Sharanasthala

Sharana Sthala (A phase of semi-enlightenment, when the devotee knows that he/she is not contained in his mortal being and sees the light of the Lord in himself): In this stage, the soul finds delight and security in the service of God. Soul acquires intimacy with God and becomes faithful servant of God. Anything and everything the soul hears is the sweet voice of God. Life is no more burden to it but a delight. This overwhelming spiritual joy in the presence of God is considered to be the perfection that the soul attains.

Sharanasthala endows an individual with the feeling and knowledge of God’s presence in his/her own soul and begins a direct dialogue with Shiva. This sublime feeling enables the seeker to see Shiva within himself/herself and in every other human being. The soul becomes filled with Shiva-Jnan, Shiva-Bhakti and Shiva-worship. Every thing becomes Shivamaya (filled with Shiva’s presence, and not Maya of illusion). At this stage one does not falter; one is self-sustained and self-aware of Shiva’s Grace.

ಶರಣ ಸಂಬಂಧವನರಿದ ಬಳಿಕ,
ಕುಲಮದ ಛಲಮದವಿಲ್ಲ ಕಂಡಯ್ಯಾ.
ಲಿಂಗ ಸಂಬಂಧವನರಿದ ಬಳಿಕ,
ಶೀಲ ಸಂಬಂಧವಿಲ್ಲ ಕಂಡಯ್ಯಾ.
ಪ್ರಸಾದ ಸಂಬಂಧವನರಿದ ಬಳಿಕ,
ಇಹಪರಂಗಳೆಂಬವಿಲ್ಲ ಕಂಡಯ್ಯಾ.
ಮಹಾಲಿಂಗ ಕಲ್ಲೇಶ್ವರಾ,
ಇಂತೀ ತ್ರಿವಿಧ ಸಂಬಂಧಕ್ಕೆ ಇದೇ ದೃಷ್ಟ. /2209

After knowing the relation of sharana
no room for arrogance of caste or bravery;
after knowing the relation of linga
no room for sheela relation;
after knowing the relation of prasaada
there is no this world or the other;
Mahaalinga Kalleshwara,
this is the proof of three kinds of relation. / 2209 ^[1]

ಶರಣ ಶರಣನ ಕಂಡು,
`ಶರಣು' ಎಂದು ಕರವ ಮುಗಿವುದೆ ಭಕ್ತಿಲಕ್ಷಣ.
ಶರಣ ಶರಣನ ಕಂಡು,
ಪಾದವಿಡಿದು ವಂದಿಸುವುದೆ ಭಕ್ತಿಲಕ್ಷಣ.
ಶರಣ ಚರಣವ ಪಿಡಿಯದೆ
ಕಂಡೂ ಕಾಣದೆ ಪೋದನಾದಡೆ
ಕೂಡಲಚೆನ್ನಸಂಗನ ಶರಣರು ಮನ್ನಿಸರಯ್ಯಾ./905

A sharana's greeting another sharana on seeing him
with folded hands, saying, 'I bow to you'
is the characteristic of devotion;
a sharana's greeting another sharana on seeing him
by touching his feet,
is the characteristic of devotion;
if a sharana does not greet another on seeing him
and behaves as if he has not seen him,
Koodala Chennasanga's sharanas will not pardon him. / 905 ^[1]