Great Mahājana - Lord Śiva's Instructions on Bhakti

This compiled article presents a thematic survey of the instructions and prayers of Lord Śiva. It organizes the profound teachings found in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Siva. Lord Śiva is celebrated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as the greatest of all devotees (vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ) and one of the twelve Mahājanas authorized to preach the science of devotional service. Although Lord Śiva is the qualitative incarnation (guṇa-avatāra) in charge of the mode of ignorance and the annihilation of the universe, his internal mood is one of pure, unalloyed devotion to Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. In his teachings to the Pracetās (the Rudra-gītā) and his instructions to his wife Satī, Lord Śiva reveals the absolute supremacy of Lord Viṣṇu, creating a clear distinction between the jīvas, the demigods, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Lord Śiva is the 12th top speaker of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with 144 verses at Vanisource. He speaks in all cantos except the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 11th: 4th (70 verses), 5th (8 verses), 6th (9 verses), 7th (2 verses), 8th (16 verses), 9th (10 verses), 10th (16 verses), and 12th canto (11 verses).

The Supremacy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead

As a Mahājana, Lord Śiva begins by dismantling any conception of his own independence, firmly establishing that Lord Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) is the Supreme Absolute Truth, the source of all demigods, and the only master of the material energy.

The Subordination of Brahmā and Śiva

Lord Śiva explicitly states that the great cosmic managers, including himself and Lord Brahmā, are subordinate to the Supreme Lord and unable to fully comprehend His potencies, being bound by the laws of nature like birds caught in a net.

Bound by the Lord's Control

Lord Śiva admits that despite his exalted position, he is controlled by the Supreme Lord.

"I worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is greater than any of us and under whose control are situated all the demigods, material elements and senses, and even Lord Brahmā and I myself, like birds bound by a rope."
"O my Lord, I, who am considered to be the best of the demigods, and Lord Brahmā and the great ṛṣis, headed by Marīci, are born of the mode of goodness. Nonetheless, we are bewildered by Your illusory energy and cannot understand what this creation is."
"Neither I (Lord Śiva), nor Brahmā, nor the Aśvinī-kumāras, nor Nārada or the other great sages who are Brahmā's sons, nor even the demigods can understand the pastimes and personality of the Supreme Lord."

The Origin of Demigods

Lord Śiva explains that the demigods are merely transformations of the material modes, whereas the Lord is the source.

"Lord Śiva said: My dear son, I, Lord Brahmā and the other demigods, who rotate within this universe under the misconception of our greatness, cannot exhibit any power to compete with the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
"From Lord Brahmā, I myself am born as a representation of false ego known as Rudra. By my own power I create all the other demigods, the five elements and the senses."
"From that Supreme Personality of Godhead appears Lord Brahmā, whose body is made from the total material energy, the reservoir of intelligence predominated by the passionate mode of material nature."

The Independent Cause of All Causes

Lord Śiva declares that while the cosmos manifests through various energies, the Supreme Lord remains the independent, unaffected source of all integration and disintegration.

The Source of Manifestation

The Supreme Lord is the ultimate source from whom all material elements and egos emanate.

"You are the original cause of creation, manifestation and annihilation, and You bestow benedictions upon all living entities. Everyone depends upon You for the results of his activities, but You are always independent."
"The manifest, the unmanifest, false ego and the beginning, maintenance and annihilation of this cosmic manifestation all come from You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
"My dear Lord, You are the only Supreme Person, the cause of all causes. Before the creation of this material world, Your material energy remains in a dormant condition."

The Spiritual Master of Everyone

Lord Śiva identifies the Lord as the original guru who enlightens the conditioned souls.

"My dear Lord, You are the supreme spiritual master of everyone; therefore all conditioned souls covered with the darkness of ignorance can be enlightened by You as the spiritual master."
"My dear Lord, You have manifold energies, and these energies are manifested in manifold forms. With such energies You have also created this cosmic manifestation, and although You maintain it as if it were permanent, You ultimately annihilate it."
"Since You are the supreme cause, the cause of all causes, nothing can exist without You. Yet we are different from You in a relationship of cause and effect, for in one sense the cause and effect are different."

