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Agnideva
04 February 2007, 07:53 PM
Namaste All,

The festival of Maha Shivaratri (Great Night of Shiva) is almost upon us once again. This year Shivaratri will be Feb 16 (into the 17th) in the Indian subcontinent, and Feb 15 (into the 16th) in North America. The temple I attend plans to celebrate on Feb 15. I was wondering from those who celebrate this festival, how you plan to observe it, and what is your practice. Do you plan to fast? Do you plan to keep vigil through the night?

OM Shanti,
A.

Agnideva
04 February 2007, 08:05 PM
One thing that is recommended for Shivaratri is the chanting of the Rudradhyaya hymn from the Yajurveda. However, most of us don’t know how to chant this long hymn, so we just chant the panchakshara mantra, which is found in the center of the Rudradhyaya. I found this piece (below) on the panchakshara mantra written by Swami Sivananda particularly informative. I’ve edited it slightly for spelling and clarification. There is already a thread (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=6) here on the panchakshara mantra, and Sarabhanga-ji has covered almost all of these points, but I thought it might be useful to review these points, especially for those of us who are planning to chant this mantra on Shivaratri.

OM Shanti,
A.

-----

SECRET OF PANCHAKSHARA
Swami Sivananda
Part of a larger article called Siva Yoga Sadhana.

Panchakshara is a maha-mantra, which is composed of five letters: na-maH-shi-vA-ya. A mantra is that which removes all obstacles and miseries of one who reflects on it, and bestows eternal bliss and immortality. Panchakshara is the best among seven crores of mantras.

There are seven skandhas (sections) in the Yajurveda. The Rudradhyaya is in the centre of the middle skandha. In this Rudradhyaya, there are one thousand Rudra mantras. namaH shivAya or the Shiva Panchakshara mantra shines in the centre of these one thousand Rudra mantras.

Yajurveda is the head of Parameshvara, who is the Veda Purusha (Supreme Being). The Rudram (Rudradhyaya), which is in the middle of the Yajurveda, is the face, and the panchakshara is His eye. ‘Shiva’, which is in the centre of the namaH shivAya, is the apple of the eye. He who does japa of this panchakshara is freed from births and deaths, and attains eternal bliss. This is the emphatic declaration of the Vedas. This panchakshara is the body of Lord Nataraja. This is the abode of Lord Shiva. If you add aum to namaH shivAya in the beginning, then it becomes shadakshara or ‘six-lettered’ mantra.

Panchakshara is of six kinds:
1. Sthula panchakshara (namaH shivAya)
2. Sukshma panchakshara (shivAya namaH)
3. Karana panchakshara (shivAya shiva)
4. Mahakarana panchakshara (shivAya)
5. Mahamanu or 6. mukti panchakshara (shi)

‘namaH’ means prostration. ‘shivAya namaH’ means prostration unto Lord Shiva.

The jiva (individual) is the servant of Lord Shiva from the deha-drishti (viewpoint of the body). ‘namaH’ represents the jivatman (individual soul). ‘Shiva’ represents Paramatman (Supreme Soul). ‘Aya’ denotes aikyam or identity of jivatman and Paramatman. Hence, shivAya namaH is a Mahavakya, like Tat Tvam Asi, which signifies the identity between the individual and the Supreme Soul.

Pranava (aum) denotes the external form (husk) of the Lord (paddy), and panchakshara, the internal form (rice). Pranava and panchakshara are one.

The five letters denote the five actions or Pancha Krityas of the Lord, viz., Srishti (creation), Sthiti (preservation), Samhara (destruction), Tirodhana (veiling) and Anugraha (blessing/revealing). They also denote the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) and all creations through the combination of the five elements.

‘na’ represents Tirodhana (veiling); ‘ma’, the mala or impurity; ‘shi’, Lord Shiva; ‘vA’, the Arul Shakti (grace); and ‘ya’, the individual soul.

Take a bath, or wash your face, hands and feet. Wear bhasma (holy ash) and rudraksha mala. Sit on padmasana or sukhasana, facing east or north, in a quiet place or room. Repeat silently the panchakshara and meditate on the form of Lord Shiva. Keep the image in the heart, or space between the eyebrows.

