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Mahashivaratri,
Siva's great night, venerates Parashiva. Devotees of Siva consider it
the most holy night of the year.
 Mahashivaratri
is the night before the new-moon day in February-March. We observe it
both as a discipline and a festivity, keeping a strict fast and
all-night vigil, meditating, intoning Siva's 1,008 names, singing His
praise, chanting Shri Rudram, bathing the Sivalinga and being near the
vairagis as they strive to realize Parashiva. The Vedas proclaim,
"The Lord, God, all-pervading and omnipresent, dwells in the
heart of all beings. Full of grace, He ultimately gives liberation to
all creatures by turning their faces toward Himself." Aum
Namah Sivaya ".
All
Hindus consider it most important to live near a temple, and we build
one wherever we find ourselves in the world. This is a most
meritorious act, earning blessings in this life and the next.
Religious life centers around the temple. It is here in God's home
that we nurture our relationship with the Divine. Not wanting to stay
away too long, we visit the temple at least weekly, and we strive to
attend each major festival, when the shakti of the Deity is most
powerful. Devout Siva bhaktas attend daily puja in the temple.
All
Siva bhaktas visit the temple on Siva's most sacred day of the year,
Mahashivaratri. Being the homes of the Gods and God, temples are
approached with great reverence and humility. Draw near the temple as
you would approach a king, a governor, a president of a great realm,
anticipating with a little trepidation your audience with him. The
Vedas say, "May the Lord find pleasure in our song of praise!
Priest among men, may he offer due homage to the heavenly beings!
Great, O Lord, is your renown." Aum Namah Sivaya ".
This
special sacred night, Mahasivaratri, will soon be here. Make it the
most important spiritual event of your life. Remembering your goal,
which is God Realization, the purpose of human birth, draw close to
God Siva. Climb to the top of Mount Kailas within yourself, experience
the presence of God Siva within as your very Self, permeating the
entire universe. Prepare yourself for this great night by performing
your sadhanas to perfection. Never forget the power of one life lived
in perfection. You are a microcosm within yourself. Clean your home,
make your heart a pure fountain of love, strive for harmony in your
joint and extended family, with the families of all devotees and
everyone you know. Fill the mind with thoughts of Siva. Begin now,
clearing the mind, climbing daily within toward the summit of
God-Realization.
Our
most sacred night of the year is approaching, and we all want this to
be the best, most wonderful and profound festival ever. We can make it
that, or we can make it an ordinary night. It is within our power to
do either, but we can't do both. So let's make it a time of being as
close to God Siva as we possibly can. Isn't that our purpose for
coming to this planet? You can make your mind a perfect place, full of
thoughts of God within, so full that other thoughts seem insignificant
by comparison.
On
Sivaratri night, chant silently Siva's perfect mantra, Aum Namasivaya.
We want to enjoy ourselves on Sivaratri night. Spiritual life is
joyous life. The more joyous we are, the closer we are to the Source
of joy and bliss. So, be happy on Sivaratri. Sing with a full heart.
See God in everyone and in everything. Forget all the problems life
brings. Forget all of the pains of the past and the not-
yet-remembered future. Of course, we will be fasting, and that will
help us feel the bliss of our Self as it permeates the world around
us. And we will all be thinking of Siva, only of Siva. If your mind
wanders, bring it back to Siva's feet. Let Siva's presence fill you
completely during the night.
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