Meaning of MAHASHIVRATHRI

Maha Shivaratri literally means 'the night (ratri) of the Supreme God principle (Shiva)'.Lord Shiva takes rest some time during the night. That time of the night, i.e. the time when Lord Shiva is resting is called Mahashivratri. When Lord Shiva is resting, Lord Shiva goes from the meditative state (Dhyan) to the state of meditative union (Samadhi). This state of meditative union of Lord Shiva is His time to do spiritual practice.When Lord Shiva is resting the work of the Shiva principle stops,.During this time since the Shiva principle is inactive, the overall tama component and restlessness in the universe i.e. the pressure of the distressing energies increases. The effect of these energies is reduced by offering bel leaves, white flowers, rosary of rudraksh etc that attract the Shiva principle from the atmosphere. Basically on this day by offering such items we increase our sattvikta to combat increased negativity around.  Hindus observe a strict fast on this day; some devotees do not partake of even a drop of water. In observance of Maha Shivratri people repeat thePanchakshara mantra namely - ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ through out the night.

MAHASHIVARATHRI-Sunday, March 10

Legend of Ganga

Once there lived a King named Bhagirath who observed severe penance to Lord Brahma for a thousand years. His request was to descend river Ganga to earth from heaven in order to wash over his ancestor's ashes to release them from a curse and allow them to go to heaven. His prayers were answered by Lord Brahma who granted the king’s wish. Lord Brahma told him to pray to Lord Shiva for Ganga’s descend. Consequently, Lord Shiva held out his thick matted hair to catch the river while she descended. This eased Ganga’s journey to the earth and her holy waters washed away the ashes of Bhagirath’s ancestors. Ganga thus became an attribute of Shiva and this manifestation of Shiva is known as Gangadhara. 

As such, the devotees of Lord Shiva give a bath to the Shiva lingam during worship. They also take a dip in the holy water of river Ganga on a Shivaratri day. 

MAHASHIVARATHRI-Sunday, March 10

Legend of Shiva Linga

According to this legend, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnuwere in a search to find out the Aadi (beginning) and the Antha (end) of Lord Shiva. It is believed that on the 14th day in the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna, Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. This day is considered auspicious and is celebrated as Maha Shivratri. Devotees celebrate this occasion by observing fast during the day and worshiping the Lord throughout the night. 

MAHASHIVARATHRI-Sunday, March 10

Samudra Manthan 

Another legend explains about the observance of vigil throughout the night on Shivratri and why Lord Shiva is called as Neelakantha. The story recalls the incident of churning the milky ocean by devas and asuras to get the nectar. During the battle, a pot of poison came out of the ocean which was drunk by Lord Shiva on the request of gods to save earth. Due to the strong poison, the color of Lord’s neck changed to blue. Therefore, Lord Shiva is called as Neelkanth, where ‘Neela’ means blue and ‘Kantha’ means neck or throat. As a remedy for this, Lord Shiva was advised to stay awake during the night and hence, to keep him awake, the gods performed various dances and played music. Lord Shiva was pleased with their devotion and blessed them all. Shivratri festival is celebrated annually commemorating this event.

MAHASHIVARATHRI-Sunday, March 10

There are a number of popular legends related to the auspicious festival of Mahashivaratri. These legends of Shivaratri explain the popular custom of staying awake all night on Shivaratri while chanting the name of Lord Shiva. Besides, these also throw light on the greatness of Lord Shiva and his supremacy over all other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. An attempt has been made to provide detailed description of these fascinating legends related to Lord Shiva.

Marriage of Shiva and Shakti The legend of marriage of Shiva and Shakti is one the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort. According to legend of Shiva and Shakti, the day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivaratri - the Night of Lord Shiva. The Legend Legend goes that once Lord Shiva and his wife Sati or Shakti were returning from sage Agastya’s ashram after listening to Ram Katha or story of Ram. On their way through a forest, Shiva sawLord Rama searching for his wife Sita who had been kidnapped by Ravana, the King of Lanka. Lord Shiva bowed his head in reverence to Lord Rama. Sati was surprised by Lord Shiva’s behavior and inquired why he was paying obeisance to a mere mortal. Shiva informed Sati that Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Sati, however, was not satisfied with the reply and Lord asked her to go and verify the truth for herself. Using her power to change forms, Sati took the form of Sita appeared before Rama. Lord Rama immediately recognized the true identity of the Goddess and asked, "Devi, why are you alone, where's Shiva?" At this, Sati realized the truth about Lord Ram. But, Sita was like a mother to Lord Shiva and since Sati took the form of Sita her status had changed. From that time, Shiva detached himself from her as a wife. Sati was sad with the change of attitude of Lord Shiva but she stayed on at Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. Later, Sati’s father Daksha organised a yagna, but did not invite Sati or Shiva as he had an altercation with Shiva in the court of Brahma. But, Sati who wanted to attend the Yagna, went even though Lord Shiva did not appreciate the idea. To hre great anguish, Daksha ignored her presence and did not even offer Prasad for Shiva. Sati felt humiliated and was struck with profound grief. She jumped into the yagna fire and immolated herself. Lord Shiva became extremely furious when he heard the news of Sati’s immolation. Carrying the body of Sati, Shiva began to performRudra Tandava or the dance of destruction and wiped out the kingdom of Daksha. Everybody was terrified as Shiva’s Tandava had the power to destroy the entire universe. In order to calm Lord Shiva, Vishnu severed Sati's body into 12 pieces and threw them on earth. It is said that wherever the pieces of Shakti’s body fell, there emerged a Shakti Peetha, including the Kamaroopa Kamakhya in Assam and the Vindhyavasini in UP. Lord Siva was now alone undertook rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. Sati took a re-birth as Parvati in the family of God Himalaya. She performed penance to break Shiva’s meditation and win his attention. It is said that Parvati, who found it hard to break Shiva’s meditation seeked help of Kamadeva - the God of Love and Passion. Kaamadeva asked Parvati to dance in front of Shiva. When Parvati danced, Kaamadeva shot his arrow of passion at Shiva breaking his penance. Shiva became extremely infuriated and opening his third eye that reduced Kaamadeva to ashes. It was only after Kamadeva’s wife Rati’s pleading that Lord Shiva agreed to revive Kaamadeva. Later, Parvati undertook severe penance to win over Shiva. Through her devotion and persuasion by sages devas, Parvati, also known as Uma, was finally able to lure Shiva into marriage and away from asceticism. Their marriage was solemnized a day before Amavasya in the month of Phalgun. This day of union of God Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Mahashivratri every year. Another Version of the Legend According to another version of the legend, Goddess Parvati performed tapas and prayers on the auspicious moonless night of Shivaratri to ward off any evil that may befall her husband. Since then, womenfolk began the custom of praying for the well being of their husbands and sons on Shivaratri day. Unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.