By Sanjib Mukherjee,
Maha Shivratri (March 2nd 2011), marks one of the most auspicious days in the vedic spiritual calendar, the day affectionately celebrated by devotees of Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and the guardian of all sannyasins and spiritual seekers across the world. It is believed that his consciousness is awakened to unparallelled levels on this festive occasion, and his heightened sense of elevation reverberates around this entire universe.
In practical terms, what this means for us, is that our desires and intentions (sankalpas) can be powerfully united with Shiva’s energy if the seeker truly devotes their attention to the divine through meditation and contemplation. Today is a day to think big. Whatever your goals, magnify them all with complete sincerity and offer everything to the divine.
Shiva makes no distinction between the good and the bad, divine consciousness is beyond causation and effect, so the quality of our thoughts today need to be pure and honest.
Any bad vibes we feel will emanate and grow, so its important to only think good thoughts and pray for all your wishes to become fulfilled. Shiva is known to be a simple, innocent and unsuspecting god who accepts everything which comes his way. Offer all your thoughts (positive and negative) and become free of any attachments binding you to any miseries you may have. The simplest way for a drop of water to never evaporate is to completely immerse itself in the ocean.
Thus, today of all days, we are encouraged to unite our very self with Shiva, the divine, and lose all our worries and tensions. Our desires become Shiva’s desires, if this entire creation is made from the divine, then surely there is nothing the divine cannot achieve, and thus, there is nothing holding us back from achieving as well!
Maha Shivratri is a great celebration of life, and truly a wonderful day to review your resolutions for the year ahead. Sincere meditation and prayers are strongly advised, along with the chanting of the powerful mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”. If possible stay awake for the whole night this evening and eat the bare minimum. The vibrations around our consciousness today have an immense cleansing effect on our system both physically and spiritually.
The thoughts of our vibrations connect to the heightened vibrations of Shiva today, so remember to think big but remain sincere. Shivratri is a gift for all spiritual seekers, an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come in life and where we are still to go.
Remember to also offer your blessings to Shiva himself, the divine is no different to any of us, and hence why the more we offer the more we receive. This concept does not only apply to worship, but also to helping our fellow beings across the globe. Enjoy the day and strive forward knowing the divine is always with you. May all your dreams come true… Om Namah Shivaya!!
Wondeful written Sanjib, very beautiful..
Be blessed Now and Always..
Loads of Love,
Simply lovely
very nice calming words in this busy world we live in. Mimi
Very inspirational and informative. Thanks for sharing
Beautifully written
Thanks, Sanj! Was very informative. Never saw the festival in this light…
Very inspiring! Less said the better. I like what you have to say and the way you say it.
It’s beautifully said thanks a ton. very informative and simple…spiritual way.
“Om Namah Shivay”
Wish you too a very happy maha shivratri…
Thanks Sanjeeb, from the very bottom of my heart, for sharing beautiful articles and wisdom. I simply love them.
Thanks Sanjib!
Even if one knows the significance of Shivratri, reading this article is like powering your awareness even further so you may take full advantage of the occasion.
Much appreciated.
God Bless!
Jgd
– Sundar S(Leeds)
very beautifully explained ..i loved the last line…. ‘Remember to also offer your blessings to Shiva himself, the divine is no different to any of us, hence why the more we offer the more we receive’ ……it has taken me to a different level of understanding ..Thnx Sanjib
Amazingly impressive Article Sanjib, some words are soooooooooo touching where you said **Shiva is so simple ,innocent and unsuspecting god **
“Om Namah Shivayah”. Thank you Sanjib. It was really inspirational. It really took me somewhere. Some of Ur wordings have gone deeply inside the heart. It’s really nice to hear wonderful/peacegiving articles like this in this full tension world. Really thankful to you Sir. May god bless you. Happy Shivarathri.
Gr8 Sanjib for sharing and inspring on this day to continue our spiritual journey.Thanks and happy shivratri .
Om Namah Shivaya:))
Thank You Sanjib,
“Om Namah Shivaya” May all your desires and aspirations come true.
I was not going to celebrated today, but your words have changed my mind. You have inspired me to live today in a different light.
Many blessing to you.
Enjoy Maha Shivratri
Happy Shivratri to you too…Thanks for the article…it enlightened me, and on reading I immediately switched on the Shiva Mantra at home !
great spiritual words, thanks and have a happy shivarathri
Thanks for such a beautiful discription. Om Namah Shivay!!
Really nice to read this..thanks ..otherwise i would hav never knew the importance about this big day.Happy shivratri to you also.Have a blessed day evryone:)
Wish you too a very Happy MahaShivratri
May Lord Shiva shower on you his blessings with happiness, prosperity & peace. Give everyone happiness, peace and lots of smiles 
Lokaha Samasthah Sukhino Bhavanto” – Oh Lord of the Lords grant peace & prosperity to the entire mankind. Show the correct and right path to each & every human being in this universe.
The negativity does not go and the ego comes in between……selfishness comes….
Very nice!
thanks sanjib for sharing such beautiful knowledge and happy shivratri to u and ur family God bless u
Thanks for sharing the importance of Shivratri and the inspiring article. I read and re-read it to understand throughly. The thoughts you have shared have given a new meaning to the the auspicious day. In this stressful life we need such calming words to be on the right path and not be deterred by the difficulties and stay connected to the divine Thanks again for your wishes and blessings.
beautifully written, & very informative….
thanx for sharing…
happy Shivratri….:-)
Blessings & Joy!