If you practise meditation regularly, your heart will be purified. All samskaras and sins will be burnt in toto. You will attain Shiva-Yoga-Nishtha or Nirvikalpa Samadhi. You will attain the glorious Shiva-Pada or Shiva-Gati and become one with Lord Shiva. You will enjoy the eternal bliss of Shivanandam and become immortal.

May Lord Shiva bless you all!

saidevo
04 February 2007, 08:35 PM
Namaste Agnideva,

That namaH shivAya means I am Shiva is news to me and it would be very pleasing to chant the panchakshara mantra with this meaning. The relationship between aum, namaH, shivAya, and the six kinds of panchakshara mantra are also clear now.

Thanks for an enlightening post.

satay
04 February 2007, 09:10 PM
namaskar Agni!
Very nice posts.
re what I will be doing on this auspicious day...if Lord allows, I will be fasting this year too. I am not sure the exact ritual of fasting and praying on this day but have been observing complete fast (no water, no food) on this day and night.

Our temple here in the city will be opened all night and I think many stay all night to perform and observe pujas that go on all night (?). I have never been to the temple on this day or night so not sure what will happen this year...as HE instructs so shall happen and nothing else...

Shivom!

sm78
05 February 2007, 02:12 AM
Namaste All,

The festival of Maha Shivaratri (Great Night of Shiva) is almost upon us once again. This year Shivaratri will be Feb 16 (into the 17th) in the Indian subcontinent, and Feb 15 (into the 16th) in North America. The temple I attend plans to celebrate on Feb 15. I was wondering from those who celebrate this festival, how you plan to observe it, and what is your practice. Do you plan to fast? Do you plan to keep vigil through the night?

OM Shanti,
A.

Thanks Agnideva for sharing this.

I have plans to fullfill my wish to do the whole puja, which I haven't been able to able to do till now for various reasons ... let's see if grace of shiva allows it this time.

I also don't know the how to recite Rudri ... however Shiv Ratri pujanam is an extension of the Parthiva Shiva Linga Archanam where all aspects of Shiva are worshipped at various points of time of the auspicious day.

sm78
05 February 2007, 03:11 AM
More info here ...

http://www.mahashivratri.org

Agnideva
05 February 2007, 01:40 PM
Namaste All,

Thanks for your responses. It is also my intention this year to fast for the whole day and night, Lord willing. I don’t keep away from water as this present body doesn’t deal well with dehydration. I am also planning to visit temple. They have pujas and group chants of the panchakshara. I also plan to stay up through the night until sunrise. I have the Rudram and Chamakam hymns on mp3 so I will listen to those as well.


That namaH shivAya means I am Shiva is news to me and it would be very pleasing to chant the panchakshara mantra with this meaning. The relationship between aum, namaH, shivAya, and the six kinds of panchakshara mantra are also clear now.
I didn’t realize that namaH shivAya is a mahavAkya either. I also really liked the explanation of how pranava mantra (aum) is the external mantra, and namaH shivAya is internal. I was looking up more information on this. It turns out that in the Shaiva Agamas, pranava is also a panchakshara! Pranava is said to have five parts: a-kAra, u-kAra, ma-kAra, nAda and bindu. So, aum is the manifest panchakshara, and namaH shivAya is the unmanifest panchakshara. Fits together beautifully :).

OM Shanti,
A.

Agnideva
05 February 2007, 05:20 PM
So, the "aum" represents the Supreme Soul and the panchakshara represents the individual soul and that they are one. What are they saying through the "paddy" symbolism, that the Lord is everywhere, in all things, all encompassing?
Namaste MG,

There are two analogies that Swami Sivananda uses in the article. The first analogy is that of equating individual soul and the Supreme Soul, which is often made in non-dualistic philosophies of Hinduism. Here, he says that namaH is the individual soul, and shiva = Supreme Soul, and Aya = indicates the oneness between them. So, namaH shivAya is just like saying Tat Tvam Asi (Thou art That) which is one of the four mahavakyas or “great statements” of the Upanishads used extensively in non-dualistic philosophies.

