Mahashivratri Vrat 2012

The Mahashivratri Fast is very special for the devotees of supreme Lord Bhole Nath. The fast is observed on Trayodashi of Falgun Krishna Paksh. In the year 2012, this auspicious Vrat will be kept on 20 February, Shravan Nakshatra, Wednesday. Observing this fast, pleases Lord Shiva easily, and person’s wishes are fulfilled. This fast is kept by all, men, women, children, youths and old aged.
By observing fast of 02 March 2011 in a systematic manner, worshiping Lord Shiva, reading Shiva Katha and Shiva scripture and doing Jagran at night, while chanting "उँ नम: शिवाय | Om Namah Shivay" , gives fruit as of Ashwamedha Yagaya. On the next day of fast, Brahman are satisfied by giving clothes and alms.
Significance of Shivratri Vrat
It is believed that, the person who observe this fast, enjoy all happiness and comforts of life, and, then gets salvation after death. This fast destroys all sins. And, after observing this fast for 14 years continuously, it should be concluded in a systematic way.
Resolution of Mahashivratri Vrat (Fast)
Resolution of this fast should be taken with pronouncing your Samvat, name, month, date, Nakshatra, Gotra(caste), party(Paksha). To take this pledge keep water, rice, flower etc in your hand and offer it on Shiva Linga.
Mahashivratri Fast Materials
Materials used in this Puja are:- Panchamrit(Ganga jal, milk, curd, ghee, honey), sweet smelling flowers, clean clothes, leaf of Bel, incense sticks, Navedy(sort of Pradasm), paste of sandalwood, seasonal fruit etc.
Mahashivratri Fast Procedure
Person observing this fast should meditate of God Bhole Nath, the whole day. After the early morning bath, an auspicious mark of Bhasm(Residue after incineration) is put on the forehead and beads of Rudraksha is wore. Lord Shiva is worshiped with incense, flowers and other worshiping Samagri, facing towards the Ishan Kon.
In this fast, worshiping is done in all the four phases of the day. In the Puja of every phase, one should keep chanting "उँ नम: शिवाय | Om Namah Shivay" and " शिवाय नम: | Namah Shivay" If it is not possible to do this meditation in the Shiva temple, then sit in a peaceful place of your house, in the east direction and do this chanting. Special merits are gained by chanting of this mantra in every phase of day. Additionally, doing Rudrabhishek(ritual offering of Panchamrit), get Lord Shiva very much pleased.
Shiva Abhishek Method
For doing Shiva Abhishek on the day of Shivratri, first of all, water is taken in a utensil made from mud.In this water, leaves of Bel, rice, Datura flower, etc are mixed and offered to Shiva Linga. Shiva Purana should be heard on the day of fast. Don’t let any negative thoughts come to your brain. On the next day of Shivaratri, the fast is concluded by doing Hawan using barley, Kheer, sesame and leaf of Bel.
Method of Mahashivratri Worship
On the day of Mahashivratri, gathering of Lord Shiva’s devotees can be seen in Shiva temple. Lord Shiva is very much, on worshiping him by offering leaf of Bel etc. Jagran done at night, together with fasting and worshiping, gives more fruitful benefits. On this day, Lord Shiva got married, therefore, a procession is carried out at night. Every age group people observe this fast and earn good deeds as well as merits.
Mahashivratri Vrat Saga
Once there a hunter in a village. By killing animals, he used to feed his family. He was indebted to a moneylender, but he could not return he loans on time. Filled with anger, the moneylender, made him a prisoner and kept him in the Shiva Math. Accidentally, that day was Shiva Ratri. Hunter meditated about God, then heard the religious talk about Lord Shiva. He also heard the Shiva Ratri Katha on Chaturdashi. In the evening, the moneylender, called him and had a talk on paying of loans. The hunter promised to repay all of the loan on the next day and he got free from the bond.
Like his routine, he went out to hunt in the woods, but staying caged the whole day, he was starving with hunger and thirst. For hunting, he went at the banks of a pond and started making a camp near the tree of Bel. There was a Shiva Linga under the Bel tree, which was covered with leaves of Bel. But, the hunter did not know about it.
While making a camp, the twigs he was breaking, accidentally fell on the Shiva Linga. This way, fast of hunter was concluded as he did not eat anything and leaves of Bel were also offered to Shiva Linga.
After the phase of night got over, one pregnant doe, reached the pond to drink water. As the hunter positioned the arrow on the bow and got ready to disembark, the deer said”I am pregnant. I will soon have my delivery. you will kill two lives together, which is not a correct thing. After giving birth to my child, i will soon come to you. Then you can kill me.” Hunter loosed this bow, and the doe got lost in the bushes.
On loosing the prey, his mind got disturbed. He got tensed, as the last phase of night was getting over. At that time, one doe with her children was passing from there. It was a golden opportunity for the hunter. He did not take time to place the arrow on the bow, then the doe said “O! hunter, I will return back after sending these children to their father. Don’t kill me at this time.”
Hunter laughed and said, “I am not a fool, that I will leave the hunt in front of me. Before this I had lost my prey for two times. My children might be starving with hunger and thirst.”
Answering him, the doe said, “like your love for your children is making you worried, similar is the case for me. So, am asking for the lease of life, just for my children. Hey! hunter, believe me, I promise to return immediately after i leave them, to their father.”
On hearing the words of doe, hunter felt pity on her. And, he the doe. Due to the lack of prey, the hunter sitting on Bel tree, started plucking the leaves of Bel and dropped them down. As the dawn came in, a strong dear came on the same path. Hunter had thought, he would kill this prey for sure.
Looking at the bow and arrow of the hunter, deer said in a pleading voice, “Hey brother hunter! If you have killed the three doe and their small children, who passed the way before me, then, don’t delay in killing me. So, that I don’t have to suffer the pain of separation because I am the husband of those does. And, if you gave them the lease of life, then, please, grant my life for sometime. I will present myself in front of you, after meeting them.
On the night of fast, doing Jagran and offering Bel leaves, filled the violent heart of hunter with love and emotions. Bhagwad power grew in him. Bow and arrow from his hand were comfortably removed. By the grace of Lord Shiva, his violent heart was filled with emotions. He started remembering his past activities and began to burn in the flame of remorse.
After sometime, the deer with his whole family, came to the hunter so that he could hunt the deer and his family. But, looking at the bonding, love, purity and such a truth among wild animal, made him feel guilty. Tears started rolling down from his eyes. By not killing that deer family, the hunter moved his heart from killing living beings, and became soft and kind hearted.
All deity in the heaven were looking at this incident. after the culmination of this incident, the Gods, showered flowers. Then, the hunter and family of deer attained salvation.