Shivratri - Significance by Sri Sri

The word "ratri" means night & this word in Sanskrit has such afunctional meaning. Ratri or night is that which gives comfort to themind, body & soul & Shivratri is that which brings such a deep sense ofserenity & benevolence. Any meditation you do on this day has manifold effect, more effect, 100 times more effect. It's all astrologically linked; when the Sun & Moon are in a particular position. It helps to elevate the mind. Ancient people said these days are congenial forspiritual practices. On this day people usually meditate & their desires get fulfilled. Desires either get dropped through Knowledge or they get fulfilled. That is the day when spirit touches the earth. In some school of thought it is said that spirit is 10 inches above matter but on Shivratri day it touches the earth. So giving comfort, that is Shivratri.

YOUR NATURE IS SHIVA!

Peace is your nature, yet you remain restless.Freedom is your nature, yet you remain in bondage.Happiness is your nature, yet you become miserable for some reason oranother.Contentment is your nature, yet you continue to reel in desires.Benevolence is your nature, yet you don't reach out.

Going towards your nature is sadhana.Sadhana is becoming what you truly Are! Your true nature is Shiva.And Shiva is peace, infinity, beauty, and the non-dual - One. Ratri means "to take refuge". Shivaratri is taking refuge in Shiva".

Shiva means good, benevolent: Shivratri has been connected to destruction. Transformation can happen only when something is destroyed. You can call it destruction or transformation- Change from something to something to better. Shiva is the factor of the transformation. Actually Shankar means one who gives peace and does some much good. ‘Shan’ means peace and goodness. ‘Kara’ means who gives that. It is interesting that the name Vishnu and Shiva have opposite meanings and their jobs are opposite. Vishnu means one who destroys everything, but Vishnu is said to be the protector; Shiva means one who gives so much peace and joy, one who protects and elevates but shiva is job is destruction.

On shivratri it is total energy coming in to the whole universe. Shiva shakti coming from all the lingas, joining, merging. If you chant OHM NAMAH SHIVAY and think of lord shiva all day, you get rid of your sins. Only after you get rid of the sins, can good activity stars. That is why a few months after shivratri we have vaishnav day. On that day the PUNYA (Merit) increases.

‘Ratri’ means that which gives rest; takes you into its lap and comforts you. Night is always comforting- all activity stops. Everything is quiet and peaceful. Even the crows do not crow. The environment becomes calm. The body gets tired and goes to sleep. Shivaratri is a rest which is very deep. When the mind rest with the divine in the divine lap, it is real rest.

‘Ratri’ also means that which gives relief from three types of problems: problems to the body, to the mind and to the soul- adhyatmik, adhibhoutik and adidaivik. When you are sleeping at night you are not worried about food, water or clothing. All that you want is just to sleep so that it gives you relief from the worries of the day.

Hence three types of peace are needed. First is material peace. If there is fighting around you, you can not sit and stay peaceful. You need peace in your environment. Second you need peace in the body, in the mind. Third you need peace in the soul. You may have peace in the atmosphere; you may have health in body, to an extent peace in the mind. But if the soul is restless, nothing can bring comfort. So that peace is also essential. Only when all the three types of peace are there can it be complete: without one the other is not complete. So that which gives rest from all the three points: physical, mental and spiritual, is ratri. And Shivratri is transcendental Divine consciousness, which bring solace to all layers of consciousness. Shivaratri is when the Shiva tattva and the shakti become one. Like the mind, memory and the intellect, Shiva is also a tattva. Shivratri is auspicious because it is more alive in environment. That’s why you don’t sleep at the night. People are asked to stay awake.

Shivratri is that which brings such a deep sense of serenity and benevolence. Any meditation on this day is hundred times more effective. It is astrological link. When the sun and moon are in a particular position, it helps to elevate the mind. Ancient people said that these days were congenial for spiritual practices. On these days people usually mediate and their desires get fulfilled. Desires either get dropped through knowledge or they get fulfilled. That is the day when spirit touches the earth. In some school of thought, it is said that spirit is ten inches above matter. But on shivratri it touches the earth. So shivratri gives comfort.

The whole creation is the dance of shiva. It is the dance of consciousness – one consciousness and one seed. The one seed, one consciousness danced and manifested into a million species in the world. So this infinite creation is the dance of shiva tandav. The whole work is a place of shiva.

The consciousness which is bliss, innocence, omnipresent and the bestower of dispassion in Shiva. The whole world is moving in an auspicious rhythm of innocence and intelligence. This is Shiva- the permanent and eternal source of energy, the eternal state of Being, the one and only one.

