Shiva Abhishekam

by Mantra & shlokas on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 11:12pm

(Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered fruitful.

Milk gives long life 
Ghee gives Moksha state 
Curd gives good children 
Honey gives melodious voice 
Rice powder frees from debts 
Sugar cane juice gives good health 
Panjamrutham gives wealth 
Lemon removes fear of death 
Sugar removes enmity 
Tender coconut gives enjoyment 
Cooked Rice(Annam) gives mejestic life 
Sandal gives Lakshmi's grace 

Bilvam and flowers can be given for Shiva pooja. Please go to Shiva temple for every Pradhosham and live in His grace blissfully.

shivAya namah Om bhavAya namaH |
bhavAya namah Om namaH shivAya ||

How to perform somasutra pradakshinam during pradosham

First saluting the Rishabha Devar (Holy Bull or Nandi) go anti-clockwise and salute Chandishwarar (not crossing the Gomukhi). Now return in the clockwise manner salute Rishabham and continue clockwise till the Gomukhi (not to cross it again). Then return in anti-clockwise direction salute the Rishabham again and proceed towards chaNdIshar. From there return back clockwise without worshiping Rishabham and reach the gomukhi. Finally return back anticlockwise from there to salute Rishabham and continue to Chandishwarar and return back to Rishabham and worship the shiva lingam (at the altar) by viewing through the space between the two horns of the Holy Bull. This is one Pradakshinam. Three such times Pradakshinam to be done. If you carefully observe the curve traced by doing the pradakshinam is very similar to the periphery of the crescent. Hence this way of circumambulating is called Somasutra Pradakshinam.

Abhishekam

Shiva Abhishekam is usually performed to a Lingam representing his manifestation as a creator of good (by destroying evil). In many temples, one finds a vessel hung over the Lingam, that continuously drips water or other offerings onto the Lingam in deference to Shiva's desire for Abhisheka.

Some of the common items used for Shiva Abhisheka are

1. Curd
2. Milk
3. Honey
4. Tender Coconut Water
5. Vibhuti (holy ash)
6. Panchamruta (Curd based delicacy consisting of Panch(5) items: Milk, Sugar, Ghee (clarified butter), Honey, Bananas)
7. Bananas
8. Sandalwood Paste
9. Ghee (Clarified butter)

Since Shiva is said to wear Nageshwara (Snake God) as an ornament around his neck, it is said that the fragrance of Aloe (which attracts snakes) is also a very holy item to be used for the worship of Shiva.

In contrast, it said that Lord Vishnu is Alankara Priyar (Desirous of ornamentation). Hence Vishnu Sthalas (places of worship of Lord Vishnu) have elaborately carved idols of Lord Vishnu with the alankaram (decoration ceremony) post the abhishekam, being a very elaborate ritual.

In any discussion of Hinduism, it is important to remember that these rituals are an off shoot of the interpretation of Vedas, the holy text of Hindus. These texts by themselves do not outline the deities or rituals for their worship thereof.

ABISHEKA NAME - ITS EFFECTS

PANCHAGAVYAM - Removes all sings of mankind
PANCHAMRUTHAM - Gives wealth
GHEE- Gives Moksha state
MILK - Gives long life
CURD - Gives Good Children
HONEY - Melodious voice
RICE POWDER - Frees from debts
SUGAR CANE JUICE - Gives good health and removes enmity
LIME JUICE - Removes fear of death
TENDER COCONUT JUICE - Gives enjoyment and full satisfaction in life
COOCKED RICE (ANNAM) - Gives Majestic life
SANDAL PASTE - Gives Lakshmi's Grace
SUGAR - Removes enmity