ISHVARA GITA

Contents

. Introduction

. The concept of Ishvara

. The teachings of Ishvara Gita

. Conclusion

Introduction

Ishvara Gita constitutes the first 11 chapters of Uttara Vibhaga of the Kurma Purana. It contains the teachings of Lord Shiva also referred to as Ishvara and along with the teachings of the Bhagavad gita also contains other themes such as worshipping the linga, Patanjali ashtanga or eight limbed yoga. Unlike in the Bhagavad gita, Lord Shiva and not Krishna is the main focus and considered as the ultimate goal.

The Kurma Purana is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas and is said to be narrated directly to Sage Narada by Lord Vishnu containing all details of the Kurma avatar. It is divided into two parts Purvabhaga and the Uttarabhaga. In the Kurma Purana Vishnu is said to have revealed to the Rishis his form as tortoise carrying the mountain Mandara on his hard shell with which he churned the ocean of milk.

The Concept of Ishvara

In Hinduism, the concept of Ishvara is theological and it means Lord or Supreme Being. Ishwara also refers to the Supreme Lord and master with human attributes such as form, personality, motherhood, fatherhood etc. A Cosmic spirit with attributes takes on the form of Ishvara. It is easier to visualise a Brahman with attributes and project to it a concept of Ishvara than to conceptualise a Brahman which is nameless and formless existing in all beings of the universe.

Thus Ishvara is a creator who is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient and who is beginningless and endless, Ishvara is the highest form of truth and represents an impersonal being as well as a compassionate and loving entity.

The teachings of the Ishvara Gita

The Ishvara gita contains Shaivite principles of bhakti, yoga and philosophy of the Upanishads in particular the Katha and Svetasvatara Upanishads including the teachings of the Bhagavad gita. It is a metaphysical and mystical treatise. Just like lord Krishna reveals himself and teaches the importance of bhakti or devotion in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Shiva reveals himself and gives the importance of devotion in ishvara Gita.

The teachings speak of God’s love for souls-

Lord Shiva says-‘All those who love me and approach me with sincerity and devotion, to them do I shower my unstinted grace. Actually this very grace of the Lord is due to his unbounded compassion towards all souls’.

Next they explain Man’s love for God-

Man’s love and devotion to Lord Shiva is the main prerequisite for the Lord’s grace and even if he is bogged by evil tendencies but with devotion surrenders to the Lord, Shiva will surely deliver him from this cycle of birth and death. One with devotion will never perish in vain.

Two types of Bhakti are enumerated, one the simpler form of prayer, worship, chanting, worshipping the Linga etc, The other is the higher form of bhakti coupled with knowledge about Brahman, liberation, bondage and the world of dualities etc.

The mystical state of the Ishvara Gita is said to have three stages.

The first stage is to reach the state of the Unmanifested Being. This happens when mystics destroys all selfish desires in their hearts they become identified with Brahman which leads to the second stage.

In the second stage the mystic identifies with the universal light of pure knowledge. This knowledge releases the soul from bondage and liberates him.

In the third stage the mystic recognises the Supreme Being as Lord Shiva and is united with him in perfect bliss. Experience of Brahman leads to experience of Shiva as the personal God. This loving union with Shiva or Sayujya is the supreme form of liberation.

The eight limbed or astanga yoga of Patanjali is the path which brings about the identity between the jivatma and the Paramatma. Pranayama or control of one’s breath helps to conquer the vagaries of the mind which is responsible for bondage or liberation in the world. Next component of yoga is pratyahara or control of the senses followed by practicing the principles of truth and non violence which is called yama. This is followed by Niyama or the studying of the scriptures, worship, meditation and observing cleanliness. Then meditating constantly forms dhyana and fixing the image of the Paramatma in the recesses of one’s heart forms dharana which is the next stage culminating in the final stage of Samadhi which is achieving oneness with the Paramatma.

Conclusion

The Ishvara Gita is a Shaivite teaching philosophy with Lord Shiva as the focal point but similar to the Bhagavad Gita following principles of Advaita Vedanta, devotion, onepointedness and surrender to Lord Shiva to cross the ocean of Samsara and achieve divine bliss and liberation.