Maha Shivarathri Importants
Jul 23, 2023
| Manu Mahesan
The literal meaning of Shivaratri is “The Great Night of Lord Shiva”. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated in the Varanasi in the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha at the 13th night or 14th day of the month Maagha or Phalguna (month of February or March according to the English calendar) to worship Shiva Lingam to make happy the Lord Shiva. The legend of marriage of Shiva and Shakti is one the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort. According to legend of Shiva and Shakti, the day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivaratri - the Night of Lord Shiva. Mahashivratri signifies love, passion and togetherness in a married life. Shiva and Shakti are two forms of one energy, and it is only together that they stand complete or powerful. This symbolizes that a marriage is all about both the partners being in the relationship together and emerging strong at every step of life. The celebration includes "jaagaran", an all-night prayer because it is believed that all through the night doing japa is like "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk to Shiva are made, some perform all-day fasting with vedic or tantric worship of Shiva, and some perform meditative Yoga. According to the Shiva Purana, the Mahashivaratri puja involves six steps which are:Taking bath in the Gange for purification of soul, mind and body. Bathing of the Shiv Linga with the holy water of Gange, then bathing with milk and honey. God Shiva loves bel patra (three leaves stalked in one) so every rituals added it to the puja.After bathing of the Shiv Linga, vermilion paste applied on it which represents the virtue.Offer fruits, flowers which are given to get long life and satisfaction of desires.Burning enrage yields wealth.The lighting with diya represents achieving more knowledge.Offering betel leaves provide satisfaction full of great pleasures.Worshipers also apply three horizontal lines of holy ash on their forehead just like the Lord Shiva which represents spiritual knowledge, cleanliness and penance. They wear garlands made up of the Rudraksha (seed of Rudraksha tree) while worshiping the Lord Shiva. It is believed that Rudraksha tree was originated from the tears of Lord Shiva.As a tradition , devotees who are on a strict fast on Shivaratri take bath with the water that is boiled with black sesame seeds to wash away bodily impurities.After putting fresh new clothes , a devotee visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to perform the ritual Shiva Linga bath with milk,honey etc. Women pray to God for the well-being of their husbands and sons, an unmarried woman prays to get their desired husband like Shiva (the ideal husband) in future; boys pray to get a beautiful wife and successful life in future. Shivaratri Vrat helps to set the mental stage for deep meditation. Fasting detoxifies the body and purifies the mind. Your body feels lighter and your mind feels more relaxed as the restlessness reduces. At the same time, the mind becomes more alert.Increasing the power of your Prayers When both your mind and body are detoxified, there is greater strength in your intentions and prayers. When you combine the Shivratri fast with meditation, you increase the possibility of your desires getting manifested. Focusing on meditation Since Mahashivratri is the day that meditation is a hundred times more effective than other days, devotees solely focus on meditating on this auspicious day. Absolving you of sins Fasting frees the mind of negative emotions like greed, lust, anger, and anxiety. It is believed that when you fast, and chant the Lord’s names, you are absolved of all your sins.