Mahashivratri, in simple words, is the night of Mahashiv. It is the most important and auspicious festival for ‘shiv bhakts’. It takes place in the month of Maagh/Phagun (February/March) during the dark phase of the moon and is celebrated with utmost reverence and enthusiasm.

According to Pujya Guruji, Lord Shiva goes into deep meditation on ‘Kartik Purnima’ and emerges from that state on the midnight of Mahashivratri (except that He wakes up on Ganesh Chaturthi for a day and again goes into deeper meditation). The period between ‘Kartik Purnima’ and Ganesh Chaturthi is called Shakti period when Shakti is supreme. During the period (Kartik Purnima to Mahashivratri), it is the cardinal duty of all Shiv Bhakts to follow their Lord, i.e., to meditate (dhyaan yoga), practice maximum possible ‘Japa’ and lead a pious and ‘satoguni’ life in terms of ahaar (the nature of food that we consume), vyavhaar (conduct), and chintan (thought process).

Some scriptures describe Lord Shiva as the destroyer, Lord Vishnu as the protector, and Lord Brahma as the creator. Those who have superficial knowledge consider these three manifestations as separate and different from each other and worship them accordingly. But it is not prudent for a devotee to worship his ‘Isht’ as a mere part of the whole or as an incomplete power. At the beginning of creation, the Mahashakti created out of Herself Lord Vishnu and then Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva to perform the functions of protector, creator and destroyer respectively. For procreation and multiplication of this universe, once again, She created, three Mahashaktis – (Ma Lakshmi, Ma Saraswati and Ma Parvati).

All these manifestations emanated from one source and that ultimate power manifested Herself in different forms to perform different functions. In reality, that formless (nirakaar) as well as in form (sagun) Brahm is called Ishwar, Maheshwar or Mahashakti. THAT omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, infinite, absolute truth and the creator, protector, and destroyer is Himself Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. He manifests Himself in these three forms to perform the functions of the Creator, Protector and Destroyer. He is Plural in Singular and Singular in Plural. He has no beginning and no end. He is immanent, primeval, and eternal. It is explained in Puranas that each of the three lives in the others’ heart, they enhance each other and are ultimately the same power. In essence, he who has understood Shiv-Tatva in the right perspective, knows all and nothing more remains for him to understand. For him, that instant of awareness and enlightenment is Mahashivratri.

Sagun or Sakaar Lord Shiva’s dress and appearance have a very special spiritual significance. Each ornament on His body has a deep symbolic meaning. a) His complexion is white (sfotic) and indicates satoguna, simplicity, and transparency b) He wears a crown of thick locks of hair and a small snake acts as a feather in his crown. The holy Ganga flowing out of his ‘jattas’ symbolizes that as long as the snakes of passion, sensuality and worldly desires remain in our mind, we cannot get liberated. Therefore, it is essential to keep the Ganga of devotion (bhakti) and spiritual knowledge flowing at our intellectual level. c) Usually, curved or crooked objects (vakra) are not considered to be auspicious, but the crescent moon (tilak) adorns Lord Shiva’s forehead. It means that what is not acceptable to others, Lord Shiva accepts that as his own because every single molecule in this universe belongs to him. d) People dread snakes, but the same snakes get the honour of decorating His ears as kundal) and in the form of bangles (kangan) on his arms. This really means that listening to spiritual discourses or words of devotion and wisdom or naad (sitting in meditation) can help in controlling the unstable mind and one can exercise restraint on sense objects. This is exactly what Pujya Guruji used to say. “snakes and scorpions (bad persons) will come to me. I cannot turn them away. My object is to make ‘Bhagwan’ out of ‘shaitaan’ and put them on the path of bhakti and sewa. e) Lord Shiva’s body is smeared with ashes from cremation ground which suggests an inclination towards renunciation. This reminds us of the ultimate end of our gross body; we must always remember that death is inevitable. So live this life like a spectator in a detached manner. Ashes on His body also symbolize that time and death are under His control. It is relevant to recall Pujya Guruji’s words here, “I am not bound by time, but time is bound to me.” There are also instances of persons lying on death bed getting an extension of life with Guruji’s grace. f) Mundmaal (garland of human heads) adorning Lord Shiva’s neck signifies that after the gross and the subtle body is destroyed, causal body (kaaran shareer) remains with sanskaars awaiting rebirth. This is also a reminder of death and urges detachment from the material world. g) His apparel of lion skin represents bravery, competence to rule, and the ability to confront any situation. Lion’s skin is also a good ‘aasana’ for meditation. h) Trinetra – being the Lord of the universe, His Trinetra signifies Surya (sun), Chandra (moon) and Agni (fire). They also imply that He is all-knowing; He knows the past, present and future. i) The Trishul signifies that Lord Shiva is the destroyer of three types of pains and agonies – physical, mental, and natural disaster (aadibhautik, adhyatamik and aadidaivik). It also suggests that Lord Shiva is beyond the three states of life – Jaagrit, swapan, and susupti (turiyameva kevalam). j) Neelkanth – After samudra manthan, devtas hesitated to accept the poison, but the deva of devas (Mahadeva) readily drank that poison (vish) and relieved devtas of their dilemma. He neither spat it out nor did gulp it down but held it in his throat. This signifies that one should face favourable and unfavourable situations, grace or disgrace, fame or infamy with equanimity. If you react, you tend to annoy others and if you digest, you suffer the pain yourself. Therefore, face all odds and evens with a composed mind. k) Damru – the sound of damru drives away troubles. It is also a symbol of dualties e.g., day-night, gain-loss, happiness-sorrow, fame-infamy, success-failure, life-death etc. Lord Shiva has full control over these dualties, so his devotees and saadhaks should strive for the same and attain stability of mind. l) Nandi – Riding the Nandi signifies that the Lord is firmly established in dharma and righteousness.

