During the ancient times there were numerous festivals in India. These festivals were ascribed to different reasons & for different purpose of life. They were to celebrate various historical events, victories, or certain situations in life like; sowing, planting & harvesting. For every situation there was a festival but, Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) holds a different significance since ancient times. Chaturthi (4th day), Ashtami (8th day), Ekadashi (11th day), Shivratri (शिवरात्रि), etc. are the festivals which come in every Hindu month, such festivals are known as Vrata (a Vow) (व्रतम्). The worshipper of Bhagwan Ganesha keeps a vow of fasting on Chaturthi (4th day), the worshipper of Goddess keeps a vow of fasting on Ashtami (8th day), the worshipper of Bhagwan Vishnu keeps a vow of fasting on Ekadashi (11th day) likewise, the worshipper of Bhagwan Shiva keeps a vow of fasting on Shivratri (शिवरात्रि). 

     There are total 12 Shivratris (शिवरात्रि) in 12 months in which Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) holds the greatest significance of all other Shivratris (शिवरात्रि). Shivratri occurs every month on the 14th day of the dark fortnight according to the Panchangam (पञ्चाङ्गम्). Maha Shivratri occurs on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month (माघमासे कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी). Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) literally means “The Great Night of Bhagwan Shiva”. The most beloved night of Bhagwan Shiva is called as Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि). The festival of Maha Shivratri is an auspicious indicator of the divine incarnation of Bhagwan Shiva. Maha Shivratri (शिवरात्रि) is the night of the Bhagwan Shiva's manifestation into His formless form. Bhagwan Shiva frees us from our inner six enemies of lust, anger, greed, delusion, attachment, arrogance & jealousy & bestows us with supreme peace & happiness.

Significance of Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) –

     According to the Astronomy (खगोलशास्त्रम्), on this night, the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural increase of energy in the human body. This is a day when nature is pushing the soul towards the spiritual path. It is to make use of this, our ancient sages established a certain festival which is nightlong. To allow this natural increase of energies to find their way, one of the basics of this nightlong festival is to ensure that you remain awake with your spine vertical throughout the night.

     According to the Astrology (ज्योतिः शास्त्रम्), on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi Tithi (14th day of the dark fortnight), the Moon is near the Sun. Therefore, at the same time, when the moon is in the closest proximity with the sun it creates a form of a yogi in the space, which looks like the form of Shiva. Therefore, by worshiping Shiva on this Chaturdashi, one can receive the best positivity.

     There are sixteen Tithis (dates) (तिथिः) (including Amavasya i.e., no moon day) in a month according to the Hindu Panchangam (पञ्चाङ्गम्) & each Tithi (date) (तिथिः) has the deity allotted to it like Agni, Ganesha, Vishnu, etc. Therefore, the worshiper of that deity gets special blessings by fasting & worshiping that deity on the date (तिथिः) of which the deity is allotted & receives special grace & blessings of that deity.

     Likewise, the deity of Chaturdashi tithi (14th date) is Bhagwan Shiva or we could say that, Chaturdashi Tithi (14th date) is Bhagwan Shiva’s Tithi. As, worshipping in the night is significant on this day, it is known as Shivratri. So, during each 14th day of the dark fortnight (कृष्णपक्षस्य चतुर्दशी) worshipper keeps a vow of fasting & worshipping which is known as Maasik Shivratri Vrat (monthly Shivratri vow) (मासिक शिवरात्रि व्रतम्). Every worshipper of Bhagwan Shiva observes this monthly fast of Shivratri but the 14th day of the dark fortnight of Magha month (माघमासे कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी) holds special significance. Ishaan Samhita (ईशान संहिता) has given the significance the of 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month (माघमासे कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी) by mentioning that, 

शिवलिङ्गतयोद्भूतः कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभः।।

Meaning- Bhagwan Shiva manifests in the form of Shiva Linga having the impact & lustre of millions of suns together.

