MahaShivratri!

[shivguna000]

Hey guys!

MahaShivratri is coming up in a little over 2 weeks! Whoop Whoop! :D Who's excited here? Every year I look forward to this day.

Would any of you like to share your very first MahaShivratri experience?

[Eastern Mind]

Hey guys!

MahaShivratri is coming up in a little over 2 weeks! Whoop Whoop! :D Who's excited here? Every year I look forward to this day.

Would any of you like to share your very first MahaShivratri experience?

Vannakkam: About 1980 or thereabouts, in the very beginning of the days of the temple I'm associated with and frequent, about 10 devotees, including me, I presume, stayed the night in a small rented room that was the temple at that time. On Sivaratri night, 2 years later, in 1982, we installed a Lingam, and the same one (it's small, people often ask why) is still in use today. We had Ganga water, and I remember a light bulb popping just during the midnight abhishekham. This was all very soon after we had a large puja done at Chidambaram to bless the new temple.

So, yes, I remember. How about yourself?

Aum Namasivaya

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté


mahaśivarātri - what is its significance ? There is a ~big deal~ regarding the night, and one staying awake all night.

maha = great
śiva = is rooted in śī or 'in whom all things lie' ; auspicious , propitious , gracious , favorable ; the auspicious one.
rātri = night; stillness of night ;
rā = to grant , give , bestow Is there a possible hidden meaning to this mahaśivarātri ?

iti śivaṁ

[NayaSurya]

I am especially excited always this time of year. Last year, it was my son's birthday and then this year we were surprised that it would fall on our twins birthday!

It has been many years for me to be celebrating, but each year is always my favorite. This past year I got to sponsor our Temple's night for the very first time and sit down with my Temple family and do a pooja.

This was a very nervous night for me and with the fasting I became quite a silly girl... cried my heart out as I sang to Him...and the pooja was my first time in front of others.

I had the help of many many elder bhaktas that have become our wonderful family over these years and it was so confusing but also amazing because of so many diverse practices from the various origins of their spawning, that each of them began to argue with each other, in a friendly manner, over how I should do the pooja and it made me feel SO much at home to have them doing this wonderfully sweet, helpful dispute to help me as they are my long lost family.

When the white, chubby, tall and foolish horse I am currently riding within this lifetime disappeared and I became transparent and all that remained to see was my sincere Love for Mahadeva which is all that I truly am.


Hari om namah Shivaya

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b294/neolunae/Be-my-val.gif

[ShivaFan]

Namaste

Yes I am looking forward to the various temple activities. I wish I could be in India for it. To tell the truth, I am feeling somewhat sad of late, yet my vision of Bhikshatana is very strong right now, and soon this Great Night of Shiva is coming and it will guide my adventure. For some reason I yearn to again see one of the great Temples of Shiva in Orissa, all strung with white lights for this occasion. I am starting to wander, again. My name is ShivaFan. I am a Fan of Shiva.

Om Namah Sivaya

[ShivaFan]

http://www.shaivam.org/gallery/image/forms/ma_bhik_p.jpg

[Mana]

om gurave namaḥ

Namaste,

Oh sleepless night; I dream in wonder.

May the white light of śiva bless us all, always ...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_Bxd0qvRVS84/R8n9aP5IkaI/AAAAAAAABOc/ay2Wk8fTCJw/s400/IMG_0292.JPG


Kind regards.

[shivguna000]

Hey guys! Thanks for sharing your MahaShivratri experiences with me. They all sound great!


The very first time I celebrated MahaShivratri was nearly 10 years ago, I believe. I was young and unaware of the great importance of this day, and to be honest, offered a very simple fast and did a simple abhishekam for 21 days leading up to MahaShivratri

What I remember is the blessing I received from Mahadev. It was pure love; as if someone gave me the greatest hug that lasted forever. It was a real, palpable feeling of transcendental love. Never ever in my life had I felt that happy, and euphoric. All the sadness, mental anguish I had felt previously was gone. It was as if I had never known sadness in my life and only joy.

I'll never forget that day. I did not deserve the unconditional love or blessing that I received, but I still received it. :)

HAR HAR MAHADEV!!!

