Darkness Visible – Experiencing Enlightenment and Awakening

Humans, who are the highest creation of God, are given a great boon to get this birth to bring the birth cycle to an end. We often speak that exploring our darkness is negativity, misconceptions, and cruelty. We believe that when we expose our darkness to the light it heals and give plenty of mysterious gifts and the hidden talents will be revealed. Hindu religion paves all the ways to make the people to choose the right path which is suitable for him to follow and get rid of the past and present karma to attain enlightenment.

Mahashivratri – A Night of Awakening

The fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon, hence the full moon which falls on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha every month is called Shivaratri. Among all the twelve Shivratris that occur every month in a calendar year, Mahashivratri occurs in Falgun month which is generally celebrated in February-March is of the most spiritual significance. The word Shivratri is formed by the amalgamation of two words, Shiv and Ratri, where Shiv means ‘Lord Shiva’ and Ratri means Night. Therefore, Shivratri means the night of Lord Shiva. It is a major festival in Hinduism annually observed in honor of Lord Shiva which is also known as ‘Padmarajarathri’ and ‘The Great Night of Shiva’. This year the Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on Thursday, March 11.

Usually, the spiritual energy flow in a human body travels from moolatharam to Sahasrara (Crown) chakra through the spine vertically when a yogi tries to awake kundalini. On this particular night, the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural upsurge of energy in a human being. This is a day when nature is pushing towards one’s spiritual peak. Devotees worship Lord Shiva have strict fasting and do several religious practices to prepare their body pure and healthy to receive the eternal energy, control their mind and focus on worshiping Lord Shiva. They chant “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Mahamritunjaya” all night. They further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is forgiven of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.

People who live in family situations observe Mahashivratri as Shiva’s wedding anniversary. Sati reincarnated as Parvati to become the consort of Lord Shiva. Hence, Mahashivratri marks the union of Shiva and Parvati on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of falgun.

Maha Shivaratri also celebrates for another perspective that the night when Lord Shiva performed the “Tandav”, the cosmic dance. Those with global ambitions see that day as the day Shiva conquered all his enemies.

Apart from such legends, because of the spiritual abilities it presents to a spiritual seeker this day and night have much importance in the yogic traditions. Celebrating Shivratri on a monthly basis, and also the particular day which Mahashivratri occurs, almost seems like celebration of darkness. Any logical mind would resist darkness and naturally select for light. But the word “Shiva” literally means “that which is not.” “That which is,” – Aum Thatvamasi – is existence and creation. “That which is not” is Shiva. “That which is not” means, if you open your eyes and look around, and if your vision is for small things, you will see many creations. If your vision is really looking for immense things, you will see the biggest presence in the existence is a vast emptiness.

Unlike the assumptions of older scientific theories, the space around us is not just empty space but instead it is filled by our auric field, or magnetic field. This auric or magnetic field is surrounding your body. Just like our physical bodies, it is very much living. When it is strong and healthy, the aura is bright and expands for several feets in all directions. It is your protection and projection which gives you an undeniable presence. With a strong, bright and charismatic aura you are centered, secure, and you can easily achieve your needs.

Bavvatharani R

Nallur

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