A richly illustrated sourcebook of Indian spirituality in question-and-answer form, exploring how to know the Divine, honor all creation, and see God everywhere, in everyone.
The Master Course Trilogy will find in this book the deepest truths and insights of Indian spirituality, some of it never published before, all of it relevant to your personal awakening on the path to merging with God. Drawn from fifty years of yogic realizations and sharing the Hindu mystical teachings with aspirants, Dancing with Siva is the first book of a remarkable trilogy called The Master Course. The trilogy is a detailed summary of ashtanga yoga also called raja yoga, which contains eight successive steps, each one dependent upon the one that precedes it. These eight steps are yama (restraint), niyama (observance), asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (contemplation).
The trilogy articulates in lucid terms why you must begin at the beginning, with a firm foundation of philosophical clarity and good character, and proceed from there. Dancing with Siva lays out the philosophical, Vedic-Agamic beliefs, attitudes, and expectations of the Saivite Hindu religion.
Living with Siva, the second book of the trilogy, explores the Saivite lifestyle, culture, family life, character-building, and the overcoming of uncomplimentary habits. It focuses on yama, niyama and, in a lesser way, asana and pranayama (hatha yoga).
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniya-Swami was a Living Example of Awakening and wisdom, a leader recognized worldwide as one of Hinduism’s foremost ministers. In 1947, at age 20, he sailed from the United States to India and Sri Lanka and two years later was initiated into sannyµasa by the renowned siddha yogi, Jnanaguru Yogaswami of Sri Lanka, regarded as one of the 20th century’s most remarkable mystics.
For over five decades Subramuniya-swami affectionately known as Gurudeva, taught Hinduism. He was the 162nd Jagad-acarya of the Nandinatha Sampradaya’s Kailasa Parampara and Guru Mahasan-nidhanam of Kauai Aadheenam (also known as Kauai’s Hindu Monastery), a 458-acre temple-monastery in Hawaii, USA.
Gurudeva was lauded as one of the strictest and most traditional gurus in the world. His Saiva Siddhanta Church nurtures members on five continents. Himalayan Academy educates through its magazine, books, courses, and travel-study programs. Hinduism Today is the influential, award-winning, international quarterly magazine founded by Gurudeva in 1979. It is a public service of his monastic order, created to strengthen all Hindu traditions by uplifting and informing followers of the SanŒtana Dharma everywhere. Gurudeva (1927-2001) authored more than 30 books on Hindu metaphysics, mysticism, and yoga.
Dedication - Samarpanam | v | |
Authors’ Introduction – Granthakara Bhumika | xvii | |
The Master Course – Pradhana Pathyakramah | xxxiii | |
Siva’s Cosmic Dance – Sivanandu Tandavah | xxxix | |
Eternal Truths – Sanatana Dharmah |
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Mandala 1: Self Realization – Paramatma Darsanam | ||
1 | Who Am I? Where Did I come From? | 5 |
2 | Where Am I going? What is My Path? | 7 |
3 | What is Meant by Dancing with Siva? | 9 |
4 | How Can we learn to Dance with Siva | 11 |
5 | What is the Ultimate Goal of Earthly life | 13 |
Verses from Scripture on Self Realization | 14 | |
Mandala 2: Hinduism – Hindu Dharmah | ||
6 | What Are Hinduism’s Principal Sects? | 19 |
7 | What is the deeply Mystical Saiva Sect? | 21 |
8 | What is the Magic and Power of Saktism? | 23 |
9 | What is the Devotional Vaishnava Sect? | 25 |
10 | What is the Universalist Smarta Sect? | 27 |
Verses from Scripture on Religion | 28 | |
Mandala 3: Saivite Hinduism – Saiva Dharmah | ||
7 | What is the Deeply Mystical Saiva Sect? | 21 |
8 | What is the Magic and Power of Saktism? | 23 |
