MAHA SHIVARATHRI
Maha Shivaratri is the GREAT CELESTIAL NIGHT OF LORD SHIVA
(PRONOUNCED by most as SHIVA but written mostly as SIVA in sanskrit)- which is
celebrated with utmost devotion and religious fervor by Hindus.
Maha Shivaratri falls on the
moonless night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (in the month of
February or March). This year, it fell on the 20th, February, 2012.
Devotees observed day and night
fast and worshipped Shiva throughout the 24 hours of that day.
Many interesting legends are
related to Maha Shivaratri
1. Shivaratri
is the wedding day of Lord Shiva and his concert Parvati.
2. Shiva
performed ‘Tandava Nrityam’, his famous dance on one such Shiv Rathri - signifying
his role as the sublime destroyer of the creation, before it is again created
by the creator.
3. His
concert performs a complimentary and beautiful dance called “laasya”, to bring
down the destructive emotions of Lord Shiva and make him benevolent yet again.
4. A
popular legend, described in Linga Purana, is that - on Shivaratri, Lord Shiva
manifested himself in the form of a Linga for the first time – and the night is
therefore considered very auspicious for this reason.
5. Another
legend is – when the churning of the sea by the Angels and Daemons was done,
for procuring Amrit (the nector), first, a Great poison called Haalaahala
arose from the sea and it was about to burn all the worlds. On the
request of all, Shiva drank that poison – but Parvati held the poison tight at
the neck point itself – as all worlds reside virtually in Shiva’s own belly and
they will get any way burnt by the poison if it goes inside. Shiva was awake
all the night for neutralizing the effect of the poison and his neck full of
poison, turned blue in colour. In gratitude for this great act of Shiva,
devotees keep awake (along with Shiva and Parvati) on the Great Night of Maha Shiva
Rathri.
6. A
strong belief is – performance of Fast and waking up throughout the day and
night of this day – gives the devotees
the blessings of Lord Shiva, and liberates them.
7. Though
Lord Rama and Sita are usually considered to be the forerunners of the custom
of one man – one wife,on earth, it was
Shiva and Parvati who established the custom for the first time. Some people
mistakenly assume Ganga also as the concert of Shiva, but Ganga never was a
wife of Shiva. Shiva was only a helpful factor in bringing Ganga to the Earth –
nothing more.
8. The
Best of many human traditions emanated from Lord Shiva and his Concert Parvati.
9. He
was the one Lord who bestowed favours on every type of creature who came to him
with devotion. His devotees include all types of creatures including Angels, Daemons,
Serpents, all animals and in fact all
creatures. For this reason, he is called Pasupati, the Lord of all animals.
10. Colour,
Caste etc were never a bar among devotees of Shiva. The greatest of his
devotees come from the lowest of the low.
11. While
Saraswati is the Goddess of studies and Lakshmi is the Goddess of riches – it
is Parvati, also addressed as Mangala Gauri, who gives her devotees, the
most sought-after treasure of all, the human happiness. She especially blesses
her women devotes with the longest living, loving husband and children.
12. Parvati
is considered as the Maha Sakthi pervading
the entire Universe – and Shiva is addressed as Ardha Nareeswara - which concept is one of the best
contributions to Human Civilization.”The wife is the Best Half of the husband”
– this concept actually flows from Ardha Nareeswara depiction of Shiva and it is
not a western concept at all. Sakthi or Parvathi is recognized as the Best Half
of Shiva – and one without the other is unthinkable. While Sakthi represented
all energy, Shiva represented all wisdom and love. For this reason, Sakthi
always accepted Shiva’s commandments and followed them with love and affection.
To this day, woman is recognized as more emotional and Man is recognized as more
logical. For life, both are essential. While Logic is the route, emotion
(positive) is the goal. Joy is an emotion. Happiness is an emotion. These are essential
human goals. But, logic must be the path to attain them – not emotion itself. Daksha
Yagna fiasco is the first of such incidents in the universe, which proved to
the world how logic
is essential to achieve joy. One lies more with man ;the other lies
more with woman. Therefore, Ardha Nareeshwara.
