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THIS FALLS on the I3th (or I4th) day of the dark
half of Phalgun (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva".
The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in
honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day.
People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take
a drop of water. They keep vigil all night, The Shiva Lingam is worshipped
throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd,
honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra Om Namah
Shivaya continues. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Lingam. Bael
leaves are very sacred as, it is said, Lakshmi resides in them.
Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the Shiva Mahimna Stotra of
Pushpadanta or Ravana's Shiva Tandava Stotra are sung with great fervour
and devotion. People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra, Om Namah Shivaya. He
who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and
concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and
lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths.
Many pilgrims dock to the places where there are Shiva temples.
The Story of King Chitrabhanu
In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the
bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha
Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The story goes as follows.
Once upon a time King chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over
the whole of Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the
day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court
of the king.
The sag asked, "O king! why are you observing a fast today?"
King Chitrabhanu explained why. He had the gift of remembering the
incidents of his previous birth.
The king said to the sage: "In my past birth I was a hunter in
Varanasi. My name was Suswara. My livelihood was to kill and sell birds
and animals. One day I was roaming the forests in search of animals. I was
overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, I climbed a
tree for shelter. It happened to be a bael tree. I had shot a deer that
day but I had no time to take it home. I bundled it up and tied it to a
branch on the tree. As I was tormented by hunger and thirst, I kept awake
throughout the night. I shed profuse tears when I thought of my poor wife
and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting my return. To pass
away the time that night I engaged myself in plucking the bael leaves and
dropping them down onto the ground.
"The day dawned. I returned home and sold the deer. I bought some
food for myself and for my family. I was about to break my fast when a
stranger came to me, begging for food. I served him first and then took my
food.
"At the time of death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were
sent down to conduct my soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. I learnt then for
the first time of the great merit I had earned by the unconscious worship
of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. They told me that there was
a Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The leaves I dropped fell on the
Lingam. My tears which I had shed out of pure sorrow for my family fell
onto the Lingam and washed it. And I had fasted all day and all night.
Thus did I unconsciously worship the Lord.
"I lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long
ages. I am now reborn as Chitrabhanu."
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