Re: Chinmaya Correspondence Course advises choosing a lord
Namaskar shays860,
I believe they want you to chose something like an Ishta devata. Shiva, I believe is great option if you want to have non-dual realization at last. Shiva is the absolute consciousness, the one without second. Shiva exists in everything and he is the our inner self, which we will realize after Moksha. Shiva as you know is shown in various postures performing various roles. The most common posture for him is in state of Yoga, when he is self absorbed. This is a message that self is the ultimate truth. Some pictures also represent Shiva with a damru (musical instrument) which depicts him creating the universe with sound. Shiva's better half parvati is actually Shiva himself. Parvati represents the power of Shiva. His maya, the illusionary power of the lord. Shiva is also shown in various other postures like with a trident, which represents shunning of evil thoughts from one self. He is also the lord who brings pralaya or dissolution of apparent universe. I am sorry that I cannot direct you to any website for crash course as growing in Indian society meant I already learned basics about our most beloved bhagwan. Omkara has posted a shaivite library, may be you can try that out. Hope other members help you to seek what you are looking for.
Shantam Shivam Advaitam.
When the light has risen, there is no day, no night, neither existence nor non-existence; Siva alone is there. That is the eternal, the adorable light of Savitri, - and the ancient wisdom proceeded thence (Svetasvatara Upanishad IV-18). :)
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