Mahashivratri -- Legends (Part 1)
Karu Jeyakumar <sambaviSPAMFILTER@srividya.org>
Wednesday October 27 2004
Mahashivratri and Ganga: There are several legends and stories associated with Mahashivratri. According to a legend in the Ramayana, King Bhagirath once left his kingdom to meditate for the salvation of the souls of his ancestors. He observed a penance to Brahma for a thousand years, requesting Ganga to come down to earth from heaven. He wanted her to wash over his ancestor`s ashes to release them from a curse and allow them to go to heaven. Brahma granted his wish but told him to pray to Shiva, who alone could sustain the weight of her descent. Accordingly, Ganga descended on Shiva`s head, and after meandering through his thick matted locks, reached the earth. According to a modified version, what reached the earth was just sprinkles from his hair. This story is re-enacted by bathing the linga.
- Why Lord Shiva is called Neel Kanth: Another story traces the origin of the festival to the fact that Lord Shiva saved the entire human race and the universe from destruction by swallowing poison. It is believed that the Gods and the demons were churning the Ocean (Sagarmanthan) to obtain amrit (nectar) to stay immortal. In the process they came across many unusual substances, including the deadly poison. As soon as they touched the poison, it exploded into poisonous fumes that threatened to destroy the entire universe. When the destruction of the universe seemed inevitable, the Gods ran for assistance to Brahma and Vishnu, but neither was able to help. At last they ran to Lord Shiva, who swallowed the poison without spilling a single drop. That also explains why Lord Shiva`s throat is blue in colour for which he is also called Neel Kanth (the one who has a blue throat) or Vishaapaharana Murthy.
- Mahashivratri and Parvati: There is another possible reason for the origin of the all-night worship. Maha Shivratri being a moonless night, people worship the god who wears the crescent moon as an adornment in his hair, Shiva. This was probably to ensure that the moon rose the next night. According to one myth, Parvati performed tapas, prayed, and meditated on this day to ward off any evil that may befall her husband on the moonless night. Another popular belief is that Mahashivratri is actually the celebration to mark the holy union of Lord Shiva and Parvati on this day. Another popular belief is that Mahashivratri is actually the celebration to mark the holy union of Lord Shiva and Parvati on this day.
