Unlocking the Golden Age: Shivratri's Essence
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The State of the World
- The Promise of God
- The Decline in Righteousness
- The Phase of Darkness
- The Arrival of the Golden Age
- Shiva's Descent into the World
- The Awakening from Ignorance
- The Power of Purity
- Transforming Our Attitude
- Offering the Poisonous Flowers
- Experiencing Super-sensuous Joy
- Spiritual Intoxication
- Recognizing God
- Inviting to God's Meditation Centers
- Conclusion
Introduction
In our lives, we often encounter sorrow, pain, and a sense of peacelessness. We witness worry and hatred, and collectively, we have come to accept these as natural occurrences. This stage has been referred to as the peak of the iron age. However, the question arises: will the world always remain in this state? How much more will this iron age intensify? It is believed that when there is a steep decline in righteousness, God Himself will descend into this world. This decline in righteousness refers to the complete deviation from the soul's original form, resulting in the manifestation of vices such as lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego, jealousy, and hatred. As our Sanskars (traits) are, so is our world – currently engulfed in darkness and ignorance. But just as night is followed by morning, the golden age must eventually dawn. The question is, how will this golden age come to be?
The State of the World
Our world is currently going through a phase of darkness, comparable to the midnight hour. It is during this time that the Incorporeal Supreme Soul, God Shiva, lovingly known as Shiv Baba, descends from the soul world. As He descends during the night of darkness, we refer to this divine occurrence as Shiv-Ratri or Maha Shivratri. God Shiva comes into this world to impart the knowledge that will ultimately lead us back to a state of purity, power, and love. He does so by imparting drops of spiritual knowledge into the urn of our intellect. Just as water trickles from a kalash (urn) onto the Shivling, these drops of knowledge purify our intellect and awaken us. The first drop of knowledge that falls into our intellect is the realization that we are not our bodies. Our true identity lies in being a soul – the driving force behind all aspects of life. This awakening from the slumber of ignorance sets the stage for further enlightenment.
The Promise of God
God's promise to humanity is that whenever there is a decline in righteousness, He will descend into this world to guide us back to our original state. As the world reaches the peak of the iron age, the need for spiritual awakening becomes even more apparent. God's descent during this time serves as a reminder that the golden age must be reestablished, and to achieve this, humanity must cultivate the Sanskars (traits) of that golden age.
The Decline in Righteousness
In this current age, we have strayed from our Dharma – the original qualities of the soul. As a result, the world has deviated from its divine state. To restore the golden age in this world, we must return to a state of complete purity and righteousness. This is where God's intervention becomes essential.
The Phase of Darkness
The world is currently in a state of darkness and ignorance. However, just as night is followed by morning, the iron age will be succeeded by the golden age. During this time, the soul has undergone a transformation, descending into impurity and vices. But as the drops of spiritual knowledge trickle into our intellect, we awaken from this spiritual slumber. We realize that we have been seeking love, happiness, and peace outside ourselves, instead of recognizing that these qualities are our original Sanskars.
The Arrival of the Golden Age
The golden age, characterized by purity, love, and peace, needs to be reestablished. This can only be achieved by transforming ourselves and cultivating the Sanskars of that golden age. In order to create the golden age, we need to inculcate purity in every aspect of our lives – in our thoughts, words, actions, and relationships. This purification process begins with taking a pledge to lead a life of purity. On the auspicious occasion of Shivratri, we symbolically offer water and milk to the Shivling as a pledge to incorporate purity into all aspects of our lives.
Shiva's Descent into the World
The Incorporeal Supreme Soul, God Shiva, descends into this world during the night of darkness to infuse us with divine knowledge. He imparts drops of spiritual wisdom to awaken our intellect and guide us towards the path of righteousness. These drops of knowledge are represented by the water trickling from the kalash (urn) onto the Shivling. As our intellect becomes filled with this spiritual wisdom, we naturally become more awakened and aware of our true selves.
The Awakening from Ignorance
The spiritual awakening begins with the realization that we are not the body but eternal souls. We become aware that our names, qualifications, positions, wealth, and relationships are temporary, whereas our true identity as souls is eternal. This awakening is a transformative process that frees us from the belief that we are weak and incapable. God's intervention awakens us from the sleep of ignorance and reminds us of our original Sanskars of peace, power, love, and bliss.
The Power of Purity
Purity is the key to establishing a deep connection with God. By embracing purity in our thoughts, actions, and intentions, our minds and intellects naturally become purified. In this state of purity, it becomes effortless to remember and stay connected to God. Previously, when our minds were impure, we struggled to focus on God. But with the pledge of purity, this connection becomes natural and effortless. Upvas, or the act of staying close to God, becomes a simple way of life.
Transforming Our Attitude
Through purity and deep connection with God, our attitude undergoes a profound transformation. Our words and actions become aligned with divine virtues, and our weaknesses begin to fade away. Habits and traits that we once believed to be ingrained within us swiftly change without our realization. We no longer limit ourselves by labeling our weaknesses as part of our nature. Instead, we embrace the transformation brought about by our spiritual journey.
Offering the Poisonous Flowers
Traditionally, we offer aak and datura flowers to the Shivling on Shivratri. These flowers, considered poisonous, symbolize the vices and weaknesses present within us. By offering these metaphorical flowers to God, we signify our willingness to let go of our iron-aged Sanskars and embrace the divine virtues that will create the golden age. It is only by shedding our vices that we can cultivate the Sanskars necessary for a divine and enlightened world.
Experiencing Super-sensuous Joy
By embracing spirituality and divine knowledge, our lives transcend the pursuit of happiness through our senses. We no longer seek external sources of happiness and love but experience a state of super-sensuous joy. This joy originates from deep within the soul and is sustained by our connection with God. We become soul-intoxicated, reveling in the spiritual intoxication that comes from embracing God's wisdom and powers.
Spiritual Intoxication
To achieve spiritual intoxication, we must immerse ourselves in God's knowledge. This intoxication stems from acknowledging and embracing the sustenance we receive from God. It is a state of constant awakening and realization of our true selves. This spiritual intoxication brings about a complete transformation in our attitudes and allows us to live in a state of bliss and joy.
Recognizing God
Recognizing God requires an open mind and a willingness to receive the drops of spiritual knowledge that God bestows upon us. As we open ourselves to this divine knowledge, our intellect becomes purified, and an awakening takes place. We realize that God is guiding us towards purity, awakening us from our slumber of ignorance, and showing us the path to the golden age.
Inviting to God's Meditation Centers
For those seeking a deeper understanding and connection with God, there are meditation centers available. These centers, such as the Brahma Kumaris meditation centers, provide a space for individuals to learn and practice Rajyog meditation. The knowledge and spiritual wisdom imparted at these centers enable individuals to recognize God and embark on a transformative journey towards self-realization and the reestablishment of the golden age.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the current state of the world, characterized by darkness and ignorance, can be transformed. God's descent into this world serves as a reminder that we have the power to awaken from our slumber of ignorance. By cultivating purity, transforming our attitudes, and embracing God's wisdom, we have the ability to not only change ourselves but collectively create a golden age of peace, love, and harmony. The choice is in our hands - to recognize God and embark on a journey of self-transformation or to continue living in darkness and despair. The invitation to awaken and embrace the golden age is open to all.
