Friday, 12 Feb 2010 : MahaShivRatri Vrat. In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The story goes as follows….Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty..