| Maha Shivaratri Blessings |
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JAI BOLANATH HARA HARA MAHADEV TO ALL BELOVED BROTHERS AND SISTERS, OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
For spiritual seekers, the following method of Shiva sadhana (practice) is advisable - sit down in lotus posture, do some Pranayama to stabilize your breath, then indulge in Dhyana (meditation), followed by chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya." It is the greatest Shiva panchaksari mantra and one should drown themselves in its Effulgence. Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a sincere spiritual seeker's wishes. There are certain days and time frames during a year that enhance one's mental and spiritual abilities. In such times, whatever one wishes will materialize. Shivaratri is one such day. We all should remember that Shiva is everywhere. The meaning of Kailasa (legendary abode of Shiva in Himalayas) is celebration. So where there is happiness and celebration, Shiva is present. Feeling his presence all the time is the essence of Shivaratri. No worship is complete without offering something to the deity. Shiva is a very simple God, He is pure. One just needs to offer bilva leaves to him. But in this simplicity is a deep message. Bilva leaf offerings signify the surrender of all three aspects of one's nature - Tamas, Rajas and Sattva. Here we would love to share a story that Swami Sivananda shared with his students in a lecture: Once upon a time, King Chitrabhanu was ruling over the whole of Jambudvipa, and he and his wife were observing a fast on the day of Maha Shivaratri. The Sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king. The Sage asked: "O king, why are you observing fast today?" King Chitrabhanu explained the reason for observing a fast on that day. He had the gift of remembering incidents of his previous birth. He said to the Sage Ashtavakra: "I was a hunter by name Susvar in my previous birth. I eked out my livelihood by killing and selling birds and animals. One day, I was roaming in a forest in search of animals. I was overtaken by the darkness of night. I was not able to return home and so climbed up a Bilva tree for shelter. I shot a deer that day but I had no time to take it home. As I was tormented by hunger and thirst, I kept awake throughout the night. I shed profuse tears when I thought of my poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting my return. I engaged myself in plucking and dropping down the Bilva leaves." There was a Siva Linga at the foot of the Bilva tree. The tears and the leaves fell upon the Siva Linga. "The day dawned. I returned home and sold the deer. I got food for myself and for my family. I was about to break my fast. A stranger came to me and begged for food. I served him with food first and then I took my food." After this incident several years passed and at the hour of my death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down for guiding my soul to the abode of Shiva. I learned for the first time, of the great merit I had earned by the observance of the fast on the day of Maha Sivaratri, though I did it unknowingly. I lived in the abode of Siva and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages. I am now reborn on this earth as Chitrabhanu." Offer your silent adorations to Lord Siva, consort of Parvati, the destructive aspect of Brahman. Siva is known by the names Sambhu, Sankara, Mahadeva, Sadasiva, Visvanatha, Hara, Tripurari, Gangadhara, Sulapani, Nilakantha, Dakshinamurti, Chandrasekhara, Nilalohita, etc., He bestows auspiciousness, immortality and divine knowledge on His devotees. It is He who does Tandava Nritya or the Dance of Death at the end of Cosmic Time. He is the real regenerator and not the destroyer. May love, light and peace prevail in all. Jai bolanath Hara Hara Mahadev Shiva Shamboh Om Namah Shivaya
Swamiji and Amma |
Maha Shivaratri is February 12th. Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and the lord of awakening. Thus, Shivaratri is an occasion to awaken one's Self. Shivaratri is a night to be awake and observe by fasting. One should try to be awake throughout the night. It signifies being aware of everything that you have and are grateful for. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri.
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