Rahul Dogra
Our culture, traditions, and festivals have a deeper meaning. All of them are associated with a specific divine energy. This divine energy is given a name and form for us to understand the virtues, qualities, and its blessings clearly. One among these energies, and the presiding energy, is Shiva.
The word “Shiva” literally means “that which is not.” Today, modern science is proving to us that the basis of existence and the fundamental quality of the cosmos is vast nothingness. Everything comes from nothing and goes back to nothing. The galaxies are just a small happening – a sprinkling. The rest is all vast empty space, which is referred to as Shiva. Shiva is the womb from which everything is born, and is the oblivion into which everything is sucked back. Everything comes from Shiva and goes back to Shiva.
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. If Shiva is the soul then Parvati is the kundalini resting in the body. Shiva is the very energy on which the entire creation rests. This energy pervades the entire universe and is present within every living being. This energy is called the Shiva Tattva. During Mahashivratri, Shiva Tattva which is usually 10 inches above the ground comes in contact with the Earth. Shiva Tattva, that is our consciousness or aura descends and touches the material ground. On this night, the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural upsurge of energy in a human being. As a result, it is a day when nature is pushing one towards one’s spiritual peak.
Shakti is the nature. She creates life within herself. She is the bearer of the potential creative seed. Shiva is the consciousness. His conscious observation regenerates the seed to actualize into the multiplicity of the Universe. Shakti is Observation and Shiva is the Observer. Shakti is the energy and Shiva is the awareness. When Shiva embraces her, she transformes into Devi or Goddess who like a Mother provides life everything that is required to sustain it. Nature is domesticated. She provides food for life to sustain. She is coy and caring. She is Goddess Parvati signifying Culture. Her hairs are tied and she wears a nose ring to mark her domestication. She has also turned Shiva into Shankara, the householder.
But she has another form. Which is neither as coy as Gauri nor as wild as Kali. It is Durga. She wears bridal finery to denote her cultured nature but keeps her hairs open to warn humankind of her Kali form. She is the form that protects the good, destroys the bad and keeps things in order. She is that form of nature which balances itself by giving back to man if it is exploited. She reminds you to maintain the equilibrium and not exploit her.
It denotes the fact that Shiva without Shakti is Shava or like a dead body because it is unaware. While Shakti without Shiva is not incomplete. She exists as raw nature in her Kali form. She makes him aware of her and starts the process of creation. She allows him to manifest her as culture. Thus she completes him. So Shiva fused her into his own body to denote the Creation.
This union and the balance of nature that Shiva and Shakti form together is celebrated as Maha Shivratri every year. It also signifies that both the sexes are able to share equally in the distribution of power and influence. While God Vishnu was responsible for the wedding preparations, Lord Brahma acted as the divine priest.
Mahadev or Lord Shiva is worshipped by both Devtas (deities) and Danavas (demons). And He is also fair to both clans. He was not partial to only allow Deities in his marriage ceremony. Everyone be it demons, reptiles, scavengers, insects and deities, who wholeheartedly wanted to join their Lord were welcomed happily.
Danavas, or demons, represent our selfish aspect, our excessive self-concern, our negative emotions and our corrupt intentions. It is very easy for distractions, for danavas to trump the devas, but when a yogi like Shiva unites with Shakti, a state of consciousness arises from that union that wins over the demons. Dharma defeats adharma.
On this day, Shiva Lingam is bathed with milk, water, and honey. The Shiva temples all around the world are decorated with lights and flowers. Devotees also offer fruits, flowers, and bel (wood apple) leaves and visit popular Shiva Temples. They observe fast and can be seen chanting different Mantras of Lord Shiva for his blessings on this day. Moreover, it is a common practice for married as well as unmarried women to keep fast during the day of Mahashivratri. This is done to be blessed with marital bliss and have a happy and long married life. Since Lord Shiva is considered as an ideal husband, unmarried girls pray to get married to a man like Lord Shiva.
Moreover, Mahashivratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. Ratri means ‘night’ and also ‘to take refuge.’ Shivratri is the night we take refuge in our spirit i.e., Shiva. Lord Shiva is considered the soul of everything. There is no difference between our soul and the Lord Shiva. Since Lord Shiva symbolizes truth, peace, beauty, and infinity, He represents the essence of our soul as well. It is what we are made of. When we worship Lord Shiva, we recognize these higher qualities within ourselves. Thus, Mahashivratri is the time to celebrate the soul or consciousness within. During Shivratri, we take refuge in the divine consciousness.
Immediately after Mahashivaratri, almost like a miracle, the trees are full of flowers as if to announce that after winter, the fertility of the earth has been rejuvenated. And this perhaps is the reason why the Linga is worshipped throughout India as a symbol of fertility.
Mahashivaratri is thus not only a ritual but also a cosmic definition of the Hindu universe. It dispels ignorance, emanates the light of knowledge, makes one aware of the universe, ushers in the spring after the cold and dry winter, and invokes the supreme power to take cognizance of the beings that were created by him.
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