Unconscious Connect With The Consciousness

Contrary to the common depiction of shiva as a fierce and terrifying god of destruction, the word Shiva simply means mangalam i.e. Auspicious. Anything that is auspicious is shiva. And ratri I.E. Night is the time for rejuvenation, both in the daily sense in life and in the cosmic sense, in the cycle of life, death and liberation, moksh. The concept of Shivaratri, and the traditions associated with it, encapsulates the cosmic understanding of our ancients and has been a means to connect bharat and its people to each other and the universe

Indian thought and practices, over time immemorial, have commemorated certain days and festivals as a means for people to understand, remember and reunite with the Universe and the divinities of the Universe. These festivals become gateways for people to reach out and be in communion with the Divine.

The festival known as Shivaratri is one such gateway to reach out and understand the divinity called Shiva or the Shiva Tattva.

Once we understand the meaning of Shiva Tattva and the celebration of Shivaratri, our celebrations and the enjoyment of the Tattva of Shiva will only be enhanced manifold. It will make our celebrations more relevant and meaningful.

These celebrations take on an even greater significance when one realises how this entire civilisation with all its different languages and diversity, has still shared the same understanding of the Shiva Tattva and has chosen the same ways and time windows to relish and celebrate it.

MEANING OF SHIVA

Contrary to the common depiction of Shiva as a fierce and terrifying God of destruction, the word Shiva simply means Mangalam i.e. auspicious. Anything that is auspicious is Shiva.

This auspiciousness, which is all pervading throughout the universe, is a constant presence during the lifetime of this universe, before the creation of the universe and will continue to be so after the dissolution of this world, this solar system, this galaxy and this entire universe.

For what is auspiciousness if not the potential that exists to “be” – bhava from which comes the name for Shiva as Shambhava, Shambo where the prefix ‘Sham’ denotes goodness.