New Delhi, India
What Is the Story of Sawan Shivaratri?
Sawan Shivaratri 2024 is a month-long celebration in Hinduism. It is also known as Shravan and falls in July–August. It is the season of rain and devotion. Sawan month is also known as Kawar Sawan Shivaratri (Kawad). Devotees from across India travel to Haridwar to bring Kawar and the holy Ganga Jal and dedicate themselves to the feet of Lord Shiva.
However, how the festival begins is a little mysterious and unknown to many. We at Vedic Story are going to narrate the real stories from the Shiva Purana and other Hindu texts. Let’s begin!
What is the Legend of Sawan Shivaratri?
According to the ancient Hindu scripture, Shiva Purana, Samundra Manthan happened in Sawan month. It is believed that if Lord Shiva did not drink the poisonous Halahal, the universe would not have existed.
However, to understand what happened in ancient times, we need to deep dive and learn the story of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the milky ocean.
Why Did Sage Durvasa Curse Lord Indra?
According to Shiva Purana, once Sage Durvasa visited Indra to present him with a garland, he received the garland from Lord Vishnu.
Upon reaching heaven, he found Indra, the King of Swarg, riding his vehicle, the Airavata.
Rishi Durvasa was happy to see the king and requested that Indra come down and accept his presence. Indra, in his arrogance, refused to accept the gift. Indra was swimming in pride at being the king of heaven and told Durvasa to put the garland on Airavata.
Rishi Durvasa sensed the pride.
Airavata swung the garland on the floor from his head when Sage Durvasa tried to put it there and crushed it with his feet.
Seeing such disrespect, Sage Durvasa felt humiliated. He turned angry and was forced to curse Indra.
You are an arrogant king, and so is the Airavata, because it represents your pride.
Your heaven will get snagged.
Your wealth, which you are proud of, will vanish.
Durvasa’s curse took a course, and Bali, the king of Pataal, attacked Heaven. Well, how this happened also has a tale. Let’s find out!
Why Did Bali, the King of Pataal Lok, Take Away the Amrit Kalash?
The curse of Durvasa Muni reached the Pataal Lok. The asuras thought it was the moment they were waiting for. All the Asuras and kings request that Bali attack Indra and snatch Heaven.
King Bali attacked the Swarga Lok and defeated the gods.
Asurasa always wanted to be immortal, like the gods. Thus, King Bali stole the Amrit Kalash from Heaven and fled.
Indra fought with Bali for the earthen pot of nectar.
How Did Maha Kumbh Come into Existence?
As the fight continued, the drops of Amrit fell on Mother Earth.
Ambrosia created four sacred places. They are known by the names Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain, and Nasik.
These are the holy places where devotees visit to wash away their sins on the waters of Ganga and get blessings from the Lord.
They are now known as the Mahakumbh.
However, while they were fighting for the pot, it at some point fell into the ocean.
What Are the Challenges Brought Up by the Loss of Amrit Kalash?
After losing everything, Indra visited Lord Vishnu for help.
Gods become weak without nectar. Without nectar and the inability to work for the people on Earth, everything went imbalanced.
Lord Vishnu suggested Indra and the deities churn the milky ocean. He also told them that they would not be able to do that alone.
They need the help of Asurasa. Without them, Indra and the gods wouldn’t get the nectar again.
As suggested, Indra reached the palace of King Bali for help. Bali refused to help and declared it was all his problem.
If Indra had agreed to share the Amrit, they would not have been seeing such a day.
Why Did Lord Shiva Intervene Between the Tussle of Indra and Bali?
Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma were worried about the behavior of the gods and asuras.
They wanted them to unite for the existence of the universe.
Lord Shiva called Bali to Kailash and ordered him to help Indra because they were relatives. They need to resolve the problems between them and live together happily.
Bali agreed to work with Indra and retrieve Amrit Kalash by performing Samudra Manthan.
Samudra Manthan: The Churning of the Milky Ocean
Indra, Surya, Pawan, and the Asuras decided to use Mount Mandara as the spindle.
Vasuki, the king of snakes, is the rope.
They decided on Sawan Shivaratri to begin the churning of the ocean.
Asuras and Devtas gathered at the Milky Ocean and requested Mandara Mountain to place himself in the water. Thereafter, they requested that Vasuki become a rope around it.
Thus, the churning of the ocean begins.
Why Did Vasuki Spill Poison?
Indra is a cunning king of heaven. We can also say that he is a great strategist and always looks for ways to safeguard his people. Indra and the gods were churning the ocean, holding Vasuki’s tail. While he assigned the Asuras to Vasuki’s head, as a result, Vasuki, because of the pressure, started to spit poison, harming the Asuras.
Both Asura and Devtas did not know how to handle the situation. Without Asuras, Gods would not be able to churn the ocean and bring Amrita back.
They began to blame each other and ended up requesting Lord Shiva’s and Vishnu’s help.
The ocean was producing Halahal poison. Seeing the universe in danger, Mahadev came to his rescue.
Why Did Lord Vishnu Have to Take Kurma Avatar?
Lord Vishnu decided to hold the Mandara Mount and took his Kurma avatar, a tortoise. Mount Mandata came out of the poison.
Mahadev entered the ocean, started to drink the Halahal poison, and saved the universe and lives.
Seeing Lord Shiva in such a situation, Goddess Parvati came down to put her hand on his throat so that she could stop the poison there.
Parvati, the consort of Mahadev, promised to stay in his throat as Shakti so it would not slip into the veins and body. However, Mahadev’s throat turned blue and he became known as Neelkanth, the one with a blue throat.
Poison vanished, and everything emerged from the milky ocean.
What Was the Treasure that Came Out of the Ocean?
The gods began churning the ocean, and slowly, the treasury came out.
- Chandra, the moon
- Parijata, a fragrant tree
- Airavata, Indra’s Mount
- Kamadhenu, the cow of plenty
- Madira, the goddess of wine
- Kalpavriksha, the wish-fulfilling tree
- The apsaras (celestial dancers)
- The celestial horse, Uccaihshravas
- The goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort
- Panchajanya, Vishnu’s conch
- Vishnu’s mace
- Vishnu’s magic bow
- Many precious gems
- Dhanvantari, the doctor of the gods
He rose with Amrit Kalash, the supreme treasure of the gods.
Since then, Sawan has been celebrated. Devotees worship Lord Shiva, observe fasts, and practice rituals to please Mahadev and fulfill their desires.
We at Vedic Story believe you may find our blog informative. Keep playing to Lord Shiva and stay blessed.
Happy Sawan month!
FAQs
What is the Importance of Sawan 2023 Month?
Sawan Shivaratri is a holy month. It holds great importance for Hindu people and Hinduism. It is a sacred month in the Hindu panchanga.
Sawan Shivaratri 2024 has spiritual, religious, and cultural importance. Here are the special reasons why devotees perform at the festival.
Complete surrender and devotion to Lord Shiva are part of spiritual progress and the fulfillment of wishes.
Purification and renewal of the soul: Sawan month allows devotees to purify their souls through fasting, self-control, and overcoming negative thoughts.
Connecting to Nature: Sawan month is a season of rain. It is a time of abundance, fertility, and energy.
Why Does Devotee Celebrate the Kanwar Yatra?
Devotees observe the Kanwar Yatra, a pilgrimage by foot. They fetch sacred water from the holy river Ganges.
Carrying Kanwar and holy water is believed to cleanse sins and purify souls. Lord Shiva blesses the devotees and fulfills their wishes.
