Story#2 Maha Shivratri
On this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri; I am sitting here and writing this out for you all. Maha Shivratri, literally means “Grand night of Lord Shiva”.
Shivratri, falls on every 14th day of waning moon (Krishna Paksha — Chaturdashi); However Maha Shivratri is one that falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Phalgun month (Hindu Calendar); which basically comes in February or March month of Gregorian calendar months.
Maha Shivratri is observed by remembering Lord Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Lord Shiva. Devotees throngs temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, or Jyotirlingam, performs Abhishekam to please deity.
Stories related to Maha Shivratri is mentioned in multiple Puranas, specially Skanda Purana, Linga Purana, Padma Purana and in Shiv Purana. There are different legends that signifies Maha Shivaratri
One legend refers this auspicious day as the day when Lord Shiva marries Maa Parvati after long penance by Maa Parvati. Hence signifying union of Shiva (Purusha-consciousness) and Shakti (Prakruti-energy); leading to birth of the universe. It is stated in Shiva-Purana
एवं परस्परापेक्षा शक्तिशक्तिमतो: स्थिता। न शिवेन विना शक्तिर्न शक्तया विना शिव:॥
Meaning: Shiva and Shakti are suppliment to each other or completes one another. Without Shiva there is no Shakti, neither there is Shiva without Shakti
Second legend refers to this day as the day when Shiva heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction, known as Tandava in grief after aggrieved Maa Sati offered herself in AgniKunda.
Third legend says, during Samudra Manthan, a pot full of poison (Hala-Hal) emerged from the ocean. All the Gods and demons were terrified that this will destroy the engulf universe and so, Gods ran to Lord Shiva for help. To protect the entire universe from the evil effects, Shiva drank the entire poison and held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. Due to this, his throat becomes blue and so he is also known as Neelakantha. Shivratri is celebrated as an event due to which Shiva saved the universe.
Fourth legend says, In the Shiva-Purana; Once upon a time Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were fighting among themselves that who is superior among the two. Other Gods were terrified and so they went to Lord Shiva to intervene in the war. To make them realize the futility of their fight, Shiva took the form of a massive fire (Lingam) that spread across the length of the universe without any end. This is the day that Lord Shiva appeared as endless Shiva-Lingam. That’s also the reason that people do not circumambulate the Shiva-Lingam signifying its endlessness
So Maha Shivaratri and Shiv Parivara Poojan is also considered remedy for good marital life, because it is union of consciousness and energy that awakes/empowers it.
Alternatively Shiva Parivara is also union of opposites/extremes. If we look at Shiva Parivara, there is bull and a lion; there is peacock, a snake and a mouse. They are not compatible and inhabitable with each other; however in a family they are/can.
Shiva, Shivratri and Marital Bliss
This gives a lesson that a marriage union can prosper even with differences; given that compromises from both the sides. As in Sanatana Dharma; marriage union is considered very sacred; not a contract.
On another note; as a remedy for marital bliss, one can pray to Shiva-Parivara; specially Shiva-Parvati. This can help alleviate issue in marital life.
For natives; who are having hard time getting married; they can also fast on Mondays (for 16 Mondays or Solah Somwar) to get married and for good marital life.
Om Tat Sat
