Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Shivaratri – February 18, 2023 – Mysore
Speech in the morning
Jaya Guru Datta.
Om Namaha Shivaya.
Shivaya Rudraya Namaha.
It is said that one Shivaratri in a lifetime is enough. We should productively use the energy of Shivaratri and submerge in Dhyana, Upavasa (fasting)and Jagarana (night vigil) on this day. Upavasa and Jagarana are very important on this day. They keep the senses vigilant. We worship Jnana on Shivaratri. That is why, we should not miss Shivaratri. For the enlightened, one Shivaratri is enough. The day we attain liberation is Shivaratri. Why this day has gained so much significance is that Shiva represents Sampoorna Jnana. Those who know Shiva and worship Him go to Shiva Loka.
The purpose of Shivaratri is greatly extolled. The 10 indriyas are vigilant this day in the presence of God who is in the form of Bindu. He is the formless as well as visible God. That is why He is in the form of Bindu (dot).
Why are we worshiping that omnipresent Paramatman today? When Brahma and Vishnu had a debate about Shiva Tattva, they take on the challenge to measure the extent of Shiva’s toes and head. Vishnu travels downward to see Shiva’s feet. Brahma travels upward to see Shiva’s head. This journey continues endlessly. Yugas pass. Finally Vishnu accepts defeat and concedes that the darkness in Him is gone, the Lord enlightened him. He said – I thought I knew everything, but I cannot even see the Lord’s feet. Vishnu accepts that Shiva is omnipresent and returns. Brahma too cannot find Shiva’s head, but is hesitant to return. As he travels, a petal of Kedara flower floats down with enchanting aroma. Brahma asks the petal where it came from. The petal said it slipped from Shiva’s head, but does not remember when it fell. Brahma holds the petal and instructs the petal to bear false witness that Brahma saw Shiva’s head. Out of fear, the petal agrees. Brahma then sees a cow and the cow tells Brahma that it has been falling for a long time. Brahma asks the cow also to bear false witness about Brahma having seen Shiva’s head. The cow accepts out of fear. Brahma brings them both to the assembly of Gods. In the assembly, Vishnu concedes that he could not see the feet of Shiva. Brahma on the other hand says he saw Shiva’s head. He then describes Shiva’s head as per his imagination. He then presents the cow and the petal as witness. The cow nods and the petal intensifies its aroma. Shiva then comes down in a tiny form and asks – When did you see my head? They are bearing false witness. Since the cow lied, it will be worshiped only on the back, not the front. The products that come from the cow’s behind have great medicinal value.
The cow then pleas with the Lord saying – The body from navel up is considered heaven whereas from navel down is considered hell. Shiva says that that hold true only in the case of humans, but the region navel down for the cow is also heaven. The entire body of the cow is heaven.
The Lord then says to the petal – You will not be used for worship of me or Vishnu anymore. You may be used for decoration, but not worship.
Today, do as much Shiva Japa as possible. Shiva likes Abhisheka. He bears Ganga on his head. He is never satisfied with the amount of Abhisheka. We are chanting his name, singing Bhajans, singing Keertanas in His praise. We should chant this name 24 hours. Shiva Linga rises at midnight. All regions under earth are considered Patala region and above are considered Svarga region. If we worship the Lord as all pervading and offer Japa, Tapa, Puja, Homa etc., the Lord teaches us His true Tattva.
This Shivaratri is very peaceful. After the 2-3 events (Srisailam, Sahasrachandra etc) prior, most people are observing Shivaratri at home. May it be this peaceful in the night as well.
You all heard saw the experiments with Cow urine and Cow dung. Vibhuti as well as incense are made with cow dung in the Ashrama. You all may take them home.
At one point, I could not stand Facebook. Then, one day, I decided to do Prachara through Facebook. I did not want to touch Facebook until then. This incident when I decided to do Prachara happened in Ukraine. When I came back to India, we started the Prachara via Puttugam.com. May there be peace in Ukraine as well.
Message for Bhakti TV
Aum Namah Shivaya
aṇoraṇīyān aham eva tatvat
mahānaham vishvam aham vishuddhah
purātanoham purushōham īshō
hiraṇmayoham shiva rūpam asmi
I am smaller than an atom and greater than the greatest. I am this entire Universe. I am Vishuddha – pure. I am purātana Purusha – the ancient and supreme being. I am Ishvara! I am Hiraṇmaya – of golden hue. I am the embodiment of Shiva! As you keep chanting and contemplating thus, you shall become Shiva! This is the essence of meditation. As we think, so we become. This is a blessing bestowed by Shiva Himself on Shivaratri. This is why the great masters said one Shivaratri is enough to attain salvation. There is no greater dhyana than to contemplate thus on Shivaratri.
This most important Shivaratri has arrived. Therefore, worship Lord Shiva with the utmost devotion and sincerity. Use this day to become one with Lord Shiva. Since it is very important to stay awake, those who are healthy should stay awake all night contemplating on Lord Shiva. While chanting Shiva’s name, offer worship and abhisheka to the Lord, and make the best use of the time of Lingodbhava. On the following day, after worshipping the Lord, complete the Shivaratri vrata.