13. Human
beings are advised to live like that always. That is why, Rama and Sita ,though
another set of ideal couple – are not considered the best as much as Shiva and
Parvathi.
14. Shiva
rubs Vibhuti,
the ashes from the cremation ground on his entire body – and this is all that
the priests give to his devotes at Shiva temples. Other than Vibhuti, other
items brought there or taken/ purchased inside the temple must be consumed or
otherwise given up within the temple and nothing other than Vibhuti is
to be taken back to home from Shiva temple. Reasons is – Vibhuti is considered
the GREATEST TREASURE of all. Amara Simha, in his Amarakosam Treatise of over 1000 years old – gives it three names as
“vibhuti, bhuti, aiswarya” – all meaning Great happiness giving treasures.
15. Everything,
living or lifeless, will ultimately become ashes or vibhuti. But ashes can not get reduced below that level. Even
air ultimately becomes ashes. From ashes arise all treasures and all life each
in its own time and turn to come. Even
diamonds form as diamonds from ashes only in course of time. All life again
springs up from ashes only in time. The science and philosophy behind the
ashes, especially human ashes, is the best wisdom that there is to learn.
16. The
Dvadasa Jyotirlingas all over India are most famous places of Shiva worship –
and it is believed that these were all established on Shiv Rathri Day.
17. Kasi
is of course the premier Shiva temple, on the Banks of Ganga and a visit to
Kasi any time of the year is considered most Sacred. But Maha Shiva Rathri is
the MOST SPECIAL DAY for praying to Kasi Viswanath.
18. For
several reasons of sacredness, hygiene etc – Rudraksha Beads, Bilwa tree
leaves, Vibhuti, flowers , and such inexpensive offerings are preferred at Shiva
temples, by Shiva Devotees.
19. Shiva
is considered as “ABHISHEKA PRIYA”, a lover of being bathed and
cleansed in various liquids – while Lord Vishnu is considered as “ALANKARA PRIYA”,
one who likes being decorated.
20. Wherever
the devotee does Puja, before Puja, he must perform abhishekam with water,
milk,Yoghurt(curd),honey, ghee, etc – and then again clean Shiva with water and
then decorate him with vibhuti, Gandham and so on. Then starts the Puja.
21. Shiva
Panchakshari Mantram – consists of the 5 syllables of “NAMAH SHIVAAYA”. One
must of course add OM to it at the beginning – like for any Mantra. So, “OM NAMAH SHIVAYA” becomes the Shiva Moola matra to be chanted preferably
(but not necessarily) with closed eyes – any number of times on this day.
22. I
have given some of the legends above. That is fine. But, who knows when Shiva
was born? To whom was he born? No one knows. He is the creator of himself and
there is no dating. It is at the very beginning of all beginnings- if you get it right. For this reason, he is
called SVAYAMBHOO,
the Self creator. Sambho is a name of Shiva which approximates
to it.
23. People
consider him as the most ancient God. Some consider him as the member of the
Great trinity of Creator (Brahma), Protector (Vishnu), Destroyer (Shiva),
through whom, runs the great Universal
Sakthi in equal division - but the
Universdal Maha Sakthi finally settled as the concert of Shiva for performing
the not so
pleasant act of destruction-assigned to Shiva.
24. By
all accounts – Shiva is considered the Maha Yogi. He is the Yogeeswara – who
taught the great science of Yoga ,first to his concert Parvati, and then to the great Saptharshis
– and from them, it came to others. Lord
Vishnu also is considered as Yogeswara and Brahma is considered as Yoga Brahma.
Lord Krishna says – he taught the Yoga Sasthra to a lineage of sages and kings
in various yugas, which finally culminated in his telling Arjuna as Yoga Sastram,
also called Bhagavad Gita.
25. The
science of Yoga was finally formulated into water-tight laws by the Sage
Patanjali, which all people follow now. It is not relatable in any way to any
single religion – as it does not accept any belief system or any God – including
Shiva, Vishnu etc. Every Yoga Sadhaka has to go into Yoga headlong, and
experience it at each step himself; and finally know himself through the Yoga
process. It is not knowing Shiva, Vishnu or Brahma. It is knowing one self –
that is Yoga. And, in the process, you will know all other truths FIRST HAND.
