Date – Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Maha Shivratri

What is Signifiance of Maha Shivratri?

In the Tantric cosmology, the whole universe is perceived as being created, penetrated and sustained by two fundamental forces, which are permanently in a perfect, indestructible union. These forces or universal aspects are called Shiva and Shakti.

Maha Shivratri, the festival of Maha Shivratri falls on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. It is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva.

The night Shiva did the Tandava – It is a powerful night for penance and moksha. Above all it is a very auspicious day which is intensely celebrated until midnight and beyond by keeping awake with chanting and dancing.

According to Tantra, at this stage of consciousness, no objective experience takes place and the mind is transcended. The meditator transcends time, space and causation. It is regarded as the brightest night of the soul, when the yogi attains the state of Shoonya or Nirvana, the stage succeeding samadhi or illumination.

On this Maha Shivaratri, ones ability to become “Absolutely silent” in much more compared to any other night. As the night deepens, this possibility becomes greater. So, our ancestors have insisted on utilizing this opportunity on this night. Being alert and awake on this night have its own benefits. We can try this as much as we can.

Maha Shivaratri is considered the day when adiyogi or the first guru awakened his consciousness at the material level of existence.

It is considered auspicious as it is supposed to be the night of convergence of Shiva and Shakti – the embodiment of love, power, and oneness.

Shiva

Shiva, (Sanskrit: “Auspicious One”) also spelled Śiwa or Śiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism, whom worship as the supreme god. Among his common epithets are Shambhu (“Benign”), Shankara (“Beneficent”), Mahesha (“Great Lord”), and Mahadeva (“Great God”).

Shakti

Shakti (“Energy, ability, strength, effort, power, capability”) is the primordial cosmic energy, and represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the universe. This energy is thought of as creative, sustaining, as well as destructive, and is sometimes referred to as auspicious source energy. Shakti is personified as the Creatrix, and is known as “Adi Shakti” or “Adi Para Shakti”

What you must do on Maha Shivratri

• If possible, observe a vigil on Shivratri. Do not sleep throughout the night and spend the night contemplating on spirituality.
• Listen to stories of Lord Shiva, sing songs, chant mantras and meditate.
• Visit Shiva temples. In most Shiva temples, a prayer is performed throughout the night. Participate in the nightly prayers.
• If possible, you can also perform prayers and pujas at home. Start the puja after sunset on Shivratri and continue to do puja till the sunrise.
• Offering Bilva leaves, white colour flowers, water from the Ganges, sacred ash, sandalwood paste, and milk to Shiva. It is considered auspicious.
• At the end of Shivratri puja, donate Prasad, food, clothes and other items to the poor and needy.

What you must not do on Maha Shivratri

• Unlike some other kinds of festivals, Shivratri is not meant for making merry and feasting. – Contemplate on the Lord, visit temples, do Shiv puja at home and spend the time in spiritual activities.
• Do not sleep during Shivratri if you are observing a complete fast. Stay vigil throughout the night and sing the divine glories and chant the mantras of the Lord.
• Do not kill the time during Shivratri by watching movies or wasting time on gaming. Abstain from any kind of indulgence. Devote the time only to worship the Lord with full focus and devotion.
• Never resort to falsehood and quarrels. Do not eat non-vegetarian food. Abstain from alcohol and any other kind of addictive stuff.