Brahma creates, Vishnu maintains and Shiva destroys. But actually, Shiva has got all the three together. In Rig Veda, in the 18,000 shlokas(verses), there is no mention of any other God except lord Shiv. He is the lord of the Lords. Even Adi Shankara has said that we have takes birth because of the miseries of our past lives and karma. Praying to lord shiva, one can get rid of the miseries in life. In the Rig Veda, in any war of the asuras, Brahma or Vishnu approached Shiva for protection. In none of the shashtras(holy edicts) or Upnishads (holy hindu scriptures) does one find that Shiva has approached Vishnu or Brahma, exemplifying that he is the Supreme Lord.


Shiva is not any person sitting in some hill, kailas hill, he is not that. What does Kailas mean? Kailas – 'Las' means what, where there is celebration, happiness. Where there is a festive atmosphere. Where there is frolicsomeness / intoxication. Where there is celebration and only celebration. That is Kailas. Vaikunth is where there is nothing short. Kunth – is shortage. Vaikunth is where there is shortage of nothing. Where there is only celebration that is kailas. So, Shiv ji is seated in such kailas. Aatma only is Shiva.

If you meditate on shivaratri then the power of meditation is 100 times more, it is said like that. At least do it on that day, it's okay if you don't do it on other days, at least do it one day. It's said for the sake of saying. So that which is always(nitya) and which is (shashwat), that is shiva tattva. It's said beautiful in that shloka:

Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tatva means to be awakened. Shivratri is thus an occasion to awaken one's self from all sorts of slumber. Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri.

For the pious, the following method of Shiva worship is advisable - sit down in lotus posture, do some Pranayam to stabilize your breath, then indulge in Dhyana, followed by chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya". It is the greatest mantra and the devout should drown himself in its Kirtan. Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a devotee's wishes.

There are certain days and time frames in a year that enhance one's mental and spiritual faculties. In such times, whatever one wishes, materializes. Shivaratri is one such day. All this is very scientific. Going to temples on this day is OK but you should remember that Shiva is everywhere.

The meaning of Kailasa (legendary abode of Shiva in Himalayas) is celebration. So where there is happiness and celebration, Shiva is present. Whether in Sanyasa or Sansara, you can't escape Shiva. Feeling his presence all the time is the essence of Shivaratri. That is the real Sanyasa. No worship is complete without offering something to the deity. Shiva is a very simple lord, he is innocent - Bholanath. One just needs to offer bel-patra to him. But in this simplicity is a deep message. Bel-patra offerings signify the surrender of all three aspects of one's nature -Tamas, Rajas and Sattva. You have to surrender the positives and negatives of your life to Shiva and become carefree! The greatest offering is your self. To offer one's self is the key to happiness in life. After all, why do you get sad? It is mainly because you are not able to achieve something in life. At such times you should surrender everything to the all knowing God. The greatest power is in surrender to the divine. It's like a drop owning the ocean. If a drop remains separate, it will perish. But when it becomes the ocean, it is eternal!

Your true nature is Shiva. And Shiva is peace, infinity, beauty and the non-dual One. Ratri means "to take refuge." Shivaratri is taking refuge in Shiva.

Shivam, Shantam, Advaitam: Shiva means your very Self your innermost core, the purest Self. Shanta is quiet, peaceful, very innocent. Advaita is non-dual, only One. So, Shiva means good, benevolent, Ratri means that which gives rest, takes you into its lap and comfort. Night is always comforting, all activities have stopped, everything is quiet, peaceful, environment becomes quiet, body gets tired, goes to sleep. Shivaratri -- a rest which is so deep. When the mind rests with the Divine, that is the real rest, only in the Divine lap.

Any meditation we do on this day has a manifold effect, for this is the day when spirit touches the earth.

The first sound when creation manifested was Om. The second sound was So Hum. The third sound was Om Namah Shivaya.

By chanting Om Namah Shivaya, it is said that one gets rid of all the sins. Even if one has never chanted the Om Namah Shivaya mantra, it is worth just listening to it and soaking in it. It is called Mantra Snanam (bathing in Mantra). It elevates the consciousness.

SHIVA TATTVA
Guruji, please tell something about shiva tattva and what is the importance of mahashivaratri?
Shiva tattva is something that is total, complete. If you see Shiv ji then, he is sitting in meditation, immersed in meditation and also doing tandav. You won't find this completeness in any other form or gods and goddesses. He is sitting in meditation, peacefully and also doing dance, shiva-tandav. There is innocence and he is having the knowledge of three lokas (trilok gyani), he is a guru also. He is a beggar as well as eshwar, master of everyone. Is it possible that one can be both – master of everybody and beggar at the same time. We can find this in only Shiva tattva. That's why he is called 'Har' – (jo har ek mein hain) one who is there in each and everyone. (jo har jage hota hain woh har hain) - one who is present in every place. Har means everything. Who is pervading every place, who is there in everyone, in all forms. Shiva is not any person sitting in some hill, kailas hill, he is not that. What does Kailas mean? Kailas – 'Las' means what, where there is celebration, happiness. Where there is a festive atmosphere. Where there is frolicsomeness/ intoxication. Where there is celebration and only celebration. That is Kailas. Vaikunth is where there is nothing short. Kunth – is shortage. Vaikunth is where there is shortage of nothing. Where there is only celebration that is kailas. So, Shiv ji is seated in such kailas. Aatma only is Shiva.

