Maha Shivarathri

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Maha Shivarathri Day (16th February, 2007) Pooja

 

 

 

Maha-Sivaratri" is a Hindu festival observed on the night of the

four­teenth day of the dark half in the month of 'Magha',

corresponding to the English months 'February—March', in honour of

Siva, one of the Hindu Trinity, representing the destructive aspect in

the universe.Though generally, the night time is considered sacred and

suitable for the worship of the feminine aspect of' the deity and the

day time for that of' the masculine, yet on this particular occasion

Siva is worshipped during the night time, and as a matter of fact, it is

specially enjoined to be observed then. The observance of the Vratha is

believed to secure for the devotee immunity from the eftects of sin

committed either wittingly or unwittingly. The night is divided into

four quarters, each quarter going by the name of a Jama called also Yama

and pious people keep awake during every one of it , worshipping Iswara.

 

 

 

It is said that the whole world was under destruction once and the

Goddess Parvati worshipped her husband Siva then and prayed to him that

the Jivas (living souls) remaining in space like particles of gold dust

in a lump of wax during that long period of pralaya (deluge) night,

should, when they became active once again and are in the enjoy­ment

of their short day and night, have his blessings if they but worshipped

him just as she did then, and her prayer was accordingly granted.The

night fixed for the worship of Iswara by mortals by Parvati was named

Maha-Sivaratri or the great night of Siva, since pralaya is brought

about by him and hence the period is really his night from the great

night or pralaya which was the cause for the origin of this Sivaratri.

Shivaratri Pooja

Shivaratri Pooja has been given tremendous significance in Hindu

mythology. It is said that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri

day pleases Lord Shiva the most. Devotees further believe that by

pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is

absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.

 

Merits of Shivaratri Puja

According to Shiva Purana, sincere worship of Lord Shiva yields merits

including spiritual growth for the devotees. It also provides extensive

details on the right way to perform Shivratri Puja.

 

Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with

six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and

water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord

Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in

the abhisheka blesses a unique quality:

 

* Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.

* Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.

* Honey is for sweet speech.

* Ghee is for victory.

* Sugar is for happiness.

* Water is for purity.

 

Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be

extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for

the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a

husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

 

Getting Ready for Shivratri Puja

To perform the worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri, devotees wake up

early and take a ritual bath, preferably in the holy waters of river

Ganga. This is followed by worship to Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva in

accordance with the purification rite observed on all-important Hindu

festivals. Devotees then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the

nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a

Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water.

 

Performing Maha Shivaratri Pooja

Following the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, priests perform ritual

puja of Shiva Linga every three hours all through the day and night of

Shivaratri Festival. During this pooja, chants of Om Namah Shivaya and

sounds of bells reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk,

yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water that helps in the purification of

the soul a vermilion paste is applied on the Linga as it represents

virtue. These six items form an indispensable part of Shivaratri, be it

a simple ceremony at home or grand temple worship

 

After this, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is

kept on top of the Shivalinga to cool the hot-tempered deity. Ber or

jujube fruit is also offered to Lord Shiva, as it is symbolic of

longevity and gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the

auspicious betel leaves to Lord Shiva marking satisfaction with worldly

pleasures. Garlanding of Linga with flowers and garlands is also a part

of the ritual Shivaratri Puja. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is

said to yield wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of

knowledge. It is said that by offering water, hugging the Linga,

lighting the diya and incense and ringing the temple bells, devotees

call into focus all their senses, making them acutely aware of

themselves and the universe to which they belong.

 

This ritual worship of Lord Shiva continues through the day and night of

Shivaratri. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiva temples by

chanting `Om Namah Shivaya' and singing hymns and verses in

praise of Lord Shankar. Devotees observing vrat on Shivaratri break it

only the next morning by partaking prasad offered to Lord Shiva

 

 

 

 

Spiritual Significance of Worship

All worship and spiritual disciplines are for the purpose of the

purification of the mind so that we can apprehend the divine

Consciousness within us and others. This mental purification is achieved

by spiritual disciplines (tapasys) such as study, meditation, repetition

of the divine name (mantra) which burn up the mental impurities that

cover the Atman which is of the nature of Infinite Existence, Knowledge

and Bliss. It is our divine birthright. Purification of the mind is

achieved through purity in thoughts, words, actions, relationships and

connections. Sri Ramakrishna compares the mind to white linen. It will

take the colour of whichever dye it comes in contact. When it is dipped

in blue dye, it becomes blue, when dipped in red dye it becomes red.

Likewise, if the mind is "dipped in holy and pure thoughts" by

meditating on the Divine, it becomes pure and holy; if it is dipped in

worldliness, it becomes impure and does not reflect the divine truth

within. Thoughts are the seeds of all our speech and actions.

 

Shiva and His Shakti (maya) are one and the same. This world is the

relative aspect of Shiva. His maya Shakti deludes us and binds us in

worldliness. We forget our blissful divine nature and behave like

miserable beings. When Shiva is propitiated with worship and devotion,

he becomes gracious and frees us from the clutches of his maya. He

grants us the divine virtues of renunciation, discrimination, dispassion

to worldly attractions, devotion to the Supreme Being, compassion to all

beings, fearlessness, strength to practise spiritual disciplines for the

control and purification of the mind.

 

On the night of Shivaratri, devotees observe vigil and spend their time

in worship, japa, meditation, singing hymns and bhajans etc. and thus

try to unite their minds with the Divine Lord.

Significance of Fasting on Shivratri

The Sanskrit word for fasting is Upavasa. "Upa" means near,

close by; "vasa" means to stay or abide in, thus

"upavasa" means keeping the mind close to God by meditating and

contemplating on His divine qualities so that the mind imbibes the

divine qualities. This requires an alert and concentrated mind. Thus,

when we abstain from eating and drinking, the body feels light and the

mind is alert. However, if necessary one may take some fruits and milk.

The important thing is to keep the mind on the Lord and not on the

stomach.

 

Furthermore, fasting is also a great instrument for self-disciplining

the mind, body and the senses and developing the will-power. It helps

one to endure hardships, to persevere under difficulties and not give

up.

 

According to Hindu philosophy, the word "ahara" means whatever

we "take in". It includes all that we take in through the fives

senses and not only food. Pure "ahara" really means talking in

pure perceptions through all the sense organs. Therefore, true fasting

means disciplining all the senses so that the mind can be elevated for

higher contemplation.

 

 

 

" atmaa tvam girijaa matih sahacharaah praanaah shariiram griham

puja te vishayopabhogarachanaa nidraa samaadhisthitih .

sanchaarah padayoh pradakshinavidhih stotraani sarvaa giro yadyadkarma

karomi tattadakhilam shambho tavaaraadhanam."

 

You are my Self; Divine Mother Parvati is my reason. My five pranas are

Your attendants, my body is Your house, and all that I take in through

my five senses are objects to use for Your worship (as oblations poured

in to the fire of your divine consciousness dwelling in my body). My

sleep is Your state of samadhi. Wherever I walk I am circumambulating

around You. All my speech are hymns of praise of You, everything I do is

in devotion to You, O benevolent Lord!.

 

Regards

 

Prasanna Kumar