Mahashivaratri is one of the most significant of the twelve Shivaratris celebrated each year. This festival is observed with immense devotion and enthusiasm by Lord Shiva’s devotees. Known by many names such as Mahadev, Shankar, Bhole Nath, and Baba, one of his prominent names is Rudra, often associated with his fierce and powerful nature as described in the Vedas. The Rudra Tandav dance epitomises Lord Shiva’s relentless and powerful essence (this mudra is called Nataraja). Among the various rituals performed on Mahashivaratri, the Rudrabhishek holds special importance and must be conducted with the correct procedure and pure devotion.
What is Rudrabhishek Pooja (Abhishekam)?
Rudrabhishek Pooja is a highly revered ritual in Hinduism known for its purity and sanctity. This ritual involves giving a sacred bath to Lord Shiva’s idol or Shivalingam with various holy ingredients, accompanied by chanting mantras and offering flowers.
Ingredients Needed for Rudrabhishekam Pooja
- Flowers
- Incense sticks
- Pure Cow Ghee
- Pure Curd made of Cows Milk
- Organic Honey
- Fresh cows milk (not boiled)
- Panchamrit (a mixture of cow milk, cow milk curd, ghee made of pure cow milk, honey, dry fruits and sugar)
- Rose water (Gulab Jal)
- Sweets (Mithai) (ensure a sweet made of moong dal with desi ghee is offered)
- Ganga Jal (holy water from the Ganges or running river water from mountains or glaciers)
- Camphor (Bheemsani Kapoor)
- Supari (betel nut), laung (cloves with flowers intact), green small elaichi (cardamom)
- Bel Patra (leaves from the Bael tree) (minimum 108 + 21 extra leaves)
- Holy Ash (Vibhuti)
Steps to Perform Rudrabhishek
Preparation:
- Setup: Place a copper/brass plate in the ritual area and set the Shivalingam on it.
- Light a Lamp: Light a lamp (diya) with mustard oil or pure cow ghee and place it to the right of the Shivalingam.
- Arrange Ingredients: Arrange all puja ingredients on a tray and sit comfortably facing east/north, using an asana (mat) to avoid sitting directly on the floor.
- Dress: Wear clean ethnic clothes.
Purification and Invocation:
- Achaman: Perform Achaman (purification) while reciting religious chants such as “Om Narayanaya Namah.”
- Seek Blessings: Seek blessings from Lord Ganesha, Lord Indra, and your Kul Devta and Devi before starting the puja.
Ritual Offerings:
- Bel Patra Offering: Offer Bel Patra while chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” and place flowers and akshat (rice) near the lamp.
- Move Shivling: Move the Shivalingam to an open place or tray, placing it on a Bel Patra for the Rudrabhishek.
Performing Rudrabhishek:
- Water Offering: Start by pouring water on the Shivalingam while chanting “Om Namah Shivaya.” If you don’t know mantras play a YouTube video of rudrabhishek with full pooja and mantra.
- Panchamrit Offering: Gently pour Panchamrit on the Shivalingam, followed by offerings of Chandan (sandalwood paste), flowers, raw cow milk, and Ganga Jal.
- Clean and Place: Clean and wipe the Shivalingam and return it to its original place on a Bel Patra.
- Additional Offerings: Offer Vastra (cloth) and Janeu (sacred thread), and apply Chandan and tripunda with your right three fingers don’t use your thumb.
- Incense and Lamp: Light incense sticks (geeli chandan dhoop without bamboo) and a ghee lamp, then sprinkle holy ash (Bhasma), Bel Patra, Durva, and flowers while ringing a bell (pooja bell).
- Final Offerings: Offer fruits, paan, supari, laung, elaichi, and Dakshina while continuously chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” or the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.
- Aarti: Conclude the puja by performing Shiv ji ki aarti with camphor, doing parikrama (circumambulation), and showering Lord Shiva with flowers while seeking his blessings.
Types of Rudrabhishek and Their Benefits
- Jalabhishek: Using water for longevity.
- Dudh Abhishek: Using raw cow milk for longevity.
- Shahad Abhishek: Using honey for a life free from troubles.
- Panchamrit Abhishek: Use a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, dry fruits and sugar powder or dhage wali mishri for wealth and prosperity.
- Ghee Abhishek: Using clarified butter (pure cow ghee) for health and freedom from illness.
- Dahi Abhishek: Using curd for the blessing of children for childless couples.
Rudrabhishek Mantra
Reciting the Rudrabhishek mantra, also known as Rudra Mantra, is believed to invoke Lord Shiva’s blessings:
|| ॐ नमो भगवते रूद्राय ||
|| Om Namo Bhagwate Rudraya ||
Or
|| श्री शिवाय नमस्तुभ्यं ||
|| Shree Shivay Namastubhyam ||
Or
|| ॐ नमः शिवाय ||
|| AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA ||
Detailed Rudrabhishek Procedure
- Bathing of Shivalingam: Begin by bathing the Shivalingam with ritual ingredients like milk, yoghurt (dhai), butter (desi ghee), and honey.
