Siddhanta Shikhamani

Siddhantha Shikhamani is a religious scripture of Panchacharyas, Veerashaivas, regarded as Dharmagrantha of Veerashaivism/Lingayatism.

History

Siddhantha Shikhamani was written by sri Shivayogi Shivacharya in around 8th century in Sanskrit language. It contains the preachings of Jagaduru Renukacharya. Rashtrasant 108 sadguru Dr.Shivling Shivacharya Maharaj Ahamadpurkar has been writtened on SHIDHANT SHIKHAMANI marathi bhavarth & sanskrut bhashya SHIVYOGSHASTRA in 1937 at kapildhar shrawanmas tapoanushthan dist Beed maharashtra.

It has been translated to Kannada language by 1008 Jagaduru sri Dr. Chandrashekhara Shivacharya Mahaswamiji of Jangamawadi math of Varanasi very recently. It has also been translated to English by Dr.M.Shivakumara Swamy from Bengaluru in 2007 with the blessings of 1008 Jagadguru Sri. Chandrashekara Shivacharya Mahaswamiji, Varanasi.

Veerasaiva philosophy as envisaged in the Siddhantha Shikhamani

New versions

The recent work on Siddanta Sikhamani is its Parayana Grantha edited by Dr. S.R Siddalingappa with his grace, of Chandrashekhara Shivacharya Mahaswamiji of Jangamawadi math of Varanasi. This book serves as manual of God-realization within one's own body. Any one with a basic understanding of Kannada can read and experience the Existence of God in four levels of God's existence. Veerashaivism being a technique of being with God all the time by being in union with ones prana, is the core teaching of this book. Being the simplest to understand practice the process of God realization, this book is combined result of pro-people, motherly nature of Jagadguru and Dr. S.R Siddhalingappa, a brillinat aeronautical scientist and a stringent practitioner of the principles of Veershaivism. Also of core use for personality development,even a child can get benefitted with this book.

The sacred book begins with first sloka, with a prayer to Shiva as:

"Trailokya Sampadaalekhya Samullekhana Bhittaye,
Sacchidananda roopaay Shivaay Brahmane Namah.”

The word to word meaning of this sloka can be translated under:

Trailokya = 3 worlds, Sampadaalekhya = the mega picture, Sumullekhana = for writing or painting, Bhittaye = the supporting wall or media, Sacchidaanand roopaay = representation of ‘Sat’, ‘Chit’ & ‘Anand’ (truth, wisdom & bliss), Brahmane = universally present, Shivaay = to lord Shiva, Namah = I bow with respect & reverence.

The actual meaning contained in this Sloka explains that there are 3 worlds (earth, heaven & hell) in this universe, as per vedic scriptures. The objects present in these 3 worlds are like paintings of God. As the canvass is required for painting, so the Lord Shiva has been responsible for creating these 3 worlds (compare them to canvass) and he is universally present through truth, wisdom and bliss to create the objects in universe (analogy for paintings). To such a supreme lord, I bow with respect and reverence.

When interpreted and understood in true perspective, it vividly explains the supreme nature of Lord Shiva – the originator of Veerashaiva Philosophy, who later takes the form of Panchacharyas (which has already been explained in Chapter 2 of this book).

Similarly, each sloka has vast knowledge and great wisdom in it. Due to shortage of space, few important and relevant slokas are directly translated and the essence is explained in following paragraphs. The references to original chapters, slokas & serial numbers are depicted as Ch., and Sl, SN, respectively, in parentheses.

For example, Ch. 3, Sl. 71, SN. 139 refers to 71 st Sloka in 3rd Chapter or 139th Sloka in the book. Shakti/Goddess Parvati:

As per vedic experts, Goddess Parvathi is representation of shakthi (eternal power), who is responsible for creation of these 3 worlds. She is also the companion of Lord Shiva. I bow to such divine Goddess (Ch.1, Sl. 8, SN.8).

Veerashiva also speaks of equality principle between Shiva-Shakti, Male-Female, Good-evil etc., which is depicted in following slokas.