9 | What is the Devotional Vaishnava Sect? | 25 |
10 | What is the Universalist Smarta Sect? | 27 |
Verses From Scripture on Religion | 28 | |
Mandala 3: Saivite Hinduism – Saiva Dharmah | ||
11 | What is the Nature of Saivite Theology? | 33 |
12 | How Do Saivites Regard Other Faiths | 35 |
13 | How Does Saivism Stay Contemporary? | 37 |
14 | What is the Nature of Life for Saivites | 39 |
15 | What is the Symbolism of Siva’s Dance | 41 |
Verses From Scripture on Saivism | 42 | |
God and the Gods – Isvarah Devatah Cha |
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Mandala 4: Our Supreme god – Sivah | ||
16 | What is the Nature of Our God Siva? | 49 |
17 | What is God Siva’s Unmanifest Reality? | 51 |
18 | What is God Siva’s Pure Consciousness? | 53 |
19 | What is the Nature of the Primal Soul? | 55 |
20 | What are God Siva’s Traditional Forms? | 57 |
Verses From Scripture on Siva | 58 | |
Mandala 5: Lords of Dharma – Ganesa Karttikeyau | ||
21 | Do Other Gods Exist Apart from Siva? | 63 |
22 | What is the Nature of Lord Ganesa? | 65 |
23 | What is Lord Ganesa’s Special Duty? | 67 |
24 | What is the Nature of Lord Karttikeya? | 69 |
25 | What Does Lord Kartikeya’s Vel Signify | 71 |
Verses From Scripture on Lord of Dharma | 72 | |
Our Immortal Soul - Amritatma |
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Mandala 6: The Nature of the Soul – Atmasvarupam | ||
26 | What is our individual Soul Nature? | 79 |
27 | How Is Our Soul Different From Siva? | 81 |
28 | How is our Soul Identical to Siva? | 83 |
29 | Why are We Not Omniscient like Siva? | 85 |
30 | How do Hindus Understand Moksha? | 87 |
Verses From Scripture on the Soul | 88 | |
Mandala 7: Karma and Rebirth - Samasrah | ||
31 | How Do Hindus Understand Karma? | 93 |
32 | Is there Good Karma and Bad Karma? | 95 |
33 | What is the Process of Reincarnation | 97 |
34 | How Should We View Death and Dying | 99 |
35 | How Does one Best prepare for death | 101 |
Verses From Scripture on Samsara | 102 | |
Mandala 8: The way to Liberation – San Margah | ||
36 | What are the Four Stages of the Path | 107 |
37 | What is the Nature of the Charya Pada | 109 |
38 | What is the Nature of the Kriya Pada? | 111 |
39 | What is the Nature of the Yoga Pada? | 113 |
40 | What is the Nature of the Jnana Pada? | 115 |
Verses From Scripture on Liberation | 116 | |
The world - Sivamayam |
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Mandala 9: The Three Worlds - Trilokam | ||
41 | Where did this universe Come From? | 123 |
42 | What is the Nature of the Physical Plane? | 125 |
43 | What is the Nature of the Subtle Plane? | 127 |
44 | What is the Nature of the Causal Plane? | 129 |
45 | Does the Universe Ever End? Is it Real | 131 |
Verses From Scripture on Three Worlds | 132 | |
Mandala 10: The Goodness of all - Sarvabhadrah | ||
46 | Are souls and worldly Essentially Good? | 137 |
47 | Why do Some Souls Act in Evil Ways | 139 |
48 | What is the Source of Good and Evil? | 141 |
49 | How Can a Benevolent Good Permit Evil? | 143 |
50 | Should One Avoid Worldly Involvement | 145 |
Verses From Scripture on Goodness | 146 | |
Mandala 11: Sin and Suffering – Papa Duhkhe | ||
51 | Why is there Suffering in the world? | 151 |
52 | What is Sin? How can we Atone for it? | 153 |
53 | Does Hell Really Exist? Is there a Satan? | 155 |
54 | What is the Consequence of Sinful Acts? | 157 |
55 | Does God Ever Punish Wrongdoers? | 159 |
Verses from Scripture on Sin and Suffering | 160 | |
Right Living - Dharmah |
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Mandala 12: Four Dharmas - Chaturdharmah | ||
56 | What is Dharma? What are its forms? | 167 |
57 | What is Signified by Universal Dharma? | 169 |
58 | What is the Nature of Social Dharma? | 171 |
59 | What is the Nature of Human Dharma? | 173 |
60 | What is the Nature of Personal Dharma | 175 |
Verses from Scripture on Four Dharmas | 176 | |
