2. What is it? When is it? Feb 20 th  Shiva + ratri = “night of Shiva”  Annual festival for praying to Lord Shiva  All-night vigil, strict fasting  Shivalinga worship all night ○ Offer bilva leaves & betel leaves ○ Abhishekam - honey, ghee, yogurt, milk, water, etc. Panchakshari Mantra: “Om Namah Shivaya” Monday

4. Story of King Chitrabhanu

5. Why bilva leaves?  Most sacred & loved by Shiva  Lakshmi resides in them  Ayurvedic/medicinal properties  Symbolic of 3 gunas

6. Meaning of Shivalingam  Brahmanda – “cosmic egg”  Linga = microcosm of universe / the creation of the universe  Pillar of light Beginningless & endless Stambha Represents infinite + attribute-less nature of Shiva (Brahman) Arunachala: fight between Brahma and Vishnu settled by Shiva manifesting as column of fire/light

7. Bana Linga / Narmada Linga

8. Linga-Yoni  “Yoni” and “Linga-Yoni” have two different meanings  Linga-Yoni: Representation of emergence of cosmic egg (universe) from Shakti (creative power)  In Advaita (nonduality) theory, Linga-Yoni is a union of Shiva-Shakti to show they are one and the same Creation & Creator are ONE Not a sexual union

9. Other Symbolism  Trishula (trident) Controls 3 gunas, 3 worlds  Crescent moon Time cycle – Shiva transcends time  Snakes Shiva is Pasupathinath – lord of all creatures Snakes represent evil/demonic nature in world Kundalini

10. More Symbolism!  Vibhuti (sacred ashes) – impermanence Tripundra (3 lines) – represents 3 gunas  Matted locks – yogi ; renunciation  Cremation grounds – conquers death