Amidst the sleaze of worldly life, the search for peace and prosperity seems to be a hunt for wild goose, as man’s insatiable thirst for love, lust and power leaves him in a grim wilderness of unceasing waste. But it is the fasts, the festivals and the celebrations that with his divine force impel him to merge with the bliss of the supernatural and spiritual progress of life on earth.
Since time immemorial, Indian culture has been enriched with various kinds of festivals, religious celebrations and cultural events. There are so many parties here that almost every day one or another party is celebrated with great taste and grace. One of them is Maha-Shivratri (Great Night of Ziva), which is well known for its remarkable significance in life as described in Hindu mythology. It is the most important sectarian festival of the year for devotees of the Hindu god ‘Zhiva’.
According to the Hindi calendar, this great festival falls on the 14th night of the darkest half of the month, Phalgun (February). ‘The Great Night of Shiva’ is celebrated on this day with boundless devotion and religious fervor because it is believed that on this very day Lord Shiva, who is part of the sacred Trimurti (Trinity of Gods), appeared in the form of a Linga containing in itself giant forces of myriads of suns.
On the occasion of Maha-Shivratri, celebrations take place in all Shiva temples across India. Devotees celebrate it by fasting during the day and offering prayers at night. This night has its own meaning because worshiping Lord Shiva on this very night is believed to give salvation to life. Also, this auspicious occasion means a lot for women, as married women pray for the well-being of their husbands and children, single women for a husband like Shiva, who is considered the ideal husband.
As a result, the atmosphere in and around temples and houses becomes vibrant with hymns sung in praise of Lord Shiva and the Panchakshara Mantra, Om Namah Shivaya, a mantra capable of freeing one from all sins, echoes the universe making it fragrant and pious. .
Like other religious festivals, Maha-Shivaratri too has its origin in Indian mythology and is celebrated by Hindus not only for their faith in Lord Shiva but also for its own scientific and spiritual significance. According to astrology, on this very day the Moon is closer to the Sun, creating a perfect moment for communion between two sustaining forces, one is the source of life with beauty, warmth and passion and the other is Shiva himself exuding light, strength. and energy. Moving on to a spiritual note, Maha-Shivaratri is an auspicious announcement of the divine descent of Lord Shiva. So, sincere worship of Lord Shiva is said to bring about merit and spiritual growth for the devotees.
The scriptures are full of a number of interesting legends and stories associated with the festival of Maha-Shivaratri. There goes a story in the glory of Maha-Shivaratri. Once upon a time there was a hunter named Gurudruh who lived in a certain forest in Baranasi. He was muscular and cruel and eked out a living from hunting alone. One day his whole family, out of hunger, asked him to bring some food. In search of his neighborhood, he wandered here and there in the woods, but found none until sunset.
So he decided to continue his hunt even in the dead of night. Near a pond in the forest he climbed a tree called Bilva and sat on one of its branches waiting for his prey. At last he was lucky enough to have a thirsty deer around. She tried to kill him but was unsuccessful. So he made four attempts at different times of the night and failed each time. But one thing that happened to make all the difference there was that every time he tried to kill the deer, some of the water that he had in a pot tucked into his waist and some leaves from the tree fell on a Shivligum that was lying under the water. same tree
In this way, though unknowingly, he made his offering to Lord Siva four times that night. Being the night of Maha-Sivaratri, Lord Siva was pleased with this act of the hunter and appeared there to smite him. This divine event completely changed his life and led to his salvation. Inspired by this story, the tradition of observing Maha-Shivaratri came into vogue.
Furthermore, Maha-Shivaratri is not only a celebration of faith in Lord Shiva but also helps us to maintain the spirit of Vedic and cultural values in life. The fast observed on this holy occasion is considered to be the greatest fast on earth, filling life with all the holiness of spirituality and making man overcome the negative forces of life and enabling him to live a just and peaceful life. .