Shivayoga (Shatsthala Sadhane)

Shivayoga (Shatsthala Sadhane)

Panchachara

Panchacharas in Lingayatism denote the five codes of conduct to be followed by the devotee. The Panchacharas include

  • Shivachara : Acknowledging Shiva as the supreme divine being and upholding the equality and well-being of all human beings.
  • Lingachara : Daily worship of the individual Ishtalinga icon, one to three times day.
  • Sadachara : Attention to vocation and duty, and adherence to the seven rules of conduct issued by Basavanna:
    • Kala beda (Do not steal)
    • Kola beda (Do not kill or hurt)
    • Husiya nudiyalu beda (Do not utter lies)
    • Thanna bannisabeda (Do not praise yourself, i.e. practice humility)
    • Idira haliyalu beda (Do not criticize others)
    • Muniya beda (Shun anger)
    • Anyarige asahya padabeda (Do not be intolerant towards others)
  • Bhrithyachara : Compassion towards all creatures.
  • Ganachara : Defence of the community and its tenets.
 

Asta-Avarana

In Lingayat theology, the Ashtavarana refer to the eight virtues that act as shields or coverings protecting the devotee from extraneous distractions and influences of Maya. Ashta means ‘eight’ and Avarana means ‘covering’. They also protect against attachment to worldly desires.

The Ashtavaranas are described as,

  • Guru
  • Linga Ishta-Linga
  • Jangama
  • Vibhuti or Bhasma
  • Rudraksha
  • Padodaka
  • Prasada
  • Mantra

Among the ashtavarnas, Guru, Linga and Jangama are the human beings to be worshiped. Guru means religious teacher at some stage his own conscious (arivu) can also become guru. Linga is considered to be the self (inner atma). and Lastly the Jangama is the human who wonders and propagates the teachings of dharma. Vibhuti, Mantra and Rudraksha are the things, by which one has to worship Guru, Linga and Jangama. Vibhuti is the indication of purity. It also means that it is to burnt the Desires of Lust and Greed of materliastic possessions and comfort. Mantra is the holy chanting words. Normally Lingayats chant ” OM LINGAYA NAMAH” and some chant ” OM NAMAH SHIVAYA” . Rudraksha is the thing one has to wear on the body. Rudraksha are available in punchamukhi and Ekmukhi Rudrakshas. In spiritually it is the symbol of third eye of “MAHADEVA” or “SHIVA”. Here it can be interpreted as inner conscious, which plays as third eye. Lastly Padaodaka and Prasada are the outcomes of this worship. Padodaka is the liquid, and Prasad is food. Here spiritually one can interpret Padodaka as the knowledge outcome from Guru, Linga and Jangama’s when they discuss daily concerns with their Anubhava (experience). Prasad is the daily food accepted after the worship.

Shivayoga (Shatsthala)

Shatsthala or six phases/states/paths is pivotal to the Lingayat philosophy. Shatsthala is a conflation of Shat and Sthala which means ‘six phases/states/levels’ through which a person (a bhakta/seeker) advances in one’s ultimate quest of realisation of the Supreme, or, simply put, enlightenment. (The word enlightenment used here refers to the Indian notion of enlightenment.) The Shatsthala comprises the Bhakta Sthala, Maheshwara Sthala, Prasadi Sthala, Pranalingi Sthala, Sharana Sthala and the Aikya Sthala. The Aikya Sthala is the culmination where the soul leaves the physical body and merges with the Supreme.
A brief description of the six sthala-s, according to the Lingayat tradition.
  1. Bhakta: Bhaktasthala involves the worship of Guru, Linga and Jangama . When one understands the true meaning of this Sthala, one conceives the true meaning of the trinity of Guru, Linga and Jangama . Through this Sthala one becomes free from the desires of the body and mind and becomes a Bhakta by virtue of his/her belief in Shiva.
  2. Mahesha: Maheshasthala involves the actual practice of the above concept, which enables to lose the desire for material wealth, not coveting and not longing for unrighteous sensual pleasures.
  3. Prasadisthala: Prasaadisthala states that all things in this world are gifts of Shiva and whatever human receives as God’s gifts must be returned to him through the intermediacy of the Jangama, who represents Shiva.
  4. Pranalingi: Pranalingisthala makes one aware of the inner being. Here the seeker comes to believe that the Linga is the Jangama and all actions are transformed into prayers.
  5. Sharanasthala: Sharanasthala endows an individual with the feeling and knowledge of God’s presence in his/her own soul and begins a direct dialogue with Shiva.
  6. Aikya: Aikyasthala forms the final stage. A stage of the culmination of the sublime achievement. It is the unitary consciousness of Self and Shiva.