MAHA SHIVRATRI – THE ECSTATIC NIGHT OF SHIVA
Maha Shivaratri literally means ‘The Great Night of Shiva”. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in the Hindu month of Phalguna on the 13th lunar night (Trayodashi) transiting to the 14th lunar night (Chaturdasi). On this night, the Sun is in the Aquarius sign while Moon is in the Capricorn sign. The planetary positions are aligned in such a pattern on this auspicious night that it naturally invokes an upsurge of energy in the human structure. Being awake the whole night and meditating on Shiva’s name rejuvenates the devotees – physically, mentally and spiritually. Maha Shivaratri is observed the night before Amavasya i.e. the New Moon. Moon represents the Mind; this Mind keeps attracting and distracting us in different directions. On the 14th lunar night when the Moon’s Energy has its least effect on the Mind, it is an appropriate time to direct our energies inwards. This inward journey quietens and calms the mind and helps us connect to the ‘Shiva Tattva’ – the element of Shiva within us. Shiva is the very energy that administers and regulates the entire creation – within and without us. Maha Shivaratri is a celebration of spiritual significance and a cultural and cosmic event deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and tradition. Legend has it that on this auspicious night, Lord Shiva performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation, and destruction, known as the Tandava Nritya. This divine dance symbolizes the cosmic cycles of life, death, and rebirth, highlighting the eternal rhythm of the universe. The Secret of remaining awake the whole night: Staying awake throughout the night symbolizes vigilance and awareness. It represents a heightened state of consciousness and mindfulness in which devotees remain fully present and engaged in their spiritual practice, whether through meditation, chanting, or prayer. This vigilance helps ward off ignorance and negative influences, allowing individuals to deepen their connection with the divine. In Hindu philosophy, the night symbolizes Tamas, one of the three Gunas or qualities of nature associated with darkness, ignorance, and inertia. By remaining awake and actively engaging in spiritual practices, devotees strive to overcome the influence of Tamas and cultivate qualities of light, knowledge, and dynamism associated with the other Gunas, namely Rajas and Sattva. According to Ayurveda, Vata imbalance is the root cause of most diseases. A person with balanced Vata is physically and mentally healthy; he is positive, active and calm. Maha Shivaratri is the night to balance the Vata in the body. The energies around us this night are most conducive to aligning the Cosmic Energy to regulate the excessive Vata. Sitting comfortably in Padmasana or Ardha-Sukhasana automatically keeps the spine erect. Performing anulom vilom pranayam – an ancient yogic breathing technique – in this pose helps balance and regulate the Vata energy in the body. Besides, this kriya also purifies the Energy Body – Sukshma Sharir and activates Higher Consciousness. Note: Do not forget to recite the Panchakshari Mantra 108 times after doing the Pranayam. Maha Shivratri Muhurat 2025: Here is the auspicious Muhurat for Maha Shivaratri – 2025 for Mumbai: Maha Shivaratri is on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Nishita Kaal Puja Time – 12:27 AM to 01:16 AM, February 27 What should you do during Maha Shivaratri? Maha Shivaratri is a very auspicious and potent night to start any Mantra Sadhna. It is also a promising time to initiate remedies for the fulfilment of desires or solving of problems. This is also a good occasion to apologize for your wrongdoings and free yourself from any guilt. Here is the list of things you can do on Maha Shivaratri: Start any health-related Mantra recitation such as Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. This is the best time of the year to start wearing Rudraksha, Pearls and silver ornaments – especially for remedial purposes. If you are already wearing a Rudraksha, please energize it on the day of Shivaratri. It will become ten times more powerful. For childless couples: For the protection of pregnancy and to get a healthy child, the wife should wear Garb Gauri Rudraksha. For early marriage: Eligible boys and girls should wear the ‘Gauri Shankar Rudraksha’ on Mahashivaratri. It is also a good time to install a Parad/Mercury Shivling (for health) or Sphatik/Crystal Shivling (for wealth and prosperity). People with weak Chandra/Moon should perform Mahashivratri Pooja or at least meditate on Lord Shiva on this night. Those troubled by malefic Shani/Saturn or Pitru/Kaal Sarpa/Manglik/ Grahan Dosha should do appropriate remedies on this day. People suffering from Kaal Sarpa Dosh should fast and light up an Akhand Diya (Eternal Lamp) followed by Rudrabhishek. Shiv Aradhana or Shiva Meditation is the most effective and powerful remedy to calm down Rahu and Ketu. A very good remedy for Ketu is the reciting of Shiva Panchakshari Stotra: Na-Ma-Si-Va-Ya. You can read and contemplate on scriptures related to Lord Shiva, such as the Shiva Purana, Linga Purana and Rudram Chamakam, to deepen your understanding and connection with His divine attributes and teachings. You can perform Rudrabhishekam, a special ritual where Lord Shiva’s lingam or idol is bathed with various sacred items like water, milk, yoghurt, honey and ghee while chanting Vedic hymns and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva. SHIV MANTRAS & THEIR BENEFITS: Basic Shiva Mantra: A very powerful Mantra that enhances your abilities and raises the intellect to the optimum levels. Panchakshara Stotra: The ‘Panchakshara’ literally means “five letters” in Sanskrit and refers to the five holy letters Na, Ma, Śi, Vā and Ya. The human body is made up of five elements and these five letters represent these elements. Na – Prithvi
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SHRAVANA MAAS
Discover the essence of Shravana Maas, an auspicious month in Hinduism. Explore its deep significance, effective remedies, and empowering mantras in this blog – your one-stop guide to unravel the secrets of this sacred time.