The second analogy he makes is that of the internal and external forms. The internal form here denotes the non-differentiated or unmanifest Oneness. The external form denotes the differentiated or manifest states. The aum (pranava) is the external manifest form, the namaH shivAya (panchakshara) is the internal unmanifest Oneness that holds all external differences together. The aum is the external husk, the rice is the namaH shivAya. Together aum namaH shivAya encompasses the manifest and the unmanifest Divine.

Hope that makes sense :).

OM Shanti,
A.

MysticalGypsi
13 February 2007, 06:29 AM
Can you tell me is there anything I should definitely do or not do! I don't want to inadvertantly offend someone.

sm78
13 February 2007, 07:03 AM
The only thing I can think of not doing is going inside the temple without taking off your footwear. Temples should entered with naked feet.

Apart from that nothing else should be rigid.

It could be much easier on you to go with someone who has been there.

Agnideva
13 February 2007, 09:06 AM
Thanks! I don't know anyone well enough yet to go with them.

Can someone tell me what these words mean? I would really appreciate it!!:D

Trikala Pooja

all night Jagaran

Rudrabhisheka with Laghunyasa

Rudrabhisheka with Mahanyasa



Namaste MG,

Many times people say don't wear leather to temple, and don't wear shorts or short skirts to temple. I've seen Hindus violate every one of these rules especially here in the US. You need to take your shoes off in a designated spot, that's all. If you go to temple for Shivaratri, I can guarantee you that it's going to be noisy and crowded, but maybe that's the best time for you to go, so you can observe what others are doing. Other thing to remember is that whenever you receive holy water, blessed food (prasad) or wave your hand over the arati flame, use your right hand.

In any case, trikala puja (pooja) is a puja (worship ceremony) performed at three times during the day. Usually trikala indicates dawn, noon and dusk. Rudrabhishekha is an ablution (abhishekha) ceremony performed to honor Shiva through the icon of the Lord, the Shiva Lingam. Abhishekha ceremony involves ablution with five "nectars" (usually milk, water, honey, yoghurt and sugar/syrup). As the ablution takes place, the priests sing Vedic hymns. The laghunyasa and mahanyasa are Vedic hymns recited during the abhishekha. Afterwards you may receive a spoonful of the five nectars in your right palm as a blessing. Jagaran means staying up or keeping vigil. People stay up all night and keep vigil on Shivaratri.

OM Shanti,
A.

