The month of “Shravan” and “Shiva Abhishek”
(July 27 - August 25, 2014)
Mondays – July 28, August 4, August 11, August 18 and August 25
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Puja Fees: $51
(Puja Performed by Panditji Brijesh)
The month of Shravan - also known as Sawan Mas - (July 27, 2014 to August 25, 2014) is considered the holiest month of the year. It is the first and most auspicious month of Chatur Mas, the four holiest months in the Hindu Calendar.
The month of Shravan derives its name from the star “Shravan” that rules the sky on Purnima, or full moon day during this month. Each day of Shravan is regarded as very pious and special prayers and rituals are performed at Lord Shiva Temples. Mondays of the Shravan month are specially observed with austerity and are sacred to Lord Shiva. Each day of the week has its own importance and rituals:
Monday: Lord Shiva worship
Tuesday: Gauri (Lord Shiva’s wife) is worshipped by women for the good health of their families
Wednesday: Dedicated to Vittala, a form of Lord Vishnu
Thursday: Worship Buddh and Guru
Friday: Worship Lakshmi and Tulsi
Saturday: is dedicated to Saturn (Shani). It is also known as Shravan Saturdays, with the object of obtaining wealth and blessings. These days are known as Sampat Sanivara (wealth Saturdays)
Sundays: Worship ‘Surya’ (Sun God) and is especially important during Shravan
Shravan has special importance as it ushers in a host of auspicious days and festivals like:
- Naga-Panchami, Kalkyavatara, Putradaikadashi, Hindola, Narali Purnima, Shravani Purnima, Pavitraropana, Raksha Bandhan, Vara Lakshmi Vrata, Rishi Panchami, Govatsa and Bahula, Sitala Saptami, Janmashtami and Ajaikadasi
The History of Shravan:
The legend says that when the churning of the oceans –Samudra Mantham- took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of Rubies came out:
- Lakshmi Goddess of Fortune and Wealth or Vishnu’s consort
- Kaustabha Most valuable gem in the world
- Parijat Divine Flowering Tree with blossoms that never fade or wilt
- Varuni Goddess and creator of alcohol
- Dhanvantari Doctor
- Chandra Moon
- Kamadhenu Wish-Granting Divine Cow
- Kalpavriksha Wish-Granting Tree
- Airavata Elephant of Indra
- Uchhaishravas Celestial seven-headed horse
- Sranga Bow of Vishnu
- Shanka Vishnu’s conch
- Amrita Nectar of immortality
- Halahal Pot of poison
Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the demons, except for Halahal (poison). Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat, hence the name Neelakanta (blue throat) is attributed to Lord Shiva. To reduce the strong effect of the poison, Lord Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. All the Gods thereafter started offering the Ganges water for Lord Shiva to lessen the effect of the poison. Since this happened in the month of Shravan, devotees offer the Ganges water during this month.
Lord Shiva in Samudra Manthan is a symbol of the ascetic. As Shiva consumes the poison, a person should be able to deal with the early problems of spiritual life by cultivating the qualities of Lord Shiva such as: bravery, initiative, eagerness, obedience, simplicity, austerity, aloofness, sympathy, true love and asceticism.
The 14 treasures that appeared after the churning of the ocean are a sign for the Siddhis, the psychic or spiritual powers which one gains as one progresses piously from stage to stage. The seeker of spiritual power must be cautious about the powers as they can obstruct his or her progress unless the person uses them sensibly. This power must be utilized for the benefit and safety of other people and should not be used for selfish gains. For that reason, both, the Gods and the demons distributed all the objects as they did not want to lose sight of their original aim: the gain of immortality.
For Shiva devotees, the Shravan month is a month of fasting, worshipping, praying and performing Abhishek to gain peace, health, happiness as well as awareness of one’s self.
During the month of Shravan, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual of Abhishek with 11 different worship materials:
- Milk - Happiness for Children
- Curd - Peace of mind
- Ghee - Liberation from sin
- Honey - Money
- Sugar - Achievement
- Grass - Health
- Coconut Water - Ancestry growth
- Grains of Water - Prosperity
- Jagggery Water - Academic
- Barley Water - Solution to the torment (Dukh)
- Ganga Jal - Moksha
There are 1000 names of Lord Shiva. One of them is Om Grahadhipataye namah. Navagrahas are the nine heavenly bodies that have the power to influence life on earth. These heavenly bodies are also referred to as planets and Lord Shiva is the head of all planets. Therefore the months of Shravan with its worship of Lord Shiva has special importance in regards to Navagrahas , the nine influences over the lives of human beings.
Shravan leads an individual soul to the realization of the absolute. It will lead the Jiva (individual soul) established in the blessed form of Siva. Om Namah Sivaya.
In Shrimad Bhagavata , the God Vyasaji says "Vidya kamastu girisam yajet". That means that LordShiva's devotion will be to the students who seek great knowledge – vidya.
Puja Sponsorship:
Devotees wishing to sponsor Shiva Abhishekam, Please contact Panditji Brijesh at 480-3892
Puja Fees: $51
Items to bring: Milk (half and half OR fresh cow milk), Fruits (Oranges) and Flowers
Non Profit 501 C Organization Tax Id Number: 88-0324493
Website Powered by BannerOS. Your Business Energized!