Dancing with Śiva

As the God evoked faith from the mighty asuras, so may my prayer for the generous worshiper be accepted! §

Ṛig Veda 10.151.3. VE, 180§

He who is source and origin of the Gods, the Lord of all, Rudra, the Mighty Sage who produced in ancient days the Golden Germ—may He endow us with purity of mind!§

Kṛishṇa Yajur Veda, Śvetāśvatara Upanishad 3.4. VE, 156§

Great are the Gods who were born from Nonbeing. Yet men aver this Nonbeing to be the single limb of the Support, the great Beyond.§

Atharva Veda 10.7.23-25. VE, 65§

A mighty wonder in the midst of creation moves, thanks to Fervor, on the waters’ surface. To Him whatever Gods there are adhere like branches of a tree around the trunk. To whom the Gods always with hands and feet, with speech, ear, and eye, bring tribute unmeasured in a well-measured place of sacrifice, tell me of that Support—who may He be? §

Atharva Veda 10.7.38-39. VE, 66§

“Agni, Vāyu, Āditya who is the time (Prajāpati), prāṇa, food, Brahmā, Rudra, Vishṇu. From among these, some, meditating, adore one, others another. Please tell us: who among them is adored most, who is He?” Then he said to them: “These, indeed, are the foremost appeared forms of the highest, immortal, incorporeal Brahman.”§

Kṛishṇa Yajur Veda, Maitrī Upanishad 4.5-6. UPB, 343§

In Him exists neither action nor organ of action; no one is found His equal or superior to Him. His supreme power is revealed in manifold forms; inherent to His nature is the working of His strength and wisdom. §

Kṛishṇa Yajur Veda, Śvetāśvatara Upanishad 6.8. VE, 156§

I’ll not sell you, not for a thousand or ten thousand pieces! O Indra, you are more to me than a father. I count a brother naught compared to you. You and a mother, O Bountiful, vie with each other in generous giving and in bestowal of joy. §

Ṛig Veda 8.1.5-6. VE, 202§

Let us know that Supreme Being and meditate upon Him, the Supreme General of the great deva army. May He enlighten us and lead us to be one with Him, Lord Skanda.§

Kṛishṇa Yajur Veda, Taittirīya Āraṇyaka 10.6.2-3 (Shaṇmukha Gāyatrī). LW, 112§

In the heart of those who recount His name, He reveals His gracious feet. Thus He appears to those who chant the hallowed name Murugan. He stands immanent in all. §

Tirumurai 11, Nakkirar. KD, 224§

The moon, sun and fire are in unison radiating their resplendent effulgence. Radiating the luminous sparks is Murugan, who lights up the world by His peerless light. §

Kathirgama Purāṇa. KD, 220§

If you worship the elephant-faced Vināyaka, your life will expand bountifully. If you worship the white-tusked Vināyaka, your desires and doubts will flee. Therefore, worship Him with love-offerings of jack, hoppers, plantain and mango fruits and thus mitigate the burden of deeds. §

Saint Auvaiyar. AG, 127§

He has one tusk and four arms. Two of His hands hold a noose and a hook, while the other hands show the gestures of removing fear and granting boons. A mouse is seen on His flag. Red, obese, He has ears like winnowing baskets. He is dressed in red, with limbs painted with red sandalpaste.§

Gaṇapati Upanishad 11-12. HP, 295§

Murugan, Kumāran, Guhan—to utter and melt and have divine experience—when shall Thou grant this, O guru supreme, worshiped by the devas devout and mortals alike, O abode of virtues eight!§

Kandar Anubhuti 15. KA, 116§

The God with the elephantine visage I shall never forget—Śaṅkara’s son, with massive belly and the thodu in His ear, the Lord who gave His grace to Indra, of whom mantra is His very form.§

Natchintanai, “Adoration…” NT, 222§