May all of our big dreams come true.
Om namah shivaya!! Very happy mahashivratri to you Sanjib…..thanks for very informative and inspiring article……
Well written Sanjib…hope you had a new day
I meant lot more fresher and completely new with thoughts n ideas
Dear Sanjib, thank you so much.your messages always bring in positive vibes and are ever inspiring……om namah shivay!
Dear Sanjib,
‘thanks for this thoughtful and meaningfull wishes and information about Shivaratri, trust you had a wonderful shivaratri day and night !!!
best regards
krish
Hi Sanjib
Unfortunately I didnt log in the whole of yday and saw & read ur article only today (3rd Mar). Anyways thanks for sharing the information. Will use it next Shivratri.
Will look forward to similar posts from u, the next such auspicious occasion. Make sure u send them out early
Dearest Sanjib,
Om Namah Shivaya !!!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful wishes and beautifull post about Shivratri.
Am just back after celebrating Shivratri with Guruji at Jaipur. It was an wonderful experience to be with Guruji on this special day !!! … We have started the day with the Maha Kriya and Om Namah Shivaya chanting with our beloved Rishi Nityapragyaji and an awesome evening with Guruji…
Guruji says, ” Shivratri signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it, Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth and also for sadness which gives depth to life and this is the right way of observing Shivratri…”
Jai Gurudev !!!
“The simplest way for a drop of water to never evaporate is to completely immerse itself in the ocean…..” Awesome!!!
:D how beautiful surrender of our thoughts, our ideas of ourselves, our “me-ness”, our ego becomes with that visualization! All these are nothing more than a drop in the ocean, a wisp of smoke from incense in the air!!
When I started reading this article I thought there would be the traditional story from folklore and scriptures….but just going though one paragraph after another it was a journey into the depths of knowledge–the deepest meaning of Shivaratri…simply awesome!
:D
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA.
Jai Guru Dev!!!
shiw omm
hey sanjib-happy shivratri to u 2:))
wow! just like all ur posts this one is tooooooo good too! happy shivratri to u too!
Happy Shivratri to you Sanjib.Your article is motivating me to Do something more than just praying. Let us all benefit on this auspicious Day.Thank you very much for your guidance.
Happy Shivratri Sanjib Bhaiya! Your AMAZING!
Happy Shivratri Sanjib Bhaiya……
Happy Shivratri !!
HAPPY SHIVRATRI,SANJIB !!!!
thanx sanjib for ur luv &blessings same to u.god bless.
And to you Sanjib – wonderful blog – many blessings to you today and always xx
Thanks for the info……lots of love and blessings!! Keep this going:))
Very informative and well explained. Thanks Sanjib
I celebrate the very essence of this special & auspicious day, each day of my life..
which makes me:
more Compassionate,
more Sensible,
more Loving,
more Detached,
more Humanitarian,
more Responsible,
more Ethical!
=)
har har mahadev
Hello sanjeeb
Thank you and wish you same as well.It was wonderfully explained article.
regards
pramila
Hope you’re having a beautiful Shivratri. Enjoy the celebrations whatever you do!
J
A very Happy Mahashivratri to you as well…
Best Regards
Arpit
Thanks Sanjibji—read your post on FB and also posted a comment under the name Shiela Kapadia.Very Happy Maha Shivratri to you.Thank you once again for invitung me to join your club. It is one of the best event that took place in my life ,last year.I have benefited a lot.Always learning new things and the credit goes to you.
Hi Sanjib,
Thank you for wishes.Happy Maha Shivatri to u too.
Hi Sanjib,
Om Namah Shivaye!!!!!
Thank you for the Shivratri wishes and most importantly sending the true meaning of this auspicious day.
Wishing you and your family Happy Maha Shivratri!!!!.
Regards,
Sangeeta Gandhi
Dear Sanjibji,
Thank you for the Maha Shivratri wishes. I wish you the same. Presently I am at Jaipur . Art of living is celebrating in a special way with Sri Sri Ravishankarji.
Regards
Pradeep Vidhale
wish you the same.
Cheers
Sary
Very well written Chief.
Every one of us is divine a bit. Stay sincere and committed to self, enjoy the fullness, seek and give blessings in abundance and keep reiterating the devotion to Him on occassions like Mahashivratri. Celebrate!!!
Om Namah Shivaye!!!!!
Thank u for such a wounderful wishes on such a auspicious occasion of mahashivaratri.
Hi sanjeeb,
Thank you , so glad to see your mail, as you said ,i did meditate and did chant” om namah shivay”…my first advanced course in 2005 i did during siva ratri with guruji in mumbai, so its always a big THE DAY for me… i met guruji personally on that day first time..and…rest is history….
love and blessings !!!
JGD
that’s beautiful.
hey sanjib…
god bless u dear…
m so mch thankful 4 this amazing thought of sharing this information….
m so glad u provided a frame 4 my thots….
be here… always…. we all seek similar knowledge 4m u always….
thanks….
live happy….
Thanks Sanjeeb!
You have the Power to reachout….and convey!
Om Namah Shivay!!!
OM NAMAH SHIVAYAY !!!
Many times, we look for answers for why we should do some rituals, why elders ask us to fast on a specific day or why they sit down to chant for hours together ( and keep signalling for other chores to be finished) … but fail to go down to the reasons. I really appreciate the way you so simply could make me understand the essence of Maha-Shiv Ratri!!