Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri (Night of Shiva or "Great Night of Shiva") is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil.

Per scriptural and discipleship traditions, the penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach the goal more swiftly and avoid rebirth.


Rituals of Maha Shivratri
Tripundra refers to the three horizontal stripes of holy ash applied to the forehead by worshippers of Lord Shiva. These stripes symbolise spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga), so also they represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva.

Wearing a rosary made from the rudraksha seed of the rudraksha tree, said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva) when worshipping Lord Shiva is ideal. A rudraksha seed is a mahogany-like color, sometimes black, and sometimes may have traces of sacred sandalwood powder, turmeric, kumkum, or holy ash if the rosary was used in worship ceremonies or anointed.

On Shivaratri, only cold water and bael leaves are offered to the Lingam. Other traditional offerings, such as bathing it in milk and Panchamruta (a mixture of milk, curds, ghee, sugar and honey) (symbols of sustenance), or anointing it with vermilion (kumkum) or white consecrated rice (Akshata) (symbols of fertility, or creation), are done on this day, when Lord Shiva is worshipped as the deity of dissolution.

by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri

Mantra - SOUND THE SEED OF MATTER

A MANTRA is a mystical energy encased in a sound structure. Every mantra contains within its vibration a certain power. Upon concentration and repetition of a given mantra, its energy is liberated and takes form
There are different types of mantras. Some called Bija (Seed) mantra. They have no exact meaning but act directly on the nerves of astral body. The other type of mantras, having a combination of words, and having some meaning also set up powerful vibrations in the body.
Most common, however is the deity mantras, in which a specific form with attributes is visualized along with the repetition of the sound.
Initiation - If possible, before attempting Japa one should seek out a guru and receive mantra initiation from him. Only those who are themselves pure can give initiation to others. Therefore it is important to find a qualified guru to successfully implant the mantras in the disciples body. If no guru can be found, one may select any mantra that seems appropriate to fulfil his desires, assuming Lord Shiva as his guru and start repeating it with mentally with faith and devotion everyday.
The efficiency of the japa is accentuated according to the degree of concentration. The mind should be fixed on the source or the related YANTRA (please see yantra section for details). Then only you will realize the maximum benefit of a mantra.

“Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam.
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.”
Gayatri Mantra is the supreme mantra of the vedas. Gayatri is the mother of universe, the shakti itself. There is nothing she cannot do. Her mantra purifies the mind, destroys pain, sin and ignorance, brings liberation, and bestows health, beauty, strength, vitality, power intelligence and magnetic aura. Modern system of treatment is bereft of religion. Anybody who enchants the gayatri mantra everyday can never be affected by diseases. Mahatma Gandhi believed that It protects both your body as well as soul.

“Om Sri Maha Ganapataye Namah”
The mantra of elephant headed God. A remover of obstacles and bestower of success. It is the mantra adopted by famous astrologer Bejan Daruwala.

“Om Namah Sivaya”
It is the mantra of Lord Shiva. Many people have become multi-millioner from penniless by enchanting this mantra. Lord Shiva is very innocent God and bestows his blessings immediately on the devotee.

“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”
The mantra of Lord Vishnu. Any thing in the world is possible by worshipping lord Vishnu, who sustains the life in world. Enchanting this mantra saves you from many types of troubles. It bestows the devotee with prosperity, peace, wealth etc.

“Om Sri Ramaya Namah”
The description of word RAMA is unlimited. Lord Rama is the incarnation of Vishnu. The influence of Rama is spread all over Asia in one or the other way. One can gain a lot in all fields of his life by enchanting this mantra.

“Om Sri Durgaya Namah”
This mantra is of Goddess Durga the combined form of the powers of Lakshmi, Saraswati and kali. By enchanting this mantra all the physical, mental, economic problems are solved.

“Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah”
The mantra of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of all the wealth and prosperity in the world.

“Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah”
Godess Saraswati bestows the devotee with the memory, Knowledge and the power of speech.

“Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah”
The mantra of lord Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Solves all the problems of devotee and bestows him with wealth and prosperity.

“Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim
Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat”
This Mahamritunjaya Mantra of Shiva, is to protect and cure the persons from diseases, fear of death.

Abstract Mantras
“Soham” - I am That I am
“Aham Brahma Asmi ” - I am Brahman
“OM” - It consist of three letters A, U and M. it signifies three periods of time, the three states of consciousness and all existence. A devotee can feel its effect very soon by including it in his daily routine of japa.

