Glories of Mahashivaratri

ādyantamaṃgalamajātasamānabhāvamāryaṃ tamīśamajarāmaramātmadevam | paṃcānanaṃprabalapaṃcavinodaśīlaṃ saṃbhāvaye manasiśaṃkaramambikeśam ||

"I meditate on Śiva, the lord of Ambikā, the auspicious one from beginning to end, having no one parallel to him, the noble lord, who is unaging and undying, the lord of souls, the five-faced lord, who is the dispeller of the five powerful sin."

The great festival of Mahādeva, Mahāśivarātri is here! on this auspicious day let us know about the significance of Śivarātri and see how mahādeva graces his devotees and by reading Śiva kathā.

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Why is Śivarātri celebrated?

The Kāmika āgama says,

anuṣṭhitaṁ purā devyā yadanyairapyanuṣṭhitam |

mayā saha mudā sārdhaṁ ramantīpsitamāyayuḥ ||

na bādhyante yamādeśāt kiṅkaraiḥ krūradṛṣṭibhiḥ |

yamaṁ cāpi na paśyanti narakāṇi ca no yayuḥ |

"This vowed observance (Mahāśivarātri vrata) was duly accomplished earlier by Devī (the Śakti of Śiva) and was performed by others (deities and sages) according to the rules prescribed for that. because of such accomplishment, Devī attained blissful state being united with me (Śiva). others too were enabled to experience much delighted state, having obtained all those desired by them. those who observe this supreme vow would not be bound with the ropes hurled by the servants of Yama who cast dreadful looks with their protruding eyes. they would not see even Yama. and, they will never go to the hellish worlds."

-Kāmikāgamaḥ, Uttarapada, 10.1

Hence, this Mahāśivarātri vrata was performed by goddess Śakti herself to attain close proximity with Śiva. It is because of this Mahāśivarātri is also known as the day of union of Pārvatī-Parameśvara. Mother Umā performs this divine sport to show us the way to attain Śiva. Those who perform this vow get all that he desires and also Sāmīpyam with Śiva, the highest goal of a Jīva.

Another reason why Śivarātri is celebrated is because it is the day was Lord Brahmā and Lord Nārāyaṇa worshipped Mahādeva after Mahādeva destroyed the ego of Brahmā.

īśvara uvāca

tuṣṭohamadya vāṃ vatsau pūjayā'sminmahādine | dinametattataḥ puṇyaṃ bhaviṣyati mahattaram śivarātririti khyātā tithireṣā mama priyā ||

"O dear, I am delighted by your worship on this holy day. henceforth this day will be famous as “Śivarātri” the holiest of holy days pleasing to me.

-Śiva purāṇa, Vidyeśvara Saṃhita.

Mahādeva appeared as a column of fire in midst of Brahmā and Hari to put an end to the fight going on between them. Brahmā lied to show himself as supreme, whereas Viṣṇu accepted that he couldn't see the end of the column. Mahādeva was extremely angered by the words of Brahmadeva and punished him by cutting off his fifth head, on the other hand he was extremely pleased by the humility and truthfulness of his dear Nārāyaṇa. Brahmā, Nārāyaṇa and Mahādeva performed this divine play to show us that we should sacrifice our ego and be humble and always say the truth.

Story time!

Mahadeva in dilemma.

Once there lived a great Shiva Sharana known as Rudra Pasupati (Not to be mistaken for rudra pasupati nayanar of Periya Puranam). He comes across some Shiva devotees, listening to Neelakanta Charitra (Story of Shiva consuming Halahala poison). Everything went fine until Rudra Pasupati heard the reader of the story tell "Mahādeva consumed the deadly Halahala poison to save the world.". Just as He heard this tears streamed out of his eyes and he hurries to the reader and asks Him "What happened to my Mahādeva? What happened to my Śiva afterwards?" The reader replies "We don't know what happened to Shiva, however, we know that He has consumed the poison."

