Fasting brings more faith to help us shoulder problems

Shivaratri is an auspicious night because god alone is the substratum of everything auspicious. This year, Mahashivratri will be celebrated on February 24. Since only a few people have that level of viveka and vairagya, the festival presents to the rest of mankind an opportunity to fast and keep vigil. It is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude by keeping vigil for god, who stays awake watching over us and taking care of his children 365 days a year.

Shivaratri highlights the principle of knowledge. Darkness is not an object that has to be removed. When we bring in light, it disappears. The sun is always there. It is because of the revolution of the earth that we experience night and day. Similarly, divinity is our true nature, and the light of divinity is always there.

If we keep 100 pots of water in the sun, the reflection of the sun will shine in each pot. When knowledge dawns, so too does the vision of oneness. For those who have realised the Truth, darkness doesn’t exist. A person, who has this understanding, will always desire everyone’s welfare. “This world, in fact, is not different from us. Other’s happiness is our happiness; their sorrows are our sorrows.” This is the vision to cultivate.

Food and sleep are important, and not easy to give up. When love for god outgrows our love of food or sleep, fasting and keeping vigil becomes easy. Let us not only worship Siva, but let us emulate his compassion.