Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated throughout the country; it is particularly popular in Uttar Pradesh. Maha Shivratri falls on the 14th day of the dark half of 'Margasirsa' (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati.

There is also a belief behind the celebration of Maha Shivaratri. It is said that lord Shiva became ‘Neelkantham’ (blue throated) as he swallowed the fatal poison that came during the ‘Samudra Manthan’ (churning of ocean). It was said that poison was so deadly that even a single drop may the entire world in its ambit and may damage it up to the deadliest extent.

Shivratri therefore is also celebrated as a day of thanksgiving to Lord Shiva for protecting us from eradication.

  Shiva - the word meaning auspicious - is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprising of Lord Brahma, the creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva or Mahesh, the Destroyer and Re-Producer of life. Shiva is known by many names like "Shankar", "Mahesh", "Bholenath", "Neelakanth", "Shambhu Kailasheshwar", "Umanath", "Nataraj".

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated widely in the temples all over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Shiva is considered the Adi (first) Guru from whom the yogic tradition originates. According to tradition, the planetary positions on this night are such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system. It is said to be beneficial for one's physical and spiritual well-being to stay awake and aware throughout the night.On this day, artists from various fields such as music and dance perform the whole night.

people observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take a drop of water and they keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" continues. Offerings of Bael leaves are made to the Lingam as Bael leaves are considered very sacred and it is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them.

According to the Shiva Purana, the Mahashivaratri worship must incorporate six items:

• Bathing the Shiv Linga with water, milk and honey, and Wood apple or bel leaves added to it, representing purification of the soul;
• The vermilion paste applied on the Shiv linga after bathing it, representing virtue;
• Offering of fruits, which is conducive to longevity and gratification of desires;
• Burning incense, yielding wealth;
• The lighting of the lamp which is conducive to the attainment of knowledge;
• And betel leaves marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures.

   Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" of Pushpadanta or Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra" are sung with great fervour and devotion. People repeat the 'Panchakshara' Mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya". He, who utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims dock to the places where there are Shiva temples. 

 Lord Siva Slokas

 Shiva Sooktam

The Shiva sooktam, which is part of Chamakam from Yajur Veda chapter 18, is one of the Pancha sooktas and is normally recited in all vedic poojas.
Shiva Sooktam
Shancha me mayashcha me priyam cha menukaamashcha me
Kaamashcha me saumanasashcha me bhadram cha me shreyashcha me
Yasyashcha me yashashcha me bhagashcha me dravinam cha me
Yantaa cha me dhartaa cha me kshemashcha me dhritishcha me
Vishvam cha me mahashcha me samvichcha me
Gyaatram cha me suushcha me prasuushcha me
Siiram cha me layashcha ma ritam cha me mritam cha me
Ayakshmam cha meanaamayachcha me jiivaatushcha me
Diirghaayutvam cha meanamitram cha meabhayam cha me
Sugam cha me shayanam cha me suushhaa cha me sudinam cha me

 Lingashtakam Lyrics

Brahma Murari Sura architha Lingam,
Nirmala bashitha Shobitha Lingam,
Janmaja dukha vinasaka lingam.
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


Deva Murari pravarchitha Lingam,
Kama dahana Karunakara lingam,
Ravana darpa vinashana lingam,
That pranamami sad shiva lingam.


Sarva sukandhi sulepitha lingam,
Budhi vivarthana karana lingam,
Siddha surasura vandhitha lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


Kanaka mahamani bhooshitha lingam,
Panipathi veshtitha shobitha lingam,
Daksha suyagna vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


Kunkuma chandana lepitha lingam,
Pankaja hara sushobitha lingam,
Sanchitha papa vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


Deva Ganarchitha sevitha lingam,
Bhavair bakthi pravesa lingam,
Dinakara koti prabhakara lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


Ashta dalopari veshtitha lingam,
Sarva samudbhava karana lingam,
Ashta daridra vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.