Bija Mantra, Mystic seed letters
Out of 11 bija mantra some are given below
“Kreeem” - This is the bija mantra of Kalika and Krishna
“Shreem” - The mantra of Maha Lakshmi, Wealth, satisfaction and dispeller of sorrows
“Aim ” - This is the mantra of Saraswati, the goddess of Knowledge.
“Kleem ” - This mantra relates to the lord of desires, also to lord Krishna.

The science of mantras is very complex. There are many mantras for specific purposes like Shabar Mantras, which give immediate result and don’t need any special techniques for their use.

Lord Shiva Mantra Siddhi Japa

Introduction to Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

The great mantra dedicated to Shiva as Mrityunjaya is found in the Rig Veda. It is called the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, the Great Death-Conquering mantra. It is a mantra that has many names and forms. It is called the Rudra mantra, referring to the furious aspect of Shiva; the Tryambakam mantra, alluding to Shiva's three eyes; and its is sometimes known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra because it is a component of the "life-restoring" practice given to the primordial sage Shukra after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity. The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is hailed by the sages as the heart of the Veda. Along with the Gayatri mantra it holds the highest place among the many mantras used for contemplation and meditation.

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

OM. Tryambakam yajamahe
Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam
Urvarukamiva bandhanan
Mrityor mukshiya mamritat

Number of repetitions

Based on the teachings of Sri Harihara in Prasna Marga, we advise that this mantra should be recited for 8000 times in a period of forty days. The recitation of 108 mantra for forty days both in the morning and evening covers this requirement. For other purposes larger number of repetitions are advised.

After lighting a lamp and sitting in any yogic posture (preferably Padmasana which is the picture of Lord Shiva in the picture) while facing east. Recite the Maha-mantra 108 times (one rosary) or its multiples in each sitting. This is the greatest work of Maharishi Vashistha. Before commencing the Mahamrityunjaya mantra recite the mantra to the everlasting spirit of the Maharishi vasiShTha for his blessings and guidance which is as follows.

Thereafter, perform Rudrabhishek (Ritual offering of the Panca-Amrita or the five forms of nectar as Honey, Ghee, Curd, Milk and Water) on the Shivalinga.

Understanding the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
It is important to understand the meaning of the words as this makes the repetition meaningful and brings forth the results.

OM is not spelt out in the Rig-Veda, but has to be added to the beginning of all Mantras as given in an earlier Mantra of the Rig-Veda addressed to Ganapati. This Mantra is given in the prayer page of my Book "Maharishi Jaimini's Upadesa Sutra".

TRYAMBAKKAM refers to the Three eyes of Lord Shiva. 'Trya' means 'Three' and 'Ambakam' means eyes. These three eyes or sources of enlightenment are the Trimurti or three primary deities, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and the three 'AMBA' (also meaning Mother or Shakti' are Saraswati, Lakshmi and Gouri. Thus in this word, we are referring to God as Omniscient (Brahma), Omnipresent (Vishnu) and Omnipotent (Shiva). This is the wisdom of Brihaspati and is referred to as Sri Duttatreya having three heads of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

YAJAMAHE means, "We sing Thy praise".

SUGANDHIM refers to His fragrance (of knowledge, presence and strength i.e. three aspects) as being the best and always spreading around. Fragrance refers to the joy that we get on knowing, seeing or feeling His virtuous deeds.

PUSTIVARDHANAM Pooshan refers to Him as the sustainer of this world and in this manner, He is the Father (Pater) of all. Pooshan is also the inner impeller of all knowledge and is thus Savitur or the Sun and also symbolizes Brahma the Omniscient Creator. In this manner He is also the Father (Genitor) of all.

URVAAROKAMEVA 'URVA' means "VISHAL" or big and powerful or deadly. 'AAROOKAM' means 'Disease'. Thus URVAROOKA means deadly and overpowering diseases. (The CUCUMBER interpretation given in various places is also correct for the word URVAROOKAM). The diseases are also of three kinds caused by the influence (in the negative) of the three Guna's and are ignorance (Avidya etc), falsehood (Asat etc as even though Vishnu is everywhere, we fail to perceive Him and are guided by our sight and other senses) and weaknesses (Shadripu etc. a constraint of this physical body and Shiva is all powerful).

BANDANAAN means bound down. Thus read with URVAROOKAMEVA, it means 'I am bound down by deadly and overpowering diseases'.

MRITYORMOOKSHEYA means to deliver us from death (both premature death in this Physical world and from the neverending cycle of deaths due to re-birth) for the sake of Mokshya (Nirvana or final emancipation from re-birth).

MAAMRITAAT means 'please give me some Amritam (life rejuvinating nectar). Read with the previous word, it means that we are praying for some 'Amrit' to get out of the death inflicting diseases as well as the cycle of re-birth