GURU PURNIMA: THANKSGIVING TO THE DIVINE MASTERS
Explore the transformative power of Guru Purnima, diving into its profound meaning, celebrating its significance, and discovering potent remedies for spiritual growth.
INTERESTING VASTU TIPS FOR NORTH-EAST DIRECTION
VAASTU SHASTRA: Vaastu Shastra evolved during the Vedic period in India. It is a part of the Atharva Veda. Vastu Shastra is a science as well as an art. It endeavours to harness the energies of the Panch Tatwas viz the five essential elements of nature which play a vital role in architecture and designing homes and offices. The basic purpose and principle of Vaastu Shastra are to help human beings live healthy, prosperous and balanced life. VAASTU & ASTROLOGY: Undoubtedly, Vaastu is one of the important limbs of Vedic Astrology. Just as Astrology considers nine planets; so also there are nine directions in Vaastu. Each planet rules a particular direction. If you visit a Hindu temple, you will notice the idols of the navagrahas ie. the 9 planets placed facing the directions that they rule. DIRECTIONS IN VAASTU: In Vaastu, there are nine important directions: East, West, North, South, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West, and the centre, known as Brahma Sthala. Each direction has its meaning and is associated with a specific deity and element. When these five elements are in perfect harmony, life becomes balanced and harmonious. Properly aligning your living space according to Vaastu principles can bring peace, prosperity, and well-being into your life. HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT VAASTU TIPS RELATED TO THE NORTH-EAST CORNER OF THE HOUSE: JUPITER RULES THE NORTH-EAST (ईशान कोण), while SHIVA is its guardian. The northeast is the direction of Divinity; it is the most sacred corner of a house. No doubt, a Vastu-compliant Northeast Corner ensures peace, harmony and tranquillity in domestic life. It is auspicious to have the main door or main gate of the house in the Northeast direction. This is the best corner to have a personal place of worship/meditation or a small family temple. It is propitious to have big and wide windows on the North-Eastern wall. The North-East corner should be kept very neat and clean. Avoid all clutter here. Sweep the floor with salt water at least thrice a week. Ideally, the North-East corner is more suitable for children and senior citizens. Married couples should avoid their bedroom here. One can also have a study room or a living room here. Having a big hall or verandah in the northeast gives very auspicious results. Do not keep heavy articles in the North-East corner of the house nor crowd this area. This may cause your children to lose their interest in studies. It results in the restlessness of the mind Unmarried girls should not sleep in a bedroom located in the North-East corner of the house; it may delay their marriage. They may have to face health problems too. Do not construct toilets in this corner. This may result in extreme misery and misfortune. Containers or pots of drinking water and water filters should ideally be placed in the North-East corner. Keeping clay articles in this direction helps get rid of various problems. Keeping herbs or medicines in the Northeast side of the house enhances their efficacy and potency. The Northeast direction is the most sacred, so one can also have a place of worship, a puja room here. In fact, meditation, yoga or spiritual activities should be done here. To read VAASTU TIPS in the SOUTH-WEST direction, click HERE.
RUDRAKSHA – THE MIRACLE BEADS
Rudraksha has been used in India since times immemorial for its therapeutic, medicinal, astrological and spiritual significance. Rudraksha actually refers to the seed of the tree which goes by the same name. The scientific name of Rudraksha is Elaeocarpus ganitrus. There was a time when these beads were very popular in India – people of all ages, sex and groups wore them in the form of malas and bracelets. In one of the best-known research papers published by Dr. Subhas Rai of the prestigious IIT, Banaras, Dr. Rai has confirmed that Rudraksha beads have potent electromagnetic, paramagnetic and inductive properties. These very properties endow healing powers to the beads. Uniquely, there are no do’s and don’t’s for wearing a Rudraksha bead or mala. Anyone can wear them – irrespective of age, sex, religion, caste or creed. Similarly, one can wear it all the time. For safety purposes, one may remove it while sleeping (to prevent cracking) and bathing (if using chemical soaps and shampoos). Benefits of Rudraksha: Rudraksha beads provide a kind of protective cocoon to the wearer and safeguard them from various adverse circumstances and negative energies they may come across in their daily lives. For this reason, the wandering sadhus, sanyasis and travellers wear these beads. It is not only an antacid, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-gout, antioxidant but is also a muscle relaxant and anti-depressant in properties. Hence the body of a regular wearer remains free from diseases. The beads are helpful in stabilizing blood pressure. It also regulates heartbeats. It reduces headaches and is beneficial in treating mental disorders. Moreover, it is possible to control and manage Epilepsy too with the help of Rudraksha. Wearing Rudraksha on the arm also helps in preventing a paralytic attack. Tying a cord or thread containing 3 to 5 Rudraksha on the waist helps in alleviating back pain. Similarly, it also helps in calming the mind and increasing concentration. It is very useful for those who are suffering from hypertension or depression. Some particular beads have the power to revive stagnant business, acquire much-deserved promotions and bring all-around success. Wearing a Rudraksha Mala bestows one with Riddhi, psychic powers and prosperity. Moreover, the beads also reduce the adverse effects which malefic planets indicate in a horoscope. It helps to increase willpower and nurtures the mind to align itself to positivity. Besides, it calms the movement of energy in the Chakras and gives a tranquil feeling of peace. In addition, these beads confer freedom from past karmas. It opens the heart and mind to superior wisdom; thereby unravelling one’s purpose in life more clearly. Note: The Rudraksha tree is of Indonesian and Nepalese origin. It somehow found its way to India and flourished well in the hilly regions of Uttaranchal. One can visit their orchard which was developed and managed by Shri Shivdas Moolchand Khatri. This farm is situated on the Dehradun-Mussoorie road behind the Shri Prakasheshwar Temple. To read more about Rudraksha Remedies, click HERE.