MAHA SHIVRATRI — THE ECSTATIC NIGHT OF SHIVA

Maha Shivaratri literally means ‘The Great Night of Shiva”. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in the Hindu month of Phalguna on the 13th lunar night ( Trayodashi) transiting to the 14th lunar night ( Chaturdasi). On this night, the Sun is in the Aquarius sign while the Moon is in the Capricorn sign. The planetary positions are aligned in such a pattern on this auspicious night that it naturally invokes an upsurge of energy in the human structure. Being awake the whole night and meditating on Shiva’s name rejuvenates the devotees — physically, mentally and spiritually.

Maha Shivaratri is observed the night before Amavasya i.e. the New Moon. Moon represents the Mind; this Mind keeps attracting and distracting us in different directions. On the 14th lunar night when the Moon’s Energy has its least effect on the Mind, it is an appropriate time to direct our energies inwards. This inward journey quietens and calms the mind and helps us connect to the ‘Shiva Tattva’ — the element of Shiva within us. Shiva is the very energy that administers and regulates the entire creation — within and without us.

Maha Shivaratri is not only a celebration of spiritual significance but also a cultural and cosmic event deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and tradition. Legend has it that on this auspicious night, Lord Shiva performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation, and destruction, known as the Tandava Nritya. This divine dance symbolizes the cosmic cycles of life, death, and rebirth, highlighting the eternal rhythm of the universe.

The Secret of remaining awake the whole night:

Staying awake throughout the night symbolizes vigilance and awareness. It represents a heightened state of consciousness and mindfulness in which devotees remain fully present and engaged in their spiritual practice, whether through meditation, chanting, or prayer. This vigilance helps ward off ignorance and negative influences, allowing individuals to deepen their connection with the divine.

In Hindu philosophy, the night symbolizes Tamas, one of the three Gunas or qualities of nature associated with darkness, ignorance, and inertia. By remaining awake and actively engaging in spiritual practices, devotees strive to overcome the influence of Tamas and cultivate qualities of light, knowledge, and dynamism associated with the other Gunas, namely Rajas and Sattva.

According to Ayurveda, Vata imbalance is the root cause of most diseases. A person with balanced Vata is physically and mentally healthy; he is positive, active and calm. Maha Shivaratri is the night to balance the Vata in the body. The energies around us this night are most conducive to aligning the Cosmic Energy to regulate the excessive Vata. Sitting comfortably in Padmasana or Ardha-Sukhasana automatically keeps the spine erect. Performing anulom vilom pranayam — an ancient yogic breathing technique — in this pose helps balance and regulate the Vata energy in the body. Besides, this kriya also purifies the Energy Body — Sukshma Sharir and activates Higher Consciousness.

Note: Do not forget to recite the Panchakshari Mantra 108 times after doing the Pranayam.

What should you do during Maha Shivaratri?

Maha Shivaratri is a very auspicious and potent night to start any Mantra Sadhna. It is also a promising time to initiate remedies for the fulfilment of desires or solving of problems. This is also a good occasion to apologize for your wrongdoings and free yourself from any guilt.

Here is the list of things you can do on Maha Shivaratri:

• Start any health-related Mantra recitation such as Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.

• This is the best time of the year to start wearing Rudraksha, Pearls and silver ornaments — especially for remedial purposes.
• If you are already wearing a Rudraksha, please energize it on the day of Shivaratri. It will become ten times more powerful.
• For childless couples: For the protection of pregnancy and to get a healthy child, the wife should wear Garb Gauri Rudraksha.
• For early marriage: Eligible boys and girls should wear the ‘Gauri Shankar Rudraksha’ on Mahashivaratri.

• It is also a good time to install a Parad/Mercury Shivling (for health) or Sphatik/Crystal Shivling (for wealth and prosperity).
• People with weak Chandra/Moon should perform Mahashivratri Pooja or at least meditate on Lord Shiva on this night.
• Those troubled by malefic Shani/Saturn or Pitru/Kaal Sarpa/Manglik/ Grahan Dosha should do appropriate remedies on this day. People suffering from Kaal Sarpa Dosh should fast and light up an Akhand Diya (Eternal Lamp) followed by Rudrabhishek.
• Shiv Aradhana or Shiva Meditation is the most effective and powerful remedy to calm down Rahu and Ketu. A very good remedy for Ketu is the reciting of Shiva Panchakshari Stotra: Na-Ma-Si-Va-Ya.

• You can read and contemplate on scriptures related to Lord Shiva, such as the Shiva Purana, Linga Purana and Rudram Chamakam, to deepen your understanding and connection with His divine attributes and teachings.
• You can perform Rudrabhishekam, a special ritual where Lord Shiva’s lingam or idol is bathed with various sacred items like water, milk, yoghurt, honey and ghee while chanting Vedic hymns and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva.

As the night of Maha Shivaratri unfolds, let us immerse ourselves in devotion, seek inner illumination, and embrace the eternal presence of Lord Shiva, guiding us towards spiritual fulfilment and transcendence.

Originally published at https://astrologyindailylife.com on February 16, 2024.