದ್ದರಿಂದ ಶಿವನು ತನ್ನ ಜಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಧರಿಸಿದ್ದಾನೆ. 


Shiva has Gange on his jataa.  Some people have given wrong version that Gange is also the wife of Shiva.  They have addressed Shiva with wives Gange-Gauri.  But it is not so.  Ganga is very much inferior to Gauri and Shiva.  Ganga is the wife of Varuna.

As every one knows Bhagiratha brought Ganga from the heaven.  On its way,  Ganga came in a very good speed and no one could control her and when prayed by Bhagiratha, Shiva break up Ganga’s speed and hold her on his jataa by knotting in his jataa.   – As such, Shiva is called is Gangadhara.  He is holding Ganga as she is Srihari’s paadodaka.

 Avataaraas/Amshaas of Rudra Devaru –   Shukacharya, Durvasa, Ashwattama

Why did Shiva & his family canvassed that their philosophy is superior ?

Mahabharatha Tatparya Nirnaya Adhyaya 1 Shloka 48 to 60 says –   Vishnu has told Shiva to create mohaka shastra to deceive the asura janaas.  As such, Shiva did the prachara of Pashupata shastra, his wife Parvathi did the prachara of Shaktya shastra, his sons Ganesha and Skanda both did the prachara of Ganapathya and Skaanda philosophy respectively, wherein they themselves declared that they are sarvottama.  Here the entire family of Shiva have separate philosophy against their name, wherein each say that they are supreme.  This is only as per the orders of Srihari to deceive the people.  One must note that all the four are Hari bhakthaas only.  Vishnu also gave a boon to Shiva that – During Kruta, Treta and Dwapara yuga Srihari will born as a human being and do the seva of Shiva, who in turn shall bless loka reethya – to ensure that the daithyas who have  taken sanmaarga must fall to adhama maarga.

Shiva has three roopaas – Vaikaarika, taijasa and taamasa –    Vaikarika is Brahma putra, Taijasa is vaayu putra and Taamasa is Ananta putra. {MBTN Adhyaya 3 (17)}.

 How he got the name Chandrashekara?  Shiva became Chandrashekara –

Daksha Prajapathi got married his 27 daughters Ashwini, Bharani, Kruttika, Rohini, Revathi etc., to Chandra.  But Chandra showed special care to Rohini amongst 27 wives.  (He did so because in this Nakshatra that Krishna would be born in Dwaparayuga.  So he showed special affection to Rohini).  On seeing this other wives complained to his father Dakshaprajapathi that Chandra is not looking after all his wives equally.  Daksha, got angry, and cursed Chandra to have  ”kshaya” disease.  As such, Chandra affected by the disease, started losing his quality and deteriorated to a very very tiny size.  Chandra went to Shiva and sought his assistance, who kept him on his head, so he became “Chandrashekara” and told him never to go out of his head. Chandra’s wives not finding Chandra anywhere, again pleaded his father, to search for their husband.  Not able to trace him, Daksha, came to know that Chandra was given refuge in Shiva’s head.  He asked Shiva to leave Chandra.  But Shiva refused saying that once he gives protection, he can’t leave him.  They went to Srihari, who came in the disguise of a brahmachari and gave the pratibimba of Chandra to his wives.   The original Chandra was there on the head of Shiva only, the Chandra, which we are seeing on the sky, is the pratibimba (amsha of Chandra) which Srihari gave to us taking out of Shiva.
Gods have amshamshibhava.  So, one amsha of Chandra was taken out from Shiva and gave to Daksha prajapati.  Then only Chandra decided to do samsara with his 27 wives equally.  That is why we have one month called as Nakshatra Maasa.
(Source Brahma Vaivarthya Purana by Sri Vedavyasa Devaru)

 

*Why lingaroopa for Shiva?*

Once Brugu Rushigalu went to Kailasa to test who is The Supreme among Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshwara.   When he came to Ishwara, he saw that Iswara did not even noticed him.  He was sitting with Parvathi  privately.   Shiva ignored Brugu Rushigalu.  Getting angry at him, he cursed him that the shiva be worshipped in the form of Linga only.  That is why throughout the world, only Shiva linga is worshipped and not his idol.
Here one must notice that Brugu Rushigalu is very much inferior to Shiva.  Just to respect Srihari Agna that he ignored Brugu Rushigalu and accepted the Curse.

