Mahasivaratri is one of the most important festivals for a Hindu. Everything done on this day has a multiplier effect.
Many are of the opinion that this auspicious day marks the birth of Lord Siva. In fact, the Supreme Reality has no start or end date. However the Nirguna often becomes Saguna for the benefit of the world to express the Tatttva (nature). The Puranas extol that in the beginning of the Creation, Lord Siva materialised himself as a column of fire - to Brahman and Vishnu. This was in the month of Margashira (when aardra nakshatram was on the ascent). Failing to find the source/start or this manifestation, they starting praying to Lord Siva to manifest himself in the form we know now. The gods joined them in the prayers too - that day was Krishna Chaturdashi in the month of Maaga - - Mahasivaratri!
This divine play is expressed in the famous sloka -
'Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam'
Every month has Krishna Chaturdashi (the day before Amavaasya) - also refered to as Maasa-sivaratri. On this holy day, there are certain guidelines to follow in order to elevate your consciousness, cleanse of your sins and gain the blessings of Mahadeva.
What to do:
1. Wake up prior to sunrise (pra-bhaat kaalam). After praying to ones IShta Daiva (chosen god), Lord Ganapati, the eight directions, Brahmna, Vishnu and Rudra
2. Take a vow to fast and spend the day and night in Jaagaran (explained below)
3. Spend the day in Homa/Japa/Tapa/Archana/Puja. Wear white for the day
4. Visit a Siva temple
5. Donate food, books or money to the needy/deserving
Upvaas: Many misunderstandings and doubts crept into the holy concept of Fasting. The word literally means 'to be near'. Food is one of the means to avoid distractions and hence the regulations around it. The objective is to withdraw the mind from distractions around food & surroundings. Fruits and milk is advised as diet. Cooked food is not banned for those who are bodily incapable of surviving only on fruits - the idea is to eat enough to sustain energy levels to focus on the Divine. There are those who do not take anything but water on this day - again subject to bodily conditions. By regulating the tongue and desire, enormous amounts of sins get washed away.
Jaagaran: This should complement Upvaas. The Gita says 'When the world sleeps, the Yogi is awake'. though this is used in the light of knowledge; it applies to the concept of staying awake at night on this auspicious occasion.Sleep is a state on not knowing your conscious self while staying awake is. With the intention of spending the night in the contemplation of the Divine, this vow should be undertaken. Jaagaran draws spiritual energy sooner than other practices.
Pradosha (sunset time) is the best time to worship Lord Siva. At an astral level, this is the time of the day when Lord Nataraj performs the Tandav Dance. All the other gods watch in total absorption and hence it is said that by worshipping Hara during this time, the same fruits are obtained as worshipping all the gods. In a house where Lord Siva, Narayana or Durga Devi is worshipped - Goddess Lakshmi stays for eternity.
Many are of the opinion that this auspicious day marks the birth of Lord Siva. In fact, the Supreme Reality has no start or end date. However the Nirguna often becomes Saguna for the benefit of the world to express the Tatttva (nature). The Puranas extol that in the beginning of the Creation, Lord Siva materialised himself as a column of fire - to Brahman and Vishnu. This was in the month of Margashira (when aardra nakshatram was on the ascent). Failing to find the source/start or this manifestation, they starting praying to Lord Siva to manifest himself in the form we know now. The gods joined them in the prayers too - that day was Krishna Chaturdashi in the month of Maaga - - Mahasivaratri! This divine play is expressed in the famous sloka -
'Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam'
Every month has Krishna Chaturdashi (the day before Amavaasya) - also refered to as Maasa-sivaratri. On this holy day, there are certain guidelines to follow in order to elevate your consciousness, cleanse of your sins and gain the blessings of Mahadeva.
What to do:
1. Wake up prior to sunrise (pra-bhaat kaalam). After praying to ones IShta Daiva (chosen god), Lord Ganapati, the eight directions, Brahmna, Vishnu and Rudra
2. Take a vow to fast and spend the day and night in Jaagaran (explained below)
3. Spend the day in Homa/Japa/Tapa/Archana/Puja. Wear white for the day
4. Visit a Siva temple
5. Donate food, books or money to the needy/deserving
Upvaas: Many misunderstandings and doubts crept into the holy concept of Fasting. The word literally means 'to be near'. Food is one of the means to avoid distractions and hence the regulations around it. The objective is to withdraw the mind from distractions around food & surroundings. Fruits and milk is advised as diet. Cooked food is not banned for those who are bodily incapable of surviving only on fruits - the idea is to eat enough to sustain energy levels to focus on the Divine. There are those who do not take anything but water on this day - again subject to bodily conditions. By regulating the tongue and desire, enormous amounts of sins get washed away.
Jaagaran: This should complement Upvaas. The Gita says 'When the world sleeps, the Yogi is awake'. though this is used in the light of knowledge; it applies to the concept of staying awake at night on this auspicious occasion.Sleep is a state on not knowing your conscious self while staying awake is. With the intention of spending the night in the contemplation of the Divine, this vow should be undertaken. Jaagaran draws spiritual energy sooner than other practices.
Pradosha (sunset time) is the best time to worship Lord Siva. At an astral level, this is the time of the day when Lord Nataraj performs the Tandav Dance. All the other gods watch in total absorption and hence it is said that by worshipping Hara during this time, the same fruits are obtained as worshipping all the gods. In a house where Lord Siva, Narayana or Durga Devi is worshipped - Goddess Lakshmi stays for eternity.
