About Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva is a Hindu deity who is a part of the great holy Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh/Shiva – the Creator, Preserver, and Destruction). The word ‘Shiv’ signifies ‘benefit.’ In the Panchdev Pujan, Shiva is not only a Lord, but also the primary God. Pushpadant describes him in the Shiv Mahimna strot as unborn, the reason for everyone’s existence, creator, nurturer, and destroyer, among other things.
Lord Shiva – The Easiest God To Please
The hermetic God is said to be formless, shapeless, and ageless, with his home on Mount Kailash in the Himalayas. Lord Shiva’s formless nature is symbolised by the ‘Linga.’ Lord Shiva’s mystic symbol is the Shiva Lingam. People pray to his idol as well as the Lingam that stands in for him. Lord Shiva, the Destroyer, is revered and adored by a large number of worshippers. Shiva is claimed to be the simplest God to please, and his blessings are said to be extremely powerful. Worshipping Lord Shiva is thought to lead to salvation. The word ‘Om’ came from Lord Shiva’s root. As a result, chanting “Om” indirectly worships Lord Shiva.
The Significance of Mahashivratri
Hindus celebrate Mahashivaratri, one of the most respected Indian holidays, with great devotion and religious fervour in honour of Lord Shiva. The event, which literally translates to “Shiva’s Night,” commemorates Lord Shiva’s marriage to Goddess Parvati. It occurs on the 13th night of the Hindu month of Phalgun’s dark half (it comes in the month of February or March according to the English calendar). On Mahashivaratri, worshippers fast for a day and worship Lord Shiva with tremendous zeal at temples and at home.
Legends Associated With Lord Shiva And Shivratri:
Many interesting legends have been recorded in the ancient Hindu texts or scriptures about the festival of Mahashivaratri, explaining the reason behind its celebrations as well as its significance.
The Legend As Per The Puranas
According to the Puranas, a pot of poison came from the ocean during the great mythical churning of the ocean – Samudra Manthan (conducted by the devas, the deities/minor gods, and the daityas, the demons for obtaining nectar to make them immortal). The devas and demons feared it because it had the power to destroy the entire planet. Nobody wanted to touch it because it was so dangerous, and they didn’t know what to do with it. Lord Shiva, it was believed, was the only person who could help them get out of their plight. As a result, they all went to him for assistance, and he quickly agreed to swallow the poison. The poison, on the other hand, was so lethal that even a drop in Lord Shiva’s stomach (which represents the universe) would have wiped out the entire planet. According to legend, Lord Shiva took it upon himself and carefully held the poison in his throat, which turned blue as a result of the poison’s effect. As a result, Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkanth. Mahashivaratri is also a day of thanksgiving to Lord Shiva for saving the world from this deadly toxin.
Another Story About Shivratri
According to another legend, Brahma and Vishnu were debating about who was the highest and most powerful God when a massive Lingam consumed in flames appeared in front of them, stunning and overwhelming both Gods. They looked up to see how tall it was, but they couldn’t see the finish because it seemed to continue on forever. Then Lord Shiva appeared, declaring that he was the most powerful of the three and that he should be worshipped in this Lingam form.
The Legend About How Fasting Helps During Shivratri
It is stated that if one fasts unwittingly on Shivaratri, he will reap many benefits. There’s another another folklore that backs up this assertion. The story tells how an ordinary hunter found salvation after fasting unwittingly on Mahashivaratri. Once upon a time, the hunter travelled to a jungle in search of prey. He perched atop a belva-patra tree, whose leaf is particularly sacred to Lord Shiva, waiting for prey. He had no idea there was a Shiva lingam under the tree or that Mahashivaratri was approaching. The hunter continued to take leaves from the tree and drop them on the lingam while waiting for the prey. A deer arrived to drink water during the first quarter of the day. The deer asked for mercy when the hunter tried to kill it because its offspring were waiting for it. It was released by the hunter. The deer’s young arrived in the second quarter, and the hunter did not kill them out of sympathy. As a result, the hunter only dropped the belva-patra on the lingam with his stomach empty during all four quarters. Lord Shiva himself appeared before the hunter at that point, and the hunter was saved as a result.
The Benefits of Worshipping Shiva On Shivratri
Lord Shiva once said, as recorded in the scriptures, that whoever worships his and Ma Parvati’s statue on Mahashivaratri and fasts will be dearer to him than his own son Kartik. The benefits that one gets from a mere glimpse of Lord Shiva are unmatchable.
The Importance Of Shivratri For Girls And Women
As a result, during Mahashivaratri, Lord Shiva’s worshippers keep a severe fast, with many without even drinking a drop of water. Worshippers faithfully observe all fasting rituals and practises because they think that true worship of Lord Shiva on this auspicious day cleanses one of all sins and frees one from the cycle of birth and death. Unmarried women pray for a spouse like Shiva, while married women pray for the well-being of their husbands, because Shiva is regarded as the perfect husband.
The Fasting Procedure During Shivratri
On Mahashivaratri, devotees get up early in the morning, take a bath, and dress in new clothing before going to the nearest Shiva temple to give the Shiva Lingam a ritual bath (with milk, honey, water, etc.). The worship lasts all day and all night. Devotees break their fast the next morning by eating the prasad offered to Lord Shiva. The chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya” can be heard all day and night. Belva leaves are offered to the Lingam on a regular basis. Lord Shiva’s hymns are chanted with great reverence. Also, be aware of Shravan Month, which is considered to be the most auspicious month for Shiva worshipers.
Here are the methods prescribed for observing a fast and worshipping Lord Shiva on Mahashivaratri:
| Time | Offerings |
| First Quarter | Til (Sesame Seeds), Jav, Lotus, Belvapatra |
| Second Quarter | Fruit of Vijora, Lemon, Kheer |
| Third Quarter | Til, Wheat, Malpua, Pomegranate, Kapur |
| Fourth Quarter | Udadh dhal (white lentils), Jav, Moong, Shankhpushpi leaves, Belva-patra and Pakodas (fries) of Udadh |
Benefits of worshipping Lord Shiva
- Ablution of Lord Shiva is said to purify one’s soul.
- By making offerings (Naivaidya) one is said to attain a long and satisfactory life.
- By lighting a lamp, one becomes knowledgeable.
- By offering Tambul to Lord Shiva, one can get favourable results.
- One begets children by sprinkling/ pouring milk on the Shiva lingam.
- After bathing Lord Shiva with curd, one can buy vehicles.
- By offering Lord Shiva darbha (a kind of grass) mixed in water, one can get rid of diseases.
- If honey, ghee and sugarcane are offered to Lord Shiva, one can attain wealth.
- By bathing Lord Shiva with the holy water of the river Ganges, one can attain salvation.