     So, due to this immense effect of Shiva Linga on this day, especially at night it is known as Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि). Also, many must have the question in mind that, why most of all the deities are worshipped in the morning while Bhagwan Shiva is worshipped during the night on Shivratri? The scholars have given the answer to this curiosity that, Bhagwan Shiva is the establisher of the power of destruction & the quality of Passion (तमस् गुणः) so, it is natural that the night full of passion is his favourite.

     The night is a representative of the destruction, as soon as it arrives, first there is the destruction of the light later, the destruction of the daily activities of the living beings & finally the destruction of consciousness by sleeping, the whole world falls unconscious in the lap of the night. Which is why Bhagwan Shiva’s love for the night is natural. This is the reason that Bhagwan Shiva is worshipped mostly at night & especially during Shivratri.

     There is an unknown & mysterious energy that is driving all of us. Scientists have not been able to give it a name yet. However, sages of the ancient times have called this unknown energy Shiva. Bhagwan Shiva is the energy who keeps every living being alive. We are able to breathe, eat, walk & carry out our day-to-day activities because of Bhagwan Shiva. Not only does this energy drive living beings, but it also resides in non-living things - as their energy. Bhagwan Shiva, thus, drives the existence. In the daily hustle & bustle of life, we forget our source of energy - that which is driving us. Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) is a festival to remember & to take our awareness to the basis of our existence which is Bhagwan Shiva.

     A few spots which we call galaxies are generally much noticed, but the vast emptiness that holds them does not come into everybody’s notice. This vastness, this unbounded emptiness, is what is referred to Bhagwan Shiva. Today, modern science also proves that everything comes from nothing & goes back to nothing. It is in this context that, the vast emptiness or nothingness, is referred to the Greatest God of all - Mahadeva (महादेवः).

     Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. It is also very significant for people who are materialistic & ambitious for the worldly desires. People with worldly desires observe Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) as Bhagwan Shiva’s wedding anniversary. Those with worldly ambitions see it as the day Shiva conquered all his enemies. Those who are more inclined to the spiritual path, observe this day as to destruct the inner enemies (inner six enemies of lust, anger, greed, delusion, attachment, arrogance & jealousy) & destroy the darkness of ignorance.

     But, for the ascetics, it is the day he became one as Mount Kailash, just like a mountain – absolutely still. According to the yogic tradition, Shiva is not worshipped as a God, but worshipped as the Adi Guru, the first Guru from whom the science of Yoga (योगः शास्त्रम्) originated. Later, after many millennia in meditation, one day he became absolutely still. That day is Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि). All movement in him stopped & he became completely still, so ascetics (Monk / Yogis) see Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) as the night of motionlessness (stillness) & tranquillity.

     Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) is the night of the union of Shiva & Shakti, which are the masculine & feminine energies that balances the world (universe / multiverse). So, this day is nothing but the celebration of Bhagwan Shiva & Devi Parvati’s wedding anniversary. According to the Scriptures, Bhagwan Shiva & Devi Parvati got married on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of the Magha Month (माघमासे कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी) & this is yet another reason why Bhagwan Shiva loves Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) more than other Shivratris. In Hindu culture, this is the only festival that marks the remembrance of - overcoming the darkness & ignorance in life.

Historical account of Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) –

      According to the Shiva Purana (शिव पुराणम्), Bhagwan Shiva got detached from Adi Shakti (आदि शक्तिः), also known as the Primordial Feminine Energy for the creation of the universe (multiverse). As he got detached from this Feminine Energy, he got depressed & furious as he felt lonely. At that time, Adi Shakti came to Bhagwan Shiva & told him that she will take birth on the earth & she will marry him. After the creation of the whole universe few years passed but, as Bhagwan Shiva was feeling lonely without his Shakti (Feminine Energy) he spent hundreds of years meditating in a cave.

