In life we go on experiencing the states of wakefulness (jagrat), dreams (swapna) and deep sleep (sushupti). Though most of us are awake for sixteen hours a day, we are not aware of the divine power in us called the Soul. We are awake and alert, but spiritually we are asleep. We seem to have lost our awareness of Divinity.

 Lord Shiva is the principle of Awareness in us. The Shivalinga represents Infinite Cosmic Consciousness which is beyond birth and death. Maha Shivaratri, the glorious festival of Lord Shiva is celebrated in the night to awaken the mind from its deep slumber of ignorance.

 We perceive the world around us using a trained and conditional mind which distorts reality and disconnects us from the Divinity. We are pulled in different directions by our body, mind and intellect. So we are consumed by conflict. Our mind begins to gallop like a wild horse, it becomes like a lake that is ruffled by the wind. A mind that chatters constantly can never grasp reality or Divinity. Our mind should be like the serene waters of a still lake that reflects everything with complete clarity. A restless mind is a destructive mind. A still mind is a creative mind. Our body should be dynamically active, but our mind and intellect should be calm and tranquil. This leads to complete efficiency in all spheres of life. This is the internal union of Shiva who represents potential energy with Shakti, the dynamic energy. Shivaratri symbolically marks the wedding of Lord Shiva with His divine consort, Goddess Parvathi. By immersing ourselves in His worship tonight we receive the Grace necessary to still the mind and tune in to the Soul.

The Sages have told us – “You have spent most of your life in grieving over trifles and sorrows. Illumine your life with the lamp of your Soul by adoring Lord Shiva tonight.” The Shivalinga represents the awareness in our own Soul. So when we do the Abhisheka of the Linga, we are bathing our Soul with the water of devotion. The three leaved bilva sprig which is so auspicious for His worship symbolizes the qualities of faith, belief and surrender. It also reminds us that the Soul is ever pure, pristine and unblemished. All impurities exist only in the body, mind and intellect. The sacred mantra – “Om Namah Shivâya” reinforces our vital life force and focuses our mind on Divinity, igniting our Awareness.

 All impurities in our mind are generated by friction. When the mind is free from bad thoughts it becomes awake. Goddess Ganga who flows down Lord Shiva’s matted locks constantly lubricates and purifies our total awareness of the divinity within. When we worship “Shiva” we will stop indulging in any of the six vices – lust, anger, greed, attachment arrogance or envy as we become aware of the negativity they generate.

 On this night our mind should cease all its outward wanderings and turn inwards. Then the blaze of awareness that is lit inside us reduces all impurities (negative thoughts and karma) to ashes. Lord Shiva draws all our imperfections into His own radiance, burns it and returns it to us as Vibhuti or holy ash. That’s why He is named Bhasmadhâra or the “Ash Besmeared one.” It is said that our destiny is written on our forehead. When we apply holy ash there, we are erasing all human limitations called Fate. This also activates the third eye located between our eyebrows.

When light dispels darkness inside us it is called Enlightenment. Centuries of darkness can be dispelled in a single moment. For some Souls just one Shivaratri may trigger this transformation. This could be our night of Enlightenment. Let us all light our inner lamps of Awareness on this glorious night of “Shivaratri.”

 “OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”