Anniversary of First Shiv Ling
ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST APPEARANCE OF SHIV LING
VERY SIGNIFICANT PERIOD FOR LORD SHIVA WORSHIP
In 2017:
Start - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 from 10:11 p.m.
Finish – Wednesday, November 8, up to 8:30 p.m.
In Hindu philosophy, there is but one God (the INFINITE), manifested in various finite forms who personify certain facets of the Supreme Being. In this way, one’s conception of God is facilitated. He is known as Lord Ram to some while others fancy Him as Lord Krishna – these being the two most popular incarnations.
The three principal projections of that Higher Being are His creative power ( Lord Brahmaa ), the source of sustenance ( Lord Vishnu ) and His dissolving potency in the form of Lord Shiva. As expected, these three manifestations are sometimes referred to as the Trinity.
In the Holy Ramayan, Lord Ram has repeatedly declared his closeness to Lord Shiva and vice versa. Lord Shiva’s portfolio is not limited to his dissolving power but He has a pivotal role in alleviating one’s pains which are not confined to the body and mind. Pains and discomfort may emanate from the Grahas or, natural disasters. ( The Grahas are that group of nine celestials who play a major role as the dispensers of the fruits of our actions. )
In His dissolving capacity, Lord Shiva affords us an opportunity to rid ourselves of the flaws in our character build, thereby lending some purity and meaning to our lives. The sugar we purchase carries its fair share of impurities but if that sugar is dissolved in water and, subsequently, subjected to heat utilizing a common scientific process, pure sugar is obtained. We are but pure grains of sugar at the hour of birth but become contaminated as we wend our way through life’s sojourn, rubbing shoulders with shady company, and gravitating to vices. This lethal twosome paves the way for undesirable traits to seep into our personality. Lord Shiva is both the solvent and chemical process through which a sense of purity can return to our lives.
The act of dissolving and the removal of pain are but only two of a wider spectrum of Lord Shiva’s grace. There are recommended offerings to Lord Shiva, with the attendant blessings, which point the way. Two major occasions on the Hindu yearly calendar present such an opportunity, one being Maha Shiva Ratri which occurs in the month of Phaalgun (roughly February). Every month, on the day before New Moon, Lord Shiva’s worship is recommended with the specific purpose of warding off negative forces which are accentuated on New Moon. When we are unable to perform this monthly worship, we get a cherished opportunity on Maha Shiva Ratri. Offerings made on this day are equivalent to performing monthly pooja.
The second major occasion for Lord Shiva’s worship occurs in the month of Maargsheersha (roughly November). On the appointed day, He is honoured as followers celebrate the anniversary of His advent into the world as the Shiva Ling. The Shiva Puraan declares that the Ling form (stone) symbolizes that the Great Dissolver is beyond form and visible attributes. In other words, He is fathomless. During worship, one acknowledges the benevolence of Lord Shiva and how the world feeds off it. After performing pooja, offerings are made on the Ling. A few snippets of the significance of the recommended offerings will be highlighted. According to the authoritative text, Nirnaya Sindhu, milk comprises the first offering. The nourishing value of milk serves as a reminder that our lives should be lived in a manner that provides nourishment (support), especially for the distressed.
The second offering is ‘dahee’ (yogurt). Milk, when ‘split’, turns into dahee and finds its benefit in the gastro-intestinal tract. So, too, when life’s encounters causes disenchantment (makes us ‘sour’), those experiences should only serve to propel us to utter soothing words to others, particularly in their moments of crisis. It is stated that by offering dahee, Lord Shiva softens the wages of sins from previous lives. Consequently, with less baggage, the mind operates on a plane which seeks to lift the real to the level of the ideal.
The third offering is ghee. When milk is subjected to slow heat, ghee is the eventual product. This end product is the preferred oblation to the Gods. Similarly, we are sometimes brought to the boil –by a few with whom we interact and, additionally, dealing with trying circumstances. At this tipping point, the mind is left exposed to three powerful enemies – anguish, floundering of the moral compass and grief. The ghee offering symbolizes that, if anything, our reactions should be moulded to withstand the challenges of heated conversations and fractured spirits. In the process, we should emerge with decorum which encourages the embrace of the divine.
The fourth offering is honey. Having made efforts to clear the slate of negative ‘karma’ ( deeds ) in a previous offering, we now seek the guidance of Lord Shiva in learning how to veer from misdeeds. As we make concerted efforts to reach this level, (not rocket science), life then becomes as sweet as honey. Testimony to this, pans out when our fellowmen seek out our company for moral support, inspiration and empathy. At this stage, our lives ought to be bereft of hate and hidden agendas.
The fifth and final offering is water. Water cleanses. Lord Shiva is asked at this point to forgive us so we can embark on a necessary journey to forgive ourselves for our past transgressions. This is a platform from which the focal point shifts from us and unto our fellowmen. An outpouring of love is not uncommon at this stage. As the water is poured on the Shiva Ling, we also seek His blessings so that in the future, we remain close to His teachings and, consequently, imbibe a sense of spirituality.
This year, the period from Tuesday, November 7 at 10:11 p.m. to Wednesday, November 8 up to 8:30 p.m. is the declared date for Lord Shiva Ling worship. May Lord Shiva bless us and continue to enlighten us!
