ŚIVARĀTRI (Spiritual Meaning and Daily Application)

"Among the various Brata, visiting holy places, giving the fund have such expensive precious stones (gold and jewels), performing various types of Yajna ceremony, various kinds of tapas (asceticism) and do various activities of Japa (say over and over again-names His mantra for the worship or glory), it was not there that exceeded the primacy Brata Śivarātri. So Brata Śivarātri virtue, this should always be carried out by Brata
those who want safety and keberutungan. Brata Śivarātri is
Brata very noble, majestic kesejahtraan and can provide spiritual and physical happiness (Shastri, Siva Purana, KOTI Rudrasamhita, XL.
99-101, vol.3, Part III, p. 1438).

In line with the above statement, stating the primacy kakawin Śivarātri kalpa Brata Śivarātri like diwedarkan by Sang Hyang Siva as follows:

"Having someone able to perform mandatory as have I taught, kalahlah reward of all Yajna ceremony, do penance and funds have likewise purify themselves to the holy places (patìrthan), in early incarnations, though a thousand million times and even enjoyed the standard (to account sin and Dad), but with the reward of this Śivarātri Brata, all the banner was gone. "
"Despite the really nasty, doing dirty deeds, kindness to hurt others, kill priests (holy men) also kills innocent people, arrogant and disrespectful to the teacher, kills baby
in the womb, the destitution that would be lost by doing Brata Śivarātri primary, so the virtue and elevation Brata (Śivarātri) that I sabdakan this "(Śivarātri kalpa, 37, 7-8).

History of the birth of the holiday Śivarātri explained through literary sources, either the source to the Vedas Smriti on the Upaveda (Itihasa and Purana), also a local source (Archipelago), European and Arab Ancient sources. From these sources, the construction (shape) and the value Śivarātri clearly illustrated by the Vedas, which is the main vrata and perfect execution, although the embodiment does not require a means of diverse and simple. This can be seen in the following descriptions.

Literary sources

Itihasa

In Itihasa, Śivarātri contained in the Mahabharata, Santi Parva namely, in the episode when Bhishma was lying on his bow of Arjuna children, waiting for death, as she discusses dharma, refers to a celebration by the king Almighty Śivarātri Citrabhanu, king of the dynasty Iksvaku Jambudvipa. King Citrabhanu with his wife doing on the day Maha upavasa Śivarātri. Rsi Astavakra asked: "O king, why are you guys doing today upavasa? The king awarded the memory of previous punarbhawa, and he explained to the rsi.

"In a previous life I was a hunter in Varanasi named Susvara. My habit was to kill and sell birds and other animals. One day I was hunting in the woods, I caught a deer, but hurried dark days. I can not go home, the deer was kuikat in a tree.
Then I climbed a tree bilva. Since I was hungry and thirsty, I could not sleep. I thought of my poor wife a child at home, waiting for me to go home with hunger and anxiety. To spend the night, I pluck the leaves bilva and dropped to the ground.

"It was near dawn, I went back home and sell the deer, then buy food for my family. When will eat a meal to end puasaku, a stranger came asking for food. I served him first, and then I took my food.

"At the time of death, I saw the runner Deva Siva, they picked me to be brought to Siva. I just realized that I had accidentally made the sacred cult of Siva, on the day Śivarātri. They told me that there linggam under the tree. Leaves are dropping fell right on top of that linggam. wept tears upon my family fell on linggam and clean it. And I have been fasting all day and night. I have unwittingly worships the Almighty. I live together with Him and enjoy the Divine kebahagiaann forever. I now born as Citrabhanu.

Purana

Śivarātri also contained in-purana purana, as follows:

1. Siva Purana (part Jnanasamhita).
This section contains a conversation between Suta with the RSI, outlines the importance of ceremonies Śivarātri. Someone named Rurudruha very cruel, but after conducting vrata Śivarātri finally became aware of the cruelty and superficiality of his mind. In the Siva Purana also mention that for those who fasted day and night on this day and worship the Supreme Siva Śivarātri with bilva leaves, will achieve closeness with Siva. They are doing this vrata for 12 years, stated that they will become a Gana of Siva's bodyguard.

2. Skanda Purana (part Kedarakanda).

In the section of the Skanda Purana Kedarakanda among others, includes a conversation between Lomasa with the rsi. Rsi Lomasa told about the Fun of evil, murderers of all creatures, to kill the Brahmins, finally able to understand and appreciate what is called "truth" In this purana described about the origin of these Śivarātri ceremony. In the Skanda Purana also told the story of a hunter who is identical with the story of a hunter in the Santi Parva.

3. Garuda Purana (part Acarakanda).

This section contains a brief description about Śivarātri, we are told that Parvati asked about the most important Brata. Siva describes the implementation Śivarātri vrata. A king named Sudarasenaka go hunting in the woods with a dog. Series of even this story is no different with the story of a hunter on top.

