Living with Siva Nandinatha Sutras: Section 5, Spiritual Interaction
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Personal Life
Seven shishyas gather in the forest at their satguru's feet. The great radiance of his illumination shines out in a glowing nimbus, or auric halo. The swami's words are empowered by a psychic inner ray which touches the core of each seeker, awakening in them the same light and love.

Adhyatmika Parasparyam

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Section 5
Spiritual Interaction

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Siva is knowledge, and knowledge is the satguru. Thus the same result is obtained by worshiping Siva, knowledge and the guru. The guru is the abode of all divine beings and all mantras. Hence man should bow down and obey the instructions of the guru with all humility.

Chandrajnana Agama, Kriyapada, 2.9 BO CJ, P. 12

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Respect for Saints and Dignitaries

SUTRA 221: GREETING THE GURU AND HIS MONASTICS
All Siva's devotees prostrate before their satguru, reverently touch the feet of his acharyas and swamis, and greet yogis and sadhakas with their palms pressed together and head slightly bowed. This is tradition. Aum.

SUTRA 222: HOSTING A VISITING SWaMi
Hearing of a venerated swami's arrival, Siva's devotees joyously rush to the outskirts of town to welcome him. On his departure, they accompany him there and, with gifts, money and good wishes, bid him farewell. Aum.

SUTRA 223: VENERATING WORTHY LEADERS
Devout Hindus honor a satguru, a head of state, a respected elder, a learned scholar, a renunciate or ascetic of any lineage. Upon his entrance, they stand, rush forward, bow appropriately and offer kind words. Aum.

SUTRA 224: Shiva IS MOST EASILY SEEN IN THE SATGURU
Siva's devotees know that God exists equally in all souls but is most apparent in the enlightened master. Thus, they revere their own satguru as Siva Himself, but do not worship anyone as an incarnation of Siva. Aum.

SUTRA 225: TOUCHING THE FEET OF HOLY ONES
Sincere Siva devotees never fail to bow down or gently touch the feet of a satguru or holy person of any order dressed in monastic robes. They prostrate only to their own satguru. This is the tradition. Aum Namah Sivaya.

Social Injunctions

SUTRA 226: RESTRAINING GESTURES OF AFFECTION
All Siva's adult devotees refrain from touching adolescents or adults of the opposite sex, other than near relatives or older persons. They do not embrace or shake hands except when required by social etiquette. Aum.

SUTRA 227: MODESTY BETWEEN GENDERS
All Siva's devotees who are no longer children remain apart from the opposite sex when attending temples and public gatherings. Upon entering, women always sit on the left side, and men occupy the right side. Aum.

SUTRA 228: GUIDELINES FOR GARLANDING OTHERS
Devotees of Siva do not garland members of the opposite sex, other than their spouse or blood relatives. Women never garland a swami, yogi or sadhaka, but may freely and lovingly garland their own satguru. Aum.

SUTRA 229: FAMILY RETREAT AFTER A BIRTH OR DEATH
Siva's devotees observe a thirty-one-day retreat after the birth or death of a family member, not entering temples or home shrines, not attending puja or religious events, but continuing their japa, study and meditations. Aum.

SUTRA 230: CASTING ASIDE THE CASTE SYSTEM
Siva's devotees are forbidden to perpetuate the restrictions and abuses of the Indian caste system. Instead, they base respect and status on attainment, knowledge, behavior and spiritual maturity. Aum Namah Sivaya.

Interfaith Harmony

SUTRA 231: INTERACTING WITH OTHER FAITHS
Siva's devotees properly respect and address virtuous persons of all religious traditions. They may support and participate in interfaith gatherings from time to time with leaders and members of all religions. Aum.

SUTRA 232: NOT DEMEANING OTHER SECTS OR RELIGIONS
Siva's devotees do not speak disrespectfully about other Hindu lineages, their beliefs, Gods, sacred sites, scriptures, or holy men and women. Nor do they disparage other religions. They refuse to listen to such talk. Aum.

SUTRA 233: RESTRAINING INVOLVEMENT WITH OTHER FAITHS
Siva's devotees avoid the enchantment of other ways, be they ancient or modern. They remain friendly toward but apart from other religions, except when their members sincerely approach Hinduism for its wisdom. Aum.

SUTRA 234: MAINTAINING A HINDU SOLIDARITY
Siva's devotees know that for eons our religion has come forward to recreate a Hindu unity. Therefore, they are dedicated to building whenever necessary, and keeping strong always, an invincible Hindu solidarity. Aum.

SUTRA 235: HARMONY BETWEEN DENOMINATIONS
Siva's devotees, with hearts as big as the sky, love and accept Smarta, Shakta and Vaishnava Hindus as brothers and sisters, even if not accepted by them, and keep harmony by not discussing differences. Aum Namah Sivaya.

Avoiding Alien Influences

SUTRA 236: SAFEGUARDING ONE'S BELIEFS
Siva's devotees, one-pointed in striving on their chosen path, do not join or study with any esoteric, religious, secular humanist, atheist, existentialist or self-improvement group that might undermine their beliefs. Aum.

