Who is aware of the significance of Mahashivratri and why it is celebrated?
A spiritually significant night is Mahashivratri, also known as "The Great Night of Shiva." Sadhguru explains the significance of Mahashivratri and how we can take advantage of this opportunity.
Sadhguru: There were once 365 festivals celebrated annually in Indian culture. To put it another way, all they needed was a reason to celebrate on every day of the year. Different motives and goals of life were attributed to each of these 365 festivals. They were to commemorate a variety of historical happenings, victories, or life events, such as sowing, planting, and harvesting. There was a celebration for every circumstance. However, Mahashivratri has a distinct significance.
Mahashivratri is very important to all people who want to be the best. May this evening be the start of an exuberant new day for you. "Sadhguru": What Is the Meaning of Mahashivratri and Why Is It Celebrated?
The most significant day on India's spiritual calendar is Mahashivratri, also known as "The Great Night of Shiva."
Shivratri is the fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon. The Mahashivratri festival, which falls between February and March each year, is the most spiritually significant of the twelve Shivratris. This night, the planet's northern hemisphere is in such a position that a person naturally experiences an increase in energy. This is a day when the natural world is pushing people to their spiritual limits. To make use of this, we established a specific, all-night festival as part of this custom. One of the fundamentals of this all-night festival is to ensure that you remain awake with your spine straight throughout the night in order to allow this natural upsurge of energies to find their way.
The significance of Mahashivratri is immense for those who are on the spiritual path. It is also very important to people in family situations and to ambitious people everywhere. Mahashivratri is observed as Shiva's wedding anniversary by family members. Those with worldly ambitions consider that day to have marked Shiva's victory over all of his foes.
However, the day he became one with Mount Kailash is celebrated by ascetics. He became completely still, like a mountain. Shiva is not worshiped as a God in the yoga tradition; rather, he is regarded as the Adi Guru, the first Guru from whom the science of yoga was developed. He had been meditating for many millennia when one day he became completely still. Mahashivratri falls on that day. Ascetics consider Mahashivratri to be the night of stillness because he stopped all movement and became completely still.
Spiritual Significance of Mahashivratri Legends aside, the yogic traditions give this day and night such significance because of the opportunities it offers spiritual seekers. Everything you know about life, matter, existence, the cosmos, and galaxies is just one energy that manifests itself in millions of different ways. Modern science has gone through many phases to get to the point where they are attempting to demonstrate this to you.
Every yogi knows this scientific fact from personal experience. A person who has come to the realization of the oneness of all things is called a "yogi." I am not referring to any particular method or practice when I say "yoga." Yoga is the pursuit of the unfathomable and the oneness that is existence. A person can have this experience on the night of Mahashivratri.
Shivratri:–
The darkest day of the month is Shivratri, which is also known as the Darkest Night. Mahashivratri, the month-long celebration of Shivratri, almost seems like a celebration of darkness. Any rational mind would naturally choose light over darkness. However, the literal meaning of the word "Shiva" is "that which is not." Existence and creation are shared by "that which is." Shiva is that which is not. That which is not" means that if you open your eyes and look around, you will see a lot of creation if you focus on the small things. If you really look for big things in your vision, you will see that the biggest thing in existence is a huge void.
While the vast void that surrounds the places we refer to as galaxies is rarely noticed, a few places that we refer to as galaxies typically receive a lot of attention. Shiva is the name given to this vastness, this unending void. Science today also demonstrates that everything originates from nothing and returns to nothing. Shiva, the vast void or nothingness, is referred to as the great lord or Mahadeva in this context.
The omnipresent, all-pervading nature of the divine has always been discussed by every religion and culture on this planet. Darkness, nothingness, or emptiness are the only things that can truly be everywhere, if we take a closer look at it.
When people are looking for happiness, we typically refer to the divine as light. We always refer to the divine as darkness when people are no longer seeking well-being, when they are looking beyond their life in terms of dissolution, and when dissolution is the object of their worship and sadhana.
