20TH February 2012 is Maha shivrathri. It is the great day of Lord Shiva and a big day for his followers for prayers, fasting and vigil. Shivrathri is one of the major Hindu festivals, where people across the country observe the rituals for this auspicious day. Lord Sadaashhiva is the Lord of all deities due to whose grace the entire universe exists. Lord Shiva is also one who bestows his grace on all and instills into them fearlessness and power.
Shivaratri is one of the holiest nights of the year. It is the night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Literally, Shivratri means, "The great night of Shiva." It is celebrated on the 13th or 14th day of the dark half of the month of February - March. Devotees observe fasting and Keep vigil during night on Shivratri to get blessings of Lord Shiva. There is a reference to this in one of the Puranas, where Shiva himself tells Parvati Devi [the Divine Mother] that this day is particularly dear to him, and that those who perform the prescribed austerities on this day will be freed from all sins.
Many stories are there about the shivrathri. Some says that the first Shivaling originated in the night of Shivaraatri. Some says that it on this night that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. This is why the day is also called Shiv Gouri Divas. There are numerous legends about Shivarathri. Here're a few popular stories of Shivarathri.
The origin of Shivaratri is attributed to several stories in Hindu mythology. One very popular story traces the origin of this festival to the churning of the Ocean of Milk by devas (gods) and asuras (demons). It is said that when both gods and demons were churning the Ocean of Milk to obtain amrita (water of immortal life), they came across many unusual substances, including the deadly poison Kalakuta. As soon as they touched the poison, it exploded into poisonous fumes that threatened to envelope the entire universe by darkness. When the destruction of the universe seemed inevitable, the gods ran for assistance from Brahma and Vishnu, but neither was able to help. At last they ran to Lord Shiva, who raised his trident and condensed the fumes. In order to save the creation, Shiva swallowed the poison without spilling a single drop. The poison left a dark blue mark on Shiva's throat. The gods praised and worshipped Shiva for saving the universe. Shivratri celebrates this event by which Shiva saved the world.
Another story says that once a hunter while chasing a deer wandered into a dense forest and found himself on the banks of river Kolidum when he heard the growl of a tiger. To protect himself he climbed up a tree nearby. The tiger pitched itself on the ground below the tree fostering no intention to leave. The hunter stayed up in the tree all night and to keep himself from falling asleep, he gently plucked one leaf after another from the tree and threw it down.Under the tree was a Shiva Linga and the tree blessedly turned out to be a Bilva tree. Unknowingly the man had pleased the deity with Bilva leaves. At sunrise, the hunter looked down to find the tiger gone, and in its place stood Lord Shiva. He prostrated before the Lord and attained salvation from the cycle of birth and death. This story emphasizes the auspiciousness of worshipping Shiva with Bilva leaves on Shivaratri.
How to celebrate:-
While most of the Hindu festivals involve feasting and rejoicing, Shivratri is about fasting and prayer, and is observed for one's progress in spirituality The Shiva temples are busy and crowded with people gathering for worship throughout the day, where special poojas are offered to the Lord from day break. People offer Bilva leaves to the Lord, which is considered auspicious.
It is said that one should practice non-violence on this day. Then are things like not to lie, strict, be compassionate etc. But these things should be practiced on all days. Generally most people fast on Shivaratri day by chanting Panchakshari mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya.' Next is keeping vigil all night by worshipping Lord Shiva. Worshipping Shiva with Bilva leaves is considered highly auspicious. It is said that the offering of Bilva leaves on the occasion of Shivratri is so auspicious that even one who offers them unknowingly (as in the case of the hunter) will attain liberation.
Some people keep on bathing Shivling at night with milk, curd, sugar, honey and ghee. But for some people this would be hard to do. Lord Shiva is easily pleased even by an offering of a tumbler of water. So, simple water will do. Remember, Shiva accepts anything when given with utmost devotion.
If you are unable to observe fast or Keep vigil during night, you can observe the day by chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya.'
As the Mahashivratri fasting begins on the morning of Shivratri and ends next day morning. Since it is a long Upvaas or Vrat, many people consume a special meal known as 'phalar.'
Some people observing fast consume a mid-day meal consisting of non-cereal food such as boiled potatoes which is made into a curry without onion, garlic. Most devotees go for a fruit diet and drink lots of water. No meal is eaten after sunset. Next meal is taken on the morning of next day doing puja and giving alms. Sleep however is postponed to the night, to proceed only after having witnessed the first star in the next day evening.
The entire night is spend in a nearby Shiva temple or by chanting Mantras or listening to stories related to Shiva. Some of the important mantras that are chanted on the day include: Shiva Panchakshari Mantra – Om Namah Shivaya or chanting the sacred names of Lord Shiva.
Mahashivratri imparts the need to bring about a right balance in our lifestyle, in order to realise the highest truth of Self realization. Spending the day in prayer, meditation and fasting, conveys the truth to curb excessive of activities. Further keeping vigil on Shivaratri also compliments the truth of a pure mind. A pure mind can be achieved through a moderation in food, sleep and activities. Such a mind becomes the tool to achieve Self realization.
Shivaratri, in its essence, beneath all the religious rituals, thus carries the truth of Self realization. The night of Shivratri is especially auspicious for winning this same battle within ourselves – the battle between good and evil, between right and wrong, between poison and nectar, between death and immortality.
All the rituals on the night of Shivratri are meant to cleanse the ignorance and for the self realization. The fasting, rituals and chanting are meant to kill desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger. This will make you a better person and prepare you to face the challenges.
It is in fact to be noted that Lord shiva is worshipped by the devas like Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, by asuras like bana, ravana, tripura, surapadma, by humans like shankara bhagavatpada, by other creatures like jatayu, sampadi (eagles), vali (monkey) and the list goes on and on. One finds in the puranas the variety of people of different backgrounds and qualities worship the Lord shiva. There are many histories of temples which talk of the cranes, bees, elephants, spiders, snakes worshipping the Lord and getting blessed. So the Lord as the Supreme blesses anyone who worships in sincere devotion. There is no discrimination on who the seeker is. The Lord is so merciful that He showers the boons one look for when there is a determination to seek Him. It is evident from the history of asura bana who attained a great fame of his valor and got the place in the abode of Lord shiva all due to his determined worship of the Lord. So anybody who worships the Lord sincerely could get blessed with Its Grace irrespective of the caste, creed, race, power, status and qualities.
The secret of Creation is evident from the description of the form of Siva. The crescent moon on Siva's head symbolizes the consciousness in human beings, the Ganga symbolizes the Life Force and the snakes on Sivas body represent the myriad of living beings. He resides on a silver mountain. His dearest friend is Kubera, the Lord of Wealth. Despite being endowed with all these, why was He obliged to carry the begging bowl? To demonstrate to the world that every kind of wealth is a hindrance to spiritual advancement, Siva renounced everything. It is through renunciation Siva became the eternal embodiment of supreme bliss.
On this night of Shivratri, as we worship Bhagwan Shiva, it is also the night that we must pray for the strength to take his message to heart! Let us not only worship him, but let us emulate him. He who is willing to peacefully swallow the poison, he who is willing to sacrifice for the family, for the community and for humanity is the true Mahadeva.
Let us use our puja, our prayers, our meditations on this night to pray for divine intervention so that within ourselves the good might vanquish the evil, the nectar within us might emerge, rather than poison, and that we too may be carried from death to immortality.
Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah.(- RIG VEDA)
"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"
REGARDS
Miss.Shaija Vallikatri Bhaskaran
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