Suraguru sura vara poojitha Lingam,
Sura vana pushpa sadarchitha lingam,
Parathparam paramathmaka lingam,
That pranamai sada shiva lingam


Bilwa Ashtakam Lyrics - Prayer to Lord Shiva while offering Bilwa Leaf


Tridalam Trigunakaaram Trinethram Cha Triyayusham,
Trijanma Papa Samharam Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 1


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
Which has three leaves,
Which causes three qualities,
Which are like the three eyes of Shiva,
Which is like the triad of weapons,
And which destroys sins of three births.


Trishakhai Bilwapathraischa Hyachidrai Komalai Shubai,
Shiva Poojam Karishyami, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 2


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
Which has three shoots,
Which do not have holes,
Which are good and pretty,
And worship Lord Shiva.


Aganda Bilwa Pathrena Poojithe Nandikeshware,
Shudhyanthi Sarva Papebhyo, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 3


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
For if an uncut leaf is offered,
To his steed the god Nandi,
We get cleaned of all our sins.


Salagrama Shilamekaam Vipranam Jatha Cha Arpayeth,
Soma Yagna Maha Punyam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 4


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
For it is equal to, offering a saligrama to a Brahmin,
Or the great blessing got out of performing Soma Yaga,


Dandi Koti Sahasrani Vajapeya Sathani Cha,
Koti Kanya Maha Danam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 5


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
For it is equal to gifting thousand elephants,
Or the performing of hundred fire sacrifices,
Or giving away billions of girls.


Lakshmyasthanutha Uthpannam Mahadevasya Cha Priyam,
Bilwa Vruksham Prayachami, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 6


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
For it is equal to giving a tree of Bilwa,
Which was born from the breast of Lakshmi,
And which is very dear to the Lord Shiva.


Darshanam Bilwa Vrukshasya, Sparsanam Papa Nasanam,
Aghora Papa Samharam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 7


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
As seeing and touching of a tree of Bilwa,
Washes away ones sins and also very great sins.


Kasi Kshethra Nivasam Cha Kala Bhairava Darshanam,
Prayaga Madhavam Drushtwa, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 8


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
After living in the city of Kasi,
Seeing the Kala Bhairawa,
And also visiting the temple
Of Madhawa in Allahabad.


Moolatho Brahma Roopaya, Madhyatho Vishnu Roopine
Agratha Shiva Roopaya, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 9


I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
As Brahma resides at its bottom,
Lord Vishnu lives in its middle,
And Lord Shiva lives in its tip.


Bilwashtakam Idham Punyaam, Padeth Shiva Sannidhou,
Sarva Papa Nirmuktha Shiva Loka Maapnuyath 10


Reading this holy octet of Bilwa,
In the presence of Lord Shiva,
Would save one from all sins,
And in the end take him to the world of Shiva.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

It is believed that chanting the mantra on a daily basis will get rid of all diseases, fear of death and also overcome unexpected death.

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam

Urvarukamiva Bandhanan

Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat

English Meaning of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

We worship the Three-eyed One (Lord Shiva)

Who is fragrant and who nourishes well all beings,

Even as the cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper.

Shiva Panchakshari Stotram

Nagendraharaya Trilochanaya
Bhasmangaragaya Maheshvaraya
Nityaya Shuddhaya Digambaraya
Tasmai Nakaraya Namah Shivaya .. 1

Salutations to Shiva, who wears the king of snakes as a garland, the three-eyed god, whose body is smeared with ashes, the great lord, the eternal and pure one, who wears the directions as his garment, and who is represented by the syllable “na ”

Mandakini salila chandana charchitaya
Nandishvara pramathanatha Maheshvaraya
Mandarapushpa bahupushhpa supujitaya
Tasmai Makaraya Namah Shivaya .. 2

I bow to Shiva, who has been worshipped with water from the Ganga (Mandakini) and anointed with sandalwood paste, the lord of Nandi, the lord of the host of goblins and ghosts, the great lord, who is worshiped with Mandara and many other kinds of flowers, and who is represented by the syllable “ma. ”

