Spirituality

How To Deepen Your Meditation On Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivarathri comes on the new moon in the month of ‘Kumbh’ or Aquarius in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated as the wedding night of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvathi. It is, therefore, a night when the masculine and feminine energies (Shiva and Shakti) align to raise universal consciousness.

Deepening Your Meditation On Maha Shivarathri

Traditionally, people stay awake all night praying to Lord Shiva on this night. However, any form of sadhana you practice on Maha Shivarathri will align you to a higher dimension within yourself. Mantra chanting, meditation, or simply sitting with your eyes closed and focusing on your breath will all make a difference.

Keeping a fast for 3-10 days leading up to Shivaratri is another tradition that is followed in many parts of India. However, the actual puja vidhi followed may differ based on the area and spiritual tradition followed. The vedic, tantric, and Aghori traditions all follow different puja vidhis. The tantric tradition is especially popular in modern times as it allows you a direct connection with universal energy. 

The Maha Shivarathri Puja Vidhi

If you have been initiated into a mantra or a sadhana you should ideally follow that on Maha Shivarathri. For the uninitiated, here is a puja vidhi you can follow:

First gather the panchamrit, which are milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar and bathe your idol of Lord Ganesh with these five items; alternating with water. After this do the same with your idols of Lord Shiva and his family, including Ma Parvathi, Lord Nandi and Lord Karthikeya. 

After the bathing apply turmeric powder and vermilion on the idols and then offer flowers and bel leaves (bilwa leaves). Ideally, you should use 108 bel leaves, but if they are not easily accessible 11 will do. You can reuse the bel leaves in other pujas after washing.

Once all this is done, light ghee and oil lamps and chant the mantras ‘Om Namah Shivaay’ and ‘Kleem Kalikaaye Namah’ as many times as you can for an hour. While chanting, remember to focus on the Agna Chakra in the centre of your forehead. 

After chanting for an hour, sit in meditation and concentrate on the form of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvathi. Set your intentions during this time and end your meditation by covering your eyes with the palms of your hand in the ‘mayur pankh’ mudra.

Stay up as long as you can on Maha Shivarathri doing this sadhana and see how different you feel at the end of it. You are guaranteed to feel a difference, though how much will depend on you and your karma.