Shivaratri thoughts.
Swami Paramarthananda ji.
Our scriptures clearly point out that the primary goal of human life is
spiritual fulfillment which is known as by different names: ‘moksha’,
‘Iswara prapthi’, etc. The other purusharths or goals that we pursue, i.e. material goals like procuring food for ourselves and our family are only subsidiary or secondary. Even animals strive to accomplish this. They procure food and even train their young ones to do so. Therefore procuring food, finding shelter, raising a family and earning more money is not the goal of human existence. No doubt we can pursue these goals but keeping in mind that they are only secondary.
Spiritual accomplishment is the top priority. But since we do not know
this, we have to be told by the scriptures. Not only do the scriptures have
to tell us, they have to repeat it because even if we are aware of the
spiritual goal, we do not have the time and keep postponing the spiritual
pursuit. In a well known verse in Bhaja Govindam, Adi Sankara says the child is lost in play, the youth is consumed by passion, the old man is immersed in
his sorrows, alas, there is none who yearns to realise the spiritual truth.
When we are young, we think it is too early to start spirituality. By the
time we are old, our mind is full of worries and our faculties are very
weak. Throughout our life, we are preoccupied with something or the other
that we forget the spiritual goal. It is for this reason that scriptures
prescribe so many festivals and ‘vratams’, to constantly remind us that
spirituality is our primary goal.
Shivratri is not for enjoyment but withdrawing and asking
the question ‘What am I doing?’. Under the varnashrama system, as one
progresses from grihasta to vanaprasta to sanyasa, the material pursuit
should become lesser and lesser and the spiritual pursuit should become
more and more. The time that we spend qualitatively and quantitatively must
gradually change more for spirituality and less for material ends.
Ultimately one hundred percent of the time is devoted for spirituality. So we must periodically ask the question ‘Is there a change in how I spend my time?’
Vrats emphasize two types of practices: ‘upavasa’ and ‘sath katha
shravanam’. Upavasa means fasting. We give up not only food but all types
of enjoyment. Upavasa is also a prayaschitam. It purifies not only the body
but also the mind. Sath katha shravanam means listening to the scriptures.
We are expected to follow these two practices on every ‘ekadasi’. If our
health does not permit us, instead of practising ‘shuddha upavaasa’ (total
fasting), we can confine ourselves to consuming a simple meal. Even if this
is difficult, we can fast once a year, on ‘Nirjala Ekadasi’ or
‘Shivratri’.
Listening to the scriptures will remind us of the spiritual goal. Adi Sankara
says ‘You may have a lot of wealth, a kingdom, wife and children, a
palatial house, many vehicles, friends. What is the use of all these? They
are all perishable. Even if they are not, you are. Why are you spending
your time on something that is ephemeral? Take only the minimum (material
possessions) and focus on the higher. Worship Lord Shiva for the sake of
moksha and take the help of a sadguru. Then real happiness is possible
without relying on material comforts’. Adi Sankara emphasizes ‘Don’t postpone. Everyday you are growing older and older and you are assuming you are going to live a hundred years. Start today.
Shivratri is a very important function that reminds us of the spiritual
goal. On this occasion we think of Shiv and chant ‘Rudram’.
Chanting Rudram is very auspicious. It will remove all our ‘paap’. Having
removed all paapam, we start the study of the scriptures, a very important
part of ‘sadhana’. The study of scriptures will give us true knowledge which is the very foundation of our spiritual journey to reach the ultimate.
#shivaratri #mahashivratri #shiva #shiv #hinduism
