What is Mahashivratri?
Mahashivratri is the day of Shiva. Wherever there is beauty, truth, and benevolence, there is Shiva. And, there is no place where the Shiva principle is absent. But, Shiva is not a person. It is that principle which is the summum bonum of the whole creation and pervades the entire universe. This principle, called the Shiva Tattva, is the quintessence of life and is present deep within every living being.
On Mahashivratri, we celebrate the Shiva Tattva by going deep within us, meditating, and rejoicing in the Shiva energy. There are certain days and time frames in a year when one’s mental health and spiritual faculties are enhanced, and Mahashivratri is one such precious day.
What is Sankalpa?
Sankalpa is derived from two words: ‘Sat’ (which means good) and ‘Kalpana’ (which means intention). So Sankalpa means a good intention. During the pujas, we bring the scattered mind to this moment - ‘Now’. The Vaidic mantras, when chanted, affect our being; the ancient Rishis had figured out the impact of various sounds on the brain, and that is how the mantras were articulated. The mantras chanted during the puja generate vibrations which lead to the manifestation of the Sankalpa.
Though sunlight is present everywhere, when it is passed through a magnifying glass, it burns the object. Likewise, Sankalpa intensifies the effect and brings forth the desired outcome. Attending the pujas has its benefits, but taking a Sankalpa increases the receptivity and, thus, the actualization of the intention.
You can choose to take an online Sankalpa for the Maha Rudrabhishekham, Maha Rudra Homa or both.
The online Sankalpa includes an online video of the Sankalpa being taken before the start of each Puja. The pandit would be taking the Sankalpa on your behalf.
Online Sankalpa
Webcast
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Mahashivratri?
A: The Shiva Tattva is the summum bonum of the whole creation and pervades the entire universe. This principle is the quintessence of life and is present deep within every living being.
On Mahashivratri, we celebrate the Shiva Tattva by going deep within us, meditating, and rejoicing in the Shiva energy.
Q: Why should I participate in it?
A: There are certain days and time frames in a year when one’s mental health and spiritual faculties are enhanced, and Mahashivratri is one such precious day.
Q: How can I participate in the Mahashivratri celebrations?
A: You can participate in the Mahashivratri celebration with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar by attending in-person at Bangalore Ashram or via a live online webcast.
Q: What is Sankalpa and why should I take one?
A: Sankalpa is derived from two words: ‘Sat’ (which means good) and ‘Kalpana’ (which means intention). So Sankalpa means a good intention. During the pujas, we bring the scattered mind to this moment - ‘Now.’ The Vaidic mantras, when chanted, affect our being; the ancient Rishis had figured out the impact of various sounds on the brain, and that is how the mantras were articulated. The mantras chanted during the puja generate vibrations which lead to the manifestation of the Sankalpa.
Though sunlight is present everywhere, when it is passed through a magnifying glass, it burns the object. Likewise, Sankalpa intensifies the effect and brings forth the desired outcome. Attending the pujas has its benefits, but taking a Sankalpa increases the receptivity and, thus, the actualization of the intention.
Q: Is it mandatory to take a Sankalpa to be a part of the Mahashivratri celebrations?
A: Taking a Sankalpa is not mandatory to be a part of the Mahashivratri celebrations.
Q: Are the Sankalpa registrations for an individual or can be taken as a couple/group?
A: The Mahashivratri Sankalpas are individual-based. If someone you know wants to take a Sankalpa as well, they can register separately and then take their Sankalpa.
Q. What is the minimum internet speed to watch the webcast?
A. A stable internet connection of 2 mbps or more is recommended for a seamless experience. You can check your internet speed by visiting
www.speedtest.net
For any information or queries, please write to us at live@artofliving.org