Shivaratri

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People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even

take a drop of water. They keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is

worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with

milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the

Mantra Om Namah Shivaya continues. Offerings of bael leaves are made

to the Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred as, it is said, Lakshmi

resides in them.

 

He who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect

devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins.

 

In a Shiva temple on a Maha Shiva rathri day the lamp kept in the

altar was very dim. That time a mouse which came take its prey

touched the flame. Due to the heat it moved its head immediately. In

the process it kindled the lamp and the altar was illuminated well.

Lord Shiva, pleased by this deed made the mouse Mahabali, the

renowned asura king.

 

In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on

the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance

of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The story goes as follows.

 

Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled

over the whole of Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it

being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit

to the court of the king.

 

The sage asked, " O king! why are you observing a fast today? "

 

King Chitrabhanu explained why. He had the gift of remembering the

incidents of his previous birth.

 

The king said to the sage: " In my past birth I was a hunter in

Varanasi. My name was Suswara. My livelihood was to kill and sell

birds and animals. One day I was roaming the forests in search of

animals. I was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return

home, I climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a bael tree. I

had shot a deer that day but I had no time to take it home. I bundled

it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As I was tormented by

hunger and thirst, I kept awake throughout the night. I shed profuse

tears when I thought of my poor wife and children who were starving

and anxiously awaiting my return. To pass away the time that night I

engaged myself in plucking the bael leaves and dropping them down

onto the ground.

 

" The day dawned. I returned home and sold the deer. I bought some

food for myself and for my family. I was about to break my fast when

a stranger came to me, begging for food. I served him first and then

took my food.

 

" At the time of death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were

sent down to conduct my soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. I learnt

then for the first time of the great merit I had earned by the

unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri.

They told me that there was a Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The

leaves I dropped fell on the Lingam.

My tears which I had shed out of pure sorrow for my family fell onto

the Lingam and washed it. And I had fasted all day and all night.

Thus did I unconsciously worship the Lord.

 

" I lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long

ages. I am now reborn as Chitrabhanu. "

 

Best Regards

Sreejith