- Decoration of Shivalingam: Decorate the Shivalingam with Bel leaves (offering one by one chanting mantra), flowers, and Rudraksha beads.
- Recital of Laghunyasa: Chant Laghunyasam for health and healing. Sri Rudram Laghunyasam is a prayer that is part of Sri Rudram and is chanted before Namakam and Chamakam. Nyasa is imbibing God’s principle into self and becoming fully divine before worshipping the Lord. There are 2 Nyasa’s – 1) Mahanyasa 2) Laghunyasa. The former is a long form of Nyasa while the latter is a short form of Nyasa.
Laghunyasam in Sanskrit (Dev vaani):
ॐ अथात्मानगं शिवात्मानगं श्रीरुद्ररूपं ध्यायेत्।
शुद्धस्फटिकसंकाशं त्रिनेत्रं पञ्चवक्त्रकम्।
गङ्गाधरं दशभुजं सर्वाभरणभूषितम्।
नीलग्रीवं शशांकांकं नागयज्ञोपवीतिनम्।
व्याघ्रचर्मोत्तरीयं च वरेण्यं अभयप्रदम्।
कमण्डल्वक्षसूत्राणां धारिणं शूलपाणिनम्।
ज्वलन्तं पिङ्गलजटाशिखामुद्योतधारिणम्।
वृषस्कन्धसमारूढं उमादेहार्धधारिणम्।
अमृतेनाप्लुतं शांतं दिव्यभोगसमन्वितम्।
दिग्देवतासमायुक्तं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम्।
नित्यं च शाश्वतं शुद्धं ध्रुवमक्षरमव्ययम्।
सर्ववापिनमीशानं रुद्रं वै विश्वरूपिणम्।
एवं ध्यात्वा द्विजः सम्यक् ततः यजनमारभेत्।
अथातो रुद्र स्नानार्चनाभिषेक विधिं व्याख्यास्यामः।
आदित एव तीर्थे स्नात्वा उदेत्य शुचिः प्रयतः ब्रह्मचारी शुक्लवासा देवाभिमुखः स्थित्वा आत्मनि देवताः स्थापयेत्।
ॐ प्रजनने ब्रह्मा तिष्ठतु।
पादयोर्विष्णुस्तिष्ठतु।
हस्तयोर्हरस्तिष्ठतु।
बाह्वोरिन्द्रस्तिष्ठतु।
जठरे अग्निस्तिष्ठतु।
हृदये शिवस्तिष्ठतु।
कण्ठे वसवस्तिष्ठन्तु।
वक्त्रे सरस्वती तिष्ठतु।
नासिकयोर्वायुस्तिष्ठतु।
नयनयोश्चन्द्रादित्यौ तिष्ठेताम्।
कर्णयोरश्विनौ तिष्ठेताम्।
ललाटे रुद्रास्तिष्ठन्तु।
मूर्ध्न्यादित्यास्तिष्ठन्तु।
शिरसि महादेवस्तिष्ठतु।
शिखायां वामदेवस्तिष्ठतु।
पृष्ठे पिनाकी तिष्ठतु।
पुरतः शूली तिष्ठतु।
पार्श्वयोश्शिवाशंकरौ तिष्ठेताम्।
सर्वतो वायुस्तिष्ठतु।
ततो बहिः सर्वतोऽग्निज्वालामालाः परिवृतास्तिष्ठतु।
सर्वेष्वङ्गेषु सर्वादेवता यथास्थानं तिष्ठन्तु। मां रक्षन्तु। ॐ अग्निर्मे वाचि श्रितः।
वाग्धृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। वायुर्मे प्राणे श्रितः।
प्राणो हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि।
सूर्यो मे चक्षुषि श्रितः। चक्षुर् हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते।
अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। चन्द्रमा मे मनसि श्रितः। मनो हृदये। हृदयं मयि।
अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। दिशो मे श्रोत्रे श्रिताः।
श्रोतृगं हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि।
आपो मे रेतसि श्रिताः। रेतो हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते।
अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। पृथिवी मे शरीरे श्रिता। शरीरगं हृदये। हृदयं मयि।
अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। ओषधिवनस्पतयो मे लोमसु श्रिताः।
लोमानि हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। इन्द्रो मे बले श्रितः।
बलगं हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। पर्जन्यो मे मूर्ध्नि श्रितः।
