Mahashivaratri

Shivratri is celebrated a night before ‘amavasya’ (full dark night) in the month of Phalgun (February – March). As per traditional calendars followed in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on">Maharashtra</st1lace> this is the Magh Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi. The significance of Shivaratri is closely associated with ‘amavasya.’ Amavasya represents Kaliyuga. Lord Shiva appeared just before the beginning of Kaliyuga to rid the world of evil and ignorance, which is symbolically represented through Amavasya. Therefore Mahashivratri is celebrated to get rid of evil and ignorance.

On the Shivratri day, Lord Shiva is worshiped in a special form of Linga called ‘Lingodabhavamurti or Jyotirlinga.’ It is a lingam in the form of fire which has neither a beginning nor an end. It must be noted here that ‘linga’ only means ‘sign.’ And it is merely an attempt to capture the formless.

Apart from this there are numerous legends and myths associated with Shivratri. An important myth is that Shivaratri is the birthday of Lord Shiva – this is mainly because the formless Lord Shiva appeared for the first time in the form of ‘Lingodabhavamurti’ before Lord Vishnu and Brahma.

Other important myths include that of Taandava, the consummation of poison during the churning of ocean, hunter accidentally dropping the leaves of bilva, the loss of importance of ketki flower, which is now only offered during shivaratri.

 

Shivaratri Myths

There are numerous myths regarding the origin of Shivaratri. Most of the stories of Shivratri can be traced to the Puranas. A few important legends are detailed below. It must be noted that almost all the myths happened during night and this is one of the reason for celebrating Shivaratri during night.

Myth of Shivratri based on Vishnu and Brahma searching for the origin of Linga

Lord Vishnu and Brahma wanted to know who was superior and this led to a fight. Lord Shiva intervened and said whoever can find out the origin or end of Shivling is superior. Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu went down searching and Brahma went up searching. Both traveled and traveled but never met the beginning or end.

After the futile search, Lord Vishnu and Brahma prayed to Shiva and appeared before them in the form of Jyotirlinga and this day of the appearance of Lord Shiva is celebrated as Shivratri.

The Story of Shivaratri based on Samudra Manthan

This is a famous legend on Shivaratri and happened during the churning of ocean by Devas and Asuras to get ‘Amrit.’ While churning the ocean, highly toxic poison came out and Lord Vishnu asked the ‘devas’ and ‘asuras’ to approach Lord Shiva. He agreed immediately to help them and drank the poison. In order the poison to have no effect, Lord Shiva should not sleep. So the ‘devas’ and ‘asuras’ kept praying the whole night. Pleased with the devotion Lord Shiva said ‘whoever worships me on this day will get their wishes fulfilled.’

The story of Mahashivratri and the fall of ketaki flower

This myth is similar to the appearance of the Jyotirlinga legend. Brahma went up searching for the end of the Jyotirlinga and Vishnu went down. Brahma after traveling for a while saw a ketaki flower (screw pine) dangling down. He stopped his search and took the flower and returned to Lord Shiva. Vishnu too came back soon and expressed his inability to find the beginning. But Brahma said he found the ketaki flower atop the Jyotirlinga and ketki supported it. Lord Shiva became furious and cursed ketki flower that it will not be offered in worship.

The story of Shivratri based on hunter unknowingly dropping Bilva leaves on Lingam

There once lived a tribal hunter who was a Shiva devotee. One day he lost his way while hunting and was trapped in the forest at night. Soon wild animals started to gather around him and he climbed a Bel or Bilva tree. In order to keep himself awake, he started plucking Bilva leaves and dropped it down repeating ‘Om Namah Shivaya.’ In the morning, he discovered that he had been dropping the leaves on a Shivling. And the word spread that he was saved by Lord Shiva. People started celebrating the day as Shivratri. The story is mentioned in Mahabharata by Bhismha while on the bed of arrows. The hunter was born as King Chitra bhanu who could remember his previous births. And he discussed the importance of Shivaratri with a sage.

Apart from these myths, it is said that the reunion of Lord Shiva and Parvati happened on the Shivratri day. Another legend states that Lord Shiva performed the Taandava on this day.