It's said in the Upanishad:
"Shivam shantam, advaitam, chaturtam, mannyante sa aatma sa vigyeya." Shiva is, shanta - which is quite, advait - which is non-dual, there is no other of it; chaturth - which is the fourth state - it's not awake, nor dreaming or nor sleeping (shushukti). It's not sleep, not dream nor awakened state. That which is beyond these three is called "Shiva avastha". When you are in meditation, you are in what state? Tell me. Are you awake? You are not sleeping and you are not dreaming also. But there is something pleasant. That fourth state is called shiva avastha, shiva tattva. Shivam, shantam, advaitam, chaturtam, fourth state, it's auspicious state; manyante sa atma sa vigyeya – that is atma and you are that, we have to get known to it, it's the only thing to be known. After knowing that, then you say – "Shivoham Shivoham". The person who says "aham aham" that is "me, me", when that person melts after going inside him, then he stops saying 'I, I' and says "Shivoham Shivoham". So I am Shiva. Shiva is me. The ever new existence (satta) of the consciousness that is shiva satta. You start experiencing that. After experiencing also, you should sit quite. It's not that once you experience shiva tattva, then you should start roaming with a trishul. Then you have some mental problem. Keep the experience in your heart, keep it there only. With your own mind if you start saying shivoham shivoham, put bhasma and start roaming around by putting a snake around your neck and holding a trishul – no. The significance of snake is, that it is the wakeful state. Shiv ji is sitting with eyes closed. One may feel he is sleeping. No. How is he from inside – like a snake, wakeful, the consciousness is wakeful, fully awake. The snake gives the message of wakeful consciousness.

And some days, some special days, the experience of shiva tattva is very easy. Like on purnima and amavasya, the mood of mind fluctuates as the moon waxes or wanes. Does it happen or not. It's said that the mental diseases increase during purnima and amavsya in mental hospitals. So in the same way, on pradosh, or Mondays the wakeful state of Shiva tattva is more, it is said like that, it's a recognition. If you meditate on shivaratri then the power of meditation is 100 times more, it is said like that. At least do it on that day, it's okay if you don't do it on other days, at least do it one day. It's said for the sake of saying. So that which is always(nitya) and which is (shashwat), that is shiva tattva. It's said beautiful in that shloka:

"Namami shamishaan nirvana rupam, vibhum vyapakam brahma veda swaroopam."
Which is in the form of veda, means in form of knowledge; vibhum vyapakam – that is all pervading. So it is said it is nija also, nirgun also, sagun also, all gunas are there in it, everything is there. After saying this then they say "you can't describe it, now keep quiet. How much will you talk? How much will you describe?" "Chidakasham akasha vasi…" That 'chid' chaitanya also, how is it? It's not a flame or not any object also. It's the chidakash, it's the sky. It's pervading all the chidakash. It's the form of chidakash. Akashvat. That's why shivji is always painted blue in picture. It's not that he was blue colour, it means blue like the sky. And moon on the head, and how is the jata like whole digambar all the digmandal is the jata. There, moon is also inside him. Everything is inside him. So all the ghosts, dead, devil, everything was included in his gana. Nothing was left out of him. It's not possible also. They say that Shivaji's procession. All types of people are there. So in this world, there are all types of people, all belong to that supreme soul. There is no one else here. It's said "Sarvam shivamayam jagat". This whole world is Shivamaya.
The soul of Krishna is Shiva. When shiva tattva took the form of body and became Krishna. That's why it is said that, when the Gita was given, Shivaji had given. Means, staying in Shiva tattva, Krishna had given the message of Gita. That time he didn't give Gita while doing raas-leela. He didn't give it while playing, but that time being in his own self, in his vishwa rupa he gave. So there's not a little bit of difference between Shiva and Krishna. The difference is imaginary. Krishna was a historical personality. Shiva tattva – Shiva never came on this earth. But Krisha came, stayed and then went. That's the difference. In Krishna, shiva tattva took a physical body and in shiva tattva there is no body.

Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are called vibhutis, so if there is no person here, then what is the relation?
Shakti hai vyakti nahin. These are three forms of omkar. That's why it is said 'Ek Omkar'. Everything comes in one omkar. Three different qualities of one parmatma are called as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. In our body there is place of Brahma – below abdomen, Vishnu – middle portion, Mahesh – head region. The reproductive organs are situated in stomach and below. From the naval to throat - is the place of Vishnu, all organs for sustaining the body and Shiva tattva is above on the head. Any devastation, destruction happens by head only. And also any transformation happens by head only. The strength (shakti) of shiva is called as Devi shakti. Shiva tattva can't stay without shakti.