मूर्धा हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। ईशानो मे मन्यौ श्रितः।
मन्युर् हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। आत्मा मा आत्मनि श्रितः।
आत्मा हृदये। हृदयं मयि। अहममृते। अमृतं ब्रह्मणि। पुनर् मा आत्मा पुनरायुरागत्।
पुनः प्राणः पुनराकूतमागत्। वैश्वानरो रश्मिभिर्वावृधानः। अन्तस्तिष्ठत्वमृतस्य गोपाः।
अस्य श्री रुद्राध्याय प्रश्न महामन्त्रस्य अघोर ऋषिः, अनुष्टुप् छन्दः, संकर्षणमूर्तिस्वरूपो योऽसावादित्यः परमपुरुषः स एष रुद्रो देवता। नमः शिवाय इति बीजम्। शिवतराय इति शक्तिः। महादेवाय इति कीलकम्। श्री साम्बसदाशिव प्रसाद सिद्ध्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः।
ॐ अग्निहोत्रात्मने अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः। दर्शपूर्णमासात्मने तर्जनीभ्यां नमः।
चातुर्मास्यात्मने मध्यमाभ्यां नमः। निरूढपशुबन्धात्मने अनामिकाभ्यां नमः।
ज्योतिष्टोमात्मने कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां नमः। सर्वक्रत्वात्मने करतलकरपृष्ठाभ्यां नमः।
अग्निहोत्रात्मने हृदयाय नमः। दर्शपूर्णमासात्मने शिरसे स्वाहा।
चातुर्मास्यात्मने शिखायै वषट्। निरूढपशुबन्धात्मने कवचाय हुम्।
ज्योतिष्टोमात्मने नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट्। सर्वक्रत्वात्मने अस्त्राय फट्। भूर्भुवस्सुवरोमिति दिग्बन्धः।
ध्यानं।
आपाताल नभः स्थलान्त भुवन ब्रह्माण्डमाविस्फुर- ज्ज्योतिः स्फाटिक लिङ्ग मौलिविलसत पूर्णेन्दु वान्तामृतैः। अस्तोकोप्लुतमेकमीशमनिशं रुद्रानुवाकान जपन् ध्यायेदिप्सितसिद्धये ध्रुवपदं विप्रोऽभिषिञ्चेच्छिवम्। ब्रह्माण्ड व्याप्तदेहाः भसित हिमरुचा भासमानाः भुजङ्गैः कण्ठे कालाः कपर्दाः कलित शशिकलाः चण्ड कोदण्ड हस्ताः। त्र्यक्षा रुद्राक्षमालाः सललितवपुषाः शांभवा मूर्तिभेदाः रुद्राः श्रीरुद्रसूक्त प्रकटित विभवाः नः प्रयच्छन्तु सौख्यम्। ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम्। ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत आ नः श्रृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम्।
महागणपतये नमः।
ॐ शं च मे मयश्च मे प्रियं च मेऽनुकामश्च मे कामश्च मे सउमनसश्च मे भद्रं च मे श्रेयश्च मे वस्यश्च मे यशश्च मे भगश्च मे द्रविणं च मे यन्ता च मे धर्ता च मे क्षेमश्च मे धृतिश्च मे विश्वं च मे महश्च मे संविच्च मे ज्ञानत्रं च मे सूस्च मे प्रसूस्च मे सीरं च मे लयश्च मे ऋतं च मेऽमृतं च मेऽक्ष्मं च मेऽनामयच्च मे जीवातुश्च मे दीर्घायुत्वं च मेऽनमित्रं च मेऽभयं च मे सुगं च मे शयनं च मे सुषा च मे सुदिनं च मे।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः। इति श्री रुद्रं लघुन्यासम्।
इति श्री रुद्रं लघुन्यासम्।
Laghunyasam in English:
ōṁ athātmānagṁ śivātmānagṁ śrīrudrarūpaṁ dhyāyēt ||
śuddhasphaṭikasaṁkāśaṁ trinētraṁ pañcavaktrakam |
gaṅgādharaṁ daśabhujaṁ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitam ||
nīlagrīvaṁ śaśāṁkāṁkaṁ nāgayajñōpavītinam |
vyāghracarmōttarīyaṁ ca varēṇyamabhayapradam ||
kamaṇḍalvakṣasūtrāṇāṁ dhāriṇaṁ śūlapāṇinam |
jvalantaṁ piṅgalajaṭāśikhāmudyōtadhāriṇam ||
vr̥ṣaskandhasamārūḍham umādēhārdhadhāriṇam |
amr̥tēnāplutaṁ śāntaṁ divyabhōgasamanvitam ||
digdēvatāsamāyuktaṁ surāsuranamaskr̥tam |
