देवदेव महादेव नीलकण्ठ नमोस्तु ते। कर्तुमिच्छाम्यहं देव शिवरात्रिव्रतं तव।। तव प्रसादाद्देवेश निर्विघ्नेन भवेदिति। कामाद्या: शत्रवो मां वै पीडां कुर्वन्तु नैव हि।।
Lakhs of devotees visit Shiva temples and perform Shivling Rudrabhishek on the occasion of Mahashivratri. Many people observe Shivratri fast and also do night awakenings.
Mahadev is soon pleased by worshiping Bhagwan Shiva on this day. By his grace, a healthy body, happiness, and prosperity are attained. Those who are not getting married or there is a delay in it due to some reason, then worshiping Shivling on the day of Mahashivratri fulfills their wishes. The attainment of happiness and peace in life is also achieved by the grace of Shiva.
In this fast, worship is done in all four phases. One should keep chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' in every phase of worship. If it is not possible to do this chanting in the Shiva temple, then this mantra can be changed by going to a quiet place, in the east direction of the house. Chanting of these mantras done in all the four quarters gives special merit. Apart from this, Lord Shankar is very pleased by doing Rudrabhishek during the fasting period.
Salt is not consumed during the fasting of Mahashivratri. If still, someone is sick or pregnant or elderly, then they can use fruit salt during the fast. The person observing the fast should not take sleep during the day and should also do Jagran by worshiping Shiva at night. On this day husband and wife should worship Shiva together. By doing this, the sweetness remains in their relationship. It is believed that Shiva should not indulge in sour fruits and should use white sweets.
In ancient times, there was a ruthless fowler who used to feed his family by killing countless innocent creatures every day. Once, when he did not find any prey even after roaming the whole forest, he went to the bank of a pond, distraught with hunger. At the same place, a Shivling was established under a vine tree. Fahlia climbed the branch of the same tree and covered the Shivling by breaking the Bel leaves to make her a place of residence. Distraught with hunger for the whole day, the Shivratri fast was completed in a way.
After a few nights passed, a pregnant deer came to fill her clothes. The huntsman agreed to kill him. The hesitant, fearful deer said in a humble voice - 'O huntsman! I am pregnant right now. The delivery time is also • near. So don't kill me this time. I will be back soon after the breeding season.' Fowler agreed to his words. After a few more nights, another deer came to that place.
As soon as the fowler was targeted, that deer also requested - 'I am now able to retire from the rituals. That's why let me have a husband's meeting, don't kill me. I will come to you myself after meeting.' Bahlia accepted his point as well. On the third day of the night, a third deer came to drink water in the same reservoir with small children. Seeing him too, the fowler picked up his bow and arrow. Then the deer said in a loud voice - 'O huntsman! If I bring these children under the protection of the deer, then you kill me.' Fowler, impressed by the humble words, left it too.
In the morning, a muscular strong deer came to the same lake. Fowler again wanted to do Sharasandhan according to his nature. On seeing this action, the deer started praying to the huntsman - 'O witch! If you have killed three deer who came before me, then kill me too, otherwise if they have been abandoned by you, then kill me when you come together. I am also his companion.'Hearing the compassionate voice of the deer, Fowler narrated the past of the night and left him too. Due to fasting throughout the day, Jagran all night and falling (offering) of Bel leaves on the idol of Shiva, there was inner purity in the fowler. His mind changed from cruelty to tenderness that he decided not to kill the deer even when the family returned.
With the influence of Lord Shankar, his mind became so pure and simple that he became a complete non-violence. On the other hand, after meeting the deer, the deer came to the fowler and showed its truthfulness. Impressed by his satyagraha, Vyadha became a priest of 'Ahimsa Paramodharma'. Tears welled up in his eyes and started repenting for his past deeds. On this the deities from heaven applauded the huntsman and Lord Shankar sent two Pushpak vimanas and made the fowler and deer family the officer of Shivlok.
Mahashivratri, which translates to "The Great Night of Shiva," is one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism. Celebrated every year in honor of Lord Shiva, Mahashivratri is observed on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalguna or Maagh (February or March in the Gregorian calendar). The festival is marked with great enthusiasm and devotion by millions of Hindus worldwide.
The significance of Mahashivratri is rooted in Hindu mythology, which tells the story of Lord Shiva, one of the three main deities in the Hindu pantheon. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is the destroyer of evil and the god of meditation, yoga, and arts. He is considered to be the embodiment of cosmic consciousness and the ultimate reality.
One of the most popular legends associated with the festival of Mahashivratri is the Samudra Manthan or the Churning of the Ocean. According to this legend, the gods and the demons churned the ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality. During this process, a pot of poison (halahala) emerged from the ocean, which could have destroyed the entire universe. Lord Shiva, in his benevolence, consumed the poison to save the world. As a result, he turned blue, which earned him the name "Neelkanth" (the blue-throated one). The day he consumed the poison is celebrated as Mahashivratri.
Mahashivratri is also associated with the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married on this day. The day is thus celebrated as a symbol of the union of the divine masculine and feminine energies, which creates the cosmos.
The celebration of Mahashivratri varies from region to region in India. In some parts of the country, the festival is celebrated with great pomp and show, while in others, it is observed with simple devotion. One common tradition is to keep a fast on the day of Mahashivratri, and then break it the next day after offering prayers to Lord Shiva. Devotees also visit Shiva temples to offer their prayers, chant mantras, and perform abhishekam (ritual bathing of the shivlinga).
In some regions, Mahashivratri is also celebrated as a cultural festival. Folk dances, fairs, and processions are organized to celebrate the day. One of the most famous celebrations of Mahashivratri is the Maha Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years in different parts of India. Millions of devotees gather at the banks of the Ganges river to take a dip and offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.
In conclusion, Mahashivratri is a festival that symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the ultimate reality over the material world. It is a day to remember the divine qualities of Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for a peaceful and fulfilling life. The festival provides a great opportunity for devotees to connect with their spiritual selves and experience a deep sense of inner peace.
दैनिक जीवन में शिव चालीसा का सार आंतरिक शांति, शक्ति और स्पष्टता को बढ़ावा देता है। इसके छंदों का पाठ करने से भगवान शिव का आशीर्वाद मिलता है, बाधाओं को दूर करने, तनाव कम करने और चुनौतियों के बीच शांति की प्रेरणा मिलती है। यह आध्यात्मिक विकास और कल्याण के लिए एक शक्तिशाली उपकरण है
प्राचीन ग्रंथों के अनुसार, सोमवार व्रत रखने के लिए सुबह स्नान करके भगवान शिव को जल और बेलपत्र चढ़ाना और शिव-पार्वती की पूजा करना शामिल है। ऐसा माना जाता है कि सोमवार का व्रत करने से भक्तों की मनोकामनाएं शीघ्र पूरी होती हैं। सोमवार व्रत कथा पढ़ने से अनुष्ठान पूरा होता है।
