Festivals
and Events
Maha Shivarathri
The festival of Maha Shivarathri is one of
the most important festivals in India. It falls on the 14th
day of the (Krishna Paksha) dark fortnight of the Magha month
of the Hindu calendar. The very word ‘Shivarathri’
means auspicious night. All over the country, people throng
Shiva temples and spend the night in worship and contemplation
of the Divine. According to Hindu belief, the moon is the
presiding deity of the mind and the 16 phases of the moon
represent the 16 aspects of the mind. On Shivarathri, which
falls a day prior to the new moon, only a streak of the moon
is visible. This is symbolic of the waning influence of the
mind, when 15 aspects have already merged in the Self and
only one aspect remains. Hence on this day, it is easier to
control the mind and direct it towards God. Therefore, the
night is spent in contemplation and adoration of God, so that
the vagaries of the mind can be totally subdued and transcended
to attain realization of the Atman.
Maha Shivarathri is generally celebrated
by performing Akhanda Bhajana (continuous devotional singing)
throughout the night. Shivarathri, as a festival has gained
a lot of importance in Prasanthi Nilayam because it is during
this festival that Baba, the supreme Iswara (Godhead), chooses
to reveal His divinity. Baba, out of His infinite love for
humanity, materializes lingas (an oval shaped object which
is the fittest symbol of divinity) in the Shivarathri evening
from within His being. This emergence of the Linga is called
‘Lingodbhavam’.
Baba has explained, “The Linga is just
a symbol, a sign, an illustration, of the beginningless, the
endless, the limitless - for it has no limbs, no face, no
feet, no front or back, no beginning or end. Its shape is
like the picture one imagines the Niraakaara (Formless) to
be. In fact, linga means - leeyathe (that in which all forms
and names merge) and gamyathe (that towards which all names
and forms are proceeding, to attain fulfillment). It is the
fittest symbol of the All-pervasive, the All-knowing, the
All-powerful”.
Excerpts from
Bhagawan’s Discourses:
“Today we are celebrating Shivarathri.
‘Shivarathri’ means "Auspicious night".
At least on this day, one should chant Shiva's name all through
the night. At least on one day in a year, chant the Lord's
name. This night, devotees are expected to stay awake by chanting
the sacred name of Shiva. Keeping awake in any other way is
purposeless. Spending the night reciting the Lord's name sanctifies
one's life”.
- Divine Discourse: February 25, 1998
“The lesson of Shivarathri is that
devotees should foster good and sacred thoughts. They should
be filled with godly thoughts. They should seek to become
one with the Divine by reflecting on their inherent divinity.
If you constantly chant the name of God, God realization will
come in due course.
Whatever other things they may possess, men
suffer from lack of peace and bliss. These two can be obtained
only from God. It is for these two that men should pray to
God and not for anything else, because God alone can give
them. When these are secured, all other things will come of
their own accord by the grace of God. People should yearn
for God. All other desires are worthless”.
- Divine Discourse: February 26, 1998
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