Maha Shivaratri: Mythological Stories About Lord Shiva

Another story narrates the tale of the three Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva discussing the supremacy of each other. Shiva assumed the form of a massive pillar of fire, which sprawled the entire Universe. Brahma and Vishnu went about in different directions to find the end. Vishnu tried his best to trace the end but could not, so he admitted defeat. However, Brahma stated that he had found the end, but Shiva knew that he was wrong, so he proclaimed that humanity as such will not pray to him. Perhaps, the most important legend associated with Maha Shivaratri is the marriage of Shiva and Devi Shakti or Goddess Parvati. This union was brought about by great penance and austerities performed by the Divine Mother, as Shiva was pining for the loss of his first wife ‘Sati’. The whole universe was in disarray due to his sorrow, but he eventually recovered from this loss and married Parvati, another form of Goddess Sati. Maha Shivaratri is thus celebrated as the day when this union took place. Another story states that on the Shivaratri day, a ruthless hunter was chased by a hungry lion and took refuge in the branches of a Bilva tree. The lion however, waited under the tree for the hunter to fall asleep and fall down. The desperate hunter kept plucking the leaves and dropping them down one by one to keep awake. It so happened that there was a Shiva Lingam at the bottom of the tree and the leaves fell on it all night long. This act served to propitiate Lord Shiva and he came to the rescue of the hunter and saved him from certain death. Till today, the tradition of worshiping Shiva with Bilva leaves holds great significance on the day of Shivaratri. Maha Shivaratri is considered as an extremely auspicious day and celebrated with great fervor by Hindu devotees across the world. Devotees observe a fast and worship Lord Shiva with great reverence, and all Shiva temples are packed with people who come to pay obeisance to the Lingam. Traditionally, milk Abishekam is done to the idol of Lord Shiva, which is usually in the form of a Lingam in temples. The merciful Lord Shiva grants his devotees with everything they wish for, and bestows them with peace, prosperity and happiness.