AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 18 of 170 their fast only the next day after a nightlong worship. They take an early morning dip in one of the holy rivers and offer prayers to Surya-the sun god, Vishnu-the preserver and Shiva-the destroyer. Then they proceed to the temple with pots of water, milk and honey to bathe the Shivalinga. The linga is then anointed with milk, water and honey after which sandalwood paste is applied all over. The linga is then decorated with flowers and garlands. Shiva is considered to be a very hot-tempered god so coolants like wood-apple, bel leaves, milk and honey are offered to him. According to the Holy Scriptures like the Shivapurana, the devotees must offer six items as part of the worship. Each of these items has some significance attached to it. The cool bel leaves-purification of the soul, the vermilion paste-virtue, the fruits-longevity and gratification of desires, incense sticks-the incoming wealth, lighting of the lamp-the spread of knowledge and the betel leaves-the satisfaction of worldly pleasures. In the evening many of the worshippers drink, Thandai-a drink made of cannabis, almonds and milk. Also Panchamrata a mixture of milk, ghee, curds, sugar and honey is offered to the deity. The legends around the origin of this festival are many. One legend says that at the time of Samudra Manthan, Shiva in order to save the world from being enveloped in the deadly poison Halahala drank it. Shiva held it in his throat instead of swallowing. This is the cause for the blue colour in his neck. Shivratri celebrates this event wherein Lord Shiva saved all creation. Many devotees apart from fasting, stay awake (Jagaran) the whole night and celebrate this day of the lord when supreme wisdom dispels ignorance. There is a legend that elucidates the benefits of this nightlong worship. Long ago there was a poor tribal man who was a great devote of Lord Shiva. One day he went into a dense jungle in search of firewood. He went in so deep that he could not return home before nightfall. As the night progressed he heard the growls of wild animals and in fear climbed up a tree. In order to stay awake he decided to pluck each leaf of the tree and drop it down simultaneously chanting the name of Shiva. At dawn he realised that he had dropped down 1000 leaves of a bel tree onto a linga below. This religious fervour of the devotee pleased Shiva who rewarded him with divine bliss. Another legend says that Mahashivratri is the feast that marks the wedding of Shiva and Parvati - the divine couple. It is said that Shiva’s first wife was Sati committed suicide when her kith and kin had insulted her husband. Shiva was devastated and broken by her death and began his violent dance, the tandava. This dance was so terrifying that the earth shook and all creation trembled. Body enveloped in ashes; hair long and matted Shiva became an ascetic in the cradle of the Himalayas. The gods feared this deep silence and meditation of Shiva and decided to bring Sati back to life. Sati was the born as Parvati. With the help of Kama - the god of love Parvati persuaded this lord of dissolution into creativity thus convinced him to father creation. Hence on the day of Mahashivratri women pray for the well being of their husbands and unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva who is considered to be the ideal husband. A Real Home