Maha Shiv Ratri
Maha Shiv Ratri happens once a year on the 14th day of Falgun month (around
February-March). It appears in Krishna Paksha - i.e. the dark side of the month of
Falgun. We also have ShivaRatri - which happens every month of the year.
As the name denotes it is a festival and fast named in honour of Lord Shiva,one of
five principal Devs & Devtas observed by devoted Hindus world over. (The others
being Sri Ganesh, Sri Durga Devi, Sri Hari Vishnu & Sri Surya Narayan).
Disciplined Lord Shiva devotees observe a strict fast on this day. Those who can
complete this day without taking even a drop of water, ie Nirajal - find immense
benefits in life. It is quite desirable & highly beneficial in Lord Shiva's bhakti. Also
believed on this day is for you to keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is
worshipped throughout the night by bathing it every three hours with milk, curd,
honey, rose water, etc., whilst chanting - "Om Namah Shivaya".
Offerings of Bael leaves are made to the Lingam as Bael leaves are considered very
sacred and it is said that even Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. It is the same Bael
that Devi Parvathi consumed for 1000 years to reconnect and seek attention of
Lord Shiva. (Bael leaves are sacred element in performing havan for Devi Durga
during Nao Ratri).
Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" of Pushpadanta
or Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra" are sung with great fervour and devotion.
People repeat the 'Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya". It is often said in
Shiv Maha Puran that anyone who utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri, with
perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches Lord Shiva's
kingdom after death and lives there happily - thus finding moksha. He is liberated
from the cycle of births and deaths. Don't we all want that?
The night of Shiv Ratri is particularly known for three main reasons:
1.Sada Shiv appeared in a Linga form at exactly midnight on Maha Shiv Ratri. That is
why it is desirable to keep a all-night vigil and do Shiv Lingam Abhisekham.
2. Lord Shiva married Devi Parvathi on this day in the Himalayas after her years of
devotion and waiting for the Almighty.
3. Lord Shiva on this day swallowed the deadly jahar (poison) on this day to save the
cosmos or universe from death - the poison had the capacity to destroy all the
living beings. The poison was derived after churning of Kshir Saagar (sea) by the
demons and the demi-gods or devtas. The poison/ jahar was so strong that a drop
of it -had it landed on Lord Shiva's stomach - which represents the universe - would
have been destroyed. Lord Shiva held it back in his neck/throat - thus he derived a
name, Neelkanth, ie Neel, meaning blue kantha, meaning throat area.
Another reason why Lord Shiva did not swallow the poison further than his throat
was because he felt his Ist Devta, Lord Ram resides in his hirdhay (heart), and he
would not want to harm Lord Ram.
Thus we observe Shiva Ratri and make offerings to him as a way of Thanksgivings
for protecting us and all living species from annihilation.
Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara (Shiva)
It is believed that once Brahma and Vishnu, the two pillars of the holy Trinity were
having an argument as to who was supreme. Brahma declared himself to be the
Creator of all and thus more revered. Vishnu claimed that since he was the Creator
and the Destroyer, he commanded more respect. The debate or war of words
between the two would have been resolved until Lord Shiva stepped in.
Lord Shiva appeared in a form of Lingam - ablaze with flames. Both Lord Brahma &
Lord Vishnu were so overwhelmed by its constantly increasing size, that they forgot
their quarrel and decided to determine its size. Vishnu took the form of a boar and
went down to the seas while Brahma in the form of a swan ascended to the skies.
Neither could ascertain the size or the origin of the Shiva Linga. Just then, Shiva
appeared out of the lingam and proclaimed that he was the progenitor of both of
them. He was the Creator, Preserver and the Destroyer. He demanded that
thereafter he be worshipped in his phallic form, Shiva Lingam.
(There is one belief that Lord Brahma had lied that he had seen the origin of the
Ling in the skies when in fact he had not - on this day then Lord Shiva had cursed
Lord Brahma that as a result of his false statement - he will not be ever worshipped
in a full form as other Gods & Goddesses).
Thus as a result of Lord Shiva's intervention between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma
on this day, it was marked as Shiv Ratri. On this day also - both Lord Brahma and
Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva and started a tradition of worshipping the Linga.
On the day of Shivratri, the lingam is bathed in the five sacred offerings of a cow,
called the panchagavya - milk, sour milk or dhahi, gow mutra, ghee and cow dung.
After that the five Hindu foods of immortality - milk, ghee, curd, honey and gudr (or
brown sugar) - are placed before Shiva Lingam. Dhatura and jati, though poisonous
fruits, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered on his Linga or Murti (statue).
Eleven is considered to be the sacred number of the Lord. Devotees keep a
varat/fast on the Shivratri and observe strict rules, for achieving ashirvaadh or
vardan (boon).
