Sushmajee
Vrat-Festivals | Vrat
| Vrat-Festival Vrat | Home | Vrat-Festivals | Vrat | Festival-Vrat |
| Shiv Raatri-2-Vrat |
See also Shiv Raatri Vrat Kathaa Why do we Celebrate Shiv Raatri?
(1) Once Aadi Shakti Paarvatee Jee asked Lord Shiv which Vrat and day was
the best in terms of giving maximum Punya and his blessings. So Lord Shiv
himself revealed about this auspicious day. People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take a drop of water for 24 hours. They keep vigil all night. The Shiv Ling is worshipped throughout the night by pouring milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc, every three hours, whilst the chanting of the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaaya" continues. Offerings of even a few Bilva Patra (Bel leaves) are made to the Shiv Ling. Bel leaves are very sacred, as it is said that Lakshmee resides in them. He who utters the names of Shiv during Shiv Raatri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins.
Mantra and Stotra to Recite on Shiv Raatri?
Aaratee Lord Mrityunjaya Mahadev is the winner of death. Meditate and worship on Mrityunjaya Mahaadev you can escape from miseries and troubles of this materialistic world as well as the problems related to inner soul. He devours / dispels our troubles, tensions, stress as well as our ego.
Mahaa Mrityunjaya THE BEING who allows us to conquer death, death of
emotions, fears, wrong doing, Karm Dosh, evil effects or words and evil
eye. Through his worship, Saadhanaa and meditation one can banish the fear
of death forever from one's life. This is why Maarkandeya Rishi sang - Yam Dev or Death is the greatest warrior of nature who does not know defeat. Though one cannot predict or control death, it is considered possible to influence the ticking of life with the reminiscence of Mahaa Mrityunjaya. For this reason Mritunjaya Mahaadev gave Yog Sootra to Maharshi Patanjali. Read about HIM, immerse yourself in HIS love, let the tears flow from HIS separation. Meditate on the Name, worship the Name, and through the Name, you shall be absorbed in intuitive peace and poise. The hymn glorifies Lord Shiv, as the universal supreme force in the earth. In the Yajur Ved "Rudra Prashn" is the most important component whereas in the Panchaakshar Mantra "Om Namah Shivaaya" is more important. Chanting of the Rudram in rhythm, purifies the entire atmosphere and wipes out distress in our lives. "Rudra Japam" is able to wipe out all our sins and mistakes and acts as a "Praayashchit" (repentance). "Shree Rudram" is also called as "Rudra Upanishad" and "Shat Rudreeyam". In "Rudram", there are 11 Anuvaak. After every chant of Rudram another hymn, "Chamakam" is also chanted. The hymn identifies 346 desires of human beings to be fulfilled, to have a peaceful daily life. Chant the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaaya" entire day and practice Dhyaan for longer periods than the usual routine. Remain more introvert on this day contemplating about the truths of life. And have Darshan of Lord Shiv where He is properly and regularly worshipped. Shiv Raatri
Merits of Mahaa Shiv Raatri Vrat
Devotees of Lord Shiv believe consider Shiv Raatri fast to be extremely auspicious and rate it equal or more than performing an Ashwamedh Yagya. Some believe that a devotee who observes a Shiv Raatri fast with sincerity and utters the name of Lord Shiv with perfect devotion is absolved from all sins. Such a devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shiv and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Customs and Traditions of Shiv Raatri Fast
Following the sacred bath, devotee applies Haldee-Kumkum on the Lingam and place a garland of white and pink lotus flowers on it. Bel leaves are also placed at the top of the Lingam. Aaratee and Bhajan in praise of Lord Shiv are also sung to invoke his blessings. Devotee also light incense stick and ring temple bell to invoke the blessing of the large-hearted Lord Shiv. It may be noted that unlike most other festivals, where after performing the Poojaa of the deity a feast follows, a Shiv Ratri fast continues all through the day and night. Devotees observe an all night vigil while chanting the mantra, "Om Namah Shivaaya" and singing devotional hymns and songs. Even during the night, Shiv Ling is given the holy bath every three hours. An offering of fruits is also made to the Deity. There is also the tradition to listen to the recital of various legends and stories related to Shiv Raatri and Lord Shiv and to understand its deeper meanings. It is only in the following morning that a devotee breaks the fast by consuming the Prasaad offered to Lord Shankar.
