Maha Shivaratri (Night of Shiva) Feb 16th

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Maha Shivaratri - The Night of Shiva

 

Sri Maha Shivaratri means "The Night of Shiva". The ceremonies take

place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honor of Lord

Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day. This is the night when

Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava or the dance of primordial

creation, preservation and destruction.

 

People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra as it is said he who utters the

Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and

concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and

lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and

deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.

 

 

Legends behind Shivaratri

Once Lord Vishnu and Lord Bramha argued over each other's 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.

12 Jyotirlinga Darshan on the occasion of Maha Shivratri

[Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga] [Kedarnath Jyotirlinga] [Vaidyanath

Jyotirlinga] [Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga] [Tryambakeshwar

Jyotirlinga] [Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga] [bhimashankar Jyotirlinga]

[Mahakaleswara Jyotirlinga] [Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga] [Omkareswara

Jyotirlinga] [someshwara Somnath Jyotirlinga] [Nageshwar

Jyotirlinga] Hold mouse over the images to see name of

Jyotirlinga.

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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