Special celebrations are held all over the world but specially in the 12
main Divya Shiv Ling shrines in India - like Vishwanath mandir in Varanasi &
Rameshwaram in South India.
In places like Kashmir, the festival is held for 15 days; the thirteenth day is observed
as Herath, a day of fast followed by a family feast.
Shiva - the word meaning auspicious - is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprising of
Lord Brahma, the creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva or Mahesh, the
Destroyer and Re-Producer of life. Shiva is known by many names like "Shankar",
"Mahesh", "Bholenath", "Neelakanth", "Shambhu Kailasheshwar", "Umanath", "Nataraj"
or simply, Shivaji.
Lord Shiva's close devotees believe he is easily pleased with small amount of
devotion and shradha. Even little offerings of his favourites or recitals of his hymns
on Shiv Ratri or on other days - especially Mondays, please the Lord so much that
he is able to look after his devotees and keep them enticed in his preaching
through Sri Shiva Maha Puran. He is worshipped as a God of large-heartedness. His
kathas and leelas (legends) also enrich the Hindu culture and art, especially
dances.
MOST FAMOUS SHIV RATRI KATHA (legend)
In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of
arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by
King Chitrabhanu.
King Chitrabhanu in his past life was a hunter in Lord Shiva's favourite
place on earth, Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill
and sell birds and animals. One day while roaming through forests in search of
animals to kill he was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home,
he climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. He had shot a deer that
day but had no time to take it home. So he bundled it up and tied it to a branch on
the tree. As hunger and thirst tormented him, he was kept awake throughout the
night. He shed profuse tears when he thought of his poor wife and children who
were starving and anxiously waiting for his return. To pass away the time that night
he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the
ground.
The next day he returned home and sold the deer and then bought some food for
himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came
to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and then had his own.
At the time of his death, he was confronted by two messengers of Lord Shiva. They
were sent down to conduct his soul to the kingdom of Lord Shiva. He learnt then for
the first time of the great merit he had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord
Shiva during the night of Shivaratri.
The messengers told him that there was a Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The
leaves I dropped fell on the Lingam. His tears, which had shed out of pure sorrow
for his family, fell onto the Lingam and washed it and he had fasted all day and all
night. Thus, he unconsciously worshiped the Lord.
As the conclusion of the tale the King said that he lived in the kingdom of Lord
Shiva and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages and now he has reborn as King
Chitrabhanu.
February-March). It appears in Krishna Paksha - i.e. the dark side of the month of
Falgun. We also have ShivaRatri - which happens every month of the year.
As the name denotes it is a festival and fast named in honour of Lord Shiva,one of
five principal Devs & Devtas observed by devoted Hindus world over. (The others
being Sri Ganesh, Sri Durga Devi, Sri Hari Vishnu & Sri Surya Narayan).
Disciplined Lord Shiva devotees observe a strict fast on this day. Those who can
complete this day without taking even a drop of water, ie Nirajal - find immense
benefits in life. It is quite desirable & highly beneficial in Lord Shiva's bhakti. Also
believed on this day is for you to keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is
worshipped throughout the night by bathing it every three hours with milk, curd,
honey, rose water, etc., whilst chanting - "Om Namah Shivaya".
Offerings of Bael leaves are made to the Lingam as Bael leaves are considered very
sacred and it is said that even Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. It is the same Bael
that Devi Parvathi consumed for 1000 years to reconnect and seek attention of
Lord Shiva. (Bael leaves are sacred element in performing havan for Devi Durga
during Nao Ratri).
Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" of Pushpadanta
or Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra" are sung with great fervour and devotion.
People repeat the 'Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya". It is often said in
Shiv Maha Puran that anyone who utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri, with
perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches Lord Shiva's
kingdom after death and lives there happily - thus finding moksha. He is liberated
from the cycle of births and deaths. Don't we all want that?
The night of Shiv Ratri is particularly known for three main reasons:
1.Sada Shiv appeared in a Linga form at exactly midnight on Maha Shiv Ratri. That is
why it is desirable to keep a all-night vigil and do Shiv Lingam Abhisekham.
2. Lord Shiva married Devi Parvathi on this day in the Himalayas after her years of
devotion and waiting for the Almighty.
3. Lord Shiva on this day swallowed the deadly jahar (poison) on this day to save the
cosmos or universe from death - the poison had the capacity to destroy all the
living beings. The poison was derived after churning of Kshir Saagar (sea) by the
demons and the demi-gods or devtas. The poison/ jahar was so strong that a drop
of it -had it landed on Lord Shiva's stomach - which represents the universe - would
have been destroyed. Lord Shiva held it back in his neck/throat - thus he derived a
name, Neelkanth, ie Neel, meaning blue kantha, meaning throat area.
