viernes, febrero 12, 2010
MAHA SHIVRATRI
When you realise Shivoham (I am Shiva), then, you have all the happiness, all the auspiciousness that there is. Shiva is not to be sought on the peak of a distant range of mountains, or in some other special place. You must have heard that sin and merit are inherent in the acts that men do; so too, Shiva is inherent in every thought, word and deed, for He is the energy, the power, the intelligence that is behind each of them.
Om Namah Shivaya
Shivaya namaha, Shivaya namah om
Shivaya namaha, namaha Shivaya
Shambhu Shankara namah Shivaya,
Girija Shankara namah Shivaya
(Arunachala Shiva namah Shivaya)
Every night is marked by darkness. But tonight it is Shivaraathri (the holy night of Lord Shiva). What is the difference between Raathri (night) and Shivaraathri? For the man who has recognized his divinity, every night is Shivaraathri. For the man immersed in worldly concerns, all nights are the same. That night is marked by darkness. This night is marked by light. Spirituality is the lighthouse that spreads light for the man who is full of despair, immersed in insatiable desires. The name of God is the lighthouse. By chanting the name, the bearer of the name can be realized. To recognize the omnipresence of the Divine is the purpose of observing Shivaraathri. This purpose is not served by fasting and keeping awake through the night. These are mere auxiliaries to what is considered the ultimate goal. But God-realization should not be put off to some distant future. It has to be taken up here and now. That is the purpose of Shivaraathri.
108 Names of Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva Name Meaning
1 Aashutosh One who fulfills wishes instantly
2 Aja Unborn
3 Akshayaguna God with limitless attributes
4 Anagha Without any fault
5 Anantadrishti Of infinite vision
6 Augadh One who revels all the time
7 Avyayaprabhu Imperishable Lord
8 Bhairav Lord of terror
9 Bhalanetra One who has an eye in the forehead
10 Bholenath Kind hearted Lord
11 Bhooteshwara Lord of ghosts and evil beings
12 Bhudeva Lord of the earth
13 Bhutapala Protector of the ghosts
14 Chandrapal Master of the moon
15 Chandraprakash One who has moon as a crest
16 Dayalu Compassionate
17 Devadeva Lord of the Lords
18 Dhanadeepa Lord of Wealth
19 Dhyanadeep Icon of meditation and concentration
20 Dhyutidhara Lord of Brilliance
21 Digambara One who has the skies as his clothes
22 Durjaneeya Difficult to be known
23 Durjaya Unvanquished
24 Gangadhara Lord of River Ganga
25 Girijapati Consort of Girija
26 Gunagrahin Acceptor of Gunas
27 Gurudeva Master of All
28 Hara Remover of Sins
29 Jagadisha Master of the Universe
30 Jaradhishamana Redeemer from Afflictions
31 Jatin One who has matted hair
32 Kailas One Who Bestows Peace
33 Kailashadhipati Lord of Mount Kailash
34 Kailashnath Master of Mount Kailash
35 Kamalakshana Lotus-eyed Lord
36 Kantha Ever-Radiant
37 Kapalin One who wears a necklace of skulls
38 Khatvangin One who has the missile khatvangin in his hand
39 Kundalin One who wears earrings
40 Lalataksha One who has an eye in the forehead
41 Lingadhyaksha Lord of the Lingas
42 Lingaraja Lord of the Lingas
43 Lokankara Creator of the Three Worlds
44 Lokapal One who takes care of the world
45 Mahabuddhi Extremely intelligent
46 Mahadeva Greatest God
47 Mahakala Lord of All Times
48 Mahamaya LORD Of great illusions
49 Mahamrityunjaya Great victor of death
50 Mahanidhi Great storehouse
51 Mahashaktimaya One who has boundless energies
52 Mahayogi Greatest of all Gods
53 Mahesha Supreme Lord
54 Maheshwara Lord of Gods
