Sawan Shivratri remind us of the Moksha aim of life

The Hindu religious festival of Sawan Shivratri is celebrated annually in the month of Sawan which fell on July 19 (Sunday) in 2020. The day is meant to worship Lord Shiva and reflect the ultimate aim of life as attainment of ‘moksha’ or emancipation from the cycle of life and death.

The five evils and sins that cause worldly delusions and lead us to Karmic bondage blocking the emancipation from the birth-death cycles are as follows.

1. Lust, cravings or desires (Kama)

2. Anger (Krodha)

3. Greed (Lobha)

4. Attachment or temptations (Moha)

5. Arrogance, vanity or ego (Mada)

6. Jealousy, envy, gossip, lies or slander (Matsarya)

It is believed that doing selfless service and purification of mind happens through strict penance and ridding the five evils of the mind by observing fast on all Mondays of Sawan month and self-reflection.

The ritualistic and festivities aspects of the festivals have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year.

Here, in the inset picture, is an acrostic on SHIVA depicting the spiritual values that lead to attainment of Moksha.