Shiva, Shakti & You : The Divine Symbolism of MahaShivratri for the Mortals

The Life Force is a river flowing across Multiple Universes or Multiverse. Each Universe is branched into multiple galaxies & further solar systems which are governed by a systematic structure of reverberating matter. In Sanatan Dharma, this entire cosmos is denoted as Shiva; The one who dances on the rhythm of Life & Death, the one who is Swayambhoo (Self-Manifested ). Shiva the Infinite, Shiva the Shoonya (Nothingness).

Shiva is represented in multiple forms, each created to govern different forms of existence. The ParamShiva is the ultimate formless Light, the one who has created every mere existence via Shakti. Shakti is the creation of Shiva from within, she is the divine other half. It is said that without Shakti, Shiva becomes Shava (corpse). She is Prana (life) within him. She flows within the ever still, intoxicated and conscious Shiva.

He is the master of time, non-linear and oblivious; the past, the present and future whilst Shakti is the energy existing in those time periods in the form of Maya (desires), Karma and Mukti (Detachment).

He thus creates & collides in this apocalyptical creation called Life.

Every form of worshipping associated with Shiva is directed towards Moksha (Liberation). It is the Aatman (Soul) gripping the Mind, routing the Shakti towards the Divine. This liberation can be disconnecting from a phase of life, perhaps an old Self or the very existence itself. Consider it as shedding the old skin and rejuvenating with New enlightened Self.

Mahashivratri is thus a symbolism & an annual astronomical phase associated with the same.

Why is Mahashivratri celebrated annually?

The Hindu calendar is Luni-Solar, focusing both on the phases of Sun and Moon. Shivratri is celebrated every 14th of each month based on Lunar phases whereas MahaShivratri is celebrated during a transition of both Sun and the Moon. The Sun shifts every six months (Ayanas). During Uttarayan , the Sun moves North from Capricorn to Gemini. This phase comprises the period of positivity and enlightenment. During Dakshyana, the Sun moves South marking the onset of rain and cold, a period of receptivity.

On Mahashivratri, The Sun is in Uttarayan, traveling to Aquarius along with the Moon. The alignment as such bestows a great pull of energy which cleanses one’s Auric field and Chakras (Energy points).

Mahashivratri falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Phalgun, which is the last month of Hindu Calendar, and the very commencement of Spring . It is associated with death, destruction, cleansing, penance and moksha. No auspicious or creative work must be done this day as the energy within you would not cater it efficiently.

Mahashivratri signifies the day of channelizing your entire energy towards seeking forgiveness for the vices by surrendering oneself to the Divine. Consider it as the Night of Redemption before the commencement of a new journey along with the Mother Nature.

Tantra on Mahashivratri

The lower three chakras of body (Mooladhar, Swadishthan, Manipura)grounds you to Earth (worldly affairs), and the top three (Vishudi, Ajnan and Sahastrar) pulls you away from the same. It is the Anahata chakra (Heart Chakra) which balances the both.

Your manifestation according to the present Karmic journey and its requirements, be it grounding, healing, guidance or detachment, shall affect the upsurge and flow of Shakti within your Kundalini.

One creates the body empty enough to use the entire energy directed towards the ultimate Goal of Liberation through fasting, mantra chanting and meditation. One makes offering to Shiva signifying detachment from the elements of Maya catering our 5 senses; taste, smell, vision touch & sound through food, incense sticks, flowers, light, & bells.

Mahashivratri also signifies the inner union of Shiva & Shakti representing the individual elements of Divine Feminine & Masculine within each into One, through awakening of higher consciousness.

The Mantra & its Meaning

On this day, people strive to become inwards, disconnecting onself from the worldly needs and desires which are the sole reasons for making humankind weak, thus pushing it towards abyss.

What is fed to the body & mind is chanting the Mantra ‘Aum Namah Shivay’.

Breaking down the Mantra AUM NAMAH SHIVAY:

AUM: AUM is collectively made from three sounds, A-U-M, each signifying the core reverberations of energy which flows within everything in creation. The very chant of Aum in meditative state helps in detachment from Maya (worldly desires) . It is also signifies the Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh, who collectively worship Shakti and seek Moksha from her Maya.

Namah: Salutation. It also signifies the united forces of Param Shiva & Adi-Shakti (The union of Divine Masculine & Feminine Forces within Each being)

Shivay: Shiva, Infinite, Shoonya, Moksha

Together it means, ‘We surrender ourselves in salutation to you Oh Shiva, with every fragment of our energy united into one,

Offering each bit of us to thy feet, seeking guidance and strength to seek penance for our bad karma, to reach You, so as to attain You through Moksha.’

Mahashivratri isn’t celebrated to manifest materialism; rather it seeks for detachment from the same. People empty themselves and pray to Shiva & Shakti in order to liberate them from their bad karma and push them closer towards the ultimate state of bliss in Nothingness.

It is considered as the night of seeking the Divine by turning yourself into One through realization and enlightenment.

Literature References:

Garudpuran
Mahashivpuran
Shiva Shakti Sutra

http://isatsang.blogspot.com/2016/01/significance-of-ayanas-dakshinayana-and.html

Researched and written by Kritika Pathak Mishra.

Kritika is a professional psychologist , counsellor , and clinical hypnotherapist , you can reach out to her on.

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