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| Maha Shiv Ratri (Haerath) | | | Kundan Kashmiri | 2/26/2014 10:03:50 PM |
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Maha-ShivaRatri is the most celebrated day of the devotees of Shiva through out India and Hindu Diaspora, but the Kashmiri Pandits adore this day with the name of Haerath. The word "Haerath is related to the concept of Hara-Ratri, which is the night dedicated to lord Shiva in his Trigunatmak form of "Hera". "Hera" means he who is destroying, removing, carrying off and captivating. In Sanskrit, Hara is more understood with Shiva as Rudra. It is that Shiva, who removes the obstacles of his devotees. He makes the devotees pure in spirit, yogic in thoughts and devotional in rituals. The puja of Shiva as "Bhairava" is recommended at the pradosh time of Phalguna Krishna Paksha Triyodashi, popularly revered as the "Haerath Truwah" in the Kashmiri Pandit ethos.
Lord Shiva is adored as the vatuka Raj Bhairava. Vatuka means a young Brahmachari, a form of Shiva adored by the shaktas of Kashmir.
The Vatak Raaz Puja is considered as the sacred act by the Kashmiri Pandits throught out the globe. This puja is initiated on the Horashtami day and in dedicated to universal mother. On this day Kashmiri Pandits offer puja during night with recitation of Kashmiri Bhajans, panchastavi, some read ten times the Indrakshi stotra Mantra etc.
The 'Haerath' starts from Wagri-Bah and some families invoke WAGUR on that day, while the watuk is invited to enter the home on the 13th of phalguna (Dark fortnight). Watak Raaz is accompanied by Ram Goad, Rashi-Dulij, Sonipotul, Saniwari representing the Dukpals / Matrika. The walnut in the watak Raaz is invoked with the Bija Mantra. Explanation of the vatak Raaz Mantra is, that "Aum" is the essence of all the four Vedas. It is also revered as the vedic pranava, which means ever eternal sound. Aum is the basis of yoga and yogis always meditate on the Aum. Aum is the giver to all what we righteously desire and finally liberates devotees from the cycle of birth and death. Aum is the synthesis of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara.
In the ancient times the Shiva Ratri festival was celebrated for twenty five days, from the first day of the dark fortnight of the month of phalgun. It is now reduced to a 15 days festival ending on the 15th day of the some fort night. The fourteenth day of the month of Magha and the fourteen day of the phalguna are believed to be related to the appearance of vatuk Bhairava and the union of shiva and shakti respectively.
Maha Shivratri, the most celebrated day of Shiva devotees, brings great joy to everyone. On this great night of the 13th day of phalgun lord Shiva blesses all those who truthfully pray to him for he is the lover of all his lovers and the devotee of all his devotees. These religious festivals keep us in existence, alive, happy as well as keep coordinated with our religious ethos. Let us all protect and preserve them for centuries ahead. |
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