Maha Shivaratri

 

Maha Shivaratri: Celebrating the Power of Lord Shiva

Maha Shivaratri is an auspicious festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. This festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of Hinduism. It falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalguna, which usually falls in February or March.

The word “Shivaratri” means “night of Shiva.” It is believed that on this night, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava dance, a cosmic dance that represents creation, preservation, and destruction. The festival is celebrated by observing a day-long fast and staying awake all night, singing hymns and chanting the name of Lord Shiva.

The significance of Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is a celebration of Lord Shiva’s power and his role in the creation and destruction of the universe. Lord Shiva is known as the destroyer and transformer in Hindu mythology. He is also the lord of meditation and yoga, and his devotees believe that worshipping him can lead to spiritual enlightenment.

The festival is also significant because it marks the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married on this day. The festival is a celebration of their divine union and the power of love that they share.

The celebration of Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In some places, people visit temples and perform special poojas and rituals. In others, people fast and stay awake all night, singing hymns and chanting the name of Lord Shiva.

In the northern part of India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, people celebrate the festival by preparing a special sweet dish called “thandai.” Thandai is a milk-based drink made with almonds, cardamom, saffron, and other ingredients. It is believed that drinking thandai on Maha Shivaratri can help in achieving spiritual awakening.

In some parts of South India, people prepare a special dish called “kanji.” Kanji is a porridge made with rice, lentils, and spices. It is believed that eating kanji on Maha Shivaratri can help in purifying the body and mind.

In some parts of India, people also perform a special dance called “Garba.” Garba is a traditional dance form that originated in the state of Gujarat. It is performed with colorful sticks and dandiya (small wooden sticks). The dance represents the celebration of the victory of good over evil.

The significance of fasting on Maha Shivaratri

Fasting is an important part of the celebration of Maha Shivaratri. It is believed that fasting can help in purifying the body and mind and can also help in achieving spiritual awakening. Fasting is also believed to help in overcoming negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, and greed.

Many people fast by consuming only fruits and milk. Some people also fast by not consuming anything for the entire day. It is believed that staying awake all night and performing special poojas and chanting the name of Lord Shiva can help in achieving spiritual enlightenment.

Conclusion

Maha Shivaratri is a festival that celebrates the power of Lord Shiva and his role in the creation and destruction of the universe. It is a day to worship Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for spiritual awakening. The festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India, but the underlying message remains the same — to celebrate the power of Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for a peaceful and prosperous life.

10 Powerful Lord Shiva Mantras

Now, we take up the Lord Shiva Mantras one by one and list out each one of them together with their benefits:

1. Shiva Panchakshari Mantra

The Shiva Panchakshari Mantra is used for getting salvation and rid from the fear of death. This Shiva Mantra is also used for the eradication of sorrow, diseases, and fear. If recited regularly, this mantra gives success and siddhis.

ॐ नमः शिवाय ।
!! Om Namah Shivaay !!

2. Shiva Rudra Mantra

Shiva Rudra Mantra is recited to get the blessings of Lord Shiva. It is a very effective mantra for the fulfillment of one’s wishes.

ॐ नमो भगवते रूद्राय ।
“Om Namo Bhagwate Rudraay”

3. Lord Shiva Mantra for Success and fulfillment of one’s wishes

नागेंद्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्मांग रागाय महेश्वराय
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगंबराय तस्मे न काराय नम: शिवाय:॥

मंदाकिनी सलिल चंदन चर्चिताय नंदीश्वर प्रमथनाथ महेश्वराय
मंदारपुष्प बहुपुष्प सुपूजिताय तस्मे म काराय नम: शिवाय:॥

शिवाय गौरी वदनाब्जवृंद सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय
श्री नीलकंठाय वृषभद्धजाय तस्मै शि काराय नम: शिवाय:॥

अवन्तिकायां विहितावतारं मुक्तिप्रदानाय च सज्जनानाम्।
अकालमृत्यो: परिरक्षणार्थं वन्दे महाकालमहासुरेशम्।।

