Mahashivratri - A Symbol of Infinite Energy

Mahashivratri is celebrated as a very important festival in Sanatan Dharma. There are many mythological stories about Mahashivratri, but it is said that on this day Lord Shiva and Parvati ji were married and from this day Lord Shiva came to be known as 'Ardhanarishwar'. According to another story, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga. It is a symbol of eternal and infinite Shiva who gives knowledge of the beginning and end of the creation. When the gods and demons churned the ocean, a poison called Kalakuta came out of it, which created the danger of destruction of the entire creation. Lord Shiva held that poison in his throat, due to which his throat turned blue and he was called Neelkanth. Mahashivratri is celebrated in the memory of this sacrifice of Shiva.


Shiva is not an idol or a person, but an infinite consciousness (Supreme Consciousness), which is spread throughout the entire universe. Shiva is worshipped in both Nirguna (without any form) and Saguna (in a tangible form) forms. Shiva's third eye is a symbol of knowledge, wisdom and awareness, through which he destroys ignorance. Shiva is considered to be the Adiyogi (first yogi) and the source of meditation. He is a symbol of the highest state of meditation. We see Shiva being shown with closed eyes in many paintings and stories. Closing the eyes is a symbol of meditation. His unbroken form sitting on the skin of a leopard is a symbol of victory over all the vices prevailing within us. The flow of Ganga from his matted locks represents knowledge and control of ego. Ganga is the flow of knowledge and consciousness, and Shiva's matted locks are a symbol of restraint and patience. It shows that it is necessary to control the infinite knowledge and power, otherwise it can be destructive. Shiva is the ultimate yogi, who remains absorbed in meditation and samadhi. The flow of Ganga from his matted locks shows that only through yoga and meditation can the flow of true compassion and knowledge flow, which makes the world pure and beneficial.


Although people celebrate Mahashivratri by fasting, meditating, chanting mantras and reading Shiv Puran, but if seen, the spiritual benefits of Mahashivratri is a very vast subject in itself. Mahashivratri is formed by the combination of three words where 'Maha' means very special/big, 'Shiva' means infinite energy and power which has the ability to create and destroy this universe and 'Ratri' means the importance of the night of this day. On this day, Shiva worshippers or any person who believes in the infinite power by which this universe is running, he meditates, fasts and chants mantras for it which has special significance. It is a well-known fact that if we go to temple, mosque, gurudwara etc. then there is a feeling of peace and the remembrance of God starts forming automatically. Everyone experiences this atmosphere and the similar waves spread there. The same happens on the day of Mahashivratri as well. The entire atmosphere becomes Shiva-like. We remember Lord Shiva, chant his mantras, which spreads Shiva and his infinite energy in the entire environment. If the chanting is done correctly with each breath and by considering Shiva within us, then a different effect can be experienced in the environment around us.


Finally, if Mahashivratri is summed up in a few words, then it is a symbol of that infinite energy, meditation and detachment which is hidden somewhere in all humans. Shiva resides inside every human being, which can be discovered by meditating on the third eye. The person who dedicates this day completely to the infinite power of the Lord and meditates, he definitely gets the benefit of that power.