yajvan
13 February 2007, 06:19 PM
Hari Om
~~~~~

Namaste everyone:

I *really* want to go to this festival, but I have never been inside a temple before.

Namaste MG,
Good question... a few simple things. Go with the right frame of mind ( sattvic). Others can add in, yet here is a few:
- remove your shoes before entering
- we first greet God/The Universal Self. Most likely the diety there if a siva temple, we greet Ganesha with Pranams, and bow. Some ring the bell over head one time.
- if going, just as going to a friends house we bring a gift. Fresh, washed fruit , some flowers ( we do not smell them, that is the custom, the flowers are then 'whole' for the offering)
- we greet the dieties that are there ( for me I go from left to right) yet not sure what temple you are attending.
It is OK to ask the pandit there for help, blessings and guidence. You then can make an offering of the flowers, fruit, etc to your ishtadevata, perhaps for this occasion it is siva?
If you choose to sit, you face siva, yet we do not point our feet His way, or show Him the soles of your feet as this is disrepectful to do. Nor do we sit directly in front... off to one side. Usually to the right, but no need to make a big deal as He is everyewhere, left , right, up down, doesn't matter.
You may ask for His darshan, and the panditji will assist. Any offerings that you may give, use your right hand. Some hold the left hand with the right, yet the right still leads.
Just be simple and you will not have issue.Follow the other more experinced and they too will assist. You have come to see Him, so thoughts are with Him. It is a time to be simple, vs. socializing , that can be done at another time. Silience is His nature, that is way it is considered good to be with limited words, or when with words, they are respectful, with mantra, etc. For Sivaratri, His mantra will be going all the time on this night. Join in.

Others can add, as this is a baseline...simple.

pranams,

Agnideva
15 February 2007, 11:04 AM
Namaste.

Check out these links for some beautiful images and explanation of Maha Shivaratri as celebrated in the country of Mauritius.

Maha Shivaratri Festival in Mauritius - Harvard Pluralism Project (http://www.pluralism.org/resources/slideshow/thumbs.php?show=sisisky&shownumber=3&from=1&to=21)
TAKA Kauai Hindu Monastery February 14, 2007 (http://www.himalayanacademy.com/taka/past/2007/February/February_14_2007/index.shtml)

satay
15 February 2007, 11:32 AM
Namaste.

Check out these links for some beautiful images and explanation of Maha Shivaratri as celebrated in the country of Mauritius.

Maha Shivaratri Festival in Mauritius - Harvard Pluralism Project (http://www.pluralism.org/resources/slideshow/thumbs.php?show=sisisky&shownumber=3&from=1&to=21)
TAKA Kauai Hindu Monastery February 14, 2007 (http://www.himalayanacademy.com/taka/past/2007/February/February_14_2007/index.shtml)

namaskar,

Thanks for this...The fact that you became the vehicle to post these links on this day to this forum has some special personal meaning to me...I can only wonder about this...

Mauritius...a lot of old memories have stirred up...a decade has passed, friends have disappeared, yet it seems like yesterday!

Jai Shiv Shankar!

Agnideva
15 February 2007, 12:36 PM
Thanks for this...The fact that you became the vehicle to post these links on this day to this forum has some special personal meaning to me...I can only wonder about this...
Jai Shiv Shankar!
Namaskar Satay. You're right about the vehicle part. I've no idea what I'm doing. I'm only doing Bhole Shankar's will, or so I'd like to believe. In fact, I was going to post something else here today, but this is what appeared in front of my eyes.

Har Har Mahadev!

satay
15 February 2007, 05:18 PM
accidentally drank water so fast is already broken... :(

satay
15 February 2007, 06:46 PM
namaste all,
please note that the following message is not mine. Dr. Sesha is the author.



Adyatmika Ratna, Vedanta Visarada, Sri Yaaga Vidya Praveena
Dr P V Sesha Sai Aswamedhayaaji
1-9-52/F/3, MCH No 2859, Road No 19, Ramnagar, HYDERABAD 500020
www.ashwamedhayaagam.org emails shodasisai@gmail.com
Phones 91-40-27661613 (Tele-fax), 65581368 Cell 9440422613
14th February 2007
SURYAKSHETRA -104
What this little man speak…………………………………………………………………..
My dear friends and like minded persons

