Topic: Maha Shivratri: The Night of Shiva

[Nichi]

Maha Shivratri: The Night of Shiva
Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide
http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/mahashivratri.htm?nl=1

Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the night when he is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only.
(In 2010, Feb. 12.)

Origin of Shivratri:

According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known as 'Nilkantha', the blue-throated one. Shivratri celebrates this event by which Shiva saved the world.

A Festival Significant for Women :

Shivratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and Durga. But generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or she reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Shiva Rituals:

On the day of Shivratri, a three-tiered platform is built around a fire. The topmost plank represents 'swargaloka' (heaven), the middle one 'antarikshaloka' (space) and the bottom one 'bhuloka' (earth). Eleven 'kalash' or urns, are kept on the 'swargaloka' plank symbolizing the 11 manifestations of the 'Rudra' or destructive Shiva. These are decorated with the leaves of 'bilva' or 'bael' (Aegle marmelos) and mango atop a coconut representing the head of Shiva. The uncut shank of the coconut symbolizes his tangled hair and the three spots on the fruit Shiva's three eyes.

Bathing the Phallus:

The phallus symbol representing Shiva is called the lingam. It is usually made of granite, soapstone, quartz, marble or metal, and has a 'yoni' or vagina as its base representing the union of organs. Devotees circumambulate the lingam and worship it throughout the night. It is bathed every three hours with the 5 sacred offerings of a cow, called the 'panchagavya' - milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung. Then the 5 foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar are placed before the lingam. Datura fruit and flower, though poisonous, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered to him.

"Om Namah Shivaya!":

All through the day the devotees keep severe fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra "Om Namah Shivaya", make offerings of flowers and incense to the Lord amidst ringing of temple bells. They maintain long vigils during the night, keeping awake to listen to stories, hymns and songs. The fast is broken only the next morning, after the nightlong worship. In Kashmir, the festival is held for 15 days. The 13th day is observed as a day of fast followed by a family feast.

[Michael]

In Shavite tradition, those who remain awake all night in meditation, will receive moksha from Shiva by morning.

[Ke-ke wan]

[Michael]

In case you haven't been watching, Shivratri has coincided with the release of My Name is Khan in India. This has been the subject of huge anger and controversy especially in Mumbai.

To summarise - SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) and the much loved Kajol star in this film about a Muslim man and a Hindu woman falling in love. So we are in for trouble from the start. Plus SRK's name is Khan. In the film, Khan is falsely accused of being a terrorist.

First sign of trouble is when he gets bad treatment in a US airport, while in the US on this film's business. He is detained due to his name under the new terrorist-alert regulations - basically that was about type-casting, plus the fact his baggage got lost on the flight.

Then during the IPL (Indian Premier League cricket competition) team selection, SRK who part owns the Kolkata Knights, made a comment that denying Pakistan cricketers a chance in the team selections for the IPL was unfortunate. Although his team didn't select any of them, he still said they should have been given a place, seeing as many of them were some of the best cricketers in the world.

This caused outrage from the Shiv Sena, who are very powerful in Mumbai. They formed one of the main groups that made up the BJP political party. They started an outcry against SRK for being a traitor, and told him to go back to Pakistan. SRK is Muslim by religion, but actually born in Delhi.

This led to a huge furore in Mumbai and the leaders of the Shiv Sena then said they would not allow My Name is Khan (MNIK) to be released (on Friday - same day as Shivratri, a public holiday in India). In the last few days thousands of Sainiks (Shiv Sena people) have been arrested, as this has developed into a political battle between the current government and the Shiv Sena.

SRK has been tweeting and sending messages - saying he won't back down from his remarks, and that he doesn't want any trouble, is sorry for so much misunderstanding - etc etc.

So yesterday, despite the huge security arrangements, most cinemas decided not to show the film - being to dangerous. It looked like a win for the Sainiks. But today, on the day itself, they finally opened the doors in the afternoon and were flooded by movie-goers wanting to see the film.

It is now being hailed as a win by SRK against the Shiv Sena. Plus a win for the public of Mumbai who are fed up with the Shiv Sena and their violent racist campaign.

I think it' also a win for Shiva.