KRIPANIDHI
What to speak about the mercy of Kapali! He is a direct ocean of mercy, so he is called as Kripanidhi. He showers the rains of mercy upon anyone, who comes to him even blind-folded. He forgives the most unbearable offences and makes him his devotee. Because of the compassionate nature of Kamari, a constant feast of Moksha (deliverance) is going on at Varanasi. The causeless mercy of Lord Shankar is widely conceived in the narrations of Puranas. In Shiv-Purana we find the story of his endless mercy upon the devotees like Ahukbheel, Gurudrohi Vyadha, Mahananda Vaishya, Saumini Chandalini, Bhasmasura, Gajasura and Andhakasura etc. In Shiv-Gita Lord Shankar personally tells it to Shri Ram—
अपि चेत् सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक्।
साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः॥
महापापैरपि स्पृष्टो देहान्ते यस्तुमांस्मरेत्।
पञ्चाक्षरीं वोच्चरति स मुक्तो नात्रसंशयः॥
Purport: Even if a low class person accepts the path of devotion by strict negation of evils, then he must be considered as a holy saint. Even if a great sinner remembers me at the time of death or he chants the mantra of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, then he is delivered from the cycle of birth and death, there is no doubt about it. Time and again, devotees have illustrated the merciful nature of the Lord that— “O Lord! Uma has possessed only half of your body, but the compassion has captured the whole of your existence.” Aalwal is describing his compassionate nature as under—
दैतेयेषु जलन्धरादिषु स्वीयानामपकारकेष्वपि।
सालोक्यादिपदानि दित्ससि त्वं ख्यातोऽसि ततः कृपानिधिः॥
You are Kripanidhi because you delivered Jalandhar etc, though they offended your devotees. Performing devotion along with merciful heart towards common masses, and staying alert from a decline in devotion due to excessive merciful nature; is true sense of worship of Kripanidhi.
It is an indication for a seeker here that he should be serious like an ocean in regard of mercy. For a practitioner of divine virtues like amity etc, it is natural to shower mercy upon the needy. But there should be no such extremes, which may hinder the path of devotion. It is essential for a seeker to control himself from such intensities. Compassion is good, but externalization is much harmful for a seeker. Compassion is not limited just to a mental attitude, but it is extended to the physical implementation of compassion into action. Efforts for removal of sufferings of the poor is actual compassion. Not just showing sympathy and adding oral consolation. A seeker should be careful that his process of self-realization is not blocked by the acts of benevolence. Therefore a seeker should avoid any exaggerations while performing charities, just as an ocean always remains peaceful and grave.
For the sake of compassion, Lord Shankar swallowed the most terrible poison. Being overwhelmed with compassion, Lord Shankar approved the request of Bhagirath and allowed Ganges to rest in his tresses. It is due to compassion only that moon became the crown-jewel of Lord Shankar. Hence Shankar is called as Kripanidhi.