Another reason why Lord Shiva did not swallow the poison further than his throat
was because he felt his Ist Devta, Lord Ram resides in his hirdhay (heart), and he
would not want to harm Lord Ram.
Thus we observe Shiva Ratri and make offerings to him as a way of Thanksgivings
for protecting us and all living species from annihilation.
Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara (Shiva)
It is believed that once Brahma and Vishnu, the two pillars of the holy Trinity were
having an argument as to who was supreme. Brahma declared himself to be the
Creator of all and thus more revered. Vishnu claimed that since he was the Creator
and the Destroyer, he commanded more respect. The debate or war of words
between the two would have been resolved until Lord Shiva stepped in.
Lord Shiva appeared in a form of Lingam - ablaze with flames. Both Lord Brahma &
Lord Vishnu were so overwhelmed by its constantly increasing size, that they forgot
their quarrel and decided to determine its size. Vishnu took the form of a boar and
went down to the seas while Brahma in the form of a swan ascended to the skies.
Neither could ascertain the size or the origin of the Shiva Linga. Just then, Shiva
appeared out of the lingam and proclaimed that he was the progenitor of both of
them. He was the Creator, Preserver and the Destroyer. He demanded that
thereafter he be worshipped in his phallic form, Shiva Lingam.
(There is one belief that Lord Brahma had lied that he had seen the origin of the
Ling in the skies when in fact he had not - on this day then Lord Shiva had cursed
Lord Brahma that as a result of his false statement - he will not be ever worshipped
in a full form as other Gods & Goddesses).
Thus as a result of Lord Shiva's intervention between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma
on this day, it was marked as Shiv Ratri. On this day also - both Lord Brahma and
Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva and started a tradition of worshipping the Linga.
On the day of Shivratri, the lingam is bathed in the five sacred offerings of a cow,
called the panchagavya - milk, sour milk or dhahi, gow mutra, ghee and cow dung.
After that the five Hindu foods of immortality - milk, ghee, curd, honey and gudr (or
brown sugar) - are placed before Shiva Lingam. Dhatura and jati, though poisonous
fruits, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered on his Linga or Murti (statue).
Eleven is considered to be the sacred number of the Lord. Devotees keep a
varat/fast on the Shivratri and observe strict rules, for achieving ashirvaadh or
vardan (boon).
Special celebrations are held all over the world but specially in the 12
main Divya Shiv Ling shrines in India - like Vishwanath mandir in Varanasi &
Rameshwaram in South India.
In places like Kashmir, the festival is held for 15 days; the thirteenth day is observed
as Herath, a day of fast followed by a family feast.
Shiva - the word meaning auspicious - is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprising of
Lord Brahma, the creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva or Mahesh, the
Destroyer and Re-Producer of life. Shiva is known by many names like "Shankar",
"Mahesh", "Bholenath", "Neelakanth", "Shambhu Kailasheshwar", "Umanath", "Nataraj"
or simply, Shivaji.
Lord Shiva's close devotees believe he is easily pleased with small amount of
devotion and shradha. Even little offerings of his favourites or recitals of his hymns
on Shiv Ratri or on other days - especially Mondays, please the Lord so much that
he is able to look after his devotees and keep them enticed in his preaching
through Sri Shiva Maha Puran. He is worshipped as a God of large-heartedness. His
kathas and leelas (legends) also enrich the Hindu culture and art, especially
dances.
MOST FAMOUS SHIV RATRI KATHA (legend)
In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of
arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by
King Chitrabhanu.
King Chitrabhanu in his past life was a hunter in Lord Shiva's favourite
place on earth, Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill
and sell birds and animals. One day while roaming through forests in search of
animals to kill he was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home,
he climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. He had shot a deer that
day but had no time to take it home. So he bundled it up and tied it to a branch on
the tree. As hunger and thirst tormented him, he was kept awake throughout the
night. He shed profuse tears when he thought of his poor wife and children who
were starving and anxiously waiting for his return. To pass away the time that night
he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the
ground.
The next day he returned home and sold the deer and then bought some food for
himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came
to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and then had his own.
At the time of his death, he was confronted by two messengers of Lord Shiva. They
were sent down to conduct his soul to the kingdom of Lord Shiva. He learnt then for
the first time of the great merit he had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord
Shiva during the night of Shivaratri.
The messengers told him that there was a Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The
leaves I dropped fell on the Lingam. His tears, which had shed out of pure sorrow
for his family, fell onto the Lingam and washed it and he had fasted all day and all
night. Thus, he unconsciously worshiped the Lord.
As the conclusion of the tale the King said that he lived in the kingdom of Lord
Shiva and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages and now he has reborn as King
Chitrabhanu.
