For Shubhangi Atre, who was last seen in Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain!, the festival of Mahashivratri means a lot both personally and spiritually. She says, “I don’t remember since when, but I have always felt a deep inclination toward Mahadev. In fact, when I conceived Aashi, during those entire nine months, I read the complete Ramayan and performed Panchamrit Abhishek of Shivji regularly.”
“I don’t know when this connection began, but I feel a very deep bond. As they say, you are naturally drawn toward your Isht Dev, toward that divine element that already exists within you. I believe there is some divine connection there. I wait the entire year for Mahashivaratri. I fast on that day and perform Panchamrit Abhishek as well,” she added.
And she feels Lord Shiva’s presence and guidance in her life always. She said, “If we are born in human form, as they say, we come here to go through hardships, ups and downs, and to complete our karmic debts. But during those times, when you feel that someone is holding your hand and guiding you, when there is an inner faith that Mahadev is with me—that feeling is always there.”
“I feel He always protects me. He holds my hand and pulls me out of any difficulty at the right time. I am a very private person. I love silence, solitude, and being in my own space. Whenever I am confused, disturbed, or low, I meditate. In fact, I can only sleep peacefully if the sound of ‘Om’ is playing beside me. This is something important I want to share—every night I sleep with the sound of Om playing. It gives me the most peaceful sleep. His presence is something I feel all the time,” she added.
She further shared that earlier she used to think a lot about the future, but over the last three to four years, she has completely shifted into surrender mode. She said, “Now, whether something good happens or bad happens, I stay balanced—neither overly happy nor deeply disturbed. I think that is surrender. I don’t step back from my karma. Whatever action is required in any situation, I take it. But I do it with complete surrender. I think that is the best state to be in.”
Shubhangi chants ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and shares that it has changed something within her. She said, “I don’t know how to put it into words. Initially, a person may fear God. But when you begin to love Him, when you surrender yourself completely, that becomes the most beautiful state of mind. Listening to Om, chanting Shiv Panchakshari Stotra—’Om Namah Shivaya’—or the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra definitely takes you into that state. But it happens slowly, gradually.”
Here’s wishing all our readers Happy Mahashivratri!!
