~~OM~~

Advanced Shiva Puja: Bahya Matrka Nyasa

1. In the Advanced Shiva Puja when one is doing the bahya matrika nyasa "backwards", should all the actions be in reverse, i.e., om ksam namah.....throat to sternum? Also, when "R. 1.4 base" is indicated, is this the Tattva Mudra?

   Yes, they are done in reverse in both the bahya nyasa and in the matrika nyasa in the chakras. Both are done forwards and in reverse. R.1.4 base is also known as tattva mudra.

   Shiva Tandava Stotram

2. Could you please let us know the significance of the Shiva Tandava Stotram?

   I love Shiva Tandava more because the chanda depicts exactly what the words are saying, than because of the description they convey. Sometimes that happens in poetry, that the way things are being described are more entrancing than the description they convey.

Shiva Lingam

3. Shiv Puran says that praying to Shiv Lingam destroy all the sins. Does it destroy all the sins commited in the previous birth also?

   If we pray with sincerity then certainly all the past karmas are destroyed. But the effects of Prarabdha Karma must be experienced. Those are the actions which were commenced in the past, the fruits of which will be coming to us in the future. Shankaracharya described the arrow which has left the bow. We cannot change the course of the arrow or have any effect upon the arrow until it lands. Only then can we determine the next course of action.

4. Can I worship and use two lingams at the same time?

   You can worship more than one lingam, and you can use our puja books with any lingam.

5. I would like to know how you place the Shiva linga when you are facing it during puja, which way should the yoni point-straight in front or left or right?

   North.

6. Which direction does the Yoni in a Shiva Lingam face? In which direction are we supposed to sit, east? What is the significance of sitting (or not) directly in front of the yoni?

   The Yoni of a Shiva Lingam points to the North. We would face north. We could optionally face east too. In any case we would not sit directly in front of the Yoni as that means we are facing South and really looking at Shiva's back. Also, if you sit facing the Yoni, if it is a large Yoni, you will not be able to reach to the top of Shiva.

7. I read that Shiva Puja is always and only done to the lingam, never to the murti. Is that so?

   We can worship anything that allows us to focus our minds on divinity. The whole idea is to become focused on one thing. When we enter Samadhi, the object that brought us there is no longer important.

8. What is the definitive list of Jyotirlingams?

   1. Somanaatham
   2. Srisailam
   3. Mahaakaalam
   4. Omkaaranaatham
   5. Kedaarnaatham
   6. Bhimashankaram
   7. Visveshvaram
   8. Tryambakam
   9. Vaidhyanaatham
   10. Naageshvaram
   11. Raameshvaram
   12. Ghushmeshvaram

9. We have mixed feelings locally on whether Tulsi leaves can be offered to Shiv Lingam just like Bilva leaves. Please advice whether Tulsi can or cannot be offered to Shiv Lingams and if possible any reference to any Shashtras?

   Yes they can. Please see the story of Karnaghanta, the man with bells in his ears. I know it is in Shiva Purana, but I do not have a citation.

10. Can you please explain to us the significance of a Parthiv Lingam?

    It means a natural lingam which is made by the worshipper.

11. What is the difference between a Narmadeshwar Shiva Lingam and "ordinary" Shiva Lingam?

    Narmadeshwar Shiva Lingams come from the Narmada River. They are sculpted completely smooth by the flow from the current of the river waters. Other lingams are sculpted by different means: some by tools, some are unsculpted or natural.

Nandi

12. I have a Shiv-Lingam with Nandi. Do I offer abhishek to both?

    Yes. You can use Om Namah Shivaya as you offer to Shiva and Om Nandishwaraya as you offer to Nandi.

Yantra for Siva Puja

13. I am doing the Advanced Shiva Puja. Can I draw the yantra in sand? With water the lines get all broken up, there is no adhesion.

    Yes, you can use sand. There are many different ways to draw the yantra. If you place a bed of wet sand, you can use a knife or other sharp instrument to draw the yantra in the sand. Then you can color the lines with colored sand. Or you can use a clean surface and draw the yantra with colored sand.