4. Padma Purana (part Uttarakanda).

This section includes a conversation with the king Dileepa Vasistha. Vasistha told that Śivarātri is a very major vrata, between the months of Magha and Palghuna. In the Padma Purana, the hunter named Nisadha. Thanks vrata Śivarātri did got him into Siva Loka.


Local Resources

Old Javanese sources is kakawin Śivarātri kalpa (better known in the community kakawin Lubdhaka), works mahakawi Tanakung mpu.

This work was sourced from the Padma Purana. Description of Śivarātri also found in palm-Brata Aji and a number of literary works and geguritan Lubdhaka chant. Mpu Tanakung authored kakawin Śivarātri kalpa at the end of the Majapahit era (1447 AD).

European Sources

In European sources have described about what is called vrata Zuiverasiri (Śivarātri). Vrata was conducted in February, was associated with the story of a hunter named Give that because the benighted in the woods and climbed into the tree Cuola (Bilva). Overnight he strummed a tree picking leaves without realizing that what has been tossed to the Zuivelingga (Śivalingga) under the tree. Finally the hunter gets a gift from Ixora (Isvara).

Ancient Arabic sources

In addition to European sources also found a description of the worship of Siva Mahadeva in the book Sayar-ul Okul, a book which contains the ontology of the Ancient Arabic poetry; composition Asmai Abu Amir, who is venerated as the Arab Kalidasanya. It contains a poem by Umar ibn al-Hassam, a great poet whose works are also rated as the best work in a symposium which is usually held in the annual celebration Okaz (according to Prof.. Oberai, Śivarātri in Arabic at the time of the ancient Arabs, called Okaz or Sabhebarat ). In his article, titled "Influence of Indian Culture on Arabia, Oberai stating that information.
On the other hand, Oberai also provide information that later on after a certain incident in Mecca, the term was changed to Śivarātri Shabe Barat.

This poem contains the following:

"People who spend their lives for things that are kenafsuan, if in the end he became conscious and want to return to the road provided a moral path in that direction. Although he once adored Mahadeva only he could get the highest position in the" truth. "

Śivarātri Why on Forced Krsna Caturdasi

"Thus, ruled by the moon tonight. Months have sixteen at the time or small parts. Every day when the moon shrinks, berkuranglah one small part to the moon disappeared entirely new moon at night. Having looked Part of it every day, to complete the month the full moon. The Moon is a deity that controls the heating of the mind and feelings of the heart. In Chess Veda in prayer Purusa Sukta 'Candramā manaso jāthah'. From Manas (mind) Purusha (God) arose months. There is a close exciting attraction between the mind and the moon Both can suffer setbacks or progress. Susutnya moon is a symbol susutnya thoughts and feelings of the heart, because your thoughts and feelings of the heart controlled, reduced finally destroyed. All sadhana aimed at this. Manohara, thoughts and feelings of the heart must be killed, so that the virtual can be destroyed and unspeakable reality. Every day for two weeks when the moon was darkened, the moon, and symbolically peer inside the human imbangnya ie 'manas' shrink and disappear in part, its strength decreases, and finally on the night of the fourteenth, Chaturdasi, the rest just a little. If the that day a sadhakas trying harder, then the remaining small rose can be eliminated and attained Manonigraha (mastery of your thoughts and feelings of the heart). Therefore Chaaturdasi from the dark called Siwaratri. Because the night was supposed to be used for Japa and Shiva without thinking of dhyana another question, whether eating or sleeping. Thus success is assured. And once a year on the eve Mahasiwaratri, recommended hold a special spiritual activity to what Savam (jasat or symbols of people who do not understand the true reality) into Śivam (blessed, good , divine) by getting rid of worthless things, which is called Manas. "

So the mind can be mastered, indrya-indryapun will be more malleable and true happiness will be achieved. Wrhaspati Tattwa teaches there three ways to reach moksa, namely:

1. Jnanabhyadreka
mean street knowledge of all tattwa.
2. Indriyayogamaarga
indrya means of control over the road to escape from all indrya or not enjoying indrya.
3. Trsnadosaksaya
it means destroying the fruit of good and bad deeds or work without tying themselves to the work.

Spiritual Meaning

From the story of King Citrabhanu, we may understand its spiritual meaning, as follows.

1. Captured prey animal is the symbol of lust, anger, greed, envy and hatred. Forests that are referred to are the four kinds of thoughts, the subconscious, intellect, ego and mind. In the mind "animals" that roam freely, they must be hunted down and defeated and captured or killed. Hunters pursue the beast is a yogi.

2. Hunter's name was "Susvara" which means rhythmic melodic and fun. If someone has implemented Yama and Niyama and has conquered nature of evil: and he is a yogi. Signs, beaming, glowing, soft-spoken. This is described in the Upanishads Svetasvatara.
Hunter or the Yogi had for years been conducting yoga and has achieved the first stage, so named Susvara.