  Harisarvottama pratipadane by Shiva –

a)   When Brugu Rushigalu came to test, he ignored Brugu Rushigalu and got the curse which enabled Brugu Rushigalu to declare the supreme.

b)  When he was Doorvasa Maharshi, he established the supremacy of Ekadashi by just testing Ambareesha Chakravarthi.   Here also one must notice that Ambareesha is very much inferior to Doorvasa.  Just he pretended to show the bhakthi of Ambareesha and importance of Ekadashi.

c) Rudradevaru is the parama vaishnavaru. When he was born as Shukacharya, he did the prachara of Srimadbhagavatha and Harisarvottamatva.

d)  He has done the stotra of Srihari’s sankarshana roopa which is available in Panchama Skanda Bhagavatha.

e)  He preached Rudra Geetha to Prachetasaru, which is nothing but Harisarvottamatva.

f)  When he was born as Ashwathamacharya, he tried to kill Pareekshit Maharaja before his birth itself, but failed, which proves the supremacy of Srihari.

g)  He preached Umadevi (Parvathi) that Sri Rama Naama is equal to Vishnu Sahasra Nama.

h)  When Daksha prajapathi (his father in law), came, he ignored him in the Sabha.  Even at that time he was doing the smarana of Srihari.

i)   Shiva blesses many daithyas with great boons, which were all defeated by Srihari.

j)   When Shiva’s parama bhaktha Ganta Gosha did the penance to Shiva to give him Moksha, Shiva declared him that he can’t give Moksha, it is Srihari only who can give the Moksha.

k)  When Rudra came to Srihari to have a look of Mohini roopa, he could not control himself on seeing the mohini roopa, there also he accepted his defeat.

l)   When Bhasmasura tried to test the boon given by Rudra, he ran and ran like a deer, then only Srihari came in his Mohini Roopa to deceive the daithya and killed the daithya.

m)  He had blessed Atula that he shall rest in Parashurama but When Ramachandra applied his arrow on the stomach of Parashurama, the Atula named daithya died.

SHIVA AND THREE

  1. Shiva has three eyes  trinetra ;
  2. Shiva has three eyes in all his five faces ;
  3. Shiva has trishoola ;
  4. He destroyed Tripura ;
  5. He killed Tripurasuraas ;
  6. Shiva is mano niyamaka which has mixture of Satva, Rajas and Tamo Gunas ;

Shivaratri’s  Background

ಮಾಘೇ ಕೃಷ್ಣೇ ಚತುರ್ದಶ್ಯಾಮಾದಿವೇವೋ ಮಹಾನಿಶಿ |
ಶಿವಲಿಂಗತಯೋದ್ಭೂತ: ಕೋಟಿಸೂರ್ಯ ಸಮಪ್ರಭ : |
ಮಾಘ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಪಕ್ಷ ಚತ್ರುದಶಿ ತಿಥಿಯ ಮಹಾರಾತ್ರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗರೂಪದಿಂದ ಪ್ರಾದುರ್ಭವಿಸಿದನು.  ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಈ ತಿಥಿಯ ರಾತ್ರಿಯು ಶಿವನಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಿಯವೆನಿಸಿ ಆತನ ಉಪಾಸನೆಗೆ ಸೂಕ್ತಕಾಲ. 

It is on this day that Rudra Devaru went to Devaloka in the roopa of Linga. 

