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Essence of Shiva Ratri Mahima V D N ESSENCE OF SHIVA RATRI MAHIMA V D N RAO 1 Compiled, composed and interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, now at Chennai. Other Scripts by the same Author: Essence of Puranas:-Maha Bhagavata, Vishnu Essence of Virat Parva of Maha Bharata- Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Kurma Essence of Bharat Yatra Smriti Purana, Vamana Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana; Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Essence of Brahma Sutras Purana, Markandeya Purana, Devi Essence of Sankhya Parijnaana- Also Essence Bhagavata;Brahma Purana, Brahma Vaivarta of Knowledge of Numbers Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Nilamata Purana; Shri Kamakshi Vilasa Essence of Narada Charitra; Essence Neeti Chandrika-Essence of Hindu Festivals and Dwadasha Divya Sahasranaama: a) Devi Austerities Chaturvidha Sahasra naama: Lakshmi, Lalitha, Saraswati, Gayatri; b) Chaturvidha Shiva Essence of Manu Smriti- Quintessence of Manu Sahasra naama-Linga-Shiva-Brahma Puranas Smriti- and Maha Bhagavata; c) Trividha Vishnu and Yugala Radha-Krishna Sahasra naama-Padma- Essence of Paramartha Saara; Essence of Skanda-Maha Bharata and Narada Purana. Pratyaksha Bhaskra; Stotra Kavacha- A Shield of Prayers -Purana Essence of Maha Narayanopashid; Essence of Saaraamsha; Select Stories from Puranas Maitri Upanishad Essence of Dharma Sindhu - Dharma Bindu - Essence of Vidya-Vigjnaana-Vaak Devi; Shiva Sahasra Lingarchana-Essence of Essence of Bhagya -Bhogya-Yogyata Lakshmi Paraashara Smriti- Essence of Pradhana Tirtha Essence of Soundarya Lahari- Essence of Mahima Popular Stotras- Essence of Pancha Maha Essence of Upanishads : Brihadaranyaka , Bhutas Katha, Tittiriya, Isha, Svetashwara of Yajur Essence of Pratyaksha Chandra- Veda-Chhandogya and Kena of Saama Veda- Atreya and Kausheetaki of Rig Veda-Mundaka, Essence of Taittireeya Aranyaka- Quintessence Mandukya and Prashna of Atharva Veda ; Also of Soundarya Lahari- Essence of Gayatri ‘Upanishad Saaraamsa’ (Quintessence of Upanishads) Essence of Ganesha Mahima Essence of Shiva Ratri Mahima All the above Scriptures already released on www. Kamakoti. Org/news as also on Google by the respective references. 2 Preface Karacharana kritam vaakkaayajam karmajamvaa shravana nayanajam vaa maanasamvaa apraraatham sarvametat kshamasvaa jaya jaya karunaabhdhe Shri Mahadeva Shambho! The expression ‘Bahyaantara shuchi’ is all comprehensive as it is not merely physical cleanliness but by far the more significant is the ‘Indriya Nigrah’and ‘Maanasika Shubhrata’ the ‘Antassuchi’ of overcoming kaama-krodha-lobha-moha-mada- matsaraas, the enemies within which ever- haunt not only humanity but even Deva-Devis become preys to. This was why Parashara Maharshi prescribed a ‘medicine’ as follows: Shatkarmaabhirou nityam Devaatithi pujakah, Huta sheshaantu bhungagno Brahmano naavaseedati/ Sandhyaa snaanam japo homo Devataanamcha pujanam, Vishwa Devaatithi yaamcha shatkarmaani diney diney/( The six duties are specified as Sandhya Vandana, atleast twice a day, Snaana that precedes ‘Bahyaantara Shuchi’ or Cleanliness of the body and