Philosophy of Shiva Abhishekam

“Alankaarapriyo Vishnuh, Abhishekpriyah Shivah” – Vishnu is very fond of Alankaar (fine dress, beautiful ornaments, etc); Shiv is fond of Abhishek.” In Shiv temples, a pot made up of copper or brass with a hole in the center is kept hanging over the image or Ling of Shiv, and water falls on the image throughout day and night. Pouring over the Ling, water, milk, ghee, curd, honey, cocoanut water, Panchaamrit, etc, is called Abhishekam. Abhisamhek is done for Shiv. Rudram is chanted along with the Abhishekam. Shiva is propitiated by Abhishekam.

Shiva drank the poison that emanated from the churning of the ocean of milk and wore the Ganga and the Moon on his head to cool His head. Shiva has the fiery third eye. Constant Abhishekam cools this eye too.

The greatest and the highest Abhishekam is to pour the waters of pure love on the Aatm Ling of the lotus of the heart. The external Abhishekam with various objects will help the growth of devotion and adoration for Shiv and eventually lead to internal Abhishekam  with pure abundant flow of love.

Abhishek is a part of Shiv Poojaa. Without Abhishekam, worship of Shiv is incomplete. During Shiva Abhishekam Rudra, Purusha Suktam, Chamakam, Maha Mrityunjaya mantra etc, are chanted in a particular rhythm and order. Monday is very important day for Shiv and the 13th day of the fortnight ( Pradosh) is very sacred. On these days, devotees of Shiv worship him with special Poojaa, Abhishekam with Ekaadash Rudra, Archanaa, offering plenty of Prasaad, and illumination.

In Ekaadash-Rudram Abhishek, every Rudram is chanted with distinctive articles for Abhishek. Gangaa water, milk, ghee, honey, rose-water, coconut water, sandal paste, Panchaamrit, scented oil, sugarcane juice and lime juice are made use of for Abhishekam. After every Abhishek, pure water is poured over the head of Shiva Ling. When Rudra is recited only once, the different articles of Abhishek are made use of after every stanza of the Rudram. The Abhishekam water or other articles used for Abhishekam are considered very sacred and bestow immense benefits on the devotees who take it as the Lord’s Prasaad. It purifies the heart and destroys countless sins. You must take it with intense Bhaav and faith.

When you do Abhishek with Bhaav and devotion, your mind is concentrated. Your heart is filled with the image of the Lord and divine thoughts. You forget your body and its relation and surroundings. Egoism gradually vanishes. When there is forgetfulness, you begin to enjoy and taste the eternal bliss of Shiv. Recitation of Rudram or Om Namah Shivaya Mantra  purifies the mind and fills it with Sattwa.

If you do Shiva Abhishekam with Rudra Paath in the name of a person suffering from any disease he will be soon freed from that disease. Incurable diseases are cured by Abhishekam. Abhishekam bestows health, wealth, prosperity, progeny, etc. Shiva Abhishekam on Monday is most auspicious.

By offering Panchaamrit (a mixture of honey, milk, yogurt, Ghee, Gangaa Water), to the Lord, thoughts about your body diminish. Selfishness slowly vanishes. You derive immense joy. You begin to increase your offerings unto the Lord. Therefore, self-sacrifice and self-surrender come in. Naturally, there is an outpouring from your heart, “I am Thine, my Lord. All is Thine, my Lord.”

Kannappa Nayanar, a great devotee of Shiva, a hunter by profession, did Shiva Abhishekam with the water in his mouth for the Ling at Kaalaahastee in South India and propitiated Shiv. Shiv is pleased by pure devotion. It is the mental Bhaav that counts and not the outward show. Shiv said to the temple priest : “This water from the mouth of Kannappa, my beloved devotee, is more pure than the water of the Gangaa”.

A devotee should be regular in doing Abhishek for the Lord. He should get Rudram and Chamakam by heart. Ekaadash Rudra is more powerful and effective. In Northern India, every man or woman takes a lots of water and pours it on the image of Shiv. This also causes beneficial results and brings about the fulfillment of one’s desire. Abhishek on Shiv Raatri day is very effective.

May you all recite Rudra Paath which describes the glory of Shiv and his manifestations in every living being, in every animate and inanimate being. May you do Shiva Abhishekam daily and thus obtain the grace of Lord Shiv. May Lord Vishwanath bless you all.

