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Lord Shiva's Assurance
When creation had been completed, Shiva and Parvati went out to live on
the top of Mount Kailas. Parvati asked, "O venerable Lord! which of
the many rituals observed in Thy honour doth please Thee most?"
The Lord replied, "The I4th night of the new moon, in the dark
fortnight during the month of Phalgun, is my most favourite day. It is
known as Shivaratri. My devotees give me greater happiness by mere fasting
than by ceremonial baths and offerings of flowers, sweets and incense.
"The devotee observes strict spiritual discipline in the day and
worships Me in four different forms during each of the four successive
three-hour periods of the night. The offering of a few bael leaves is more
precious to Me than the precious jewels and flowers. My devotee should
bathe Me in milk at the first period, in curd at the second, in clarified
butter at the third, and in honey at the fourth and last. Next morning, he
should feed the Brahmins first and, after performing the prescribed
ceremonies, he can break his fast. O Parvati! there is no ritual which can
compare with this simple routine in sanctity."
Parvati was deeply impressed by the speech of Lord Shiva. She repeated it
to Her friends who in their turn passed it on to the ruling princes on
earth. Thus was the sanctity of Shivaratri broadcast all over the world.
The two great natural forces that afflict man are Rajas (the quality of
passionate activity) and Tames (that of inertia). The Shivaratri Vrata
aims at the perfect control of these two. The entire day is spent at the
Feet of the Lord. Continuous worship of the Lord necessitates the
devotee's constant presence in the place of worship. Motion is controlled.
Evils like lust, anger, and jealousy, born of Rajas are ignored and
subdued. The devotee observes vigil throughout the night and thus conquers
Tames also. Constant vigilance is imposed on the mind. Every three hours a
round of worship of the Shiva Lingam is conducted. Shivaratri is a perfect
Vrata.
The formal worship consists of bathing the Lord. Lord Shiva is considered
to be the Form of Light (which the Shiva Lingam represents). He is burning
with the fire of austerity. He is therefore best propitiated with cool
bathing. While bathing the Lingam the devotee prays: "O Lord! I will
bathe Thee with water, milk, etc. Do Thou kindly bathe me with the milk of
wisdom. Do Thou kindly wash me of all my sing so that the fire of
worldliness which is scorching me may be put out once for all, so that I
may be one with Thee-the One alone without a second."
At the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the Shivaratri festival is celebrated
in the following manner.
7. All spiritual aspirants the whole day, many of them without taking
even a single drop of water.
8. A grand havan is performed for the peace and welfare of all.
9. The whole day is spent in doing the Japa of Om Namah Shivaya and in
meditation upon the Lord.
10. At night all assemble in the temple and chant Om Namah Shivaya the
whole night.
11. During the four quarters of the night the Shiva Lingam is worshipped
with intense devotion.
12. Sannyas Diksha is also given on this day to sincere seekers on the
path.
Offer this inner worship to Lord Shiva daily: "I worship the jewel
of my Self, the Shiva residing in the Lotus of my heart. I bathe Him with
the water of my pure mind brought from the river of faith and devotion. I
worship Him with the fragrant flowers of Samadhi-all this so that I may
not be born again in this world.
Here is another formula for the supreme worship of the Lord: "O
Shiva! you are my Self. My mind is Parvati. My Pranas are your servants.
My body is your house. My actions in this world are your worship. My sleep
is Samadhi. My walk is circumambulation of you. My speech is your prayer.
Thus do I offer all that I am to you."