During Samudra Mathana, Haalahala Visha came out.  When the entire world was unable to sustain the poison which came out of that, Vayudevaru drunk the haalahala visha (As per Keshi sooktha).  When Shiva also asked Vayudevaru to give him some halahala visha, Vayudevaryu took the major portion himself, out of the remaining rubbed it to see that the effect of poison does not affect Rudra Devaru and gave him.  Shiva drunk the left over of hala hala visha and he was called as Nanjunda.  In order to sustain or reduce the power of halahala visha, he held Chandra and snake.  Even after that he could not control it..  So, throughout the night he did the stotra of Srihari, did the jagarana and did not take any food.  That is why people are celebrating Jagarana and upavasa on this day.  That is why people are doing Jagarana and upavasa on this day.
But please note those who are doing jagarana must do the same with haridhyana  upasana.  Then only Rudra devaru will be pleased.  Otherwise if you do jagarana and watching films, songs in TVs and theatres you will not get any punya at all.

But as per Madhwa Sampradaya, we need not do upavasa, jagarane etc on this day.  We have to celebrate the same with chitranna, payasa, holige oota, etc.  Harikathamruthasara says, even if Vishnupanchaka falls on Shivaratri day, we need not follow Vishnu panchaka as it is against the wishes of Srihari to do fasting on Shivarathri.

 

Shiva made Brahma as Chaturmukha Brahma by removing the fifth face :    Every body knows that Brahma means Chaturmukha.  But Bhagavatha says Brahma had panchmukha.    Then what happened to the fifth face?    Initially Brahma Devaru had five faces.  Brahmadevaru was chanting Vedas from all the five faces.  From one of his faces he was chanting the Vedas incorrectly with some apaswara.  He was doing it as per the orders of Srihari only.

Rudra Devaru was not aware that it is due to the Hari’s order that the Brahma is chanting incorrectly from one of his faces.  He got angry and removed one of the faces and got Brahma Hatya Dosha.  This episode enabled that many think that Rudra is more powerful and higher than Brahmadevaru.  Actually Rudra devaru is lower than Brahma in Kakshya.

This Brahma Hatya dosha was removed when Sriramachandra installed Shivalinga @ Rameshwara.  But people thought that Sri Ramachandra installed Shivalinga in order to be free from his brahma hatya, but to remove the brahma hatya dosha of Rudra only, he did it.  Shiva is a paramabhakta of Raama nama.  According to Madhwa Philosophy, Shiva is done pooja as parama vaishnava – He preached his wife parvathideviyaru the importance of Raamanama and he was regularly chanting Ramanama japa.   That is why Bhaktaparadhina Sri Ramachandra did the pratistapane of Shivalinga.

Shiva is called is “Kapali“ as he he got brahma hatya dosha with the removal of the fifth head of Brahma, which came in the kapala roopa. That is why he is called as Kapali.

*HARA SAAHASA “ಹರಸಾಹಸ”*

We are often using the word “ಹರಸಾಹಸ” in our day to day life without actually knowing the exact meaning of that word.  It is like this.:-

After getting Brahma Hatya dosha, Shiva was worried.  He tried his best to get rid of Brahma hatya dosha.   The efforts by Shiva is termed as   “ಹರಸಾಹಸ”.   The various steps he undertook to get rid of Brahmahatya dosha is as follows :

a)   Shiva went to all the ten directions and preached that Harismarane is the ultimate for every paapa prayaschitta.

b)  When he went to Badari, there he could not get the darshana of Srimannaarayana.  When he has removed the head of Brahma how Srihari will be pleased on him.

c)   Then he went to Yamune but the entire water was dried there; Then he went to plakshma dweepa, but it was invisible for him.

d)  Then he went to Pushkara, which rejected to remove his brahma hatya, so is naimisharanya.

e)   He went to Saindhavaranya, and Dharmaranya, there was also not possible.

f)    Then he went to Kurukshetra. There he could see Vishnu.  Rudra devaru did the stotra of Srihari and Srihari with his keshava roopa was pleased and removed his brahmahatya dosha.

That is why people are calling shiva’s tour as “Hara Sahasa”

ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ನಾವೇನಾದರೂ ಯಾವುದಾದರೂ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಬಹಳ ಕಷ್ಟಪಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿದರೆ, ಅದನ್ನು “ಹರಸಾಹಸ” ಎನ್ನುತ್ತೇವೆ.  ಆದರೆ ಯಾವುದೀ ಹರಸಾಹಸ?.

