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Friday, Dec 8 2023
MAHASHIVARATRI
Purpose:
The festival of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th (or
14th) day of the month of Phalguna (February-March)
of the Indian calendar. The word Shivaratri literally
translates into "the night of Shiva." This
is because the ceremonies take place chiefly at night.
A daylong fast, a nightlong vigil, and the reverberating
rhythm of sacred chants mark the day. This is a festival
observed in honor of Lord Shiva.
Story
relating to the festival:
The Puranas contain many stories and legends describing
the origin of this festival. According to one, during
the Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the
ocean. This terrified the gods and demons as the poison
was capable of destroying the entire world, and they
ran to Lord Shiva for help. To protect the world from
its evil effects, Shiva drank the deadly poison but
held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. Because
of this, his throat turned blue, and he was given the
name Nilkantha, the blue-throated one. Shivaratri is
the celebration of this event by which Lord Shiva saved
the world.
It is said that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati
on this auspicious day. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped
throughout the night by washing it every three hours
with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the
chanting of the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaya"
continues. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the
Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred, for it is believed
that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them.
Swami's message on Deepavali:
Swami is the biggest miracle on earth. He is someone
you can trust. One whom you shouldn't be afraid of.
One who understands you. He IS God. As we all know,
each year during Shivaratri, lingams emerge from His
body - Bhur, Bhuvah and Suvaha. Bhur refers to the materialization
(the body), Bhuvah refers to vibrations (praana) and
Suvaha refers to radiation (atma). Let's see what Swami
says about the emergence of Lingam. Swami has said "There
is a specific time for this (emergence of Lingam). It
may take place at any moment between 8-10 pm at night.
It takes place at the right time irrespective of the
place I am in. It is bound to take place. It is natural
on Shivaratri."
How is the Festival celebrated:
This is an important day for the devotees of Lord
Shiva, who stay awake throughout the night, praying
to Him. In all major centers of Lord Shiva's worship,
Shivaratri, also called Maha Shivaratri, is a grand
occasion.
From the very early morning, Lord Shiva's temples are
flocked by devotees, mostly women, who come to perform
the traditional worship of the Shivalinga. All through
the day, devotees abstain from eating food and break
their fast only the next morning, after the nightlong
worship. The day is considered especially auspicious
for women. Married women pray for the well being of
their husbands and children, while unmarried women pray
for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is considered the
ideal husband.
Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva are sung with great fervor
and devotion. People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra,
Om Namah Shivaya. It is believed that one who utters
the name of Lord Shiva during Shivaratri with proper
devotion is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode
of Lord Shiva and lives happily there. He is liberated
from the cycle of birth and death. Many pilgrims flock
to the places where there are Lord Shiva's temples.
In Singapore, we sing Lord Shiva's bhajans throughout
the night for 12 hours. This instills purity and devotion
towards Lord Shiva in all. I recall the very first Shivaratri
I stayed awake the whole night. The vibrations from
the bhajans were very powerful. As I sat with the other
devotees on the straw mats I reflected on my life and
the many mistakes I had made before and decided it was
time I turned over a new leaf.
This Shivaratri really shook me up and made me realize
that life is something I have to live with values. I
can happily say today that I am more patient and do
not take things for granted. At least not as much as
I used to. So you see what just ONE night of praying
and just ONE night of chanting and taking a step towards
God can do to you? Let us keep this quote of Swami in
mind: "If you take one step towards Me, I will
take a hundred towards you"
Jai Sai Ram
Sis Nikita
SSEHV Group 4
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