The Lord as the Ultimate Goal of All Philosophies

Lord Śiva explains that whether one follows the path of yoga, sāṅkhya, or veda, the ultimate object of understanding is the Supreme Person, Vāsudeva.

Different Philosophies, One Goal

Lord Śiva lists the various philosophical schools and confirms that Kṛṣṇa is the conclusion of all of them.

"The Pātañjala philosophers, the followers of Patañjali Muni, regard You as the supreme independent Personality of Godhead, who has no equal or superior."
"The Sāṅkhya philosophers regard You as the transcendental person who is beyond prakṛti and puruṣa and who is the controller of even the demigods."
"Those who are known as the impersonalist Vedāntists regard You as the impersonal Brahman. Others, known as the Mīmāṁsaka philosophers, regard You as religion."

The Conclusion of Scriptures

Lord Śiva confirms that the Vedas and Pāñcarātras ultimately point to the Supreme Lord.

"The followers of the codes of devotional service known as the Pāñcarātras regard You as being endowed with nine different potencies."
"Yogis other than the devotees - namely the karma-yogī and jñāna-yogī - worship You by their respective actions in their respective positions. It is stated both in the Vedas and in the śāstras that are corollaries of the Vedas."
"My dear Lord, the impersonal Brahman spreads everywhere, like the sunshine or the sky. And that impersonal Brahman, which spreads throughout the universe and in which the entire universe is manifested, is You."

The Rudra-gītā: Instructions to the Pracetās

Acting as a spiritual preceptor, Lord Śiva teaches the Pracetās a series of profound prayers (the Rudra-gītā) to help them achieve the ultimate perfection of life, emphasizing that pure devotional service is the only means to satisfy the Lord.

The Power of the Rudra-gītā

Lord Śiva confirms that anyone who chants these prayers with attention will achieve the mercy of the Lord and freedom from material bondage.

Efficacy of the Prayers

Lord Śiva assures that reciting this stotra is equal to performing great austerities.

"My dear princes, in the form of a prayer I have delineated the yoga system of chanting the holy name. All of you should take this important stotra within your minds and promise to keep it in order to become great sages."
"I advise you to recite these prayers, which are as effective as great austerities. In this way, when you are mature, your life will be successful, and you will certainly achieve all your desired objectives without fail."
"Although rendering devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and worshiping Him are very difficult, if one vibrates or simply reads this stotra (prayer) composed and sung by me, he will very easily be able to invoke the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

Benefits for Devotees

Lord Śiva explains that this prayer specifically liberates the chanter from fruitive activities.

"A devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa whose mind is always absorbed in Him, who with great attention and reverence chants this stotra (prayer), will achieve the greatest perfection of life without delay."
"A devotee who rises early in the morning and with folded hands chants these prayers sung by Lord Śiva and gives facility to others to hear them certainly becomes free from all bondage to fruitive activities."
"My dear sons of the King, just execute your occupational duty as kings with a pure heart. Just chant this prayer fixing your mind on the lotus feet of the Lord. That will bring you all good fortune, for the Lord will be very much pleased with you."
"My dear sons of the King, the prayers I have recited to you are meant for pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the dearmost objective of all auspicious benedictions. A human being who sings this song sung by me can please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a devotee, being fixed in the Lord's devotional service, can acquire whatever he wants from the Supreme Lord."

Meditation on the Supreme Lord's Transcendental Form

In these prayers, Lord Śiva provides an exquisite, limb-by-limb description of the Supreme Lord’s form, intended for meditation by the sincere devotee to purify the mind.

The Face and Ornaments

Lord Śiva describes the Lord's lotus face, His merciful smile, and the glittering ornaments that decorate His transcendental body.

"The Lord has four arms and an exquisitely beautiful face with eyes like lotus petals, a beautiful highly raised nose, a mind-attracting smile, a beautiful forehead and equally beautiful and fully decorated ears."
"The Lord is superexcellently beautiful on account of His open and merciful smile and His sidelong glance upon His devotees. His black hair is curly, and His garments, waving in the wind, appear like flying saffron pollen from lotus flowers."
"His (the Lord's) glittering earrings, shining helmet, bangles, garland, ankle bells, waist belt and various other bodily ornaments combine with conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower to increase the natural beauty of the Kaustubha pearl on His chest."
"Besides these, there is the beauty of the Kaustubha-maṇi pearl, and on the dark chest of the Lord there are streaks named Śrīvatsa, which are signs of the goddess of fortune."
"The Lord has shoulders just like a lion's. Upon these shoulders are garlands, necklaces and epaulets, and all of these are always glittering."