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನ ಐದನೆ ತಲೆಯನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದ ಶಿವ –  ಶಿವನಿಗೆ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹತ್ಯ ದೋಷ :- 

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದೇವರಿಗೆ ಮೊದಲು ಐದು ತಲೆಗಳಿದ್ದವು.  ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ಎಲ್ಲ ತಲೆಗಳಿಂದಲೂ ವೇದವನ್ನು ಪಾರಾಯಣ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು.  ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ತಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಕೆಂದೇ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯ ಆಜ್ಞೆಯಂತೆ ಅಸುರಜನ ಮೋಹನಾರ್ಥ ತಪ್ಪುತಪ್ಪಾಗಿ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು.  ಶಿವನು ಇದನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಕ್ರೋಧಗೊಂಡು ಆ ಐದನೇ ತಲೆಯನ್ನು ಕಡಿದನು.  ಇದರಿಂದ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹತ್ಯಾ ದೋಷ ಬಂದಿತು ಮತ್ತು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನ ಕಪಾಲ ಶಿವನ ಕೈಲೇ ಮೆತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡಿತು. ಅದನ್ನು ಬಿಡಿಸಲು ಬಹಳ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಪಟ್ಟರೂ ಅದು ಅವನ ಕೈಯಿಂದ ಬಿಡಿಸಲಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಯ್ತು.
(ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕಥೆಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ – ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನು ರುದ್ರನನ್ನು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ – ನೀನು ಯಾರು?  ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಉತ್ತರಿಸದ ಶಿವ ನೀನು ಯಾರು ಎಂದು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹನ್ನೇ ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ.  ಅವರಿಬ್ಬರೂ ನಾವೇ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಟ ಎಂದು ವಾದ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ, ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನು ತನ್ನ ಐದನೇ ಮುಖದಿಂದ ಶಿವನನ್ನು – “ನೀನು ದಿಗಂಬರ, ನಿನ್ನಿಂದ ಜಗತ್ತು ನಾಶವಾಗುತ್ತೆ”  ಎಂದನು. ಆಗ ಸಿಟ್ಟುಗೊಂಡ ರುದ್ರನು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನ ತಲೆಯನ್ನು ಕಡೆಯುತ್ತಾನೆ.  ವಾಮನ ಪುರಾಣದ ಕಥೆ )

 

ಶಿವನ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳು –
೧.  ಶಿವನು ಎಲ್ಲ ಹತ್ತು ದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳಿಗೂ ಹೋಗಿ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದರೂ, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಿ ಸರ್ವೋತ್ತಮ ಪ್ರತಿಪಾದನೆ ಮಾಡಿದರೂ ಆ ಕಪಾಲ ತನ್ನ ಕೈಯಿಂದ ಬಿಡಿಸಲಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ.
೨.  ಬದರೀ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಬದರೀ ನಾರಾಯಣನನ್ನು ದರ್ಶನಮಾಡಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದಾಗ, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ದರ್ಶನವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ.
೩.  ನಂತರ ಯಮುನಾ ನದಿಗೆ ಹೋದರೆ, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಯಮುನೆಯೇ ಒಣಗಿ ಹೋಯಿತು.
೪.  ನಂತರ ಪ್ಲಾಕ್ಷ್ಮ ದ್ವೀಪಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದನು
೫.  ನಂತರ ಪುಷ್ಕರ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದನು
೬.  ನಂತರ ನೈಮಿಷಾರಣ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದನು
೭.  ನಂತರ ಸೈಂಧವಾರಣ್ಯಕ್ಕೂ, ಧರ್ಮಾರಣ್ಯಕ್ಕೂ ಹೋದನು.  ಹೋದಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲ ನದಿತೀರ್ಥಗಳ ನೀರು ಬತ್ತಿ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. 
೮.  ನಂತರ ಕುರುಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದನು.  ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರಿ ಹರಿಯು ಕೇಶವ ರೂಪದಿಂದ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷನಾಗಿ ಅವನ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ ಹತ್ಯಾದೋಷವನ್ನು ಪರಿಹಾರ ಮಾಡಿದನು. 