Shivaya Gauri vadanabjavrunda
Suryaya Dakshadhvara Nashakaya
Shrinilakanthaya Vrushhadhvajaya
Tasmai Shikaraya Namah Shivaya .. 3

Salutations to shiva, who is all-auspiciousness, who is the sun that causes the lotus face of Gauri (Parvati) to blossom, who is the destroyer of the yajna of Daksha, whose throat is blue (Nilakantha), whose flag bears the emblem of the bull, and who is represented by the syllable “shi. ”

Vasishhtha kumbhodbhava gautamarya
Munindra devarchita shekharaya .
Chandrarkavaishvanara lochanaya
Tasmai Vakaraya Namah Shivaya .. 4

Vasishhtha, Agastya, Gautama, and other venerable sages, and Indra and other gods have worshipped the head of (Shiva’s linga). I bow to that Shiva whose three eyes are the moon, sun and fire, and who is represented by the syllable “va. ”

Yakshasvarupaya Jatadharaya
Pinakahastaya Sanatanaya
Divyaya Devaya Digambaraya
Tasmai Yakaraya Namah Shivaya .. 5

salutations to Shiva, who bears the form of a Yaksha, who has matted hair on his head, who bears the Pinaka bow in his hand, the primeval lord, the brilliant god, who is digambara (naked), and who is represented by the syllable “ya. ”

Phalastuti

Panchaksharamidam Punyam Yah Pathechchhivasannidhau.
Shivalokamavapnoti Shivena Saha Modate.

Anyone who recites this sacred five-syllable mantra, (Namah Shivaya) near the Shiva (linga), attains the abode of Shiva and rejoices there with Shiva.

Shivastakam

Prabhum prananatham vibhum vishvanatham
jagannathanatham sadanandabhajamh
Bhavadbhavyabhuteshvaram bhutanatham
shivamshankaram shambhumishanamide 1

Gale rundamalam tanau sarpajalam
mahakalakalam ganeshadhipalamh
Jatajutabhangottarangairvishalam shivam
shankaram shambhumishanamide 2

Mudamakaram mandanam mandayantam
mahamandala bhasmabhushhadharamtam
Anadihyaparam mahamohaharam
shivam shankaram shambhumishanamide 3

Vatadho nivasam mahattattahasam
mahapapanasham sadasuprakashamh
Girishamganesham sureshammahesham
shivamshankaram shambhumishanamide 4

Girindratmajasangrahitardhadeham
girau sansthitam sarvada sannageham
Parabrahmabrahmadibhirvandhyamanam
shivam shankaram shambhumishanamide 5

Kapalam trishulam karabhyam dadhanam
padambhojanamraya kamam dadanam
Balivardayanam suranam pradhanam
shivam shankaram shambhumishanamide 6

Sharachchandragatram gunananda patram
trinetram pavitram dhaneshasya mitram
Aparnakalatram charitram vichitram
shivam shankaram shambhumishanamide 7

Haramsarpaharam chitabhuviharam
bhavamvedasaram sadanirvikaram
Smashaanevadantam manojamdahantam
shivamshankaram shambhumishanamide 8

Stavam yah prabhate narah shulapane
patheth stotraratnam vhaprapyaratnam
Sputram sudhyanam sumitram kalatram
vichitrai samaradya moksham prayati 9

Shivasahasranaama Stotram

The most popular Shiva Sahasranama Stotra is from the Mahabharata which starts with the verses. Om Sthirah sthaanuh prabhurbhaanuh pravaro varado varah 1