nityaṁ ca śāśvataṁ śuddhaṁ dhruvamakṣaramavyayam ||
sarvavyāpinamīśānaṁ rudraṁ vai viśvarūpiṇam |
ēvaṁ dhyātvā dvijassamyak tatō yajanamārabhēt ||
athātō rudra snānārcanābhiṣēka vidhiṁ vyā̀khyāsyāmaḥ |
ādita ēva tīrthē snātvā udētya śuciḥ prayatō
brahmacārī śuklavāsā dēvābhimukhaḥ sthitvā
ātmani dēvatāḥ sthāpayēt |
ōṁ prajananē brahmā tiṣṭhatu | pādayōrviṣṇustiṣṭhatu |
hastayōrharastiṣṭhatu | bāhvōrindrastiṣṭhatu |
jaṭharē agnistiṣṭhatu | hr̥dayē śivastiṣṭhatu |
kaṇṭhē vasavastiṣṭhantu | vaktrē sarasvatī tiṣṭhatu |
nāsikayōrvāyustiṣṭhatu | nayanayōścandrādityau tiṣṭhētām |
karṇayōraśvinau tiṣṭhētām |
lalāṭē rudrāstiṣṭhantu | mūrdhnyādityāstiṣṭhantu |
śirasi mahādēvastiṣṭhatu | śikhāyāṁ vāmadēvastiṣṭhatu |
pr̥ṣṭhē pinākī tiṣṭhatu | purataśśūlī tiṣṭhatu |
pārśvayōśśivāśaṁkarau tiṣṭhētām |
sarvatō vāyustiṣṭhatu |
tatō bahissarvatō:’gnijvālāmālāḥ parivr̥tāstiṣṭhatu |
sarvēṣvaṅgēṣu sarvādēvatā yathāsthānaṁ tiṣṭhantu |
māgṁ rakṣantu ||
ōṁ a̲gnirmḗ vā̲ci śri̲taḥ |
vāgdhr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
vā̲yurmḕ prā̲ṇē śri̲taḥ |
prā̲ṇō hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
sūryṓ mē̲ cakṣuṣi śri̲taḥ |
cakṣu̲rhr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
ca̲ndramā́ mē̲ manási śri̲taḥ |
manō̲ hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
diśṓ mē̲ śrōtrḕ śri̲tāḥ |
śrōtra̲g̲ṁ hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
āpṓ mē̲ rētási śri̲tāḥ |
rētō̲ hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
pr̥̲thi̲vī mē̲ śarī́rē śri̲tā |
śarī́ra̲g̲ṁ hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
ō̲ṣa̲dhi̲va̲na̲spa̲tayṓ mē̲ lōmásu śri̲tāḥ |
lōmā́ni̲ hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
indrṓ mē̲ balḕ śri̲taḥ |
bala̲g̲ṁ hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
pa̲rjanyṓ mē mū̲rdhni śri̲taḥ |
mū̲rdhā hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
īśā́nō mē ma̲nyau śri̲taḥ |
ma̲nyurhr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
ā̲tmā má ā̲tmaní śri̲taḥ |
ā̲tmā hr̥dáyē | hr̥dáya̲ṁ mayí |
a̲hama̲mr̥tḕ | a̲mr̥ta̲ṁ brahmáṇi |
punárma ā̲tmā puna̲rāyu̲rāgā̀t |
punáḥ prā̲ṇaḥ puna̲rākū́ta̲māgā̀t |
vai̲śvā̲na̲rō ra̲śmibhírvāvr̥dhā̲naḥ |
a̲ntastíṣṭhatva̲mr̥tásya gō̲pāḥ ||
asya śrī rudrādhyāya praśna mahāmaṁtrasya aghōra r̥ṣiḥ, anuṣṭup chaṁdaḥ, saṁkarṣaṇamūrtisvarūpō yō:’sāvādityaḥ paramapuruṣaḥ sa ēṣa rudrō dēvatā | namaḥ śivāyēti bījam | śivatarāyēti śaktiḥ | mahādēvāyēti kīlakam | śrī sāṁbasadāśiva prasāda siddhyarthē japē viniyōgaḥ ||
ōṁ agnihōtrātmanē aṅguṣṭhābhyāṁ namaḥ |
darśapūrṇamāsātmanē tarjanībhyāṁ namaḥ |
cāturmāsyātmanē madhyamābhyāṁ namaḥ |
nirūḍhapaśubandhātmanē anāmikābhyāṁ namaḥ |
jyōtiṣṭōmātmanē kaniṣṭhikābhyāṁ namaḥ |
sarvakratvātmanē karatalakarapr̥ṣṭhābhyāṁ namaḥ |
agnihōtrātmanē hr̥dayāya namaḥ |
darśapūrṇamāsātmanē śirasē svāhā |
cāturmāsyātmanē śikhāyai vaṣaṭ |
nirūḍhapaśubandhātmanē kavacāya hum |
