Shivratri is the special night which is connected to Lord Shiva that gives true bliss to soul. The sadhana performed on the night of Falgun Krishna Chaturdarshi is considered auspicious as it expedites souls progress.
">WATCH SHIV ABHISHEK - Pragyeshwar Mahadev - Mahashivratri - Dev Sanskriti University, Haridwar (24 Feb. 2017)
Shiv means the one who is auspicious and generous. Shankar means the one who is merciful and benevolent. In order to please him and get the results of their prayers, people has to become like him.
Significance of MahashivratriHindi - महाशिवरात्रि पर्व
- This festival is celebrated to please Lord Shiv.
- Why Ratri (Night)? During the day time our mind, senses and vital force travels from within to the outside world. Thereafter at night it reverses back towards Shiva element
- In this way Shivrarti means, the special night which is connected to Lord Shiva that gives true bliss to souls. The sadhana performed on the night of Falgun Krishna Chaturdarshi is considered auspicious as it expedites soul’s progress. Also, during this time frame, soul in the form of moon, tries to merge its identify in the Almighty God in the form of the Sun. This is the reason why devotees try to observe fasts and perform penances on this night.
- The preparation and the advantage of this celebration guides us to have compassionate outlook, and exceptional character. Get Details
What is Linga?
- According to Linga Purana, the Shiv lingam is a complete symbolic representation of the formless Universe Bearer - the oval shaped stone is resembling mark of the Universe and bottom base as the Supreme Power holding the entire Universe in it. Get Details
How do people celebrate?
- People fast during the Mahashivratri and try to imbibe lord Shiva’s quality of being hard for oneself and generous towards others.
- There is a tradition of offering bhang which is intoxicating drink, yet it also has medicinal value. When we offer it to Shiva, that means he only accept the goodness out of it and reject the bad part.
Why does Lord Shiva have moon, Ganga, third eye?
- There are many inspiring symbolic representations related to Lord Shiva which should be used to inspire others.
- The third eye represents burning of lust
- Moon on his forehead represents balanced mental state
- Ganga represents knowledge,
- Ghosts represents giving love and acceptance to the neglected communities. Get Details
How to Prepare for the Celebration?
- In order to do collective celebration, place a picture of Lord Shiv along with his family on the stage.
- Have a representative sit on the stage along with all the things necessary for worship. Do Sathkarm, sarvadeva Namaskar, swasthivachan...
- After that invite and worship Lord Shiva and his whole family.
Shiv Invocation:
- Invocate Mahadev-Mahakal, Lord Shiv who is root of all auspiciousness.
- Visualize that on the loving invitation of his disciples, the ever merciful Lord Shiva will manifest in the form of wave of changes in the world and will accept our worship.
Mantra:
॥ शिव आवाहन॥
ॐ श्री शिवाय नमः। आवाहयामि, स्थापयामि, ध्यायामि॥
For Detail Mantra click here
Invocation of Shiv family:
- Family of Shiv is an ideal family with each one of its member with their own individual strengths and best characteristics. His wife Bhavani, his oldest son Chief of Army Karthikeya and youngest son Ganesh. Visualize that we are getting drenched in their qualities and virtues
॥ भवानी॥
ॐ श्री गौर्यै नमः। आवाहयामि, स्थापयामि, ध्यायामि।
॥ स्वामी कार्तिकेय॥
ॐ श्री स्कन्दाय नमः। आवाहयामि, स्थापयामि, ध्यायामि।
॥ गणेश॥
ॐ लम्बोदर! नमस्तुभ्यं, सततं मोदकप्रिय।
निर्विघ्रं कुरु मे देव, सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः। आवाहयामि, स्थापयामि, ध्यायामि। For Detail Mantra click here
Invocation of Gana:
- Invocation of shiv attendants and Virbhadras who are brave and totally surrendered to him. They give us inspiration to work together for good causes. Imagine that we are getting the flow of great qualities through our worship, so we could become follower of Shiva and his auspicious activities.
ॐ सर्वेभ्यो गणेभ्यो नमः। आवाहयामि, स्थापयामि, ध्यायामि।
- After this do the worship of Lord Shiv and his family after that offer Bilva leaves by chanting the following mantra.
ॐ त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं, त्रिनेत्रं च त्रिधायुधम्। त्रिजन्मपापसंहारं, बिल्वपत्रं शिवार्पणम्॥
For Detail Mantra click here
Oath to get rid of Unfavorable Things:
- Some medicines have intoxicating and poisonous effect. You should take them as medicine, but if it has become addiction you need to offer it to Lord Shiva and take an oath that you will give up that addiction by chanting the following mantra. After that burry that addictive product you are giving up it in the ground.
..................नामाहं शिवरात्रिपर्वणि भगवतः शिवप्रीतये तत्सन्निधौ अशिव- चिन्तन निष्ठापूर्वकं सङ्कल्पमहं करिष्ये।
तत्प्रतीकरूपेण ...............दोषं त्यक्तुं सङ्कल्पयिष्ये।
- At the end collect the flowers from everyone and offer it Lord Shiva, ending with Deep Yagya.
