Mahasivarathri observed with great religious fervour

by Dr. Vimala KRISNAPILLAI

Lord Siva is called Iswara the great God in the Vedas. The most auspicious religious observance among the devotees of Lord Siva and which marks the high point of Saivaism is Mahasivarathri. According to the Hindu calendar Mahasivarathri Virata is observed annually on the 14th Lunar Day (tithi) during the dark half of the month of Panguni.

(February - March). The devotees of Siva hail Mahasivarathri as the crest jewel among fasts virata and observe this sacred day and night with great religious fervour.

Statue of Lord Shiva

Sivarathri is termed a virata because the devotees observe stipulated niyamas and religious austerities. The essential religious observances during Sivarathri virata are upavasam, fasting the entire day and night; keeping vigil with contemplation of God Siva throughout this holiest of holy night; ritualistic performance of abishekam and pooja of Sivalingam; japa and dana (charity) the most important of these are fasting, vigil and worship. Certain moral and spiritual injunctions are also laid down by the scriptures during this holy period over 24 to 36 hours of Sivarathri virata. These when practised with fervent devotion and penance will transform the worshipper's heart, mind and body into a dwelling place fit for Divinity.

The fast (upavasa), vigil (jagra) and worship (puja) are basic. Fasting is considered a penance because abstaining from food totally or partially is conducive to the starvation of lust, greed, and envy.

It helps in restraining the senses wondering in search of deluding pleasures. By fasting the channels between the divine and human which have been clogged up with selfish desires and false values are re-opened, revitalized and renewed. By observing this fast on this most sacred day and night, auspicious forces are created, the negative forces of evil, sin and guilt are destroyed.

The act of vigil, keeping awake during this sacred rathri [night] time cultivates inner wakefulness. Literally rathri signifies not only night but spiritual darkness or ignorance. During vigil, Siva consciousness is awakened, and the lord of the Jivatma (Soul or Self) who is Siva, emerges as the dazzling light of luminosity in the spiritual heart which is the pure abode of divinity.

During ritualistic pooja, abiseka of Sivalingam is performed by pouring various sacred substances on the Sivalingam. External abiseka with various substances and the offering of precious gifts, flowers and fruits cultivates love and adoration of the Lord. This pure abundant flow of love eventually leads one to the internal abiseka. Pandit Kasi Ganapahti of Shirengari Math quoting the scriptures explains the esoteric meaning of abiseka as the pouring of the water of purest love on Atma linga in ones spiritual heart, the inseparable eternal abode of Siva. There is a Sanskrit saying 'puja and archana performed with even a single leaf, vilva pathra on this sacred day is of great significance. During pooja and archana, selected leaves or flowers are offered with devotion to the Sivalingam. Symbolically they are brought close to the heart the eternal abode of Siva as Atma or Self and then offered externally to the Sivalingam. Among the holy names of God specially the chanting of Panchahcara, the sacred mantra of Siva Japa is of vital importance. Extolling this mantra, 'Namasivya is the essence and meaning of the four Vedas', sings St. Mannickavachagar in his Thiruvachagam.

Sivalingam

The Saivite Hindus perceive the Sivalingam as the most sacred symbol of the nirguna (formless)] aspect of Parasivam or Isvara. Sivalingham is considered the mulavigragha fundamental form and the prime manifestation of Siva and the most sacred visible symbol of God. The Lingam form in which Siva is worshipped known as His 'aru uru thirumani' symbolizes both the form and formlessness representation of Siva. The Baana Linga is elliptical in shape without beginning or end.

The literal meaning of linga in Sanskrit is symbol. Etymologically the word Lingam is said to be derived from 'li' which means dissolve and 'gam' which means to go out. The Sivalingham symbolizes the ultimate reality into whom the creation of the universe dissolves and out of which they evolve again and again in eons of time. Saint Thirumular interpreted the three parts the upper, middle and bottom part of the Sivalingam as the Akaaram, Ukaaram, Maakaram of the mantra AUM. He has extolled the glory of the Lingam as Anandalingham, Pindalingam, Sadasivalingam, Atmalingam and Jnanalingham.