 

Mahashivratri on February 20, 2012 – Monday – Highly Auspicious

Mahashivratri in 2012 is on February 20 and as it is a Monday it is highly auspicious. Monday or Somvar is dedicated to Shiva. Shivratri falling on a Monday is very rare and this makes it doubly auspicious in 2012. Mahashivratri as the name indicates is the night of Hindu God Shiva and the most important day dedicated to Siva in a Hindu lunar calendar. Mahashivratri 2012 date is February 20. Fasting and Vrat is from February 20 sunrise to February 21 sunrise. All pujas are held during the night of February 20 to early hours of February 21.

Unlike other festivals associated with Hinduism, Mahashivratri is a night dedicated largely to prayers and not to celebrations. Of course, when Lord Shiva is worshipped there is bliss all around but that bliss is of self realization.

The popular belief is that Shiva, the formless Brahman, appeared in a form on Mahashivratri day. On the Mahashivratri night Lord Shiva is worshipped in a special form of Linga called ‘Lingodabhavamurti.’ It is a lingam in the form of fire which has neither a beginning nor an end. It must be noted here that ‘linga’ means ‘sign.’ And it is merely an attempt to capture the formless Brahman.

Hindus fast on the day and keep vigil at night. Devotees avoid sleeping on the day as it is believed that Shiva appeared at night in the form of Lingodabhavamurti.

 

Shivalayaottam – Running to Shiva Temples on Shivratri

Shivalayaottam is a unique ritual held to 12 Shiva Temples located in Kannyakumari District in Tamil Nadu on Shivratri day. The unique aspect of the Shivalayaottam is that those participating in the running chant Govinda Govinda – Vishnu Nama. Performing Shivalayaottam is considered highly meritorious. The visit to the twelve temples should be completed on the Shivratri day.

The 12 temples are located in Kalkulam and Vilavankodu Taluka in Kannyakumari District. The twelve temples are Tirumala, Tikurichi, Triparappu, Tirunandikara, Ponmana, Pannipakam, Kalkulam, Melamkodu, Tiruvidaykodu, Tiruvithamkodu, Tripannikadu and Tirunattalam.

The running to 12 <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on"><st1laceName w:st="on">Shiva</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">Temple</st1laceType></st1lace> is associated with Pandavas, Sri Krishna and the Mahabharata.

Legend has it that <st1lace w:st="on">Krishna</st1lace> wanted to invite Vyakrapada Muni as chief priest for the Ashwameda Yaga conducted by Pandavas after the Mahabharata war.

However, Vyakrapada Muni was a Shiva devotee and he had anger towards Vishnu. Sri Krishna also wanted to alleviate this hatred – which was ignorance.

<st1lace w:st="on">Krishna</st1lace> asked Bhima to invite Vyakrapada Muni for the yajna. <st1lace w:st="on">Krishna</st1lace> also gave 12 Rudraksha to Sri Krishna and a piece of advice.

Bhima approached the Muni who was meditating at a spot named Munimarthottam. As advised by Sri Krishna, to garner the attention of the Muni, Bhima called out Gopala, Gopala.

The muni who was a Shiva Bhakta was angry with someone disturbing his meditation with a Vishnu chant.

The Muni dashed towards Bhima and fearing the curse of the Muni, Bhima started running.

When Muni was about to catch Bhima, he dropped a Rudraksha as directed by Sri Krishna.

Immediately a Shivling came up there. The Muni shed his anger and started offering worship to the Shivling.

When the Muni completed his worship, Bhima approached him again chanting Govinda, Govinda... The Muni got angry again and started chasing Bhima again. When the Muni was about to catch Bhima, he dropped another Rudraksha and a Shivling came up there. The Muni again performed puja.

This running and dropping of Rudraksha continued for another nine times.

Finally, the place where the 12th rudraksha was dropped Sri Krishna appeared as Vishnu before Bhima and as Shiva before Vyakrapada Muni. The spot where Sri Krishna appeared a temple was built and the deity worshipped here is Sankaranarayana.

Sri Krishna was thus able to convince Vyakrapada Muni that Shiva and Vishnu are One.

Vyakrapada Muni agreed to participate in the Ashwameda yaga.

Shivalayaottam is performed in memory of the running performed by Bhima. The temples in the Shivalayaottam are at those places where Bhima dropped the Rudraksha.

 

On the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri, or Mahashivratri, devotees around the world observe Shivratri Vrat or Upvaas or fast. The fasting involves refraining from eating any food and not sleeping through out the night. Sivaratri literally means ‘the night of Lord Shiva’ and unlike other festivals associated with Hinduism there is no fun and merrymaking on the day. But the night provides an opportunity to cleanse the ignorance and realize that you are Brahman and open the door to bliss.

