Dancing with Śiva

As one not knowing that a golden treasure lies buried beneath his feet may walk over it again and again yet never find it—so all beings live every moment in the city of Brahman yet never find Him, because of the veil of illusion by which He is concealed.§

Sāma Veda, Çhandogya Upanishad 8.3.2. UPP, 121§

He who knows the fine-drawn thread of which the creatures that we see are spun, who knows the thread of that same thread—he also knows Brahman, the Ultimate. §

Atharva Veda 10.8.37. VE, 828§

O Lord, lead us along the right path to prosperity. O God, You know all our deeds. Take from us our deceitful sin. To you, then, we shall offer our prayers. §

Śukla Yajur Veda, Īśa Upanishad 18. VE, 831 §

Sin of the mind, depart far away! Why do you utter improper suggestions? Depart from this place! I do not want you! Go to the trees and the forests! My mind will remain here along with our homes and our cattle.§

Atharva Veda 6.45.1. VE, 489§

He who, in the mystery of life, has found the ātman, the Spirit, and has awakened to his light, to him, as creator, belongs the world of the Spirit, for he is this world. While we are here in this life, we may reach the light of wisdom; and if we reach it not, how deep is the darkness? Those who see the light enter life eternal; those who live in darkness enter into sorrow. Even by the mind this truth must be seen: there are not many, but only One. Who sees variety and not the Unity wanders on from death to death. Knowing this, let the lover of Brahman follow wisdom. Let him not ponder on many words, for many words are weariness.§

Śukla Yajur Veda, Bṛihadāraṇyaka Upanishad 4.4.13-14; 19; 21. UPM, 141-142§

As water descending on mountain crags wastes its energies among the gullies, so he who views things as separate wastes his energies in their pursuit. But as pure water poured into pure becomes the self-same, wholly pure—so, too, becomes the self of the silent sage, of the one, O Gautama, who has understanding.§

Kṛishṇa Yajur Veda, Kathā Upanishad 4.14-15. VE, 861§

When he knows the ātman—the Self, the inner life, who enjoys like a bee the sweetness of the flowers of the senses, the Lord of what was and of what will be—then he goes beyond fear. This, in truth, is That.§

Kṛishṇa Yajur Veda, Kathā Upanishad 4.5. UPM, 62§

Turn away from confusion, ignorance, delusion, dream, sleep or wakefulness, for the Supreme is different from the gross body, from the subtle prāṇa, from thought or intellect or ego. Meditate on consciousness and become one with it.§

Devīkālottara Āgama, Jñāna-āchara-vichara 31. RM, 113§

O, ye, my men! Try to get into the habit of meditating and praying to Śiva, the Supreme. All your old sins will disappear as the filmy dew evaporates as soon as the sun rises. §

Tirumurai 5. HY, 13§

Without virtue and penitence, devoid of love and learning, as a leather puppet I went around and fell. He showed me the love and the path and the way to reach the world wherefrom there is no return.§

Tirumurai 8. HY, 40§

Joy and sorrow—both are māyā. The ātman, never from love divided, is the very form of knowledge. Therefore, these two will not touch you. Can a mirage wash away the earth? At the gracious, holy feet of the true, all-knowing guru, to the limit of your power, let your heart grow soft and melt. §

Natchintanai, “Joy and Sorrow…” NT, 46§

Not one atom can move apart from Him. We do not know. Not all realize the Truth. Only some do. It is all His work. It is everywhere. It supports the thief as well. There is nothing strange. What is above is yourself and what is below also is yourself.§

Words of Our Master. WM, 62§

O man! Be a little patient and see! You will understand who you are. Do not grieve over that which does not merit grief. Joy and sorrow are of the world. You are a conscious being. Nothing can affect you. Arise! Be awake! Open the door of heaven with the key of Śivadhyāna and look! Everything will be revealed. §

Natchintanai, “Sivadhyana.” NT, 13§