M A H A   S H I V A R A T R I   -   T H E   H O L I E S T   N I G H T
O F   T H E   Y E A R

by Gregorian Bivolaru

PART 1   |   PART 2

Each human being is a micro cosmos which is a reproduction of the macro cosmos. In the night of Mahashivaratri let us deeply purify our entire being and transform our hearts into a pure spring of divine love, aspiring to live in total harmony with the huge spiritual family we belong to.

Let us think of Shiva as often as possible, starting from this very moment, purifying our mind and heart with the help of God, in order to ascend day by day to the climax of divine achievement, which dwells in our being - SAHASRARA .

One of the most sacred nights of the year is close and if we are well prepared, it can lead us towards a deep and final transformation, through the secret grace of Shiva.

If we are ready, we shall receive lots of spiritual gifts during this, the most wonderful and lofty celebration of the year. We all have this possibility that awaits to fully manifest itself in our being.

Thus, we ought to make our choice here and now, for this miraculous possibility. Therefore, let us aspire to get closer to Shiva, the Great Divine Saviour.

After all isn't the plenary discovery of God the reason why we have come to this planet? We can make our mind an altar dedicated to God, especially on this holy night. By doing this, we will reach the conclusion that any other thought is not important.


ASK NOW AND HE WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS
We shall still our mind, in order to perform Laya Yoga using a mantra that will bring us a deep resonance with Shiva. Let’s not forget that the night of Shivaratri is first of all, a night of Sublime and Divine Joy.

The authentic spiritual life is, above all, a life full of joy. The more joy and happiness we radiate around us, the more we prove that we are closer to the ultimate Source of Joy and Happiness.

Knowing all this, it is worth being as happy as possible on the night of Mahashivaratri. It is then, more than anytime, that we ought to aspire to live divine happiness within our fervent hearts, it is also necessary to feel and see God everywhere.

Therefore, let’s completely forget our daily cares, our past and present sufferings. Fasting will also help us feel the ecstasy of inner communion with the omnipresent Shiva.

In the night of Mahashivaratri, Shiva will give spiritual gifts to all those who ask for them. May the supreme grace of Shiva fill our being entirely and for good!

In the following, we present two examples of daily inner invocations, performed traditionally in the worship of Shiva.

1. "I worship the sublime jewel of my Eternal, Divine Self Atman. I fervently worship Shiva, who is always residing in the lotus of my heart. I bathe Him in the clear water of my purified mind, clear water taken from the inexhaustible river of my faith and devotion. I worship Shiva now with the blooming flowers of my state of samadhi (divine ecstasy). I perform this worship so that I will be forever freed from egoism, ignorance and suffering."

2. "Oh, Shiva, You are present inside of me as the Divine, Immortal Self, Atman. My mind, overwhelmed by love for you, is Parvati, your beloved Shakti (manifesting feminine energy). My pranic energies are your servants. My body is your house. My actions in this world, whose results are unconditionally offered to you, are just as many acts of worship and adoration. My sleep is samadhi (divine ecstasy). My walk revolves around you. The divinely inspired speech is a prayer to You. Here and now, I offer with great humility and love to You, all that I am and all that I ever was."

In the ashram of Swami Shivananda, in Rishikesh (India), Mahashivaratri is celebrated as follows:

1. All devotees fast all day and all night.

2. Then, there is a great collective ceremony to which all yogis from the ashram take part. This ceremony is a prayer for the peace and well-being of all beings on earth.

3. During the whole day the devotees do Japa, a Yoga technique using the mantra Aum Namah Shivaya and meditate on Shiva.

4. During the night, they gather in the temple and chant together the mantra Aum Namah Shivaya until the morning comes.

5. The Shiva Lingam, as a mysterious symbol of Shiva Himself is worshiped every three hours, for 45 minutes, by all devotees in the ashram.

6. The devotees who are prepared are granted the initiation named Sannyas Diksha - the title of Sannyasin.

Keep in mind that during this night, the one who asks, shall be given. May Shiva's supreme divine grace be with us all during this night and forever more!

PART 1   |   PART 2