Feb 13th (tomorrow/today) is ShivChaturdashi! :)

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté








mahaśivarātri - what is its significance ? There is a ~big deal~ regarding the night, and one staying awake all night.

maha = great
śiva = is rooted in śī or 'in whom all things lie' ; auspicious , propitious , gracious , favorable ; the auspicious one.
rātri = night; stillness of night ;
rā = to grant , give , bestow
Is there a possible hidden meaning to this mahaśivarātri ?With all things we find in sanātana dharma we are given hints/symbols¹ by the wise. Our śāstra-s are so benevolent they offer the entry level or advanced adhikārin¹ knowledge for their unfoldment. Such is the case for mahaśivarātri.
We know a few things to stitch together a reasonable meaning for night (rātri) and its symbol. Night is associated with sleep - in sleep we are nirahaṃkāra - free from egotism , unselfish , humble.
Yet during śivarātri we are requested to stay up all night. This staying up is that of awareness, of consciousness that is one-pointed on śiva. This is the symbol/hint for us to bring about ātmasamarpaṇaṃ;
= ātma+samarpaṇaṃ

ātma - Self
samarpaṇaṃ - handing completely over , consigning , presenting , imparting , bestowing It is the condition of the mind/body being fully at rest ( the symbol of night) while one remains fully awake/aware and functioning, with full attention on Being/śiva.

It is the condition where the mind (moon) is no more; that the awareness shines in fullness of Being (śiva ) in which all things lie or reside.

Mahaśivarātri is that ; the celebration for the human condition to rise above the smallness of ego, and regain its rightful place as fullness of Being (śiva ).

Now, why does it occur on the 13th/14th tithi¹ of the moon (kṛṣṇa pakṣa¹) ? Is there a clue ?

oṁ maheśvarāya namaḥ

words

hints and symbols - parokṣa, saṃketa and śailī that offer us a deeper sense of the truth. What are these words ?
parokṣa- beyond the range of sight ; in an invisible or imperceptible manner; secretly , mysteriously. We can consider this word to mean subtle, beyond the initial meaning.
The other approach is saṃketa - a hint , sign or signal or gesture . It is rooted (√ )in kṛ meaning 'to give a signal '.
śailī - (2nd derivation) is a special or particular interpretation
adhikārin - 'fit for'; one who is fit/ready ripe for the revelation of the Self.
tithi - a lunar day ~time period~ based upon the moon. 15 tithi-s , during the moon's increase , constitute the light half of the month and the other 15 the dark half.
kṛṣṇa pakṣa - the dark half of a lunar month;
the first half from new moon to full moon was called pūrva or apūryamāṇa , later śukla or śuddha ;
the dark half or apa-kṣīyamāṇa , later kṛṣṇa or tāmisra , each fortnight consists of 15 tithi-s

[Aanandinii]

Namaskar,

This will be my first Maha Shivaratri as a practicing Shaivite. I have been so looking forward to it. Thank you all for sharing memories of your first nights.

Pranams

[Ganeshprasad]

Pranam

I too am looking forward to celebrate the forthcoming MahaShivratri.
As always, sometimes, there is conflicting dates, I know a lot of people would be celebrating on Thusrday 27th February.
Generally Shivratri falls on the 14th thithi of the moon cycle on Krishna Paksh in the month of Maha and sometimes it could fall on the 13th. This year it happens to be the 13th.

The Panchang that I follow "My Panchang" States 13th to be on Friday 28th for Uk, but then lots of websites informs me that Shivratri in on Thursday very confusing!
Anyone in know can shade some light on this please

My apologies I misread my Panchang, Trayodashi,13th is on Thursday, still the question remains since I have had conflicting information as to when is the actual day of MahaShivratri.

Har Har Mahadev

Jai Shree Krishna

[Eastern Mind]

The Panchang that I follow "My Panchang" States 13th to be on Friday 28th for Uk, but then lots of websites informs me that Shivratri in on Thursday very confusing!
Anyone in know can shade some light on this please



Vannakkam: From where I am, 7 hours difference, you will be on the 28th while I'm still slow, on the 27th. Your 7 AM is our midnight. That explains some of it, but it doesn't explain the difference in panchangs. I have no idea why there would be a difference. Even with the on-line nakshatra calculators, the same info can get 2 different nakshatras, but never off by more than one. India itself is on one national time, but it's probably a couple of 'real' hours across in distance.

