During a special session of 'Ajatk Dharma Samsad' titled 'Immortal Ujjain' in the city of Ujjain, which is the city of Mahakala, former Indian Civil Service (IAS) officer and author of the book 'Devadhidev' Manoj Kumar Srivastava elaborated on various aspects of the forms of God Shiva, the tradition of the Ujjain calendar, and the philosophical significance of Mahakala.
He emphasized that Ujjain is not only a religious center but also an important site for ancient study of astronomy and timekeeping systems. Manoj Kumar Srivastava referred to Ujjain as the 'capital of kalabodha' (the capital of knowledge of time), noting that ancient India had a tradition of time calculations and astronomical research here. He mentioned Varahamihira and the Ujjain observatory, adding that Mahakala was established in a place where the culture of understanding time and epochs historically developed.
In his book 'Devadhidev', the author focused on three forms of God Shiva: Pashupati, Smashanvasi, and Nataraja, aiming to reveal the comprehensive philosophy of Shiva through these three manifestations.
Regarding the term 'Pashupati', Manoj Srivastava objected to its simple interpretation as 'lord of animals'. He stated that the translation by Western authors as 'Lord of the Beasts' might distort the true meaning. According to the author, there are three separate concepts in the Indian philosophical tradition: 'pashu', 'pash', and 'pati'. A person, according to this concept, is bound by ties such as greed, lust, anger, and egoism, which are denoted as 'pash', whereas the supreme entity, existing above these limitations, is called Pashupati.
Explaining the form of Smashanvasi, he referenced the Bhasma Aarti ritual performed in the Mahakala temple. Srivastava explained that applying ash to Shiva symbolizes the transience of all earthly possessions, including status, wealth, and luxury. In his view, the message of Mahakala is to look beyond these fleeting things. He noted that Shiva, who conquers death (Mrityunjaya Shiva), is a symbol of transcending everything humans consider permanent, which is why ash holds special significance in Mahakala.
As for the form of Nataraja, Srivastava linked it to the movement, vibration, and rhythm of creation. Citing examples from modern science, such as 'vibration' and 'string theory', he suggested that the dance of Nataraja can be viewed as a symbol of continuous motion and energy in the Universe. He also shared that while in government service, he maintained contact with various forms of Shiva, and this experience inspired him to write the book 'Devadhidev.'
