Yesterday, evening on my way back home, I found the bilva patras(bael leaf) being sold for the Mahashivaratri festival at my regular florist. I recalled about the significance of Bilva patra to Mahashivaratri and even related this to my friend who was with me. Not just the Bilva patra, the whole write up of Mahashivaratri in the journal on culture, IKA was so convincing, that I who never believed in festivals 20 years back today realize the significance of our ancient wisdom.
The bilva leaf( pic courtesy: google)
According to Indian knowledge academy(IKA), the human body is susceptible to the changes in the cyclical motions of the moon and sun. Today’s scientists of organic and bio-farming have researched, observed and documented the changes of the impact of the waxing and waning of the moon on the cellular structures of plants including the germination. But our ancient mystics understood these seasonal and climatic changes and so devised methods for natural adaptations long ago.
Mahashivaratri is one such natural adaptation for the seasonal transition from the winter to spring. All the flora and fauna which underwent hibernation during winter, starts germinating during spring time. This transition is the most important one for all species including humans. Human body undergoes subtle cellular and molecular changes during this time giving way to lung and respiratory infections which are more dominant. To avoid them, certain rules are prescribed in the form of celebration like usage of the bilva patras and visiting the places where cosmic and geo magnetic energy are accumulated ( temples built according to agama principle). More on this in my old post "the science of Mahashivaratri".
Such write-ups make me appreciate the ancient native wisdom of our ancestors who have designed festivals based on the sciences of climate, astronomy, siddha/ayurveda and human physiology. All these festivals are then related to our wellness. Wellness has been weaved into our routine in the name of religion and festivals. Festivals like these makes me feel blessed to be in a country whose greatest contribution to the world is her spiritual and scientific wisdom apart from Astronomy, ayurveda, human physiology, history, surgery, stories/legends climatology,cuisine, tourism, textiles, jewellery, yoga and now even IT…..( add those that I have missed).
There are also many interesting legends related to Mahashivaratri One of them is the ‘Puttu’ story.( I will make that another post) Puttu is a steamed sweet dish made with riceflour and jaggery. This is offered to god as “neivedyam’.
The wise say, prayers offered during Mahashivaratri are amplified 10 milliontimes. So, if there is a time that one wants to purify their thoughts and activate the empowerment of their goals, today is the special night. Chant Hmmm Nama shivaya ( om is recited as Hmmm to send the right vibrations).
Gavi gangadeeshwara temple - an ancient Shiva temple in Bangalore has immense Atronomical significance.( this too deserves a post)
The bilva leaf( pic courtesy: google)
According to Indian knowledge academy(IKA), the human body is susceptible to the changes in the cyclical motions of the moon and sun. Today’s scientists of organic and bio-farming have researched, observed and documented the changes of the impact of the waxing and waning of the moon on the cellular structures of plants including the germination. But our ancient mystics understood these seasonal and climatic changes and so devised methods for natural adaptations long ago.
Mahashivaratri is one such natural adaptation for the seasonal transition from the winter to spring. All the flora and fauna which underwent hibernation during winter, starts germinating during spring time. This transition is the most important one for all species including humans. Human body undergoes subtle cellular and molecular changes during this time giving way to lung and respiratory infections which are more dominant. To avoid them, certain rules are prescribed in the form of celebration like usage of the bilva patras and visiting the places where cosmic and geo magnetic energy are accumulated ( temples built according to agama principle). More on this in my old post "the science of Mahashivaratri".
Such write-ups make me appreciate the ancient native wisdom of our ancestors who have designed festivals based on the sciences of climate, astronomy, siddha/ayurveda and human physiology. All these festivals are then related to our wellness. Wellness has been weaved into our routine in the name of religion and festivals. Festivals like these makes me feel blessed to be in a country whose greatest contribution to the world is her spiritual and scientific wisdom apart from Astronomy, ayurveda, human physiology, history, surgery, stories/legends climatology,cuisine, tourism, textiles, jewellery, yoga and now even IT…..( add those that I have missed).
There are also many interesting legends related to Mahashivaratri One of them is the ‘Puttu’ story.( I will make that another post) Puttu is a steamed sweet dish made with riceflour and jaggery. This is offered to god as “neivedyam’.
The wise say, prayers offered during Mahashivaratri are amplified 10 milliontimes. So, if there is a time that one wants to purify their thoughts and activate the empowerment of their goals, today is the special night. Chant Hmmm Nama shivaya ( om is recited as Hmmm to send the right vibrations).
Oh Wonderful post. Is that the significance ?? I never knew. Every post of yours, I learn something.
ReplyDeleteUnlike you however, I still haven't found the meaning in festivals. Especially when they descend into loudspeakers, bollywood music, dancing and making a general nuisance.
Thanks Ramesh for your generous words. neither do i relate to such festivals where Ganeshji watches 'lungi dance' or pots and pots of milk are poured over idols while human(beggars) outside ask for alms.
DeleteExcellent post. All our rituals have scientific reasons. We may know about some and do not know about some. For example, the earth rotates in an anti clock wise mode. Therefore, we do pradakshinam in temples and go around 9 times at the Navagrahams in clock wise manner. It is bad for our health to do anti clock wise ala the earth.
ReplyDeleteoh did'nt know about pradakshinam. Thanks SG. Yes, i think the original logic behind the rituals sounds convincing but the way it was related down the generations has corrupted the logic.
Deletewe celebrate shivraatri by fasting and feasting:)
ReplyDeleteyes Renu, most fast and feast on this day. Even fasting is based on scientific reasoning, now ofcourse we call it detox diet.
DeleteVery informative post. Shivratri is celebrated throughout the country.
ReplyDeleteAsha, I have named your blog as my favourite blog. in the Write Tribe Festival of Words,,,3 Kindly see the post.
Thank you, ma'am. That is a huge honor for me equivalent to blog oscar. Thanks so much.
DeleteWow! That's what I said silently on reading this post! Never knew about the scientific aspect of Mahashivratri. You must share a post on Gavi gangadeeshwara temple too! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, shilpa. I sure will blog about gavi gangadeeshwara temple. Will click photos on my next visit and post about it.
ReplyDelete