The Torso and Limbs

Lord Śiva continues the meditation down to the Lord’s waist and lotus feet, which destroy the darkness of the heart.

"The Lord's abdomen is beautiful due to three ripples in the flesh. Being so round, His abdomen resembles the leaf of a banyan tree, and when He exhales and inhales, the movement of the ripples appears very, very beautiful."
"The coils within the navel of the Lord are so deep that it appears that the entire universe sprouted out of it and yet again wishes to go back."
"The lower part of the Lord's waist is dark and covered with yellow garments and a belt bedecked with golden embroidery work. His symmetrical lotus feet and the calves, thighs and joints of His legs are extraordinarily beautiful."
"My dear Lord, Your two lotus feet are so beautiful that they appear like two blossoming petals of the lotus flower which grows during the autumn season."
"The nails of Your lotus feet emanate such a great effulgence that they immediately dissipate all the darkness in the heart of a conditioned soul. Kindly show me that form of Yours which always dissipates all kinds of darkness in the heart of a devotee."
"Please be merciful upon me and show me that form, for only that form worshiped by the devotees can perfectly satisfy all the demands of the senses."

The Universal Form

Lord Śiva also acknowledges the Lord’s universal feature, which encompasses all material elements and the ego.

"My dear Lord, Your universal form consists of all five elements, the senses, mind, intelligence, false ego (which is material) and the Paramātmā, Your partial expansion, who is the director of everything."
"My dear Lord, You are the gigantic universal form which contains all the individual bodies of the living entities. You are the maintainer of the three worlds, and as such You maintain the mind, senses, body, and air of life within them."

The Science of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

Lord Śiva defines the state of pure consciousness as vāsudeva-sattva, where one can see the Lord without the covering of material nature.

Pure Consciousness

Lord Śiva explains that only in pure consciousness can the Supreme Lord be revealed without covering.

"I am always engaged in offering obeisances to Lord Vāsudeva in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is always pure consciousness, in which the Supreme Personality of Godhead, known as Vāsudeva, is revealed without any covering."
"My dear Lord, You are the origin of the creation by virtue of the lotus flower which sprouts from Your navel. You are the supreme controller of the senses and the sense objects, and You are also the all-pervading Vāsudeva."

Understanding the Lord's Nature

Lord Śiva confirms that purification allows one to understand the Lord's name, fame, and form.

"Being completely cleansed of all material contamination in this way, a devotee is able to understand very happily Your name, fame, form, activities, etc."
"My dear Lord, You are the topmost of all bestowers of all benediction, the oldest and supreme enjoyer amongst all enjoyers. You are the master of all the worlds' metaphysical philosophy, for You are the supreme cause of all causes, Lord Kṛṣṇa."

Philosophy of Material Nature and Time

Lord Śiva analyzes the entrapment of the living entity in the material world, explaining that only surrender to the Supreme Lord can save one from the insurmountable forces of time and illusion.

The Power of Māyā

Lord Śiva admits that even the great demigods are baffled by the Lord’s illusory energy, which binds the conditioned souls through false ego and attachment.

Bewilderment of Demigods

Lord Śiva confesses that even he himself is subject to the Lord's illusion.

"Although I am one of the principal expansions of His Lordship, even I was illusioned by His energy. What then is to be said of others, who are fully dependent on māyā?"
"The illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead binds all of us conditioned souls to this material world. Therefore, without being favored by Him, persons like us cannot understand how to get out of that illusory energy."
"Nonetheless, because we are covered by the illusory energy of the Lord, we cannot understand how expansive that illusory energy is."

Agitation of the Modes

Lord Śiva describes how the material energy manifests when agitated by the Lord.

"When Your material energy is agitated, the three qualities - namely goodness, passion and ignorance - act, and as a result the total material energy - egotism, ether, air, fire, water, earth and all the various demigods and saintly persons - becomes manifest."
"My dear Lord, all living entities within this material world are mad after planning for things, and they are always busy with a desire to do this or that. This is due to uncontrollable greed."
"Lord Śiva said: O Goddess, you have now seen the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the unborn master of everyone."

