A Birthday with Shiva: Faith, Silence, and a Day That Touched My Soul

29 July 2025 | Tuesday | 02:25 AM

I've never been someone who gets too excited about birthdays... they never really mattered much to me. But over time, I've learned something important... life is made of milestones, and every milestone deserves to be acknowledged, even if quietly.

So this year, I decided to celebrate... in my own way.

The day began with a fast. Night prayers stretched a little longer than usual, and before I knew it, the clock crossed midnight. There were no calls at first, and honestly, that was completely fine with me.

Then something unexpected happened...

A knock on my room door. A few office friends stood there with a cake, smiles, and warmth. Almost at the same time, phone calls started pouring in. I didn't answer any. I wanted to stay in that moment.

The cake was cut, everyone was served, but I couldn't eat... the fast wasn't over yet. The cake went into the refrigerator. Goodbyes were exchanged in the parking lot. Conversations continued over calls. Time slipped away... it was already 2:30 AM.

And suddenly, a thought hit me...

How did 29 years of life pass so quickly?

Sometimes I still feel like I'm 23 or 24... and then reality gently reminds me how fast life moves. And maybe that's okay. Because only now do I feel like I've truly started living... openly, freely, fully.

Choosing Silence Over Noise

I took leave from the office... for the first time in two years. No plans. No schedule. Just freedom.

In the morning, a simple thought arose... I want to spend my birthday with Shiva.

And that's how the journey began.

By the time I reached Adiyogi, the weather had changed. Rain was pouring down. The mountain behind the statue was covered in clouds. Nag Panchami added a quiet sacredness to the air.

Umbrella and raincoat were with me... still, I chose to wait, sit, and observe.

I've visited this place many times over the past two years, yet it feels new every single time. There's a calm here that words can't explain. Cool winds, mountains, the massive presence of Shiva... everything feels aligned.

I'm not a party person. Crowds and chaos don't attract me. Silence does.

Sitting under an open sky, watching stars, breathing slowly... that's my idea of celebration.

Mantras, Light, and an Unexpected Aarti

I spent hours immersed in mantra chanting. From evening till night, time simply dissolved. Mantra jaap isn't just spiritual... it's deeply scientific.

Benefits of Mantra Chanting:

• 🧘‍♂️ Reduces stress and anxiety
• 🧠 Improves focus and concentration
• 💓 Enhances emotional stability
• 😴 Improves sleep quality
• 🔄 Balances the nervous system
• 🫁 Synchronizes breathing and heart rate
• 🧘‍♀️ Increases mindfulness
• 🧬 Supports hormonal balance and immunity

This is why mantra jaap is the core of most rituals.

Later came the light show... and then something I had never experienced before... Shayan Aarti.

Everyone was seated silently around the Shivling. Phones were switched off. Absolute stillness.

Then suddenly, everyone stood up.

The aarti began... loud, powerful, unexpected. Claps echoed. Chants rose. I didn't know the words, so I simply clapped and observed.

And then... the final moment.

Hundreds of people, one rhythm, one voice, slow and deep...

"कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारं"

Those last four lines... I don't think I'll ever forget them. They touched something deep inside me. That was the most beautiful moment of my birthday

After the aarti, the Shivling was gently covered with white cloth... as if Shiva himself was resting. Above it, the massive Adiyogi statue stood silently.

That sight stayed with me.

A Stranger, a Ride, and a Quiet Lesson

On the way back, someone asked for a lift. All buses had left. He needed to reach Bengaluru. I was headed the same way.

We rode together. Talked about life, work, journeys. When I dropped him, he was deeply thankful. He said something interesting... that it felt like divine help had arrived at the right moment.

I smiled.

Sometimes, helping someone is not spirituality... it's simply being human.

What This Birthday Gave Me

This birthday wasn't loud. It wasn't glamorous. It wasn't crowded.

But it was peaceful... meaningful... unforgettable.

I've celebrated my birthday with Shiva before, and I hope I always will. On a bike. On the road. In silence. In gratitude.

Because some celebrations don't need noise... They just need presence.

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"Some birthdays are not about candles and wishes... they are about silence, surrender, and realizing how deeply blessed you already are."