mind, Japa, Homa, Devaarchana or Deva Puja, Atithi Seva or paying respects and attention to the guests who are already familiar or unknown especially the unknown. On waking up at Brahma Muhurta or four ghadias before Sun Rise, Devata Smrarana; prathama darshana of Shrotrias, cows, Agni, and avoidance of sinners, digambaras, and beggars; Ablutions with yagnopa -veeta worn around the left ear; praatah snaana as bathing in the morning absolves the evil effects of bad thoughts, deeds and dreams in the bed; recitals of Jala devata/ Aaruna mantras in the course of the bathing; pratah snaanantara Deva Rishi Pitru Tarpana; Vastra dharana; and Vibhudi-Gandha-Kumkuma dharana on the forehead.’ But this prescription of Parashara is a bitter pill and is infringed day in and day out. At the same time, some persons even in this Kaliyuga Prathama Paada, make honest efforts and this precisely how Margadarshis are never tired of ‘Prachaara’ in their own paths of virtue versus vice. These are beacon lights flashed in the background of total darkness! One such flash is about ‘Shiva Raatri Jaagarana’ with whatsoever blessing is collected in the huge heap of what one’s own ‘praarabdha’, like a radiant diamond. To Kanchi Paramaacharya, one such of the torch bearers leading us the path, we are indebted indeed. I am personally obliged to HH Vijayendra Saraswati for his unfailing guidance and constant encouragement. VDN Rao Chennai 3 Contents Preface 3 Introduction 5 Maha Shiva Raatri Jagarana Maha Phala - Chatur Yaama Puja Vidhana Observance of Maha Shiva Ratri Vrata yields Iham-Param 7 Shiva Mantra, Shiva Ratri, Shiva Puja, Shiva Pradosha Vrata and Shiva Kavacha 8 The famed ‘Shata Rudreeyam’ 12 Pancha Mukha Shiva- Ashta Shiva Murtis-Dasha Shakti Rupas- Ekaasasha Rudras 14 Shiva as a Column of Fire- Shiva Lingodbhava- Haalaahala Neela kantha 18 Preface to ‘Lingaarchana’,‘Pancha Yagna’and ‘Lingaarchana Vidhana’ (Trayambika Mantra) 23 Origin of Shiva Linga, Aatithya, Paativratya, Bhakti and Bhasma , ‘Apara Stuti’ 24 Pashupata Yoga, Vividha Lingas, Murti Pratishtha, Shivalayaas and Archana Vidhi 28 Shiva Bhakti, Shiva Shakti, Shiva Tatwa and Shiva Tandava 31 Unfolding of Ishwara ‘Vibhutis’ (faculties) and concepts of Pashu-Paasha-Pashupati 33 ‘Shiva Lingodbhavana’ ( The origin of Shiva Linga) and its worship 34 Dwaadasha Jyotir Lingas 35 Prasiddha Shiva Lingas 48 Ashtottara Shata Shiva Kshetras 51 Shri Shiva’s Ashta Murtis 52 Namaka Paaraayana 53 Chamaka Parayana 58 Shvetaashvatara Upanishad 61 a)TheTruth of the Truth, the paramount Truth, b) Delineation of Truth-desperation facing death c) A profile of ‘ Virat Purusha’ the Cosmic Being is unsurpassed-d) Rudra, the ‘Pashupati naadha’, subtly hidden in the Inner Self of all Beings - e) Rudra, the ‘Pashupati naadha’, subtly hidden in the Inner Self of all Beings Shri Shiva Sahasra Naama Stotra -Linga Purana 67 Shri Shiva Sahasra Naama Stotra - Shiva Purana 91 Shri Shiva Sahasra Naama Stotra- Brahma Purana 105 4 ESSENCE OF SHIVA RATRI MAHATMYA Prathamastu Maha Devo Dwiteeyastu Maheshwarah,Triteeyah Shankaro jneyaschaturdho Vrishabhadwajah/ Panchamah Krittivaasaascha Shashthah Kaamanga nashanah, Saptamo Deva Deveshah Shri Kanthyaschaashtamuh Smritah/Ishwaro Navamojneyo Dashamah