Mysteries of the Vedas (Caitanya Chandra Dasa)
Mysteries of the Vedas
The Rudra Gita: Lord Śiva instructs us on the process of devotional service (Srimad Bhagavatam #64)
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The Rudra Gita: Lord Śiva instructs us on the process of devotional service (Srimad Bhagavatam #64)

Lord Shiva instructs the pracetas in the process of devotional service in one of the most iconic passages of the 4th canto.
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Lord Śiva or Rudra is the controller of egotism, but he does so as a representative of the Lord; therefore, the Lord is the supreme controller of egotism. Under the influence of this false ego, we forget our eternal spiritual identity and accept temporary identities in this material world. It was already established that although the Supreme controller of everything, the Lord reciprocates our desire, therefore He will not remove our false ego until we sincerely desire it. Lord Śiva thus prays for our benefit, teaching us how we should pray to the Lord so that our false ego may be removed and our real ego as eternal servants of the Lord may be awakened.

The practical process for removing false egotism is to be engaged both in thought and actions in devotional service, according to the directions of the scriptures, received through the spiritual master. If the Vedic vibration, or the instructions received, are pure, without adulteration, they lead to perfect knowledge and perfect activities. Perfect knowledge includes chanting the Mahā-mantra, which is the conclusion of all scriptures. In this way, our mind, senses, and words will all turn toward devotional activities. Again, Lord Śiva shows by his own example how we should pray.

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