Guest guest Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Every day during the dark half of the month, the moon, and symbolically its counterpart in man, the Manas, wane, and a fraction is diminished; its power declines - and finally, on the fourteenth night, Chathurdashi, there is just a wee bit left, that is all. If a little extra effort is made that day by the Saadhaka, even that bit can be wiped off and Manonigraha (mastery of the mind) completed. The Chathurdashi of the dark half is therefore called Shivaraathri, for that night should be spent in the Japa and Dhyaana of Shiva, without any other thought either of food or sleep. Then success is assured. And, once a year, on Mahaashivaraathri night, a special spurt of spiritual activity is recommended, so that what is Shavam (corpse) can become Shivam (God) by the removal of this dross called Manas. This is the purpose of Shivaraathri and so it is foolish and even harmful deceit to imagine that "keeping awake" is the essential thing in its observance. - From Bhagawan's 1959 Maha Shivarathri Divine Discourse. Om Sai Ram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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