jyōtiṣṭōmātmanē nētratrayāya vauṣaṭ |
sarvakratvātmanē astrāya phaṭ |
bhūrbhuvassuvarōmiti digbaṁdhaḥ |
dhyānaṁ ||
āpātāḷa nabhaḥ sthalāṁta bhuvana brahmāṁḍamāvisphura-
jjyōtiḥ sphāṭika liṁga mauḷivilasat pūrṇēṁdu vāṁtāmr̥taiḥ |
astōkāplutamēkamīśamaniśaṁ rudrānuvākān japan
dhyāyēdīpsitasiddhayē dhruvapadaṁ viprō:’bhiṣiṁcēcchivam ||
brahmāṁḍa vyāptadēhāḥ bhasita himarucā bhāsamānā bhujaṁgaiḥ
kaṁṭhē kālāḥ kapardāḥ kalita śaśikalāścaṁḍa kōdaṁḍa hastāḥ ||
tryakṣā rudrākṣamālāḥ salalitavapuṣāśśāṁbhavā mūrtibhēdāḥ
rudrāḥ śrīrudrasūkta prakaṭita vibhavāḥ naḥ prayacchaṁtu saukhyam ||
ōṁ ga̲ṇānā̀ṁ tvā ga̲ṇapátigṁ havāmahē
ka̲viṁ kávī̲nāmúpa̲maśrávastamam |
jyē̲ṣṭha̲rāja̲ṁ brahmáṇāṁ brahmaṇaspata̲
ā náḥ śr̥̲ṇvannū̲tibhíssīda̲ sādánam ||
mahāgaṇapatayē̲ namaḥ ||
ōṁ śaṁ cá mē̲ mayáśca mē pri̲yaṁ cá mē:’nukā̲maścá mē̲ kāmáśca mē saumana̲saścá mē bha̲draṁ cá mē̲ śrēyáśca mē̲ vasyáśca mē̲ yaśáśca mē̲ bhagáśca mē̲ dravíṇaṁ ca mē ya̲ntā ca mē dha̲rtā cá mē̲ kṣēmáśca mē̲ dhr̥tíśca mē̲ viśváṁ ca mē̲ maháśca mē sa̲ṁviccá mē̲ jñātráṁ ca mē̲ sūścá mē pra̲sūścá mē̲ sīráṁ ca mē la̲yaścá ma r̥̲taṁ cá mē̲:’mr̥táṁ ca mē:’ya̲kṣmaṁ ca̲ mē:’nā́mayacca mē jī̲vātuśca mē dīrghāyu̲tvaṁ cá mē:’nami̲traṁ ca̲ mē:’bháyaṁ ca mē su̲gaṁ cá mē̲ śayánaṁ ca mē sū̲ṣā cá mē su̲dináṁ ca mē ||
ōṁ śānti̲ḥ śānti̲ḥ śāntíḥ ||
Ithi śrī rudram laghunyāsam ||
Recital of Shivopasana Mantra:
Chant Shivopasana Mantra for protection from evils.
Shivopasana Mantra Sanskrit (Dev Vaani) ॥ शिवोपासना मन्त्रः ॥
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि । तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात् ॥
ॐ नमः शिवाय शिवतराय च नमः करवीर निवासाय पञ्चवक्त्राय नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
ॐ नमः शिवाय शान्ताय कालकालाय नमोऽस्तु ते । ॐ नमः शिवाय सुर्याय मङ्गलाय नमोऽस्तु ते । ॐ नमः शिवाय शशिनेत्राय नमोऽस्तु ते । ॐ नमः शिवाय नीलकण्ठाय नमोऽस्तु ते ।
ॐ नमः शिवाय व्योमकेशाय नमोऽस्तु ते । ॐ नमः शिवाय सदाशिवाय नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
॥ इति शिवोपासना मन्त्रः ॥
Shivopasana Mantra English ॥ Shivopasana Mantra ॥
Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi । Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat ॥ Om Namah Shivaya Shivataraya Cha Namah Karaveera Nivasaya Panchavaktraya Namo’stu Te ॥
Om Namah Shivaya Shantaya Kalakalaya Namo’stu Te । Om Namah Shivaya Suryaya Mangalaya Namo’stu Te । Om Namah Shivaya Shashinetraaya Namo’stu Te । Om Namah Shivaya Neelakanthaya Namo’stu Te । Om Namah Shivaya Vyomakeshaya Namo’stu Te । Om Namah Shivaya Sadasivaya Namo’stu Te ॥
॥ Iti Shivopasana Mantra ॥
Recital of 108 Names of Lord Shiva:
Recite the 108 names of Lord Shiva (Ashtottara Shatanamavali). Here is the list of 108 Names of Lord Shiva in both English and Sanskrit, correctly numbered:
- Aashutosh – आशुतोष
- Adiguru – आदिगुरु
- Adinath – आदिनाथ
- Adiyogi – आदियोगी
- Aja – अज
- Akshayaguna – अक्षयगुण
