Mahashivratri is a Sanatani celebration of the union of the divine masculine and feminine energies of the universe. Although the common man celebrates it as Bhagwan Shiva and Ma Parvati’s union, the festival is a celebration of the confluence of Purush and Prakriti that led to the creation of the cosmos as we know it.
Beckoning seekers of spiritual enlightenment, this tithi has a number of legends associated with it. Each enchanting saga asks Sanatanis to embrace the divinity of the day and bow to the powers that be in devotion. These ancient legends are steeped in profound symbolism that invites believers to dive deep into the cosmic mysteries. Let’s embark on a journey to unravel the sacred legends that celebrate the spiritual significance of Mahashivratri!Â
The Legends of Mahashivratri
The Samudra Manthan:
One of the oldest tales of Mahashivratri is that of the celestial Samudra Manthan. 54 Devas and 54 Asuras used the Lord Vasuki as a rope on Mount Meru to churn the cosmic ocean. Thus, a total of 108 actively participated in the Samudra Manthan to create this universe.
Apart from the many divine gifts, this cosmic churning primarily focussed on giving birth to “Amrit”. This drink of potent blessing was the last thing to emerge from the cosmic ocean and its consumption blessed its consumer with immortality.
However, before the cosmos gave birth to ‘Amrit’, Halahala emerged from its depths. This deadly poison was a threat to all. Its existence could engulf the universe in darkness and destruction. To safeguard all of creation, Bhagwan Shiva came forth as the cosmic guardian. He volunteered to consume the poison to save the universe from dissolution.
When Bhagwan Shiva drank the poison, Ma Parvati stepped forward to stop him from completely swallowing this deadly brew. Thus, Bhagwan Shiva was forced to hold this poison in his throat thereby turning his throat blue in color. This gave him the title of “Neelkanth,” the one with the blue throat. This day, where Bhagwan Shiva saved the cosmos by holding Halahala in his throat, is marked in some legends as Mahashivratri!
 The Divine Union of Purusha and Prakriti:
Ma Parvati is another roop of Ma Shakti. Thus, she represents the divine energy that runs through all existence. When this energy steps away from the chains of time or Kaal, she becomes Ma Kali, the all-consuming deadly energy. Another name of Ma Shakti is Prakriti, the natural energy that binds the conscious world.
Bhagwan Shiva is the epitome of divine consciousness. He is often referred to as the Purusha in the divine creation lore. Legend has it that the confluence of Prurusha and Prakriti led to the birth of the cosmos. When the divine consciousness became aware of the divine energies of the cosmos, it led to the manifestation of the universe we see around us.Â
Thus, the merger of Purusha and Prakriti gave birth to the cosmos. For the common man’s consumption, this legend took the form of the marriage of Bhagwan Shiva and Ma Parvati. Thus, many celebrate this day as the sacred night of Shiva-Parvati’s wedding. However, most Sanatanis believe that Mahashivratri is the union of Purusha and Prakriti that led to the realization of the world.
The Lingodbhavamurti Manifestation:
Another cosmic legend on Bhagwan Shiva reveals a unique insight into this festival. Bhagwan Shiva is worshiped in his transcendental form as the Shiva Linga. However, the first Shiva Linga was Lingodbhavamurti, the symbol of infinite consciousness and cosmic energy.
Bhagwan Shiva manifested as a towering column of light to quell a discord between Bhagwan Brahma and Bhagwan Vishnu. Some say that this was the first-ever manifestation of a Linga Swaroop of Bhagwan Shiva. Therefore, the birth of this column of light is marked as Mahashivratri in some legends. The day is meant to commemorate the divine revelation of Bhagwan Shiva as the supreme Linga, representing the eternal cycle of birth, life, and transcendence.
The Nataraja’s Cosmic Tandava:
Some legends celebrate Mahashivratri as the day when Lord Shiva took on the roop Nataraja and performed the Tandava Nritya. The Tandava is known as the dance of destruction as well as creation. As per folklore, the entire cosmos was rearranged when Lord Shiva danced the eternal dance of creation with Ma Sati’s corpse in his arms.
The Natraja’s Tandava has 108 karanas that symbolize the eternal flux of existence. While known for its artistic value, the Tandava Nritya has a scientific allegory infused in it. Did you know that the 108 mudras or karanas have a relationship to the 108 naturally stable elements in the world??
Therefore, most Sanatanis believe that Mahashivratri celebrates Nataraja’s Tandava Nritya that ignited the flames of the spiritual transformation of the cosmos.
In Summary
Mahashivratri is a festival adorned with celestial legends and symbolism. It invites Sanatanis to embark on a spiritual journey of self-discovery and divine communion. As Bharat marks this day of the Shiva-Shakti union, let’s immerse ourselves in the timeless rituals of Mahashivratri. May this day awaken Bharat to the eternal truths of Sanatana Dharma. May all Bharatvasi strive for inner transformation and Sanatani unity. Let’s embrace the divine grace of Lord Shiva on this auspicious festival. Har Har Mahadeva!