Who does Lord Shiva meditate on?

14. Who does Lord Shiva meditate on (as described in the Shiva Dhyanam)?

    Often He meditates on Chandi. Sometimes He meditates upon Vishnu.

Bam Bam Bhole

15. What does "BAM BAM BHOLE" mean?

    The first letter of the first word of the Ramayan is Ba, The last letter of the last word is Ma. Between Ba and Ma is the entire Ramayan, the praise of Shiva's favorite deity, Vishnu in the form of Ram.

    Bhole means simple. Shiva's life is simple. It consists of the praise of Ram.

Om Namah Shivai

16. When would we chant Om Namah Shivai instead of Om Namah Shivaya?

    It is just a different version of pronunciation from a different region of India. The meaning is the same.

Adapting the Advanced Siva Fire Sacrifice to another Deity

17. How do you adapt the Advanced Siva Fire sacrifice for another deity?

    You would substitute the bija mantras, gayatri, stotras for the appropriate deity where applicable.

Combining Shiva Puja and Rudri

18. I do the Beginner Siva Puja every morning and occasionally do the Rudri as well. When I do them together I do the Siva Puja in its entirety first (from Kushandika to Pranamah), and then the Rudri in its entirety (from Kushandika to Pranamah) again. Not a problem, but I know that you do not have to do the Kushandika twice, Arati twice etc. So my question is - how best to combine the two?

    I would complete the Puja up until the Arati and then chant the Rudri from chapter one through the end of the book. The Rudri also has the Arati and Pranam at the end so you are covered there.

Shiva Puja beginner offerings

19. I'm doing Shiva Puja beginners and I want some information about this: foot bath, milk bath, yogurt bath, ghee bath, honey bath, sugar bath, five nectars bath, sandal paste, cloth, rudraksa, red powder, drinking water. Are these a mental offering?

    No, pour a small quantity of each milk bath, yogurt bath, ghee bath, honey bath, sugar bath into a small bowl with each mantra. Then stir until mixed into a smooth blend with five nectars bath mantra. Place the cloth and rudraksha next to the flower in the center of your puja. Then apply the red powder to that flower in the center. Offer food or a piece of fruit and drinking water beside the flower. Then meditate upon Shiva accepting your offerings. Share the prasad at the end of your worship.

Establishing Divine Fire in Advanced Shiva Puja

20. Swamiji, on page 241 in my copy of Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna, there is a mantra which says, "ityaadyagne shadangebhyo namahah." You translated it, "In this way establish the Divine Fire in the six centers of the body." What is the practice associated with this mantra? How is the establishment conducted?

    Anga nyasa with Ram bija

Mudras

21. In the Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna different sets of mudras are given for establishment in the body and establishment in the fire. Why are there two separate sets of mudras? Are they universally used in this way, one set for internal installation, the other for external? Are they, as sets for their respective purposes, unique to this use, or are they used in other situations?

    They are also used for establishment upon a yantra.

Awakening the Kundalini

22. I have seen you mention awakening the kundalini in various puja books such as Shiva and Cosmic puja books. From what I have read kundalini yoga is a system in itself is it not? Is it any different from your instructions in the puja books on awakening kundalini using bija mantras? When meditating how do you concentrate on the third eye, is it by closing your eyes and trying to look into the mind in that region?

    Kundalini is the name given to the energy within a sadhak. All yoga is Kundalini yoga. To meditate with concentration on the third eye, look into the mind through the third eye, or look at creation through the third eye.

Color of Shiva

23. What color is Shiva when he is not with Kali? Is he white like in the Shiva puja dhyana shlokas, or blue like in the cover of the puja, and every painting I have ever seen?

    White with a blue throat.

Shiva Pranam

24. What does "hetave" mean as in "karana traya hetave"?

    For the purpose of or with the motivation of offering you the fullness of my soul.

Our bookstore carries Beginner Shiva Puja and Advanced Shiva Puja books. You can obtain the CD of Swamiji chanting the Shiva Puja at Our Music page