     A few years passed Adi Shakti (आदि शक्तिः) – the Primordial Feminine Energy took birth as Devi Sati & after few years she married to Lord Shiva against his father’s wish & went off to Mount Kailasa with Bhagwan Shiva. After few months Daksh Prajapati (Goddess Sati’s father) kept Maha Yagna (महायज्ञः) (greatest Sacrificial rites) & he invited everyone except Bhagwan Shiva & Devi Sati, still Devi Sati decided to go but, Bhagwan Shiva tried to stop her & told her that if you will go then something destructive will happen. Still, she did not listen & went. There Daksh Prajapati insulted her & Bhagwan Shiva & out of anger she burned herself with her Yoga Agni (fire of Yoga). Bhagwan Shiva came there & lamented a lot & again, he went meditating for years.

     Many years passed & Goddess took birth at the palace of king of Mountain Himalaya, king Himavan & his wife Menavati. She was named Parvati. Since childhood she was feeling more attracted to Bhagwan Shiva. She kept on worshipping him all the time & always told her parents that she will marry Bhagwan Shiva when she will grows up. A few years passed & she came to know that Bhagwan Shiva is meditating in a cave nearby her palace. So, she went there & started worshipping Bhagwan Shiva by offering fresh flowers & fruits but, still Bhagwan Shiva did not open his eyes. She thought that Bhagwan Shiva is not yet pleased with her worship so she kept continuing her worship with more faith.

     All the other deities decided to assign God of Love (Kaama Deva) (कामः देवः) to bring love feeling to Bhagwan Shiva for Devi Parvati. So, God of Love (Kaama Deva) (कामः देवः) made a plan to shoot his love arrow upon Bhagwan Shiva so that when he opens his eyes & looks at Devi Parvati, he will fall in love. But Bhagwan Shiva knew that God of Love- Kaama Deva (कामः देवः) was coming so, when Devi Parvati went to offer flowers at that time Kaama Deva took his bow & arrow & tried to shoot but Bhagwan Shiva opened his third eye & burned Kaama Deva into ashes. Seeing this, Goddess Parvati thought Bhagwan Shiva is angry at her so she left. She then went to a forest & started doing a tough meditation in order to please Bhagwan Shiva.

     Again, few years passed, she kept on meditating without food & water in every season & later Bhagwan Shiva got pleased with her meditation & appeared in front of her & told her to ask for a boon & she asked him to marry her. To this Bhagwan Shiva agreed. Later all the deities went to king Himavan & asked him to marry her daughter to Bhagwan Shiva to which Himavan (king of Mountains of Himalaya) agreed.

     Then a huge wedding is organised on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month (माघमासे कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी) & both Bhagwan Shiva & Devi Parvati bounded in the bond of marriage forever.

Ritual ceremony of Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) with its Scientific benefits –

     Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) is the celebration of Shiva & Shakti, the union of two energies which drives this universe (multiverse). On this day devotees observe fast. As fasting detoxifies the body & restrains the restlessness of the mind. A mind that is not restless slips into meditation easily. Therefore, fasting on Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) serves to detoxify the body & helps in meditating. It is recommended to fast with fruits or foods that are easily digestible.

      Hindus also meditate on this day because, the position of the constellations in the night of Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) is considered highly auspicious for meditation. So, it is advisable for people to stay awake at night & meditate on Maha Shivaratri. In ancient times, people used to say that, if you cannot meditate every day, do so for at least one day in a year on Maha Shivratri, stay awake & do meditation to wake the divinity that is inside us & to feel that inner peace.

     Rudra Puja or Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) Puja is a special ceremony performed to honour & please Bhagwan Shiva on this day. This puja is arranged at Bhagwan Shiva’s temple on this day & also sometimes at home. Rudra puja involves singing special Vedic mantras accompanied by certain rituals. Rudra Puja brings positivity & purity to the environment & prevent negativity. Participating in the Puja & listening to the Vedic chants helps the mind slip into meditation effortlessly.

