Shiva Mahimna Stotra

Shloka 26

Meaning: Intellectually developed people make you limited by saying that ‘You are sun, moon, wind, fire, water, sky, earth, and soul’. But, in this universe, we do not know anything which is not You.

Reflections:  Hindus know that God is only one, called Brahman, and Brahman is infinite, formless, and free from all qualities. Since it is difficult to meditate on the formless Brahman initially, seekers of God are encouraged to meditate on various forms of Brahman (God) endowed with qualities according to one’s liking. There is total freedom in selecting the forms and qualities of God. That is why the Hindu religion has reached mythology. However, all the seekers of God are reminded again and again that these forms are limited, and they are just the representations of the infinite Brahman. This will prevent them to be fanatics about the particular forms of God. Pushpadanta, in this shloka, addresses this point in a very poetic way.

There are several lists of gods and goddesses available in Hinduism. One of the lists talks about eight manifestations of Brahman, namely, five elements (space, wind, fire, water, and earth), two illumined objects (sun, and moon, which are considered as the eyes of Brahman), and Atman (the inner consciousness). In Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna says that wherever one sees special power manifesting through a person or an object, one should know that it is the ‘Power of Lord Krishna’, meaning the power of Brahman. One can meditate first on that manifestation and then develop a way to meditate on the infinite, formless, and qualityless Brahman.        

In this shloka, Pushpadanta poetically says that Lord Shiva as Brahman is not only the eight manifestations, but there is nothing in the universe that is not Brahman. Brahman is what we perceive in the universe and is beyond what we perceive. Actually, one who is searching for Brahman is not different from Brahman. Out of ignorance one separates oneself from Brahman and then looks for Brahman.  

No one can describe Brahman. Whatever we describe becomes limited. Brahman is infinite and unlimited. Sri Ramakrishna says that everything in the universe has become ‘jhutha’ except Brahman. Whatever touches our mouth is considered ‘jhutha’. We think that we can describe all the objects and beings in the universe because they are limited. But Brahman is even beyond our comprehension because our mind is limited. Again, Sri Ramakrishna says that one cannot put ten gallons of milk in a one-gallon container.  

The truth that ‘Brahman has become everything’ has been mentioned all over in the Hindu scriptures. The following are a couple of examples:

Ishopanishad, line 1 of mantra 1, says:

“ALL THIS – whatever exists in this changing universe – should be covered by the Lord.”

Lord Shri Krishna, identifying himself with Brahman, says the following in the Bhagavad Gita:

“O Arjuna! There exists nothing whatever higher than I am. All is strung on Me (Brahman) as a row of gems on a thread.” (Gita 7.7).

“One who sees Me (Brahman) everywhere and sees everything in Me, to that person I am never lost, nor he/she is ever lost to Me.” (Gita 6.30).

 “At the end of many births, the person of wisdom, realizing that ‘Vasudeva (Brahman) is all’, worships Me (Brahman). Rare indeed to find such a great soul.” (Gita 7.19).