Shivratri, or Mahashivratri, is the most auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva and is popularly known as the night of Siva. In 2010, the date of Shivaratri is February 12. In Panchangs and Hindu calendars followed in United States, United Kingdom (Britain) and Canada, Shivratri is marked on February 11. This holy night of Shiva is observed on the night before ‘amavasya’ in the Hindu month of Phalgun (February – March) as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. The corresponding period in other regions is the night before Magh Amavasya.
Most Hindu festivals are noted for its mirth and color but Shivratri is a night dedicated to prayers and contemplation. Of course, when Lord Shiva is worshipped there is joy all around but it is not just joy but bliss that is achieved through Brahman realization – When Lord Shiva is seen in all animate and inanimate.
When we realize that it is his Tandava that creates each cell and it is his Tandava that is responsible for the transformation of each cell – we attain Moksha
Planetary Position on Shivaratri Night
It is believed that the planetary positions align in such a way on Shivratri night that it naturally creates an upsurge of energy in the human system. This is also why traditionally it is known to be beneficial both physically and spiritually to stay awake and aware through the night.
Shivratri and Amavasya (No Moon)
The significance of Shivratri is closely associated with ‘amavas’ – the no moon night or full dark night as per traditional Hindu Calendar. Amavas symbolically represents Kaliyuga or spiritual ignorance. Lord Shiva appeared just before the beginning of Kaliyuga to rid the world of evil and ignorance. Therefore Shivratri is celebrated to get rid of evil and ignorance.
It must be noted here that Shivratri is observed during Phalgun month in North India. The corresponding month in Gujarat,Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is Magh Month.
There is also a Masa Shivratri which is observed on thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in all traditional Hindu months.
(image belongs to Ishafoundation)
Sources: http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/02/shivratri-in-2009-maha-shivaratri.html
Tags: Amavasya, Maha Shivaratri, Shiv
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.
Sources: http://www.hindu-blog.com/2007/02/shivaratri-myths.html
Posted by: Tejash Shah in God
Krishna is the only person in the whole history of human consciousness who is tremendously in love with life, with the poetry of life, with the music of life, with the dance of life. He is not at all life-negative, he is very affirmative. And he accepts life as it is; he does not put god and the world as opposites.
Krishna is far closer to life. The flute is the symbol of life. Dressed beautifully, standing in a dancing posture, the flute in his hands on his lips, it looks like he is going to sing a song at any moment. He looks so alive, and he is wearing a beautiful crown of flowers with peacock feathers. This is far truer to life. That’s how life is. It is tremendous joy.
Osho
Tags: Load Krishna, Love, Osho, Quote
The following inspiring quote is from the great Mystic Master Osho (Rajneesh).
“Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars… and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers – for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are.”
FUNDAMENTALLY JUST HAPPY! Remember this statement. It is the reward of a meditative life. It is important here to differentiate between pleasure and happiness. Pleasure being something derived through some cause, and by happiness here meaning a state of joy without any cause. This joyfulness naturally emerges. It starts to flow from deep within and in it you simply rejoice and celebrate life.
This happiness comes when you simply reside as yourself. The trees are not only not trying to become prime ministers, they are also not trying to become the stars and the stars are not trying to become flowers. They are all residing as themselves. Thus, there is freedom from comparison and freedom from chasing “the other”. There is no sense of feeling “less” or something lacking, which is brought about through the insanity of measuring against some fictitious ideal, or another. This means that you don’t have to try to become something other than who you are. In Zen speak – the frog becomes the frog.
If fundamental happiness was not enough, one more most beautiful thing starts to happen when you reside as yourself and joy starts to spontaneously flow… it gives birth to the miracle of Love.
Tags: Happiness, masters of meditation, Osho, osho quote, osho teachings, osho zen, personal development, rajneesh, spiritual growth, spontaneous joy, true love, zen frog, zen teachings