55 Nagabhushana One who has serpents as ornaments
56 Nataraja King of the art of dancing
57 Nilakantha The one with a blue throat
58 Nityasundara Ever beautiful
59 Nrityapriya Lover of Dance
60 Omkara Creator of OM
61 Palanhaar One who protects everyone
62 Parameshwara First among all gods First among all gods
63 Paramjyoti Greatest splendor
64 Pashupati Lord of all living beings
65 Pinakin One who has a bow in his hand
66 Pranava Originator of the syllable of OM
67 Priyabhakta Favorite of the devotees
68 Priyadarshana Of loving vision
69 Pushkara One who gives nourishment
70 Pushpalochana One who has eyes like flowers
71 Ravilochana Having sun as the eye
72 Rudra The terrible
73 Rudraksha One who has eyes like Rudra
74 Sadashiva Eternal God
75 Sanatana Eternal Lord
76 Sarvacharya Preceptor of All
77 Sarvashiva Always Pure
78 Sarvatapana Scorcher of All
79 Sarvayoni Source of Everything
80 Sarveshwara Lord of All Gods
81 Shambhu Abode of Joy
82 Shankara Giver of Joy
83 Shiva Always Pure
84 Shoolin One who has a trident
85 Shrikantha Of glorious neck
86 Shrutiprakasha Illuminator of the Vedas
87 Shuddhavigraha One who has a pure body
88 Skandaguru Preceptor of Skanda
89 Someshwara Lord of All Gods
90 Sukhada Bestower of happiness
91 Suprita Well pleased
92 Suragana Having Gods as attendants
93 Sureshwara Lord of All Gods
94 Swayambhu Self-Manifested
95 Tejaswani One who spreads illumination
96 Trilochana Three-Eyed Lord
97 Trilokpati Master of all the Three Worlds
98 Tripurari Enemy of Tripura
99 Trishoolin One who has a trident in his hands
100 Umapati Consort of Uma
101 Vachaspati Lord of Speech
102 Vajrahasta One who has a thunderbolt in his hands
103 Varada Granter of Boons
104 Vedakarta Originator of the Vedas
105 Veerabhadra Supreme Lord of the Nether World
106 Vishalaksha Wide-eyed Lord
107 Vishveshwara Lord of the Universe
108 Vrishavahana One who has bull as his vehicle
Mahashivaratri Festival
Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.
Legends of Mahashivratri
There are various interesting legends related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva.
Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri
Various traditions and customs related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.
To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.
On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells. Nightlong vigil or jaagran is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.
Om Namah Shivaya
Shivaya namaha, Shivaya namah om
Shivaya namaha, namaha Shivaya
Shambhu Shankara namah Shivaya,
Girija Shankara namah Shivaya
(Arunachala Shiva namah Shivaya)
Every night is marked by darkness. But tonight it is Shivaraathri (the holy night of Lord Shiva). What is the difference between Raathri (night) and Shivaraathri? For the man who has recognized his divinity, every night is Shivaraathri. For the man immersed in worldly concerns, all nights are the same. That night is marked by darkness. This night is marked by light. Spirituality is the lighthouse that spreads light for the man who is full of despair, immersed in insatiable desires. The name of God is the lighthouse. By chanting the name, the bearer of the name can be realized. To recognize the omnipresence of the Divine is the purpose of observing Shivaraathri. This purpose is not served by fasting and keeping awake through the night. These are mere auxiliaries to what is considered the ultimate goal. But God-realization should not be put off to some distant future. It has to be taken up here and now. That is the purpose of Shivaraathri.
