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Meaning of Sivarathri, based
on the Traditional Folklore
Most readers must undoubtedly be
aware of late Dr. G.V Subba Rao, till recently a familiar figure
in the Ashram. Many may also know that it is Dr. Subba Rao’s
father, esteemed Ghandikota Subramania Sastri, to whom we owe the
famous SAI GAYATHRI. We reproduce below the English translation of
an article by Subramania Sastrigaru that originally appeared in
the Telugu edition of Sanathana Sarathi. In this article,
Sastrigaru gives us the traditional explanation and significance
of Mahasivarathri.
The
Universe is a play enacted by God for God. Precious stones shine
in multicolored brilliance without any effort or expenditure of
energy, and God manifests as this and many such marvels. To
descend as an Avatar by taking on a
body for fostering the good and the loyal, is but a phase of His
playful mood.
The Supreme One has
two basic aspects. (1) The Formless and Eternally Pure Universal
Consciousness which can be cognised from the
Guru and the Sastras
[scriptures]. (2) The second is the aspect with Form which has two
important facets, the Universe itself and the
Avatar.
Truly speaking, the
Universe is His Embodiment, though as long as ignorance persists
this truth is not realized. But when ignorance is dispelled,
Jnana reveals that what is taken to
be the Universe is only the Pure Consciousness Principle of
Brahman. In the
Rudradhyaya of the Thaithiriya
Samhitha, (2d to 8th ANUVAKAS),
the fact that the manifested Universe is Siva, nothing more,
nothing less is clearly defined. Sarvam
Khalvidam Brahma and other axioms appearing in the
Vedas are all further dicta on the
same theme.
The second Formful
embodiment is the Avatar, as Siva and
other Godly Forms. He appears in these forms in order to chasten
the wicked and encourage the good, and to provide facility for the
devoted to earn mental peace through worship. The Siva-Form is
paramount among these, because even while fostering the good and
the devoted, He is Pure Consciousness and Bliss, since He is of
the Sathwic Guna, pre-eminently.
Other God-forms have an inkling of subtle
Rajas and Thamas and so, in
the task of maintaining the Universe, they are merged to the
apparent detriment of their fundamental Reality. This is the
reason why Siva alone has the Lingam
as the Concrete Symbol, besides the usual Conventional Form with
weapons, accoutrement, multiplicity of arms and equipment for the
sake of the Mission. The Lingam
reveals the Fullness and the Illimitability of Siva. Siva grants
visions of Himself as the Lingam or
as having Karacharana etc.
Once upon a time,
long, long ago, the Gods, Brahma and Narayana as the story goes,
were extremely jealous of each other and argued loud that each was
superior to the other. They had come to the stage of a trial of
arms, when between them a brilliant Lingam of Light appeared! They
were stunned by the splendour and they decided among themselves
that He among them is superior to the other, who is able first to
see the beginning below or the end above of that magnificent
Lingam. Brahma rode on His
Hamsa [swan] and flew above; He could
not see the crown of the Lingam
however high He rose. Vishnu took the form of
Varaha [boar] and dug into the nether
regions but could not delve into the base of that
Lingam. When they returned to earth,
a Voice from the Lingam asked them
whether they had succeeded in their quest. Brahma uttered a lie
and declared He had seen the crown! Narayana was about to concede
victory to Brahma, when the Voice intercepted Him and Siva
manifested Himself from the Lingam,
with the full Divine Equipped Form described as “Hiranyabaahave,
hiranya varnaaya, hiranya roopaaya” in the scriptures. He
punished Brahma for the audacity and the falsehood. He authorised
Vishnu to correct wrong and promote right. The
Lingam that manifested on this
occasion is known as Jyothirlingam
and altogether 12 such have appeared according to tradition.
Two dates are
important in this grand awe-inspiring play of the Gods: (1)
Ardra star-date in
Margasirish. when
Lingam of Splendour, without
beginning or end appeared before the two competing Divine Forces
and (2) Magha, dark half, 14th day,
Chathurdasi, usually known as
Mahasivarathri, when from that
Lingam, Siva emerged with all the
Divine Qualities and Glories, to bless and chastise.
Mahasivarathri
is sacred because on that day, Siva first assumed His
Mind-conquering beautiful form emerging so from Symbolic
Lingam; Siva gave this Vision to the
two great Divinities whom He directs. So, worship of Siva on such
a day is considered to be of supreme importance.
To have the chance
to worship Him at Puttaparthi and witness the emergence of the
Lingam from Sri Sathya Sai Baba is
indeed a unique Blessing.
From the Telugu Article by
Ghandikota Subramanya Sastri
Source:
Radio Sai
E-Magazine, February 15, 2004
http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_02/04Feb15/02_Cover_Story/The_Meaning_of_Shivarathri/shivarathri.htm
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