 

Legend About Shiva Abhishekam

Story goes that after creation was complete, Lord Shiv began to live on top of the mount Kailaash with his consort Paarvatee. One day, Paarvatee asked Shiv that his devotees perform many rituals to please the Lord, but which one pleases him most. To this, Shiv replied that the 14th night of the new moon, during the month of Phaalgun is his favorite day. The day is celebrated as Shiv Raatri. On this day, devotees observe strict spiritual discipline and worship Shiv in four different forms during each of the four successive three-hour periods of the night. Shiv further said that the devotees offer him Bel leaves (Bilva Patra) on that day and that those leaves were precious to him than the precious jewels and flowers. Explaining the right way of worshipping to Shiv, the Lord said, devotees should bathe me in the milk during the first period, in curd at the second, in clarified butter in the third and in honey in the fourth and the last period. Shiv further added that next morning devotees must feed the Braahman first and, only after following the prescribed ritual must he break the fast. Shiv further told Paarvatee that rituals of Shiva Ratri could not be compared with any other performed for him.

Parvati Devi became deeply impressed with Shiva’s speech and she narrated it to her friends. Through them the word spread all over the creation. Hence, Shiv devotees began to celebrate Shiva Ratri by fasting and by performing the ceremonial baths and making an offering of Bel leaves.

 

Shiva Abhishekam Procedure

Shiva Abhishekam Procedure

Items required

  1. Abhisheka liquids – Water mixed with Gangajal, unboiled milk, Sugarcane juice and/or Coconut water.
  2. Punchamrit which is mix of unboiled milk , honey , sugar, ghee and curd. 
  3. Water mixed with Ganges water in a achamani pot with Kusha grass for sprinkling and a spoon 
  4. Dhoop, Incense sticks, Camphor, Ghee lamp
  5. Sandal paste , Aromatic oil . 
  6. Rice grains
  7. Offerings – Sweets, Clothes, Flowers, Fruits, Betel nut, Bael Patra, Paan , Coconut

Place Lingam so that Yoni faces North and you are facing the West face of the Lingam and looking towards East. You need to sit on an Asan of wool/ Kusha. It is best to do Pooja of Lord Shiva while wearing Rudraksha on your body as it is His favorite bead.

Sprinkle water over yourself and all items of Puja chanting.

Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarva Vastan Gatopi Va
Yah Smaret Pundari Kaksham Sa Bahya Bhyantarah Shuchi

Translation:
May all things unholy become holy, may all lower tendencies depart, just as soon as we transcend may within and without be purified!

Then Chant:

“Om Gurubhyo Namaha 
Om Ganeshaya Namaha 
Om Kula Devatabhyo Namaha 
Om Ishta Devatabhyo Namaha 
Om Mata Pitribhyam Namaha”

Translation:
I bow to guru, I bow to Ganesha, I bow to the family deity, I bow to my personal deity, I bow to my parents
Place water on right hand with spoon of Achamani and sip after each of these 3 mantras

“Om Keshavaya Namaha 
Om Narayana Namaha 
Om Madhavaya Namaha” 
Place water on right hand and pour on ground: 
“Om Govindaya Namaha”

Do three short rounds of pranayama breaths.

“Om Pranavasya Parabrahma Rishihi Paramatma Devata 
Daivi Gayatri Chandaha 
Pranayamae Viniyogaha” 

Bathe lingam with water and then all Abhisheka liquids one by one. The bathe Him with Punchamrit and again with water. All this while chant Om Namah Shivaya or the Shiva Moola Mantra. Wipe Him and place Him on Pedestal. 

Now chant Sadyojaat mantra

Om Sadyojaatam Prapadyaami Sadyojataajava Namo Namaha
Bhave Bhavenaati Bhave Bhavasvamaam Bhavodbhavay Namaha 

Offer Sandal Paste making a Tripunda on His Western Face with Vamdev mantra

Om Vamdevaya Namah, Jyeshthaay Namah , Shreshthay Namah , Rudraay Namah , Kaalay Namah ,Kala Vikarannaay Namah, Bal Vikaranaay Namah, Balaay Namah Bala Pramathanaay Namah, Sarva Bhoot Damanaay Namah, Manomanaay Namah. 

Offer dhoop and incense to Him with mantra below

“Om Aghorebhyo Ghorebhyo Ghor Ghor Tarebhayaha
Sarvebhya Sarva Sharvvebhyo Namaste Astu Rudra Roopebhyaha”

Offer flowers with mantra below 

“Om Tatpurushaaya Vidmahe Mahadevaay Dheemahi 
Tanno Rudraha Prachodayaat”

Chant Eeeshan mantra

Om Eeshaanah Sarvavidyaanam Eeshwar Sarvabhootaanaam
Brahmaadipati Brahmanaadhipati Brahma Shivome Astu Sadaa Shivom 