108 Names of Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva Name Meaning
1 Aashutosh One who fulfills wishes instantly
2 Aja Unborn
3 Akshayaguna God with limitless attributes
4 Anagha Without any fault
5 Anantadrishti Of infinite vision
6 Augadh One who revels all the time
7 Avyayaprabhu Imperishable Lord
8 Bhairav Lord of terror
9 Bhalanetra One who has an eye in the forehead
10 Bholenath Kind hearted Lord
11 Bhooteshwara Lord of ghosts and evil beings
12 Bhudeva Lord of the earth
13 Bhutapala Protector of the ghosts
14 Chandrapal Master of the moon
15 Chandraprakash One who has moon as a crest
16 Dayalu Compassionate
17 Devadeva Lord of the Lords
18 Dhanadeepa Lord of Wealth
19 Dhyanadeep Icon of meditation and concentration
20 Dhyutidhara Lord of Brilliance
21 Digambara One who has the skies as his clothes
22 Durjaneeya Difficult to be known
23 Durjaya Unvanquished
24 Gangadhara Lord of River Ganga
25 Girijapati Consort of Girija
26 Gunagrahin Acceptor of Gunas
27 Gurudeva Master of All
28 Hara Remover of Sins
29 Jagadisha Master of the Universe
30 Jaradhishamana Redeemer from Afflictions
31 Jatin One who has matted hair
32 Kailas One Who Bestows Peace
33 Kailashadhipati Lord of Mount Kailash
34 Kailashnath Master of Mount Kailash
35 Kamalakshana Lotus-eyed Lord
36 Kantha Ever-Radiant
37 Kapalin One who wears a necklace of skulls
38 Khatvangin One who has the missile khatvangin in his hand
39 Kundalin One who wears earrings
40 Lalataksha One who has an eye in the forehead
41 Lingadhyaksha Lord of the Lingas
42 Lingaraja Lord of the Lingas
43 Lokankara Creator of the Three Worlds
44 Lokapal One who takes care of the world
45 Mahabuddhi Extremely intelligent
46 Mahadeva Greatest God
47 Mahakala Lord of All Times
48 Mahamaya LORD Of great illusions
49 Mahamrityunjaya Great victor of death
50 Mahanidhi Great storehouse
51 Mahashaktimaya One who has boundless energies
52 Mahayogi Greatest of all Gods
53 Mahesha Supreme Lord
54 Maheshwara Lord of Gods
55 Nagabhushana One who has serpents as ornaments
56 Nataraja King of the art of dancing
57 Nilakantha The one with a blue throat
58 Nityasundara Ever beautiful
59 Nrityapriya Lover of Dance
60 Omkara Creator of OM
61 Palanhaar One who protects everyone
62 Parameshwara First among all gods First among all gods
63 Paramjyoti Greatest splendor
64 Pashupati Lord of all living beings
65 Pinakin One who has a bow in his hand
66 Pranava Originator of the syllable of OM
67 Priyabhakta Favorite of the devotees
68 Priyadarshana Of loving vision
69 Pushkara One who gives nourishment
70 Pushpalochana One who has eyes like flowers
71 Ravilochana Having sun as the eye
72 Rudra The terrible
73 Rudraksha One who has eyes like Rudra
74 Sadashiva Eternal God
75 Sanatana Eternal Lord
76 Sarvacharya Preceptor of All
77 Sarvashiva Always Pure
78 Sarvatapana Scorcher of All
79 Sarvayoni Source of Everything
80 Sarveshwara Lord of All Gods
81 Shambhu Abode of Joy
82 Shankara Giver of Joy
83 Shiva Always Pure
84 Shoolin One who has a trident
85 Shrikantha Of glorious neck
86 Shrutiprakasha Illuminator of the Vedas
87 Shuddhavigraha One who has a pure body
88 Skandaguru Preceptor of Skanda
89 Someshwara Lord of All Gods
90 Sukhada Bestower of happiness
91 Suprita Well pleased
92 Suragana Having Gods as attendants
93 Sureshwara Lord of All Gods
94 Swayambhu Self-Manifested
95 Tejaswani One who spreads illumination
96 Trilochana Three-Eyed Lord
97 Trilokpati Master of all the Three Worlds
98 Tripurari Enemy of Tripura
99 Trishoolin One who has a trident in his hands
100 Umapati Consort of Uma
101 Vachaspati Lord of Speech
102 Vajrahasta One who has a thunderbolt in his hands
103 Varada Granter of Boons
104 Vedakarta Originator of the Vedas
105 Veerabhadra Supreme Lord of the Nether World
106 Vishalaksha Wide-eyed Lord
107 Vishveshwara Lord of the Universe
108 Vrishavahana One who has bull as his vehicle
Mahashivaratri Festival
Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.
Legends of Mahashivratri
There are various interesting legends related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva.
Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri
Various traditions and customs related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.
To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.
On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells. Nightlong vigil or jaagran is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.
