Maha Shivaratri celebrations are scientific with health benefits. Worshipping Shiva on this day is believed to bestow one with happiness and prosperity. It helps our body to adjust to changing seasons. There are immense health benefits of Om Namah Shivaya chanting. Hence we have to celebrate all Shivaratri rituals correctly and enthusiastically.
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of God Shiva. There is a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the month’s 13th night/14th day in the Krishna paksha (waning Moon). But once a year in late winter (February/March, or Magha masa) and before the arrival of summer, marks Maha Shivaratri which means “the Great Night of Shiva“. Out of the 12 Shivaratris in a year, Maha Shivaratri is considered to be the most auspicious one.
Most Hindu festivals are celebrated during the day; the Mahashivaratri is celebrated at night. The Mahashivaratri is celebrated with full sincerity, strict spiritual discipline and earnest feelings, chanting prayers, fasting, and being awake all night and meditating on good virtues like Self-restraint, honesty, forgiveness and discovery of Lord Shiva. The Mahashivaratri marks a remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance”. Mahashivaratri celebrations includes:
1. Chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”
2. Fasting – an all-night fasting
3. Offering fruits, Bhel leaves, sweet and milk
4. Jaagaran – an all-night vigil and prayer
What Puranas tell about Mahashivaratri?
Puranas contain many stories and legends describing the origin of this festival and the relation with Lord Shiva.
Samudra Manthan & Shiva drinks Haalaa-Hala:
Samudra Manthan – Devathas and Asuras joined together to churn the Kshirasagara, the ocean of milk. Mount Mandara was used as churning rod and Vasuki, a Nagaraja as churning rope. Lord Vishnu supported the Mount Mandara on his back in the form of Tortoise (Kurma avatara). Devathas and Asuras joined together and placed the Mount Mandara on the back of Tortoise as churning spindle (rod) and Vasuki serpent as churning rope coiled around the mountain and started pulling back and forth of the serpent body and churning the Kshirasagara.
During churning, a pot of Haalaa-Hala (poison) emerged, the fumes of Haalaa-Hala started destroying the World, Devathas and Asuras. Devathas and Asuras could not bear the terrifying effect of Haalaa-Hala; they prayed Lord Shiva to protect them and whole World from Haalaa-Hala effect. Lord Shiva took the pot and drank the Haalaa-Hala, thus protected everyone. Goddess Parvati pressed the throat of Shiva firmly; Haalaa-Hala got stuck in throat, turning the throat to blue color.
Entire night Devathas and Asuras were anxious to know, what will happen to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was able to retain the Haalaa-Hala in throat, from that day till today; hence Shiva is also called “Neelakanta” or “Vishakanta”. This dreadful night is today’s Mahashivaratri. Hence we pray Lord Shiva on this day for protecting entire World.
According to Shiva purana, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu started fighting with each other, to prove their superiority over other. When the fight became fierce and violent Lord Shiva appeared as huge column of fire between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, awestruck by this column of fire, both decided to find one end each to prove their supremacy. Lord Vishnu took the Varaha avatar (Pig) and started digging the ground 100s of kilometer; yet he could not reach the bottom. Lord Vishnu accepted his inability to reach bottom. Lord Brahma took the form of Swan and started flying 100s of kilometer upwards, yet he also could not reach the top, but he saw Ketaki flower was slowly coming down from the top.
Lord Brahma asked the Ketaki flower “where are you coming from?” Ketaki replied, “I was offered on the top of this huge fire column, and could not bear the heat, hence I am coming down”. Lord Brahma was tired and thought to take ketaki as a witness, and told everyone that he had reached the top of the column of fire. But Lord Shiva revealed his true form and cursed Lord Brahma, “no one will ever worship you”. He also banned Ketaki flower for being used for offering during puja. It was on the 14th day of the month of Phalguna, Shiva first manifested himself in the form of a Linga. So this day is especially auspicious and is celebrated as Mahashivaratri. Worshipping Shiva on this day is believed to bestow one with happiness and prosperity.
Story of Lubdhaka:
According to one legend in the Shiva purana, Lubdhaka was poor tribal man and devotee of Lord Shiva. To collect firewood he went to forest, and he lost his way back to home. He started hearing roaring sounds of forest animals as the darkness increased. He was scared and climbed nearby tree for shelter and safety. He was afraid that he may doze and fall from tree and wild animals may kill him. He decided to stay awake till morning, hence he started Chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” and pluck one leaf from that tree and throw it down. Till morning he was chanting Om Namah Shivaya and every time, he was plucking one leaf from tree and throwing it down. Morning he climbed down of the tree, to see the tree was Bel tree; he has put 1000 Bel leaves on Shiva-Linga. Lord Shiva was pleased with Lubdhaka, for his whole night Jaagaran, chanting Om Namah Shivaya, and worshipping with Bel leaves. Shiva rewarded Lubdhaka with divine blessings. All devotees on Mahashivaratri hear this story and they also worship Shiva-Linga.
