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Mahashivaratri
Celebration
February 25, 2006
The Mahashivaratri Celebration began at 5:00 P. M. on
Saturday, February 25th, 2006 at Vidyapith.
Many alumni were present for the festive evening: Jyoti
Shah, Meera Rajani, Sona Mehta, Ashim Gupta, Vivek
Kocharlakota, Achyuta Adharyu, and Tilak Jani. Jyoti
and Vivek played the harmonium, while Tilak and Ashim
played tabla and pakhavaj. Sheela Krishnan offered the
puja and Tilak Jani offered the concluding Shiva Aarati.
The program for the evening was as follows: Pranam
Mantra, Shiva Manas Puja, Veda Mantra, Aartrikam, Shiva
Mahimana Stotram, Pushpanjali, Shivay Namah Om (dhoon)
led by Uncle, Prabhusmaran, Presentations, Gauranga
Ardhanga (bhajan) led by Vivek Kocharlakota, more
Presentations, Namah Shivaya (bhajan) led by Trupti
Aunty, Shiva Aarti, and concluding prayer. Ashim Gupta
had learned to play the pakhavaj while on his visit to
India, and he brought it to the Vidyapith to play during
the singing of Aratrikam, just as done at the Belur Math
during daily evening worship.
During the reading, Uncle (Dr. Mahendra Jani)
explained the meaning of the Shiva Manasa Puja and the
Shiva Mahimna Stotram. He pointed out that we can learn
many things from Shiva. First of all he is the
embodiment of renunciation. He showers wealth and
pleasures in abundance upon his devotees by his grace,
but his own lifestyle is utterly simple and bereft of
material luxuries. His meditation posture shows
complete control over his mind and union with the
absolute. Those who try to control their minds know how
difficult that task is. Arjuna in Srimad Bhagavad Gita
says, ‘O Krishna, controlling the mind is as difficult
as controlling a tornado.’ This control is not the
result of suppression of thoughts and desires, but their
sublimation. When Kamadeva, the lord of lust approached
Shiva to distract his mind, he was burnt to ashes. The
poet Pushpadanta, author of Shiva Mahimna, says that it
is not good to challenge a person who has total control
over himself , as Kamadeva did. Shiva controls his mind
and directs it to the Absolute Reality or Brahman.
Through japa, meditation, prayers, holy company, and
practicing values we must try to direct our minds to the
great Shiva residing within us. We must try to look
within ourselves in order to know our true Self. It is
an inner journey with a clear goal. We may find within
ourselves our strength as well as weaknesses. Without
being discouraged, we must use our strength to overcome
the weaknesses. Thus, by becoming pure, we can realize
Shiva residing within and then see Shiva in all beings
and serve Him by serving them. Uncle then read and
discussed the meaning of “Shiva Manasa Puja.” We must
give the best to the Lord Shiva when we worship him. We
should use the best flowers, milk, and the ingredients
of worship as people do when they receive the President
of a country or a queen. Finally, our whole life should
become the worship of Shiva; our bodies should be
temples of Shiva and our selfless actions and service to
humanity an offering to Shiva.
Another
exciting aspect of the evening was the numerous
presentations. The following students presented: Rishi
Dhar, Sailesh Doraiswami, Debanjan Saha, Alak Mehta,
Devika Gadhavi, Poonam Patel, Arvind Krishnamurthy,
Shraddha Desai, Anish Parameshwaram, Abhay Patel, Anand
Krishnamurthy, Ami Shah, Payal Patel, and Ranjani
Venkataramanan. Rishi started the presentations by
reading a letter from Lord Shiva, inviting him to the
Shivaratri celebration. Next, Sailesh told us why we
fast on Shivaratri and the meaning of Shivaratri. He
was followed by Debanjan, who told us the story of how
Lord Shiva received the name, Neelakantha. He also
explained the various adjuncts and accessories of Lord
Shiva, such as his Trishula, Damaru, Jata, and Third
Eye. Alak explained the meaning of Shivaratri and why we
celebrate it. Next, Devika told us the different ways in
which Shivaratri is celebrated in India. Poonam talked
about the meaning of Shiva’s different names and
explained the significance and symbolism of Nataraj.
Arvind narrated stories about Ravana and a hunter to
show Shiva’s love and compassion to all his devotees.
Shraddha explained the meaning of Shiva according to Adi
Shankaracharya as well as Shiva’s various attributes.
Next, Anish told us why we worship jyotirlingas,
and his experience visiting Tryambakeshwar, one of the
twelve jyotirlingas. Abhay, who talked about Shaivism
and the devotees of Shiva, followed him. Anand
elaborated on Shaivism by explaining the idea of
creation and how it is interpreted in Shaivism. Next,
Ami talked about Shiva’s control of ego and fear. She
also explained Shiva’s characteristics and his serenity
and calmness. After Ami, Payal discussed her
understanding of Shiva and also what Shiva meant to
Swami Vivekananda. She was followed by the last
presentation from Ranjani, who discussed Shiva from four
points of view – the absolute, the manifested, the
divine, and the cosmic.
The evening ended with
the Shiva Aarti, Veda Mantra, and Pranam Mantras, which
were followed by the distribution of prasad. (Report
prepared by Shraddha Desai) |