SUTRA 237: DEALING WITH DETRACTORS
Siva's devotees never listen to talk intended to deter them from their commitment, devotion or duty unless willing and able to turn the detractor's mind around by debating the truths of the Saivite Hindu religion. Aum.

SUTRA 238: NOT SENDING YOUTH TO OTHER FAITHS' SCHOOLS
Siva's devotees never educate their children in institutions that would instill or force on them the teachings of alien religions. They know that the early impressions of youth go deep and can never be totally erased. Aum.

SUTRA 239: KEEPING GOOD, RELIGIOUS COMPANY
Siva's devotees do not mix with dogmatic or militant Hindus, or with anyone who would infiltrate, dilute and destroy their faith. They associate closely with devout people whose beliefs are similar to their own. Aum.

SUTRA 240: TRUTH IN THE PALM OF THEIR HAND
My devotees know that everything they need to fulfill their quest for liberation is found in our consummate Nandinatha Sampradaya. With the final conclusions in their grasp, they look no further. Aum Namah Sivaya.

Devotion to the Satguru

SUTRA 241: PROTOCOLS FOR HONORING THE SATGURU
Siva's devotees daily offer fruit or flowers in love and prostrate before their satguru, or to his sandals or the direction in which he abides. They chant the Guru Mantra when approaching any satguru for darshana. Aum.

SUTRA 242: THE SATGURU AND Shiva ARE ONE
Siva's devotees look upon their satguru as the embodiment of Siva, offering service and reverence equally to both, making no distinction between the two. So live His truest devotees. This is pure Saiva tradition. Aum.

SUTRA 243: SEEKING INNER UNITY WITH THE SATGURU
Siva's devotees meditate each morning upon their satguru's inner form, striving earnestly to know his temperament, the contents of his heart and his essential nature, which is eternal, peaceful and unattached. Aum.

SUTRA 244: BLESSINGS FROM AND SERVICE TO THE SATGURU
Siva's devotees hasten to receive their satguru's food leavings and the sanctified waters from his holy feet or sandals. They know that in serving the enlightened master, the whole world is served and dharma is fulfilled. Aum.

SUTRA 245: SEEKING SATGURU DARshANA AND INITIATION
Siva's devotees emulate the awakened qualities they see in their satguru, seek initiation and daily strive to fathom his realization of Parashiva, which is his priceless gift, attainable by no other means. Aum Namah Sivaya.

Working with the Satguru

SUTRA 246: NURTURING THE GURU-shISHYA RELATIONSHIP
Siva's devotees seek their satguru's blessings, act in harmony with his will, trust in his supreme wisdom, seek refuge in his grace and rush forward to rededicate themselves each year during the month of the guru. Aum.

SUTRA 247: OBEY YOUR GURU, OBEY YOUR GURU...
Siva's devotees obey their satguru, carrying out his directions, expressed or implied, with intelligent cooperation, without delay. They keep no secrets from him, nor advise others how to manipulate his decisions. Aum.

SUTRA 248: ...OBEY YOUR GURU
Siva's devotees trustingly heed their satguru's counsel without even subtly attempting to change his mind. If he declines to give blessings for an endeavor, they accept that as his blessing and proceed no further. Aum.

SUTRA 249: SEEKING SANCTION FOR SEVERE AUSTERITIES
Siva's devotees regularly perform spiritual practices on their own, but undertake serious penance and rigorous austerities only with their satguru's express permission, guidance, empowerment and spiritual protection. Aum.

SUTRA 250: CUSTOMS FOR RECEIVING THE SATGURU
Siva's devotees, upon the satguru's entrance or arrival, cease worldly activity and conversation. They rise, rush forward to greet him, offer him a seat of honor and expectantly await his instructions. Aum Namah Sivaya.

In the Satguru's Presence

SUTRA 251: NEVER CRITICIZING OR CONTENDING
Siva's devotees are forbidden by tradition to criticize their satguru, even behind his back, or to argue with him, contradict or correct him. They may, however, request clarification and offer additional information. Aum.

SUTRA 252: SHOWING RESPECT TO THE PRECEPTOR
Siva's devotees never stand or sit above their satguru, walk or drive ahead of him, take a place of authority or instruct others in his presence unless invited. All Hindus are sensitive in a guru's lofty company. Aum.

SUTRA 253: UNSEEMLY BEHAVIORS TO AVOID
Siva's devotees never utter words of falsehood or contempt before their satguru. Nor do they deceive him, address him as an equal, imitate his dress or deportment or speak excessively or pridefully in his presence. Aum.

SUTRA 254: HONORING THE SATGURU' s PRESENCE
When with the satguru, devotees do not initiate conversation or ask questions unless he gives permission. If he prefers silence, silence is the message, the pure nectar from the deep well of his ineffable attainment. Aum.

SUTRA 255: NO TOLERANCE FOR SLANDER
Siva's devotees never listen to criticism of their satguru. If slander is heard, they extol the guru and warn the trespasser of his encroachment. If he persists in ignorance, they leave in eloquent silence. Aum Namah Sivaya.

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