Sarvaatmaa sarvavikhyaatah sarvah sarvakaro bhavah
Jatii charmii shikhandii cha sarvaangah sarvabhaavanah 2 Harishcha harinaakshashcha sarvabhuutaharah prabhuh
Pravrittishcha nivrittishcha niyatah shaashvato dhruvah 3 Shmashaanachaarii bhagavaanh khacharo gocharoardanah
Abhivaadyo mahaakarmaa tapasvii bhuuta bhaavanah 4 Unmattaveshhaprachchhannah sarvalokaprajaapatih
Mahaaruupo mahaakaayo vrishharuupo mahaayashaah 5 Mahaaaatmaa sarvabhuutashcha viruupo vaamano manuh
Lokapaaloantarhitaatmaa prasaado hayagardabhih 6 Pavitrashcha mahaanshchaiva niyamo niyamaashrayah
Sarvakarmaa svayambhuushchaadiraadikaro nidhih 7 Sahasraaksho viruupaakshah somo nakshatrasaadhakah
Chandrah suuryah gatih keturgraho grahapatirvarah 8 Adriradryaalayah kartaa mrigabaanaarpanoanaghah
Mahaatapaa ghora tapaaadiino diinasaadhakah 9 Samvatsarakaro mantrah pramaanam paramam tapah
Yogii yojyo mahaabiijo mahaaretaa mahaatapaah 10 Suvarnaretaah sarvagyah subiijo vrishhavaahanah
Dashabaahustvanimishho niilakantha umaapatih 11 Vishvaruupah svayam shreshhtho balaviiroabaloganah
Ganakartaa ganapatirdigvaasaah kaama eva cha 12 Pavitram paramam mantrah sarvabhaava karo harah
Kamandaludharo dhanvii baanahastah kapaalavaanh 13 Ashanii shataghnii khadgii pattishii chaayudhii mahaanh
Sruvahastah suruupashcha tejastejaskaro nidhih 14 Ushhnishhii cha suvaktrashchodagro vinatastathaa
Diirghashcha harikeshashcha sutiirthah krishhna eva cha 15 Srigaala ruupah sarvaartho mundah kundii kamandaluh
Ajashcha mrigaruupashcha gandhadhaarii kapardyapi 16 Urdhvaretordhvalinga urdhvashaayii nabhastalah
Trijataishchiiravaasaashcha rudrah senaapatirvibhuh 17 Ahashcharoatha naktam cha tigmamanyuh suvarchasah
Gajahaa daityahaa loko lokadhaataa gunaakarah 18 Sinhashaarduularuupashcha aardracharmaambaraavritah
Kaalayogii mahaanaadah sarvavaasashchatushhpathah 19 Nishaacharah pretachaarii bhuutachaarii maheshvarah
Bahubhuuto bahudhanah sarvaadhaaroamito gatih 20 Nrityapriyo nityanarto nartakah sarvalaasakah
Ghoro mahaatapaah paasho nityo giri charo nabhah 21 Sahasrahasto vijayo vyavasaayo hyaninditah
Amarshhano marshhanaatmaa yagyahaa kaamanaashanah 22 Dakshayagyaapahaarii cha susaho madhyamastathaa
Tejoapahaarii balahaa muditoarthoajito varah 23 Gambhiiraghoshho gambhiiro gambhiira balavaahanah
Nyagrodharuupo nyagrodho vrikshakarnasthitirvibhuh 24 Sudiikshnadashanashchaiva mahaakaayo mahaananah
Vishhvakseno hariryagyah sanyugaapiidavaahanah 25 Tiikshna taapashcha haryashvah sahaayah karmakaalavith
Vishhnuprasaadito yagyah samudro vadavaamukhah 26 Hutaashanasahaayashcha prashaantaatmaa hutaashanah
Ugratejaa mahaatejaa jayo vijayakaalavith 27 Jyotishhaamayanam siddhih sandhirvigraha eva cha
Shikhii dandii jatii jvaalii muurtijo muurdhago balii 28 Vainavii panavii taalii kaalah kaalakatankatah
Nakshatravigraha vidhirgunavriddhirlayoagamah 29 Prajaapatirdishaa baahurvibhaagah sarvatomukhah
