Mahakaal: The presiding deity of Mahashivratri

Swagata Padmavati

(padmapatiswagata2@gmail.com)

The spiritual chord of the Indian civilisation is deep-seated in the womb of its ancient culture. With every cosmic realignment, various ritualistic ceremonies are partaken to propitiate the divinity associated with it. As the skies reorient this Chaturdashi tithi of Phalgun month we hail the dawning of Mahashivratri which is celebrated with a lot of religious and ritualistic fervour. As the presiding deity of the day, Mahakaal assumes a very important position not only on this special occasion but also occupies a significant role in the Hindu Pantheon of gods. He is the divine who is believed to bring in "Laya" or rhythm in the play of nature. He is loved unabated by all creatures alike. He is the one who is said to be the fastest granter of boons and also the vanquisher of the demonic forces. He is prayed ardently by all beings alike. He not only rules the sanctum sanctorum of the shrines but also meditates on the cremation grounds. He is thus considered to be the divinity that can swing not only in the backdrop of a civilised society but also dwells in the prayers of the uncouth ascetics and hermits who reside in infelicitous places.

Over the period, the popular renderings on Mahakaal have been froth with various connotations mapped out differently by various traditional texts. The Maho Upanishad of the Samaveda describes Mahadev to be born from the forehead of the Viraat Purusha, the Pancha Brahma Upanishad of Krishna Yajurveda details that lord Shiva rules the heart of every being, the Brahma Jabal Upanishad of Atharva Veda concludes Mahadev to be the personification of the supreme Brahman. Likewise, the narratives that contour around various forms and the manifestation of Mahakaal are also unsurpassable. Mahadev in the form of Sadashiv epitomises eternal beauty with profound detachment and unmatched tranquillity symbolising equanimity, stability, knowledge and wisdom whereas, on the other hand, Rudradev evokes a sense of dynamism, vitality and passion. Similarly, Mahakaal in his various forms like Bhuteshwara (embodiment of five elements of nature), Kaaleshwara (the keeper of cosmic time), Sarveshwara (all-encompassing entity), Ardhanarishvara (androgynous union of Shiva and Shakti), Nataraja (the king of cosmic dance), Adiyogi (the mendicant ascetic) and Triyambaka (eye of insight beyond duality) reflects various appellations by which the divinity has been known and worshipped throughout.

As per the Hindu lunar calendar, the day of Mahashivratri is earmarked as the most special day because it is believed that austerities performed on this day reap benefits that are a thousand folds more effective than performed on any other ordinary day. The temples on this day get festooned with flowers, pageantry and Vedic incantations to seek the blessings of the divine. It is believed that ritualistic oblations of butter, curd, milk from the Kapila cow offered at the feet of Mahadev frees one from various sins committed throughout past births. As per ancient texts, it is believed that libation of curd eliminates the sin caused by the drinking of an intoxicating substance, offering of butter frees one from the sin of theft or stealing of gold, benefaction of honey salvages one from the amorous misconduct committed towards the wife of a guru or a moral preceptor, donation of milk and sugar frees one from the sin of being harsh on others thus granting man his choicest desires.

The graven image of Mahakaal that adores today in most households in India exhorts a sense of both a machismo vehemence and a benign countenance at the same time. All kinds of beings like Devatas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Vidhyadhars, Yakshas, Kinnars, Pisachs, Pitrus, Manav, Dana, Asur, Daily as revering him with unflagging devotion. He is seen wielding a trident on his hand which epitomises the three Gunas of the gross world: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The damru represents the embodiment of the cosmic ethereal sound encapsulated in "Om". The snake around his neck represents his control over the reptilian traits of ferocity and poison thus conquering death. He is perpetually smeared in ashes espousing a feeling of vairagya or complete detachment. As the patron god of ascetics, hermits and sanyasis he brings in deliverance from the formidable snare of the material world. He wears a crescent on his locks which represents that he is in total control of his mind by eliminating the wayward tendencies of sense organs and mind and thus being immersed in the state of equanimity always. His third eye represents wisdom and enlightenment which burns down the blemishes, taints and shortcomings of individuals thereby helping creatures to chaff away from their filthy tendencies. He holds Ganga on his locks which symbolizes the nectar of immortality and purity. He rides Nandi, his vehicle which is representative of virility, strength and power to curb the base instincts of all beings. He lives amidst nature and wears deerskin which resonates with his mendicant lifestyle of a Mahayogi.

It may also be very interesting to add up at this point that Mahakaal is not only known to be the bestower of wisdom but also venerated as the primordial preceptor of dance and music of our civilisation. He is celebrated as the "Vinadhara Dakshinamurthi" or the holder of the lute. He is regarded as the very embodiment of "Swara" in Indian classical music. He is the legend who taught grammar by the beats of his drum to the great linguist scholar Panini of ancient India. He is also preeminent who gave two dance forms namely Laasya and Tandav to the mainstream dances of the current era. As per popular literature available it is believed that Laasya had been originally performed by both Mahadev and Devi Shakti together whereas Tandav was performed by Lord Shiva alone. Both the dance forms emblematize the creative and destructive aspect of "Mahalaya" or the rhythm of nature at the end of every cosmic cycle. The dance of Laasya is known to be bedecked with emotions. It is amorous, enchanting, radiant, and tender which resonates with the constructive or the feminine aspect of the creation whereas Tandav on the other hand is replete with rapid movements and beats extolling power, fury and havoc which pulsates to bring down the creation after every aeon. Similarly, the dance of Nataraja within the circle of flames also depicts the arc of dissolution.

Thus it is seen that the quintessential lord Mahakaal is not only the apogee of all-pervasive knowledge but also the doyen of blissfulness, erudition, dispassion and auspiciousness. So let's all pray on this day of Mahashivratri that he leads us to beatitude and felicity by freeing us from all the encumbrances and fetters of malicious intents and rapacity prevalent in our lives.