You will Know – You don’t have to believe!.
26. For
Yogis, Maha Shiv Rathri is a very, very special day. You can find them
performing various Sadhanas, prayers and pujas on this Day.
HOW DID WE CELEBRATE MAHA SHIV RATHRI?
First, in a few words – what I did at home – as it
directly continues into what Sadhguru did later at Isha foundation.
As described in preceding details, in the early morning
hours, we at our home performed Abhishekam for Shiva and Parvati ( (together)
and then performed Prayers and Puja with various stotrams (Namakam, Chamakam
and so on). We performed 2 varieties of Chakra dhyanams (with Om,Yam,Ham in one
dhyanam and Om,Yam and Ram in another). These are simple, but absolutely
marvelous in their effect on the meditator.
Now, the program at ISHA FOUNDATION :
In
the last 3 years - from 6 PM in the
night, we have made it our habit, our routine, (Me and my wife) to watch the
Maha Shiva Rathri Celebrations at ISHA FOUNDATION, COIMBATORE (on TV, from my
home), while my children are either at Coimbatore ISHA Ashram or at a central
place of celebration by ISHA at Chennai.
There were possibly around 30000
people or more at the Ashram – according to my estimation (I may be wrong on
the wrong side).
There were great musicians,
artistes, the inimitable Shekhar Kapoor, the yesterday’s Dream Girl Hema Malini
and so many devotees of Shiva and of Sadhguru himself. One must ask Hemaji her
secret. She must have one. She looks like the Dream Girl of today, not of
yesterday.
Today, I was listening to another
great spiritual speaker Sri Nocchur Venkatraman; he said – when you look at 3
things - truth,
love and beauty, your mind (eyes, ears etc) tends to linger very long on
them. And, these are the ancient Sathyam, Shivam and Sundaram, we mystically
refer to - in that same order.
Today - Truth is Maha Shiv
Rathri, Shivam is Sadhguru and Sundaram is….. Hemaji. Well. Truth has to be accepted
any way … with love and beauty.Shiva, of course, was everywhere.
Sadhguru exhorted all people to
follow the songs and those who can dance can dance or move their body
rhythmically – so that the night is really enjoyed. People responded
enthusiastically.
Sadhguru made the direct and
indirect audience (TV viewers like us) perform a simple meditation at around 10.55pm
– with slightly upturned faces, hands upturned in our laps and chanting, “Sambho...,
Sambho..,Sambho...” for a few minutes. He said…tilt your head up and see between
your eyebrows. Your attention will automatically turn between the eye brows.
And, it does turn. This Mantra Japa ended with attention on anahata, visuddhi
and ajna chakras.
We did it all at in our home- as it was happening in Isha
foundation.
Sadhguru followed it up with his
rendering of Karpoora
gouram.. karunaavatharam..samsarasaaram..bhujagendrahaaram… ... ...bhavam..bhavaanee..sahitham namaami….
His tone, his becoming one with
the rendering.. always result in a beautiful chanting experience…
Now – a summary of what Sadhguru said on the occasion :
Sadhguru said I am not a
devotee,or lover, or a friend..or any such thing….to Shiva …I am drawn to him
..as a slave …. …. The slavery is
unfortunate but ecstatic…. I am utterly
ecstatic.. and therefore utterly shameless… This shamelessness is a great
liberation… I can sing..no problem..though great singers are here.. I will
dance.. even though Hema malini is here…. Once shameless, no problem, no
issue..whatever is needed…. simply doing it.
When we say.. a human
being..almost everybody is referring to his limitations.. never to the possibilities..
or to the immensities of being human.. we express our limitations,. But not our
possibilities..our immensities..
Shiva brought about this
possibilities for the first time.. the possibility to evolve..to cross and go
beyond this body.. even when you are alive.. to go beyond the limits of your
physicality...
