Bhaktisandesam / Sivaratri

[Guest guest]

Hari-Om

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Why Celebrate Shivratri?

 

What You Need to Know By Shri Gyan Rajhans

 

 

" Shiva is compared in the Brahma Samhita to yogurt, while Krishna is

compared to milk. Yogurt is non different from milk, however ...

yogurt cannot be converted back to milk. " ~ IFICOULDTELL

 

 

Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th

night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna

(Feb / March)(February 26, 2006) when Hindus offer special prayer to

the lord of destruction.

 

Here're three reasons to celebrate Shivratri:

 

1. The absolute formless God, Sadashiv appeared in the form

of " Lingodbhav Moorti " exactly at midnight on Maha Shivratri. That is

why all Shiv devotees keep vigil during the night of Shivratri and

do " Shivlingam abhishekham " (coronation of the phallic idol) at

midnight.

 

Did You Know?

God in his manifestation as Vishnu made his appearance as Krishna at

Gokul at midnight, 180 days after Shivratri, commonly known as

Janmashtami. Thus, the circle of one year is divided into two by

these two auspicious days of the Hindu Calendar.

 

2. Lord Shiva was married to Devi Parvati on Shivratri. Remember

Shiva minus Parvati is pure Nirgun Brahman. With his illusive power,

(Maya, Parvati) He becomes the " Sagun Brahman " for the purpose of the

pious devotion of his devotees.

 

3. It is also believed that on Shivratri, Lord Shiva became

Neelkantham by swallowing the deadly poison that came up from the

ocean during the churning of " Kshir Sagar " . The poison was so deadly

that even a drop in His stomach, which represents the universe, would

have annihilated the entire world. Hence, He held it in His neck,

which turned blue due to the effect of poison. Shivratri is therefore

also a day of thanksgiving to the Lord for protecting us from

annihilation.

 

The 14th shloka of Shivmahimna Stotra says: " O three eyed Lord, when

the poison came up through the churning of the Ocean by the gods and

demons, they were all aghast with fear as if the untimely end of all

creation was imminent. In your kindness, you drank all the poison

that still makes your throat blue. O Lord, even this blue mark does

but increase your glory. What is apparently a blemish becomes an

ornament in one intent on ridding the world of fear. "

 

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Jai Shree Krishna !