Embodiments of Divine Love! The auspicious and sacred Ishvara principle is present in every man. This divine principle can he manifested only through the practice of pure thoughts and actions. Today’s Shivaratri observance conveys a significant lesson. According to numerology,

the three letters ‘Si’, ‘va’ and ‘Raa’ make up eleven (‘Si’=5, ‘Va’=4 and ‘Raa’=2). These eleven are known as the ‘Ekadasa Rudras’, the eleven Rudras. The fourth letter ‘thri’ represents the combination of the first three letters and ‘Shivaratri’ is the day devoted to overcoming the eleven Rudras by adoring the Supreme Lord, who is master of them all.

The Rudras turn the intellect (Buddhi) towards sensuous objects and thrust the individual in the sea of ‘Samsara’ (worldly life). The Paramatma (Supreme Spirit) is master of all the Rudras. Only the man who has conquered the eleven Rudras can expect to realise the Supreme. Who are the eleven Rudras? They are: the five organs of action (Karmendriyas), the five organs of perception (jnanendriyas) and the mind. Man must seek to control as much as possible these eleven organs. From ancient times, the sages have stressed the supreme importance of sense-control as the means to God-realisation. (SSS Vol.23)

Everyone should understand the rationale of every sacred festival. Today is the holy day of Shivaratri. Based on the science of numerology every letter of the alphabet has specific numerical value. ‘Si’ bears the value 4. ‘Va’ has the value of 5, ‘Ra’, a value of 2. When the values of the three are combined, you have a total of 11. This eleven represents the eleven Rudhras (negative or destructive principle). What are the functions of these Rudhras? The Rudhras, in asociation with the Buddhi (the intellect), enter the minds of people and cause them various types of difficulties and worries. Of these difficulties, three types are predominant in the world. They are: Adhi-bhautika , Adhyatmika and Adhi-daivika. Adhi-bhautika refers to difficulties caused by the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth) and the five sheaths (relating to food, life, mind, awareness and bliss). These sufferings are caused by human beings, animals, insects or other creatures. Adhyatmika refers to sufferings caused by Vata (wind), Pitta (bile), and Kapha (phlegm). Adhi-daivikaa refers to the calamities caused to man by floods and drought, storms and earthquakes and similar natural disasters. Of all the sufferings endured by human beings, those coming under these three categories are most prominent. All other calamities are encompassed by these three. For all these sufferings the eleven Rudhras are the cause. The whole world is permeated by the Rudhras. Only Adhi-daivikaa has an element of security. Whatever emanates from Rudra is fraught with fear. The name itself testifies to the dangerous power implicit in it. Rudram means that which induces fear. The eleven Rudras are dreadful in form. These dreadful entities enter the minds of human beings and subject them to all kinds of afflictions. The Maha Shivaratri festival has been designed to subdue these eleven Rudras. This means that by the control of the senses the Rudras can be controlled. Indriya nigraha (control of the senses) is not that easy. Even if evil impulses coming from external sources are controlled, those arising from within cannot be easily controlled. But if, at least on one night out of 365 days in a year, the senses are brought under control, then peace may be experienced and the quest for liberation may be initiated. When the entire night is dedicated to the chanting of the Lord’s name, one’s mind, speech and senses all get centred on God. This is itself a form of sense control. At least on one day in a year all our thoughts and words should be centred on God. When this is done, people can realise the Supreme as described in the terms, Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram. Socrates’ disciple, Plato, used the terms, Truth, Goodness and Beauty to describe this state of Self-Realisation. In the experience of oneness with the Divine, there is Shanti (peace) Cit (Awareness) and ananda (Bliss). (SSS Vol.27, p.73-75)

While the Rudras are inflicting sufferings on mankind in various ways, by the control of the senses, if humans turn their minds towards God and devote themselves to Godly pursuits, they will find their path to Moksha (liberation), Moksha means getting rid of Moha (the delusions relating to the physical). In this manner every one has to understand the true significance of sacred festivals like Shivaratri. (SSS Vol.27, p.76)

One person dies but there are so many people around him. They are the eleven Rudras, i.e., six arishadvargas, citta, buddhi, ahamkara, and the eleventh one is jiva. The one who leaves these Rudras has no Bhadra (protection). (M, p.74)