Why do we stay awake on Mahashivratri? HH Pujya Swami Chidanandji explains that Shivratri is a night of spiritual awareness. Staying awake symbolizes rising above tamas (inertia and ignorance) and choosing consciousness over complacency. The vigil reminds us to move from darkness to knowledge, from distraction to focus, and from limitation to higher awareness. It is not about losing sleep – it is about awakening the mind and turning inward through prayer, mantra, and meditation. Har Har Mahadev.