mahashivaratri

In the Indian month of Magha, when the moon wanes to its most delicate crescent shape, devotees honor the great night of Shiva—Mahashivaratri.

Mahashivaratri is one of the eight holidays celebrated on the Siddha Yoga path and is dedicated to the worship of Shiva, the indwelling Lord who is the Self of all. It is said that on the night of Mahashivaratri, the benefits of a single repetition of Shiva's name are multiplied a thousandfold.

One of the ways that Siddha Yogis honor Lord Shiva on this holiday is by repeating the mantra Om Namah Shivaya. This sacred mantra of the Siddha Yoga lineage means, “I bow to Shiva, the divine Self within.”

Siddha Yogis receive the mantra Om Namah Shivaya from the Guru, and the mantra is infused with the Guru’s grace. As we repeat it, the power of the mantra leads us to the experience of our own inner divinity.