(Invocation) Avahanam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Seat) Asanam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Cloth) Vastram Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Sandalwood or scent) Chandanam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Rice) Akshatan Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Flower) Pushpam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Dhoop) Dhupam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Ghee lamp) Deepam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Water drink) Achamaniyam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Fruit) Naivedyam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Water Drink) Achamaniyam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Betel nut – Paan) Tambulam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

(Coconut) Shri Phalam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha 

Burn Camphor and offer to Him

Karpura Shivam Karuna Vataram Samsara Saram Bhujagendraharam
Sada Vasantam Hridaya Ravinde Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami

Chant Gayatri mantra 3 times 

Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha
Om Tat Savitur Varenyum Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yonaha Prachodayat 

Chant Surya mantra 3 times 

Om Bhu Om Bhuvaha Om Swaha Om Maha Om Janaha Om Tapaha Om Satyam 

Repeat and touch each after each mantra, right eye, left eye, forehead 

Om Apo Jyothi
Raso Amtritam
Brahma Bhu Bhuvaha Swarom 

Chant Maha mrityunjaya mantra 108 times with Rudraksha mala. 

Om Haum Joom Sah ,Om Bhur Bhuvaha Swaha
Om Triambakam Yajamahey,Sungandhim Pushti Vardanam
Urvar Ukamiva Bandhanan,Mrityor Muksheeya Mamritat
Om Swaha Bhuvaha Bhu Om Sah Joom Haum Om 

Bow or supplicate, then chant this last prayer : 

Om Purnamada purnamidam purnath purnamudyachite
Purnasya purnamadaya purna mevaya shishyate 

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

 

Shiva Abhishekam Benfits and Rudram Jap in Shiva’s Temple

Shiva Abhishekam Benefits

Abhishekam is a part of Shiva Puja. Without Abhishekam, worship of Shiv is incomplete. During Abhishek, Rudra, Purush Sookt, Chamakam, Mahaa Mrityunjaya Mantra Jaap, Panchaksharee Mantra etc, are chanted. Chamakam is divided into eleven sections. Each of these is then combined with Namakam (Rudra) and repeated. This is called Rudra. Eleven such Rudra make one Laghu Rudra. Eleven Laghu Rudra make one Mahaa-Rudra. Eleven Mahaa-rudra make one Ati-rudra. Rudra is to be repeated after performing the initial Sankalp, Poojaa, Nyaas, Ang. Panchaamrit Snaan and Dhyaan. The fruit of Rudra Jap is stated as shown below:

 

Number of Jap – Benefit of Jap

1 Rudram – Freedom from Baal Graha (diseases common to children).
3 Rudram – Freedom from imminent difficulties with which one is faced.
5 Rudram – Freedom from the evil effects of certain planets occupying unfavorable positions.
7 Rudram – Freedom from great fear.
9 Rudram – The fruit of one Vaajapeya sacrifice and also attainment of peace of mind.
11 Rudram – Getting the favor of kings and great wealth.
33 Rudram – Attainment of wishes for objects and having no enemies.
77 Rudram – Enjoyment of great happiness.
99 Rudram – Attainment of son, grandson, wealth, grain, Dharma, Arth, Kaam and Moksh and freedom from death.

1 Mahaa-rudram – Attainment of the favor of kings and becoming the Lord of great wealth.
3 Mahaa-rudram – Fulfillment of impossible tasks.
5 Mahaa-rudram – Acquirement of vast lands.
7 Mahaa-rudram – Attainment of the seven worlds.
9 Mahaa-rudram – Freedom from births and deaths.
10 Ati-rudram – Becoming God.

 

Various Shiva Abhishekam Benefits

Materials for Abhishek : Pure water, milk, sugarcane juice, lemon juic, ghee, honey, waters of sacred rivers, sea water, Kush water, rice powder, cooked rice, Panchaamrit, Panchgavya.

  • Milk gives long life, freedom from diseases, and for begetting a son. It is believed that by doing Abhishek with milk, even a barren woman begets children.
  • Ghee gives Moksh state
  • Curd gives good children
  • Honey gives melodious voice
  • Rice powder frees from debts
  • Sugar cane juice gives good health
  • Panchaamrit gives wealth
  • Lemon juice removes fear of death
  • Sugar cane juice gives good health and removes enmity
  • Tender coconut water gives enjoyment
  • Cooked Rice (Annam) gives majestic life
  • Sandal gives Lakshmi’s grace
  • Water Abhishek gives rain.
  • Kush water Abhishek – becomes free from all diseases.
  • Sacred water gives Moksh
  • Ghee, honey and sugarcane juice give wealth,
  • Bilva Patra and flowers should be offered in Shiv Poojaa.

Please go to Shiv temple for every Pradosh and live in His grace blissfully.

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