07/03/2024
The story of Maha Shivratri is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and has various interpretations. One popular legend associated with Maha Shivratri is the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean of milk by the gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) to obtain the elixir of immortality (Amrita).
According to the myth, the Devas and Asuras joined forces to churn the ocean, using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vasuki, the serpent king, as the rope. As the churning began, many divine treasures emerged from the ocean, including Kamadhenu (the wish-fulfilling cow), Kalpavriksha (the wish-fulfilling tree), and the goddess Lakshmi.
However, the churning also released Halahala, a deadly poison so toxic that it threatened to destroy all of creation. Terrified, the Devas and Asuras sought help from Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of destruction and transformation.
In his compassion for all beings, Lord Shiva agreed to help. He drank the poison to save the world, but his consort, Goddess Parvati, intervened and pressed his throat to prevent the poison from descending into his body. As a result, the poison turned his throat blue, earning him the name Neelkanth (blue-throated one).The poison was so potent that it began to affect Lord Shiva's body, causing him immense pain. To ease his discomfort, the Devas and sages offered him Bilva leaves and performed various rituals. In gratitude for their devotion and prayers, Lord Shiva declared that whoever worships him with devotion and offers Bilva leaves on the night of Maha Shivratri will be blessed with his divine grace.
Another significant event associated with Maha Shivratri is the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to some beliefs, it is on this night that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married.
Worshipping shiva helps devotees seek spiritual upliftment, the fulfillment of their desires, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Overall, Maha Shivratri is a celebration of devotion, penance, and the triumph of good over evil, symbolized by Lord Shiva's benevolence in consuming the poison to protect the universe.