Mahashivaratri on Tuesday - rare combination

In Indian culture every lunar day carries some importance. For example fourteenth day of Krishna paksha of every lunar month is called shivaratri.  In one lunar year there are 12 shivaratri. Out of all these 12 shivaratris, one that occurs in the month of Maagh is considered very special and is called Mahashivaratri – the great night of Lord Shiva.

Additionally, as per Shripad Shrivallabh Charitamrut, Mahashivaratri that falls on Tuesday is considered as very auspicious.

Lord Shiva is considered as a god who destroys. What does he destroy? He destroys the effects of great sins of his devotees, the effects that otherwise can become the cause of suffering.

In general one should worship Lord Shiva on every day. However if it is not possible, at least on Mahashivaratri it is recommended that one should worship Lord Shiva by chanting his holy name while keeping vigil throughout the night. By doing this it is believed that one can not only get rid of great sins but also sow the seeds for new auspicious vibrations that can give perpetual joy and peace of mind.

Those who wish and have knowledge of Vedas, should perform abhisheka of Lord Shiva by offering milk and other auspicious elements to Shiva’s Linga while chanting Rudra Namakam and Rudra Chamakam.  This abhisheka is called rudraabhisheka. Even by just witnessing such abhisheka one can gain same benefits as the performer of abhisheka.

Here are few useful links for performing worship of Lord Shiva.

• Shiva puja on Mahashivaratri
• Manas puja of Lord Shiva by Shri Adi Shankaracharya

Three ways to reach God

The ultimate goal of human life is to attain God. The task is gigantic. But there is ample guidance available through scriptures and godly persons.

The beauty of sanatana dharma is that to achieve this ultimate goal one can choose the path that is suitable to one’s personality.

They say there are primarily three ways to reach God – karma marga (path of performing actions prescribed by scriptures)), bhakti marga (path of devotion) and yoga marga (path of controlling senses and channelizing energy through body to take it to the highest point where union with god is achieved). What is achieved by all paths is actually same and that is self-realization i.e. knowledge about the self.

In karma marga one is supposed to perform actions such as fasting, daily rituals as prescribed by scriptures or Guru. The more strict and dedicated the person is in performing these actions, the more eligible the person becomes for attaining final goal. In karma marga it is important to maintain cleanliness of speech and body.

In bhakti marga it is important to maintain purity of mind. Liking towards listening to glories of god and chanting name of god are prime qualities of bhakti marga. Bhakti marga is actually simple than karma marga in terms of actions, but it is quite difficult in terms of implementation. Development of love, compassion towards all beings and humility in behavior are prime indications that person has progressed on bhakti marga.

Of all paths yoga marga is the most difficult. Actually one need not go anywhere to perform yoga. Just by seating at one place one can perform yoga. However it is important to have thorough knowledge about various asanas (postures) and channels (naadis such as ida, pingala, sushumna) in the body through which subtle energy flows.

All these paths take one to the same milestone and that is self-realization i.e. achieving knowledge about the self. However, they say, that the most important thing to achieve is love for god and hence all beings. If after achieving knowledge one has not developed love for all beings then one can be said not to have really achieved the goal.