 

ವಾರಣಾಸಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹತ್ಯ ದೋಷ ಪರಿಹಾರ –  ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹತ್ಯಾ ದೋಷದಿಂದ ಮತ್ತು ಅಂಟಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಕಪಾಲದಿಂದ ಕಂಗಾಲಾದ ಶಿವನು ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯನ್ನು ತೀವ್ರವಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿದ ಶಿವನಿಗೆ ವಿಷ್ಣುವು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ.  –  ಪ್ರಯಾಗ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಯೋಗಶಾಲಿಯಾದ ರೂಪವಿದೆ.  ನನ್ನ ಬಲಗಾಲಿನಿಂದ “ವರುಣ” ಮತ್ತು ಎಡಗಾಲಿನಿಂದ “ಅಸೀ” ನದಿಗಳು ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮಿರುತ್ತೆ.  ನನ್ನ ಪಾದೋದಕಗಳೇ ಆದ ಆ ಎರಡು ತೊರೆಗಳ ನಡುವಿನ ಪ್ರದೇಶವು ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಟ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳು. ಆ ನದಿಗಳ ಸಂಗಮವಾದ ವಾರಣಾಸಿಯಲ್ಲಿ (ವರುಣ + ಅಸಿ = ವಾರಣಾಸಿ) ಕೇಶವರೂಪದಿಂದ ನಾನೇ ನೆಲೆಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ.  ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನಿನ್ನ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹತ್ಯೆ ದೋಷ ಪರಿಹಾರವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ” ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾನೆ.  ಅದರಂತೆ ಶಿವನು ವಾರಣಾಸಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾನವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹತ್ಯೆಯಿಂದ ಬಂದ ಪಾಪ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾನೆ.  ಆದರೆ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಕಪಾಲವು ಮಾತ್ರ ಕಳಚುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಇದನ್ನೇ “ಹರಸಾಹಸ”ವೆಂದು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ.

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Shiva & Srihari’s Mohini roopa  –   Shiva after Samudra Mathana,  heard that Srihari took the Mohini roopa to cheat the daithyaas and distributed the Amrutha among devategalu.  He also heard that the roopa of Srihari as Mohini was so attracting that no one in the past had ever seen such a roopa.   He wanted to have the darshan of such a roopa of Srihari again.  So, he went to Vaikunta and asked Srihari to show the roopa.  Srihari told him that Shiva could not sustain the roopa.  But Rudra demanded and pleaded again and again.  So Srihari told him to come the next morning..

Next morning Rudra was sitting alongwith Parvati Devi.  There he saw a beautiful and most attractive sundari who was playing with a ball.  Rudra was so attracted by her that he tried to pull her hands leaving aside Parvathi.   Srihari played with him for some time.  Rudra had forgotton that he had asked Srihari to give the darshana of his Mohini Roopa.  After some time, Mohini Roopa’s Srihari turned and showed his Shanka Chakra and now he got to know that it is Srihari.   Then he did sastanga namaskara to Srihari and went to Kailasa..   This can be seen in Sripadaraja Devaranama “Vrushabaverida vishadharanaare peLammayya”

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Shiva, Bhasmaasura and Mohini roopa  –  In another occasion, Shiva had the darshana of Mohini Roopa.    Once Shiva gave a boon to one of daitya, that on whoever he touches his hand, he will be burnt.    But that daithya wanted to test the boon on Shiva himself.  So he tried to to test the book by keeping his hand with boon given by Shiva on Shiva’s head.   Shiva did the smarana of Srihari.  Then Srihari came in front of that daithya and with his maaye, he made that daithya to keep his hand on his own head and he was burnt alive.   That daithya was called as Bhasmasura.   Then Shiva repented for having given such a boon to the daithya.   Here also Srihari has saved him.

