The nothingness, from which the fullness of life emerges and dissolves back, is Shiva. The space, in which energy condenses, hibernates and rests, is Shiva. I wondered why lord Shiva was prayed to and had special significance during the month of Shravan, the rainy season. Today morning’s sunrays seemed to have lighted some secrets for me.
During the month of Shravan the energy that dominates is that of dissolution and transformation, this is the energy that Shiva represents. Old is being dissolved- the bacteria are most active, earth’s surface is filled with water and no new crops germinate, the old is being washed away and water floods the creation. And at the level of the mind, I observed very few new intentions emerging. As if the feeling of nothingness fills the creation. And so this month is for letting go of all the past and resting in this nothingness.
Sages gave the science of Rudra Abhishekam, chanting and meditation to experience this tranquility and dive within. Because Shiva Tatva is so dominant at this time it is much easier to retrieve and Rest in “that” infinite space.
Until the 1st ray of the sun touches the earth again and new life springs up from Shiva Tatva after being transformed. The celebration of Janmastmi, the birth of Lord Krishna marks coming of new life, just around the end of Shravan month. And then in the month of Bhadra, Lord Ganpati with his Grandeur welcomes the coming of this new life. And removes all obstacles from it’s way for life to be able to grow.
Life celebrates itself again. In the next month of Aasvani we celebrate Durga Pooja. The elements play with each other, manifest as Tamas, Rajas and Satva. And finally Devi/Energy/Life wins over inertia/death and victory of life is celebrated.
Often in Hindu religion people wish each other new year on Diwali which is celebrated in the next month Kartik as commerce flourishes around this festival for the year ahead. And the cycle of life continues..
All of this emerges from that infinite space, which germinates from nothingness, Shiva Tatva during Shravan and dissolve back into it. That nothingness which brings out the Fullness of life in the year ahead.
From the Month of Shravan and from this cycle of Birth, Death and Transformation, I learn that -Unless the old is washed away no matter how beautiful or ugly it was, transformation is not possible and without transformation evolution cannot happen. For new to emerge, old must dissolve. Life’s nature is to evolve, from a seed to a stem, from a stem to a bud and from a bud to a flower, life evolves naturally. And this cycle completes every Shravan.
Shravan is the time for celebrating infinite peace and infinite stillness, rest in Shiva tatva. And so Every time I retrieve back, meditate and dissolve into nothingness I celebrate Shravan of my own life.
Ms. Vasudha Jhunjhunwala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is associated with the Art of Living since year 2000. Born and brought up in a pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan she currently resides in Amchi Mumbai with her family. For nearly a decade, Vasudha has inspired more than 10,000 youths with her teachings and social work. She has undertaken various projects and has been an instrument of change for its success. Juggling between home and work, in her spare time Vasudha likes to paint, write poems, learn music and play badminton. She is a Social Worker, Entrepreneur, State Coordinator of The Art of Living, Student of Sanskrit & Classical Music, Writer, Homemaker, Mother, Meditation Teacher, Public Speaker, Recipient of CSO-2014 award by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and has travelled in 30 Countries.
She is a quintessential deshbhakt. It is difficult to match her youthful Energy.
Vasudha is extremely passionate about her initiatives. One of the most successful projects lead by her was the ‘Vote For a Better India’ - A campaign that facilitated the voter registration process and lead to 5 lakh citizens new voter registration across India in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. Bringing more awareness to the people in the community she began the initiative ‘Mind your Vehicle’ - A project to sensitize citizens towards traffic discipline with 2000 volunteers in Mumbai. The project saw good media coverage. She was also the founding member of ‘Save Aarey’ project. In this project more than 300 volunteers cleared 5-truck loads of garbage from Aarey colony. With an aim to instill a sense of responsibility and nationalism among the youth, she has spearheaded several initiatives that included women’s safety drives, blood donation drives, cleanliness drives at railway stations and sea-shores, health and hygiene awareness camps and others.
Often people ask her what made her belief so strong to walk the spiritual path. She affirms that, “just like the light house guides the ship through darkness of night, our conscience guides us through decisions of life. For a smooth sail, just listen to it!”
The drought in Maharashtra had led to an increasing number of farmer suicides and Vasudha decided to contribute towards River Rejuvenation Project in the state. She along with her team revived around 22kms of Manjara river. The river Manjara rejuvenation in Latur District benefited 5 lakh villagers in its vicinity. Vasudha was also a part of the Solar Lamp Project. She was the catalyst in the distribution of solar lamps to flood-hit villagers in Orissa during Fani.
Her courage and valour gives her the skill to bring out the right perspective in every project she undertakes. Worry or Uncertainty are not words she rhymes with, Vasudha believes that’s Spiritual knowledge shields the flame of life from the winds of uncertainties. Vasudha is currently working on Project Pavitra. Since its inception this year, the project has imparted menstrual hygiene education to more than 2000 young girls in BMC schools and it aims to reach out to many more. She is also the founding member of SORT Club - Student's organization for Reform and Transformation. The club is now operational in 10 colleges in Mumbai. The project aims to remove the menace of substance abuse from the colleges of India. Vasudha is also working on a Happy Neighbourhood Project. The project aims to establish Happiness centers in societies to make societies stress-free.
If you meet her once, you would know that she has a very charming, intuitive, and jovial personality, her ideas and thoughts are ahead of it’s time. Her ability to perceive something new and unique in every individual is what draws people to her company. She gives a very comfortable and cool vibe something young students connect to and find easy to talk and open up to her about their problems. Make impossible, possible is her mantra. Her sessions are filled with grit, humor, inspiration, and some awespiring wisdom. People feel rejuvenated, energetic, experience clarity of thoughts, immense love in their hearts after attending her Mind and Breathe Workshops.
Mysteries of life intrigues her and even though she has traveled in 30 countries she found her best place within. She, by herself is a ‘Happiness Express’ moving swiftly on the spiritual path.
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One thought on “Shiva and Shravan”
From nothingness comes the fullness!
Brilliance of divinity!
Vasudha Jhunjhunwala 
From nothingness comes the fullness!
Brilliance of divinity!