Maha Shivaratri
The Reunion of Shiv & Shakti
“Shivaratri” is a sanskrit word meaning “Night of Shiva”. It falls on the 14th night from the new moon. Shivaratri is celebrated in the honor of Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction as per the Hindu believes. Even though, Shivaratri is celebrated in every month, once a year it hold special significance and is celebrated as Maha Shivaratri.
The term “Maha Shivaratri”, literally translates to “The Great Night of Shiva”. Shivaratri, is believed to be the darkest night of the month. Celebration of Shivaratri on monthly basis almost seems like the celebration of darkness. Any logical mind would resist darkness and naturally opt for light.
Why is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated?
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated in the honor of Lord Shiva, God of Destruction. Even though, Shivratri is observed every month, Maha Shivratri is celebrated once a year, to commemorate the oncoming summer. It is said to be the night when Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati (the reincarnate of Aadishakti).
It is also said that Lord Shiva saved the world from a deadly poison, Halahala, which got ejected during Samundra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean).
As per the Hindu scriptures, once a supremacy battle ensued between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. All the other gods were terrified and prayed to Lord Shiva for help.As a result Lord Shiva has to intervene in order to stop the two.
Stories behind the Celebration of Maha Shivaratri
The Anniversary of Lord Shiva & Devi Parvati
According to Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva is referred to as “Aadi” meaning “the first”. He is ever existing and was worshiped in the form of “Ardhanarishwar”. It is the combination of the divine masculine and the divine feminine. Aardhanarishwar means half female and hence is represented as half male and half female in the physical form.
When Lord Brahma (God of Creation) began the creation, he requested for the help of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted him the energy of creation in the form of divine feminine, in order to complete the creation process. Thus, parting ways from the AadiShakti (the divine feminine), on the promise that Aadishakti would return to him as him wife later.
As promised by Lord Brahma, Aadishakti was first reincarnated in human form as Devi Parvati.
Devi Parvati wished to marry Lord Shiva and hence she prayed to him in order to impress him to marry her.
So, Lord Shiva granted Devi Parvati her request and married her, as a boon for her prayers to him.
Maha Shivratri is therefore, celebrated as the anniversary of the Reunion of Shiva and Shakti.
Saving the World from the Pot of Poison
According to Puranas, another legend is associated with the origin of Maha Shivratri festival. Maha Shivratri is said to be the day, when Lord Shiva drank the pot of poison to save the World and got the name “NeelKanth”.
Once upon a time, all the wealth got disappeared from the World. It happened because Devraj (King of Gods) Indra disrespected Maharishi Durvasa. In his rage, Maharishi cursed Indra that all his wealth and prosperity would leave him. As a result, Goddess Laxmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) vanished from the cosmos, and went into the ocean.
In order for Goddess Laxmi to return, Samundra Manthan (Churning of Ocean) was performed by gods and demons. The first thing that came out of the Ocean was a Pot of Poison (named Halahala). This poison was potent enough to destroy all the life in existence.
After realizing the potential destruction the poison will cause, everyone prayed to Lord Shiva for help. In order to save the world from being destroyed, he took the pot and drank the poison.
However, he stopped the poison in this throat. The color of his throat turned blue as a result. Since that day he was also referred to as “NeelKanth” (Blue Throat).
Supremacy Battle Between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma
According to Shiva Purana, once a supremacy battle ensued between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. To make them realize the futility of their fight, Lord Shiva took the form of a massive fire that spread all across the universe.
After realizing the magnitude of the fire, both Gods decided to find the end of the fire in order to establish their supremacy. So Brahma assumed the form of a swan and went upwards. On the other hand, Vishnu assumed the form of Varaha (Boar) and went into the Earth.
They searched for thousands of miles but couldn’t find the end. Then, they realized that the fire has no end. On the journey, upwards, Brahma came across a ketaki flower and asked “Where did it come from”. To which the flower replied that “it is placed on the top of the fiery column as an offering”.
So, Brahma took the ketaki flower as a witness and returned and lied about finding the end. At this, Shiva got angry and revealed his true form.
So, Brahma was punished for telling a lie and was cursed that no one will ever pray to him. Ketaki flower was also abolished to be ever used as an offering in any worship ritual.
Since Lord Shiva, put an end to the futile supremacy battle between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu on Shivaratri. This day is celebrated as the Maha Shivaratri ever since.