The day after Shivratri is Amavasi – the dark night or the no moon night. It symbolizes the evil forces – desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger – which dominate the Kaliyuga. Shiva is believed to have appeared in the form of ‘Lingodabhavamurti’ or Jyotir Linga on the Shivratri night. The Linga is an attempt to give form to the formless Brahmn. Praying to Shiva is to escape from miseries of Kaliyuga.

Ø The Mahashivratri fasting begins on the morning of Shivratri and ends next day morning or the Amavasya morning. Since it is a long Upvaas or Vrat, many people consume a special meal known as ‘phalar.’
Ø Devotees wake up before sunrise and take bath and wear clean clothes.
Ø Applying of sacred ash, or vibhuthi, is an important aspect on the day. People also wear a Rudraksha Mala.
Ø The idols of Ganesh, Shiva and Parvati are cleaned and a lamp is lit.
Ø Most people then visit a nearby Shiva temple. In most places, Shivratri is largely observed in temples.
Ø Some people observing fast consume a mid-day meal consisting of non-cereal food such as boiled potatoes which is made into a curry without onion, garlic, adarak or haldi. Another food eaten on the day is pakori or Kutt Singahri ki puri.
Ø Most devotees go for a fruit diet and drink lots of water.
Ø No meal is eaten after sunset.
Ø Next meal is taken on the morning of Amavasi after doing puja and giving alms.
Ø The entire night is spend in a nearby Shiva temple or by chanting Mantras or listening to stories related to Shiva.
Ø Some of the important mantras that are chanted on the day include:
Ø Shiva Panchakshari Mantra – Om Namah Shivaya or chanting the sacred names of Lord Shiva.
Ø People who have a Shivling at home can bathe the Shivling with water intermittently throughout the night.

All the rituals on the night of Shivratri are meant to cleanse the ignorance and realize the Brahmn manifest in you. The fasting, rituals and chanting are meant to kill desire, greed, illusion, arrogance, jealousy, and anger. This will make you a better person and prepare you to face the challenges.

Generally most people fast on Shivaratri day by uttering the panchakshari mantra – ‘om namah shivaya.’ Next is keeping vigil all night by worshipping Lord Shiva. Worshipping Shiva with Bilva leaves is considered highly auspicious.

If you have a Shivling at home you can keep on bathing it at night with milk, curd, sugar, honey and ghee. But I guess this would be hard for a devotee to do. So, simple water will do. Remember, Shiva accepts anything when given with utmost devotion.

 

If you are unable to observe fast or keep vigil during night, you can observe the day by chanting ‘om namah shivaya.’

Apart from fasting and keeping vigil at night, Hindu devotees also chant sacred prayers and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri night. In fact these mantras can be chanted on a daily basis.

Some of the Holy Siva mantras recommended for Maha Sivaratri are

Shiva Panchakshari Mantra - <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> Namah Shivaya

Shiva Sakti Panchakshari Mantra - <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> Hrim Namah Shivaya

Mrutyunjaya Mantra –
<st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> Trayambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanat
Mrutyor Mukshiya Mamrutat

Shiva Gayatri Mantra –
<st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> tatpuruṣhaya vidmahe
Mahadevaya dhimahi
Tanno rudrah prachodayat

Apart from this one can chant the 108 names or 1008 names of Lord Shiva or the 24 Sacred Names of Lord Siva.

 

