Celebrating Love, spring and the lessons of Shiva and Parvati

The Spring season is here. The winter has been harsh this year. The Sun’s rays feel like balm on the skin after a long spell of chill and fog. Schools extended their winter break so that children would not be exposed to the extreme chill in the early mornings.

I look around in awe, seeing little plants bobbing their heads in the breeze as if to express happiness at having survived those long, chilly nights. The birds are happily playing in the little water basin we put in the garden for them. Flower buds are beginning to form. A new season, new beginnings, and hope for brighter days ahead. There is a spring in my step too, as I walk in the park and inhale the positivity around me.

Valentine’s Day is coming up. The markets shall be selling Valentine’s Day cards, balloons, chocolates and more. Did you ever think why this day is celebrated? There was a Christian saint in Rome called Valentine, who helped the poor and couples in love get married in an era when this was taboo. He was martyred. To honour his memory, this day is celebrated.

Recently, someone said that in Bharat, Maha Shivaratri is our Valentine’s Day. Dwelling on this opened many channels of thought for me. Valentine’s Day celebrates love between two individuals. They may be sweethearts, married couples, father-daughter or even just friends. What plays in the forefront is the commercialization of the day. It’s important to gift your valentine a card, red roses, chocolates, etc. And equally important is flaunting the gift by posting a picture on social media.

Maha Shivaratri, on the other hand, celebrates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. The union of Purush and Prakriti (male and female energy) is the basis of all creation. Shiva and Parvati are the ideal couple from whom we learn lessons about an ideal relationship with a spouse. Shiva and Parvati married on the 14th day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) in the month of Phalguna as per the Lunar calendar. They are worshipped together as Ard-Nari-Ishwar, i.e. half-woman and half-man.

The Adi Kutumbakam (oldest family) known to mankind is that of Shiva and Parvati. This family has uniquely diverse aspects.

Parvati dresses like a queen. Shiva dresses in a lion's skin and applies Vibhuti (ash). Parvati is seen seated on a lion. Shiva rides Nandi, the bull, who is his most ardent devotee. He is always looking towards Shiva. No one can cross the space between Nandi and the Shivalingam because Nandi continuously looks at the Lord. Their son, Kartikeya, rides a peacock, and the elephant-headed Ganesha rides a mouse. Their daughter Ashok Sundari, who was begotten from a wish-fulfilling tree, is an epitome of benevolence. In a family, there may be conflicting ideologies and interests. Despite being so diverse, everyone lives together in harmony. They lay down by example, how a family can live harmoniously. This is a lesson for us all.

Maha Shivaratri shall be celebrated on Feb 15^th this year. That’s just a day after Valentine’s Day. Do celebrate Maha Shivaratri with the same fervour, if not more. There is no fanfare required. The connection between God and you is your own; it’s personal. Do make it a point to visit a Shiva mandir near your home, offer prayers and seek blessings from the finest couple in the world. Do take your children along. A stable marriage and a peaceful home are invaluable components of a stable life. Let’s take inspiration from the best! Happy Maha Shivaratri!