Disciple:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam.
Disciple:
Gurudev, Mahashivratri is approaching in a few days. It is celebrated like a grand festival in Bengal. We see people going to offer water to the Lord. This Shivratri is like a tradition for the people of Bengal, celebrated with great pomp. How do you view this Shivratri, and what is special about it?
Gurudev:
Shivratri means "Shiva's Night." Specifically, it is a vow (brata). Traditionally, women have observed this vow, but nowadays men are also participating. Where there are women, men follow, and so they have joined in. Actually, it is a vow for women. Performing this vow helps resolve a person's financial crises, and both Lord Mahadev and Mother Durga are pleased. That is why we call it the ritual of Shivratri.
Gurudev:
On this day, women wake up early, wash their hair, wear good clothes (often red), and go to the temple around noon to perform the puja wherever a Shiva Lingam is present. After the initial puja, they remain fasting the entire day. Then comes the evening worship, which is divided into four phases (prahars).
Gurudev:
First Phase (10:00 PM): This is the puja of Ishan. Ishan is the lord of all spirits (bhutas). This puja concludes by 10 PM.
Gurudev:
Second Phase (12:00 AM): This is the puja of Aghore. Lord Shiva is both Ghore and Aghore. You might have heard of Goraknath; he belongs to the Aghore sect. This second puja happens at midnight, followed by the offering of water.
Gurudev:
Third Phase (2:00 AM): This is the puja of Bama (Bama-char).
Gurudev:
Fourth Phase (4:00 AM): This is the puja of Sadyojata. "Sadyojata" refers to one who has just been born (a newborn).
Gurudev:
So, there are four pujas in the four phases, with four rounds of offerings (anjali) and pouring water over the Shiva Lingam. The priest guides them through the mantras. After the four phases are complete, the women return home and offer seedhe to the Brahmins. Seedhe includes uncooked rice, pulses, potatoes, oil, salt, and sweets. Only after giving these offerings to the Brahmins can the women break their fast. This is the traditional ritual.
Gurudev:
However, nowadays, due to changing circumstances, people cannot always follow this strictly. Some might just offer food or money to the priest at the temple marquee (pandal). In the past, priests were invited home and fed.
Gurudev:
There is also a significant mythological story associated with Lord Shiva and this day. I'll tell it briefly:
Gurudev:
Once, a hunter (Vyadh) went out for a hunt on the night of Amavasya (New Moon). He had killed a deer but got delayed returning home. It was pitch black, and he was worried about where to go. Fearing wild animals, he quickly climbed a tree. It happened to be a Bael (Bilva) tree. He tied his bundle of deer meat to a branch and tied himself to another branch to stay safe through the night.
Gurudev:
Unbeknownst to him, there was a Shiva Lingam at the base of the tree. As he moved during the night, droplets of blood/fluid from the meat and Bael leaves fell onto the Lingam. Lord Shiva was greatly pleased. He wondered, "Who is worshipping me with Bael leaves and water (symbolized by the fluid)?" Though it was blood and sweat, Shiva accepted it as a sincere offering. He blessed the hunter, who eventually became a king in his next life.
Gurudev:
This is why we say that anyone who offers water and Bael leaves to Shiva on this night will be blessed.
Disciple:
Gurudev, you mentioned that men are also doing the puja now. Is there any specific advice for them?
Gurudev:
In my view, based on spiritual science, "Plus and Plus" (Positive and Positive) cancels out. "Plus and Minus" creates light. If Mahadev is the "Plus," then women are the "Minus." Their union creates the "light" or the result. Therefore, I often tell men that they should worship Goddess Durga. If you worship the Mother, you will get great results. The Mother and Father are inseparable; if you please the Mother, the Father is automatically pleased. I have seen many people who had nothing become very prosperous through such devotion. I am an example myself; I started with nothing and now, by the grace of Shiva and the Mother, I am doing well.
Disciple:
You always say that if you find the Mother, you find the Father, and vice versa. How so?
Gurudev:
They are one and the same. If you look at the Shiva Lingam scientifically, the Lingam is placed upon the Gauri-patta (the yoni). It represents a divine union. If a person worships this union correctly, they will never face a lack of anything.
Disciple:
What about those who face difficulties in getting married?
Gurudev:
Many girls come to me with this problem. I tell them to go to a Peepal (Ashwattha) tree. Tie a yellow thread around the tree seven times, make a wish, and offer a pot of water to the base of the tree every day. The Peepal tree is the greatest among trees—Lord Krishna says this in the Gita. If someone does this regularly with devotion to Mother Durga, a marriage proposal will surely come.
Disciple:
Does the thread have to be a specific color?
Gurudev:
Yes, yellow. You can dye it yourself with raw turmeric.
Disciple:
You also mentioned special foods for the four phases?
Gurudev:
Yes, in our temple, we offer different foods in each phase.
Gurudev:
First Phase: We might offer Luchi.
Gurudev:
Second Phase: Fruits.
Gurudev:
Third Phase: Sweets.
Gurudev:
Fourth Phase: Milk. The fourth phase is for Sadyojata (the newborn form), and a newborn primarily consumes milk.
Gurudev:
There is a story behind the Sadyojata form as well. Once, Mother Chamunda was in a terrible rage. Wherever she stepped, fire broke out. Her army was cheering, and the world was trembling. No one could stop her. Then, Lord Shiva took the form of a newborn baby (Sadyojata) and lay by the road, crying. When the Mother saw the crying baby, her anger vanished. Her maternal instincts took over; she dropped her weapons, picked him up, and began to nurse him. Her rage subsided instantly. This is why the fourth phase is worshipped with milk.
Disciple:
So, even though it started with a hunter, you suggest men focus on the Mother?
Gurudev:
The hunter story is a miracle that happened. But generally, I say: Women, worship Shiva. Men, worship Mother Durga. That is enough.
Disciple:
As you all know, Shivratri is coming. Gurudev has explained the significance and the rituals. In our temple, we celebrate this with great fervor every year. Please keep Gurudev's words in mind. If you perform the rituals with sincere devotion, the Lord is bound to listen. We conclude this special video here and will see you in the next one.
Gurudev:
Proper devotion never goes in vain.
Disciple:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam.
Spiritual Insight
Mahashivratri, the "Night of Shiva," is one of the most significant observances in the Bengali spiritual calendar. Gurudev explains that while traditionally a vow for women (brata) to resolve financial crises and please both Mahadev and Mother Durga, men have increasingly joined the practice. The night is divided into four distinct phases of worship: Ishan (10 PM), Aghore (midnight), Bama (2 AM), and Sadyojata (4 AM). The famous story of the hunter (Vyadh) who accidentally worshipped Shiva while hiding in a Bael tree demonstrates that sincere devotion—even unknowingly offered—can transform one's destiny. The Sadyojata form represents Shiva as a newborn, reminding us that even the fierce Chamunda's rage could be quelled by maternal instinct. Gurudev's practical advice for marriage-seekers—tying yellow thread around a Peepal tree and offering water daily—reflects the accessible spirituality he teaches. His core message remains: women should worship Shiva, men should worship Mother Durga, for their union creates the divine "light" that fulfills all needs.