While Shiva dances, His matted locks hold the sacred river Ganga – the power and the source of all movement in life, with its waters that purify mankind; and the crescent moon delicate as a new-born baby with its promise of life in all its radiance and glory.

What is perhaps most significant of all in the image is the combination of this God ascetic, the solitary One, Master of meditation, with the frenzied dance – the Yogi and the artist. A dancer becomes the being that he impersonates on the stage.

In the dance are aroused the entire energy of body, mind, intellect and soul. It is a complete surrender to God. While the body moves in a frenzy, like the world with its tumult, Shiva Himself, is undisturbed by the activity, depicting most wonderfully the mortal life and Divine Self.

 – Swami Chinmayananda (taken from the book ‘Art of God Symbolism’)

“Om Namah Shivaya!”

When we think, speak, or hear these sacred syllables, the glorious, majestic, and magnificent image of Lord Shiva enters our mind, calming us, bringing us peace, and helping us to focus on the supreme goal. Mahashivaratri is an auspicious day where the entire universe celebrates the glory of Lord Shiva. (Read about Why do we celebrate Mahashivratri?)

Shivaratri means “the Night of Shiva,” and is observed every month on the night before Amavasya (the new moon). Mahashivaratri is celebrated in the month of Kumbha (February/March).

Story of the Significance of Mahashivaratri

On the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri, a hunter was returning to his house in Varanasi after hunting in the forest. He did not know it was Shivaratri. The hunter stopped to rest on the branches of a tree, which happened to be a Bilva tree. When the hunter woke up, it was dark, and there was a Shiva Lingam under the tree.

The hunter plucked a few leaves and dropped them down. That night, dew trickled from his body towards the Lingam. Lord Shiva was pleased with these involuntary offerings from the hunter. The hunter returned home when the sun rose. In due course, the hunter passed away.

The messengers of Yama and the messengers of Shiva both rushed to the hunter, both parties with the same objective; to take the hunter to their master. After a long quarrel, Yama’s messengers were defeated and left, to narrate the story to their master. Yama appeared at Shiva’s abode.

Nandi, Shiva’s chief disciple/vehicle reminded Yama of the sacredness of Shivaratri and Lord Shiva’s love towards the hunter. Yama surrendered to Lord Shiva, and the hunter became one with the Supreme Being. Such is the power and importance of Mahashivaratri. On this auspicious day, we not only worship the saguna form of Lord Shiva, but we worship the nirguna form too, the Supreme Shivam, or auspiciousness.

Importance of Mahashivaratri

In the vedantic tradition, two qualities are very highly regarded: Jnana (knowledge) and Vairagya (dispassion). We revere those who possess these qualities. Shivaratri is important because Lord Shiva is the embodiment of these two qualities.

In other words, he does not possess these qualities, He Himself is both Jnana and Vairagya. Saffron robes wore by Sannyasis symbolize this Jnana and Vairagya. And therefore in this tradition, Sanyasa Deeksha is given on this auspicious day.

Bhagavan Tulsidasji says in Tulasi Ramayana “Bhavani Shankarau Vande Shraddha Viswasa Rupinau …”, which means he regards Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati as the embodiment of Shradha (faith) and Vishwas (belief), and without their grace, realization is not possible.

Shiva the Param Guru

This day has a special significance in yet another respect too. Lord Shiva has taken different incarnations. Two of his incarnations are as a Guru. He incarnated as Bhagavan Dakshinamurthy to impart teaching to the rishis and as Bhagavan Adi Sankaracharya to grace all of us. So, on this day, by offering our prostrations and prayers to Lord Shiva, we offer our gratitude and worship to the entire Guru-Parampara. 

On this auspicious day, let us all pray that the Lord blesses us with Jnana, Vairagya, Shraddha and Bhakti. May the Grace of entire Guru-Parampara be always upon us.

Reference: ‘Chinmaya – Tej ‘ (January/February 2015) Vol.26, No.1