Shivaratri – 16 February 2007

Mahashivaratri marks one of the most auspicious nights in the Hindu calendar. It is a celebration of Lord Shiva who personifies the path of renunciation and Supreme Knowledge. It is on this night that highly evolved seekers are initiated into Sanyasa.

Furthermore, the day is considered to be highly auspicious as the planetary positions create a natural upsurge in energies making it easier to achieve communion with God.

The holy day of Maha Shivaratri was celebrated on Friday 16th February this year by over a hundred devotees who had come to the Chinmaya Sannidhi (Ashram of Chinmaya Mission in Sydney) to seek out the Lord's blessings. According to one of the puranas, the day also commemorates the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, symbolising the meeting of the Individual Soul with the Almighty.

Many devotees under the guidance of Br. Gopal Chaitanya our Resident Acharya had under taken a complete fast refraining even from water for 24 hours leading up to the Midnight. The devotees spent their day where ever they were in contemplation of the Leelas of the Lord and chanting the Lord's name.

The evening began with a Pooja conducted by Brni Sujataji and Br. Gopalji. During the Abhishekam (Ceremonial Bath of the Shiva Linga), the devotees chanted several prayers from the vedas including Sri Rudram, Maha Mrutyanjaya Mantra, Purusha Suktam, Pancha Shanthis, Shiva Panchakshari Stotram, Linga-Ashtakam, and the 108 Names of Lord Shiva. With the image and qualities of Lord Shiva firmly imbibed in our minds, all devotees present were given the opportunity by Br. Gopalji to carry out the Abhishek (the bathing of the Shiva Linga with milk and honey and other cleansing materials) of Lord Shiva to represent the washing away of all negative tendencies within us.

The evening proceeded with a presentation by two of the CHYK (Chinmaya Yuvekendra – Youth Group) who while explaining the significance of Shivaratri offered all devotees 'A specially designed package for achieving Moksha'. They recounted the story of the race between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to see who could see Lord Shiva's head first hence determining who was the greatest of them. Lord Vishnu by surrendering and bowing at the feet of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu became victorious, as he touched the feet of Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva bend down to pick Lord Vishnu up, in that process Lord Vishnu saw Lord Shiva's head.

Thus, by firm faith, devotion and surrender in conjunction with meditation on the Dhyana Rupa of the Lord, one can easily achieve highest i.e enlightenment.

The evening was charged with energy as Chinmaya Swaranjali (the musical group of CHYK), presented some melodious and soothing bhajans such as Shiva Shambo and Kashi Vishwanath Gange while devotees clapped and sung along. Soon all devotees present sang bhajans and the entire ashram was vibrating with this beautiful positive energy. We could feel that Lord Shiva was present.

The inspiring evening drew to a close with the Aarti being sung and Maha Prasad was distributed to all the devotees.

Those who continued to stay on at the Ashram for the midnight Arati (the real Shiva Ratri) had the opportunity to be uplifted into a state of tranquillity and silence through guided meditation conducted by Swami Swaroopanandaji.

We then concluded with a final Vedic arati (chanted by Brni Sujataji and arati performed by Br Gopalji) at the stroke of Midnight and then slowly made our way out of the hall, extremely recharged and inspired by the night.

Those of you who missed out, please stayed tuned for the next major event on 25th March 2007 at 10AM – Shri Rama Navami Festival will be celebrated.

Visit our website www.chinmaya.com.au or contact our Br. Gopalji on (02) 8850 7400 or Ashi Chiba on (02) 9686 1994.

More photos from this day can be viewed here.

Om Namah Shivaya!

Love
In the Service of the Lord

Saumya Kandoi
Chinmaya Yuvekendra Sydney (CHYK)