Religious Articles
ŠIVA GURU	Return to Articles Index
The puranic story that narrates how Lord Shanmukha came to be known as Šiva Guru, illustrates how pride and ego lead on to disaster, and also outlines the manner in which a sincere disciple should seek knowledge from his teacher or Guru. Once, all the Gods led by Brahma and Indra were returning from Kailas after seeking the blessings of Lord Šiva and saw Shanmukha playing on the outskirts of Kailas. With the exception of Brahma, all of them paid their obeisance to Shanmukha and received His blessings. Out of pride and arrogance, however, Brahma thought that since Shanmukha was a youngster, there was no need for him to bow down before Him. Noticing this and with the intention of removing Brahma's ignorance, Shanmukha hailed Brahma to come closer to Him. Reluctantly, Brahma approached Shanmukha and pretended to offer his obeisance half-heartedly. Shanmukha asked him, being the Creator, whether he had experienced the Truths expounded in the Vedas, and if so, could he chant the Rig Veda. As soon as Brahma started chanting with the pranava, Shanmukha interrupted him and asked him to explain the meaning of the pranava mantra. Due to his delusion, however, Brahma was unable to do so and stood still in shame. Enraged at the emptiness of Brahma, Shanmukha ordered His attendants to take away Brahma and imprison him in a dark cell. Thereafter, Shanmukha Himself assumed the role of Creator. In course of time, all the Gods led by Lord Narayana appealed to Lord Šiva and requested Him to get the release of Brahma. Overcome by compassion, Lord Šiva deputed His emissary Šri Nandikešwara, but Shanmukha refused to release Brahma and threatened that He would imprison Šri Nandikešwara also if he did not go away immediately. After learning what happened to Šri Nandikešwara, Lord Šiva decided to go to Shanmukha and persuade Him to release Brahma. Although Shanmukha stood firm initially, He relented to His father's entreaties eventually and ordered His attendants to release Brahma. Brahma was thankful to Shanmukha for removing his ignorance and prostated before Him. Thereafter, Shanmukha asked Brahma to resume his previous role of Creator. Lord Šiva was pleased at the happy ending and embraced Shanmukha in sheer delight. Then, He lovingly asked Shanmukha whether He knew the meaning of the pranava mantra. Shanmukha said that indeed He knew the meaning, but would reveal it only to those who seek it in utter submission. Thereafter, Lord Šiva stood in front of Shanmukha in a submissive posture thus setting an example of how a true seeker of Truth should approach his Guru. Then Shanmukha explained to Lord Šiva that pranava means that which remains ever new and undecayed and that denotes nothing other than the Supreme Brahman. Thus by teaching the highest Truth to Lord Šiva Himself, Shanmukha became known as Šiva Guru.
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