The most sacred Mahasivaratri was celebrated with deep devotion, discipline and spiritual intensity, reflecting the sacred significance of this most auspicious night dedicated to Lord Siva. Celebrations were held at all Divine Life Society of South Africa Ashrams, some of its Branches and Prayer Groups. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm, followed by Satsang until 5am the following morning. Structured across four Praharas, the programme comprised Ganga Arati, Kirtans, Bhajans, chants, children’s items, videos, audio messages, readings, guest artistes and offerings, giving devotees a spiritual feast.
This report provides a gestalt of the sacred night’s programme at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills.
In the first Prahara, the reading, “Glory of Sivaratri” by Sri Swami Sivananda was both inspirational and educational. The Divine Master says that Sivaratri, the night of Lord Siva, is observed through strict fasting, night-long vigil, meditation, and worship of the Siva Linga with offerings such as Bilva leaves and the sacred bathing of the Lingam with various items like milk, water, honey, ghee, and curd. Lord Siva declares this night, the thirteenth of the dark fortnight of Phalguna, as most sacred, valuing sincere fasting and devotion above elaborate rituals. He narrates the story of a hunter who unknowingly worshipped Lord Shiva on Sivaratri by offering Bilva leaves, thereby earning Divine Grace and liberation. This episode illustrates the profound sanctity, mercy, and spiritual power of Mahasivaratri.
Pujya Swamiji’s audio messages on the Power of Namasivaya (Parts 1 and 2) featured prominently on the programme and made indelible impressions on many. Pujya Swamiji related the account of an American devotee, Sharon Brown, whose amazing experience exemplified the power of the most sacred and potent Om Namah Sivaya Mantra. Sharon had aplastic anaemia (a disease that attacks the bone marrow). Desolate and in desperation, she sought Divine help and was advised by a devotee of Swami Muktananda of New York to chant the Om Namah Sivaya Mantra. Simply mentioning the Mantra instilled miraculous, curative waves in her. On simply hearing the Mantra even once, Sharon experienced extraordinary exhilaration. The Mantra and the world appeared as one, and the fear of death faded by the power of its repetition. At one point, she felt that cancer came to her as a blessing so as to bring her into contact with the Mantra. She said that through the chanting of the Om Namah Sivaya Mantra, poison can be turned into nectar. Sharon experienced innate peace, bliss and courage during the illness as well as during the operation that was performed on her. To her, the Mantra was a “living form of God” and the “supreme truth”. The audio recording was an excellent example of the power and potency of the sacred Om Namah Sivaya Mantra.
The first Prahara further inspired devotees through classical dance, Bhajans, Kirtans, a video presentation, a delightful item by the Sunday School Spiritual Darlings and the Ganesha Arati, culminating in collective chanting of the Om Namah Sivaya Mantra and Ganga Arati.
The second Prahara again sustained the devotional momentum through soul-stirring Bhajans and Kirtans by guest artists and devotees. Readings such as “Chipak Mahadev”, extracts from Sivananda’s Gospel of Divine Life and an Ode to Arunachala added depth and scriptural reflection. Musical items including Thevarams, alongside Sri Gurudev’s audio renderings, evoked profound spiritual resonance.
The reading, “An Ode to Arunachala” and the singing of Arunachala Verses were deeply inspiring. In the reading, “Kannapa Nayanar” from the book, 63 Nayanar Saints by Sri Swami Sivananda, one learns that Tinnanar, son of the hunter-king Nagan, was a former birth of Arjuna, reborn to attain liberation through pure devotion to Lord Siva. Though a hunter by Dharma, he was inwardly pure and free from vices. Drawn by past impressions, he worshipped Lord Siva at Kalahasthi with childlike love, offering meat, water from his mouth, and flowers worn on his head. These were acts shocking to ritualists but born of deep devotion. When he saw the Lord’s eyes bleeding, he sacrificed his own eyes to heal Him. Pleased, Lord Siva revealed Himself, named him Kannappa, and granted him liberation, showing that total self-surrender is the highest form of devotion.
In the article “The Master’s Worship” from Sivananda’s Gospel of Divine Life, one learns of the Master’s deep devotion to the Lord. On the anniversary of the Viswanath Mandir Pratishtha, the Master joined devotees in worship, offering flowers to the Siva Lingam. Soon, in a state of complete self-forgetfulness, he began worshipping the surrounding sadhus and aspirants with the same flowers, seeing the Divine in all beings. In another episode, a man suffering from tuberculosis approached the Master with anxiety. Listening with compassion, the Master reassured him, prescribed simple breathing, healthy living and faith, and gave him the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra as the greatest tonic. Citing instances of its healing power, the Master inspired hope, peace, and renewed confidence in the visitor.
The reading, “Lord Siva’s Assurance” was a potent reminder of the Lord’s assurance and compassion. In reference to the observance and its benefits, Sri Swami Sivananda said, “The two great natural forces that afflict man are Rajas (the quality of passionate activity), and Tamas (that of inertia). The Sivaratri Vrata aims at the perfect control of these two. The entire day is spent at the Feet of the Lord. Continuous worship of the Lord necessitates the devotee’s constant presence in the place of worship. Motion is controlled. Evils like lust, anger and jealousy, born of Rajas, are ignored and subdued. The devotee observes vigil throughout the night and thus conquers Tamas also. Constant control is exercised over the mind. Every three hours a round of worship of the Siva Lingam is conducted. Sivaratri is a perfect Vrata. Lord Siva assured Parvati as follows: ‘There is no ritual, O Parvati, which can compare with this simple routine in sanctity’.”
Bhajans, Kirtans, sacred Mantras and readings nurtured inner stillness. Audio and video presentations, including the play reading, “Old Drum New Palace” and Sri Swami Sivananda’s DVD Wisdom of Sivananda, added to the timeless beauty, wisdom and glory of Mahasivaratri, thereby reinforcing long-lasting spiritual values. In the fourth Prahara, Pujya Swamij’s singing, the reflective messages and soulful Kirtans and Bhajans, as well as the recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, Ram Bhajans, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya chanting imbued the closing hours with peace and spiritual fulfillment. The programme concluded with Arati and Shanti Paat, marking a serene and auspicious conclusion to the sacred vigil.
Amongst the guest artistes who performed during the celebration were:
- Srimathi Nicholyn Archary, founder and principal of Natyakshetra Dance School, who trained in Bharatanatyam at the renowned Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts in Chennai. She was awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Consulate General of India for advanced training.
- Sri Manesh Maharaj has devoted his life to the practice and propagation of Kathak and Shastriya Sangeet. Through his institute, Kala Darshan Institute of Music and Dance, he has been nurturing and mentoring students of Indian performing arts for over 26 years. He is a graduate of the prestigious Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in India.
- Kashmira Bhajan, who has been under Sri Maneh Maharaj’s guidance for the past 18 years, also featured on the programme. Kashmira has performed leading roles in numerous productions choreographed by Shri Manesh Maharaj, and continues to emerge as a compelling and accomplished Kathak dancer.
- Sri Jay Udith and his group added immense colour to the programme through their divine offering. An accomplished musician, Jay Udith studied both western and eastern music, and is proficient in playing, amongst other instruments, the piano and sitar.
The Mahasivaratri all-night vigil was a spiritually elevating experience, meticulously organised and reverently executed. Through collective worship, sacred music, scripture, and remembrance of the Guru, devotees were drawn into a powerful current of devotion and inner renewal. Those who attended, and more especially those who went through the entire night, are sure to have benefited spiritually. The programme stood as a living expression of faith, unity and the timeless message of divine life.