Shivashtottara Shata Namavalih – 108 Names of Shiva

1. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shivaya Namah
2. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Maheshvaraya Namah
3. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shambhave Namah
4. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Pinakine Namah
5. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shashishekharaya Namah
6. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Vamadevaya Namah
7. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Virupaxaya Namah
8. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Kapardine Namah
9. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Nilalohitaya Namah
10. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Sha.Nkaraya Namah
11. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shulapanaye Namah
12. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Khatva.Ngine Namah
13. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Vishhnuvallabhaya Namah
14. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shipivishhtaya Namah
15. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Ambikanathaya Namah
16. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shrikanthaya Namah
17. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Bhaktavatsalaya Namah
18. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Bhavaya Namah
19. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Sharvaya Namah
20. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Trilokeshaya Namah
21. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> ****ikanthaya Namah
22. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shivapriyaya Namah
23. Om Ugraya Namah
24. Om Kapaline Namah
25. Om Kamaraye Namah
26. Om Andhakasura Sudanaya Namah
27. Om Gan^Gadharaya Namah
28. Om Lalataxaya Namah
29. Om Kalakalaya Namah
30. Om Kr^Ipanidhaye Namah
31. Om Bhimaya Namah
32. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Parashuhastaya Namah
33. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Mr^Igapanaye Namah
34. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Jatadharaya Namah
35. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Kailasavasine Namah
36. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Kavachine Namah
37. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Kathoraya Namah
38. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Tripurantakaya Namah
39. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Vr^Ishha.Nkaya Namah
40. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Vr^Ishhabharudhaya Namah
41. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Bhasmoddhulita Vigrahaya Namah
42. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Samapriyaya Namah
43. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Svaramayaya Namah
44. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Trayimurtaye Namah
45. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Anishvaraya Namah
46. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Sarvagyaya Namah
47. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Paramatmane Namah
48. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Somasuryagnilochanaya Namah
49. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Havishhe Namah
50. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Yagyamayaya Namah
51. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Somaya Namah
52. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Pa.Nchavaktraya Namah
53. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Sadashivaya Namah
54. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Vishveshvaraya Namah
55. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Virabhadraya Namah
56. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Gananathaya Namah
57. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Prajapataye Namah
58. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Hiranyaretase Namah
59. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Durdharshhaya Namah
60. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Girishaya Namah
61. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Girishaya Namah
62. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Anaghaya Namah
63. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Bhujan^Gabhushhanaya Namah
64. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Bhargaya Namah
65. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Giridhanvane Namah
66. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Giripriyaya Namah
67. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Kr^Ittivasase Namah
68. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Purarataye Namah
69. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Bhagavate Namah
70. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Pramathadhipaya Namah
71. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Mr^Ityu.Njayaya Namah
72. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Suxmatanave Namah
73. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Jagadvyapine Namah
74. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Jagadgurave Namah
75. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Vyomakeshaya Namah
76. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Mahasenajanakaya Namah
77. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Charuvikramaya Namah
78. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Rudraya Namah
79. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Bhutapataye Namah
80. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Sthanave Namah
81. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Ahirbudhnyaya Namah
82. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Digambaraya Namah
83. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Ashhtamurtaye Namah
84. Om Anekatmane Namah
85. Om Satvikaya Namah
86. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shuddavigrahaya Namah
87. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Shashvataya Namah
88. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Khandaparashave Namah
89. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Ajaya Namah
90. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Pashavimochakaya Namah
91. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Mr^Idaya Namah
92. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Pashupataye Namah
93. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Devaya Namah
94. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Mahadevaya Namah
95. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Avyayaya Namah
96. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Haraye Namah
97. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Bhaganetrabhide Namah
98. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Avyaktaya Namah
99. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Daxadhvaraharaya Namah
100. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Haraya Namah
101. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Pushhadantabhide Namah
102. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Avyagraya Namah
103. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Sahasraxaya Namah
104. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Sahasrapade Namah
105. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Apavargapradaya Namah
106. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Anantaya Namah
107. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Tarakaya Namah
108. <st1lace w:st="on">Om</st1lace> Parameshvaraya Namah

Twenty Four Sacred Names of Shiva
1. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> maheswaraya namaha
2. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> mahadevaya namaha
3. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> sarveswaraya namaha
4. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> shivaya namaha
5. Om Shankaraya namaha
6. Om Saswataya namaha
7. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> pasupataye namaha
8. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> umapataye namaha
9. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> brahmadhipataye namaha
10. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> parameswaraya namaha
11. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> bhasmangaragaya namaha
12. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> mahesaya namaha
13. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> nityaya namaha
14. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> shuddhaya namaha
15. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> mrutyunjayaya namaha
16. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> bhutesaya namaha
17. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> mrudaya namaha
18. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> sarvaya namaha
19. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> sadashivaya namaha
20. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> bhavaya namaha
21. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> sarvajnaya namaha
22. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> bhimaya namaha
23. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> vasudevaya namaha
24. <st1lace w:st="on"><ST1LACE>Om</ST1LACE></st1lace> tripurantakaya namaha

 

it my pleasure usha mam...thanks for fb.....