- Anagha – अनघा
- Anant Drishti – अनंतदृष्टि
- Augadh – औगध
- Avyaya Prabhu – अव्यय प्रभु
- Bhairav – भैरव
- Bhalanetra – भालनेत्र
- Bholenath – भोलेनाथ
- Bhooteshwara – भूतेश्वर
- Bhudeva – भूदेव
- Bhutapala – भूतपाल
- Chandrapal – चंद्रपाल
- Chandraprakash – चंद्रप्रकाश
- Dayalu – दयालु
- Devadi Deva – देवादि देव
- Dhanadeepa – धनदीप
- Dnyandeep – ज्ञानदीप
- Dhyutidhara – ध्युतिधर
- Digambara – दिगंबर
- Durjaneeya – दुर्जनीय
- Durjaya – दुर्जय
- Gangadhara – गंगाधर
- Girijapati – गिरिजापति
- Gunagrahin – गुणाग्रहीण
- Gurudeva – गुरुदेव
- Hara – हर
- Jagadisha – जगदीश
- Jaradhishamana – जराधिशमन
- Jatin – जटिन
- Kailashadhipati – कैलाशाधिपति
- Kailashnath – कैलाशनाथ
- Kamalakshana – कमलाक्षण
- Kantha – कण्ठ
- Kapalin – कपालिन्
- Kedarnath – केदारनाथ
- Kochadaiyaan – कोचदैयान्
- Kundalin – कुण्डलिन्
- Lalataksha – ललाटाक्ष
- Lingadhyaksha – लिङ्गाध्यक्ष
- Lokankara – लोकांकार
- Lokapal – लोकपाल
- Mahabuddhi – महाबुद्धि
- Mahadeva – महादेव
- Mahakala – महाकाल
- Mahamaya – महामाया
- Mahamrityunjaya – महामृत्युंजय
- Mahanidhi – महानिधि
- Mahashaktimaya – महाशक्तिमय
- Mahayogi – महायोगी
- Mahesha – महेश
- Maheshwara – महेश्वर
- Nagabhushana – नागभूषण
- Nataraja – नटराज
- Nilakantha – नीलकण्ठ
- Nityasundara – नित्यसुन्दर
- Nrityapriya – नृत्यप्रिय
- Omkara – ॐकार
- Palanhaar – पालनहार
- Panchatsaran – पञ्चात्सरण
- Parameshwara – परमेश्वर
- Paramjyoti – परमज्योति
- Pashupati – पशुपति
- Pinakin – पिनाकिन्
- Pranava – प्रणव
- Priyabhakta – प्रियभक्त
- Priyadarshana – प्रियदर्शन
- Pushkara – पुष्कर
- Pushpalochana – पुष्पलोचन
- Ravilochana – रविलोचन
- Rudra – रुद्र
- Sadashiva – सदाशिव
- Sanatana – सनातन
- Sarvacharya – सर्वाचार्य
- Sarvashiva – सर्वशिव
- Sarvatapana – सर्वतापन
- Sarvayoni – सर्वयोनि
- Sarveshwara – सर्वेश्वर
- Shambho – शम्भो
- Shankara – शंकर
- Shantah – शान्तः
- Shoolin – शूलिन्
- Shreshtha – श्रेष्ठ
- Shrikantha – श्रीकण्ठ
- Shrutiprakasha – श्रुतिप्रकाश
- Skandaguru – स्कन्दगुरु
- Someshwara – सोमेश्वर
- Sukhada – सुखदा
- Swayambhu – स्वयम्भू
- Tejaswani – तेजस्विनी
- Trilochana – त्रिलोचन
- Trilokpati – त्रिलोकपति
- Tripurari – त्रिपुरारि
- Trishoolin – त्रिशूलिन्
- Umapati – उमापति
- Vachaspati – वाचस्पति
- Vajrahasta – वज्रहस्त
- Varada – वरद
- Vedakarta – वेदकर्ता
- Veerabhadra – वीरभद्र
- Vishalaksha – विशालाक्ष
- Vishveshwara – विश्वेश्वर
- Vishwanath – विश्वनाथ
- Vrishavahana – वृषवाहन
These names signify various aspects and qualities of Lord Shiva, reflecting his multifaceted nature and supreme consciousness.
Recital of Sri Rudram: Recite Sri Rudram from the Yajur Veda, which purifies the atmosphere and cleanses sins.
Performing Rudrabhishek with devotion and accuracy can bestow numerous blessings and invoke the divine presence of Lord Shiva in your life.
Benefits of Rudrabhishek
- Spiritual Liberation: The ritual aids in attaining spiritual enlightenment and liberation (Moksha).
