Maha Shivrathri Essay
Maha Shivrathri Essay
"Maha-Shivaratri" is a Hindu festival observed on the night of the fourteenth day of the dark half in the month of `Magha`, in Tamil `Maasi`, corresponding to the English months `February—March`, in honour of Shiva, one of the Hindu Trinity, representing the destructive aspect in the universe.
Though generally, the night time is considered sacred and suitable for the worship of the feminine aspect of `the deity and the day time for that of` the masculine, yet on this particular occasion Shiva is worshipped during the night time, and as a matter of fact, it is specially enjoined to be observed then.
The observance of the Vrata is believed to secure for the devotee immunity from the eftects of sin committed either wittingly or unwittingly. The night is divided into four quarters, each quarter going by the name of a Jama called also Yama and pious people keep awake during every one of it, worshipping Iswara.
Though generally, the night time is considered sacred and suitable for the worship of the feminine aspect of `the deity and the day time for that of` the masculine, yet on this particular occasion Shiva is worshipped during the night time, and as a matter of fact, it is specially enjoined to be observed then.
The observance of the Vrata is believed to secure for the devotee immunity from the eftects of sin committed either wittingly or unwittingly. The night is divided into four quarters, each quarter going by the name of a Jama called also Yama and pious people keep awake during every one of it, worshipping Iswara.
It is said that the whole world was under destruction once and the Goddess Parvati worshipped her husband Shiva then and prayed to him that the Jivas (living souls) remaining in space like particles of gold dust in a lump of wax during that long period of pralaya (deluge) night, when they became active once again and are in the enjoyment of their short day and night.
She continuously worshipped him just as she did then, and her prayer was accordingly granted. The night fixed for the worship of Iswara by mortals by Parvati was named Maha-Shivaratri or the great night of Shiva, since pralaya is brought about by him and hence the period is really his night from the great night or pralaya which was the cause for the origin of this Shivaratri.
She continuously worshipped him just as she did then, and her prayer was accordingly granted. The night fixed for the worship of Iswara by mortals by Parvati was named Maha-Shivaratri or the great night of Shiva, since pralaya is brought about by him and hence the period is really his night from the great night or pralaya which was the cause for the origin of this Shivaratri.
The basic principle underlying the observance of the Maha-Shivaratri Vrata appears to be to emphasize the fact that death is sure to follow birth, night is sure to follow day, Pralaya, active cosmic life and so on, and consequently people should always bear in mind while enjoying the one its opposite and regulate their life accordingly. They should not be elated at success nor should they allow themselves to be carried away by despair at failures but always have trust in God and worship him.
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