Shivaratri, aka: Shiva-ratri, Śivarātri, Śivarātrī; 8 Definition(s)

Introduction

Shivaratri means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit terms Śivarātri and Śivarātrī can be transliterated into English as Sivaratri or Shivaratri, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Śivarātrī (शिवरात्री).—General. Śivarātrī is a holy day. Śivarātrī is observed on the eve of New moon day (Caturdaśī) falling in the middle of Māgha and Phālguna (February-March). During this night, penance should be done with fasting. On Caturdaśī day penance (vrata) should be observed without sleep and food and Śiva worshipped. (See full article at Story of Śivarātrī from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Śivarātri (शिवरात्रि) is the name of a festival that once existed in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Śivarātri proceeds as follows: Śivaliṅga, from which the blanket like plaster of purified butter has been removed, is to be worshipped on the dark 14th of Phālguṇa, in the way in which Viṣṇu’s image is bathed in Devotthāna ceremony. Śivaliṅga is to be worshipped with perfumes, garlands, clothes, unguents, and naivedya consisting of animals made of flour. The worshippers are enjoined to observe fast during the day and vigil at night listening to the Śivadharmas and the stories of Śiva’s incarnations. On the 15th, the worship of Śiva is prescribed and the worshippers have to take meals consisting of Kulmāṣas and sweetmeats.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Śivarātri (शिवरात्रि):—The annual night on which devotees of Śiva fast and remain awake while worshipping the deity with great ritual celebration. Devotees carry a variety of sweet-smelling food offerings to be presented to Śiva in the form of a liṅga in a nearby temple.

India history and geogprahy

There are five kinds of Sivaratris in the course of a year and they go by the names Maha-Sivaratri, Yoga-Sivaratri. Nitya-Sivaratri, Paksha-Sivaratri and Masa-Sivaratri. The term Maha-Sivaratri and its origin have already been detailed upon. Nitya-Sivaratri is the daily night of Siva while Paksha-Sivaratri and Masa-Sivaratri are Siva’s fortnightly and monthly nights respectively. Yoga-Sivaratri is the night which a yogi creates for himself by his yoga-trance.

Sivaratri refers to one of the festivals of the Nambutiris. Sivaratri refers to the worship of Siva on the last day of Magha. Fast and vigil at night, and puja. The Nambutiri people form the socio-spiritual aristocracy of Malabar, and, as the traditional landlords of Parasu Rama’s land, they are everywhere held in great reverence.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

śivarātri (शिवरात्रि).—f m (S) pop. śivarātra f A night on which fasting, vigil, and other observances are held in honor of Shiva. The night appointed is the fourteenth of the dark half of every month, but more especially the fourteenth of Magha; and the ground of the appointment is a legend, in every body's mouth, of a hunter's obtaining Moksha from Shiva, because he, from a Bilva-tree, up which he had climbed to observe a deer he was pursuing, shook down, through the whole night, leaves uponalingam lying hidden underneath; and thus, though unintentionally and ignorantly, propitiated and won the heart of the god Shiva.

śivarātri (शिवरात्रि).—f m A night on which fasting &c. is held in honour of śiva.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Śivarātri (शिवरात्रि).—f. the fourteenth day of the dark half of Māgha on which a rigorous fast is observed in honour of Śiva; शैवो वा वैष्णवो वापि यो वा स्यादन्यपूजकः । सर्वं पूजाफलं हन्ति शिवरात्रिबहिर्मुखः (śaivo vā vaiṣṇavo vāpi yo vā syādanyapūjakaḥ | sarvaṃ pūjāphalaṃ hanti śivarātribahirmukhaḥ) || Īśvarasaṃhitā.

Derivable forms: śivarātriḥ (शिवरात्रिः).

Śivarātri is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms śiva and rātri (रात्रि).

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