Page 1 - February-2026

Adi Guru Siva: The Lineage of Light

ord Siva manifests in countless forms – from the symbolic
LSiva Lingam to the cosmic dancer Nataraja, from the fierce
Bhairava to the enigmatic Ardhanarishvara – each revealing a
distinct facet of the Divine.

For the spiritual seeker, however, His intimate manifestation
is as the Adi Guru – the source of all knowledge and the
fountainhead of the Guru-paramparä. This role shines in His
dialogue with Goddess Parvati, to whom He imparted the
Ramayana as a guide to discipline, dharma, and devotion. As
Dakshinamurti, Siva sits beneath the banyan tree – youthful
and silent – while aged, spiritually mature disciples ‘listen’
in reverence. The symbolism is clear: both the Guru and the
knowledge He imparts are timeless.
This sacred paramparä finds perfect expression in Siva’s
aàça avatära as Hanuman, the Guru, who brings solace and
strength to a forlorn Sita in Ashoka Vatika. It attains philosophical
clarity in Adi Sankaracharya, who, through logic and
soul-stirring hymns, restored the Upanishadic vision that
Brahman alone is real and the jéva is none other than That.
In our times, this lineage found a powerful voice in Pujya
Gurudev – carried forward by Pujya Guruji and Pujya Swami
Swaroopanandaji – who made Vedanta accessible to all without
diluting its depth. It is, therefore, deeply meaningful that the
first temple consecrated by Pujya Gurudev was the Jagadeeshwara
Mandir at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, in 1968. Equally
profound is the towering, black Siva Lingam on his kuöiyä
at Sidhbari – underscoring the indispensability of the Teacher.

As Adi Guru, Siva teaches that the highest instruction is
received through alertness, purity, and stillness – that
the Teacher ultimately transcends all forms. As
the silent Witness within, the Lord waits patiently
to be recognized. May this Maha Sivaratri be Editorial
contemplative and elevating, illuminating His
Presence within and without.

Tapovan Prasad 7 February 2026