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Shiva gave blessings of Chiranjeevi anugraha to Markandeya –   Once Markandeya did the araadhana of Srihari and asked him to show how the “Pralaya” will be.    Srihari agreed and showed him the Pralaya, wherein he saw the roudranartana of the pralaya.  Then Parvathi told Parameshwara that the bhakthaas will ask for boon of  “Never to die”.  But Shiva told that the bhakthaas will not ask such a boon.   To test him both Parvati-Parameshwara came in front of Markandeya and asked him as to what boon he wanted?   Bhakta Markandeya told “bhagavatyuchyutaam bhaktim tatparEShu tathaa tvayi”  i.e.,  Always give me pure bhakthi in you and Srihari.   Pleased with his bhakthi, he gave him a boon that he will be Charanjeevi.  So, Markandeya got the boon as Chiranjeevi.

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Udupi Ananteshwara =  Anantha + Eshwara –  In Udupi, just opposite to Sri Krishna Mutt, one can see the Anantheshwara Temple.   In this temple, there is sannidhya of both Shiva and Srihari.  Here Srihari is in the roopa of Linga, wherein the apart from lingaroopi shiva, there is Anantha”   That is why the kshetra is called as Anantheshwara.

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Udupi Chandramouleshwara –  In Udupi, it is said that Chandra did the penance to Shiva.  The exact meaning of Udupi is Udu – meaning nakshatra; pa – paalaka ; i.e., nakshatraadipa – Who is nakshatradipa – Chandra.  Chandra is the husband of all the 27 stars starting from Ashwini……..  As such Chandra is Udupa.     Because he did the penance at this place, it is rightly called as Udupi.   Why he did the penance?   –  Chandra showed more love towards Rohini, one of his wives amongst 27 daughters of Daksha prajapathi.    Other 26 wives complained to Dakshaprajapathi, who cursed Chandra to loose his tejassu.  As such, Chandra did the penance.  Infact udu+pa means — Chandra did the penance at this place Udupi.  Shiva held him in his head and became Chandra mouleshwara.  Chandra mouleshwara temple is distinct from Anantheshwar temple.    There is a practice that those who are visiting Udupi do the darshana of Chandramouleeshwara, then Anantaasana, then Krishna darshana.
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Dharmastha Manjunatheshwara Temple :-   Once Vadirajaru was on his way and entered Dharmasthala.    The people of that place approached Vadirajaru and asked him to do the pooja there itself.  As that place was having lot of bhoota-preta hindrances, Sri Vadirajaru refused to do the pooja there.    Then the people pleaded him and asked them to make them free from the clutches of bhoota-preta.  So, he brought the idol which was in Kadri and did the prathistapane in Dharmasthale and renamed him as Manjunatheshwara.  Even today, the idol of Shiva is being worshipped by Madhwas only.