I wish you and ‘yours’ a WONDERFUL SHIVARATHRI and May Lord Jagatpita and Goddess Jaganmaata grant you all that you richly desire and deserve.

Sometime ago, I remember to have given some valuable information about Rudrabhishek and its results. I desire to repeat it now for the information of all of you.

This valuable information is drawn from different sources which includes 1) Rudrakaamyarchana Vidhi, 2) Yogajaagame, 3) Mahaa Rudra Puracharana Vidhi, 4) Maarkandeya, 5) Visistakalpe Sanjeevani tantra rahasye, 6) Uttara Geetha, 7) Lainge Uttaraardhe, 8) Shivatoshinyaam, 9) Mantra Maheswara Paasupata Mantra Rahasye, 10) Mahaa Mantra Ratna Kose, 11) Rudradhyaye etc. Some of you might have read book No 8 which Lord permitted me to write on the use of Mahaa Pasupata Mantra in addition to Trisula Pasupatam, Aghora Pasupatam, Navagraha Pasupatam, Manyu Pasupatam, Kanya Pasupatam, Rina Vimochana Pasupatam, Santana Pasupatam, Indrakshi Pasupatam, Varsha Pasupatam, Koubera Pasupatam etc. I have been writing repeatedly that belief is the strength of any act for any religion, for any one, at any place and at any time. Of course, blind belief is what is not wanted. These theories have basic values since the ancient Rishis and great sages of India practiced them and passed on these Amruth Phal (fruits) for the use and benefit of infinite generations.

Now, the simplest is PANCHOPACHARA POOJA. LUM – Pridhvi Tatva – Sandal Paste; HUM – Aakasa Tatva – Pushpam(flower); YAM – Vayu Tatva – Dhoopam – fragrance stick; RUM – Agni Tatva – Deepam (the holy lamp using sesame oil); VUM – Amruth Tatva – Nivedan( offering of food items) – this is the simplest of all procedures and this may at the best take 5 minutes. I believe each one of us who are surely interested in the welfare of self and the Society can spare just 5 minutes in a day for this. Those who can afford can go for shodasopachara poojas – like sixteen methods of worship.

I have been insisting for using of 11 items for abhishekam to Lord Shiva and each item for each anuvaaka. The order according to Yogajaagame is in the following manner.

Cow Milk – All-round happiness; Cow curds – health; Cow ghee – financial prosperity; Sugarcane(juice or candy) – destruction of sorrow; Honey – Tejo Vridhi; Coconut water – Sarva Sampada Vridhi; Bhasmam – destruction of great sins; Sandal wood water – Sons prosperity; Pushpodakam – Bhoolabh; Bilvajalam – Bhog and Bhagya; Doorvodakam – Nasta Dravya Prapti; Sesame Oil – Apa Mrityu Haram; Rudrakshodakam – Maha Iswaryam; Gold water – destruction of Daridra; Rice – Raajya Prapti; Grape Juice- Sakala Kaarya Jayam; Dates – Kharjur juice – destruction of both internal and external enemies; black apples – renunciation; Kasturi Water – Kingdom; Nav Ratan Jal – Dhanya, gruha development; Mango Juice – destruction of long ailments; Turmeric water – Mangal pradam and this is the order. You are all free to choose the items as per order of your choice and the first five being panchaamritaas.

You might have gone through my letter on CHEMISTRY AND MATHEMETICS OF SHIVA LINGA which threw light on a systematic approach to Lord Shiva Worship.

Wishing you all once again the blessings of Lords.

I shall be back again soon………………………………
HARA HARA MAHADEVA DR P V SESHA SAI ASWAMEDHAYAAJI

atanu
16 February 2007, 03:05 AM
Adyatmika Ratna, Vedanta Visarada, Sri Yaaga Vidya Praveena
Dr P V Sesha Sai Aswamedhayaaji
1-9-52/F/3, MCH No 2859, Road No 19, Ramnagar, HYDERABAD 500020
www.ashwamedhayaagam.org (http://www.ashwamedhayaagam.org) emails shodasisai@gmail.com
Phones 91-40-27661613 (Tele-fax), 65581368 Cell 9440422613
14th February 2007
SURYAKSHETRA -104
What this little man speak…………………………………………………………………..
My dear friends and like minded persons

I wish you and ‘yours’ a WONDERFUL SHIVARATHRI and May Lord Jagatpita and Goddess Jaganmaata grant you all that you richly desire and deserve.

Sometime ago, I remember to have given some valuable information about Rudrabhishek and its results. I desire to repeat it now for the information of all of you.