Another fascinating legend links Lord Shiva with the “Pralay“. Pralay, in Hindu mythology, means the day when “shrishti” (creation) and “Brahmaand” (the Cosmos) is destroyed by the fury of Nature. It is said that the whole world was facing destruction at one point and Goddess Parvati prayed to her husband Lord Shiva to save the “Jivas” (living souls), remaining in space, during the long period of pralaya. She also desired that the Lord bless them to be active again, if they worship him. Her prayer was granted. Parvati named the night of her wish-fulfillment as Maha-Sivaratri, or the great night of Shiva, and ordered mortals to observe this night as a time to worship Lord Shiva.
The legend of Chitrabhanu:
The king Chitrabhanu of Ikshvaku dynasty was observing fast and praying Lord Shiva along with his queen and entire kingdom. The renowned sage Ashtavakra and his pupils came on a visit to kingdom. He learns that entire kingdom, queen and king all are fasting and praying Lord Shiva. The sage Ashtavakra asked the king the reason for fasting and praying Lord Shiva. The king Chitrabhanu replied, “I have the gift of remembering the incidents of my past birth. In my past life I was hunter, catching birds and animals in forest and selling them in town. One day while catching birds, it became late night, and I started hearing roaring sounds of animals. For my safety I climbed nearby bel tree. To keep awake I started plucking bel leaves and started throwing on the Shiva-Linga, at the same time my water tumbler was leaking and water was falling directly on Shiva Linga. Morning I climbed down the tree and came to my house and sat for meals. Old man came to my doorsteps and asked for food. I gave all my food to him, the old man was pleased and showed his true form – Lord Shiva. He blessed me, for my rebirth as a ruler of this kingdom and also to remember the incidents of my past birth. Today I recall that old incident, now I want all my people to get blessings of Lord Shiva, by fasting, praying, and feeding all needy people on this holy day Maha Shivaratri”.
Maha Shivaratri is seen as the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva’s marriage to the Goddess Parvati.
Medical benefits of Mahashivaratri celebrations:
Benefits of Chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”:
A disturbed mind has a tendency to think negative, whenever some untoward incidence happens. But regular Om Namah Shivaya chanting ensures positivity, even in dire circumstances. Reasoning ability improves and helps to take right and better decisions in difficult conditions. It also helps to distinguish between right and negative people and thus choose a positive group of friends. So there are immense health benefits of Om Namah Shivaya chanting. It is very much important to practice it perfectly under the guidance of an able teacher to get good results.
1. Helps to improve Concentration,
2. Reduces stress and Anxiety,
3. Gives strength to Spinal cord,
4. Rejuvenating and Pacifying,
5. Detoxifies body,
6. Improves functioning of Heart and Digestive system,
7. Ensures sound sleep,
8. Improves functioning of Reproductive system and development of womb and fetus,
9. Improves Reasoning ability and Reduces negativity.
Fasting – an all-night fasting:
1. Controls blood sugar by reducing insulin resistance.
2. Promotes better health by fighting inflammation. Some studies have found that fasting could decrease several markers of inflammation and may be useful in treating inflammatory conditions, such as joint pains, body aches, and headaches.
3. May enhance heart health by improving blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels.
4. May boost brain function and prevent neurodegenerative disorders. Studies show that fasting could improve brain function, increase nerve cell synthesis and protect against neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and memory loss.
5. It helps in weight loss by limiting calorie intake and boosting metabolism.
6. Studies show that fasting can increase human growth hormone (HGH), which is an important protein hormone that plays a role in growth, metabolism, and weight loss and muscle strength. It could delay aging and extend longevity. Ghrelin is a hormone produced by the stomach (Hunger hormone). Ghrelin increases appetite and stimulates the release of growth hormone.
7. Animal studies have found that fasting could delay aging and increase longevity, but human research is still lacking.
8. May aid in cancer prevention and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Some animal and test-tube studies suggest that fasting could block tumor development and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
8. “The literal definition of fasting is to abstain from food and drink from a specific period of time; it’s been around for thousands of years, as spiritual fasting is a part of many religions”. Mahashivaratri fasting is for 24 hours. Those who are practicing can continue fasting. Those who want to start fasting first time, should take guidance of family physician. They should be well hydrated (drink sufficient quantity of water). In case of health issues, they can eat normal food and discontinue fasting.
9. Jaagaran – an all-night vigil and prayer: Maha Shivaratri is celebrated when winter pass across spring. The humans have to adjust the body physiology as they are easily influenced to lung and respiratory infections. Staying awake on the whole night and reciting powerful Vedic mantras will help in charging with the infrared energies which acts as a medicine for the seasonal changes.
Bhel leaves:
The bhel tree appears in Shri Shuktam of Rig Veda, which revers this plant as the residence of goddess Lakshmi. Bhel trees are usually seen near and inside Shiva temples. The bhel leaves are “Trifoliate” means they are arranged in 3s. Traditional Hindus believe that, each leaf represents Tridevas – Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. Bhel leaves contain chemical compounds, Furocoumarins, Flavonoids. The bilva leaves are the preventive medicine for respiratory diseases and cardiac problems. By inhaling the smell we are connected to aroma therapy. Bhel tree is popularly called as wood apple, golden apple, and botanical name is “Aegle Marmelos”.
Dr K Hanumanthayya, Bengaluru