Aum Namasivaya

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté

Please note tithi-s are not ~city~ dependent. That is, 'one tithi ends at the moment of time when the angular distance between the Sun and Moon becomes an integral multiple of 12°. In other words, a tithi ends at the same instant of time for all places on Earth and a tithi is not sensitive to the longitude (or latitude) of the region.'

If you wish more can be read here:
http://web.tifr.res.in/~vahia/tithi-calculations.pdf



If we look below - we can see the that the time differences between Chennai and New York are constant. That is, a certain tithi starts at the same time no matter where one is on the earth. The only difference is the local time.


Place : Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India,
Location : [13.09, 80.28] Time Zone : IST (+05:30)



Tritiya

Start Time : Mon, 17/02/14, 09:03 AM
End Time : Tue, 18/02/14, 10:24 AM


Chaturthi

Start Time : Tue, 18/02/14, 10:24 AM
End Time : Wed, 19/02/14, 11:23 AM


Panchami

Start Time : Wed, 19/02/14, 11:23 AM
End Time : Thu, 20/02/14, 11:53 AM


Shashti

Start Time : Thu, 20/02/14, 11:53 AM
End Time : Fri, 21/02/14, 11:53 AM


Saptami

Start Time : Fri, 21/02/14, 11:53 AM
End Time : Sat, 22/02/14, 11:17 AM






New York City
Location : [40.71, -74.01] Time Zone : EST (-05:00)




Tritiya

Start Time : Sun, 16/02/14, 10:33 PM
End Time : Mon, 17/02/14, 11:54 PM


Chaturthi

Start Time : Mon, 17/02/14, 11:54 PM
End Time : Wed, 19/02/14, 12:53 AM


Panchami

Start Time : Wed, 19/02/14, 12:53 AM
End Time : Thu, 20/02/14, 01:23 AM


Shashti

Start Time : Thu, 20/02/14, 01:23 AM
End Time : Fri, 21/02/14, 01:23 AM


iti śivaṁ

[ShivaFan]

I am starting to get excited now. There are a number of temples that will have Maha Shivaratri events, including the local Shiva Murugan Temple but many others and even (to my surprise) a Jain Temple (??? !!!!).

I am thinking of visiting two temples, but the Shiva Murugan Temple will be the evening.

The first temple is Gujarati, the second is Tamil, ... but there is also a third temple I am tempted to also visit which I do not go often which is South Indian Shiva and Devi and the reason is I was told by the priest there that an upper management person, non-Indian i.e. Westerner, from where I work comes to that temple and I am curious to see if that is true. But it would be difficult to juggle 3 temples for Sivaratri.

I wish all a Happy Shivratri!

Om Namah Sivaya

[Viraja]

I wish everyone a wonderful MahaShivaratri!

Shivaya Parameshwaraya
Chandra Shekharaya Nama Om
Bhavaya, Guna Sambhavaya
Shiva Thandavaya, Nama Om
Shivaya Parameshwaraya
Chandra Shekharaya, Nama Om
Bhavaya, Guna Sambhavaya
Shiva Thandavaya, Nama Om

Meaning

Lord Shiva, supreme Lord, adorned with the crescent moon; Lord of the purest qualities, dancing Lord Shiva, we bow to thee.

[Mahesh]

Om namah shiva,

Quick question all... What should one do for mahashivratri?

Would fasting (eating one meal) and chanting lord shivas name/listening to bhajans be enough?

Many thanks

[Aanandinii]

Namaskar Maheshji,


Om namah shiva,

Quick question all... What should one do for mahashivratri?

If your question is really what should you do, my uneducated n00b thoughts are that as long as what you do is sincere and from your heart, and you do whatever it is you feel you ought to do, then it is certainly enough. Each person's path is unique.

If you mean what is traditional? Again, there are likely a LOT of traditions. But most of the Temples I have visited and looked into going to for Maha Shivaratri have stated Bhajans and Yajna all day, Maha Abhishekham every 3 hours, overnight vigil till about 3 AM, singing and bathing the Lingam. Many people fast, fasting traditions vary. When people start fasting also varies. My own habit is water and Prasad only. Prasad after morning puja and sadhana and before sunrise, and after evening puja and sadhana and sunset. I only eat the small amount of cut fruit, berries, curd, juice, milk and water I offer. I do this on Mondays, and this week I am doing it all week. But this is all entirely me. There are lots of ways of fasting for Shivaratri that I've heard of and read about. And I'm sure there's a lot more Temple traditions than the ones I've named - n00b, me. :) Hopefully someone will be along with a better reply soon.

Namaskar-ji HDF,

Speaking of, I have a similar question to Maheshji above. I am going to a Satsang Society Temple for the day and all night as well. They will be singing and performing shiva pujas and abhishekham on request all day and we are invited to bring "whatever we want".

The only thing I could nail that down to specifically was fruit, milk and panchamrut. The woman who invited me to the Temple said people sometimes bring their own Lingams too, but I had no idea how to ask people that I only just met if that was the case.

I am unfamiliar with Satsang and this is my first Shivaratri ever. What should I bring? If they are doing Shiva Puja should I bring rice and barley and black sesame and other usual offerings? And I really want to bring some panchamrut for both abhishekham and prasad, and am wondering what should I bring the amrut for abhishekham in. Would it be okay to bring it in my Kalash?

Anyone who has been to such an open devotional day, at a Satsang community or not, please any advice and reminiscences would be really great. Yay, I am SO excited.

A final question on dress: I have a really nice black, grey and white salwar suit. It's one of the nicest sets of clothing I have aside from my Sari - and I cannot manage a sari in public yet and definitely not at the temperatures we'll be hitting on Thursday and Friday (yikes). Would it be bad taste to wear it? I know white is a funeral color, but white is also Lord Shiva's color... The only other nice suit I have is really loud and blue with stripey salwar pants. That's great for something like a Chaturthi parade, but I am not so sure about Maha Shivaratri... I guess I could go buy a new one, but if the white one would be okay I'd rather wear that. It's not just white after all, and I love the pants, all black and a comfy material.

Thanks so much for any assistance.
Pranams

[Spiritual Mantra]

Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the night when he is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KaD8-Y7GhM0/Uws2Oc97zcI/AAAAAAAAAdk/WhZBqw-OZJY/w1120-h624-p/Spiritual%2BMantra%2BMahashivaratri1.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qElvQM6PkhU&list=PLM3TSQaW_spMQtYzMWlR_nHQM9GFAytJe

[sunyata07]

Namaste,

This is the first year I am going to try a 24 hour fast with just water. Other years I was only really able for half day fast (after the sun set) because of the physical nature of my job. This year it's my goal to make it a full day without food and living only on the chantings of God's name. In case I do not get to a computer in time tomorrow, I want to wish all my spiritual brothers and sisters on this forum a very happy Mahashivaratri. May Bholenath bless all devotees tomorrow. :)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GkuQDScRKGc/S3QA4ID_bAI/AAAAAAAAHAM/qx13hFS7GiA/s400/rudrabhishekhamshiva786.jpg (http://www.google.ie/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=CwpEkwnz3DibUM&tbnid=bgFGMWmXvPr8XM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbhagwanjihelpme.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fshiva-linga.html&ei=v1UOU_TpIYKIhQfG54C4Aw&bvm=bv.61965928,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNFh8cz4Utd204ze7NHgTVpH0sDmgg&ust=1393534716178114)

Har Har Mahadev!!! :bowdown:

[IcyCosmic]

I love you all! I wish you all a glorious time seated in Lord Shiva's all encompassing adobe of eternal bliss....

[peasandbones]

Can't wait til morning to get going, I should really try and get some sleep already! Last year I did a no food or water fast for the whole 24hrs but I'm going to take water and some fruits during the day time.

What are some of your plans for the day/night?

Om Namah Shivaya!

[isavasya]

Happy MahaShivratri to everyone. May the blessings of Shiva be on all of us.