     The most common practice of worshipping Bhagwan Shiva is worshipping Shiva Linga. On Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) too devotees’ worships Shiva Linga. The Shiva Linga is a symbolic representation of the formless Shiva. Worshipping the Shiva Linga by offering milk & water is most common practice. We have heard & also watched movies in which they teach not to offer milk & water on Shiva Linga instead donate it to a needy person. But, let us understand why it is important to offer milk and water on Shiva Linga. The Shiva Linga is made up of stone & installed in the most pious & a positive place in a temple emanating tremendous amount of positive energy. When milk, which is one of the best conductors of positive energies, is poured on the Shiva Linga, the flow of energies begins to concentrate towards the Shiva Linga & the devotee becomes the receiver of the outflow for his closest proximity to the Shiva Linga. The mind, body & inner consciousness gets strengthened by offering milk & water to the Shiva Linga. Many people mix milk & water together & pour it on Shiva Linga but that mixed milk does not give devotee a positive effect, intead it affects adversely.

     Worshipping the Shiva Linga includes offering leaves of the bel tree – Bilva Patra (बिल्वः पत्रम्). Offering Bilva Patra (बिल्वः पत्रम्) represents offering your three inner qualities – Sattva (सत्व) (the quality of Goodness), Rajas (रजस्) (the quality of Passion) & Tamas (तमस्) (the quality of Ignorance). These three qualities affect our mind & actions. Surrendering all the three qualities to the Divine Bhagwan Shiva brings peace & freedom & all the three qualities gets balanced. White flowers are offered as white flowers are Bhagwan Shiva’s most favourite. White flowers represent purity & peace. So, offer milk first, then water & then flowers & Bilva Patra (बिल्वः पत्रम्).

     Chanting of Om Namah Shivaaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय) is the most common on this day. Om Namah Shivaaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय) is the perfect mantra to chant on Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि), as it immediately uplifts the positive energy in human body. Om (ॐ) in the mantra, refers to the sound of the universe & It means peace & love. The remaining five letters i.e., Na (न), Ma (म), Shi (शि), Vaa (वा), Ya (य) in Namah Shivaaya (नमः शिवाय) indicate the five elements – Earth (पृथ्वी), Water (जलम्), Fire (अग्निः), Air (वायुः), & Ether/ Space (आकाशः). So, chanting Om Namah Shivaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय) harmonizes the five elements of the body. When there is peace, love & harmony in all the five elements, then there is bliss & joy. But, chanting Om Namah Shivaaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय) is only for men & not for women. It is stated in the scriptures that only men can recite Om (ॐ) as it has the power to energise the masculine energy which is already present in the perfect ratio in every women. So, it is advisable that women should not recite Om (ॐ), insted they can recite Hrim (ह्रीं). So, the mantra for women is Hrim Namah Shivaaya (ह्रीं नमः शिवाय) as, Hrim (ह्रीं) has the power to energise the Feminine energy which is the predominant energy in every women. Along with chanting Om Namah Shivaaya or Hrim Namah Shivaaya devotees chant Mahimna Stotra, Shiva Tandav Stotra, Shiva Panchakshara Stotra, etc.

     The Shiva temples takes out a huge procession of Bhagwan Shiva in the evening & takes Bhagwan Shiva to the temple of Devi Parvati & a marriage ceremony is performed followed by the procession returns to Bhagwan Shiva’s temple back & devotees take part in it with great enthusiasm.

     Thus, Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India. Maha Shivratri is an opportunity & a possibility to bring yourself to that experience of the vast emptiness within, which is the source of all creation. Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) is a special night for receiving & experiencing the proximity of the blissful connection with Bhagwan Shiva. And now that you know why we celebrate this day why we worship Bhagwan Shiva at night, we hope that this year you will worship him with more faith in him. It is our wish that you must not pass this night without knowing at least a moment of the vastness of this emptiness that we call as Shiva. Let this night not just be a night of wakefulness but, a night of awakening of your inner self.

मार्गशीर्षः कृष्णपक्षे ८, २०७८
 

अस्तु।