Even when you are offering the ordinary, with your mind you can offer the greatest of jewels, the best of seat, a throne of gold and jewels and build the temple for your Lord. Most enchanting mediation it is.

Mahasivaratri is the most auspicious day to meditate on Lord Siva. Having purified your body, sit in front of the altar decorated with flowers. Sit straight. If you can’t sit on the floor, sit on a chair and put your feet firmly on the ground. Close your eyes gently. Interlock your hands in front of you. Tell your body to relax slowly. For the next few minutes observe your steady body. Stand apart from your body and see it motionless, with its base, its trunk and the head, all erect and straight.

Watch this body. See the legs as the base of a most beautiful temple, the trunk as the body of the temple and the head as the dome of the temple. And at the doorway of the temple that takes you to the heart, the central sanctum, see the Guru standing and beckoning you to come in. Gurudev is calling, “Come, come inside this temple.”

Do not hesitate, even though it appears dark inside. You know he is with you. And as you walk into the temple, light up countless lamps made of crystals and let the whole place be lit up, the whole inner being be lit up with these crystals lamps. Walk inside the temple into the deepest recesses till you reach the heart of the temple, the most sacred place, the sanctum sanctorum under the dome.

In this holy spot, create a majestic throne made of gold, studded beautifully with the best of diamonds, rubies and emeralds, shining in the colors of the peacock. Cover it with silk and velvet, exquisitely embroidered, and arrange the softest of cushions on it. On such a grand throne, invite the Lord of your heart and request him to be seated. See the serene smile of the Lord as he seats himself in the same way that you are sitting, cross-legged and hands interlocked. See his graceful form and peaceful face, his eyes half-closed, his lotus feet so soft and yet the shelter of the entire universe. See his muscular thighs, his slender waist, his broad chest, his long shapely arms smeared with ashes. See the snake he wears as a garland, the snake that people fear and shun. See his compassion in protecting and loving even those who are forsaken.

Look at his glowing face, radiating peace, beauty and joy. Note his gentle serene smile. Gaze to your heart’s content at his broad forehead anointed with vibhüti. Look carefully at his third eye that remains softly closed. Lift your glance to the long flowing matted locks that crown his head. Drink in the cool light of the lustrous crescent moon that adorns his head and the dancing waters of the Ganga that glisten through the thick locks of hair.

He is full in himself and wants nothing. But offer him the best that you can. He has come in response to your invitation. Request him to let down his feet and keep a gleaming bejewelled footstool for him to rest his feet. Take the most sacred water of your pure thoughts and wash his feet. Wash them with the tears of your devotion. Bathe him with milk and honey, and as the white milk and the golden honey flow over his fair body, revel – revel in his beauty.

Anoint him with chandan. Anoint the one who gives fragrance to everybody – anoint him with the best of fragrances. Choose the best flowers from the garden of your life, and offer the most fragrant ones at his feet. Dress up your beloved Lord who roams about as a digambar – dress him up with the best of clothes. Give him a silken dhoti and a sash embroidered in exotic hues. Make him wear the most intricately wrought jewels and ornaments.

Sit quietly at his feet offering flowers. Let every thought in your mind dwell on him. Adore his magnificent presence and pour out your love. Call out to him in devotion; let every pore of your body cry out to him. Open your heart to him in surrender. Offer him your all. “Everything that is mine, everything that I am, every thought and desire, I surrender to Thee, O Lord.” Chant in your mind. “Om namah Shivaya, Om namah Shivaya…”

Feed him with the choicest delicacies, gently, one mouthful at a time. Offer him water laced with aromatic herbs. Worship him with hymns. Let your heart sing his praises. “Om namah Shivaya…” Pick up the lamp glowing with five flames and do his aarati. Let it light up his feet, his body, his face. See the crescent moon on his forehead gleaming in the light of the lamp and see, see the Ganga flowing down from his head. Let her splash all over you, cooling your distress, washing away your sins, purifying you, drenching you with her loving wisdom. Sing with joy; dance in ecstasy.

Bow down at his feet again and again and know that this peace, this purity, this calmness, this beauty that you feel right now is just a reflection of that beloved Lord. He is always with you. It is your natural state. You are that. Remain still in that supreme peace.

“Shivoham, Shivoham…” The gentle murmur envelopes your whole being. Bow at his feet again and take his blessings. Pray to him, “O Lord, may this divine form of yours remain forever etched in my heart. May your name ever dance on my lips. May I always hear your glory and think of you. And wherever I go, may I always see you. Bless me, O Lord! Oà namaù çiväya …”

Recognise Pujya Gurudev standing beside you and guiding you. Take his blessings with gratitude and walk out to face the world singing his glory. Oà namaù çiväya, Oà namaù çiväya…

The Author is the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission