Mahashivratri 2009

[satay]

Namaskar,

This year Mahashivtri is on Feb. 23rd.

Hope you have a good one.

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~


http://www.vaisnava.cz/fotky/kancipuram/siva-linga-v.jpg

ॐमहेश्वरायनमः
oṁ maheśvarāya namaḥ

[Pretnath]

Namaste All, :grouphug:

Thanks Yajvan G for this geat sHivliNg picture, but what kind of shivling is this?

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~


Namasté


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 letter ( 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 (anuttara) 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) औ as key in some very profound mantra-s:
au+ ṁ
s+au +ḥ
hūṁ=h+aū+ṁ
this hūṁ is ø~ Śiva-praṇava. Praṇava is to praise, and that which rennovates throughly.


http://www.lotussculpture.com/images/shiv13.jpg (http://lotus-sculpture.stores.yahoo.net/shiva.html)

______ॐ श्रीकण्ठायनमः
_____ oṁ śrīkaṇṭhāya namaḥ


praṇām

words and references

rātri रात्रि - season of rest; night, darkness.
triśūla - The triśula, tri (3) + su to possess supremacy; also to urge , impel , incite + la the act of taking or giving, sits on top of the daṇda, the stick
more on this at HDF post: http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=23124&postcount=5 (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=23124&postcount=5) Post 5, 11 and 12.

[dhruva023]

Guess what is on that day? (Hint: Check out my profile.)

[nbchandar]

There appears to be many stories behind Sivarathri and the People being awake thro; out. What is the real background (the most accepted one)

nbchandar

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~

There appears to be many stories behind Sivarathri and the People being awake thro; out. What is the real background (the most accepted one)

nbchandar

Namasté

There are many stories, and others will provide. Here is one that is my favorite.

Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The story goes as follows, from this HDF Post: http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2227&highlight=Varanasi (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2227&highlight=Varanasi)


praṇām

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~



Thanks Yajvan G for this geat sHivliNg picture, but what kind of shivling is this?


Namasté

all types of lingam-s reviewed here ( materials, size, etc).
http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/mahashivaratri/lord_shiva's_symbol_the_linga.shtml (http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/mahashivaratri/lord_shiva's_symbol_the_linga.shtml)

praṇām

[shian]

Happy Sivaratri
Lord Siva always with us

Om Mahesvaraye Svaha

[devotee]

Namaste all,

OM Namah Shivaya !
OM Namah Shivaya !
OM Namah Shivaya !
OM Namah Shivaya !
OM Namah Shivaya !


OM

[Pretnath]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~




Namasté

all types of lingam-s reviewed here ( materials, size, etc).
http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/mahashivaratri/lord_shiva's_symbol_the_linga.shtml (http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/mahashivaratri/lord_shiva's_symbol_the_linga.shtml)

praṇām


Thanx Yajvan G
Jai mhAdEv

[Ganeshprasad]

Pranam and aum namha Shivaya to all


Happy Fasting and chanting on this auspicious day.
may the Ashutosh Bhagvan shower his blessing on everyone.

Jai Shree Krishna

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~

Namasté


ॐ रुद्राय नमः
om rudrāya namaḥ

oṁ I bow (salutations) to rudra, the praiseworthy One.
Rudra रुद्र we know as roarer or howler; 'rud' we know is to cry or weep, lament. This root rud रुद् is equal to वृध् vṛdh to cherish , foster, praise ,elevate , exalt , gladden, cheer , exhilarate.
So when we look deeper into the meaing of rudra we find Śiva is being hailed as the roarer or howler, yet He is the praiseworthly (vṛdh) One.

For those interested in listening (perhaps learning) Śrī Rudram śloka by śloka, at your speed, consider this site:
http://www.sssbpt.org/sri-rudram/instructions-to-user.htm

praṇām

[aum_aum]

Namaste,
I'm trying to get some daily shiva slokas/mantras in telugu.Can someone help me in this.

thanks,