It is also said that, on the Maha Shivratri, Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of Linga. Therefore, this day is considered especially auspicious and is celebrated as Maha Shivaratri. Worshipping Lord Shiva on this day is believed to bestow one with happiness and prosperity.
Significance of Maha Shivaratri
For People on Spiritual Path
Maha Shivratri is significant for all the devotees of Lord Shiva and considered fruitful for everyone. However, it hold special significance for those on spiritual path.
Shiva is also known as “Aadiyogi” meaning “The first Yogi”. He is said to have devised 112 ways for a human to reach spiritual enlightenment. All the knowledge about the yoga and spirituality is said to have come from him.
For People in Family Situations
Maha Shivratri is also significant for people in family situations. It is observed as the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati.
Lord Shiva went into the life of reclusion after his first wife, Sati died. So, Maha Shivratri signifies of Lord Shiva returning to a family life, after being ascetic for a long time.
For Ambitious People
People with ambition observe Maha Shivratri as the day when Lord Shiva conquered all his enemies. This festival signifies the conquering of all obstacles in ones life pursuits for people who chooses such path.
For Women
Maha Shivratri is considered to be an extremely significant festival by Hindu women. It is believed that, on a moonless night, Goddess Parvati observed fast for the good health of her husband, Lord Shiva. This ritual of fasting is still followed by Indian women for the long life of their husbands.
Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati. She is known as Gauri – one that bestows martial bliss and long & prosperous married life.
Unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is considered as the ideal husband.
Maha Shivaratri Pooja Vidhi
Maha Shivratri Pooja begins early in the morning when devotees take a bath before sunrise, wear new clothes and visit Shiva Temple. It is an extremely special day for the women who perform the traditional Maha Shivratri Puja with water, milk, Bael leaves, fruits such as Ber or Jujube fruit and incense sticks.
They take 3 or 7 rounds around the Shiva Lingam and then pour milk and offer leaves, fruits, flowers etc.
The main aspect of this festival is the night long vigil of Shiva. So, Jagarans are often organized by the devotees and people sing devotional songs to honor Lord Shiva.
It is also believed that people who perform puja, fast and offer prayer to Lord Shiva are blessed with good fortune.
There are 6 significant elements that should always be considered while performing Maha Shivratri Puja. Each of these elements has a symbolic meaning.
- Offering Bael Leaves after bathing of Shiva Lingam epitomizes Soul Purification.
- Vemillion after the bath is a symbol of Virtue.
- Fruits offered while worshiping represents the fulfillment of desires and longevity.
- Incense stick burning is a symbol of wealth.
- Betel Leaves (Pan) depict satisfaction from worldly desires.
- Lamp lightening epitomizes attainment of wisdom and knowledge.
Importance of Bael Patra (Leaves) in Shiva Puja
It is believed that Lord Shiva is fond of Bael leaves, which is also known as bilwa or bilva tree. Leaves and fruits of this tree are integral part of Shiva Puja and are considered primary offerings to Lord Shiva.
There is a legend that, once there was a hunter who was being chased by a lion on the day of Shivratri. The hunter climbed a bilva tree in order to save himself from the lion. The lion waited entire night at the bottom of the tree for its prey.
In order to stay awake, the hunter started plucking the leaves from the tree and dropping them below. The leaves fall on the Shiva Linga that was located beneath the tree. Lord Shiva was pleased from his offering of Bilva leaves and saved him in-spite the sins the hunter had committed by killing the animals.
This story emphasis the auspiciousness of worshiping Shiva with bilva leaves on Shivratri.
When and Where is Shivaratri Celebrated?
According to the South Indian calendar, Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha is known as Maha Shivratri. However, North Indian calendar places Maha Shivratri on the same day, in the month of Phalguna.
Maha Shivratri is observed in several states of India like Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar etc. Special celebrations are held at Shiva shrines in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Huge gatherings take place in the temples all over India, though the biggest celebration is held in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is believed that Lord Shiva stays there in the form of Mahakal. There is huge Mahakaleshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (Mahakal) located in Ujjain.
Everyone in the Hindu Society participate in the worship of Shiva. The ceremonies surrounding Shivratri are particularly popular with Hindu women, especially those who wish to embrace motherhood.
On this day, devotees do fasting, rudra abhishek, and worship Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. It is said that Shivratri is the amalgamation of two strong forces i.e. Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. Shiva is also known as the God of Death and Goddess Shakti is the power who vanquishes evil.
Well described..