Shivarathri

In most Shiva temples when we go around we see Lingothbhavar moorthi on the wall behind Shiva. He is one of the 64 manifestations Shiva; like Vrishabharudar, Dakshinamoorthi, Bhairavar, Nataraja, Somaskandar, Chandrasekhar etc. This moorthi is inside a Shivalinga whose feet cannot be seen. There will be a Varaha moorthi below this lingam and Hamsa bird above.

Before commencing Rudrabhishekam we say:

Aapathala nabha brhmandama vispurath jyotihi: spatika linga mouli vilasath poornendhu vandamhrudaihi: Asthokaplutham ekam asam anisam rudranuvaakaan japan dyaye epsitha sidhaye (a) drupadam vipro mishincheth sivam mimi”

The meaning of this is we must do Abhishekam to the spatika lingam that is dazzling light shining a billion sun without beginning or end. Spatika is colorless; likewise Easwara has no form and takes the form of the objects he contacts. The Varaha moorti (Vishnu) and Hamsa bird (Brahma) indicate that one cannot understand the HIM through acquired knowledge nor through wealth. This infinite knowledge has manifested as Shivalinga form in temples. 

Doing Abhishekam to Shivalinga gets innumerable benefits that cannot be seen or measured by our physical senses. Only the enlightened Brahma Gnyani can appreciate this infinite swaroopa without form. Ordinary men can get this knowledge by prayers to HIS form as Shivalingam.

Anyone who prays with pure love and dedication can understand HIM and get His vision. He is therefore known as “ASUTOSHI”

On Shivrathri day the Jyothi swaroopa manifested as Shivalinga, to enable all to pray to HIS form and realize the SELF. We, therefore pray the whole night on Shivrathri day, with love and single mindedness to get HIS blessings. We should be one with HIM. There is no other “Aanandam” than this.  

1. //Shambo Mahadeva//