Shivratri's significance: Light is a brief mental event. Light is only a limited possibility because it occurs and ends. It is not eternal. The sun is the planet's most significant known light source. You could stop the sun's light with your hand and leave behind a shadow of darkness. However, darkness covers everything. Darkness has always been referred to as the devil by the world's immature minds. However, since only darkness is all-pervasive, when you refer to the divine as being all-pervasive, you are clearly referring to darkness. It's all over. It does not require any assistance from anyone.
Light always originates from an exhausted source. There is a beginning and a end to it. It always comes from a restricted source. There is no source of darkness. It is an independent source. It is everywhere, omnipresent, and pervasive. As a result, when we refer to Shiva, we mean this vast void of existence. All of creation took place in the midst of this vast void. We refer to that void-filled area as the Shiva.
All of the ancient prayers in Indian culture didn't talk about saving yourself, protecting yourself, or improving one's life. "Oh lord, destroy me so that I can become like you" has always been the prayer in all of the ancient prayers. So, when we talk about Shivratri, the month's darkest night, it's an opportunity to let go of one's limitations and experience the limitless source of creation—the seed in every human being.
On Mahashivratri,
Mahashivratri and A Night of Awakening offer an opportunity to experience the vast emptiness that lies within each human being and is the source of all creation. Shiva, on the other hand, is referred to as the destroyer. On the other hand, he is regarded as the most caring individual. Additionally, he is regarded as the greatest giver. There are numerous tales of Shiva's compassion in the yoga lore. His acts of compassion have been remarkable and amazing all at the same time. Therefore, Mahashivratri is also a special night for giving. We wish and pray that you will not pass this night without experiencing the vastness of this void, which we refer to as Shiva. Not only should this night be a night of awakening, but it should also be a night of awakening for you.
Why is Mahashivratri celebrated?
It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati tied the knot on Mahashivratri. As a result, their union is commemorated annually on this day.
Why is the night of Mahashivratri the darkest?
Since ancient times, Mahashivaratri, or the darkest night, has been celebrated as the night of great and powerful Shiva. Mahashivratri, which literally translates to "the great (maha) night (ratri) of Shiva," is probably the most significant spiritual occasion in India's Hindu and yoga cultures. This night marks the moon's waning.
Why does Shivratri hold such power?
Mahashivratri falls in the month of phalgun's krishna paksh Chaturdashi, and it is the night that is dedicated to the worship of Aadi Anant Mahadev. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati tied the knot on this auspicious day. In India, Mahashivratri is a major festival that is especially important to Hindus.
What regulations apply during Mahashivratri?
Sankalp for Mahashivratri fasting is consumed one day before the vrat, following a morning bath and Shiv Puja. Place some rice and water in the palm for the sankalp. 2. On the day of the fast, rise early around Brahma Muhurta, or sunrise.
What is Lord Shiva's favorite dish?
According to the shashtras, the Mahayogi is fond of kand-mool. Bhang, dhatura, milk, thandai, and white-colored sweets are among his favorites.
On Shivratri, which color should not be worn?
Nevertheless, devotees frequently steer clear of dark hues, particularly black. There are numerous opportunities to dress up and celebrate one's ethnicity and traditions in Indian culture, which is also known for its abundance of festivals and colors. On this day, it is also believed that Lord Shiva performs Tandav.
Which mantra is Lord Shiva's favorite?
It is a variant of the Gayatri Mantra, Hinduism's most potent mantra. Why do girls celebrate Shivaratri? The Shiva Gayatri Mantra is extremely potent, it brings you peace of mind, which pleases Lord Shiva.
Unmarried women observe a fast on this auspicious day in order to attract a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband. According to the Shiv Purana, a devotee will receive Lord Shiva's divine grace if he observes the Shivaratri fast with sincerity, pure devotion, and love.
How can I cheer up Lord Shiva?
Om mahashivay somay nam, the mantra, should be chanted repeatedly. Devotees should then perform Shiva aarti and make offerings of fruits and flowers to Lord Shiva. The prayers ought to be said with faith and a pure heart. Devotees should later accept the charanamrut, which the priest gives as a Prasad.
