A Maha Shivaratri blog

Women Worshipping a Shiva Linga: Devagandhari Ragini of Hindol, from a Chamba Ragamala (Original public domain image from The Cleveland Museum of Art)

Namaste,

Warm & auspicious Maha Shivaratri wishes to you all!

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated annually in honour of the deity Shiva. The festival is observed on the fourteenth day (Chathurdashi) of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Phalguna/Magha, before the New Moon. This year, Mahashivratri will be celebrated on February 15. The celebration includes an all-night vigil called Jaagaran which is accompanied by prayers, chanting and/or meditative practices. Many perform an all-day fast along with worship.

Any spiritual practice done on this day has a manifold effect. It is said to be the day that consciousness, the aura or the ethereal world that is always ten inches above the material ground touches the earth element.*

The festival commemorates the union of Shiva and Parvathi in marriage, and the occasion that Shiva performs his Tandava – the dance of creation, preservation and destruction. It is also believed that on this day, Shiva gulped the halahala (a poison) produced during the Samudra Manthana (churning of the Ocean of milk) and held it in his neck, which then turned blue, leading him to be called Nilakantha. Spiritual aspirants mark this day as one where Shiva became one with Mount Kailasa -became absolutely still.

Mural showing Samudra Manthan (Credits to P.L.Tandon)

The essence of Maha Shivaratri is to journey closer to the source or Shiva.

Literally, Shivaratri means taking refuge in Shiva - celebrating and understanding the Shiva Tattva within oneself. This is facilitated by going into a space of deep stillness. Through our practices, rituals and conduct on this day, if we are able to touch the source even for a brief moment, we are blessed to be part of the auspiciousness of this day.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Here are 3 guidances :) You can do one or all, depending on what you are connecting with.

A. Talking to Shiva

This is something beautiful that I read and it resonated deeply with me. I have been practising this already and it sits with me.

If you have a prayer ritual in the mornings/evenings, you could do it at that time. Otherwise, keep aside 5-10 minutes in the morning or evening. Sit down in a quiet space/ your puja area.

Close your eyes and know that you are in Shiva's presence. Take a few breaths as you sit with this feeling, visualizing Shiva. Let your body relax completely.

Reflect on your life lately, the good and challenging parts, on your plans going forward, and how you have felt/are feeling about all of it.

Bring the image of Shiva back, as if you are seated facing him.

Start talking to him with a fatherly affection, with reverence.

Share everything that you reflected on. If there is anything you have been seeking answers to, ask the question, without the expectation of an immediate answer.

Then bow down in complete surrender to however life is for you now, trusting that you are in this moment for a reason and that you are guided even more from this moment on. Stay here in silence for a few breaths.

Offer gratitude from your heart to Shiva and close the practice.

You could repeat this up until Maha Shivaratri and even after when you are called to.

B. A 10 minute Breath Visualization Meditation

Make sure you are in a quiet room where you will not be disturbed.

Let the lights be dim.

Sit cross-legged or on a chair (with feet touching the floor and back supported).

The spine needs to remain erect for the entire ten minutes.

Relax your body.

Observe your inhales and exhales.

Visualize every inhale happening from bottom to top, from the Earth into your body all the way up to the head. The exhale moves from top to bottom into the Earth.

(While you are visualizing the breath, know that it is actually prana that is moving)

Do this for 21 breaths, equating energizing with the inhale and release with the exhale.

Then start focusing also on the little pauses between the inhale and exhale, and the exhale and next inhale. You are not forcefully creating these gaps but they are there, You are just becoming aware of them. The pauses could be of a really short duration too, that is fine.

Notice how thought is suspended in these pauses.

Take 21 breaths.

Let go of the visualization. Breath normally. Open your eyes and sit with the experience for sometime. Avoid rushing to do something else.

C. A longer Meditation to return to the source.

Preparation

This is a 30 minute practice.

Make sure you are in a quiet room where you will not be disturbed.

Let the lights be dim.

Keep your phone on silent mode.

If the weather is cold, wear warm clothes.

Keep a journal and pen handy.

If you would like some movement to facilitate a better meditation, do a gentle practice. A Yin or restorative grounding session would work well.

Receive the following guided meditation practice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N935r_t-oRg

How do you know you have touched the source?

You will know :) Look out for feelings of expansiveness, compassion and joy. There may be flashes of insights that are replete with wisdom and feel right in your body. When you connect with the source, there is a sense of absolute clarity. There will be no judgements/biases/blaming/questioning/doubts. Your experience may be something else too :)

Have a wonderful and insightful Maha Shivaratri!

Wishing you a night of wakefulness and awakening!

Love & gratitude

Sheetal

*Reference to this paragraph here.