Shivratri Vrat – The Story of Shivratri Vrat

Table of Contents

Time and Duration of Shivratri Vrat

Shivratri Vrat is observed on the fourteenth day of the waning phase of the moon in the month of Phalguna. It is required to stay awake all night and perform the vrat in four phases. Both men and women are allowed to observe this vrat.

Materials and Procedure for Shivratri Vrat

The materials required for this vrat include Ganga clay, bel leaves, flowers, milk, curd, ghee, honey, and bananas. On the day before Shivratri, it is necessary to follow a vegetarian diet. At night, instead of lying on a regular bed, one must sleep on a mat made of straw or a blanket with self-restraint.

On the day of Shivratri, after taking a bath in the morning, bel leaves must be collected and kept aside. Then, while fasting throughout the day, four Shivlingas must be made using Ganga clay. During the night, in each of the four phases, Shiva is worshiped.

For instance:

In the first phase, the Shivlinga must be bathed with milk and worshiped.
In the second phase, the Shivlinga should be bathed with curd.
In the third phase, ghee must be used for bathing the Shivlinga.
In the fourth phase, the Shivlinga should be bathed with honey and worshiped.

This process must be followed in every phase, along with staying awake the entire night. The next morning, after listening to the first words spoken, Shiva must be bowed to. Then, a Brahmin should be offered food and donations along with dakshina.

The Story of Shivratri Vrat

Once, on Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were resting. At that moment, Goddess Parvati asked, “O Lord! To attain dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desires), and moksha (liberation), what actions or vrat should be performed to please you?”

Hearing this question, Lord Shiva responded, “Listen, O Parvati. The fourteenth night of the waning moon in the month of Phalguna is known as ‘Shivratri.’ Whoever fasts on this day truly earns my blessings.

The Shivratri Vrat is extremely dear to me. It is due to the power of this vrat that Lord Ganesha became the ruler of the seven islands. Now, listen to the greatness of this vrat.”

In the sacred city of Kashi, a hunter resided. His livelihood depended on hunting.

One day, he went into the forest carrying his bow and arrows and hunted many animals and birds. As he was returning home with his gathered meat, he realized that the load had become too heavy to carry alone.

Thus, he decided to rest beneath a tree in the forest. Due to extreme exhaustion, he soon fell into a deep sleep.

The Hunter’s Unintentional Observance of Shivratri

When he woke up much later, the sun had already set. He realized that staying there could be dangerous, as wild animals like snakes, tigers, or bears might attack him. Moreover, in the darkness, it was impossible to find his way back home.

So, he climbed the tree with his bundle of meat and tied it to a branch covered with creepers. He then decided to spend the night sitting on the tree.

He was tormented by hunger, and the falling dew made him shiver from the cold. As a result, he remained awake the entire night. Coincidentally, the tree was a bel tree, and beneath it, there was a Shivlinga.

That night happened to be the night of Shivratri. The hunter had unknowingly observed a fast throughout the day. As he moved, a few bel leaves, moistened with dew, fell from the tree onto the Shivlinga.

Even though he could not bathe the Shivlinga or offer naivedya (sacred food), his mere act of unknowingly offering bel leaves on the holy day of Shivratri granted him immense spiritual merit. However, he remained unaware of the significance of his actions.

The Divine Dispute and the Hunter’s Liberation

At dawn, he returned to his cottage.

Many years later, when his time on earth came to an end, both the messengers of Yama (the god of death) and Shiva arrived to claim his soul. A dispute arose between them regarding whether he should be taken to Yama’s realm or to Lord Shiva.

Ultimately, Shiva’s messengers defeated Yama’s messengers and brought the hunter before Lord Shiva. When Yama learned of this incident, he set out to meet Shiva.

On the way, he encountered Nandi, who reminded him of the hunter’s past misdeeds. However, Nandi also narrated the incident of Shivratri and explained how the hunter, despite his sinful life, had unknowingly observed the vrat and gained Lord Shiva’s divine abode.

Hearing this, Yama was satisfied and returned to his own realm. Seeing this, Parvati realized the immense power of the Shivratri Vrat. Since then, the greatness of this vrat has spread throughout the world.

The Benefits of Observing Shivratri Vrat

By observing the Shivratri Vrat, one is blessed with four types of rewards—dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (fulfillment of desires), and moksha (liberation).