MAHA SHIVARATRI – 12TH February, 2010

Posted by on Aug 5, 2010 in Vishnu | 0 comments

Lord Shiva consuming Poisonous fumes
Maha Shivaratri (The Auspicious night dedicated to worship Lord Shiva). Shivaratri is observed every year during Maagha masa 14th day of Krishna Paksha, the dark half of the moon day.  This year Shivaratri is observed on February 12th, 2010.
During Ksheerasagara madanam (Churning of ocean of milk), there emerged Poisonous fumes (Halahalam). Gods approached  Lord Shiva and prayed him to protect the universe from disaster. Lord Shiva has many names… Mahadeva, Rudra, Pannagabhooshana, Jataadhara,Maheswara, Gangadhara… He is popularly known as Bholashankara/Bholenath (God who is easily pleased by simple prayers and devotion and one who grant wishes without judgement). As per the name, Mahadev pleased with their prayers consumed Poisonous fumes and held it in his throat, Thus Lord Shiva is also called  Neelakanta (God with blue colored throat). Mother Goddess Parvathi’s deergha soumangalyatwam (Power to keep her husband alive) made Shiva to hold Poisonous fumes.  A whole night vigil was thus kept by the gods in contemplation of Lord Shiva. Since then, on this day and night, devotees fast, keep vigil, sing glories of Lord and meditate.

Once Mother Goddess Parvati asked  Shiva of which rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, during the month of Maagha masam, is my most favorite day. It is known as Maha Shivaratri. Parvati shared these words with shivaganas, from whom the words spread to devaloka, Rishgalu, and was spread over all creation thus everyone started observing Maha Shivaratri durning Maagha masa.

Devotees observe fast and keep vigil whole night with Shiva nama smarana. At various Shaiva Kshetras and Temples, abhishekams are performed throughout the day and night and conclude the prayers following day by offering maha naivedyams. 
Significance of performing abhishekam to Lord Shiva:

Panchamrutham   -    Gives Wealth
(Mixture of Honey,Milk,Clarified Butter/Ghee,Sugar,Yoghurt)

Ghee (Clarified butter)-  Gives Moksham / Salvation

Milk -  bestows long healthy life

Yoghurt - Blesses with prosperity and progeny

Honey – Blesses with sweet melodious voice

Sugarcane Juice - Blesses with good health and removes enmity

Lime Juice -  Removes fear of death

Tender Coconut Water – Blesses with all kinds of happiness and blissful life

Cooked Rice (ANNAM) Blesses with  Majestic life

Chandanam/Sandalpaste  – Bestows Mother Goddess Lakshmi’s Grace and removes poverty

Sugar Crystals  -  Removes enmity

Water  - Purify our hearts

Apart from the above abhishekam materials, Bilva leaves are also very sacred in the Shiva pooja.

Those who cannot perform abhishekam on their own can either Sponsor for the abhishekam or donate any of the above Abhishekam materials at the temple. One who witness Shiva Rudra Abhishekam will be blessed with healthy progeny and abundant punya (Refer Chapter-8 from Guruchartira about the significance of watching Rudrabhishekam/observing pradosha vratha). If married women observes Shivaratri vratha pooja/Somvar vrath, will be blessed with Akhanda Sowbhagyam (Refer Chapter-35 from Gurucharitra, a story of princess named Seemanthini who observed Somvar vrath and remained Dheergasumangali).

Listening Rudram/Namakam/Chamakam or just chanting “AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA” removes all hurdles of life.

Chanting Maha Mruthyunjaya Mantra on this day as many times as possible bestows goodhealth and long span of life.

Maha Mruthyunjaya Mantra:

Aum Shree Ganeshaaya Namaha

Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahe Sughandhim Pushtivardhanam
Uruvaarukamiva Bhandanaan Mruthyor Muksheeya maamruthaath Audio

SHIVA PANCHAKSHARI STOTRAM:

Nagendra Haaraaya Trilochanaaya
Bhasmaanga Raagaaya Maheshwaraaya
Nityaaya Shuddhaaya Digambharaaya
Tasmai “Na“kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya   1

Mandaakini Salila Chandana Charchithaaya
Nandeeshwara Pramatha Naatha Maheswaraaya
Mandaara Pushpa Bahu Pushpa Supoojithaaya
Tasmai “MA“ kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya   2

Shivaaya Gowri Vadanaaravinda
Sooryaaya Dakshaadhwaraa Naashakaaya
Sree Neelakantaaya Vrishadwajaaya
Tasmai “SHI” Kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya   3

Vashista Kumbodhbhava Gowthamaaya
Muneendhra Devarchitha Shekharaaya
Chandraarka Vaishwaanara Lochanaaya
Tasmai “VA” kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya  4

Yagna Swaroopaaya Jataadharaaya
Pinaaka Hasthaaya Sanaathanaaya
Divyaaya Devaaya Digambharaaya
Tasmai “YA”kaaraaya Namah Shivaya  5

Panchaaksharam idham punyam yah pateth shiva sannidhau shivaloka mavaapnothi shivena sahamodhathe    Audio

Live Darshan of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir

Live Darshan of Sai Shiva

- Read chapter 28 from Shree Sai Satcharitra on this auspicious Shivaratri. This chapter is about Megha worshipping Saibaba with bilva leaves,holy ash and water from holy ganges.. Baba gifted Megha a beautiful Shivaling which is  now kept at Gurusthan under huge neem tree for devotee’s darshan.

PS:

1. When you are done with Live Darshan of Vishweshwara, make sure to come out of the link to avoid buffering/live traffic problem for other devotees.

2. For  stotras & videos on Dwadasa Jyothirling Darshan, Amarnath Yatra refer article on  Deity “Lord Shiva” under Archives.

3. Those who wish to listen/read Shiva Puran on auspicious Shivaratri, check this link – Shiv Puran in Hindi (Audio & Text)

February 13th is observed as Shani Amavasya… refer article on Shani Trayodasi/  Shanimaharaj  under archives.

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