Nidagha Enlightened (Contd)

The Ribhu Gita (ऋभुगीता) forms the sixth part of Siva Rahasya Purana. It details in about two thousand verses the dialogue on the Self and Brahman between Sage Ribhu (who in turn heard it from Lord Shiva Himself) and Sage Nidagha on the slopes of the Mount Kedara in the Himalayas. (source: wikipedia). 

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The following verses contain the declarations of the disciple Nidaga before his teacher Ribhu, expressing the spiritual achievements secured by him by the grace of his teacher, and expressions of his gratitude to his teacher, Ribhu.

• At one stroke I have become the bodies, senses, and souls owning them, the mind, intellect, intuition, ego, the primal nescience and restless commotion of spirit, and in short all that is seen and known.
• That gracious person who gives these teachings is no doubt the embodiment of Lord Parameshwara, His Devi Parvati, Vinayaka and God Shanmukha all rolled into one.
• He is again, Nandikeshwara, dattatreya, dakshinamurti, and in short, the Supreme Lord Shiva Himself.
• After being duly initiated into these teachings by the satguru, the disciple must, as long as life lasts in him, provide his teacher liberally with money, food, clothing and shelter and loving devotion. This is the sine qua non for the disciple's mukti.
• Further, he should adorn his forehead and body with vibhuti (sacred ash) in the prescribed manner, as this use of vibhuti alone will entitle him to Lord Shiva's Grace which removes all impediments to salvation.
• The habitual smearing of the body with vibhuti is called pasupatha vratham (austerity in devotion to Shiva). This practice quickens the attainment of Self-knowledge. O Lord Satguru! By this practice I earned the merit for arriving at thy holy feet which have led me to salvation.

From "The Essence of Ribhu Gita" by Prof. N. R. Krishnamurthi Aiyer