Prepared by: Pandit Vishnu Narine, Principal
Sanatan Vidwad Vidyalaya, Hindu School of Theology
(Est. 1976) Website: svvtt.com
VERY SIGNIFICANT PERIOD FOR LORD SHIVA WORSHIP
In 2017:
Start - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 from 10:11 p.m.
Finish – Wednesday, November 8, up to 8:30 p.m.
In Hindu philosophy, there is but one God (the INFINITE), manifested in various finite forms who personify certain facets of the Supreme Being. In this way, one’s conception of God is facilitated. He is known as Lord Ram to some while others fancy Him as Lord Krishna – these being the two most popular incarnations.
The three principal projections of that Higher Being are His creative power ( Lord Brahmaa ), the source of sustenance ( Lord Vishnu ) and His dissolving potency in the form of Lord Shiva. As expected, these three manifestations are sometimes referred to as the Trinity.
In the Holy Ramayan, Lord Ram has repeatedly declared his closeness to Lord Shiva and vice versa. Lord Shiva’s portfolio is not limited to his dissolving power but He has a pivotal role in alleviating one’s pains which are not confined to the body and mind. Pains and discomfort may emanate from the Grahas or, natural disasters. ( The Grahas are that group of nine celestials who play a major role as the dispensers of the fruits of our actions. )
In His dissolving capacity, Lord Shiva affords us an opportunity to rid ourselves of the flaws in our character build, thereby lending some purity and meaning to our lives. The sugar we purchase carries its fair share of impurities but if that sugar is dissolved in water and, subsequently, subjected to heat utilizing a common scientific process, pure sugar is obtained. We are but pure grains of sugar at the hour of birth but become contaminated as we wend our way through life’s sojourn, rubbing shoulders with shady company, and gravitating to vices. This lethal twosome paves the way for undesirable traits to seep into our personality. Lord Shiva is both the solvent and chemical process through which a sense of purity can return to our lives.
The act of dissolving and the removal of pain are but only two of a wider spectrum of Lord Shiva’s grace. There are recommended offerings to Lord Shiva, with the attendant blessings, which point the way. Two major occasions on the Hindu yearly calendar present such an opportunity, one being Maha Shiva Ratri which occurs in the month of Phaalgun (roughly February). Every month, on the day before New Moon, Lord Shiva’s worship is recommended with the specific purpose of warding off negative forces which are accentuated on New Moon. When we are unable to perform this monthly worship, we get a cherished opportunity on Maha Shiva Ratri. Offerings made on this day are equivalent to performing monthly pooja.
The second major occasion for Lord Shiva’s worship occurs in the month of Maargsheersha (roughly November). On the appointed day, He is honoured as followers celebrate the anniversary of His advent into the world as the Shiva Ling. The Shiva Puraan declares that the Ling form (stone) symbolizes that the Great Dissolver is beyond form and visible attributes. In other words, He is fathomless. During worship, one acknowledges the benevolence of Lord Shiva and how the world feeds off it. After performing pooja, offerings are made on the Ling. A few snippets of the significance of the recommended offerings will be highlighted. According to the authoritative text, Nirnaya Sindhu, milk comprises the first offering. The nourishing value of milk serves as a reminder that our lives should be lived in a manner that provides nourishment (support), especially for the distressed.
The second offering is ‘dahee’ (yogurt). Milk, when ‘split’, turns into dahee and finds its benefit in the gastro-intestinal tract. So, too, when life’s encounters causes disenchantment (makes us ‘sour’), those experiences should only serve to propel us to utter soothing words to others, particularly in their moments of crisis. It is stated that by offering dahee, Lord Shiva softens the wages of sins from previous lives. Consequently, with less baggage, the mind operates on a plane which seeks to lift the real to the level of the ideal.
The third offering is ghee. When milk is subjected to slow heat, ghee is the eventual product. This end product is the preferred oblation to the Gods. Similarly, we are sometimes brought to the boil –by a few with whom we interact and, additionally, dealing with trying circumstances. At this tipping point, the mind is left exposed to three powerful enemies – anguish, floundering of the moral compass and grief. The ghee offering symbolizes that, if anything, our reactions should be moulded to withstand the challenges of heated conversations and fractured spirits. In the process, we should emerge with decorum which encourages the embrace of the divine.
The fourth offering is honey. Having made efforts to clear the slate of negative ‘karma’ ( deeds ) in a previous offering, we now seek the guidance of Lord Shiva in learning how to veer from misdeeds. As we make concerted efforts to reach this level, (not rocket science), life then becomes as sweet as honey. Testimony to this, pans out when our fellowmen seek out our company for moral support, inspiration and empathy. At this stage, our lives ought to be bereft of hate and hidden agendas.
The fifth and final offering is water. Water cleanses. Lord Shiva is asked at this point to forgive us so we can embark on a necessary journey to forgive ourselves for our past transgressions. This is a platform from which the focal point shifts from us and unto our fellowmen. An outpouring of love is not uncommon at this stage. As the water is poured on the Shiva Ling, we also seek His blessings so that in the future, we remain close to His teachings and, consequently, imbibe a sense of spirituality.
This year, the period from Tuesday, November 7 at 10:11 p.m. to Wednesday, November 8 up to 8:30 p.m. is the declared date for Lord Shiva Ling worship. May Lord Shiva bless us and continue to enlighten us!
Prepared by: Pandit Vishnu Narine, Principal
Sanatan Vidwad Vidyalaya, Hindu School of Theology
(Est. 1976) Website: svvtt.com