Shiva is the dimension that finds
limitless expressions. We can pursue in our own ways. Yoga is not simply aasanas etc. If we employ the body, use
it, and try to attain to the dimension which is limitless, then, we are doing
Karma Yoga. If we employ our intellect, then it is Jnana yoga; Employ the
emotion to achieve this limitlessness.. it is bhakthi yoga. Employ the Energies
in you for the same purpose it is kriya yoga.. yoga of transforming energies.
Each one who has this intention to achieve
this limitless dimension..Everybody can explore the way, scientifically.. each
has his way.. A million different ways..Shiva, with the first 7 disciples..
sapta rishis.. explored all possibilities.
We are here at velliangiri..known
as kailash of the south..Shiva himself spent 3 and a half months upon these
mountains. He came down south being drawn to a woman who fell in love with
him..
Shiva could not come within a
limited time fixed by this girl..and the woman died..and became kanya kumari...Shiva was angry with himself..went up on this
mountain..sat there for a three and a half months.. not in his
peacefulness..not in his aananda..but a little despondent..a little angry with
himself..
And when he left…this energy left
by him at Velliangiri - later, generated many
yogis ..of great intensity in the last millenniums…
One such great sage, of Tamilnadu
was SUNDARAR…He by a quirk of fate and incidents got into the dead body of a
cowherd called Moolan.. through Para kaya pravesha vidya.. then lost his own
body.. and permanently became Sage Tiru Moolar… He gave annual messages to the
people on this Shiva Rathri day… due to his utmost compassion. His messages are
called tirumoolar’s tirumanthiram.
Tirumoolar once said -
A child can see a real elephant in a
wooden elephant. But a grown up man
cannot see the elephant…
A mystic can reveal the whole
creation in a lump of wood.
...... How true...that is the mystic's extraordinary insight..
As we approached midnight –
Sadhguru detailed the intimate, intricate connection between human life on
earth , the lunar cycles and the Sun’s distant impact. Our physical body is the total
creation of the Mother Earth... she is the common mother to all of us.. But,
the individual human mother can become a mother only because … the cycles of
moon and the cycles of the feminine body are directly connected. If not..you
and I wouldn’t be born here.
The distances between the earth,
the moon and the Sun.. are interlinked with the diameters of the Sun and the
Moon – and these have links with the number of Chakras in Human body – which are
108 – leaving out the six gate ways which are also generally called chakras.The
others 108 are the journey points, the chakras, which we use.
Human brain..will not evolve any
more..This is now being recognized by modern science. Adi Yogi Shiva said this over 15000
years ago. You can transcend your physical limits, but not increase its size.
After giving these deeper
insights – Sadhguru made the audience perform Moola Mantra Japa with Yoga Mudra…
“OM Namah Shivaayah….”
After this midnight chanting of
this Moola mantra was over, a whole lot of Great Music followed.
Great Musicians were there. In
one, the musician was accompanied by the Isha’s own musicians.
They rendered a beautiful song.
But, I could not catch either the words or the meaning..but just the beauty and
essence of it. The essence was Shiva..who was sinking deep into all listener’s
hearts. Beyond this..there was also no need for the words and meaning …at that
time. But, it would be good knowing it too. Somehow, I have a great partiality and bias in favour of Isha's own home grown musicians. I love their Music, their drums - just every thing they do..with such sincerity and gusto.. They seem to be no less than any famed musicians..
I was with Isha programs up to
around 2 AM.
I am sure Isha Foundation will be
releasing a great rendering of the whole Shiv Rathri program for the benefit of
all of us soon. Let us enjoy that.
I had to wait for 2 days – to get
rid of the conjectivitis…that was there in one of my 63 year old eyes..from a
day before the Great Shiva Rathri Day to this day…before I could compile these details.. I
was particular that you must get Sadhguru’s message especially..
Hope You enjoy..
What more do we wish.. shall we
wish a hundred years more.. of such Great Maha Shiva rathri’s at
Velliangiri..with Sadhguru..
Yours…
v.vijayamohan
Dated 23.Feb.2012 (if any small
errors are there in conveying Sadhguru’s words in this summary, the mistakes
may please be taken as my limitation and excused).
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