Mahashivaratri has special significance in the scriptures. Lord Shiva and Parvati ji were married on this day. There is a tradition of worshiping all four times on this day. It is believed that a person who observes fast on this day and worships Lord Shiva, all his wishes are fulfilled. According to Shivpuran, while fasting on Mahashivaratri, you must read or listen to this story with mantras and Chalisa. The fast is incomplete without it. Let us know the complete story of Mahashivaratri fast.
According to Shiva Purana, a hunter lived in a village. He used to kill his family by killing animals. But still due to lack of money, he had to take a loan from the moneylender. But he could not repay his loan on time. Due to which the moneylender became angry and he caught the hunter and imprisoned him in the Shiva monastery. The day he did this was the day of Shivaratri. Shivaratri was being worshiped at the moneylender’s house. The hunter kept on meditating and listening to the religious discourse of Shiva. He also heard the story of Shivaratri on Chaturdashi Tithi. In the evening, the moneylender called the hunter and asked to repay the loan. The hunter freed himself from bondage the next day by promising to repay the loan.
As usual, the hunter went out to hunt in the forest. But due to the moneylender’s prisoner, he was unable to eat and drink anything. In such a situation he was very worried. To hunt, he started making his halt on a bell -paper tree standing on the banks of a pond. There was a Shivalinga under the tree, which was covered with Belpatras. The hunter did not know about that Shivling. While stopping, she broke the branches and accidentally fell on the Shivling. In this way, the hungry and thirsty hunters fasted throughout the day and incidentally, he also offered paan on the Shivling.
After one night, a pregnant deer reached the pond to drink water. As soon as the hunter put an arrow on the bow, the deer said, ‘I am from the womb.’ I will give birth to the child soon. You will kill two creatures together, which is not appropriate. He told the hunter that I will soon give birth to my child and present it to you, then you take my life. Hearing this, the hunter loosened his rope and disappeared in the deer bushes. While placing the face and loosening it, some more bilvapatra broke down and fell on the Shivling. In this way, the worship of the first watch was also completed without his knowledge.
After some time another deer left from there. There was no limit to the hunter’s happiness. On seeing the hunting, he again put an arrow on the bow. Then seeing him, Mriggi humbly requested that O Pardhi, I have retired from the season a while ago. I am a sensual widow. I am wandering in search of my beloved. I will come to you soon after meeting my husband. The hunter also let the deer go. He got worried after losing his prey twice. The last Prahar of the night was also passing. This time too, due to the bowl of his bow, some bell -letters fell on the Shivling and the worship of the second Prahar was also completed.
Then another Hirani came out of there with his children. The hunter again drove the arrow with a bow and as soon as he was going to run the arrow, Mrigi said, ‘O hunter!’ I will come back by handing these children to their father. Do not kill me this time. The hunter laughed and said that the victim should be abandoned. I am not such a fool. I have lost my prey twice before. My children will be hungry and thirsty. While answering, Hirani said, as you are suffering from the fascination of your children, I am also suffering from it. Hey hunter! Trust me, I promise to leave him to his father and come back.
Hearing the humble voice of Hirani, the hunter felt pity on him. He also let the deer go. In the absence of hunting, the hunter, who was distraught with hunger and thirst, was inadvertently throwing the bell leaves down on the bell tree and throwing it down. When it was to be morning, he saw a healthy and strong deer on the same path. The hunter thought that he would definitely hunt it. Seeing the body of the hunter, the deer said, “O hunter!” If you have killed the three deer and their children coming before me, do not delay me to kill me too, so that I do not have to suffer even a moment in their disconnection. Because I am the husband of those deer. If you have given them life, then give me a life for a few moments. I will meet them and be present in front of you.
On hearing the story of the deer, the whole night’s events wandered in front of the hunter, he told the whole story to the deer. Then the deer said, ‘My wives, who have gone by pledging, will not be able to follow their religion after my death. So, as if you have left them as your confidant. Similarly, let me go. I will be present in front of you with them all. ‘ The hunter let him go as well Thus, morning occurred. Shivaratri worship of the hunter was completed inadvertently due to fasting, night awakening and offering bell -leaf on Shivling. He immediately got the fruits of the worship performed inadvertently. The violent heart of the hunter became purified and devotion to God started to live in it.
After a while the deer appeared in front of the hunter along with his family so that he could hunt them. But seeing such truth, honesty and collective love of wild animals, the hunter was very guilty. He allowed the deer family to go. Even after fasting on Shivaratri, the hunter attained salvation. When Yama’s messengers came to take him at the time of death, Shivji did not leave him. He sent them back and took the hunter to Shivlok.