- Health and Longevity: Enhances physical and mental health, ensuring a long life.
- Prosperity and Wealth: Invokes blessings for prosperity and material abundance.
- Neutralizes Negative Vibrations: Removes negative energies and promotes positive vibrations in the environment. Reduces the ill effect of Shani Mahadasha, Rahu Mahadasha and Kaalsarpa Dosha or Mangal Dosha in Janamkunadli.
- Happiness and Peace: Bring peace, happiness, and harmony into the home.
- Fulfilment of Desires: Helps in the fulfilment of personal material desires and ambitions.
- Protection: Offers protection from evil forces and negative influences.
Conclusion
By following these steps and rules, you can properly conduct a Rudrabhishek at home, inviting the blessings of Lord Shiva for happiness, prosperity, and protection. Regular worship, especially during Mahashivratri, can significantly enhance your spiritual and material well-being.
Other Information
Things you should know before buying or Worshipping a Shivalingam :
The first reference to the worship of the Shivalingam in Hindu Puranic texts can be traced back to the Skanda Purana. In this text, there is a detailed narrative of how Lord Shiva manifested as a fiery pillar of light, which had neither beginning nor end. This event is known as the Jyotirlinga and is considered the earliest reference to the worship of the Shivalingam.
The story involves a dispute between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu over who was the supreme deity. To resolve the conflict, Shiva appeared as an infinite pillar of light (Lingam) and challenged them to find its beginning or end. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could do so, and they acknowledged Shiva’s supremacy. This event marked the significance of the Shivalingam as a symbol of Lord Shiva’s infinite and formless nature.
This narrative, along with the ritualistic worship associated with the Shivalingam, laid the foundation for its widespread reverence in Hinduism. The Skanda Purana and other Puranic texts like the Linga Purana and Shiva Purana further elaborate on the significance and rituals related to Shivalingam worship.
The worship of the Shivalingam is ancient and widespread across different parts of India. The exact age of Shivalingam worship varies by region, but it is generally believed to be several thousand years old. Here’s a brief overview of its antiquity in different parts of India:
1. Northern India
- Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500–1900 BCE): The earliest archaeological evidence of Shivalingam worship dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Some scholars suggest that certain stone artefacts found in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro resemble the Shivalingam, indicating that worship may have existed even before the Vedic period.
- Vedic Period (c. 1500–500 BCE): The Vedas, particularly the Atharva Veda, contain hymns that hint at the worship of Shiva in a rudimentary form, though not explicitly in the form of a Lingam. The Shivalingam became more defined and prominent in the later Vedic period and Upanishadic texts.
2. Southern India
- Sangam Period (c. 300 BCE–300 CE): In Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India, the Shivalingam has been a central object of worship since the Sangam period. Ancient Tamil texts, like the Sangam literature, mention the worship of Shiva in the form of a Lingam.
- Pallava and Chola Dynasties (c. 600–1300 CE): The Pallava and Chola dynasties built grand temples dedicated to Shiva, with Shivalingams as the primary deity. The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, built by the Chola king Rajaraja Chola I, houses one of the largest Shivalingams in India.
3. Western India
- Gupta Period (c. 4th–6th Century CE): In Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, the worship of the Shivalingam was prominent during the Gupta period. The temples at Ujjain and Somnath, which are among the 12 Jyotirlingas, have been centres of Shivalingam worship for over 1,500 years.
- Ellora Caves (c. 600–1000 CE): The rock-cut temples at Ellora, especially the Kailasa temple, demonstrate the importance of Shivalingam worship in this region. The temple, carved from a single rock, is a testament to the deep devotion to Lord Shiva.
4. Eastern India
- Pala Dynasty (c. 8th–12th Century CE): In Bengal and Bihar, the Shivalingam worship was well-established during the Pala dynasty. The Pala rulers were great patrons of Shaivism, and many temples dedicated to Shiva were constructed during their reign.
- Odisha (c. 6th–12th Century CE): Odisha is known for its ancient temples dedicated to Shiva, such as the Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, where Shivalingam worship has been practised since the 7th century CE.
5. Central India
- Ujjain (Ancient Period): The Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, has been a major centre for Shivalingam worship since ancient times. The tradition of worshipping the Shivalingam at this site dates back over more than 2,000 years.
- Khajuraho (c. 950–1050 CE): The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho, built by the Chandela dynasty, is another example of the longstanding tradition of Shivalingam worship in central India.
6. Northeastern India
- Kamarupa (Assam, c. 8th Century CE): The Kamakhya temple, primarily dedicated to the goddess, also has a shrine with a Shivalingam. Shaivism in this region has a history dating back over a millennium.
Conclusion
The worship of the Shivalingam is deeply rooted in various parts of India, with origins that likely predate recorded history. The practice evolved over thousands of years, with regional variations and influences, making it one of the most enduring and widely practised forms of worship in Hinduism. The spread of Shivalingam worship across India highlights its significance and the deep reverence for Shiva as a formless and all-encompassing divine power.
