Shiv Mahimna Stotra

This document appears to be a Gujarati translation of the "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" (Praise of Shiva's Greatness), originally composed by the Gandharva Pushpadanta. The publication is by Sastu Sahitya Vardhak Karyalay. The provided text includes introductory remarks, the stotra itself with commentary, and explanations of its verses and their philosophical underpinnings.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the content:

1. Introduction and Publisher's Note:

• Title: Shri Shiv Mahimna Stotra, composed by Shri Pushpadanta. It includes a translation of the commentary by Swami Madhusudan Saraswati.
• Publisher: Sastu Sahitya Vardhak Karyalay (meaning "The Foundation for Publishing Low-Cost Literature"). The publisher expresses joy in releasing the 14th edition in 1988.
• Content: The book includes the original Sanskrit verses, a simple Gujarati translation of their meaning, and detailed explanations based on Swami Madhusudan Saraswati's commentary.
• Significance of the Stotra: The stotra is likened to the Brahma Sutras for its profound philosophical essence, summarizing Vedanta principles while glorifying Lord Shiva.
• Cost: The price was subsidized due to a donation in memory of Shri Kantilal Mansukharam Shah.

2. Introduction to Pushpadanta and the Stotra:

• Author: Pushpadanta, a Gandharva king. The name "Pushpadanta" refers to his beautiful teeth, like flower buds.
• Origin Story: A legend describes Pushpadanta as a celestial being who could become invisible and steal flowers from the royal garden of Kashi. The King of Kashi, unable to catch the thief, invoked Shiva. Shiva placed holy Bilva leaves (Shiva's sacred offering) throughout the garden. When Pushpadanta, in his pride, stepped over these leaves, his powers were lost. Realizing his mistake and the need for Shiva's grace, he composed the Shiva Mahimna Stotra on the spot to appease Shiva.
• Devotional Significance: The stotra is sung with great devotion by Shiva's followers. It's so potent that eleven recitations are considered equivalent to reciting the Rudri (another important Shiva hymn).
• Difficulty and Commentary: The original Sanskrit is complex, often requiring a commentary for understanding. The stotra describes both the formless (Nirguna) and formful (Saguna) aspects of Shiva, with a focus on his manifested glories. The difficulty of the verses is compared to the Brahma Sutras, containing the essence of Vedanta. Swami Madhusudan Saraswati's commentary is praised as unparalleled.

3. Philosophical Insights and Interpretations:

• Shiva-Vishnu Non-duality: The stotra's verses are carefully crafted to have a double meaning, applicable to both Shiva and Vishnu, beautifully illustrating the oneness of Hari and Hara (Shiva and Vishnu). The translator, Lalji Narayanji Brahmabhatt, emphasizes his belief in this non-duality and his personal devotion to Shiva.
• Vedantic Principles: The text delves into Vedanta philosophy, explaining concepts like:
  • The Infinite Nature of Shiva's Glory: Acknowledging that even Brahma and other gods cannot fully grasp Shiva's glory, making any attempt at praise imperfect yet acceptable if made with sincere effort.
  • Saguna vs. Nirguna Brahman: Discussing the formless (Nirguna) and formful (Saguna) aspects of the Divine. The Saguna form is accessible for devotion and contemplation.
  • The Power of Name and Form: Explaining how various names and forms ultimately point to the One Supreme Being.
  • The Nature of Maya: Discussing the illusionary nature of the material world.
  • The Six Schools of Indian Philosophy: Mentioning various schools like Sankhya, Yoga, Pasupata, Vaishnava, and their convergence towards the ultimate reality.
  • Theories of Creation: Discussing different views on creation, including the role of a creator, materials, and the process.
  • The Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva): Explaining them as manifestations of the One Supreme Being for different cosmic functions (creation, sustenance, destruction).
  • The Significance of Om (Pranava): Detailing how the syllable Om represents the different aspects and ultimately the oneness of Shiva.
  • The Eight Forms of Shiva: Listing various manifestations of Shiva associated with different elements and functions.
  • The Importance of Devotion: Highlighting how devotion and surrender are key to realizing the Divine.
• Refutation of Counter-Arguments: The commentary addresses and refutes atheistic or skeptical arguments, particularly those from the Mimamsa school, which emphasize ritualistic action (karma) without a divine controller.

4. Key Themes and Stories:

• Shiva's Attributes: The stotra praises Shiva's omnipresence, his role as the creator, preserver, and destroyer, his compassion, his fierce power, and his detachment from worldly desires.
• Myths and Legends: Several Puranic stories are interwoven to illustrate Shiva's attributes and the efficacy of devotion:
  • Ravana Lifting Kailasa: Shiva's power is shown when he effortlessly crushes Ravana's pride by pressing Mount Kailasa with his toe.
  • Bana's Prosperity: Bana's immense wealth and power are attributed to his devotion to Shiva, even surpassing that of Indra.
  • Shiva Drinking Poison (Halahala): Shiva's self-sacrifice in drinking the cosmic poison to save the universe, which resulted in his throat turning blue (Neelkantha), is described as an act of profound compassion and a source of beauty, not disfigurement.
  • Shiva Burning Kama (Cupid): The story of Shiva burning Kama with his third eye for disturbing his penance, highlighting Shiva's control over desires.
  • Shiva's Tandava Dance: The cosmic dance and its impact on the universe, illustrating Shiva's immense power.
  • Ganga on Shiva's Head: The story of the river Ganga flowing onto Shiva's matted locks to mitigate the force of her descent, showcasing Shiva's immense capacity.
  • Tripura Dahan: The destruction of the three cities of the Tripurasura demons, highlighting Shiva's role as the ultimate destroyer of evil, often depicted with elaborate divine instruments.
  • Vishnu's Worship of Shiva: The story of Vishnu offering his own eye as a lotus to complete his worship of Shiva, demonstrating extreme devotion.
  • Shiva and Daksha's Sacrifice: The disruption of Daksha's prideful Yajna by Shiva, showing the consequences of disrespecting the Divine.
  • Brahma's Incestuous Desire: Shiva's punishment of Brahma for desiring his own daughter, illustrating Shiva's role in upholding dharma.
  • Parvati's Devotion and Shiva's Ardhanarishvara Form: The story of Parvati's penance and Shiva accepting her as half his body, illustrating the divine union and Shiva's grace.
  • Shiva's Cemetery Dance and Adornments: Shiva's association with crematoriums, ghosts, ash, and skulls is presented not as unholy but as indicative of his transcendence over all dualities.
• Ultimate Reality: The stotra concludes by emphasizing that Shiva is the ultimate reality, the source and sustainer of all existence, both manifest and unmanifest.

5. Concluding Remarks and Benefits of Recitation:

• Benefits of Recitation: Regular chanting of the stotra with devotion and a pure mind leads to liberation, residing in Shiva's abode, attaining greatness, and enjoying wealth, longevity, progeny, and fame in this life.
• Supremacy of the Stotra: The stotra is declared superior to other spiritual practices like initiation, charity, penance, pilgrimage, knowledge, and rituals.
• The Author's Humility: Pushpadanta expresses his humility, acknowledging the limitations of human intellect and language in describing Shiva's glory, and offering the stotra as a flower-like offering of words.
• Final Prayer: The stotra concludes with prayers for Shiva's favor and a final salutation, acknowledging the inability to fully comprehend the Divine's true nature.

In essence, the book is a detailed devotional and philosophical exposition of the Shiva Mahimna Stotra, aimed at imparting the grandeur of Shiva and the path to spiritual realization through devotion and understanding of Vedanta philosophy. The translation and commentary make this profound text accessible to a Gujarati-speaking audience.