krsna Posted March 9, 2005 Report Share Posted March 9, 2005 Vaishnavanams yatha Shambu - Lord Shiva is the greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu. On the chaturdasi of the waning phase of the moon in phalguna month occurs this festival of Shiva. By the mercy of Shiva, a devotee of the Lord, one can develop devotion to Sri Krishna. The vaishnavas do not follow the vrata of fasting and worship of Shiva at night, but simply request Shiva's mercy on this occasion. In Vrndavana many Gaudiya vaishnavas visit the temple of Gopesvara Mahadeva, where they offer flower garlands and pour ganges water on the Linga on this day. Quotes from Vaishnava smriti compilation Hari Bhakti Vilas of Srila Gopal Bhattar Goswami, and the Dikdarshini Tika of Srila Sanatan Goswami Prabhupada. SIVA RATRI VRTAM KRSNA CATUR-DASYANTU PHALGUNE VAISNAVER API TAT KARYAM SRI KRSNA PRITAYE SADA (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 14/187 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA) On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March), for the pleasure of Lord Sri Krsna, a Vaisnava should always take a vow to fast. (It is called Siva Ratri, or the night of Lord Siva.) PARAT PARATARAM YANTI NARAYANA PARAYANAH NATE TATRA GAMISYANTI YE DVISANTI MAHESVARAM (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 14/189 from KURMA PURANA the Supreme Lord speaks to Bhrgu Muni) (One who avoids fasting on Siva Ratri or the "night of Lord Siva", he becomes very offensive. Whatever offenses one accumulates by not fasting on Siva Ratri day is explained here.) The destination of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Narayana, is certainly in the spiritual world. But if one is envious of Lord Sri Siva, he does not attain the spiritual world. YANI KANY ATRA LINGANI STHAVARANI CARANI CA TESU SANKRAMATE DEVAS TASYAM RATRAU YATO HARAH SIVARATRIS TATAH PROKTA TENA SA HARI VALLABHAH (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 14/200 from SKANDA PURANA, NAGARA KHANDA) Whatever genital deities of Lord Siva that can be found on this earthly planet, on the night of this fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna, Lord Siva, who is a leading demigod, enters into them. For this reason, this day is called Siva Ratri. For this reason, this day is very dear to Lord Sri Hari. SRI KRSNE VAISNAVANANTU PREMA BHAKTI VIVARDHATE KRSNA BHAKTI RASA SARA VARSI RUDRA ANUKAMPAYA (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 14/221 from SKANDA PURANA) Being a Vaisnava, if somebody fasts on Lord Siva's night (Siva Ratri day), by the mercy of him (Lord Siva) who is diving in the ocean of the mellow of devotion to Krsna, one's devotion to Krsna increases rapidly. -- Shiva Panchakshara Stotra Stotra 1: Nagendra Haaraaya Thrilochanaaya Bhasmaanga Raagaaya Maheshvaraaya Nityaaya Suddhaaya Digambaraaya Tasmai Nakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya Meaning: I offer my humble salutations to Lord Mahesvara - who has a garland of serpents around the neck; who has three eyes; whose body is covered with ash (vibhuti); who is eternal; who is pure; who has the entire sky as His dress and who is embodied as the first letter Na. Stotra 2: Mandaakini Salila Chandana Chaarthitaaya Nandeesvara Pramatha Naatha Mahesvaraaya Mandaara Pushpa Vahu Pushpa Supoojitaaya Tasmai Makaaraaya Namah Shivaaya Meaning: I bow to Lord Mahesvara, who is embodied as Makaara (letter Ma), whose body is anointed with holy waters from the river Ganges and sandal paste, who is the sovereign king of the Pramatha Ganas and who is adorned with innumerable divine flowers such as Mandaara. Stotra 3: Shivaaya Gauri Vadana Aravinda Sooryaaya Dakshaadhvara Naashakaaya Sree Neelakantaaya Vrisha Dhvajaaya Tasmai Shikaaraaya Namah Shivaaya Meaning: I offer my salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the resplendent sun for mother Gauri`s lotus face, who is the destroyer of Daksha`s sacrificial ritual, who is the blue necked Lord (due to the Haalahala poison which He agreed to consume), whose banner bears the emblem of a bull and who is embodied as the letter Shi. Stotra 4: Vasishta Kumbhodbhava Gautamaaya Muneendra Devaarchita Sekharaaya Chandraarka Vaishvaanara Lochanaaya Tasmai Vakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya Meaning: I prostrate before the God of Gods, who is worshipped and prayed to by great sages such as Vashishta, Agastya and Gautama, whose eyes are sun, moon and the fire and who is embodied as Vakaara (letter Va). Stotra 5: Yajna Swaroopaaya Jataadharaaya Pinaaka Hasthaaya Sanaatanaaya Divyaaya Devaaya Digambaraaya Tasmai Yakaraaya Namah Shivaaya Meaning: Prostrartions to the sacred Lord who is the Yaksha incarnate, whose hairs are long and matted, who holds Pinaaka (trident) in His hand, who has the entire sky as His attire and who is embodied as the letter Ya. Stotra 6: Panchaaksharam Idam Punyam Yah Pateh Shiva Sannidhau Shivaloka Mavaapnothee Shivena Saha Modate Meaning: Whoever repeats this prayer composed with the five holy letters before Lord Shiva, attains that supreme abode of His and enjoys the eternal Bliss. (nama shivaya) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2005 Report Share Posted March 9, 2005 Shivratri was yesterday and in iskcon calendar it is today. but the calendar doesnt say to fast and if so what kind of fast should one observe? what is the meaning of Shivratri? is it His appearance day or something? i am foolish and don't know so please advise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayaisvara Posted March 9, 2005 Report Share Posted March 9, 2005 You can find some information about the origin of Maha-Siva Ratri here: http://www.salagram.net/parishad88.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 http://scsmath.com/memories/05/050309_Nbdwp-SivaratriEvng/050309_Nbdwp-SivaratriEvng.html Interesting Srila Govinda Maharajs' father had a dream before he was born that the son of Lord Shiva would appear from the womb of his wife. This is the mandir established recently by him at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. As it appears the two major focusses of worship in India are towards Shiva and Vishnu often in the form of Krishna. It is also interesting that it connects alot of those followers of Lord Shiva to come to the temple out of respect and then contemplate the worship of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandhava-Govindajui. Srila Sridhara Maharaj in glorifying Srila Govinda Maharaj stressed his deep mystical nature, and it never ceases to amaze the devotees in his company how things just seem to mysticly manifest around him. Like Prabhupad before him many wondrous currants of Krsna Consciousness are flowing to every nation around the world thru his concern for the suffering environment, and his dedication to the wishes of Srila Sridhara Maharaj. Unlike Prabhupad his fruit is springing in a rather unassuming fashion, perhaps slower, but very sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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