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. Maha Shivaratri in 2013 is on MARCH 10th. 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 theOceanofMilkby devas (gods) and asuras (demons). It is said that when both gods and demons were churning theOceanofMilkto 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.
The philosophical essence of the above myth is as follows: gods and demons symbolize all kinds of individuals (both good and bad) in the world. TheOceanofMilkrepresents the ideal world that is full of peace and happiness for all human beings. Churning theOceanofMilksignifies the human activity in the world. The amrita (Nectar) symbolizes happiness and the poison represents human greed and selfishness. Shiva symbolizes the atman (self), the spiritual essence of an individual. Worship of Shiva denotes meditation and contemplation by an individual on his or her own self.
The above story is symbolic of the fact that individuals perform actions in the world in order to achieve happiness. In this process a person is usually overpowered by greed and selfishness, ruining his or her efforts for obtaining peace and happiness. Thus the only way to achieve peace and happiness is by worshipping Shiva at night, that is, by meditating on one's own self during the night, when the individual is free from the distractions of the physical world. When the individual attains self-knowledge, he or she can live in the world without being affected by anger, greed, and selfishness, the three enemies of one's soul. Shivaratri symbolizes the worship of the atman (self realization).
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 spiritualityThe 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.
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.
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.
collection from various sources.
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"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"
REGARDS
Miss.Shaija Vallikatri Bhaskaran
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