Mandala 13: Good Conduct - Sadacharah | ||
61 | What is the Meaning of Good Conduct? | 181 |
62 | What are Good Conduct’s Four Keys? | 183 |
63 | From Whom is Good Conduct Learned | 185 |
64 | What are the Ten Classical Restraints | 187 |
65 | What are the Ten Classical Observances? | 189 |
Verses from Scripture on Four Conduct | 190 | |
Mandala 14: Noninjury - Ahimsa | ||
66 | What is the Great Virtue Called Ahimsa? | 195 |
67 | What is the Inner Source of Noninjury | 197 |
68 | What is the Inner Source of Violence | 199 |
69 | Is Vegetarianism integral to Noninjury | 201 |
70 | How Can Peace on earth Be Achieved | 203 |
Verses from Scripture on Noninjury | 204 | |
Family Life – Grihastha Dharmah |
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Mandala 15: Husband And Wife - Dampati | ||
71 | What is the Central Purpose of Marriage? | 211 |
72 | What are the Duties of the Husband | 213 |
73 | What are Special Duties of the wife | 215 |
74 | What is the Hindu view of Sexuality | 217 |
75 | What is the Relation of Sex to Marriage | 219 |
Verses from Scripture on Husband and wife | 220 | |
Mandala 16: Marriage - Vivahah | ||
76 | What is the Basis for a Happy Marriage? | 225 |
77 | Must we Marry within our religion? | 227 |
78 | How are Hindu Marriages Arranged | 229 |
79 | What is the Hindu Family Structure | 231 |
80 | How are Marital Problems Reconciled | 233 |
Verses from Scripture on Marriage | 234 | |
Mandala 17: Children - Apatyam | ||
81 | What is the Fulfillment of a marriage | 239 |
82 | What are the Main Duties of Parents | 241 |
83 | How Strictly Must Children Be Guided | 243 |
84 | Should all Youths be Urged to Marry | 245 |
85 | How is family Harmony Maintained | 247 |
Verses from Scripture on Children | 248 | |
Sacred Cutlrue – Mangala Kriya |
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Mandala 18: Ways of wisdom – Bodhi Tantrah | ||
86 | How Do we overcome life’s Obstacles | 255 |
87 | What are the Hindu’s Daily Yoga Practices | 257 |
88 | How are Ayurveda and Jyotish Used | 259 |
89 | How Do Hindus Regard art and Culture | 261 |
90 | What is the Hindu outlook on Giving? | 263 |
Verses from Scripture on ways of wisdom | 264 | |
Mandala 19: Sacraments - Samskarah | ||
91 | What are the Hinduism’s Rites of Passage | 269 |
92 | What are the Sacraments of Childhood? | 271 |
93 | What are the Sacraments of Adulthood | 273 |
94 | What are the Child Bearning Sacraments | 275 |
95 | Are there Rites for the wisdom Years | 277 |
Verses from Scripture on Sacraments | 278 | |
Mandala 20: Festivals – Utsavah | ||
96 | What are the Festival Days of Saivism? | 283 |
97 | What are the Primary festivals to Siva | 285 |
98 | What are the Major Ganesa Festivals | 287 |
99 | What are the Main Kartitkeya festivals | 289 |
100 | What are Other Important Festivals | 291 |
Verses from Scripture on Festivals | 292 | |
Sacred Worship - Upasana |
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Mandala 21: Siva Temples - Sivalayah | ||
101 | What is the Nature of the Siva Temple | 299 |
102 | How are Temples founded and Built | 301 |
103 | When Should one Attend the Temple | 303 |
104 | How Does one attend a Siva Temple | 305 |
105 | What Occurs within the Siva Temple | 307 |
Verses from Scripture on Siva Temples | 308 | |
Mandala 22: Temple Rites- Puja | ||
106 | What is the Inner Importance of Puja | 313 |
107 | What is the Special Rite Called Archana | 315 |
108 | What is the Nature of Image Worship | 317 |
109 | Who are the Priests of Siva Temples | 319 |
110 | What Does the Pujari Do During Puja | 321 |
Verses from Scripture on Temples Rites | 322 | |
Mandala 23: Love of God- Bhaktith | ||
111 | Is Temples Worship only for Beginners | 327 |
112 | How Do Devotees Prepare For Worship | 329 |
113 | How Do Our Prayers Reach the Gods | 331 |
114 | Do Saivites worship only in Temples | 333 |
