Maha Shivratri Vrat’2024
Worshipping Shiva on Maha Shivratri Vrat day brings happiness, prosperity, and health benefits. “Om Namah Shivay” chanting offers health benefits. Shivratri Vrat requires discipline and devotion, offering self-reflection and inner peace. However, certain rules and regulations must be followed for effective practice.
By reciting Lord Shiv Chalisa during the Maha Shivratri Vrat, you bring a good and happy life.
Maha Shivratri Date and Timing
The Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha, Maha Shivratri festival will be celebrated on 8th March 2024, starting at 9:57 pm and ending on 9th March 2024 at 06:17 pm.
Why we do Maha Shivratri Vrat?
The devas and asuras were always at war, but on Lord Vishnu’s advice, they churned the Ocean of Milk for amrita, the nectar of immortality. However, using Vasuki, the serpent king, as a rope, they drank poison from the Ocean of Milk, requesting Lord Shiva’s help.
Goddess Parvati held the Lord’s throat for one day and night to prevent poison from spreading, turning him blue and earning the name Neelakantha. This fasting tradition, which involves staying awake all night during Mahashivratri, has become an age-old practice.
Maha Shivratri Vrat Powerful Maha Mantra
Om Maha Devay Namah |
Om Maheshwaray Namah |
Om Shree Rudray Namha |
Om Neel Kanthay Namah |
Maha Shivratri Vrat Katha in English
In ancient times, a hunter used to support his family by hunting animals. One day he went out to hunt in the forest but even after running around the whole day he did not get any prey. He started feeling distraught with hunger and thirst. While waiting for the prey, he started making his camp on a vine tree on the bank of a pond. There was a Shivalinga under the vine tree which was covered with Bilva leaves(BelPatra). The hunter did not know about this.
The branches he broke while making the camp accidentally fell on Shivalinga. While waiting for the prey, he kept plucking leaves from the Bilva tree and offering them to Shivalinga. The hungry and thirsty hunter fasted throughout the day and Bel leaves were also placed on Shivlinga. In this way he became a partaker of the good deeds done unknowingly.
When one hour of the night had passed, a pregnant deer came to the pond to drink water. As soon as the hunter put an arrow on his bow and pulled the string, the deer said, ‘Hunter, don’t kill me, I am pregnant.’ I will deliver soon. You will be killing two creatures at once, which is not right. I will return to you soon after giving birth to my child, then you kill me.
The hunter believed that the deer was real and he immediately loosened the string and the deer disappeared into the bushes. After sometime, another deer came out from there. The hunter was very happy that now he had found the prey. After coming close, he put the bow on the arrow.
The deer humbly requested, ‘O hunter! I retired from the season a little while ago. I am a lustful bachelor. I am wandering in search of my beloved. I will meet my husband and come to you soon.’
The hunter let her go as well Twice he himself lost his prey, his head bowed. He was in all sort of thoughts, It was the last hour of the night. Just then another deer passed by with its babies. This was a golden opportunity for the hunter. He wasted no time in putting the arrow on his bow and was about to release it when the deer said, ‘Hey hunter! I will return after handing over these children to their father. Don’t kill me this time.’
The hunter laughed and said, ‘I am not such a fool to leave the prey in front of me. I have lost my prey twice before. My children must be suffering from hunger and thirst.
In reply, Mrigi again said, ‘Just as you are troubled by the love of your children, in the same way I am also worried about my children, therefore, only in the name of the children, I am asking to spare my life for a while. Hey hunter! Trust me, I promise to leave them with their father and return immediately.
Hearing the poor voice of the deer, the hunter felt pity for it. He let that Mrigi escape too Due to lack of prey, the hunter sitting on the vine tree kept plucking the leaves and throwing them down. When dawn was about to break, a strong deer came on the same path. The hunter thought that he would definitely hunt it.
Seeing the hunter’s taut string, the deer said in a polite voice, ‘O hunter brother! If you have killed the three deer and small children who came before me, then do not delay in killing me also, so that I do not have to suffer even for a moment in their separation. I am the husband of those deer. If you have given them life then please give me some moments of life too. I will meet them and appear before you.
As soon as the hunter heard the deer’s words, the entire night’s events flashed before the hunter. He told the whole story to the deer. Then the deer said, ‘Just as my three wives have gone as promised, they will not be able to follow their dharma due to my death. Therefore, just as you have left them as your confidants, let me go in the same way. I will appear before you soon with all of them.’
The violent heart of the hunter was purified by fasting, night vigil and offering Belpatra on Shivalinga. God’s power had resided in him. The bow and arrow easily fell out of his hand. Due to the compassion of Lord Shiva, his violent heart was filled with compassionate feelings. Remembering his past deeds, he started burning in the flame of repentance.
After sometime, the deer along with its family appeared before the hunter so that he could hunt them, but seeing such truthfulness, honesty and collective love spirit of the wild animals, the hunter felt very guilty. Tears started flowing from his eyes. By not killing that deer family, the hunter removed his hard heart from violence towards animals and made it soft and kind forever. The entire Dev Samaj was also watching this incident from the Dev Loka. As soon as the incident was over, the gods and goddesses showered flowers. Then the hunter and the deer family attained salvation.
Lord Shiva Aarti in English
Om Jay Shiv Omkara Om Jay Shiv Omkara,
Brahma Vishnu Sada Shiv Ardhaangee Dhaara | Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
Ekaanan Chaturanan Panchanan Raaje
Hansaasan Garudasan Vrishavahan Saje |Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
Do Bhuj Chaar Chaturbhuj Das Bhuj ati Sohe
Trigun Roop Nirakhata Tribhuvan Jan Mohe | Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
Akshamala Banamala Rundamala Dhaaree
Tripurari Kansaari Kar Mala Dhari | Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
Shwetaambar Peetaambar Baaghambar ange
Sanakaadik Garunaadik Bhootaadik sange | Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
Kar Ke Madhya Kamandalu Chakra Trishool Dhaari
Sukhkaari Dukhhaari Jag Palankaari | Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
Brahma Vishnu Sadaashiv Jaanat Aviveka
Pranavaakshar me Shobhit Ye Teenon Eka | Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
Kaashee Mein Vishvanaath Viraajat Nandi Brahmachari
Nit Uthi Bhog Lagaavat Mahima Ati Bhaaree | Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
Trigun Shivajee Kee Aarti Jo Koi Nar Gaave
Kahat Shivaanand Swami Manavaanchhit Phal Paave | Om Jay Shiv Omkara ||
||Sampurnam||