Maha Shivaratri

Today, on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, I feel inclined to talk about Shivaratri;' the legends behind its celebration and its significance. Ratri means night, Shivaratri is the night intervening the 13th and 14th day of the krishna paksha (waning phase of the moon) of every month of the lunar calendar.  Maha Shivaratri is the Shivaratri occurring  in the month of Magha(Phalgun in North India).

The Concept of Shivam

Shivam is a supreme important concept spread all over the universe or cosmos. Shivam or the Divine principle is present in everything animate; from the tiniest micro-organism, to the largest animal. Shivam is the sign of life (vitality) within us.  Our existence is defined by the Shivam in us.  We are active, smart, smiling, and healthy because of Shivam. Once this Shivam, this Divinity is gone, we are reduced to dust.  The recognition of Shivam, the life and vitality within onself, the celebration of that awareness is Shivaratri. Thus, Shivaratri is the celebration of life and the experience of Divinity is the purpose of Shivaratri.

Why Night?

Now, one might ask, when all festivals are celebrated at sunrise or during the day, why is Shivaratri celebrated all night?  The moon is considered to be the presiding deity of the mind. The moon, in Hindu astronomy, has 16 phases. When all 16 phases or aspects are there, the moon shines; the moon has visible light, culminating in the full moon. The full moon starts losing one phase after another. After 15 phases are gone, the last phase leads to amavasya (darkness). On Shivaratri, only one phase, or kala, is left. By constant meditation on the Divine, even the last trace of the moon disappears, leading to a fully dark night.  A moon that shines brilliantly is like the mind filled with all its emotions, desires and worldly involvements. Moon in its fullness stands for all that is worldly and sensual. During the waning phase, the moon starts losing one aspect after another until the last trace or sliver is left.  Symbolically, this represents the passionate, emotional, sentimental, and fully desire-laden mind becoming less active as Shivaratri approaches. By and by, the mind slowly becomes withdrawn, annihilated. Therefore the waning of the moon phases symbolises the annihilation of the qualities of mind. When the mind is withdrawn in such a manner, you will notice that you are God. That which separates you from God is your mind. When the mind is withdrawn, human becomes one with God. The consciousness of the Supreme Self in us is the celebration of Shivaratri, because Shiva is also Kamahari (the destroyer of desire/lust) and when we are lusting for worldly pleasures, we lose consciousness of the Supreme Self.

Legends

There are many legends about Maha Shivaratri.  While one states it is the wedding anniversary of Shiva and Parvati, another states it is the anniversary of the day Shiva saved the world by consuming the poison that emerged from the ocean during samudra manthan and slept through the night; hence the jagran (staying awake all night to keep a watch while the Lord slept). Yet another states that on this night, a thief climbed a Bilva tree, which is sacred to Shiva, to give his pursuers the slip. He spent the whole night on the tree, plucking leaves that – unknown to him – fell on a Shiva-linga. This act of unintended piety earned the thief an eternal place in the Lord’s heart and so people stay awake all night worshipping  the Lord.  A different legend states that it was on this night that Lord Shiva performed the Rudra Tandav (the cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction).  There is one more legend that states offering icons such as the Linga to Shiva is an annual occasion to absolve past sins and gain entry into Mount Kailash and be liberated from the cycle of rebirths.

Significance

The significance of Maha Shivaratri varies from person to person.  For one living in a family situation, it is the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Shakti (Parvati).  For a person with worldly ambitions, it is the night that Shiva conquered the mountains and for a Yogi, it is the night that the Lord became one with Mount Kailash; that is, he became absolutely still (conquered his mind) and came to be known as Adiyogi.  Lord Shiva is known to be easily angered and compassionate at the same time.  Hence, Maha Shivaratri is an occasion to please Him and for receiving His blessings.