Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Shiva Puranam describes the significance of Maha Shivaratri Vratham.
There was a righteous Brahmin lived in the city of Avanthi;
he had two sons Sunidhi and Vedhanidhi. The second son Vedhanidhi was a
wicked fellow. The King of Avanthi was pleased at the righteousness
of Brahmin and gave him a precious bangle as a reward. He safely took the
bangle to home and instructed his wife to keep the bangle securely.
Unfortunately, Vedhanidhi happened to see the valuable bangle and in no time he
got it in his custody. Later he gifted to a dancing girl, his immoral
associate.
The King arranged an entertainment program in the palace and
as usual the dancing girl was also took part in it. During the
performance, the King's eyes fell on the bangle of the girl who was dancing
enthusiastically. He immediately realized that it was the gift he had
donated to the Brahmin for his righteousness. After series of enquiries
King understood it was one of Vedhanidhi's immoral acts. The King ordered
the girl to return the bangle immediately; she followed the King’s order with
utter guilt and shame, King ordered the Brahmin to produce the bangle before
the court at once.
The Brahmin rushed back to his house and informed his
wife to get the bangle. Alas! They did not find the bangle in the safe
locker. Later, they came to know that the bangle was stolen by his
son Vedhanidhi and gifted to his unscrupulous
companion. Finally, Vedhanidhi was thrown out of the house as a
punishment for the sin he had committed.
Vedhanidhi wandered all through the city to make a
living. One day he did not find anything to eat and he was tired of
hunger and thirst, fortunately that day was happened to be a Maha
Shivaratri. On his way he found some people fervently walking towards the
Temple of Lord Shiva with fruits and various offerings in their
hands. He followed them with a wicked thought of stealing those
offerings as soon as they fall asleep. He waited patiently watching them
and waited for an opportunity to get hold of the offerings. Once he
realized that everyone gathered were deeply engrossed in meditation he crawled
towards the Linga at a snail's pace where the offerings were kept for the
Lord. He reached near the earthen lamp which was giving out dull
light, he tore a piece of cloth from his own dress and stuffed it on
the earthen lamp to make it glow brighter so that he could have clear
view of the surroundings. Soon, the people encircled him, he began
to run. Finally, the crowd chased him and shot him with an arrow
that killed him instantly.
Lord Yama's servants assembled to take Vedhanidhi to
Hell. Lord Shiva's Ganas also were present to take him to the Abode of
Lord Shiva. At last, Vedhanidhi was taken to the Abode of Lord Shiva due
to the intrinsic worth he had achieved through fasting on the day of Maha
Shivaratri, keeping awake in the night and lightening the earthen lamp in front
of the deity. Though he performed every act without any faith or
devotion, still it could saved him from the clutches of Lord Yama and attain
the Abode of Lord Shiva.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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