A funny take on....Page 4 SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Marriage Vs Spirituality...Page 3 WHAT TO DO ON MAHASHIVRATRI? Mahashivratri is the day to honor and celebrate - honor life and celebrate existence. Most people spend MAHASHIVRATRI the day of Mahashivratri in prayer, meditation and cele- bration. Here are a few activities you could participate in: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar FAST "Every Mahashivratri is meant to wake up every particle of Fasting detoxifies the body and curtails the restlessness of the mind. A mind that is not restless slips into medita- your body. The festival is a wake-up call to move away from tion easily. Therefore, fasting on Mahashivratri serves to conflicts and move towards truth, beauty, peace, and detoxify the body and aid meditation. It is recommend- ed to fast with fruits or easily digestible food. Know all benevolence - the ethereal qualities of Shiva." Mahashivratri fasting guidelines. Mahashivratri is a festival that honors Lord Shiva. Devotees of Lord Shiva stay awake MEDITATE all night on this auspicious night of Shivratri. They perform poojas, meditate and chant The constellations on the night of Mahashivratri are in a Vedic mantras. These sacred practices bestow a sense of peace and oneness within us position considered very auspicious for meditation, and and with the world. so, it is very useful for people to keep awake and medi- Shiva is not a person, but the very energy on which the entire creation rests. This tate on Shivaratri. energy pervades the entire universe and is present within every living being. This ener- In ancient times, people used to say, 'If you cannot med- gy is called the Shiva Tattva. itate every day, do so at least one day in a year, on MEANING OF MAHASHIVRATRI Shivratri day; keep awake and do meditation'. Ratri means 'night' and also 'to take refuge.' Shivratri is the night we take refuge in Wake the Divinity that is deep within you - this is the our spirit i.e., Shiva. It is the time to celebrate the soul or consciousness within. During message. The Divinity is within you, let it wake up! Shivratri, we take refuge in the divine consciousness. There are two ways to do this: med- CHANT 'OM NAMAH SHIVAYA' itation and surrender. Surrender is having the faith that there is a Divine power that is 'Om Namah Shivaya' is the perfect mantra to chant on taking care of us. Meditation and surrender bring peace and solace to us. Mahashivratri as it immediately elevates your energy. SYMBOLISM OF LORD SHIVA 'Om' in the mantra refers to the sound of the universe. It Lord Shiva is considered the soul of everything. There is no difference between our means peace and love. The five letters, 'Na', 'Ma', 'Shi', soul and Lord Shiva. Since Lord Shiva symbolizes truth, peace, beauty, and infinity, He 'Va', 'Ya' in 'Namah Shivaya' indicate the five elements - represents the essence of our soul as well. It is what we are made of. When we worship Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Lord Shiva, we recognize these higher qualities within ourselves. 'Om Namah Shivaya' chanting harmonizes the five ele- UNDERSTANDING SHIVA TATTVA ments of the universe. When there are peace, love and har- Mahashivratri is a time to celebrate the Shiva Tattva. Spiritual seekers and devotees mony in all the five elements, then there is bliss and joy. of Lord Shiva meditate and rejoice in the Shiva energy. ATTEND MAHASHIVRATRI PUJA/RUDRA PUJA Shiva represents our soul, and Tattva is principle or truth. This is that time of year Rudra Puja or Mahashivratri Puja is a special ceremony when we rest in the truth or principle of our soul. It means we are seeking the higher performed to honor Shiva. It involves singing of special truths of life that are lying within us. It is believed that Mahashivratri is a time of deep rest for the body, mind, and ego. A Vedic mantras accompanied by certain rituals. Rudra deep rest that awakens a devotee to the highest knowledge of the Shiva Tattva. Puja brings positivity and purity to the environment and transforms negative emotions. Participating in the Puja MAHASHIVRATRI & MEDITATION and listening to the chants helps the mind slip into med- According to Indian astrology, there are certain days and time frames in a year that itation effortlessly. are conducive to spiritual growth and meditation. Mahashivaratri is one such day. Meditate to the chants of the auspicious Mahashivratri If you meditate on shivaratri then the power of meditation is 100 times more, it is Puja at The Art of Living International Center, said like that. At least do it on that day, its okay if you don't do it on other days, at least Bengaluru. wishes. Shivaratri is a rest which is so deep. When the mind rests with the Divine, that do it one day. It's said for the sake of saying. So that which is always (nitya) and which WORSHIP THE SHIVALINGA is (shashwat), that is shiva tattva. It's said beautiful in that shloka: is the real rest, only in the Divine lap. Any meditation we do on this day has a manifold effect, for this is the day when spirit touches the earth. Meditation gives access to some- The Shivalinga is a symbolic representation of the form- Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the less Shiva. Worshipping the Shivalinga includes offering lord of awakening. Shiva Tatva means to be awakened. Shivratri is thus an occasion to thing beyond the scope of the mind and intellect. There is a point during meditation when we experience space: a space of nothingness and love. This experience takes us to 'Bel Patra' (leaves of the bel tree) to it. Offering 'Bel Patra' awaken one's self from all sorts of slumber. Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One represents offering three aspects of your being - rajas should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have the fourth level of consciousness that is also called Shiva. (the aspect of you that is responsible for activity), tamas and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also SHIVRATRI FOR A SPIRITUAL SEEKER (the aspect of you that brings inertia) and sattva (the for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri. Mahashivratri is the day when the Shiva Tattva is believed to come in contact with For the pious, the following method of Shiva worship is advisable - sit down in lotus the earth. It is believed that our consciousness or aura is, generally, ten inches above the aspect of you that brings positivity, peace, and creativi- posture, do some Pranayam to stabilize your breath, and then indulge in Dhyana, fol- material ground. On this day, this consciousness descends and touches the earth ele- ty). These three aspects affect your mind and actions. lowed by chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya". It is the greatest mantra and the devout ment. It is a good time for our inner consciousness to come alive within our body. That Surrendering the three to the Divine brings peace and should drown himself in its Kirtan. Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a devotee's is why Mahashivratri is celebrated - it is the wedding of the material with the spiritual. freedom. MELA A socio-religious event Dr. Banarsi Lal and Dr. Pawan Sharma chamber is low and small; at one spot it divides itself into two parts. One of these is believed to have led to Kashmir where district of and Kashmir is an Swami Amarnath cave is located. It is now closed as it is said abode of various religious shrines such as that some saints who went ahead never returned back. In order to reach the sanctum sanctorum, one has to keep low Mata , Shiv Khori, Baba Jitto, and adjust the body according to the shape of cave. Natural Dera Baba Banda Bahadur, Baba Dhansar, image of Lord Shiva is visible inside the cave. This holy cave has a number of other natural objects which resemble God- Nau Devian etc. Shiv Khori is one of the dess , Ganesha and Nandigan. The cave roof is etched most important shrines in of with snake formations and the water trickles through these J&K and is visited by thousands of pilgrims formations on Shiv Lingam. Pigeons are also seen here like Swami Amarnath cave which also creates interest among the across the nation every year. devotees. This holy shrine is situated in Ransoo village of Pouni block There are different stories about the discovery of this holy in Reasi district which is about 45 Kms away from Reasi town. cave. It is said that a demon named Bhasmasur worshipped The shrine is surrounded by green luscious hills and is about the Lord Shiva for a long time and was blessed to end the life 3.5 kms away from Ransoo village. This shrine has its own of anybody with those blessings . But he ultimately also tried significance, charm and attraction. This shrine is about 80 to end the Lord Shiva. It is said the Lord Shiva ran to save himself from the fear of the demon and entered this cave kms from religious spot Katra and most of the pilgrims who which is known as Shiv Khori shrine. After that Lord Vishnu pay homage to Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine also visit this shrine. in the guise of Mohini asked the demon to dance with her From Reasi town one can easily reach this spot by bus or by car which directly goes to Ransoo village, the base camp of this religious spot. One can also reach this religious spot from Jam- mu via Akhnoor to Bhambla. Track from Ransoo village to The festival signifies the Shiv Khori shrine is mountainous. One can hire the pony or palki to go up to the shrine from Ransoo village. This place is convergence of Shiva and Inner Sanction Sanctorum of Shiv Khori. (Karandeep Singh) a source of attraction for the pilgrims from across the nation. Shakti as the festival marks The Shiv Khori Mela is an important annual congregation of worshipping the Lord Shiva. The saints asked him to make a grims especially during the Maha Shivratri Mela, recently pilgrims who assemble at this spot to seek the blessings of commitment not to disclose the matter about the cave to any- Shrine Board has constructed an exit tunnel. The Shiv Khori the marriage of Lord Shiva with Mela witnesses great hustle and bustle during the three-day Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. During the mela the pilgrims body. Despite their instructions the shepherd disclosed the festival as pilgrims' families