Maha Sivarathri:

Long fast and night long vigil

by Kalabhooshanam Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

Maha Sivarathri which is one of the most important festivals of Hindus will be celebrated at Shivan temples and at various Hindu organisations tomorrow. On this day devotees will fast and keep vigil throughout the night repeating the words of "Om Sivaya Nama." Poojas will be conducted at Shivan temples during the four qualities of the night accompanied with devotional songs; Mantara recitation, lighting of the Sacred Homa Fire and the rendering of classical dances dedicated to Lord Shiva.

God is omnipresent and all pervasive. By the nature of these qualities he is formless. But, in order to enlighten his devotees, he assumes unmemorable human like forms.

On Maha Sivarathri day Lord Shiva manifests himself in the form of a lingam. Lord Shiva assumes various forms in pursuance of His divine spirit. The prime manifestation of the form of the formless Shiva is known as "Linga Bhavana Moorthy" and he is said to make His appearance in that form at midnight on Maha Sivarathri Day.

Divine dance

On the auspicious occasion of Maha Sivarathri, Lord Shiva performs the ecstative dance and this divine dance is the thrilling expression of God realisation by one who has transcended the limitations of the material layers of one's personality. Further, this divine dance portrays the world being formed and dissolved.

The swirl of Lord Shiva's matted hair is like galaxies pulsating and His footwork is the very throb of the universe. All the music and rhythm at creation are in his dance. The dance in facet represents his five activities (panchakritya): Srishti (overlooking creation and evolution,) Sthite (preservation, support), Samhare (destruction and evolution) Tirobhava (veiling embodiment, illusion and also giving rest,) Anugraha (Salvation).

These separately considered are the activities of the deities Brahma, Vishnu, Budra, Maheswara and Sasdiva. In fact, this cosmic activity is the central motive of the dance. Creation arises from the drum, protection proceeds from the hand of hope, from the Fire proceeds destruction, the foot held aloft gives release. It will be observed that the fourth hand points to the lifted foot, the refuse of the soul.

Realisation

Shiva's dance posture balancing on one foot signifies the single pointed attainment of a man of realisation with the absolute realisation. The dwarfish demon which lies conquered and crushed under His foot represents the ego. When the ego and desires are kept under control the man of perfection experiences within himself the pure transcendental essence of divinity. The desires which constitute the limited ego are individuality represent the lower nature of man. This loves nature is likened to a serpent.

A perfect control of the lower nature by the higher proclaims the dignity and glory of man. This idea is symbolised by Shiva adorning Himself with a coiling Serpent around his neck. The halo of flames issuing from him signifies the infinite numbers of creatures in the world.

Just as the flame emerges from Him, the entire creation emanates from the supreme reality (Bramma). The continuous chain of creation and destruction maintain the entire universe. In other words, the universe itself exists because of the continuous proceeds of creation and destruction.

Rathri means night when it is dark. Darkness stands for lack of knowledge.

Perfection

Shiva's dance on Maha Sivarathri indicates that his transcendental experience of the reality is unknown to the rest of mankind. Even the Lord's consort Parvathi; was destroyed by one stare. This signifies that the man of perfection possesses the fire of pure knowledge, in the light of which ignorance, passion and egoistic arrogance (Avidya) disappears which leads to absolute beauty, peace and bliss.

Furthermore, fasting and prayers are said to have tremendous influence over body and mind. "As a man thinks, so he becomes". This is the psychological law and the mind of man who trains himself in thinking good, holy thoughts develops a tendency to think good thoughts. His character is moulded and transformed by his continued good thoughts.

Norms

Furthermore, in every Shivan temple there is nanthi (bull) which is the vahana or vehicle of Lord Shiva. In fact, nanthi represents dharma and the hindus were told to govern their lives by the norms of Dharma which comprehends all the excellences which make for a ideal humanity.

In fact, there is a flag for every nation, every religion and every political party without any exception. They hoist their flags in all important occasions and everyone comes to know of their respective celebrations on account of their flags.

Realizing this Divine service, the World Saiva Council's (Sri Lanka) president Mr. K. Thayaparan, Vice President, Mr. S. Dhanabala and the ever enthusiastic secretary of the World Saiva Council (Sri Lanka) Dr. Muttiah Kathirgamanathan and several other members of this council have taken all possible steps to hoist nanthi flags on Maha Sivarathri day in several Shivan temples in all parts of Sri Lanka and distribute these flags to all the devotees and well wishers.

In fact, on Maha Sivarathri Day flags will be hoisted and distributed at New Kathiresan Temple, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4 in the morning and it will be received first by Mr. Subramaniam Chettiar, Trustee of the New Kathiresan Temple, Bambalapitiya.

Hence, on this Maha Sivarathri Day let all the Hindu devotees pray to Lord Shiva and receive His Divine Blessings for peace, unity, communal harmony and eternal prosperity.