Things you should know before buying or wearing a Rudraksha :
- First, ensure the Rudraksha bead you purchase is authentic Nepali Rudraksha and genuine. There are artificially altered beads in the market, so it is crucial to acquire them from a reputable and trusted source. We source Nepali Rudraksha directly from Nepal and each and every bead is selected by our Founders by visiting the markets and farms in Nepal in limited quantity but the best quality. You are advised to check the pictures on our website and videos on our YouTube / Facebook / Instagram Channels to learn about the shape, size and quality of authentic Nepali Rudrakshas. To have better quality you can also attend our online workshop “Verifying Nepali Rudrakshas” which we plan to run as an awareness campaign globally.
- Authentic Nepali Rudraksha beads have well-defined Mukhis (lines or divisions occurred naturally) and natural textures on the surface, try and only wear Nepali Himalayan Rudraksha as Indonesian or Indian falls under the bhadraksha category and have very little energy compared to an original Nepali Himalayan Rudraksha.
- Nepali Rudraksha bead’s quality and price are determined by factors such as shape, size, clarity and surface texture and hence the price can vary from small to very high falling in the collectors category. Be sure to choose a bead that meets your requirements and expectations in terms of appearance and quality it should be unpolished and no harsh chemicals should be used on them, the beads with rich red and brown textures are of very high value compared to white or black beads. Irrespective of the size and price an Authentic Nepali Rudraksha has similar magic and charm, however, a larger fully developed bead “Pathri Dana” would have more energy always. A much whiter bead could be Indonesian, not Nepali.
- Different Mukhis (lines or divisions that occurred naturally) Nepali Rudraksha beads are believed to have specific spiritual benefits and energies associated with them. Before wearing a Rudraksha bead, it is recommended to energise and purify it. This can be done through certain rituals such as chanting mantras or performing specific prayers. Seek guidance from our acharya/panel of astrologers by booking a consultation with them.
- Nepali Rudraksha beads are organic material and pure high-quality seeds out of a natural wooden rudraksha tree found only in the deepest valley region of Nepal and require proper care to maintain their integrity. Rudraksha found in India are known as bhadraksha (as they do not have any natural holes in rudraksha, this is one of the main differences) and in Indonesia also we see a huge variety of rudraksha which are very popular in the market due to very low price and abundant supply, however, we don’t recommend using these except for a chanting or Jaap mala. Nepali Rudraksha is large beads and are considered the most sacred, and most powerful for spiritual growth and practice due to their very very high source of energy and protection.
- Avoid exposing them to excessive heat, chemicals or rough handling. Every three months clean the beads with fresh cold water and wipe them gently with a soft cloth to keep them clean and soak them in mustard oil for a few days to strengthen the rudraksha beads and their chambers to have a longer life. Do not worry about wear and tear on the outer shell as it is the seed which has seeds inside which is the primary source of energy, which is cosmic and divine.
- To verify that you are looking at a natural Nepali rudraksha see the holes on the rudraksha they should be natural (they would be exactly curved as it’s clefts), if they are 100% round or in the circle (big hole) it could be an Indian/Indonesian bhadraksha (in which a hole is drilled from a machine) or a wooden carved fake rudraksha. Touch and feel and compare the structure from the images given on our website or videos shared on our YouTube channel, you can share a picture of the same before buying we can tell you if you are buying a genuine Rudraksha or a fake one. We do not charge any fees for verifying a rudraksha if a request is made on WhatsApp, please avoid calling on the given number a message is sufficient and will be replied to within working hours from Mon to Friday from 9:00 AM till 6:30 PM only.
- We are not against Indian bhadraksha / Indonesian rudrakshas, in fact for jaap malas we sell Indonesian rudrakshas only due to their small size and availability in abundance and pricing which is less. Also, in rare cases, we also recommend 2 (Do/Two) Mukhi big seeds Indonesian rudrakshas if you have to wear them normally or as a kantha in a mala due to their abundance and lower prices as listed on our website, however, we don’t recommend them and Indian Moon Faced Ek Mukhi Rameswaram Bhadraksha in a Nepali Siddhamala it is against our ethics to do so as per shastra. However, you must have read this whole article which has derived from two decades of our own research and been transferred from our Ancestors, Vedas, Puranas and our Gurudevs / Sadhgurus with a collective experience of 100 – 200+ years, hence if you know a higher energy source Nepali rudraksha which is still available to you despite rarity, you can wait to attain one bead at a time based on your budget and get an experience and do not experiment with all sorts of available rudrakshas. Rest it is your personal choice to decide the best for yourself.
For more information do email or WhatsApp us with the information shared on our website.
