If you analyse the rituals and dos and don’ts of Maha Shivratri, you will realise that this divine festival is not about grand celebrations, get-togethers or just performing specific puja vidhi. Rather, this festival is all about awakening the higher self and peeping within and knowing your real abilities and cleansing your aura. It is about self-introspection and asking guidance from the Lord to show you the correct path and help you grow in all walks of life. The word ‘Maha Shivratri’ literally translates to the great night of Lord Shiva and this is widely celebrated by Hindus all across the globe and also people of other ethnicities to repel negativity, cleanse the aura, overcome darkness and to fill their lives with positivity and vision. Today, we are going to learn about things to do during the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri to attain overall wellbeing.
1. Cleanse yourself by bathing in cold water
According to a few studies, when cold water falls on the body, it acts as a shock as our blood is warm and so is the temperature of our body. When the cold water hits the surface of our skin it awakens all the senses and we become wide awake and alert. Also, by bathing in cold water one tends to take deep breaths as a normal reaction to the cold water. This in turn results in an increased supply of oxygen flow in the body and keeps one rejuvenated throughout the day. While bathing with cold water, you can add a few drops of essential oils to the water which will help in calming the mind and releasing all the negative energies and stress.
2. Do Meditation
Once you are done bathing, sit in any place of your house facing East and focus your attention on any object or on a point on the wall and allow your mind to calm down. Let all the tangled and wavering thoughts that arise in your mind silence and once this is done close your eyes and try focusing on the point between your eyebrows and chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ 108 times. At the initial stage, you will find it difficult to concentrate and stay blank without any thoughts but soon you will find your mind at peace. Sitting in meditation is an age-old art that has been practised even by the Lord Himself. Doing so helps in calming the mind, relaxing the body, fighting mental illnesses and boosting confidence. Meditation also helps in maintaining high blood pressure, emotional imbalance and hormonal issues, promoting overall wellbeing.
3. Observe Fast
Fasting for a day or two helps in controlling the levels of your blood sugar, it helps in improving cardiovascular health and fighting bad cholesterol. Moreover, abstaining from consuming certain foods and beverages for a day helps in relaxing the stomach glands and improves your metabolism. Fasting also helps in lowering the triglycerides levels and offers relief from inflammation. One must practice intermediate fasting at least twice a week in order to detoxify your body and mind. Practising fasting in your weekly routine works wonders on your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
4. Make Holy Offerings
An offering is one of the best deeds one can do. The deed of making an offering counts as being considerate and thoughtful of others. It displays one’s purity of heart. Making an offering to the divine Lord is out of devotion and love for God but helping the needy and underprivileged during the auspicious occasions leads to attracting blessings of the divine and it gives mental peace to the one making the offering. Making charity leads to the release of hormones which uplifts the mood and makes one happy and cheerful. Holy offerings on the other hand comprise the divine deity principles which help in promoting bliss and positivity in the atmosphere.
5. Chant
‘OM’ is a divine syllable that holds immense powers that can heal emotionally, mentally, physically and emotionally. Chanting this syllable or the Shiva mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ shows positive effects on the body, helping to heal and boost energy. According to certain studies, chanting helps in regulating the functions of the hypothalamus, which is a small portion of the brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system through the pituitary gland. This helps in getting rid of negative emotions of stress, anxiety, anger and depression. Chanting on the eve of Maha Shivratri is very important, as during that period the positioning of the planet is such that, there is a natural upsurge of divine energy in human beings. It is the day that one feels inclined towards divinity. On this day the energies as mentioned before are so high naturally that it allows the devotees to perform night vigil without being exhausted and tired. On this day, due to the natural upsurge of energy, a devotee feels rejuvenated and stress-free. It is a day to manifest your wishes by meditating and chanting. So, make sure to chant Shiva Mantras 108 times with complete devotion. We recommend you chant the mantra by sitting in an upright straight posture with folded legs. Keeping the spine straight white sitting upright allows the energy to flow smoothly from the Muladhara Chakra up to the Sahasrara Chakra.
6. Observe Night vigil
Gathering in the temple or observing night vigil at home during the event of Maha Shivratri offers an array of benefits. It aligns you with the divine and gives you a clear vision and makes you mentally happy and helps in balancing the emotions. Night vigil has the power to fulfil the wishes of the devotees who offer prayers with pure intentions.
Lord Shiva is known by many names, He is also known as ‘Bholenath’ as He is very easy to please, if someone unknowingly offers prayers or fasts during Shivratri or Maha Shivratri, even that man is blessed abundantly by the Lord. The cosmic vibrations that are created by chanting the Shiv mantras help in pacifying the planetary doshas, liberate them from sins committed in the past. So, if you wish to lead a happy, healthy and prosperous life, follow the steps mentioned above and receive divine blessings.