Accompanying every virata and religious festivals there are puranas, legends, stories and anecdotes which explain the origin, significance and merit earned by observing them. The genesis of Mahasivarathri are related in the Sivapranam, Skanda puranam, Padmapuranam and Mahabaratam. They draw out the deeper meaning of the Hindu mythology and symbolism.

Sivan temples

In all Sivan temples the Sivalingam occupies the mulasthanam the innermost central sanctum garbagragham. In every Sivan Temple on the outer wall of the central sanctum exactly just behind the spot where the Sivalingam is installed is the Lingothbhava murthy a sculpture engraved on the wall. The glorious form of Lingothbhava murthy here tells us that out of His formlessness, Isvara Siva, emerged in form, to guide the function of the universe. The static Iswara became dynamic and manifested in innumerable forms to bring the unknown within our mental comprehension.

The Lingothbava murthy sculpture visualizes the grace of Siva's supreme revelation on the midnight of Sivarathri manifesting as the visible form which is cognizable and accessible for worship.

Parasivam the absolute out of His formlessness, emerged in the form of lingam, as an endless luminous column of light Jothi to shower His grace. In this sculpture depicting the formless aspect of Siva neither the top of His head nor the bottom of His feet, His expanse and the physical limit is not visible. Neither Brahma Deva in the form of the swan flying very high nor Vishnu Deva in the form of a boar burrowing deep down to the bowels of the earth could fathom nor reach Him. In allegorical terms this reminds one that even the celestial Devas in their egoistic frame of mind failed to gauge the bottom or top, the beginning or end of the luminous cosmic pillar of light. What to say of the finite human intellect to cognize the glory of Iswara?

In addition to this Puranic story there are various stories and legends relating to Sivarathri, which help to strengthen the resolve of the devotees to observe Sivarathri. There may be some slight variations among these stories but the underlying theme remains the same. They all conclude that even if unknowingly and unaware one performs the stipulated observances of fast vigil and worship on Sivarathri it bestows on one great merits and heavenly abodes. This goes on to show the merciful and easily pleased disposition of Siva.

So what to speak, of the merits acquired by those who knowingly and intentionally observe Sivarathri?

Highly venerated historic and ancient Sivan Temples

Throughout India and Sri Lanka are spread very ancient historic Sivalinga temples which have withstood many onslaughts. Twelve Jothirlinga temples are held in high veneration. They are as follows:

The holiest of holy Kasi Viswanath of Varnasi; Kedarinath situated in the Himalayas 11,000 feet above sea level; Mahakaleswar at Ujjain; Nageswar at Audhagram; Omkaranath in Madhya Pradesh; Thryambgeswar in Nasik; Ghusenishwar in Auranagabad; Rameswar Ramalinga of Sethu worshipped by Lord Rama in the southernmost tip of India; Somanath in Patan; Shaileshwarin Sreesailam; Bhimashankara in Pune and Vaidyanath in Marathawala.

Five Pancha Bhuta Sehetra Sivalingams: Beside the above there are in the Southern India, Sivalinghams representing the five elements earth, water, fire, air and ether. Prithivilingam at Kanchipuram; Apaslinggam at Thiruvaikal; Tejaslingam at Thiruannamalai; Vaulingam at Kalasthy; Akasalingam at Cithambaram. Cithambaram Thillai is unique in that, the space above the lingam is Akasalingam the ethereal space, signifying the subtle manifestation of divinity as the ultimate reality. The temple the priest invokes the Lingam from bottom upwards in the ascending order of subtlety during pooja.

Here in Sri Lanka stand five historic ancient Sivalingam temples; Tirukketisvaram, Tirukkoneswaram, Munneswaram, Naguleswaram and Chandramauliswaram. Sivarathri unifies revitalizes, enriches and regenerates the spiritual and social aspects of the Hindus. It re-establishes the spiritual bond with the divine presence and renews life and faith which becomes weak with the passage of time.

On this blessed day of Mahasivaratri, Iswara Siva showers His Divine Grace to each and everyone who seeks Him with devotion and leads them to mukti, delivering from the cycle of birth and death bestowing Eternal Bliss.