Interviewer:
Guru, greetings.
Guru:
Greetings.
Interviewer:
Today is Maha Shivratri. I would like to hear a few words from you about Shivratri.
Guru:
Well, Shivratri is mainly a ritual for women. It does not hold a special significance for men, but those who are Shaivites observe this day. Shaivite men observe it, and women mostly observe it by pouring milk, water from the Ganges, or coconut water on Shiva's head during the four prahars (stages) of the night. This is an ancient tradition. Generally, women perform this ritual; it's called the Shivratri Vrata (vow). It's not specifically for men, but those who are devotees of Shiva worship him, pour water on the Shivalinga, and perform various rituals like fire sacrifices.
Guru:
The puja takes place four times throughout the four stages of the night. In the first stage, Ishan is worshipped. One of Shiva's names is Ishan. That puja is performed with various offerings and food.
Guru:
In the second stage, the puja is for Aghora. "Aghoraya Namaha"—puja is offered to Aghora with different kinds of food.
Guru:
In the third stage, the puja is for Vama. Different types of food are offered here as well.
Guru:
In the fourth stage, the puja is for Sadyojata. Here, milk is offered. Since Sadyojata represents the newly born Shiva, milk is the primary offering.
Guru:
So, these are the four pujas in four stages: first Ishan, then Aghora, then Vama, and finally Sadyojata. Women sit through these four stages and pour water four times after the priest completes each ritual. Different types of food are offered in each stage. The final stage's offering is milk because Shiva is considered "Sadyojata" (newly born) then.
Interviewer:
And for those who perform the puja, they have prayers. If you could tell us about that...
Guru:
Shiva means Moksha (liberation). Men worship Shiva for Moksha. Women worship him to get a good husband. They pray for a husband like Shiva. Our Brahmin community says, "Worship Shiva well to get a husband like him." This tradition has been around for a long time. People say, "Worship Shiva, pour water on his head, and you will get a good husband." For the general public, it's a way to attain Moksha.
Interviewer:
For married women, it is observed that they pray for their husbands... is there anything like that?
Guru:
No, not exactly like that. Shivratri puja is for the next birth. Whatever happened in this birth has already happened. Women perform this puja for their next birth and pray to have a good husband in their next life. Life is a cycle of births. They pray for a husband like Shiva—simple, straightforward, and helpful to others. That is their desire. After the puja and pouring water, the next morning women feed a Brahmin some sweets or offer clothes, and then they break their fast. During this time, the priest recites the story of the Shivratri vow.
Guru:
It's a story of a hunter. I will tell it briefly. A hunter went out for hunting and it got late. He climbed a tree, but he did not know what kind of tree it was. He tied his bag of meat to a branch and rested there. Underneath the tree, there was a Shivalinga. Due to his movements, many wood apple leaves fell on the Shivalinga, and blood from the meat also dripped onto Shiva's head. Shiva was pleased with this and granted him a boon. That's the story in short.
Guru:
After the four stages of puja, the greatness of Shiva is recited. The next morning, before breaking the fast, women feed Brahmins and offer whatever they can according to their means; then they break their fast. This is the ritual. It's primarily for women, and for Shaivite men who also perform the puja.
Interviewer:
Guru, we will end here today. You heard from Guru about the celebration of Maha Shivratri, the four stages he clearly explained, and the purpose of Shivratri.
Guru:
It's a great way to attain Moksha for common people, and for women who pray to get a good husband—not just in this life but in future births as well.
Interviewer:
Greetings, Guru.
Guru:
Greetings.