In historical instances, folks undertook penance (tapasya) to please the Gods and fulfill their coronary heart’s needs. One such penance, nonetheless standard in India, is fasting. In response to the Shiva Purana, probably the most auspicious instances to quick is in the course of the holy month of Shravan (Sawan). This yr, Shravan begins on Monday, July 22, 2024, and ends on August 19, 2024.
This era holds each spiritual and scientific significance.Scientifically, fasting is a pure methodology to detoxify the physique. Shravan coincides with the monsoon season when illnesses are prevalent. Subsequently, detoxifying the physique by way of fasting is helpful.
Religiously, two important occasions improve the auspiciousness of this era:
Samudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean): Throughout this occasion, each the elixir of immortality (Amrit) and the lethal Halahal poison emerged. Lord Shiva drank the poison to forestall it from destroying the world, holding it in his throat, which turned blue, incomes him the identify Neelkantha. To chill his overheated physique, the Gods and Goddesses carried out the Rudrabhishek by showering him with Panchamrita, which incorporates honey, sugar, milk, curd, and ghee. Subsequently, performing Rudrabhishek each Monday throughout Shravan is suggested.
Sati and Parvati: Sati was reborn as Parvati and carried out extreme penance throughout Shravan to please Lord Shiva. Her devotion led Shiva to go away his ascetic way of life and embrace household life together with her.
To benefit from the Monday fasts throughout Shravan, observe these rituals: Get up earlier than dawn and take a holy bathtub, Observe a quick from dawn to sundown with utmost devotion, Go to a Shiva temple to carry out Rudrabhishek or arrange an altar at house.
Rudrabhishek Ritual at Residence
Mild a Diya (lamp) of ghee, Place a Shivling on the altar and carry out Abhishek with Panchamrit (a mix of milk, curd, butter or ghee, honey, and jaggery), Provide milk and water to the Shivling, Provide bel leaves, flowers, betel nuts, fruits, and coconut to the Shivling, Chant the OM Namah Shivaya mantra throughout Abhishek. For particular advantages, chant
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra for well being, Shiva Gayatri Mantra for profession and lengthen the quick to 16 Mondays, and chant the Shiva Panchakshari Mantra for marriage.
After chanting recite the Shravan Vrat Katha (story) in the course of the puja. For the fasting ritual, think about well being limitations. If unable to quick all day, go for Falahar(consuming fruits, milk, buttermilk, curd, and juices). For a full dawn to sundown quick, break it within the night after providing aarti to Lord Shiva. After this ritual, take pleasure in regular satvik meals, making certain to keep away from heavy, salty, spicy, and oily meals to uphold the sanctity of the observance.
After the pooja, give up your needs to Bholenath. In his presence, the place needs dissolve, he seeks nothing from you however has every little thing to bestow upon you. Belief in his divine grace and maintain the religion, recalling the profound phrases from the Atharvaveda 11.2.17: “He’s the protector from all risks, the bestower of limitless blessings.”
The article has been written by Seerat Kaur Marwaha, religious coach and Founding father of Soulful Wellness