Mahashivratri is an important Hindu religious festival which is celebrated by the devotees of Lord Shiva all over the world. It is the only festival celebrated through the one day and one full night. This festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is one of the Divine Trinity. He is formless and infinite and has many names like Mahadev, Rudra, Shankar etc.
Mahashivratri 2020 is on 21st. February and devotees of Lord Shiva are eagerly waiting to worship their Lord to be blessed by Him.
On Mahashivratri Shiv worship is done by performing Abhishekham of the abstract representation of Lord Shiva, the Shivling or Shivalingam. The rituals and rules which are mandatory to be followed are a day long fasting, worshipping the Shivling, chanting mantras of the Lord during worship and otherwise, staying awake through the night praying, chanting Shiva mantras on Rudraksha japa malas, and meditating. The fast ends the next morning once the Tithi ends.
Lord Shiva is most pleased by the worship of His devotees on Mahashivratri.
The benefits of worshipping Lord Shiva are many and each devotee has their own experience of His blessings. Worshipping Lord Shiva has the power to absolve all sins of a devotee and helps to attain Moksha or salvation (release from the cycle of birth and death). On Mahashivratri, Shiv puja benefits by bringing benevolent answers to the prayers of devotees and fulfilment of wishes. Lord Shiva when invoked with a pure and truthful intension blesses with calmness of mind, peace, good health, wealth, success, balance, unity in relationships and advancement in spiritual path.
On the transcendental night of Mahashivratri, due to planetary configuration the energy vibrations are very high. It is a perfect night for Sadhaks to immerse themselves in their Sadhana of the Lord to ascend spiritually. Many Sadhaks prepare themselves days before the Mahashivratri by doing Yoga, meditation, following a light diet to prepare their body to receive the surge of energy that night.
Lord Shiva helps us to connect with our own true self and brings conscious awareness of the self, transforms, removes illusions and shows us the light. Sadhaks, Sages, seekers of spirituality know about the blessings which they can get to move ahead in the spiritual path and so soak themselves in the Shiva energies on Mahashivratri.
The Rudraksha is a representation of Lord Shiva and the proof is in the images of Lord Shiva wearing Rudraksha malas, armlets etc. Chanting on a Rudraksha japa mala (rosary) is beneficial, specially on Mahashivratri night. It is also the best day to wear a new Rudraksha pendant/mala by following the ritual of getting the Rudraksha bead/mala/pendant blessed, by placing it on the Shivling and following the required ritual.
The Abhishekham(sacred bathing) of Shivling is done with 6 different ‘dravyas’ (things/items) which includes milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water. These items have their individual significance of blessings from Lord Shiva like Ghee is supposed to bless with Moksha, Milk blesses with long life etc. Offerings of fruit like Bel (Wood Apple tree fruit), white flowers like the Dhatura and Bilwa leaves pleases the Lord. Sandalwood paste, Bhasm (holy ash) are also offered on the Shivlinga.
The Bilwa leaves are said to be a favourite of Lord Shiva. The specification is that there has to be 3 leaves on a stalk and they should not have any defects, meaning, they should not be infected or eaten by insects, leaves should be full and not torn etc. It is said that the 3 leaves on a stalk of Bilwa leaves stand for the 3 eyes of Lord Shiva, the two physical eyes and the Third eye.
Another depiction of the Bilwa patra (leaf) is that Devi Parvati resides in all parts of the Bel tree so the leaves and fruit are very dear to Lord Shiva. So offering of the Bel fruit and leaves are of utmost importance to please the Lord to garner His blessings.
Chanting of Om Namah Shivaya is a must during the day and while performing Abhishekham along with other Shiv mantras like the Mahamritunjaya mantra which heals ill health and gives long life.
Shiv puja on Mahashivratri can bring magical benefits if done with complete faith and trust on the Divine powers of Lord Shiva. He resides in each and everyone and always benevolently blesses us with whatever is good for us.
