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Maha Shivratri Vrat Katha: Many devotees observe a day-long fast on Mahashivratri, and at night they remain awake lighting lamps at the temple.
Maha Shivratri Vrat Katha: Mythological Story, Rituals & Life Lessons from Lord Shiva
Maha Shivratri Vrat Katha: Mahashivratri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals honouring Lord Shiva, who is considered as one of the Supreme Deities in Hinduism. The festival promotes spiritual enlightenment by symbolising victory over ignorance and darkness. This year, Mahashivratri will be observed on Wednesday, February 26.
Devotees observe fast for the entire day, meditate, visit Shiva temples, recite prayers and mantras and carry out other ceremonial activities related to worshipping Lord Shiva on this special day.
Fasting for the full day on Mahashivratri has significant spiritual significance because it is akin to worshipping Shiva throughout the year. It is also believed that observing fast on Mahashivratri helps the devotees to get rid of all sins. One can accomplish all of their material objectives and advance on the path to inner serenity and spirituality by keeping this fast.
Maha Shivaratri Vrat Katha
The significance of the Mahashivaratri fast has been described in the Shiva Mahapurana, a Hindu scripture revering Lord Shiva. As per the mythologies tale, the Mahashivratri fast revolves around a hunter, who even without realising it, attained ‘Shivpada’ (Sanskrit word that means final liberation or emancipation) after observing Shivaratri fast.
As mentioned in Shiva Purana, Sut Mahamuni, a disciple of the great Ved Vyas, narrates the sages in Naimisharanya that, a Bheel named Guru-Druha used to reside in a forest. He was extremely powerful, ruthless and never compassionate towards others. Hunting animals in the forest was how he made a living. He and his family once experienced severe hunger after going days without hunting down a prey. Even after searching the forest for the entire day, he was unable to find any prey. Fortunately, it was Shivaratri, a sacred and holy day. Out of ignorance, he and his entire family unwittingly observed the Shivaratri fast.
Even though it was night-time, he decided against going home empty-handed because of his family’s anxiety. Bheel, who was upset that he was not finding any prey, grabbed some water and climbed up on a Bael tree next to the pond’s ghat. Armed with a bow and arrow, he hoped that any animal would come to the pond to drink water so he could hunt it.
A female deer arrived later that night to drink some water. Guru-Druha immediately pointed his bow and arrow at the buck. He unintentionally spilled water and Bael leaves on a Shiva Linga, which was located under the tree. The deer pleaded with Guru-Druha not to kill her and promised to return to him after meeting her cubs. Hesitatingly, Guru-Druha consented. He remained awake and kept on throwing Bael leaves casually down the tree while sitting on a branch. The leaves fell on the Shiva Linga on the ground, and Guru-Druha had spent the entire night performing Shiva puja without realising it.
The female deer eventually came back with her family but the deer and cubs were ready to sacrifice each other to save the family. Due to the blessings of Lord Shiva and spiritual awakening, Guru-Druha felt ashamed that the animals were ready to sacrifice their lives to save their family but he was going to kill them all. The hunter allowed the deer to go without killing them.
All of his wrongs were forgiven by the punya (good action) he accrued while unintentionally worshipping Lord Shiva. After Guru-Druha atoned for his transgressions and set the deer free, his heart became pure.
Following this, he received a boon from Lord Shiva, who appeared before him and blessed him to “be born as a man named Gruha in a town called Shrungver and he would later meet Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Lord Ram in Tretaya Yuga. In addition, Lord Shiva also blessed the deer.
Those who observe Shivaratri fast with dedication, according to Mahatma Sut ji, experience unique joys and ultimate emancipation. Shivaratri fasting is superior to all other fasts, pilgrimages, donations and even the most challenging penances in the universe.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
