MahaShivratri

Meaning of Mahashivratri

Ratri means that which gives rest, and comforts you. Night is when all activities stop. Everything is quiet and peaceful. The environment becomes calm and the body naturally goes into sleep/ rest mode.

Ratri also means that which gives relief from the 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 to sleep so that it gives you relief from the worries of the day.

Hence, the three types of peace are needed, to even get that deep rest: first is material peace. If there is fighting around you, or any disturbance around, then you can’t sleep/ rest. Second, you need peace in the body, mind. Third, you need peace in the soul. Without any one of the three, deep rest is incomplete. So, that which gives rest from all three aspects- physical, mental and spiritual is ratri/ night. And Shivratri is the night of that transcendental divine consciousness, which brings solace to all layers of consciousness. This night is symbolic of the merging of Shiva and Shakti, making the environment more alive. Thus it is beneficial to stay awake on Mahashivratri.

This night brings a sense of deep serenity and benevolence. Any meditation done on this day is a hundred times more effective.

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