Lord Shiva, the Lord of Nature and Universe, who is beyond the three ‘gunas’, has taken upon Himself the five tatvas described below, which are essential for survival: 1) ‘Bhasm’ (prithvi), 2) Ganga (jal), 3) Teesra Netra (agni), 4) ‘Sarp’ (vayu), and 5) damru (akaash). Decorated in fourteen varieties, Lord Shiva is worshipped and offered salutations in fourteen worlds (Bhuvans).

The festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm at Sector 10-A Gurgaon and at Smadhi Sthal, Najafgarh, New Delhi. These two venues are elaborately decorated with flowers and buntings. One can feel the fragrance all around and the environment is charged with devotion and spirituality. Thousands of men, women and children throng the two venues. Shishyas, devotees and public in general, from all over the country and abroad, assemble at these two places, form long queues from morning till late at night to offer their prayers. As per the ritual, they offer flowers, bel, belpatra, akk flowers, dhatura etc. in worship of Lord Shiva and receive blessings from Param Pujya Guruji,Pujniya Mataji, Respected Shri R.C. Malhotraji, and other Gurubhais.

On the occasion of Mahashivratri, Shishyas and devotees observe fast. Shishyas do not consume even a drop of water since early morning (Brahm mahurat) till past midnight. However, the elderly, those who are ill or ladies who are not in a position to follow such a rigorous discipline, may take fruits or a hot drink, such as lemon tea. Throughout the day Shishyas do Japa of all the mantras bestowed upon them by Pujya Guruji. (Pujya Guruji had advised that intensive Japa – of all the mantras given by him – done throughout the Mahashivratri day has many times more effect than Japa done during normal days.

Little before the midnight ‘Abhishek’ ceremony of Shivlinga is performed in Shiv Mandir at Smadhi Sthal, Neelkanth. After midnight, the fast is broken with Jal (prepared earlier during the day by senior shishyas) which contains kesar, laung, elaichi, kaali mirch, bel, bel-patra, dhatura, akk flowers etc. and all these ingredients are spiritually santified with sacred mantras and it tastes like amrit. This is followed by pieces of fried potatoes with tasteful masala and a cup of lemon tea infused with herbs/spices. At the time of breaking the fast, many persons from the public also join the shishyas and sewadaars at Sector 10-A, Gurgaon and at Neelkanth.

Observing ‘nirjala upvaas’ thoughout the day has scientific and medical validity. It generates tremendous amount of heat in the body which is capable of killing germs and ensures maintenance of good health. Cereals are taken the next day after sunrise.

Rituals are good as they induce you to worship and help in generating satoguna. But in reality, the moment you are able to withdraw yourself from worldly attractions and enter the realm of inner consciousness, that moment is Mahashivratri. The moment you are able to rise above sensuous pleasures and pains and experience inner peace and perceive the light of divine existence, that moment is Mahashivratri. The moment you are able to attain stability of mind and maintain equanimity in a state of duality; the moment you are able to forget your individual entity and HE only remains, that moment is real Mahashivratri.

