Maha Shivaratri

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prowess. However, Lord Shiva challenged both of them. He appeared as a flaming

Linga and challenged the duo to measure the gigantic Linga (phallic symbol of

Lord Shiva). Lord Bramha, who took the form of a swan, and Lord Vishnu who

became a boar and went to Netherland, were both unable to measure the

Shivlinga. Then Lord Shiva came out of the Linga and declared himself the most

powerful. Maha Shivratri therefore means the grand night of Shiva. The devotees

of Shiva fast during this day and pray to the lord throughout the night. This

legend goes to prove the supremacy of Mahadev over other Hindu Gods.King

Daksha, opposed Sati's marriage with Shiva. At a yagnya (holy sacrifice) the

king ignored Shiva's presence and thereby insulted the latter publicly. Sati

was so angered by this that she jumped into the sacrificial fire and ended her

life. Lord Shiva unleashed his fury at the death of his wife by performing the

violent dance, Taandav. He wiped out Daksha's kingdom, undertook

rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. The Gods, who feared that the

severity of Shiva's penance might bring an end to the world, revived Sati in

the new avatar of Parvati. Shiva-Parvati married and this reunion is celebrated

on Maha Shivratri. Significance of Jyotirlinga: The Puranas vociferously sing

the praises of the greatness of the Jyotirlingas. By reciting the name of this,

one can eliminate all the sins. The Sadhaka becomes calm, chaste and pure. He

becomes illuminated and enlightened with supreme and divine knowledge. The

names mentioned for the benefits of all: SAURASHTRA SOMNATHAM CHA SHRISHAILE

MALLIKARJUNAM ||UJJAINYAM MAHAKALOMKARE MAMMALESHWARAM ||PARLYAM VAIJNATHAM CHA

DAKINYAM BHEEM SHANKARAM ||SETU BANDHE TU RAMESHAM NAGESHAM DARUKA VANE

||VARANASYA TU VISHWESHAM TRIBAKAM GAUTAMITATE || HIMALAYE TU KEDARAM

GHURMESHAM CHA SHIVALAYE ||AETANI JYOTIRLINGANI SAYAM PRATAHA PATHENNARAHA

||SAPTA JANMA KRITAM

PAPAM SMARANEN VINASHYATI ||One who recites these 12 names regularly in the

morning and evening he washes all the sins committed in the previous 7 births

and attains all the powers and Siddhis.

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