Criteria for Mahashivaratri

[Guest guest]

Shri Raj ji,

Jai Shri Ram!

Following are the criteria for Mahashivaratri:

1.

Page 100 of Saha Calendar Reform Committee Report says:

Mahashivaratri: In some opinion it is to be observed on nisheetha and in some

opinion on pradosha Krishna Chaturdashi of Magha (Gauna Phalguna).

If occurs on two successive nisheethas then according to Hemadri it is to be

observed on the first day and according to Madhava, to be observed on the

second day.

2.

More or less a similar criterion has been given

by L. D. Swami Kannu Pillai in his Introduction of his Ephemeris.

3.

Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary:

(Maha-)shivaratri :A popular fast and festival kept in honour of Shiva (Kept on

the 14th of the dark half of the month Magha or January-February

with many solemn ceremonies…

4.

Shabdakalpadrumah: Maghamasasya sheshe ya prathme

phalgunasya chai krishna chaturdashi saa tu shivaratrih

prakeertyete….(skande nagara khandam)

Meaning, “Krishna paksha chaturdashi of mukhya

Magha or Guana Phalguna is said to be Shivaratri as per Nagara khanda of Skanda

Purana)

5.

It says further: maghe Krishna chaturdashyam aadi devo

mahanishi, shivalingatayodbhootah koti soorya samaprabhah

Tat kaala vyapini graahya shivaratri vrate tithih,

ardha ratrav adhashchordvam yukta yatra chaturdashi vyapta sa drishyate yasyam

tasyam kuryat vratam narah

Meaning, “(as per Ishana Samhita) On the

midnight of Magha Krishna Chaturdashi, Shiva manifested Himself as a Linga,

refulgent like billions of suns put together.

As such, chaturdashi prevailing at midnight should be

taken for Shivaratri fast. It (chaturdashi) should (preferably) be

prevailing before and after midnight also”.

 

I hope this clarification will put paid to those

“Hindus” who claim that Maha-Shivaratri is to be celebrated on the

Winter Solstice Day. Besides, all the solar as well as lunar months,

including Mesha etc. Rashis, of the puranas and sidhantas were linked to Equinoxes

and Solstices and thus seasons and not to some imaginary Lahiri or Raman or

Muladhara zodiac, which “Vedic astrologers” call sidereal zodiac,

only to make a fool of a common man! This has been clearly demonstrated

by me by quoting relevant shlokas from Tantrtaloka of Acharya Abhinavagupta of

tenth century AD, and his commentator Jayaratha of 12th century AD,

in BVB6 etc. documents that all the Shaiva Shastras also talk of nothing but

seasonal solar as well as lunar months and not Lahiri or Raman etc, nor even

“co-ordinated (sic!)” months.

Jai Shri Ram!

A K Kaul

 

---

In ,

" jyotishi " <raj wrote:

>

Dear

Sir,

 

Thanks. As you know, I am struggling to put together the astronomical, cultural

and religious basis for celebrating each festival. Shivratri Vrata is on the

top

of my list.

 

I looked up several translations of the Shiv Purana (consisting of 24000

shlokas), but could not find any reference to the date when Shivratri Vrata is

to be celebrated (although the Vrata is mentioned - and there are other

Astronomical details like the definition of Lokas, Manvantaras etc.)

 

Could you please help me point out? As you know, the Shiv Purana has six parts,

if you just point me to the right section, I will look up the relevant sanskrit

text.

 

regards,

raj