Mahashivratri Jal is prepared once a year and can be used throughout the year (except the period between Kartik Purnima and Mahashivratri). This charged Jal along with Laung and Elaichis, sanctified with sacred mantras, has unique qualities and is capable of eradicating many ailments and solving many problems. This Jal, Laung and Elachis, distributed during the days following Mahashivratri are to be consumed as per instructions. Some of the general instructions are enumerated on our website – http://www.gurujiofgurgaon-neelkanth.com/mahashivratri.html. For specific problems devotees should take specific instructions from the Sthan.

I am Mrs. Sushila Singh and we have been coming to Pujya Guruji’s Sthan for nearly thirty years. I would like to share with all of you a hair-raising experience that happened in our life about eleven years back.

My husband, Shri Dalbir Singh, used to work with M/s Radico Khaitan and he was transferred to Udaipur. While we were travelling to Udaipur in our car, we saw two buses, one behind the other, were speeding towards us from the opposite direction. The rear bus was coming at a tremendous speed and suddenly approached in front of our car. On our left hand side was a huge deep ditch and there was no space to manoeuvre the car. We got panicky as there was no escape route. Suddenly my husband applied the brakes and I could not help shouting loudly, “save us Guruji” and closed my eyes. To my utter amazement, I saw Gurudev and my elder brother, whose name is Surendra Rana, standing in front of our car. By the time I could come out of the shock, I realized that the car was parked on the side, buses had gone; me, my child and my husband were safe, though traumatized. With folded hands we got down, looked around, but did not find Gurudev. In the heart of my hearts, I remembered Him, bowed before Him, paid obeisance, and with trembling lips blurred out, “Guruji, you have saved our lives today from an imminent death”. Had He not appeared there, we would not have been alive today. We are ever so grateful to Pujya Gurudev that he listens to the cry of his children and saves them in dire calamity.

Hundres and thousands of times, my salutations to you Gurudev.

To the best of my recollection, I visited Neelkanth Dham for the first time some time during the end of October 2012. Thereafter, I regularly started visiting this holy place almost every Sunday along with my two children – Ridhi, my daughter, and Rachit, my son. Right from the beginning, we came into contact with Guru Ravi Trehanji who patiently listened to my problems and asked us to wear Kada and explained to us its importance and significance. He also blessed laungs and elaichies and told us to take these items in a particular manner along with sanctified jal. After a few visits, he gave us mantras also and asked us to do paath regularly. Our problems started getting sorted out and we felt peace and solace each time we visited this spiritually charged place.

Suddenly on 16th of December 2013, I lost my mother. I was very attached to her, could not bear the shock and went into depression. Visits to Neelkanth Dham also stopped. On the following Sunday of Mahashivratri (year 2014), some inner force prompted me to go to Neelkanth Dham and my daughter, Ridhi, accompanied me. After paying our obeisance (matha tekna) at the Samadhi, we sat down on a durrie in front of Samadhi. Suddently, amidst the crowd of villagers sitting in front of the Shivalaya, we observed a hazy figure of a person wearing white colour half sleeve shirt and grey colour pant, sitting in an ardh padmasan posture, was leaning forward and looking at us with a smile. At first, we could not make out to whom he is looking at but impulsively we passed on a smile to him.

Then in flick of a second, sitting in the same posture, he shifted from the durrie in front of Shivalaya to the durrie where we were sitting. Neither me nor my daughter noticed him getting up or walking up to us, but he was there, near us, in the same posture. All of a sudden, the crowd of people also started dwindling. One or two persons, who were still around, were driven away by the guard and thereafter he also vanished. Only we three – me, my daughter and that person – were left. He opened the conversation, “I talk to only those persons who deserve to be talked to. You should come with your husband, brother or father. Why do you come alone. It is not safe. You are a pious and a blessed one. You and your daughter are complimentary to each other – both are sharing each other’s fortune.”

Due to my mother’s death, I was in a very pensive mood. Very hesitatingly, I asked him “why has my mother gone so suddenly?” “Who would listen to constant rebukes and wrong accusations”, he responded. I was stunned to hear these words because I alone knew such a situation Then he said, “you have not come here today on your own. I have called you. I wanted you to come and meet me. Regularly offer jal to Lord Shiva, sprinkle some on your head, in your house and drink a few sips yourself. Your problems will be solved and you will have peace.”

