Poems to Siva


Book Description

Composed by three poet-saints between the sixth and eighth centuries A.D., the Tevaram hymns are the primary scripture of the Tamil Saivism, one of the first popular large-scale devotional movements within Hinduism. Indira Peterson eloquently renders into English a substantial portion of these hymns, which provide vivid and moving portraits of the images, myths, rites, and adoration of Siva and which continue to be loved and sung by the millions of followers of the Tamil Saiva tradition. Her introduction and annotations illuminate the work's literary, religious, and cultural contexts, making this anthology a rich sourcebook for the study of South Indian popular religion. Indira Peterson highlights the Tevaram as a seminal text in Tamil cultural history, a synthesis of pan-Indian and Tamil civilization, as well as a distinctly Tamil expression of the love of song, sacred landscape, and ceremonial religion. Her discussion of this work draws on her pioneering research into the performance of the hymns and their relation to the art and ritual of the South Indian temple. Originally published in 1989. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.




Hymns to Shiva


Book Description

Utpaladeva's hymns, a spontaneous outpouring of devotion incorporating the core tenets of Kashmir Shaiva philosophy, are here completely absorbed and revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo.




Shiva Panchakshara Nakshatra Mala : A Hymn on Shiva with 27 Stanzas by Adi Shankara Bhagavadpaada


Book Description

Shiva panchakshara nakshatramala is one of the hymns composed by shree Aadi Shankara Bhagavadpaada - the great aachaarya of advaita doctrine.The hymn praises the various pastimes, deeds and attributes of lord Shiva. The hymn has two specialties.1. The number of stanzas in this hymn is twenty seven.27 is a very significant number in Hinduism. There are twenty seven important stars which forms the month of chandramana calendar.2. each verse of the hymn ends with "namah shivaaya".The mantra is called the panchakshari mantra (five syllable mantra) it is one of the greatest mantras.The kind bhagavadpata embeds the mantra in this hymn so everyone can attain the benefits of chanting it, even for those who has not been initiated with the mantra, chanting this stotra is not forbidden.By chanting this hymn once, the devotee chants the five syllable mantra 108 times & attains all the benefits even without following the ritualistic austerities which are mandatory when you chant the mantra.







Rudrashtakam:A Hymn from RamacharitaManas by Goswami Tulasidas


Book Description

The hymn Rudrashtaka appears in the Uttara Khand of Ramacharita manas (a narration of Raamayana by Tulasi Daasa - the composer of hanuman chalisa and a great devotee of Raama, Shiva and Hanuman)This hymn is told as narrated by Lomasha Maharshi to save his disciple from the curse of Shiva.This hymn is an wonderful text comprised of eight stanzas praising the greatness of Shiva in all aspects. It also describes that Shiva is the greatest GOD. The Brahman (absolute god who is formless and can take many forms by will.)Various qualities, attributes, motifs of lord Shiva are described well with the use of profound words.Devotees of Shiva consider this hymn as one among the most important hymns on Lord Shiva and chant it regularly or on important days of lord Shiva's worship.In this book the hymn Rudrashtaka praising Mahadeva Maheshwara Shiva is explained word by word explaining the textual and the deep meaning of the hymn based on various scriptures.




Ardhanarishvara Stotra : A Hymn on Unified Form Of Shiva and Shakti by Shankara Bhagavadpaada


Book Description

ardhanarishvara means the half feminine form of ishvara (Shiva) this form is a combined form of Shiva and Shakti. It is the union of Shiva and shakti and expresses their oneness. This is one of the most important forms of Shiva described in the shaivagamas, puranas, and mantra shastras acharya Adishankara bhagavadpada composes this hymn to praise this particular form of Shiva. Worshiping this form is equivalent to worshiping Shiva and Shakti together. Acharya attaches 2 mantras in the ending verse of each shloka. the Shiva panchakshari (namah shivaya) and shakti panchakshari (namah shivayai) The hymn is an octet comprised of 8 shlokas. In ardhanarishvara form, a half is feminine & another is masculine, hence he uses words denoting feminine for the it, and the words denoting masculine while referring the masculine half of the form. He uses same words meaning differently in different contexts and similar words in this hymn n to praise the Shiva portion and the Shakti portion of this form.




Meditations on Shiva


Book Description

Utpaladeva was a siddha and one of the great philosophers of Kashmir Shaivism. His poetry serves, and has for a thousand years served, as a guidebook for the spiritual path, providing words to express the otherwise ineffable experiences of personal transformation.




Shaiva Devotional Songs of Kashmir


Book Description

Utpaladeva was considered a siddha, a "perfected being," one of the masters of the tantric tradition in Kashmir, and he is best known for his philosophical treatises. The Shivastotravali reflects Utpaladeva's philosophy, known as the Pratyabhijna school. And yet it is unique among the author's works in its not being a straightforward philosophical treatise but instead, as Dr. Bailly points out in her introduction, more of a spiritual diary of one who is actually treading the path of Shiva. The path that Utpaladeva has chosen does not require leaving one's home and heading for a mountain cave; instead it calls for changing one's view of the world, for leading a life of divine recognition while carrying on with ordinary life. In clearly written, lucid prose Dr. Bailly illuminates the many facets of Utpaladeva's quest. At the core of his spiritual journey is the enigmatic relationship between devotion and grace: how much does spiritual attainment depend upon the individual's efforts, and how much is a divine gift? And how are these to be realized while living in the midst of society, maintaining worldly obligations and lifestyle? For over a thousand years the Shaiva community of Kashmir has used in its worship the hymns of Utpaladeva's Shivastotravali. Here for the first time these hymns are presented in translation as English verse along with the Sanskrit, a clear and lively introduction, two appendices on special aspects of Kashmir Shaivism, and additional notes.




Hymns and Prayers to Gods and Goddesses


Book Description

Although all that is best in Hindu culture is embedded in Sanskrit, it is a pity that scant attention is paid to its study. Hymns too, not withstanding their power for spiritual upliftment, are consigned to oblivion. For those who are not conversant with Sanskrit and yet consider the hymns a great help in their spiritual life, this book published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, provides the English translation of fifty representative hymns, which is sure to go a long way in helping the readers attune themselves to the divine.




Sri Amarnatha Cave, the Abode of Shiva


Book Description

Each Year Between July And August, When The Moon Is Full, Thousands Of Devotees Gather Before The Abode Of Shiva, Commonly Known As The Cave Of Shri Amarnatha In Kashmir, Situa¬Ted At A Height Of 3880 Metres In The Himalayas. It Houses The Naturally Formed Ice Lingam, The Symbol Of Creation, Which Waxes And Wanes With The Moon. It Is Here That Shiva Lives With His Consort Parvati. In The Shape Of Two Pigeons Which Are Seen Flying Out Of This Sacred Cave. Sri Amarnatha Cave, By Prof. Hassnain, Prof. Miura And The Mystic Vijay Pandita, Is An Original Research Work, Based On The Ancient Sanskrit Mahatmya, Amareshvara, A Work Of Antiquity. Here Is Revealed The Secret Of Salvation, As Told By Shiva To Parvati.The Book Would Be Of Great Interest To The Scholars Of Indology, As Well As Devotees Of Shiva.




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