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Shiva and Bheemasenadevaru –
Vyagreshwara Linga – Once Bheemasenadavaru was doing the pooja of Vishnu in Hastinavathi.   Then Gange tried to prevent him from doing the pooja, but Bheema pushed her and she went a long distance.  Then Shiva in order to test the Vishnu Bhakthi of Bheemasenadevaru, came in the roopa of Tiger (Vyagra) and he was chasing go-roopi (cow roopi) parvathi.    Then Bheema hit him by his Gadha, the weapon and Shiva was unconscious and was hidden in a linga, there.  The same linga is called as  “Vyagreshwara”.
Shardoola linga –  Once again near Himavatparvatha, in Gomathi River basin, there was a fight between Shiva and Bheema, here also Shiva was defeated and another linga named Shardoola linga was created.
Kedara Linga –  Once in Kedara, In another instance Shiva came in the roopa of a brahmana and tried to fight with Bheema, here also as usual defeated and was hidden in another linga, Kedara Linga.   He also cursed Bheemasena and all vaishnavaas that whoever vaishnavaas visiting Kedara Kshetra will loose Jnaana.  That is why Vaishnaas are not visiting Kedara Kshetra.   (source MBTN adhyaya 20, shloka 21-24)
Ekaadasha Rudra –   Bheema, Raivata, Oja, Ajaikapaat, Mahaan, Bahuroopaka, bhava, vaama, ugbra, vrushaakapi, ahnirbuddhni.  Out of this “Vaama” naamaka rudra is in the fifth kakshye.  He is equal to Garuda, Shesha.  Other 10 Rudraas are all in 19th kakshya.    These Ekaadasha Rudraas have wives –  Dhee, Vrutti, Ashala, Umaa, niyut, sarpi, ilaa, ambikaa, iraavati, sudhaa, deeksha.
Jyothirlingagalu 12 –
  1. Somanatheshwara (Sourashtra)
  2. Mallikarjuna (Srishaila)
  3. Mahakaala (Ujjaini)
  4. Omkaram (Amaleshwara)
  5. Vaidyanatheshwara (Parali)
  6. Bheemasankara (South)
  7. Rameshwara (Ramasethu)
  8. Nageshwara (Dharukaranya – Dwaraka)
  9. Vishweshwara (Varanasi)
  10. Trayambakeshwara(Godavari)
  11. Kedareshwara (Kedara)
  12. Ghushmesha (Shivalaya)
 Some other Shaiva kshetras :
  1. Kumbhakona – Kumbeshwara
  2. Srishaila – Mallikarjuna
  3. Nanjanagud – Nanjundeshwara
  4. Tanjore –  Bruhadeeshwara
  5. Gokarna – Gokarneshwara
  6. Hastinavati – Vyagreshwara linga
  7. Tiruvannamalai  – Arunachaleshwara
  8. Dharmasthala – Manjunatheswara (Vaishna + Shaiva kshetra)
  9. Bangalore – Gavi Gangadhareshwara
Banasura & Shiva –  Banasura is the son of Balichakravarthi.    He was a strong devotee of Shiva.  Banasura had 1000 arms.   When Shiva used to do tandava dance, Banasura used to play Mrudangam.     Banasura used to worship Shiva linga with pure devotion and he had seen every thing in Shiva only and was not ready any god superior to Shiva.    One Bana went to Kailasa to have the darshana of Shiva, but he was denied the entrance.   This made Banasura to do fierce penance.  Shiva appeared in front of him.  Banasura asked him that Shiva shall be always there in his house.   Shiva agreed and stayed in the Bana’s house as guardian.  After some time, once Banasura pleaded with Shiva that he wanted to fight with a strong man and sought Shiva to fight with him.    Manoniyamaka Rudra knows that shortly Krishna would fought with him.  As such, he told Banasura, instead of fighting with him, asked him to wait for some time before Krishna to come and have a fight with him, wherein Banasura would be defeated.
Banasura had a daughter by name Usha.    Once she had a dream wherein she saw a very young and handsome boy.  She asked her friend Chitraleka, to sketch the person who had come Usha’s dream.   After sketching various pictures, finally Usha said one young boy’s image which she said is the same person whom she saw in her dream  It was none other than Aniruddha, the grandson of Krishna paramathma.   With her magical powers, she brought in Aniruddha to her palace.  Krishna, learnt that Banasura’s daughter had kidnapped his grandson.  So, he rushed to the palace of Banasura, wherein Shiva was the guardian.  Krishna asked Shiva to tell Banasura to leave Aniruddha.  Shiva told that Banasura would leave him only if Krishna fights with Banasura.   Krishna agreed and fought with Banasura.  He removed 998 arms of Banasura.  Now, Banasura realised that the sarvottamatva of Krishna and surrender to him.  Then Usha was married to Aniruddha.  After this incident, Banasura pleaded Shiva that Lord Shiva at his palace to be called as “Banalinga”. Shiva agreed.  As such, Banalingam can be seen on the banks of Narmada river in MP.  This is one of the swayam vyaktha linga

 

