Siva raathri message

February 17, 2010

Om Namo Narayanaya

To my Gurus and gurudevs

Our Panicker-ji had sent this message prior to Sivarathri. I felt it is a very good "message" to all and hence trying to translate with my "limited" knowledge without losing much of the beauty and true meaning of it for the benefit of those who could not follow. I am sure all had a wonderful Sivarathri and this message might be useful. I humbly request my Gurudevs who are more qualified and proficient to correct my mistakes that would have crept inadvertently so that it will be for my own benefit. Thank you.

I request all read this message and please do not "delete" without reading. You will be doing yourself a favor.

Om Namo Narayanaya

Message about Sivaraathri

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by N. SvarNalatha

: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:30:00

Sivaraathri, celebrated on 13th "thithi" in Phalguna month "krishnapaksham", is the journey from "life" to the merger of Siva.

There are two numbers in 13. 1 and 3. When placed parallel, it becomes 13.

1 denotes Siva, i.e God (paraathma). 3 represents the "life" (jeevaathma) that is covered and sufferings of the "three" Gunas.

Jeevaathma desires to merge with Siva. This pure desire of Jeevaathma itself is "Siva raathri vratha"

Jeevaathma is always prompted by the age old Bharath samskruthi towards "thamasoma jyothirgamaya, asathoma sadgamaya mruthyorma amruthamgamaya" .

Approaching this objective is observing Sivaraathri

Without understanding all these it is not possible to follow them.

Without following them there is no purpose in observing the ritual of "vratha"

on the 14th night that also disappears.

Moon is the lord of "mind"

Therefore the "mind's" 16th shape engrossed in "worldly life" and the 15 shapes merges in "Siva bhakthi", that becomes Sivaraathri.

When one takes a firm decision to accept this, that can be taken as Sivarathri "vratha".

We can "view" serene flow of "Bhaageerathi" from Lord Siva's "Matted hair", half-moon in HIS head, in HS throat the "severest poison" (with the blue mark), and in HIS neck the garland of snake are glowing.

All these Bhagavan's decorations are showing a righteous path for our day to day life.

we must grasp this and follow Siva Bhagavan. Then only it becomes real worship of Siva.

The Ganges on Sankara Bhagavan's head tells us that we must keep our head pure and cool always.

The "poison" in HIS throat points us, that we should keep our bitter words from the heart only upto our throat only. (not to speak out)

If we do that, then we are beneficiary to Siva's presence

The serpent in the neck is with twin tongues.

Similar to the serpent with twin tongue, there are people criticizing and defaming others in their talk, and we should try to make them closer (friendly) then we receive HIS blessings.

The message from Siva Bhagavan is to invite and be hug friendly those who blame or defame us.

Thus one can recognize good persons. This itself is Siva's complete "Shaivism".

The moon on HIS head, "third eye" teach us it is important to have "faithknowledge" and work judiciously.

When the "third eye" is opened, the person or object becomes ashes. Similarly when human opens his "righteous" or "judicious" mind the Universe itself will disappear.

The half "moon" points, if we view the world with one half of the mind and try to raise our "awareness" with the other half, then that will take us to the full understanding which like nectar (amruth) and we are closer to Siva and the "Everlasting peace"

The spreading of the ashes on HIS body makes us to realize the truth about this worldly life.

This truth we should always remember that the end of the human body turns like thus(ashes), one day we too become ashes.

Fire in HIS eyes, water in the Matted Hair, poison in throat, in the young moon the sign of "Nectar" (amruth) all these are combined in HIS appearance.

If a Jeevaathma is able to make all these are part of its (jeevaathma) decorations that becomes merged with Siva.

The pooja or worship for Sivarathri is performed in the night.

Hence this celebration is known as Sivarathri.

That is, when "desire" along with "ignorance" as "nights" tries to block our path, we should pray, think and perform pooja for Siva.

Because, while doing a pooja, God's and HIS followers' goodness, easily enters our own minds.

This is like receiving life, knowledge, fame (glory), self-confidence etc, when we touch elders feet with respect,

We feel satisfied and happy when we offer fruits, and food to Siva Bhagavan, and take it as "prasadam" and share the same with friends.

When we consider Sankara Bhagavan's "family" status, we get good knowledge also.à´¶à´¿à´µà´¨àµà´±àµ† à´µà´¾à´¹à´¨à´‚ à´•à´¾à´³à´¯àµà´‚ à´ªà´¾à´°àµâ€à´µà´¤à´¿à´¯àµà´Ÿàµ‡à´¤àµâ€Œ à´¸à´¿à´‚à´¹à´µàµà´®à´¾à´£àµâ€Œ. à´‡à´°àµà´®àµƒà´—à´™àµà´™à´³à´¾à´•à´Ÿàµà´Ÿàµ† à´¨àµˆà´¸à´°àµâ€à´—à´¿à´• à´¶à´¤àµà´°àµà´•àµà´•à´³àµà´‚.

Bull is Siva's conveyance, while Parvathi's is a lion. Both are natural enemies.

Ganesha's conveyance is rat, and Siva's decoration serpent are enemies themselves.

This quality of Siva is controlling these enemies quietly, and peacefully is the praiseworthy "quality"

The underlying message is, Man (naran) becomes Narayana when he controls the enemies and lead orderly life.

Turns to a Siva from an ordinary life.

Sivarathri celebration give us a message and give us the training in every step of ours to lead our life.

This teach us to be waiting for the opportune time, and be free from fear and worries in this worldly life.

Understanding all these and strictly following them itself is "Siva bhakthi"

Because, the sound "bhaktha" the meaning and translation is one and the same.

In sleep, awake, eating, drinking, hearing, speaking, breathing in every circumstances, one who does not spent even one second alone (isolated), is considered as true bhaktha.

One cannot bring the qualities of HIS to self cannot be a bhaktha.

The first word of bhakthi is thinking of "Thath" (You). The second is "thanmayatha" or "similar to you". When these two are crossed, one reaches the ultimate "merger status"

Without contemplating and practising these high thinking, Sivarathri does not become a great festival.

Those who expect good things all the time, always spend the time, think of Siva who is pleasing and blessing, thinking, doing worship and observing fasts.

Om NamaH Sivaaya

"live and let live"

"They alone live who live for others, rest are more dead than alive"