At the installation festival for Sri Sadashiva Gangadhar at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Nabadwip, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj spoke in depth about the position and power of Lord Shiva. In particular, he summarised the Gaudiya Vaishnava view of Lord Shiva’s relationship with the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, and explained how Shiva’s merciful glance uplifts the souls of this world. During his lecture he cited his pranam-mantra for Lord Shiva.
panchananam pashupatim varadam prasannam
gangadharam pranata-palakam ashutosham
vande sadashiva-haripriya-chandramaulim
“The god of gods, garlanded with a snake, shines like the moon, which he wears on his crown. He has five heads, carries his pashupat arrow, grants boons, and is naturally satisfied. He holds the Ganges, protects those who bow to him, and is easily pleased. I offer my obeisance unto Sadashiva, who is dear to Hari.”
Srila Govinda Maharaj also cited other important verses and mantras for prayer and meditation upon Lord Shiva.
vaishnavanam yatha shambhuh purananam idam tatha
“As the Ganges is the greatest river, Achyuta the greatest Deity, and Shiva the greatest Vaishnava, so Srimad Bhagavatam is the greatest Purana.”
dhyayen nityam mahesam rajata-giri-nibham charu-chandravatamsam
ratnakalpojjvalangam parasu-mriga-varabhiti-hastam prasannam
padmasinam samantat stutam amara-ganair vyaghra-kritim vasanam
vishvadyam vishva-bijam nikhila-bhaya-haram pancha-vaktram trinetram
“Always meditate upon Shiva, the greatest of the gods. His body shines like a jewel and resembles a silver mountain. He has three eyes on each of his five faces, which are beautifully crowned by the moon. With his four hands, he holds his axe and a deer, and forms the mudras for granting blessings and fearlessness. He is satisfied as he sits in the lotus posture on a tiger skin and is praised by immortals on all sides. He is the origin and seed of the world. He dispels all fear.”
maule sanandana-sanatana-naradedya
gopishvara vraja-vilasa-yuganghri-padme
pritim prayachchha nitaram nirupadhikam me
“O protector of Vrindavan Dham! O master of Uma, whose crown is the moon! O Shiva, you are worshipped by Sananda, Sanatan, and Narad! All glory to you! O guardian of the gopis! Give me firm, unalloyed devotion to the lotus feet of the Divine Couple, who play in Vraja.”
May we pass this day in remembrance of Lord Shiva’s service to Sri Krishna, and His grace upon the surrendered souls.