Rudra Pasupati rolls on the ground, crying. "How can this happen? My Lord has drunk the poison, I don't have a clue what has happened to Him. O Mother, for what reason didn't you stop him? O Brother Ganesha and Subramanya, what were you doing? O Shiva Ganas, where were you? why didn't you stop him? O Shiva, why did you even drink this poison? The Devas have deceived you, why don't you understand this? No, I cannot bear this, I am going to leave my life" cries Rudra Pasupati

How can the cries of Kailashanatha's devotee not reach Kailasham? Mahādeva immediately appeared before Rudra Pasupati. He was seated on the white bull, Shrī Mata was seated on His left lap, the Shiva Ganas were serving Pārvatī Parameshwara with fans and Chamaras. Rudra Pasupati runs towards Shiva and embraces him tightly. He looks at the throat of Umāpati and says "Oh Shiva, I can't even imagine what may befall you if this poison goes down your throat, hence, let it out." 

Pārvatīpati smiles hearing these words of Rudra Pasupati and says "My dear son, believe me, nothing will happen to me. The whole world will be destroyed if I spit this poison out." 

"I don't trust you Mahadeva, spit it out right away. I don't care what the outcome may be." replies Rudra Pasupati. Mata Pārvatī felt pity watching Mahadeva's plight, on the other hand, the Devas were trembling because, if Shiva spits out the venom, it will destroy the whole universe. Devī wonders "What will my dear husband do now? If he spits the poison out everything will be destroyed, but if he doesn't, His dearest devotee will leave His life."

Maheśvara carries Rudra Pasupati on his right lap and guarantees him saying "I promise on your 'feet' my dear child, nothing will happen to me. You simply continue to watch my throat, if the poison moves, I promise you to let the venom out."

On hearing this Rudra Pasupati keeps a sword on His neck and says "Even if the poison moves slightly, I am going to lose my life, O Parameshwara." Mahadeva embraces him and says "It won't, dear." and then takes him to Mahakailāsha.

Reference: Basava Purānam.

The Mother of the unborn.

Similarly as Akka Mahādevī, there is an another great Shiva Sharane known as Bejja Mahādevī, who didn't have a mother. One day a thought struck Her mind. She was aware of the state of a motherless child and thus thought "Had there been a mother for Shiva, would she let him wear an animals hide? Would she let Him apply ashes all over His body? Wouldn't His hairs be soft and silky instead of being matted? Shiva is like this because He doesn't have any mother, so let me become His mother." 

She starts taking care of Mahādeva as her baby and Mahādeva would show up as a baby to play with Her. She would bathe Him, clad Him in lovely garments, feed Him and sing cradlesongs so that He could sleep. 

One day Mahādeva didn't come to eat food. Bejja Mahādevī starts worrying. She calls "Where are you my baby, Shiva? Are you angry with me? Please come, oh dear, to eat. You would be hungry." Yet, Mahādeva doesn't come. A mother's life abides in Her child. Mahādevī decides to leave her life if Shiva doesn't come. Knowing this, Mahādeva immediately appears in front of Her. Bejja Mahādevī's face blooms like an lotus on seeing Her Shiva. She asks Him where had he been.

Shiva says "O mother, ask what you want." Bejja Mahādevī chuckles and answers "I wish that you should always be happy and in a good health, that is all I want, my dear child." "Oh mother, you have become the grandmother of this entire universe. Accompany me to Mahakailāsham, so that you can take care of me."

And Mahādevī goes to Kailasham with Her cute little baby Shiva.

Reference: Basava Purānam.

The friends of the supreme Lord. (Small, yet sweet)

When Pārvatī arrived at Kailasha, she was astounded and confused to see the behaviour of Shankara with His ganas. She had heard that Shiva is the Lord of Ganas and they are his servants, at the same time, what she was observing currently was entirely unexpected.

She saw Shiva jumping on one of the attendant's shoulder and playing with Him. He would serve them sometimes and would also share and eat food with them. He would sometime play hide and seek and sometimes they would catch each other. Pārvatī was confused and asked Shiva "O Lord, I had heard that these Ganas are your servants but what I see is contradicting. Please tell me the reason." 

Shiva laughs and tells "O my darling, these Ganas are as dear to me as my life. I may disregard the Devās, however I can't overlook these Shiva Ganas who are my friends." Pārvatī Devī smiled as if she didn't know it before.

Reference: Matsya Purāna.

I hope you all liked the post. May Shrīman Mahādeva along with Umā Devī bless everyone.

Happy Mahāshivarātri!🥳💕

Hara Hara Mahādeva!

Yours,

Śivapādahṛdaya.