Host:
Today is Shivaratri.
Guru:
Yes, today is Shivaratri. A fire ritual (hom) is being performed in the temple. It happens every time. We observe the Chaturdashi (14th lunar day). We don't focus on Amavasya (New Moon). Chaturdashi is auspicious for us—it's Shiva Chaturdashi today. We skip the fifth day, meaning we don't perform rituals during Amavasya. No auspicious work is done during Amavasya. As it is said, we do not seek the face of God during Amavasya. Anyway, that's a significant matter.
Guru:
And today is Shivaratri, as you know. Now, someone just asked me, "Does Shiva eat meat?" I told him I couldn't answer that immediately; it requires reflection. However, there is a story regarding Shiva Chaturdashi—the kind of story women read during their fast (vrata).
Guru:
There was a hunter who worked hard all day but couldn't secure any prey. He was returning home disappointed. At sunset, he suddenly saw a deer nearby. He immediately shot it with an arrow. It was becoming dark, so he gathered the meat, but he couldn't see the path home. He decided to spend the night in a tree and return the next morning.
Guru:
He didn't realize he had climbed a Bel (Bilva) tree. He sat there securely, having tied the bundle of meat to a branch. Unbeknownst to him, there was a Shivling at the base of the tree. Blood from the fresh meat dripped onto the Shivling. As the wind blew and he moved, Bel leaves also fell onto the Shivling.
Guru:
Lord Shiva wondered, "Who is this, offering me Ganga water and Bel leaves?" Lord Shiva appeared before him, very pleased. He said, "I am satisfied that you offered me water and leaves." The hunter replied, "Lord, please do not take offense; this is meat and blood. I tied my prey to the tree, and the blood dripped down. I didn't know you were here."
Guru:
Shiva replied, "Where is your fault? I am very pleased that on this day, someone offered me Bel leaves. I am specially satisfied with you; all your sorrows will be removed." Women often read this story. So, whether Shiva eats meat or not is hard to say, but this is the legend of Shivaratri. It's a good story.
Guru:
Shiva is the "Auspicious One." He who brings about welfare is Shiva. That is why everything is resolved through Shiva. All major planetary defects (Grahadosh) are resolved by Shiva. We say, "Keep Shiva's head clean." Whether it's an amulet or any remedy, it all ends up at Shiva's feet. If someone has planetary defects, we tell them to go to Tryambakeshwar, where Shiva is present and the Godavari river flows from the mountains, washing over him. That water is very important. We tell them to bathe in the pool there and offer worship to resolve their planetary issues.
Guru:
There are a few such places, like Varanasi. We suggest going there for planetary or debt-related issues.
Host:
Guru, I would request you to repeat that "remedy" (totka) for the benefit of the viewers.
Guru:
Everything is resolved at Shiva's feet. For planetary defects, we suggest going to Tryambakeshwar or Varanasi. There are rituals for the nine planets (Navagraha) and the Seven Sages (Saptarishi).
Guru:
For those in debt, I suggest taking some black gram (biulir dal). Soak about 250 grams, clean it, and take it to a Shiva temple in the morning. Give it to the priest to offer it to Shiva along with Bel leaves. Make a resolution in your name and pray to Rin-mukteshwar Shiva (Shiva, the Liberator from Debt). There is a shrine specifically named this in the forests near the Narmada River. Many people go there to seek relief from debt. Since not everyone can go to the Narmada, we suggest any old, established Shiva temple—not necessarily a new one. Pray there for liberation from debt; He provides it.
Guru:
Shiva's power is unimaginable. People don't fully realize it. Shiva has three eyes. We call the third eye the "Black Hole." Whatever Shiva destroys, he does so with that third eye.
Host:
The Third Eye.
Guru:
Yes, the Third Eye. It destroys everything. We call it the Black Hole. In a previous episode, I mentioned that the Black Hole is like a point that can consume the entire Earth. Once something enters, it doesn't come out; it becomes a single dimension—a tiny point. We see this in the concept of "Krishna Gahwar" (the Black Abyss). We also saw this in the mouth of Lord Krishna when Mother Yashoda saw him eating dirt. When he opened his mouth, she saw the entire universe rotating inside. She was stunned. Krishna's mouth was the abyss.
Host:
Is there any other special significance to this day?
Guru:
Well, traditionally, women perform this ritual to get a good husband—one like Shiva, who is pure and steady. Now, men are also doing it, perhaps to get a good wife! Anyway, that's the tradition. It's mostly women who perform this for merit.
Guru:
The term "Shivaratri" refers to the four watches (Char Pahar) of the night. Shiva is worshipped four times during these four watches. Priests perform these rituals using milk, curd, ghee, and honey. This is done four times through the night.
Guru:
It is an intense ritual. The final worship is for Sadhyajata (the newborn). There are different forms like Vamadeva and Aghora.
Host:
Should the worship be done so elaborately?
Guru:
Yes, it should be. Four times in four watches. After the rituals and offerings, water is poured on Shiva. It is Shiva's night. Women stay awake, stay near Shiva, and offer water four times. Some of these traditions are fading now because the social environment has changed; it's risky for women to be out all night. So, it's gradually decreasing.
Guru:
One more thing—Shiva once took the form of Sadhyajata. Lord Shiva saw that Mother Kali had taken such a fierce form that the world would be destroyed. He thought about how to stop her. He became a newborn baby and lay by the road, crying "Ma, Ma." Mother Kali was passing by with her fierce companions—ghosts, demons, and spirits. Everywhere she stepped, fire broke out. She heard a baby crying and saw a child lying there. Her maternal instinct took over; she forgot her rage, picked up the child, and nursed him. That is the story of the "Newborn" (Sadhyajata) form.
Guru:
So, the four watches of worship are dedicated to these forms. The next morning, after giving offerings to the priests, one can break their fast. Nowadays, people can't wait that long and eat earlier, but the true tradition is to stay with Shiva through the night, hear the stories, and complete the four watches of worship.
Host:
Thank you, Guru. Viewers, you've learned something new today—a remedy for debt and the deeper stories of Lord Shiva. Stay healthy and well. Salutations, Guru.