Siva Ratri - its real significance

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Dear members,

 

I would like to share my information on Siva ratri.

 

Ratri is termed as the abhava or aprakasa (non-illumination) of indriya

pravrittis. Ratri is a state or phenomena where all the indriyas are in the

state of dissolution.

 

This Ratri is eulogized in Rig Veda as *Ratri Suktam*. It is considered to be

the sister of Usha – Illumination. In Ratri Suktam,

Ratri is extolled as having the Illumination in her womb ie., as the Devi Ratri

approaches, she brings also the illumination along with

herself to bless her children. Ratri is of the form of Bliss. Devi Bhagavata

says " Brahmamayaatmika ratrih parameshwara layatmika…. " .

Ratri is Brahma Maya, Yoga Maya. It engulfs and dissolves the Siva also at the

time of Pralaya. It is a state where the entire sense organs and organs of

perception (knowledge) are withdrawn and dissolved in the source at Heart Centre

(Hridaya Guha).

 

This *Ratri* is always accompanied by *Usha*. And hence, the Rig Veda extols

both Ratri and Usha as twin sisters. If we try to visualize the single day of 24

hours as a single entity in Kala Chakra (Cycle of Time), it has only two

phenomena ie., RATRI and USHA. When Usha approaches, it is followed by Ratri.

When Ratri approaches, it is followed by Usha. So, when Ratri approaches,

it brings along with it the Usha (the Divine Knowledge). This transition period

where there is a cusp of Ratri and Usha is Sandhya. To abide in this CUSP OF

RATRI & USHA is the SANDHYA UPASANA. This state of Cusp is the state of Absolute

Bliss

which is not touched by Kala (Time). This State is called SIVA RATRI – The State

of Absolute Bliss.

 

This sort of complete dissolution is possible only on Amaavasya (New Moon Day)

because on Amaavasya, the Chit Chandra Mandala at

Sahasrara Chakra shines with 1 KaLa which is called Amaa KaLa / Chit KaLa /

NityA KaLa / DhruvA KaLa. This kala is also called Shodasi KaLa which is of the

state of Absolute Existence, Absolute Knowledge and Absolute Bliss. On the 14th

day of Dark Fortnight,

the Chit Chandra Mandala has 2 Kalas. So, constant reflection and meditation on

the 14th night of dark fortnight, the out of 2 kalas,

1 Kala gets depleted. When this state of dissolution of 1 kala is achieved, it

is called `LINGODBHAVA KALA " . This is the state where the upasaka is one with

the Maha Nitya Kala which is the PARAMA JYOTI. This Parama Jyoti is also called

PARAMA SIVA. This is the secret of the CUSP of Chaturdasi and Amavasya.

When the Upasaka abides in this State of Maha Nitya Kala on Amavaasya, it is

called `MAHA SIVA RATRI' where all his

External Organs, Organs of Perception, Mind, Intellect, Cognizance, Ego gets

dissolved in the Heart.

 

with regs,

sriram