Parvatipatih,Rudra Ekaaashaschaiva Dwadashah Shiva Uchyatey/ Dwadashaitaani Naamaani Thri Sandhyam yah pathennarah, Kritaghnaschaiva Goghnaschya Brahmahaa Gurualpagah/ Stree Baala ghatukaschaiva Suraapo Vrishalipatih,Muchyatey Sarva Paapebhyo Rudra Lokam sa gacchati/ (Skaanda Purana) Introduction: Austerity indeed is a fundamental trait of humanity. Observance of Maha Shiva Raatri by a significant section of Hindu Society, especially of Shiva bhaktas, has been a part of Austerities with no consideration of age, sex, creed. The following pages seek to detail some of the salient features as per age old Hindu Scriptures in reference to the purpose , procedure and the ‘parama phala’. Maha Shiva Raatri Jagarana Maha Phala - Chatur Yaama Puja Vidhana Shiva Raatri is a climax of Maagha Maasa popular for Maagha Snaanas as also Vasanta Panchami, Ratha Saptami, ; this is the climax of the Shukla Paksha on conclusion of these snanaas duting which the Shiv Raatri has to extend into the Nisheeha or mid- night, that is two ghadiyaas past the fourteen ghadiyas therebefore; of such time extension occurs then Shiva Raatri is reckoned as on the following day or therewise on the preceding day. This significant day coinciding with Sun Day or Tuesday attains added Shiva Yoga. A person intending to implement the Shiva Raatri Vrata needs to observe ‘Ekabhukta’or single meal on the Trayodashi and having done the Nitya karmaas in the morning of Chaturdashi and recite a Mantra Purvaka Sankalpa: Shva Raatri Vratam hyetat karishyehum Mahaa Phalam, Nirvighnam kuru Devaatratwat prasaadaa Jagatpatey/ Chaturda-shyaam niraahaaro bhutwaa Shambho parehani, Bhaksheyham Bhuki Muktyartham Sharanam my Bhaveshwara! (Jagadeshwara! This is my resolve to perform the most propitious Shiva Raatri Vrata and pray that with your grace the Vrata be completed without any kind of obstacles! I further resolve that on shall keep up fast on Chaturdashi and conclude it next forenoon only after the completion of of the formalities. Do bless me to achieve fulfillment!). Then the Vrata Karta should take Tila Snaana again, keep ‘Tripundra Bhasma’ on the forehead and Rudraaksha Maalaas, enter Shivaalaya /Pujaa Griha at the Pradosha Time, be seated as ‘Uttaraabhimukha’, after ‘Aachamana’ and Sankalpa with Shiva preetyartham Shiva Raatrou Shiva Pujaam karishye and initiate the Puja: Yaama Pujas: The Text of the Puja is: Asya Shri Shiva Panchaakshari Maha Mantrasya, Vaama Deva Rishih, Anushthup chhandaha Shri Sadaa Shivo Devataa, Nyaasey Pujaney Japey viniyogah, Vaama Devaaya Rishiye namah, Shirasi Anushthupcchandasey namah; Mukhey Shreem Sadaa Shiva Devataayai namah, Hridi Om Nam Tatpurushaaya namah, Hridaye Om Nam Aghoraaya,Paadayoh Om shim Sadyojaataaya namah, Guhye Om Vaam Vaama Devaaya namah, Murdhini Om yam Ishaayaaya namah, Mukhey Om Om Hridayaaya namah, Om Nam Shirase swaaha, Om mam Shikhaayai vashat, Om shim Kavachaaya hum, OmVaam Netratrayaaya voushat, Om Astraaya phat/ This was how ‘Nyaasa’ was done, then perform Kalasha Puja and take to Dhyaana: Dhyaaye nityam Mahesham Rajata giri nibham chaaru Chandraavatamsam, Ratnaakalpojjvalaangam Oparashu Mrigahraabheeti hastam prasannam/
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