Vimochanah suragano hiranyakavachodbhavah 30 Medhrajo balachaarii cha mahaachaarii stutastathaa
Sarvatuurya ninaadii cha sarvavaadyaparigrahah 31 Vyaalaruupo bilaavaasii hemamaalii tarangavith
Tridashastrikaaladhrikh karma sarvabandhavimochanah 32 Bandhanastvaasurendraanaam yudhi shatruvinaashanah
Saankhyaprasaado survaasaah sarvasaadhunishhevitah 33 Praskandano vibhaagashchaatulyo yagyabhaagavith
Sarvaavaasah sarvachaarii durvaasaa vaasavoamarah 34 Hemo hemakaro yagyah sarvadhaarii dharottamah
Lohitaaksho mahaaakshashcha vijayaaksho vishaaradah 35 Sangraho nigrahah kartaa sarpachiiranivaasanah
Mukhyoamukhyashcha dehashcha deha riddhih sarvakaamadah 36 Sarvakaamaprasaadashcha subalo balaruupadhrikh
Sarvakaamavarashchaiva sarvadah sarvatomukhah 37 Aakaashanidhiruupashcha nipaatii uragah khagah
Raudraruupomashuraadityo vasurashmih suvarchasii 38 Vasuvego mahaavego manovego nishaacharah
Sarvaavaasii shriyaavaasii upadeshakaro harah 39 Muniraatma patirloke sambhojyashcha sahasradah
Pakshii cha pakshiruupii chaatidiipto vishaampatih 40 Unmaado madanaakaaro arthaarthakara romashah
Vaamadevashcha vaamashcha praagdakshinashcha vaamanah 41 Siddhayogaapahaarii cha siddhah sarvaarthasaadhakah
Bhikshushcha bhikshuruupashcha vishhaanii mriduravyayah 42 Mahaaseno vishaakhashcha shhashhtibhaago gavaampatih
Vajrahastashcha vishhkambhii chamuustambhanaiva cha 43 Riturritu karah kaalo madhurmadhukaroachalah
Vaanaspatyo vaajaseno nityamaashramapuujitah 44 Brahmachaarii lokachaarii sarvachaarii suchaaravith
Iishaana iishvarah kaalo nishaachaarii pinaakadhrikh 45 Nimittastho nimittam cha nandirnandikaro harih
Nandiishvarashcha nandii cha nandano nandivardhanah 46 Bhagasyaakshi nihantaa cha kaalo brahmavidaamvarah
Chaturmukho mahaalingashchaarulingastathaiva cha 47 Lingaadhyakshah suraadhyaksho lokaadhyaksho yugaavahah
Biijaadhyaksho biijakartaaadhyaatmaanugato balah 48 Itihaasa karah kalpo gautamoatha jaleshvarah
Dambho hyadambho vaidambho vaishyo vashyakarah kavih 49 Loka kartaa pashu patirmahaakartaa mahaushhadhih
Aksharam paramam brahma balavaanh shakra eva cha 50 Niitirhyaniitih shuddhaatmaa shuddho maanyo manogatih
Bahuprasaadah svapano darpanoatha tvamitrajith 51 Vedakaarah suutrakaaro vidvaanh samaramardanah
Mahaameghanivaasii cha mahaaghoro vashiikarah 52 Agnijvaalo mahaajvaalo atidhuumro huto havih
Vrishhanah shankaro nityo varchasvii dhuumaketanah 53 Niilastathaaangalubdhashcha shobhano niravagrahah
Svastidah svastibhaavashcha bhaagii bhaagakaro laghuh 54 Utsangashcha mahaangashcha mahaagarbhah paro yuvaa
Krishhnavarnah suvarnashchendriyah sarvadehinaamh 55 Mahaapaado mahaahasto mahaakaayo mahaayashaah
Mahaamuurdhaa mahaamaatro mahaanetro digaalayah 56 Mahaadanto mahaakarno mahaamedhro mahaahanuh
Mahaanaaso mahaakamburmahaagriivah shmashaanadhrikh 57 Mahaavakshaa mahorasko antaraatmaa mrigaalayah
Lambano lambitoshhthashcha mahaamaayah payonidhih 58