Mahashivaratri

Mahashivratri falls on Magh Krishna Chaturdashi. This year it falls on 10th March 2013. On this day, Shiva principle descends to Earth a thousand times more than usual. So to obtain the full benefit of Lord Shiva’s principle, one should chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ as much as possible on this day.

Devotees of Lord Shiva worship Him with lot of devotion on Mahashivaratri. If we worship Lord Shiva by understanding the underlying science behind each ritual, then our devotion towards Lord Shiva increases and we will be benefitted much more. Inorder that all devotees gain maximum benefit of Mahashivaratri, we are giving below the attributes of worship of Lord Shiva and the science behind them.

Shivratri is the time when Shiva takes rest. Shiva rests for one ‘prahar’ (three hours) of the night. This ‘prahar’ is referred to as the Shivratri. When Lord Shiva takes rest, the function of ‘Shivtatva’ (Shiva Principle) ceases, i.e. Lord Shiva goes into a meditative state. Shiva’s meditative state is the time when He is engrossed in His own spiritual practice. During that time, the ‘Shivtatva’ does not accept any tamogun (most base of the 3 elements in us – sattva, raja & tama) or any halahal (venom churned from the ocean) coming from the Universe. As a result, the ratio of halahal or the pressure of the negative energies increases. For protection from this pressure, things like ‘bel leaves’, white flowers, ‘rudraksha’ beads etc are offered to Lord Shiva and also ‘vratam’ (vowed religious observances) is undertaken. The things like white flowers, attract the ‘Shivtatva’ from the atmosphere, thus providing protection from the increasing effect of the negative energies.

Benefits of Shivatari ‘vratam’ : Lord Shiva Himself has blessed His devotees thus – “those who undertake vratam on Mahashivaratri day, will be blessed thus : 1. the desires of all men will be fulfilled, 2. unmarried girls will get a husband as per their wish, 3. the women will lead a happy married life.

The internal meaning of Holy Ash (Bhasmam) and Rudraksham
1.    Holy Ash : It is the symbol to constantly remind us that human body is mortal.
2.    Rudraksha : It is a fruit which never gets destroyed. Our soul is similar to it. Rudraksha is a symbol of our soul.

How to take Shrungadarshan? (Taking darshan of Shivalinga through the horns of Nandi) : During Shrungadarshan, one should sit or stand on the right side of Nandi near its hind leg and keep our left hand on the hunch of Nandi. The index finger and thumb of our right hand should be kept on the thorns of Nandi. Through the hollow space generated between the horns and fingers kept over it, we should take darshan of Shivalinga.

Why and how to offer Bel leaves to Lord Shiva? : As Bel leaves have the capacity to absorb maximum frequencies of Shiva principle, these leaves are offered to Lord Shiva. The leaves should be offered with their stalks facing oneself and the leaf should be placed upside down on the pindi. When the Bel leaves are offered upside down on the pindi, the nirgun frequencies are emitted in greater amount from them and the devotee is benefitted by it.

White flowers and food grains : Frequencies of Deities are attracted to Akshata, an offering of rice (white in colour). Hence white rice (Akshata) are offered to Lord Shiva. Also nishagandhi, mogra and other white flowers are offered in tens or multiples of ten to Shivalinga. The flowers should be offered with stalks facing towards Shivalinga.
Udbatti and Attar :     Frequencies of Deities are attracted towards the fragrance emitted by udbatti and attar. Kevda and Jasmine Udbattis and Kevda attar is used in Shiva puja.
Do not use turmeric and Kumkum! : Turmeric and Kumkum represent evolution, hence do not offer turmeric and kumkum to Lord Shiva, who is a Deity of dissolution.
Circumambulation (Pradakshina)

    When circumambulating Shivalinga, one should begin on the left hand side and continue till the channel of the shalunka from where the water offered during the ritualistic bathing (abhishek) flows. Without crossing it one should complete a circumambulation by moving in the reverse direction upto the other side of the channel (srot). This rule applies only if the Shivalinga is installed or created by man; it does not apply to a svayambhu or a chala linga (kept in the house). Lot of energy flows from the channel of Shalunka, which a normal person may not be able to bear if he crosses it repeatedly. Hence, only ardha pradakshina is offered to Shivalinga.

O Hindus, do your part in protecting Dharma by preventing denigration of Deities !

    In the broad sense, denigration means displaying something in an undesirable form/shape, different from its original form/shape. Denigration can find expression in a painting, sculpture, text, words, sentences, play, films etc.

If we are a true devotee of Lord Shiva, we will not ever be able to tolerate defamation of Shiva. To prevent denigration of Deities :
1.    Do not wear clothes with Names or pictures of Deities printed on them !
2.    Stop those who beg by dressing themselves as Deities !
3.    Avoid movies, dramas, newspapers and products which denigrate Deities !
4.    Legally protest those who organise exhibition of pictures of Deities, drawn in a distorted way !
5.    Educate and stop those who make fun of Deities through speech or writings !

    Denigrating Deities mounts to lot of sin. It is our duty to stop this denigration and earn God’s grace. Remember – Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha (ie. Dharma protects only those who protect Dharma !)

For more details visit : www.hindujagruti.org