Rudra Gita: Shivaji’s Special Teachings

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#ShivaChaturdashi #RudraGita #Gita #Bhakti #KrishnaDarshan #HariNama

In his wonderful Sankrit prayer, “Sri Rudra Gita”, Shankara Mahadeva presents helpful lessons for all sadhakas of Radha-Krishna bhakti. To enhance and beautify everyone’s bhakti, we present the following key topics and verses along with the insightful tikas of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti.

I. PURIFYING THE MIND

4.24.36: Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

 Here Shivaji is saying, ‘I offer respects to the controller (atmane) of the mind (indriya), which is the chief of all senses (hrshikesha).  O Aniruddha!  Attract my mind to bhakti alone! I offer respects to You.’  Here Shivaji is offering respects to Bhagavan in the form of the elemental devatas in order to purify the five gross elements which constitute the body and the external senses. O devatä of the sun! Make my eyes see the beauty of Bhagavan’s form. (The sun is the deity of the eyes.)

 4.24.38 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

 I offer respects to the deity of the moon. (The moon is the deity of the mind.) Though already Shivaji purified the mind by offering respects to the devata of the mind, Aniruddha, because the mind is difficult to control, he again purifies the mind by offering respects to its Chandra, the presiding deity of the moon devatä. 

II. PURIFYING THE SENSES

4.24.40 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

  I offer respects to ether, which reveals meaning, since its quality is sound. It supports all activities internally and externally. O devatä of ether, Bhagavan Sri Vishnu! Make my ears hear about Your beauty! Reveal the meaning of Your divine name, mantra and bhakti scriptures. Purify the ether in me. I offer respects to You. Having made his bodily elements, senses and mind favorably inclined, Shivaji is now ready to worship of Bhagavan.

4.24.43 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

By offering respects to the presiding deity of ahaìkära, he purifies his ahaìkära again. O Shivaji! Please purify the actions of my ego and sense of possessiveness and make them devotional. O Shivaji! Make the working of my intelligence and präëas inclined to bhakti.

III. ATTAINING DARSHAN Vishnu/Krishna

4.24.44  Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

Now Shivaji prays to see Bhagavan.  “What form should I show You?”  It should be the most beautiful (rupam), and most loved by Your devotees—but not the universal form. Your divine form is a beneficial (guna) ointment (anjanam) which enables one to give up the blindness of enjoying material things and attain the blissful darshana of Bhagavan.

4.24.45-6 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

What does Bhagavan’s transcendental form look like? Shivaji tells, “Bhagavan shines, dark like a rain cloud, the sum of all beauty, with four long arms and noble, attractive face. He has lotus eyes, graceful eyebrows and nose, fine teeth and forehead, and well-proportioned ears.

Bhagavan’s form is like a rain cloud, showering rasa, giving relief from suffering and joy to the mind which is like a cataka bird drinking the rain. Bhagavan’s beauty is so inconceivably and completely attractive that it defies any and all other forms of comparison. Beauty personified accepts Bhagavan as most attractive and feels successful by such acceptance. For worshippers of Krishna in Dvaraka He has four arms for serving his lovers. 

4.24.47-48 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

Bhagavan’s joyful glance indicates his affection. From the edge of his left eye he casts a glance to indicate his affection, revealing his association with his lovers.

4.24.53 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

Shivaji gives some special information in this verse.  As long as one has not seen Bhagavan, the sädhaka bhakta must repeatedly meditate (anudhyeyam) on his form. The devotee should not purify his identity by any other means.  Just as purification of the body was previously described, now Shivaji describes self-purification by repeated meditation on Bhagavan’s beauty until one attains darshana and becomes an associate of Bhagavan. Thus the goal of the shuddha-bhakta is shown.

IV. POWER OF SATSANGA

4.24.57 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

 What to speak of any blessings on this earth, on Svarga, or even the blessing of liberation—none of these can compare with even half a moment’s association with the devotee of Bhagavan.

If by half a moment’s association one obtains such results, then much more one will gain by several moments’ association.  And how much more result will be obtained if the association is taken with devotion, which will produce further bhakti? 

And how much more result if the association takes place with prema, the final result of bhakti? 

4.24.58 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

 One who prays in this way will achieve Vaisnava association.  We will have association of those whose sins are washed away by the external and internal baths of the famous Ganga from Your lotus foot which destroys sin. And such Vaisnavas display proper conduct, pure hearts and exhibit mercy for all beings. This is Your mercy to us.

4.24.59 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

 Due to receiving the blessings of Bhakti-devi, the devotee whose heart is pure; who is not agitated by external objects, and who does not fall asleep during worship certainly very easily sees Bhagavan’s transcendental beauty and pastimes. From association with Your devotees, the heart becomes particularly pure (viçuddham).  With a pure heart, one can realize Your form, pastimes and beauty. 

What is a pure heart (cittam)? It is not agitated by external objects at the time of hearing about and remembering You, and nor is it disturbed by drowsiness. This is because the consciousness is pure by the blessings of bhakti. The causes of sleep and sensual and mental agitation are offenses to Krishna’s Divine Name which are offenses to bhakti.  When these disappear, Bhakti-devé will become pleased and bestow her mercy.  This means there will be no agitation or sleep while performing bhakti. When the heart is pure one can meditate and see Your beauty and divine pastimes.

Sri Rudra Gita ki jai! Mahadeva Sri Shivaji ki jai! Shiva ratri ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!