“Shiva – Shakti Samutppanne Prapanche” “Samast loka nirmana samavay swaroopine”

Birth of Sacred Book’s author:

Siddanath Shivacharya is like supreme master to all Veerashaiva Shivacharyas. To such a sacred master, a son called Shivayogi Shivacharya is born, like the moon arises from ocean (Ch.1, Sl. 20, SN. 20) Lord Shiva's permission for incarnation of Shree Jagadguru Renukacharya:

Hello Renuka, you sprang from Someshwar Linga and advocate Veerashaiva Philosophy -which is equivalent to Vedas, all knowledge of Upanishads and Agamas – to all the human beings of earth (Ch. 3, Sl. 71, SN. 139).

Emergence of Shri Jagadguru Renukacharya from Someshwara Linga at Kolipaki:

After taking Blessings from Lord Shiva, Shree Renukacharya sprang from Someshwarlinga situated in holy place of Kollipaki in Andhra Pradesh (Ch 4, Sl. 1, SN. 142)

The people were pleasantly surprised and were in supreme bliss to see the emergence of powerful Shree Renukacharya (Ch. 4, Sl. 2, SN. 143)

Veerashaiva Philosophy to Sage Agasthya:

Sage Agasthya makes earnest request to Shree Renukacharya. After listening his request, Shree Renukacharya Prays Lord Shiva with calm/serene mind for a moment and starts preaching (Ch. 5, Sl. 1, SN. 196).

Shree Renukacharya addresses Saga Agasthya that you are the master of all Agamas (Vedic Scriptures) and one among the enlightened sages. I will preach you the 'Siddantha' philosophy which will provide supreme knowledge of Lord Shiva and you get ready to listen intently (Ch. 5, Sl. 2, SN. 197) About Lord Shiva – originator of Veerashaiva Philosophy:

Lord Shiva is universally present (omnipresent) and all powerful (omnipotent). He does not discriminate between living beings and exists without odd dimensions. He exists within and without this world (Ch. 5, Sl. 33, SN. 228).


Introduction to Sri Siddantha Shikamani - Edited By. Dr. M. Sivakumara Swamy

Sri Siddanthasikhamani is the foremost authority on the religion and philosophy of Virasaivism. The primitive traits of Virasaivism in the Vedas and the Upanishads and the concrete features given to it in the latter parts (Uttarabhaga) of the Saivagamas, find a complete and comprehensive exposition in Sri Siddhanthasikhamani for the first time in the history of Virasaivism. It is a compendium divided into twenty-one chapters called "Paricchedas". After the four preliminary chapters, the teaching of the doctrine of one hundred and one Sthalas (Ekottarasatasthala-Siddhanta)starts with the fifth chapter and ends with the twentieth chapter, the last chapter being devoted to some concluding matters. The doctrine of one hundred and one Sthalas is the central teaching of the text. This doctrine is developed in the form of a dialogue between Sri Renuka, one of the five holy Acharyas (Panchacharyas) of yore who founded Virasaivism, and Agastya, the pitcher-born sage of Pancavati, like the Bhagwadgita, which is a dialogue between Bhagavan Sri Krsna, an incarnation of Visnu, and Arjuna, one of the Pandavas. Just as Vyasa summarised the doctrine of one hundred and one Sthalas in Sri Siddhantasikhamani. Thus the author of Sri Siddhantasikhamani is Sri Sivayogi Sivacarya. In the first chapter, the author gives an account of his heritage, with a preliminary "Mangalacarana" dedicated to Siva and Sakti and an information connected with the sources of his text. The second chapter describes Siva's creation as a model to Brahman's creation and depicts the greatness of Sri Renuka and Sri Daruka, the two lords of Sivaganas in the service of Siva. The third chapter gives an account of the Sabha of Siva and describes the circumstances that led to the descent of Sri Renuka on the earth with a mission of Siva. The fourth chapter gives an account of Sri Renuka's emergence from the Somesvaralinga at Kollipaki and his march towards the hermitage of Agastya in the Malaya mountain. Then after the doctrine of one hundred and one Sthalas, in the twenty-first chapter, the author describes the installation of three crores (30 Million) of Sivalingas at Lanka by Sri Renuka to fulfil the last wish of Ravana on the request of his surviving brother Vibhisana and the merging of Sri Renuka in the Somesvaralinga at Kollipaki (kolanupaka - located around 80 km from Hyderabad, A.P.)

References

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