Shiva becomes Jiva

Know about how Shiva becomes the Jiva:

   “Pratyabhijnyahridayam” explains the process of Shiva, the universal Consciousness becoming the Jiva.

  Divine cosmology of Consciousness is explained in Sutras 1 and 2- the Shiva and His Shakti, super Consciousness and its creative power.

Sutra 3 says that Shiva-Shakti is neutral. The universe is one and now it has become many; the Jiva is quite comfortable in this neutral position. But, in the Sutra 4 the Consciousness is contracted and the universe is in a contracted form. Still, the Jiva is comfortable in a contracted form and still he is Shiva.

   The whole problem of the Jiva starts with the position as stated in Sutra 5.

Suffering begins here. It is quite bad. Consciousness, chiti,  itself descending from its perfect state of expansion becomes ‘chitta’ the mind through its own contraction.

Universal Consciousness becomes individual consciousness, i.e., chiti becomes chitta. The vast expanse of universal Consciousness has become very narrow individual mind; however, there is no difference what so ever except in that it is smaller, narrower and constricted as individual consciousness, the mind.

  The ocean has withdrawn and left a puddle on the beach. The fish is out of water!

In Sutra 8, the position of all philosophies and different religions is that the role of Consciousness of Self is different- they all have a bit of truth, but not the whole truth. There is logic; there is delusion.

  But, the worst is what the Sutra 9 says. It is horrible here. The jiva is miserable. It is totally dark here.

   “In consequence of its limitation of Shakti, Reality, which is all Consciousness, becomes the dirt, mala, covered by blemishes like desires, karma phala, and the individual soul becomes a transmigrating one seeking liberation from repeated births, but strengthening its bonds with earth instead of getting liberated!  It is loss of Shakti. The individual becomes miserable; his plans fail. He has no energy, determination, strength of mind and he has lost self-confidence; he has lost faith in himself. He has lost faith in the Creator, God. He thinks he is miserable; lost everything.

   But still, there is hope. Everything is not lost. But some people lose self-confidence and commit suicide in a state of depression.

Sutra 10 says, the Jiva has not lost all hopes. He has the same capacity to perform the five-fold functions of Shiva. He is still thinking, acting, feeling, and feels powerful. Lo! He is in delusion. The delusion is not due to external factors. But it is due to his, own mistakes. His mind, emotions, intuition and intelligence which should all lead him to light, have betrayed him and misled him.

   But then, the Jiva turns around; he acquires full knowledge; sees light. His chitta starts moving inward and becomes chiti, Consciousness by rising to the status of Shiva, universal Consciousness.

In Sutra 14, it is said, “the fire of chiti, even when it descends to the lower stage, though covered by Maya, partly burns the fuel of the known.

   “By acquiring the inherent power of Consciousness, the Jiva assimilates the universe to him self. When the bliss of Consciousness is attained, he becomes one with Consciousness and attains liberation, even while alive. And, by unfold of his centre he attains the bliss of Consciousness”. [Sutra 15-17]

   By nurturing his higher nature (not his lower nature), by meditating regularly, by regular spiritual yoga practices, by working his mind to move it in a particular manner- thinking positively, he attains his natural birthright to Shiva nature, Divinity.

  Fits he gets contracted as Shiva in Jiva form and again expands as Shiva the Divine.  

    In his post-samadhi state, the after-effects unfold themselves giving rise to permanent awareness of the Self, fulfillment, dwelling o one’s own identity with the universal Consciousness over and over again.[Sutra 19].

Shiva Sutra 1.18

“Lokanandah samadhi sukham”

The bliss of the world is the bliss of samadhi.

Vijnyanabhairava –Dharana 77

The same Self, characterized by Consciousness, is present in all the bodies; there is no difference in it anywhere. Therefore, a person realizing that everything, in essence is the same (Consciousness) is liberated.