Hundreds of Hindu devotees across the country converged at the Cove And John Ashram yesterday in celebration of the Holy Maha Shiva Raatri, a spiritual exercise, which sought to inspire Hindus to strive for a greater union with Lord Shiva.

Speaking to a large audience, which included several dignitaries, President Bharrat Jagdeo confessed that he looked forward to the occasion every year, since he used it as a sort of pilgrimage. He said he also used the time to reflect upon his past life, engage the Swamis (Hindu spiritual leaders) in discussions and seek their advice.

The President said that Hinduism has always been linked to a way of life with issues that are related to governance, family and education. He noted that we were living in a world that was harsh; a world that had large stockpiles of food on one hand and on the other thousands perishing from hunger. Jagdeo said having observed the global conditions people often questioned whether it was destined for so many people to live in poverty, could the situation be changed and what must be done. He said the answer to these questions could not be found in the material world but in the spiritual realm and urged that all must develop a sense of justice in their hearts and to think of the ways and means by which they could correct the many ills in our society.

"In Guyana we are products of a generation that did not know what is freedom, we have been constantly living in fear. We live in a country where simple acts are criminalised, where people are forced to leave and go to other places for a better life," the President said.

"Despite all these difficulties it is this Guyana we have to change, not by creating jobs alone, but by getting into the minds of the people and impressing upon them sacred values that will help to build this beautiful nations of ours."

He said that often when he made decisions he was aware that many would not agree with him, but he said he was guided by his heart. "We have to allow ourselves to be guided by our hearts so that we can go to sleep with a clear conscience."

Jagdeo urged the gathering to train their children in an upright manner noting that they were the future leaders and must be taught good moral values. "You need to ensure that your children do not listen to rumours and negative things which seek to poison their minds, let them inculcate good moral virtues and qualities and free themselves from the negatives things of this society."

Meanwhile, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, in his short address, told the gathering that Shiva Raatri was a time for all Hindus to rekindle the torch of spiritual uprightness and the opportunity for them to foster oneness among devotees and God. He said that the occasion was a special and sacred one and must be used by Hindus to rise above the material and physical things of this world and seek to grasp the spiritual concepts of their lives.

"The idea behind this celebration is to rekindle the torch of camaraderie, love and peace in this troubled world. We need to meet constantly and pray to remove from our lives some of the negative cultivated tendencies."

There were also short address from the his Holiness, Swami Vidyananda-Ji Maharaj and the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Prakash Joshi.

Hindus believe that God has three forms: creator, sustainer and destroyer. When God manifests himself as creator he called Brahma, as sustainer he is Vishnu and destroyer as Shiva. Swami Shiveshwar-ananada told Stabroek News that Lord Shiva was known as the destroyer of all negative things. He said that Hindus believed that the world was a cycle and in this cycle the world exists for a period of time and then it dissolves at which time God recreates the world.

He said that Shiva was referred to as the night God, symbolising spiritual darkness. He said that during this period it was the belief of all Hindus that the blessings of Lord Shiva could be easily accessed since they were more manifest. The Swami explained that Shiva Raatri was celebrated now because of the way the planets were oriented and that at this time people were engaged in prayer and fasting and deep meditation.

He further explained that Lord Shiva represented the union of Shiva and Parvati. Shiva being god and Parvati mankind or a marriage of super soul and soul. He said that during Maha Shiva Raatri Hindus would strive for such a union. He said that Shiva was both with form and without, noting that when he was without form he is referred to as Lingam and with form as Shankar. The Swami also informed that sometimes Shiva was portrayed as a monk, sitting in meditation with his eyes half closed in cremation grounds. He said that the cremation grounds symbolised his non-attachment to the affairs of this world.

The programme, which lasted for about two hours, was chaired by Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar. Among the attendees were United States Ambassador to Guyana, Ronald Godard, former president, Janet Jagan, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Serge Marcoux and other members of the diplomatic community.