and various groups belonging to perform the Shivalinga worship and the whole atmosphere in matter to a number of other people and after that the shep- Goddess Parvati. Devotees herd died. It is believed that a number of saints have been diverse communities and from different parts of the country and around the temples vibrate with the sound of bells and closely associated with this holy cave, who had meditated assemble there to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Devotees chants of Jai Shiv Shanker. Devotees also have holy bath in across the nation pay obeisance decades inside this cave for spiritual attainment. With pas- from across the nation enjoy the unique place of spirituality. the river Devak to purify themselves. sage of time this holy cave has gained popularity among the A large number of kiosks of eatables are available there and Shiv Khori signifies the Lord Shiva cave. Shiv Khori Mela at this cave of Shiv Khori. people. Presently the people from each nook and corner of the merchants display their wares for sale, which include from is organized every year on the occasion of Maha Shivratri country visit this holy shrine and their numbering is increas- trinkets to new popular electronics gadgets. Most of the stalls with full zeal. This year this revered event is being organised ing year after year. of eatables especially Jalebi and Pakoras, which is a specialty from of March 3-Mar 5, 2019. Every year thousands of devo- according to her tune. But when the demon started dancing It is estimated that around 30 percent of devotees from of the mela, are being run by local people. tees visit this spot from every nook and corner of the country as per the direction of Mohini, the demon took his hand at his within the state and 70 percent devotees from out of the state This event also presents a source of entertainment and edu- to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. Main cave is about 3.5 Kms head and he himself was destroyed. It is said that 33 crores of the country visit the shrine every year. The Shrine Board cation for the devotees. Department of Agriculture along with away from Ransoo village. This village is decorated well in deities live in this holy cave in the shape of pindis and natu- has constructed a Guest House at village Ransoo near the the other allied depatments create awareness among the peo- advance to create a pleasant look during the event and best ral milky water trickles down on them from the top of the cave. shrine, a reception centre and a pony shed, tiled 3-km long ple with the employment and income generating schemes and efforts are made by the district administration to conduct the Six mouthed Seshnaga and three pronged lance depicting the trident of Lord Shiva are also seen on the roof of the cave. The track, plantation of ornamental and medicinal plants on track, programmes. Devotees of Lord Shiva forget their caste, creed event. The district administration provides the required facil- charming parks etc. The cave has modern electrification sys- main portion of the cave roof has round cutting mark which and language and share their experience of faith with full devo- ities to the devotees throughout the event and also to make it tem, facilities of oxygen and electric generators exhaust fans, signifies the construction of cave by Sudarshan Chakra of Lord tion. Sanitation, safe drinking water, medical services, trans- more popular. The festival signifies the convergence of Shiva well structured shelter sheds for the pilgrims, toilet and bath- Vishnu. According to the sources, there is also a cave which port facility, un-interrupted power supply, adequate provision and Shakti as the festival marks the marriage of Lord Shiva room facilities, water reservoir, proper sanitation, high pow- directly goes to Amarnathji. of essential commodities, security, fire services, accommoda- with Goddess Parvati. Devotees across the nation pay obei- ered electric transformer, clock room, police security for the tion facilities, ration and other commodities etc. are provided sance at this cave of Shiv Khori. This cave has natural Shiv It is also said that Shiv Khori cave was discovered by a Mus- pilgrims and a modern dispensary. Different programmes to the pilgrims by the district administration. The event is Lingum. This cave is 200 metres long; one metre wide and two lim shepherd who was in search of his missing goat and by such as Dangal, cultural programmes, Shoba Yatra, display of to three metres in height. Around 300 devotees can be assem- chance went inside the cave to find his goat. He was aston- exhibitions by the different departments etc. are also organ- highlighted through print and electronic media well in bled at a time at the entrance of the cave while the inner cham- ished by seeing a number of saints inside the cave, who were ised during the programme. advance so that more and more devotees can visit the spot. ber of the cave is small. The passage from outer to the inner impressed by Lord Shiva's divine power and he also started In order to reduce the overcrowding problem of the pil- Shiv Khori Mela is a major socio-religious event in the region.