English Transliteration

Nagendraharaya trilacanaya bhasmanga ragaya mahesvaraya
Nityaya suddhaya digambaraya tasme Na karaya Nama: shivaya

Mandakini salila candana carcitaya nandisvara pramathanatha mahesvaraya
Mandarapuspa bahupuspa supujitaya tasme ma karaya namah shivaya

Shivaya gauri vadanabjavrnda Suryaya daksadhvaranasakaya
Shri nilakanthaya vrsabhaddhajaya Tasmai si karaya Nama shivaya

Avantikayam vihitavataram muktipradanaya ca sajjananam.
Akalamrtyoh Pariraksanarthan vande mahakalamahasuresam

4. Lord Shiva Mantra for Good Health

सौराष्ट्रदेशे विशदेऽतिरम्ये ज्योतिर्मयं चन्द्रकलावतंसम्।
भक्तिप्रदानाय कृपावतीर्णं तं सोमनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये ।।
कावेरिकानर्मदयो: पवित्रे समागमे सज्जनतारणाय।
सदैव मान्धातृपुरे वसन्तमोंकारमीशं शिवमेकमीडे।।

English Transliteration

Saurastradese visadetiramye jyotirmayam candrakalavatansam.
Bhaktipradanaya krpavatirnam tan somanatham saranam Prapadye
Kaverikanarmadayoh Pavitre samagame sajjanataranaya
Sadaiva mandhatrpure vasantamonkaramisam sivamekamide.

5. Lord Shiva Gayatri Mantra

By chanting the Shiva Gayatri Mantra, the devotees can seek the peace of mind and appease Lord Shiva.

ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात

“Om Tat Purushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudra Prachodayat.”

Meaning

Om!! I meditate on the Greatest God, Oh, Great Purusha, Lord Rudra and pray to you to give me higher intellect and illuminate my mind.

6. Lord Shiva Dhyan Mantra

The chanting of Shiva Dhyan Mantra blesses the devotees with good health, wealth, and peaceful life.

कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं संसारसारम् भुजगेन्द्रहारम् । सदावसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि ॥

English Transliteration

Karpur Gauram Karunavataram, Sansara Saram Bhujagendra Haram |
Sada Vasantam Hridayaaravinde, Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami ||

Meaning

Oh! Lord Shiva !! You are an incarnation of compassion, you are the essence of worldly existence. You adorn garland of the king of serpents, you dwell inside the lotus of the heart. I bow to Lord Shiva and Mata Shakti together.

7. Lord Shiva Dhyaan Mantra for peace, prosperity, and good health

करचरणकृतं वाक् कायजं कर्मजं वा श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसंवापराधं ।
विहितं विहितं वा सर्व मेतत् क्षमस्व जय जय करुणाब्धे श्री महादेव शम्भो ॥

English Transliteration

Karcharankritam Vaa Kaayjam Karmjam Vaa Shravannayanjam Vaa Maansam Vaa Paradham | Vihitam Vihitam Vaa Sarv Metat Kshamasva Jay Jay Karunaabdhe Shree Mahadev Shambho ||

8. Lord Shiva Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

Devotees can chant the Lord Shiva Mahamrityunjaya Mantra to appease Lord Shiva for escaping the fear of death.

ॐ त्र्यम्बकम् यजामहे सुगन्धिम् पुष्टिवर्धनम्, उर्वारूकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मा मृतात् ।

English Transliteration

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim pustivardham, Urwarukmivbandhanaan Mrityormuksheey mamritaat |

Meaning

Om. Oh! Three-eyed Lord Shiva, we worship and adore you. You are the sweet gladness and fragrance of life. You nourish us, restore our health, and cause us to thrive. We pray to you to free us from attachment and death. Oh! Lord Shiva does not withhold immortality. Om, Om, Om.

9. Lord Shiva Mantra for Success

ॐ ह्रीं ह्रौं नमः शिवाय।

10. Lord Shiva Mantra for peace and prosperity

ॐ पार्वतीपतये नमः।