The Force of Time

Lord Śiva describes time as the agent of the Lord that devastates the universe, scattering material manifestations like clouds in the wind.

Time as Destroyer

Lord Śiva explains that time destroys everything in the material world.

"The force of time is very strong, and everything is being destroyed by something else - just as one animal is being eaten by another animal. Time scatters everything, exactly as the wind scatters clouds in the sky."
"My dear Lord, Your absolute authority cannot be directly experienced, but one can guess by seeing the activities of the world that everything is being destroyed in due course of time."

Shelter from Time

Lord Śiva reveals that the devotees are protected from the influence of time.

"Simply by expansion of His (Lord Viṣṇu) eyebrows, invincible time personified can immediately vanquish the entire universe. However, formidable time does not approach the devotee who has taken complete shelter at Your lotus feet."
"The greed for material enjoyment is always existing in the living entity, but Your Lordship is always alert, and in due course of time You strike him, just as a snake seizes a mouse and very easily swallows him."
"Changes as birth, death and sustenance do not exist in You because You are the Absolute Truth, the supreme absolute spirit soul, the Supreme Brahman."

Dealings with Devotees and Demons

Lord Śiva’s character is defined by his relationships; he is the protector of the devotees, the chastiser of the envious, and the benevolent well-wisher who seeks to turn even the demons toward the Lord.

Instructions to Satī (Etiquette)

When his wife Satī desires to attend Dakṣa's sacrifice, Lord Śiva warns her about the danger of associating with those who are envious of the Supreme Lord and His devotees.

Avoiding Envious Association

Lord Śiva instructs that even a relative becomes an enemy when they are offended by the Lord, and one should never visit the house of such a person.

"Therefore you should not see your father, although he is the giver of your body, because he and his followers are envious of me. Because of his envy, O most worshipful one, he has insulted me with cruel words although I am innocent."
"If in spite of this instruction you decide to go, neglecting my words, the future will not be good for you. You are most respectable, and when you are insulted by your relative, this insult will immediately be equal to death."
"One should not go to anyone's house, even on the consideration of his being a relative or a friend, when the man is disturbed in his mind and looks upon the guest with raised eyebrows and angry eyes."
"My dear white-complexioned wife, it is clear that of the many daughters of Dakṣa you are the pet, yet you will not be honored at his house because of your being my wife. Rather, you will be sorry that you are connected with me."

The Pain of Unkind Words

Lord Śiva explains that emotional insults from relatives are more painful than physical wounds.

"Lord Śiva continued: If one is hurt by the arrows of an enemy, one is not as aggrieved as when cut by the unkind words of a relative, for such grief continues to rend one's heart day and night."
"The great lord replied: My dear beautiful wife, you have said that one may go to a friend's house without being invited, and this is true."
"Provided such a friend does not find fault with the guest because of bodily identification and thereby become angry towards him."

Compassion and Mercy

Lord Śiva demonstrates his status as the greatest Vaiṣṇava by forgiving offenses, drinking poison to save the demigods, and pleading for the lives of others.

Saving the Universe

Lord Śiva agrees to drink the poison from the churning of the ocean to protect the living entities.

"Lord Śiva said: My dear Bhavānī, just see how all these living entities have been placed in danger because of the poison produced from the churning of the ocean of milk."
"My dear gentle wife Bhavānī, when one performs benevolent activities for others, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is very pleased. And when the Lord is pleased, I am also pleased, along with all other living creatures."
"It is my duty to give protection and safety to all living entities struggling for existence. Certainly it is the duty of the master to protect his suffering dependents."

Forgiving the Demigods

Lord Śiva forgives the demigods for their participation in Dakṣa's sacrifice.

"Lord Śiva said: My dear father, Brahmā, I do not mind the offenses created by the demigods. Because these demigods are childish and less intelligent, I do not take a serious view of their offenses, and I have punished them only in order to right them."
"Lord Śiva said, 'Now you may take all the wealth remaining from the sacrifice, for I give it to you.' After saying this, Lord Śiva, who is most adherent to the religious principles, disappeared from that place."
"Lord Śiva continued: Since the head of Dakṣa has already been burned to ashes, he will have the head of a goat. The demigod known as Bhaga will be able to see his share of sacrifice through the eyes of Mitra."

