PRESIDENT of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud is encouraging all Hindus to observe this sacred day, today, by attending mandirs across the country. According to Dr. Persaud, daughter of founder of the Sabha, late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, MAHA SHIVRAATRI is a deeply spiritual occasion that will be celebrated on Chaturdasi, or the14th day in the Hindu month of Phalgun. It is a day consecrated for the worship of Bhagwan Shiva.
She elucidated that devotees typically perform puja to Bhagwan Shiva from 6:00 a.m. and every prahar thereafter until the day is completed. Devotees are absorbed during the day of Shiv Raatri in vigorous fasting and meditation. The Sabha head adjured that there should be abstinence from all negative influences, including alcohol, as Shivraatri is not the birthday of anyone, but rather it provides an opportunity for aspirants to do homage to Shankar Bhagwan in His Sakaarand Nirakaar or Sagun and NirgunRoop – personal and impersonal, with form or without.
On this auspicious occasion large numbers of devotees worship Shivaji through the medium of the Shiva murti and the Lingam.
Dr. Persaud explained: “Shiva is unchanging consciousness. He is the destructive aspect of the Trinity or Trimurti. In dissolution there is automatic re-creation. He is the Supreme reality. He is eternal, formless and omnipresent. He is not limited by time. Shiva is infinite bliss and intelligence. Shiv Raatri emphasizes the omniscience of God and the Shiva Lingam or the shapeless stone used in His worship connotes his formlessness. The Lingam unlike other images has neither head nor limb. This symbol denotes something which has neither beginning nor end. The Lingam is used as an aid to bring together our mental comprehension of Shiva who is the motivating power within. This symbol like others used in our puja is simply the means not the end. It will be recalled that Lord Rama consecrated the Lingam and did puja before He crossed to Lanka for the combat with Ravan.
“The murti represents Bhagwan Shiva in deep contemplation. He sits on a tiger’s skin, symbolizing that he has conquered anger. The snake around his neck is a reflection of the KundaliniShakti (internal power). From the Damaruheld in his hand emanated Om and the Sanskrit language. The three-layered chandan on his forehead reminds us of the Trimurti – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.”
Expounding on the ancient precepts, she said that in the Maha Shiv Puran the PanchAkshara Mantra is provided for chanting and it is done in the form ofAkhand (incessant)Kirtan and thus all the devotees will be absorbed in the chanting of Om NamahaShivaya. Hinduism believes in the existence of one God and does not support a multitude of Gods. Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh constitute the Trinity – God’s creation, sustenance and dissolution.
According to the Sabha President Bhagwan Shiva’s worship is prolific and worshippers of Shiva Shankar are profoundly committed in Puja to the great God on Shivraatri.
MahaShivraatri will be observed on Thursday, February 27th 2014 (concludes on Friday 28th February, 2014). The Guyana Hindu Sabha has issued a call to all affiliates and mandirs to organize appropriate Satsanghs to commemorate the deeply spiritual day(s). The Sabha prays that Bhagwan Shiva showers his infinite blessings on all and our beautiful country.
Satsanghs will be held at Dharmic Rama Krisha Mandir, Barr Street, Kitty at 5:30pm and Shri Krishna Mandir, Campbellville at 7:00 p.m Puja will be conducted by Pandit Jagmohan Persaud, who will be assisted by Pandit Bramanad Prashad.