Mahashivratri
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Tithi: Magh Krishna Chaturdashi
Importance: On Maha-shivratri, the Shiva principle descends to Earth a thousand times more than usual. To obtain maximum benefit of the Shiva principle on this day, along with the ritualistic worship of Shiva with bhav (spiritual emotion), one should chant
'Om Namah Shivaya' as much as is possible. Many devotees also keep a Vrat, with a specific objective in mind.
Manner of performing the Vrat: Fasting, ritualistic worship and staying awake the whole night
- these are the three aspects of this Vrat.
(To understand the science in Lord Shiva's Idol, significance of serpents on His body, Bhasma etc. read Sanatan's Holy text -
'Shiva')
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Science in the worship of Lord Shiva - a Glimpse
Ritualistic worship of the Pindi Only cold water and bel is offered to Lord Shiva's pindi. The pindi is not bathed with milk and Panchamrut, nor is it offered turmeric, kumkum or Akshata (unbroken rice). Milk and ghee symbolise sustenance while turmeric is an underground stem and represents fertility of the soil, that is Creation. Kumkum is prepared from turmeric itself. Since Shiva is the Deity of Dissolution, substances such as milk, kumkum and turmeric are not used in His worship. Bhasma on the contrary symbolises Dissolution and is thus used. However, in the fourteenth century the Shaivites too incorpo-rated the usage of Panchamrut, bathing with milk, etc. as was done by Vaishavites. Here, milk is believed to symbolise energy.
It is appropriate to make use of Akshata during the worship of the Pindi because they indicate detachment or spiritual practice without expectation. The fundamental frequencies of the higher Deities related to the Nirgun (unmanifest) are attracted towards the Akshata. Lord Shiva is a higher Deity with maximum relation to the Nirgun state; by using Akshata in worship of the pindi, one gets maximum benefit of the Shiva principle. (Further information in this regard is given in Sanatan's Holy text
'What is the importance of substances used in Ritualistic worship?')
How should Bhasma be applied on the pindi?
After removing the dried bel leaves and bathing, either only three horizontal stripes are drawn on the visible side of the pindi (also known as the Divine phallus) or a circle is drawn in the middle of the stripes. This is referred to as Shiva's eye (Shivaksha).
How should we circumambulate the pindi?
Circumambulations of Shiva are done in the shape of a half-moon. The channel which runs northwards towards som (the moon) from the Shalunka (base of the linga) till the boundary of the temple is called the Somsutra. When circumambulating, one should begin from the left side and continue till the channel of the Shalunka from where the water offered during the ritualistic bathing (known as Abhishek) flows. Without crossing it one should complete a circumambul-ation by moving in the reverse direction upto the other side of the channel. This rule applies only if the Shivalinga is installed or created by man; it does not apply to a Swayambhu or a Chala-linga (kept in the house). The flow of a Shalunka is not crossed as there is flow of energy in it. While walking around it, there is space between the legs. As a result, formation of semen and the five vayus (also known as internal vital energies) are adversely affected. There is an obstruction in the Devadatta and Dhananjay vital energies.
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Why are bel leaves offered?
Trifoliate bel leaves are offered to Lord Shiva. These tender leaves can unite ahat (language of sound, of humans) and anahat (language of light, of Gods). They should be offered with their stalks facing oneself and the leaf placed upside down on the Shivaksha. Attracting the combined energy of the three leaves towards oneself, facilitates reduction of trigunas in us.
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Recognise a real 'Rudraksha'!
The Rudraksha absorbs and emits sattva frequencies. A real Rudraksha can be recognised by the vibrations felt by holding it in the hand. At that time the body absorbs the sattva frequencies emitted by the Rudraksha. If it is held between the thumb and ring finger, vibrations are felt anywhere in the body. Even if kept nearby, the effect of a rudraksha is felt upto half an hour.
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(For the Science in worship, refer : Sanatan's Publication - 'Shiva')
Let it be a Holy Holi!
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Beginning from the full moon day (pournima) of the Hindu lunar month of Phalgun, till its fifth day (panchami) this festival is celebrated for two to five days depending on the regional variations.
Celebrate Holi in the traditional way!
Recently, citing reasons of deforestation, Anti-Dharmik Organisations like the Andha-shraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANIS) have been giving wrong advice to the society, to use garbage to light the Holi fire. One should not light Holi fire with garbage, since it pollutes the environment. Rather, if Holi is celebrated with the bhav of worshipping the Deity Holika, the atmosphere will become sattvik.
But did you ponder over this?
There is wide scale deforestation throughout the year on account of felling of trees for construction purposes, production of paper and other activities backed by man's selfish interests. However, so-called environmenta-lists ignore this and wake up from their slumber to create a hue and cry over the felling of trees on Holi, the religious occasion for Hindus that is celebrated once in a year. Their contention is that
'Trees are cut during Holi, which causes damage to the environment'. They also make fake appeals like -
'Burn (eradicate) evil thoughts in the fire of Holi' or 'Burn garbage in the fire of Holi'. Do not fall a prey to such lame excuses; but celebrate Holi and Rangapanchami as prescribed by Hindu Holy scriptures and use natural colours.
Dry wood should be used instead of felling good trees to light Holi fires. Also, the basic objective of celebrating Holi is to forget differences and come together. If people bear this in mind and celebrate the festival, they can save wood by having just one sacrificial fire of Holi for the entire village or locality instead of each group separately burning wood for Holi.
When Holi is celebrated, as per traditional practices, it is essential that sanctity of the religious practice be maintained. Sanctity will be lost if dirt and garbage is used for the sacrificial fire of Holi.
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Curbing Malpractices during Holi is our Religious Duty!
In the present times, there are a lot of malpractices taking place under the name of celebrating Holi. Similarly, on the day of Rangapanchami, people indulge in malpractices such as - throwing balloons filled with dirty water, applying dangerous dyes and colours to the body etc. These malpractices harm Dharma, and hence, putting an end to them is our religious duty. Spread this word in the society and even after doing so, if you come across such incidents, lodge complaints with the Police. Sanatan Sanstha conducts public awareness campaigns in this regard. (Contact us on sanatanvoice@gmail.com for specific guidance.)
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