The Great Spring of Shiva

Jim Clark

The Image of Shiva was found in the ruins of the Indus River
civilization. The parallel of worship of Shiva is the worship of
shakti or the power of the active forces of the universe. The source
of the power known as shakti is thought of as Shiva. The power of
Shiva is something that flows out of his consort Durga or Kali as
Radha is the source of Krishnas potencies. The prakrtis or potencies
are of Krishna who is the sarva-drk, the overseer and also the
upadrasta the great advisor. Shiva is adored among the devas. It is
said that Shiva can take on the form of Brahma or Vishnu. Also of
his forms are tortoise, fish or conchs. The coral of the ocean floor
is also an outcropping of Shiva.

The focus on Vishnu was an offshoot of Shiva. Vishnu is often

noticed as Krishna or Rama. The devotees of Krishna or Rama are in
fact working for Vishnu. Vishnu can lift one up out of the sea of the
world.

Brahma is known as the source that sprang from the waters of the
cosmic ocean. In the principle of creation Vishnu is the element of
preservation where Shiva is that of destruction. The great waters
or the source of Brahma are the highest of all. It is for certain that
Shiva is also a god of preservation as well. Krishna as the Buddha is
also one of the creations of Vishnu in the Hindu outlook on the
devas. Ganesa often traveling with Shiva is the master who
removes great obstacles.

The devotees of Shiva are often the most opulent in material

aspects. The devotees of Vishnu sometimes are said to sometimes
lack material gain. Shiva who dwells at the base of a tree in the
mountains makes those who fall at his feet rich where as the
devotees of Vishnu or Krishna the devas who reside in an infinite
abode tend to be poor. One who has the main focus of Vishnu-
tattva has the greatest spiritual gain. How is it that one who serves
Shiva has fewer to gain in spirit if there is a contrast to the
concept? A devotee of Shiva must must be granted spiritual
energies as high up as someone who is a devotee of Vishnu. In order
to get to the higher planets one must go through Vishnu. The
planets of Krishnaloka are the highest level of the spiritual plain.
The devotees of Vishnu are looking to attain niaskarma when ones
actions are free of material effect. Durga or Kali represent all
material energies. Shiva is the master of the material plain.
Brahma or Shiva are known to ask their devotees to adhere or hold
to certain qualities.

Shiva is the absolute bearing the mark of the crescent moon with
his consort Durga or Kali the sacred mother of the earth, he is the
thief of the soul, the one who brings meaning, and the light that
shines forever.