Sivarathri message-Part-3

Many people are propagating consciously or otherwise propagating false stories about Sivarathri. Naive people who do not know real Sanathana Dharma are believing them! Remember that Sanathana Dharma gives us the freedom to reject anything that is unscientific! Sanathana Dharma is a science which must be learned directly through the authoritative Aarsha Guru Paramparas! (Since it must be heard or imbibed from a Guru, Vedas are also called Sruthi.) Vedas, Upanishads, Itihasas (Valmiki Ramayana, Vyasa Mahabharath), Darshanika Kritis, Divya Stotras composed by Rishis are authentic texts. There are no absurd stories in any of them. The Rishis declare that we have the freedom and right to correct the mistakes or absurdities, if any. The greatness of Sanathana Dharma is this commitment to truth. The quest for truth is the real spiritual life. Scriptures can be subject to errors (tampering by humans, additions and interpolations, corrections, deletions etc.)

Whenever we learn anything, we must adopt the Swadhyaya Method. (Sravana, Manana (Brainstorming), Nididhyasana). The lack of this is the core cause of our degradation. Anything that is contrary to the Pramanas like Pratyaksha, Anumana, Sabda in any source must be rejected. Puranas are not authentic. They are mere literary works in Samskrit that record the ideas and practices of the society or time period they were written in. It has both good and bad. So no matter who says it or where it is written, you don’t have to think twice before rejecting the wrongs. Let us cite an example. “Parvathi grabbed the throat of Parama Siva to prevent the poison from going down to the stomach! And that he spent the whole night without sleeping so that the poison doesn’t get down to the stomach, and that is commemorated as Sivarathri! Have the wisdom to not be propagators of such absurd stories without understanding the greatness of God! Let’s point out some fallacies (illogicalities) and absurdities in this fictitious story.

Ishwara is Sanathana (eternal) and Janimriti Rahitha (neither born nor dies). Being Mrityunjaya, will he be affected by poison or die due to it? Or is Parvathi unaware of these truths?

How can Mahadeva who wears the poisonous Vasuki around his neck be poisoned?

Swallowing snake venom will not kill anyone for that matter. Not even humans. There are people who drink the venom of Cobras and Vipers (Beware those of you who have ulcers !). Only if the venom goes directly into the blood, it becomes poisonous. (Even the snake lives its entire life with a sac of venom in it.)

Death is caused by venom mixing with the blood and disrupting the bodily functions. How can these apply to Sree Parameshwara who is Nirakara, Niravayava, and Akaaya? How can this affect Sivashankara Rishi who has a divine body?

Adinatha (Sivasankara Rishi, Dakshinamurthy), the manifest form of Parameshwara) who came to give Sanathana Dharma to the humans may have drunk poison to save the world as he is Karunyamurthy (epitome of grace). We can believe it if we want to. But it is ridiculous to say that Parvati grabbed his throat, or Vishnu covered his mouth. It is silly to think that Parameshwara can be harmed by poison. He is not a Janma Shareera born to parents. How can fire, poison, weapon etc affect this divine body which is a Pratyaksha Roopa or Bhava Deha (manifest form). The Yogis say that even the Pithrus (people who have died physically), in their astral bodies are beyond the threats of the physical world. (Remember that burning, burial, and dumping corpses in rivers are common cremation methods.)

What is funnier is, it is a myth that if you grab the throat, the poison won’t go down. (If it’s a human, he will die of suffocation, for sure).

It is only an ancient superstition that the poison won’t affect you if you don’t sleep at night.

Understand that Sivarathri is not merely a ritual of staying awake a whole night. The speciality of this day is to spend the day from dawn to next dawn in meditating upon Ishwara. Only those who wish to, and are in good health, mind, and ability, can observe certain Vratas (vows). Vratam is controlling the body and mind. Vratas such as Brahmacharya Vrata, Mauna Vrata, Mitahara Vrata, Upavasa Vrata, Nidra Jagarana Vrata can be followed based on one’s capability. Just like the Chaithra and Ashwani Navarathri, performing Sadhana at night has special significance in Sivarathri.

Don’t become advocates of absurd stories such as “Don’t sleep at night to avoid the poison killing you” just by hearing terms such as “Rathri” and “Nidra Jagarana Vrata”.

Sivalinga Upasana

The word Lingam means sign or symbol. Siva Linga is a symbol for worshipping or meditating upon Parameshwara who is Akaya, Nirakara, and Niravayava. There are those who worship Siva Linga in fire (Jyotirlinga) and material objects of various shapes.

Aarsha Vidya Samajam’s humble request to everyone is to not fall into the trap of spreading absurd stories from the Puranas, superstitions, and fake mythological stories without even a general understanding of the glory of Parameshwara. Is there a greater insult to God than this? Puranas are not authentic. Most Puranas were written during the degradation period of Indian society. It has good and evil in it. If you approach them according to Swadhyaya, you will acquire the wisdom to choose what is right and reject what is wrong. The general principle is that whatever contradicts the divine knowledge (Veda) of the Aarsha Guru Paramparas, it must be rejected.

Similarly, loud chanting of Mantras such that it disturbs others or using mechanical chanting machines in temples, in the name of Sivarathri celebration, must be discouraged. Silence is of utmost importance in temples. It is necessary to create a favorable atmosphere for devotees to chant the mantras or prayers of their choice with concentration. Occasional Bhajans will enhance the devotional atmosphere. But Mantras aren’t meant to be loud. Mantra is a silent language. That on which Manana (meditation) must be performed, is Mantra. Mantra is a principle that should be recited to oneself without even being heard by those nearby! Therefore, all rituals and practices must be performed by understanding their meaning, and in such a way that they don’t cause inconvenience or difficulty to anyone. Otherwise, the harm caused by disturbing someone else’s Sadhana will affect us. Destroying the peace of others is also wrong according to Sanathana Dharma. Anything that causes nuisance or harm to an individual or society is called Durachara.

How to observe Maha Sivarathri?

Learn the philosophy and greatness of Sree Parameshwara. Practice Sadhaka Dharma.

Perform the five duties of Sanathana Dharma – Adhyayana (Systematic Study), Anushthana (Practice), Prachaarana (Promotion), Adhyapana (Teaching), and Samrakshana (Protection), bestowed upon by Sree Parameshwara through the Aarsha Guru Paramparas for the welfare of the universe and make people aware of their duties.

Live according to the Life Principles, practices, and laws taught by Sanathana Dharma, learn how to perform Pancha Maha Kartavyas and Pancha Maha Yajnas properly and live according to them.

Dedicate more time and energy to Adhyatmika Sadhanas – Pranayama, Japa, Dhyana, Prarthana, Swadhyaya, Satsanga.

Practice Vratas that are conducive to Sadhana.

Follow Adhyatmika Niyamas – spiritual laws

This is how Sivarathri Vrata must be observed.

(Those who wish to know more about Aarsha Vidya Samajam, may contact 8943006350 / 7356613488).

Wishing a happy and blessed Maha Sivarathri to all from Aarsha Vidya Samajam and its sister concerns !