Shivaratri

By Anirudh Koka
Contributor

Shivaratri is a festival celebrated on the 13th day of the Hindu month of Magha. The thirteenth day of Magha was said to be Shiva's favorite day. So Parvati spread the word about this until all the creation heard about it. People celebrate Shivaratri by fasting and staying awake all through the night singing bhajans and telling tales of Shiva. The fasting can be done by either eating nothing the whole day, or by just merely eating fruits. People sing stotrams such as Lingashtakam, Panchakshara stotram, Rudram and Chamakam. To perform the puja, devotees use milk, water, fruits and leaves. I would like to tell you a story about how Shiva became known as "Tripurantaka" (destroyer of the three evil cities, Tripura).

A long time ago, there were three demons that built three flying cities. Many more demons came to live in the cities. The cities flew around, robbing and pillaging towns they crossed. The Devas were terrified, and went to Brahma for help. Brahma said that only Shiva could help them. All the Gods went to Shiva. Vishnu said for them to wait, so they could build a chariot that would destroy the cities. The gods went to work, building their chariot. Earth became the chariot, with the moon and sun serving as the wheels. The mountains became the bow while Vasuki became the string of the bow. Brahma became the charioteer. Vishnu himself became a comet to serve as the arrow. They presented the chariot to Shiva, and asked Shiva if he could destroy the three cities. Shiva accepted. Vishnu charted the cosmos to find when the three cities would align, so Shiva could destroy them all with one arrow. Vishnu found the appropriate time, and Shiva got ready. When the three cities appeared, Shiva took aim, and fired. All three cities were shot down and destroyed. The wails of the demons filled the air, but the Gods rejoiced. But Shiva was stern and said he could not celebrate the death of any living creature. He said that whenever the world would become corrupt, he would use his bow to destroy the three worlds.

Many other stories are told about Shiva. Shivaratri is a family time when families fast together and pray together, and tell stories. Some more significant and interesting facts about Shivaratri are as follows:

Shiva is one of the only gods that is worshipped in the dark half of the lunar month. It is said that on this day, gods have less power, and demons and ghosts run amok. Shiva is the one who protects the people by stopping the demon's horrid actions.

Shiva is pleased very easily, so he is called Ashutosh. A story why he is called Ashutosh goes like this: One day, a tribal was lost in a forest. He couldn't sleep, so he entertained himself by plucking leaves off the tree above him and dropping them on the ground. He stayed awake all night without food or water, and dropped leaves. He did not know that where he was dropping leaves, there was a small lingam. He had subconsciously worshipped Shiva. For this, Shiva gave him salvation.

Anirudh Koka is an 8th grade Bala Vihar student at Chinmaya Mission Phoenix (www.chinmayaphoenix.org). Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar classes are held every Sunday at Sierra Vista Academy in Scottsdale. He wrote this article in preparation for Shivaratri celebration next month.