It is very good to offer Rudrabhisheka on Shivaratri. By the grace of Mrityunjaya, one shall attain longevity, and be rid of the fear of death. This Shivaratri which uplifts us comes only once a year and blesses us with untold boons. Therefore without wasting even a second, one should spend the entire day worshipping and contemplating on Lord Shiva. Without fail, you must follow the instructs of the great sages who only care for our well-being. Shivaratri is different from all other festivals. Out of great compassion for us, Lord Shiva has bestowed this day on us to not only bless us not just with boons, but liberation as well.
There is a reason why Lord Shiva took this avatara during this Magha month which falls in the cold winter time. Most of the strange and unknown diseases surface during winter and spread very quickly, thus troubling the entire world. Shiva therefore took Avatara in this time to protect people with good health, happiness and peace and not allow these diseases to torment the world. One should therefore worship Mrityunjaya to be free from all worldly diseases and ailments.
mrityunjayāya rudrāya neelakanṭhāya shambhavē
amrutēshāya sharvāya mahādēvāya tē namaha
Shiva rids the world of the sorrows arising from samsara. He also rids one of the sorrows arising from birth, death, disease and old age. Those who wish to attain success in their endeavours and fulfil their wishes, must hold onto Lord Shiva, who is verily auspiciousness. He constantly bestows auspiciousness and good fortune; and protects night and day, the seasons, flowering creepers and fruit-bearing trees for our sake. Since Nature remains cool and flourishes under His protection, those who seek prosperity must worship Lord Shiva. Since chanting Shiva Nama bestows merit, Shankara Bhagavad Padacharya praised the Lord as ‘Samsara Gahana Taraka Murti’ – the One who takes us across this impenetrable cycle of mundane existence.
There is a reason why all the homage paid to Lord Shiva bears fruit on this day. On all other days, the moon influences and effects the mind, causing restlessness and the inability to restrain it. But on Shivaratri, the moon exerts very little influence on the mind, thus making it easy to restrain the mind. Thus when the mind contemplates on Lord Shiva, one attains great merits. Sometimes, the mind merges in Shiva and becomes one with Him. Therefore all of you must make the best use of this festival.
The scriptures say that offering abhisheka to the lord and worshipping Him with Bilva leaves, grants Shakti, Bhakti and Mukti. Shiva is light, He is without name or form. The Lord appeared in the form of a Linga to uplift the world. This form not only seems strange but astonishing too, since the Lord is always covered in sacred ash. Instead of wearing jewels, He wears snakes around His neck. Elephant hide is the garment which He wraps around His body. He has three eyes, wears the moon on His head and one of His wives resides atop His head. He has given half His body to the other wife and appears as one who is devoid of all attachment to worldly matters. And what to say of His sons – Gajamukha and Shanmukha. One has an elephant head, while the other has six heads! His Vahana is a bull, and His residence is not a beautiful palace but the cremation grounds! Next to such a strange looking Lord is Annapurna Devi, and yet He roams from one home to another begging for alms! These are all actions which instil atma gnyana – the knowledge of Self in us. How can we go with our requests to one who himself is asking for alms? We must understand that the Lord with His form and being is teaching us a great lesson.
By smearing sacred ash all over His body, the Lord promises to bless us with auspiciousness. The elephant hide and snakes teach us dispassion, not to become obsessed with clothes and ornaments, whose very nature is impermanent. By begging for alms, He is only asking for our Bhakti. The Lord says, “if you are devout, I shall bless you with Liberation.” The two wives should ideally represent a large samsaric life, but Maha Kala – the Lord of Time who quelled Kama (desire) is teaching us to restrain our mind. As Lord Neelakantha who holds poison in His throat, the Lord teaches us to swallow our difficulties and help others.
Rise, fall, growth and dissipation are part of life, therefore one should not feel proud or become dejected. The moon atop the Lord’s head represents equanimity in all situations. Irrespective of whether one is rich or poor, ultimately everyone has to go Rudra bhoomi. In the hope that at least in their final hour, people would contemplate on Me, I reside in the cremation ground. If one holds onto My elephant-headed son, he shall free one from obstacles. By seeking refuge in the son with 6 faces, one shall attain gnyaana. By worshipping the Mother who occupies half my body, one shall gain shakti. Contemplating on the wife who resides on my head shall make one pure. By praying to my Vahana, Nandeeshwara shall bless one with the qualities which a devotee should have and teach the practices to be followed. My entire family stands as an ideal to uplift the entire world. If you understand this, I shall follow you everywhere and fulfil your desires.
Thus with His form, Lord Shiva teaches us that since the six senses (including the mind) have a great role to play, at least on Shivaratri, if one brings the senses to focus on Shiva, one shall gain immense benefits.
O Lord, please bless me so that these six senses – my mind, speech, hearing, hands, intellect and eyes are ever immersed in serving You!
Lord Shiva’s Grace shall fall on you and your life shall attain fulfillment. Let us all sing His praises.
Aum Namah Shivaya
Aum Namah Shivaya