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Maha Shivaratri

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What is Shivaratri

  • Maha Shivaratri is a major Hindu festival.

    • It marks a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world.

    • There are many legends associated with Shivaratri as, over time, people have used this great occasion to associate it with their spiritual belief.

    •  As per Shivaism tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction.

    • As per Shaktism, this is the night when Shiva and Parvati got married.

    • As per another legend, this is the day to devote yourself to the Shiva Jyotinlingam to get over past sins if any, to restart on a virtuous path and thereby reach the abode of Shiva, the Kailasha and liberation.

  • A highly popular religious festival

  • Shivaratri is observed during the transition from the 13th to the 14th lunar day of every month. Thrayodashi or Chaturdashi

  • Maha Shivaratri occurs during the dark half of the lunar month of Magha in the Hindu calendar

  • Georgian Calendar February/March

  • Spiritual significance for the welfare of individuals and the community

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Who is Shiva?

In the Shakta philosophy, Shiva is the never-changing, eternal, pure consciousness. Shakti is his energy or kinetic power. The universe is a manifestation of this energy. Shiva is the omnipresent and inactive element, the pure consciousness. Meanwhile, Shakti is dynamic. The creation is not possible without both. Hence, they are one.

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  • Our ancient saints called the infinite cosmic energy Shiva.

  • Shiva is the formless and limitless soul of the universe

  • Swayambhu: The self-manifestation and is free from Saptadhatus

  • The seven constituent elements

    • Nutrient fluid

    • Blood

    • Flesh

    • Fat

    • Bone

    • Marrow

    • Semen

  • The Skanda Purana, Linga Purana and Padma Purana.

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Shiva and Jyotirlingam

Lingodhbhav Moorthi

The divine incarnation (self-manifestation) of Shiva as huge infinite pillar of light, called as Jyotirlinga, at midnight.

Jyoti means ‘light’ and linga means  ‘a sign’. Jyotirlinga means the ‘Radiant sign of Lord Shiva’.

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Each of the 12 jyotirlinga shrines is named after the presiding deity, a different manifestation of Shiva

  1. Somnath, Gujarat

  2. Nageshwara, Gujarat

  3. Mallikarjuna, Andhra Pradesh

  4. Mahakaleshwara, Madhya Pradesh

  5. Omkareshwara, Madhya Pradesh

  6. Bhimashankar, Maharashtra

  7. Ghrishneshwara, Maharashtra

  8. Trayambakeshwara, Maharashtra

  9. Vishveshwara, Uttar Pradesh

  10. Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

  11. Vaidyanath, Jharkhand

  12. Rameshwara, Tamil Nadu

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Maha Shivaratri Rituals – Fasting & Dhyana

  • Observe full day fast with self-determination.

  • Shiva is the master of Meditation / Yoga

  • Relevance to Mind and a Person?

  • Fasting detoxifies the body and purifies the mind.

  • Relaxed mind is more prepared for prayer/ meditation

  • Prepares devotes for knowing our real self and existence

  • To overcome negative energies through Sadhana

 

Ancient Time

  • A bel leaf is a trifoliate

  • Referenced in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana

  • Jagad Guru Sri Adi Shankaracharya composed Bilvashtakam

  • a powerful chant that speaks of the power and glory of offering Bilva leaves

 

Current Time

  • Botanical name is Aegle marmelos

  • Ayurveda highly values the Bel tree

  • Scientific studies validated medicinal uses of Aegle Marmelos

  • Anti-cancer agent, anti-bacterial, gastroprotective, etc

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Custom: All-Night Shiva Worship Rationale

 

  • Shivling has upward focused energy

  • Natural upsurge of energy in nature

  • Key is to keep five vital energy organs perpendicular to the ground

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Kara Carana Kritam Sloka

करचरण कृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा ।
श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधं ।
विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व ।
जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥

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Kara-Charanna Kratam Vaak-Kaaya-Jam Karma-Jam Vaa |

Shravanna-Nayana-Jam Vaa Maanasam Va-Aparaadham |

Vihitam-Avihitam Vaa Sarvam-Etat-Kssamasva |

Jaya Jaya Karunna-Abdhe Shrii-Mahaadeva Shambho ||

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Meaning: "O Shiva, kindly pardon my incorrect actions done consciously or unconsciously, either through my organs of action (hand, feet, and speech) or through my organs of perception (eyes, ears) or by my mind. I adore Lord Shri Mahadeva Shambhi, who is the ocean of kindness".

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Resources

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Quiz

to be developed

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References

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Shiva Sutras in Sanskrit and Translation by Sanskrit Documents

Shiva and Nothingness Research Paper

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