3. The hunter was born in Varanasi. Yogis call ajna disc with Varanasi. This is the central point between the eyebrows, which is the confluence of three nerve currents, namely Ida, pingala and Susumna. A sadhakas advised to concentrate on this point to help conquer the desires and evil qualities; found on him, like anger and so on.

4. Bilva leaf has three leaves in one stalk, describing the spine, which Ida, pingala and Sumsumna; which is an area of activity of the moon, sun and fire, known as the three eyes of Siva. Rise to the top of the tree states rising kundalini sakti power, ranging from the lowest nerve, namely ajna muladhara to the chakras.

5. Binding deer hunters prey on a tree branch, this means he has managed to control and calm the mind. He was heading stage Yama, Niyama, etc. pratyahara. In the tree he perform concentration and meditation, when he fell asleep, then he lost consciousness, so he stayed awake.

6. His wife and child is a symbol of this world. People who seek blessings of God, must have love, compassion to embrace each other. Tears trickled signifies universal love, without love of universal man will never get the blessing of God. In yoga without the blessing of God, there will never be enlightened. In the early stages, we must try to understand the minds of all living things, and love his neighbor. With this the stage of samadhi will be achieved.

7. Without conscious hunter bilva dropping leaves, it means he does not think about anything else, because its activity was focused on the third pulse. He did not sleep all night, it signifies that he has entered the fourth state that is turiya or super consciousness. Under these circumstances he was turiya see linggam Siva in the form of inner light, that means he has the divine vision, and has created the Siva in him.

8. Hunters go home and give food to an unfamiliar stranger. The stranger is the hunter himself who has turned into a new man.

9. Food is meant is the feeling of joy and sorrow that has been omitted on the previous night. But he did not spend it all, there are still remaining, although only slightly. This is why he was reborn as a king Citrabhanu, although he has gone to nature Siva; but not enough to prevent punarbhawanya.

Actualization Brata Śivarātri

Two great forces of nature that affect humans, namely the nature of rajas (the dynamic) and Tamas (that is slow and stupid). Vrata Śivarātri help control it. Throughout the day, used to worship the lotus feet of the Almighty. Worship of God that is sustainable requires the devotees to remain in the place of worship. In this holy place, mind control, evil qualities like lust, anger, jealousy, arising from the nature of rajas, can be subdued. The devotees did not sleep during the night, so was also able to control the nature of Tamas.

Each three-hour worship at the Siva linggam done. Vrata Śivarātri is perfect. Siwaratri as the evening worship of Siva is also associated with the celebration of the union of Siva with Parvati is his magic.

Brata means sacred oath, the implementation of the sacred oath or holy determination. Henceforth, we call it execution Śivarātri Brata. As mentioned previously, the implementation of mandatory Śivarātri aims to eliminate or
eliminate the sins, erode our sins. Another stated that
Brata Śivarātri implementation is also significant as the giver of Mukti Bhukti.
Bhukti means worldly pleasures, worldly gratifications.
Worldly pleasures that could be given, we can get through the implementation of mandatory Śivarātri.

Implementation Brata Śivarātri can also give gifts to people mukti or liberation from worldly bondage.

Mona: do not speak the things which are not good and not really changed with berjapa to God (Siva), because the Japa Yajna is the key: "Mahaṛṣinam bhṛgur aham, Giram asmy ekam akśaram, Japa-yajño Yajñanam smi, Sthavaranaṁ himalayaḥ"-Among mahaṛṣi I was Bhṛgu; between the sacred words I was Oṁkāra; among Japa Yajna is the mantra I; between objects do not move I am the Himalayas. Bhagavadgītā X.25.

Upavasa / Vrata: controlling the food and beverage and rajasik tamasik sattvik with both types of foods and how to get it. Fasting can also be done by reducing the cost of food and water rations, the excess is used to provide food and drink of the indigent (matṛdeva bhava, bhava pitṛ Deva, Deva athīti bhava, bhava daridra Deva)

Jagra: controlling the mind, speech and behavior in order to keep the awareness that each entity covered by the Lord of life, and moves according to the dharma and karma, so there is no right for people to exploit even let alone blame meyakitinya with egoism. (Visva virāt svarūpa ... īsvara sarva bhūtanam). With this awareness of the holiness and love will flourish Brata Śivarātri Implementation will once fitted, will further help us to get a special blessing from the god Siva Śivarātri if the implementation of this celebration we are directed to the purpose of confining themselves, self-control, "mulat sarira" make amends -fixes to the inside, see the shortcomings in ourselves, see / weigh more or less us, if we advance, we advance is what steps, if we retreat, our retreat how kilometers to the rear.

Frankly we should judge ourselves on this Śivarātri Brata. That's what we can do.

Om Om Śāntih Śāntih Śāntih (always in peace)