This valuable information is drawn from different sources which includes 1) Rudrakaamyarchana Vidhi, 2) Yogajaagame, 3) Mahaa Rudra Puracharana Vidhi, 4) Maarkandeya, 5) Visistakalpe Sanjeevani tantra rahasye, 6) Uttara Geetha, 7) Lainge Uttaraardhe, 8) Shivatoshinyaam, 9) Mantra Maheswara Paasupata Mantra Rahasye, 10) Mahaa Mantra Ratna Kose, 11) Rudradhyaye etc. Some of you might have read book No 8 which Lord permitted me to write on the use of Mahaa Pasupata Mantra in addition to Trisula Pasupatam, Aghora Pasupatam, Navagraha Pasupatam, Manyu Pasupatam, Kanya Pasupatam, Rina Vimochana Pasupatam, Santana Pasupatam, Indrakshi Pasupatam, Varsha Pasupatam, Koubera Pasupatam etc. I have been writing repeatedly that belief is the strength of any act for any religion, for any one, at any place and at any time. Of course, blind belief is what is not wanted. These theories have basic values since the ancient Rishis and great sages of India practiced them and passed on these Amruth Phal (fruits) for the use and benefit of infinite generations.

Now, the simplest is PANCHOPACHARA POOJA. LUM – Pridhvi Tatva – Sandal Paste; HUM – Aakasa Tatva – Pushpam(flower); YAM – Vayu Tatva – Dhoopam – fragrance stick; RUM – Agni Tatva – Deepam (the holy lamp using sesame oil); VUM – Amruth Tatva – Nivedan( offering of food items) – this is the simplest of all procedures and this may at the best take 5 minutes. I believe each one of us who are surely interested in the welfare of self and the Society can spare just 5 minutes in a day for this. Those who can afford can go for shodasopachara poojas – like sixteen methods of worship.

I have been insisting for using of 11 items for abhishekam to Lord Shiva and each item for each anuvaaka. The order according to Yogajaagame is in the following manner.

Cow Milk – All-round happiness; Cow curds – health; Cow ghee – financial prosperity; Sugarcane(juice or candy) – destruction of sorrow; Honey – Tejo Vridhi; Coconut water – Sarva Sampada Vridhi; Bhasmam – destruction of great sins; Sandal wood water – Sons prosperity; Pushpodakam – Bhoolabh; Bilvajalam – Bhog and Bhagya; Doorvodakam – Nasta Dravya Prapti; Sesame Oil – Apa Mrityu Haram; Rudrakshodakam – Maha Iswaryam; Gold water – destruction of Daridra; Rice – Raajya Prapti; Grape Juice- Sakala Kaarya Jayam; Dates – Kharjur juice – destruction of both internal and external enemies; black apples – renunciation; Kasturi Water – Kingdom; Nav Ratan Jal – Dhanya, gruha development; Mango Juice – destruction of long ailments; Turmeric water – Mangal pradam and this is the order. You are all free to choose the items as per order of your choice and the first five being panchaamritaas.

You might have gone through my letter on CHEMISTRY AND MATHEMETICS OF SHIVA LINGA which threw light on a systematic approach to Lord Shiva Worship.

Wishing you all once again the blessings of Lords.

I shall be back again soon………………………………
HARA HARA MAHADEVA DR P V SESHA SAI ASWAMEDHAYAAJI


Om Namah Shivayya

We chose happiness. Happiness is the final goal, what else can give happiness except His permanent presence?

Om Namah Shivayya

Ganeshprasad
16 February 2007, 03:48 AM
Om Namah Shivayya

We chose happiness. Happiness is the final goal, what else can give happiness except His permanent presence?

Om Namah Shivayya

Pranam Atanu ji
Indeed, and what is more tangible then to reciting this mantra, Om Namah Shivayya, to perceive his presence.
I am off to Wales, to spend the day and the night at the temple for the first time.
Om Namah Shivayya to everyone

Jai Shree Krishna

saidevo
16 February 2007, 07:31 AM
Shiva Stotras

For downloadable Shiva Stotras in mp3 format, check:
http://www.astrojyoti.com/shivamp3list.htm

This site also contains other stotras.

yajvan
19 February 2007, 02:12 PM
Hari Om
~~~~~

Those who can afford can go for shodasopachara poojas – like sixteen methods of worship.

I have been insisting for using of 11 items for abhishekam to Lord Shiva and each item for each anuvaaka.

Namaste Satay,
I can see your desire for 11 items as there are 11 Rudra's.

Can you perhaps take a stab at why 16 items is of import for yajya, homam and puja? There are 16 kala's yes? There are 4 vyahriti's and they are fourfold ( 4X4) give 16 aspects of vyahriti's.
Pehaps the answer is here?

pranams,

Agnideva
19 February 2007, 04:15 PM
... why 16 items is of import for yajya, homam and puja? There are 16 kala's yes? There are 4 vyahriti's and they are fourfold ( 4X4) give 16 aspects of vyahriti's.

Namaskar Yajvan,

Can you explain the above further when you get a chance? What are the four vyahritis, and what are the 16 kalas?

Is the number 16 also significant and repeat itself? And, any relation to Divine Mother as Shodashi (Sixteen)? Thanks.

Regards,
A.