115 | What is the Home Shrine’s Significance | 335 |
Verses from Scripture on Love of God | 336 | |
Holly Men and Women - Mahatma |
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Mandala 24: Monastic Life – Sannyasa Dharmah | ||
116 | What is the Hindu Monastic tradition | 343 |
117 | What are the Goals of Renunciate Life? | 345 |
118 | What is the Sannyasin’s Kundalini Path? | 347 |
119 | What is the Sannyasin’s Initiation Rite | 349 |
120 | What is the Holy Order of Sannyasa | 351 |
Verses from Scripture on Monastic Life | 352 | |
Mandala 25: Knowers of God - Jnani | ||
121 | Who are Hinduism’s Spiritual Leaders | 357 |
122 | What are a Saint a sage and a satguru | 359 |
123 | Are there Other Terms for Holy Ones? | 361 |
124 | What is the Nature of the Guru Protocol | 363 |
125 | What is Satguru’s special function | 365 |
Verses from Scripture on Knower’s of God | 366 | |
Sacred Scripture - Sastram |
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Mandala 26: Revealed Scripture - Srutih | ||
126 | What are Hindu Revealed Scripture | 373 |
127 | What is the Nature of the Veda Texts | 375 |
128 | How Are the Vedas Significant Today | 377 |
129 | What is the Nature of the Holy Agama | 379 |
130 | How Are the Agamas Significant Today | 381 |
Verses from Scripture on Sruti | 382 | |
Mandala 27: Secondary Scripture - Smritih | ||
131 | Do Smritti And sacred Literature Differ | 387 |
132 | What Texts Amplify Vedas and Agamas | 389 |
133 | Does Hinduism Have Epics and Myths | 391 |
134 | Are Three Other Types of Sacred Texts | 393 |
135 | What is the Source of this Catechism | 395 |
Verses from Scripture on Smritti | 396 | |
Mandala 28: Affirmations of Faith - Mantrah | ||
136 | What is the Holy Namah Sivaya Mantra | 401 |
137 | How is Namah Sivaya Properly Chanted | 403 |
138 | Is Initiation Necessary to Perform Japa | 405 |
139 | What is Saivism’ Affirmation of Faith | 407 |
140 | How Is the Affirmation of Faith Used | 409 |
Verses from Scripture on Affirmation | 410 | |
Monistic Theism – Advaita Isvaravadah |
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Mandala 29: Monism and Dualism – Advaita - Dvaitau | ||
141 | What are the Many Hindu Philosophies | 417 |
142 | How Do Monism and Dualism Differ | 419 |
143 | Are Monism and Dualism Reconcilable | 421 |
144 | What is the View of Monistic Theism | 423 |
145 | Is Monistic Theism Found in the Vedas | 425 |
Verse From Scripture on One and Two | 426 | |
Mandala 30: Views of Reality – Saiva Siddhantah | ||
146 | What are Saiva Siddhanta’s Two Schools | 431 |
147 | What are the Two Views on Creation | 433 |
148 | What are the Views on God and Soul | 435 |
149 | What are the Differing Views on Evil | 437 |
150 | What are the views on Mahapralaya? | 439 |
Verses from Scripture on Siddhanta | 440 | |
Passing on the Power - Sampradayah |
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Mandala 31: Himalayan Lineage – Kailasa Parampara | ||
151 | What is Hinduism’s Natha Sampradaya? | 447 |
152 | What is the Lofty Kailasa Parampara | 449 |
153 | Who were the early Kailasa Preceptors | 451 |
154 | Who were Kadaitswami and Chellappan? | 453 |
155 | Who is the most recent Kailasa Gurus | 455 |
Verses from Scripture on Paramapara | 456 | |
Resources - Upagranathah | ||
I | A Saivite Creed | 461 |
II | Six Schools of Saivism | 489 |
III | The Tradition of Masters | 517 |
IV | Monism and Pluralism in Saiva Siddhanta | 529 |
V | Truth is one path are many | 571 |
VI | Hindu Timeline | 651 |
VII | A Children Primer | 695 |
VIII | Charts | 737 |
Conclusion - Samapanam | 751 | |
Glossary – Sabda Kosah | 753 | |
Sanskrit Pronunciation – Uccharanam Samskrita | 853 | |
Index - Anukramanika | 855 | |
Index of Scriptural Verses – Sastra Udharanasuchi | 905 | |
Supplementary Reading - Granthavidya | 911 | |
Colophon - Antyavachanam | 917 |
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