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 14th 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 Loid 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 Tamas (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,
71
HINDU FASTS & FESTIVALS
born of Rajas are ignored and subdued. The devotee observes vigil throughout the night and thus
conquers Tamas 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 sins, 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.
1. All spiritual aspirants fast the whole day, many of them without taking even a single drop
of water.
2. A grand havan is performed for the peace and welfare of all.
3. The whole day is spent in doing the Japa of Om Namah Shivaya and in meditation upon
the Lord.
4. At night all assemble in the temple and chant Om Namah Shivaya the whole night.
5. During the four quarters of the night the Shiva Lingam is worshipped with intense
devotion.
6. 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.