Jai Shiv Parvati!

[Aanandinii]

Hara Hara Mahadeva! Happy MahaShivaratri! May Lord Shiva's blessings of love, light, and joy wrap everyone in bliss.

I have to work a half day tomorrow, and find a way to manage it on Friday too. Haha, let's see how that turns out. I can but try. I should probably be going to bed soon as well, as I need to be up at 4.

I will have fruit and curd at sunrise, as I have been on a tight fast all week, but then I will be attempting the 24 hour fast tomorrow with just water. I am looking forward to when I can head off to the Center tomorrow.

By the by, thinking back to a recent thread, I finally found Bel Leaves! And fruit! And Datura! I am SO happy and grateful!

I hope everyone has a wonderful MahaShivaratri!

Aum

[Sudas Paijavana]

Wait just one minute! No bhāng?! Boringgg!!


I kid. I kid. :p



http://i.imgur.com/27AoGb5.png

[Ramakrishna]

To my brothers and sisters of HDF. May Mahadeva shower his blessings on us all. May he guide us all to greater truth, light, love, and peace!

http://images.memsaab.com/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display-750/files/2013/150279/happy-maha-shivratri-wallpaper.jpg

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté





Now, why does it occur on the 13th/14th tithi¹ of the moon (kṛṣṇa pakṣa¹) ? Is there a clue ?


It's interesting to note that śivarātri ( śiva + rātri or the night of śiva) falls on the 14th lunar day ( tithi).

When we look at the saṃskṛt assembly of akṣara or letters ( akṣara is imperishable and another name form Brahman), it is made up of vowels (svara) and consonants (vyañjāna). Śiva is the owner of svara and śakti is the owner of vyañjāna. ( Yet we know there is only One, this is the traditional way of discussing this matter). The vowels (svara) extend from a (अ) to ḥ (अः).

If we count down the vowels in order we come to 'au' which is the 14th vowel. This au औ vowel of the alphabet sounds like 'ou' in 'our' , in English. The 14th tithi is owned by śiva. Hence the tithi and vowel au औ are related.

This 'a' is represents anuttara , the Supreme unpassable, is considered cit śakti- the energy of consciousness. This is combined with 'u' - considered jñāna śakti, the energy of knowledge. Some call this 'u' unmeṣa उन्मेष- the act of opening the eyes. Since it is śiva's eyes this is a symbol of creation just about to begin.

Now this can only occur via śiva's icchā or will. Thus with will (icchā) + knowledge (jñāna), this results or brings about kriyā or kriyā śakti, the energy of action. Hence this 'au' is considered the full expression of kriyā śakti and has been given the name of triśūla¹ the trident due to its holding icchā + jñāna + kriyā. And who holds the triśūla¹ stick, daṃḍa ( some write daṇda) stick ? Śiva.

Hence we have the Supreme (a) holding the triśūla (icchā + jñāna + kriyā) which is represented by kriyā śakti (au) that occurs
on the 14th tithi of the lunar day, that is owned by śiva. Hence all the previous vowels from a (अ) to o (ओ) come to find action in the 14th vowel (au) औ.

We find this (au) औas key in some very profound mantra-s:
au+ ṁ
s+au +ḥ
hūṁ=h+aū+ṁ
this hūṁ is śiva-praṇava. Praṇava is to praise, and that which renovates thoroughly.

oṁ maheśvarāya namaḥ



words

triśūla - a trident
We know śiva's triśula is 3 pronged. and a view of śrī devī is the triangle. Both measure and complement the same.
We also know from Jyotish that śrī devī as lakśmī owns the trikona-s that is the 1st, 5th and 9th houses, forming the triangle within ones chart and hence within us.



tithi - a lunar day ~time period~ based upon the moon. 15 tithi-s , during the moon's increase , constitute the light half of the month and the other 15 the dark half.
kṛṣṇa pakṣa - the dark half of a lunar month;
the first half from new moon to full moon was called pūrva or apūryamāṇa , later śukla or śuddha ;
the dark half or apa-kṣīyamāṇa , later kṛṣṇa or tāmisra , each fortnight consists of 15 tithi-s