Misconception about Shivoham: Every individual has two forms or personalities. One is artificial or the put-on form and the other is Nijarupa or natural form or the inner personality. Similarly Isha also has two forms, one is upadhikas or with upadhis and the other is Satya Swaroop or the true state. Artificial form can be indicated by words where Vachyartha or literal meaning can be taken and the natural form can be indicated by Lakshya - artha or implied meaning. The literal (Vachya) personalities of Jiva and Shiva are different. To know that “I am the body with name and form is Vachyartha of the Jiva”. If you think more deeply, you will find that Jiva is not the body name and form but is Sat-Chit-Anand or existence-consciousnessbliss. This Laksyartha indicates what Jiva really is.
Similarly when you think of ‘shiva’ to mean the creator of world you are taking Vachayartha what the ‘Vedas’ have concluded that ‘Isha’ is Sathyam-Jnanamanantam- Brahma or existence- knowledge-without limits-Brahman this lakshyartha of Isha.
‘Jiva and Shiva’ cannot be identical if you consider their Vachyartha. But lakshyartha of the two matches perfectly and on this basis the two are one and the same knowing this basic facts the Sadhakas should realise how Jiva and Shiva are identical while chanting shivoham.
There is difference between a green horn Sadhaka who is yet to experience Jnana and true Sadhaka who has spiritual experience. One should chant shivoham after experiencing the spiritual knowledge. Ego has to go completely for shiva to manifest.
Bliss of merging with Shiva: Ananda is your fundamental nature. Instead of looking for bliss outside look inwards and realise that you are the substratum of your body and mind. You experience the substratum which is all bliss. The Rama-Japa does not mean repeating the name Rama while looking for Rama outside. The true Rama-Japa is to be one with Rama. Truly great saints are those who have merged themselves completely in Shiva after realising that Jiva and Shiva are one. They have completely lost their insignificant Jiva — nature to become perfect Brahman the joy obtained from sense objects come no where near the bliss that is experienced by merging in Shiva. Jnani, an embodiment of bliss and peace: We are engaged in the impossible task of collecting little joys obtainable from sense objects to add up to perfect happiness and all our life we are engaged in pursuit of little joys. Real happiness is the experience of our own inner Anand. You have to realise this from your past experience in life.
The sacred sayings of Samartha Sadguru Shri Ganpatrao Maharaj Kannur, compiled by Shyamarao B Kannur