Bit frightened and very hesitatingly I asked him, “what is your name and where from have you come.” “Naam se kya lena hai, naam to shariron ke hote hain. Mere kayi naam hain, tum chaho to mujhe Bajrangi ke naam se bhi yaad kar sakti ho (I wondered how did he know that I worship Hanumaanji), main naag devta bhi hoon, he replied. I do not remain at one place. I keep moving from place to place. Sometimes, I stay at Shirdi, sometimes at Vrindavan and (pointing out to the Samadhi) I live here also”. Touching his trouser he said, “don’t see what clothes I am wearing”. It was getting dark. Mystified, I asked for his permission to leave. He said, “haan putt, you must leave now. Darkness is falling and you have a long distance to go”. We had hardly reached the main gate when I asked my daughter to go back and take his mobile number just in case we need to talk to him again. (I saw that he was still sitting alone in front of the Samadhi). He smilingly told her “putt marne ke baad kaun sa No. Kaisa No.”

After the Samadhi, I went to the other side of the building where sewa was being performed. I took blessings from Malhotra Guruji and then went to Ravi Trehan Guruji who suggested pooja of nag aur nagin for the problem of my son, Rachit. I was totally flabbergasted. A little while ago that person at the Samadhi (whom I now understand as Maha Gurudevji) had told me that main naag devta bhi hoon. Then on my request, Ravi Trehan Guruji gave me the photograph of Maha Gurudev and in this photograph he was wearing the same clothes that we saw him in a little while ago in front of the Samadhi. I was deeply touched and had experienced this kind of miracle for the first time in my life.

On my way back home, when I was able to compose myself, I was contemplating – He had a very serene face. Looking at Him, my state of mind was calm, quite and stable. There were no questions in my mind. So far, I was taking Him to be a normal human being. The only remorse I had was that I could not recognize his real self when I met Him. Neither could I offer him anything nor could I venture to (may be out of fear psychosis) touch His holy feet and seek His blessings. In the heart of my hearts, I bowed before Him. He had dispelled my darkness. Took me out of the morass and showed me the light to live. Since then, I have been regularly going to Neelkanth Dham and paying my obeisance with awe and reverence. Maha Gurudevji mera shat shat pranaam.

ॐ नमो शिव ॐ ॐ नमो गुरुदेव

ईश्वर और गुरु दोनों सामने खड़े हो तो , भारतिए परंपरा के अनुसार शिष्य पहले गुरु को प्रणाम करेगा , क्योंकि गुरु के आशीर्वाद और मार्गदर्शन के बिना शिष्य ईश्वर को नहीं प्राप्त कर सकता |

सतगुरु को प्राप्त करने की गहन जिज्ञासा ही गुरु की शरण मे ले जा कर हमारे भविष्य को संवार सकती है |

अपने गुरु को सर्वदा सम्मान दीजिये एवम उत्सुक प्रकृति के शिष्य बनिए क्योंकि उत्सुक शिष्य को गुरु से सर्वोतम उपलब्धि प्राप्त होती है |

सतगुरु हमारी प्यास को बुझाते नहीं , अपितु प्यास को जगाते है | वो हमको उस राह पर आगे बढ़ाते है जिस पर चल कर सवालो के जवाब हासिल होते है |

जिस दिन स॓ शीश आपक॓ चरणो म॓ झुकाया है,
आपक॓ सँग न॓ म॓री जिदँगी को हसीन बनाया है।
जहाँ कही भी कदम म॓रा डगमगाया है,
सहारा द॓न॓ ज्ञान आप ही का आया है।

Since time immmortal numerous enlighted sages have told that Spritual Freedom – ” MOKSH ” , is unattainable without Moral or Ethical conducts.

Desires & Passions do exist in mankind, ever attempting for slightest of an opportunity to outburst.

Param Pujya GURUDEV an Incarnation of SANATAN SHAKTI has provided his devotees with Right Avenues for directing them & his Revered Shishyas are religiously pursuing Blessing Continue reading →

As we all know Guruji is our all-powerful master and what he stated while in his physical form is worth contemplating and reflecting on for each individual whether young or old.  Often we get to hear from our Guru-bhais and Guru-didis that Guruji told me “this” and Guruji told me “that” however, few really know what Guruji wanted his disciples to learn or acquire from his messages.  Continue reading →