Interceding for Demons

Lord Śiva asks the Lord to show mercy to his followers, such as Bāṇāsura.

"This Bāṇāsura is my dear and faithful follower, and I have awarded him freedom from fear. Therefore, my Lord, please grant him Your mercy, just as You showed mercy to Prahlāda, the lord of the demons."
"Lord Śiva said: The end of the millennium is the time for Your anger. Now that this insignificant demon Hiraṇyakaśipu has been killed, O my Lord, who are naturally affectionate to Your devotee, kindly protect his son Prahlāda Mahārāja."

The Glory of the Brāhmaṇas and Devotees

Lord Śiva establishes the supreme position of the brāhmaṇas and pure devotees, declaring that seeing a pure devotee is more purifying than visiting holy places or worshipping images of demigods.

The Greatness of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi

In his dialogue regarding Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, Lord Śiva explains to Pārvatī that a pure devotee desires nothing but service, and that such a soul is worshipable even by the supreme controllers.

Purity of the Devotee

Lord Śiva explains that the pure devotee does not desire even liberation.

"Lord Śiva replied: Surely this saintly brāhmaṇa does not desire any benediction, not even liberation itself, for he has attained pure devotional service unto the inexhaustible Personality of Godhead."
"Still, my dear Bhavānī, let us talk with this saintly personality. After all, association with saintly devotees is man's highest achievement."

Purifying Power of the Saint

Lord Śiva asserts that seeing a saint is the highest purification.

"Lord Śiva said: Please ask me for some benediction, since among all givers of benedictions, we three—Brahmā, Viṣṇu and I—are the best. Seeing us never goes in vain, because simply by seeing us a mortal achieves immortality."
"Mere bodies of water do not constitute holy places, nor are lifeless statues of the demigods actual worshipable deities. Because external vision fails to appreciate the higher essence of the holy rivers and the demigods, these purify only after a considerable time. But devotees like you purify immediately, just by being seen."
"Even the worst sinners and social outcastes are purified just by hearing about or seeing personalities like you. Imagine, then, how purified they become by directly speaking with you."

Benedictions to Mārkaṇḍeya

Lord Śiva blesses the sage with perfection in knowledge.

"O great sage, because you are devoted to Lord Adhokṣaja, all your desires will be fulfilled. Until the very end of this creation cycle, you will enjoy pious fame and freedom from old age and death."
"O brāhmaṇa, may you have perfect knowledge of past, present and future, along with transcendental realization of the Supreme, enriched by renunciation. You have the brilliance of an ideal brāhmaṇa, and thus may you achieve the post of spiritual master of the Purāṇas."

The Supreme Status of Devotees

Lord Śiva generalizes this principle, confirming that those who are dedicated to Lord Hari are equal to everyone and free from the duality of attachment and hatred.

Equality of Vision

Lord Śiva praises the devotees for their lack of material attachment and envy.

"Lord Śiva said: My dear beautiful Pārvatī, have you seen the greatness of the Vaiṣṇavas? Being servants of the servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, they are great souls and are not interested in any kind of material happiness."
"These devotees do not differentiate between Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā and me, nor do they differentiate between themselves and other living beings. Therefore, because you are this kind of saintly devotee, we worship you."
"The inhabitants and ruling demigods of all planets, along with Lord Brahmā, the Supreme Lord Hari and I, glorify, worship and assist those brāhmaṇas who are saintly, always peaceful, free of material attachment, compassionate to all living beings, purely devoted to us, devoid of hatred and endowed with equal vision."

Dear to the Lord

Lord Śiva confirms that the devotees are dear to the Supreme Lord.

"This magnanimous Citraketu is a dear devotee of the Lord. He is equal to all living entities and is free from attachment and hatred. Similarly, I am also very dear to Lord Nārāyaṇa."
"No one should be astonished to see the activities of the most exalted devotees of Nārāyaṇa, for they are free from attachment and envy. They are always peaceful, and they are equal to everyone."
"For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord."
"You are all devotees of the Lord, and as such I appreciate that you are as respectable as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. I know in this way that the devotees also respect me and that I am dear to them."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Siva. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses in their original context.