Some of the Madhwa Poojitha/puratana Rudra Devara sannidhana –
a)    Balagaru –  (Shimoga District) You can see a linga on the bank of Tunga river which was thrown by Hanumanthadevaru (one end Jwala narasima and other end Rudra devaru)
b)    Bangalore– Sri Vyasaraja Mutt – Benne Govindappa Road, Gandhibazar –  Here one can see Srinivasadevaru, Gopalakrishna Devaru, Vyasaraja Vrundavana, Raghavendra Vrundavana, and Ishwara, and Navagraha idols.  Usually Sri Vyasaraja Mutt Seer does the pooja of Spatika Linga which was given by Basava Bhatta, a shaiva pandit when he was defeated by Sri Vyasarajaru.
c)    Bangalore – Ananteswara Gudi –  Chennammanakere Rayara Mutt – in between Vidyapeeta and Indira Nursing Home, Bangalore
d)   Bangalore –  Sri Raghavendra Swamigala Mutt, Phalimaru Mutt, in Vidyamanya Nagara, Magadi Main Road
e)   Bangalore – Tyagarajanagar Rayara Mutt
f)    Bangalore – Sreepadaraja Mutt, Raghavendra Colony,
h)   Bangalore – Vittala Mandira, Sri Raghavendra Swamigala Mutt, Rajajinagar, Near Ramamandira.
i)    Bangalore – There is a Sri Rudra devara sannidhana at Subramanya nagara Vyasarajara Matha, 5th Main, A Block, Rajajinagar Second Stage, Bangalore
ii)   Bangalore – rudra devara devasthana in poorna-prajna vidyapeeta pratishtapana done by pejawara swamigalu a year ago…
j)    Bellary – Sri Satyanarayana Temple, Satyanarayanapet, Bellary
k)   Chennai – Paanduranga Ashrama in Vadapalani Chennai has MahaRudra devaru too in its premises. This is run by Pejawara Samsthana.

l)    Dharmasthala – Manjunateswara Temple pratistapane by Vadirajaru.

m)  Mantralaya – Just adjacent to Pranadevara Sannidhana

n)  Chyavaneshwara – There is an old Eshwara Temple called Shri Chyavaneshwara at Sri Ashwatha Laxmi Narasimha Temple on the Bank of River Malaprabha which was established by Chyavana Rishi in olden Days.
o)  Honnaali – Sri  KAILASESWARA which was shifted from village DODDENAHALLI in Tumkur dist to Honnali town on the bank of Tungabhadra river was installed by H H. Satyama Tirtharu of Uttaradimutt is being worshipped by one Sri Bidarahalli  Krishnacharya, the main priest of Rayara mutt HONNALI
p)  Hyderabad – Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt – Shalibanda
q)  Hyderabad – Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple – Chevella, 60 Kms from Hyderabad. (Infact a big festival is performed to Lord Venkateshwara on Maha Shivaratri. Temple is managed by Madhvas for past hundreds of years).
r)  Hyderabad – Sri Krishna Mutt – Kondapur Hyderabad (One can find Pranadevaru / Rudra Devaru / Parvati / Saraswati / Ganapati /Rayaru here).
s)  Hyderabad – Sri Rudra Devara gudi by name RAMESHWARAM is very famous near SHAMSHABAD (near Hyderabad Airport) which is again managed by Madhvas.
t)  Hyderabad – Uttaradi Mutt, Hyderabad
u)  Hyderabad – Bag Lingampally Rayara Mutt
v) Motampalli – Sri Balabheemasena Swamy Temple – Motampalli – Gudmitkal, Gulbarga.
w) Kurnool – Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple – Kurnool Main market (Temple is run by Madhva’s there and a beautiful Shiva Linga is there.  When Sri Satyatma Teertharu was in Kurnool performing his Chaturmasya, the  Hari Bhaktas had arranged Sri Ramadevara Pooja at this place by Satyatmaru).
x) Mysore – Sri Subbaraya Dasara Gudi, where you can see Srinivasa devaru, Mukyapranaru and Ishwara also run by Maadhwas.  Sri Venkata Subbadasaru is looking after the pooja of all these idols.
y)  Anantapura (A.P) – Rayara Mutt
z)   Udupi – Chandramouleeshwara (Udupi District) a simple shiva linga in the temple very next to Sri Krishna Temple.   It is said to have been even before the pandavas period.
(Source – various puranaas, books, articles, Pravachanaas, Sri Rudra Devara bagya adhyayana by Sri Bemmatti Venkateshacharya, etc)

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