Following the method prescribed in Shiv Puraan, priests perform ritual Poojaa of Shiv Ling every three hours all through the day and night on Mahaa Shiv Raatri Festival day. During this Poojaa, chants of Om Namah Shivaaya and sounds of bells reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water that helps in the purification of the soul a vermilion paste is applied on the Ling as it represents virtue. These six items form an indispensable part of Shiva Raatri, be it a simple ceremony at home or grand ceremony at temple worship. After this, Bilva leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shiv Ling to cool the hot-tempered deity. Ber or jujube fruit is also offered to Shiv, as it is symbolic of longevity and gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the auspicious betel leaves to Shiv marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures. Garlanding of Ling with flowers and garlands is also a part of the ritual Shiv Raatri Poojaa. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is said to yield wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of knowledge. It is said that by offering water, hugging the Ling, lighting the Diyaa and incense and ringing the temple bells, devotees call into focus all their senses, making them acutely aware of themselves and the universe to which they belong. This ritual worship of Shiv continues through the day and night of Shiv Raatri. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiv temples by chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaaya’ and singing hymns and verses in praise of Shankar. Devotees observing Vrat on Shiv Raatri break it only the next morning by partaking Prasaad offered to Shiv. A Simple Shiv Raatri Poojaa
--First and foremost begin with cleansing, i.e. clean the area where the
altar is to be set up. This should face the eastern direction if possible.
You and others who will participate in the performance of the Poojaa should
bathe, and wear clean and comfortable clothes. Men may wear Kurtaa / Pajaamaa
combination, or Dhotee / Uttareeyam combination with or without a Kurtaa /shirt/
jibba etc. If men wearing Dhotee decide to wear no upper garment, then a
Yagyopaveet should be worn.
So that the ceremonies we are about to undertake proceed to completion
without any obstacles we contemplate on Mahaaganapati Similarly the
Griha Devtaa, i.e. the family Godhead, needs to be invoked as He/She is
ever present bestowing protection to the family at all times. Chant as
follows: Shuddhi I salute the
Lord of the Southern direction who is the very embodiment of the sacred
symbol Om and of pure knowledge and eternal peace. Then recite Shiv Panchaakshar Stotra (Naagendra Haaraaya....) Rituals of Shiv Raatri Poojaa
The Shiv Raatri Poojaa normally performed on the day in the following timings:-
Devotees worship the Ling throughout the night. It is bathed every three
hours with the 5 sacred offerings of a cow, called the
Panchagavya - milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung.
Dhatooraa fruit and flower, though poisonous, are believed to be sacred to
Shiv and thus are offered to him. List of Materials for Poojaa Shiv Raatri Vrat
Shiv Raatri Vrat is both Nitya (obligatory) and Kaamya (optional). It is Nitya, because there are passages which lays down that sin follows if a man does not perform it.... The Vrat is optional, because the texts provide the rewards of performing this Vrat. The proper time for this Vrat is night. Since, as started in the Skand Puraan, 'goblins, the Shakti and Shiv (who wields the Trident) move about at night and therefore these are to be worshipped at that time on Chaturdashee. The Skand Puraan provides: "a fast should be observed on that Chaturdashee of the dark half that is joined in Nisheeth (i.e. that exists at that time); the Tithi is the best and leads to companionship with Shiv." Hemaadri quotes Skand Puraan, Naagar Khand as follows - "On the 14th of the dark half of Maagh month, I shall go in the Kali Yug on the surface of the Earth at night and not by day. I shall undoubtedly transfer myself to all Ling, whether movable or permanently fixed for the removal of the sins committed by man in the (proceeding) year; therefore the man who offers worship to me at night with these Mantra will be free from sin." In the Eeshaan Sanhitaa, it is said - "The first God (Shiv) appeared in the form of Shiv Ling, whose refulgence was equal to that of crore of Suns, on the 14th of Maagh dark half. The Tithi to be accepted for the Shiv Raatri Vrat should be one that covers the time. A man should perform this on that Tithi when the 14th covers the time before and after midnight." Hemaadri also quotes a verse like this - "The 14th called Shiv Raatri that covers Pradosh should be accepted (for Vrat); one should observe a fast on that Tithi since there has to be a Jaagaran (in that Vrat) at night.
Yog of Shiv Raatri and Somvatee Amaavasyaa in 2013 Shiv Raatri is coming on Sunday with Dhanishthaa Nakshatra and Siddhi Yog, that is why this Sunday is very good for Saahanaa. Saadhanaa done in Dhanishthaa Nakshatra gives wealth and prosperity and Siddhi Yog is auspicious for women. Shiv Raatri, however, is self-Siddh Yog. While Somvatee Amaavasyaa is coming with Shattaarakaa Nakshatra and Saadhya Yog.
|
Home | Vrat-Festivals | Vrat | Festival-Vrat |
|
Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/05
Contact: sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 09/29/13