Mahashivratri: Science Of Un-Becoming
Mahashivratri has always been a very important day in the culture of Bharat. Lord Shiva is one the most worshipped deities in Bharat. He is celebrated not only on occasions like Shivratri or Mahashivratri, but is a way of life for people. People pray to Shiva when they are going to sadness, hard times, or just to offer their gratitude to him. One of the most prominent features of Shiva is his third eye. It is said that when Shiva opens his third eye, everything around him gets burnt. However, most of us do not understand the scientific significance of Shiva Mahashivratri, or his third eye. In this article, we are going to scientifically understand the scientific significance of Mahashivratri, and Shiva.
Shiva in reality, is not a person, but a dimension of existence. Shiva means being in a nothingness space, where we disconnect from ourselves and the world, and merge with god. Real worship of Shiva begins within us, when we are in a state of meditation. When we experience a sleep like nothingness within us, that creates a vacuum within us. This vacuum in turn, opens our third eye, and we get to see the reality beyond Maya. Mahashivratri is all about being in sync with that space of nothingness and no-creation. Nonetheless, to understand this further, we need to know the basis of our personality and duality. (Read: True Logic Behind Sanatan Dharma)
Information Bound Personality
Our personality is basically collection of information. This information comes from genes, DNA, and what we gather from our five senses. It is like a blueprint, which gives us a physical and psychological form. Hence without information, we cannot even define ourselves. Our thoughts also, are a result of information. Because, we need data to think. We are often suggested that we should stop our thoughts while meditating, but fail. This is because, if our identity becomes information, then we cannot stop thinking. Because, without thinking, who are we? However, in a sleep state, we do reach a state of nothingness as we disconnect from ourselves, hence information.
Nonetheless, if we could do the same during waking state, then that is meditation. This takes us to a state of Samadhi, and we experience existence beyond information and thinking. This is the art of devotion, wherein we become “devoid” of ourselves, hence information. Mahashivratri is about being in that space of “no information hence no person,” which helps our Kundalini to rise. And once our Kundalini reaches its peak, we experience ourselves as a unsullied by memory soul. Which is often termed as enlightenment. Now that we have understood our information-bound nature, let us understand further. (Read: Kundalini Rises, When We Fall)
Duality of physical world
Our physical world, thrives on duality. Without duality, we cannot have physical creation. It is only because of dual opposites, that we can experience our life. Like, we know day, because night exists, we know winters, because summers exist. Same is the story with our thoughts, which thrive on opposites, and comparisons, like negative-positive, and so on. Furthermore, we experience the world through thoughts. This is because, we see the world within us through the reflected light, which we experience within as thoughts. That is why, being thoughtless, makes the world non-existent for us.
Likewise, everything about us is also dual, like, we have two eyes, two ears, two hands, two nostrils, and so on. When we disconnect from ourselves, or information, then we also disconnect from the dual world. This is because, to experience the world, we need an influx of information from our five senses. But in meditation, if we completely disconnect from ourselves, we reach a state of nothingness. Without any dual thoughts, we become equanimous.
Mahashivratri is about experiencing not the dual, but singular, that state of ecstasy. Hence comes the concept of the third eye, which helps us not to see many, but one. Now that we have some idea about Mahashivratri, let us understand what the third eye of Shiva is. (Read: Close Your Two Eyes The Right Way)
Seeing the one, and not two
People talk a lot about the third eye of Shiva, especially around Mahashivratri. People believe that when Shiva opens his third eye, he destroys everything around him and remain ecstatic. However, it means something else. Like mentioned before, if we disconnect from ourselves, then we disconnect from information. When we do not engage with information anymore, then we go past this world, towards nothingness. In this state of nothingness, a vacuum is created within us, which forces our third eye to open. Then we do not see duality of opposites, but see just the one. We start seeing Shiva behind everything, and behind his Maya. The world for us, gets destroyed, and instead of many, we also start seeing one.
However, especially on the night of Mahashivratri, it is important to understand one thing. On the night of Mahashivratri, nature supports our spiritual growth, however, we should never intend to open our third eye. Rather, on Mahashivratri, our aim should be close our two eyes the right way, and completely disconnect from information. This art of being without information is going to make you one with Shiva: that which is not, Shi-va.
Conclusion
Bharat is the only culture, wherein every god has a scientific explanation behind it. This is the only culture, where individuals are guided towards Moksha and the highest human experience. Likewise, Mahashivratri is a science of experiencing ourselves beyond information, as a soul. When we experience ourselves as s soul, we transcend from the physical, to the non-physical dimension. (Read: Science Of Sanatana Dharma)
FAQs
Mahashivratri, or the “Great Night of Shiva,” is a Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, this is the night when Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. It is believed that on this night, Shiva manifested in the form of a Lingam, representing the endless nature of the universe. Devotees celebrate Mahashivratri by fasting, offering prayers, and staying awake throughout the night, symbolizing a spiritual awakening.
From a scientific perspective, Mahashivratri is seen as an opportunity to experience a state of deep meditation and introspection. The night is considered auspicious for spiritual practices because the natural vibrations of the Earth are conducive to inner exploration and heightened states of consciousness. By staying awake and engaged in spiritual activities, individuals can tap into this energy and experience a profound sense of peace and unity with the universe.
The logic behind Mahashivratri lies in the symbolism of Lord Shiva’s teachings and the concept of self-realization. Lord Shiva is often associated with detachment, meditation, and the transcendence of worldly attachments. Mahashivratri is a reminder to devotees to let go of their ego and worldly desires, and to focus on spiritual growth and self-discovery. By meditating and reflecting on the teachings of Lord Shiva, individuals can attain a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe.
Mahashivratri is considered powerful because it is believed to be a night of immense spiritual significance and cosmic energy. The night is said to be filled with the energy of Lord Shiva’s divine presence, which can help individuals in their spiritual journey. By fasting, meditating, and praying on this night, devotees can purify their minds and bodies, and connect with the higher consciousness represented by Lord Shiva. The collective energy generated by millions of people engaging in these practices adds to the potency of the night, making it a powerful time for spiritual awakening and transformation.
