Blog

Mahashivaratri is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun and pleases Lord Shiva the most.

This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.

On an auspicious day, devotees observe fast and keep vigil all night. Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded a lot of significance in Hindu mythology.

It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha. Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease.

Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ – one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.

Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ′Tandava′. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Ma.

On this day Shiva devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves on Shiva Linga. Shivaratri is also spelled as Shivratri, Shivarathri, and Sivaratri.Maha Shivaratri is a popular Hindu festival.

It is celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivaratri festival is also widely known as ‘Shivaratri’. It means the ‘Great Night of Shiva’.

This auspicious day is believed to be the day of convergence of divine powers of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti.

It is believed that on this day the planetary position in universe evokes the spiritual energies very easily. Religious penances are carried out to gain boons through the practice of meditation and yoga.

People worship lord Shiva whole day and chants “Om Namah Shiva”. Some devotees also perform Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra to seek divine blessings of Lord Shiva.

!!Om Namah Shivay!! – Shiva Panchakshara Stotram
– composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya

The holy word chant to worship him is made of five letters and is popularly called Panchakshara- Na Ma Si Va Ya.

According to Hindu traditions, the human body is considered to be made up of five elements and these holy letters represent these elements.

Na Consecrates Prithvi Tatva, Ma does the same with Jal Tatva (Water factor) Shi energizes Agni Tatva (Fire element) Va energizes Vayu Tatva (Air factor) and finally Ya energizes Akash Tatva (Sky element).

शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्रम्
Shiva Panchakshara Stotram

मन्दाकिनीसलिलचन्दनचर्चिताय
नन्दीश्वरप्रमथनाथमहेश्वराय ।
मन्दारपुष्पबहुपुष्पसुपूजिताय
तस्मै म_काराय नमः शिवाय ॥२॥

Mandaakinii-Salila-Candana-Carcitaaya
Nandi-Iishvara-Pramatha-Naatha-Maheshvaraaya |
Mandaara-Pusspa-Bahu-Pusspa-Su-Puujitaaya
Tasmai Ma_Kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya ||2||

Meaning:
2.1: (I meditate on Shiva) Who is Worshipped with Waters from the River Mandakini and Smeared with Sandal Paste,
2.2: (I meditate on Shiva) Who is the Lord of Nandi and of the Ghosts and Goblins; Who is the Great Lord,
2.3: (I meditate on Shiva) Who is Worshipped with Mandara and Many other Flowers,
2.4: Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable “Ma”,
The second syllable of the Panchakshara mantra “Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya”.

शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्द_
सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय ।
श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय
तस्मै शि_काराय नमः शिवाय ॥३॥

Shivaaya Gaurii-Vadana-Abja-Vrnda-
Suuryaaya Dakssa-Adhvara-Naashakaaya |
Shrii-Niilakanntthaaya Vrssa-Dhvajaaya
Tasmai Shi_Kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya ||3||

Meaning:
3.1: (I meditate on Shiva) Who is Auspicious and Who is like the Sun Causing the Lotus-Face of Gauri (Devi Parvati) to Blossom,
3.2: (I meditate on Shiva) Who is the Destroyer of the Sacrifice (Yagnya) of Daksha,
3.3: (I meditate on Shiva) Who has a Blue Throat and has a Bull as His Emblem,
3.4: Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable “Shi”,
The third syllable of the Panchakshara mantra “Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya”.

वशिष्ठकुम्भोद्भवगौतमार्य_
मूनीन्द्रदेवार्चितशेखराय ।
चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय
तस्मै व_काराय नमः शिवाय ॥४॥

Vashissttha-Kumbhodbhava-Gautama-Aarya-
Muuni-Indra-Deva-Aarcita-Shekharaaya |
Candra-Aarka-Vaishvaanara-Locanaaya
Tasmai Va_Kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya ||4||

Meaning:
4.1: (I meditate on Shiva) Who is Worshipped by the Best and most Respected Sages like Vashistha, (Pot-Born sage) Agastya and Gautama …
4.2: … and also by the Devas, and Who is the Crown of the Universe,
4.3: (I meditate on Shiva) Who has the Chandra (Moon), Surya (Sun) and Agni (Fire) as His Three Eyes,
4.4: Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable “Va”,
The fourth syllable of the Panchakshara mantra “Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya”.

यज्ञस्वरूपाय जटाधराय
पिनाकहस्ताय सनातनाय ।
दिव्याय देवाय दिगम्बराय
तस्मै य_काराय नमः शिवाय ॥५॥

Yajnya-Svaruupaaya Jattaa-Dharaaya
Pinaaka-Hastaaya Sanaatanaaya |
Divyaaya Devaaya Dig-Ambaraaya
Tasmai Ya_Kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya ||5||

Meaning:
5.1: (I meditate on Shiva) Who is the Embodiment of Yagnya (Sacrifice) and Who has Matted Hairs,
5.2: (I meditate on Shiva) Who has the Trident in His Hand and Who is Eternal,
5.3: (I meditate on Shiva) Who is Divine, Who is the Shining One and Who has the Four Directions as His Clothes ( signifying that He is ever Free ),
5.4: Salutations to that Shiva, Who is represented by syllable “Ya”,
The fifth syllable of the Panchakshara mantra “Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya”.

पञ्चाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसंनिधौ ।
शिवलोकमावाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥६॥

Pan.caakssaram-Idam Punnyam Yah Patthe-Shiva-Samnidhau |
Shivalokam-Aavaapnoti Shivena Saha Modate ||6||

Meaning:
6.1: Whoever Recites this Panchakshara (hymn in praise of the five syllables of Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya) near Shiva (Lingam),
6.2: Will Attain the Abode of Shiva and enjoy His Bliss.

Puja Vidhi:

1. The Shiva Linga must be bathed with water, milk, and honey. Also, wood apple or bael Patra must be offered to the lord, as it symbolizes purification of the soul.

2. After the bathing ritual, one must apply the vermilion paste to it. This represents virtue.

3. Different kinds of fruits must be offered to the Lingaa, symbolizing longevity and fulfillment of desires.

4. What follows after the above-mentioned steps is lighting an incense stick, as it stands for yielding wealth.

5. After lighting incense stick also light a lamp refers to the attainment of knowledge.

6. The offering of bael Patra symbolizes satisfaction from the worldly pleasures.

Om Namah Shivaya!!