Monday fasting

Vow of Worship of Lord Shiva for Sixteen Mondays ~~OM~~

This is the story of the worship to be performed on sixteen consecutive Mondays.

One day Bhagawan Bhutanath, Lord Shiva, as the Lord of all Beings, went to tour the sansar (the world of objects and relationships) along with his beloved wife Parvati. They were traveling, seeing many different lands, when they came to the city of Amaravati. There they saw a great shining city, and they took shelter in one particular Shivaloya, a temple of Lord Shiva.

One day Parvati had a desire to play "chalsar", an Indian dice game. While Shiva and Parvati sat enjoying this game, a Brahmin pujari walked into the temple. Parvati stopped and asked the priest, "Who will win this game?"

Without hesitation or much thought the pujari immediately responded, "Shankarji. Shiva will win.".

 After a short time Parvati did in fact lose the dice game and she became very angry. She thought that it was because of the Brahmin's prediction that she had lost the game. Shiva advised Parvati to remain calm and to control her anger, but Parvati would not be easily appeased. Her anger grew into a great rage and she cursed the Brahmin who had said she would lose the game. Parvati cursed the Brahmin that he would suffer from leprosy.

The Brahmin priest was immediately attacked by the disease, and he became very sad and was filled with great pain from the leprosy that developed. Many days passed and the priest suffered a great deal. He thought, "For what karma have I received such a curse from the Divine Mother? What will I ever be able to do to get her grace once again?" In this way his mind was extremely agitated, and his body pained.

 One day that Brahmin priest went into the Shiva temple, where he saw a most beautiful heavenly nymph. This beautiful and shining angelic lady was an Apsara, a celestial maiden who serves the Gods. Standing before the pain stricken priest, she gave him the following instructions: "With all of your energy and devotion to the greatest extent of your capacity, perform the vow of Shiva's worship on sixteen consecutive Mondays. All of the pain and suffering that now afflict you will completely dissolve if you worship Lord Shiva with pure devotion."

The radiant Apsara then proceeded to tell the poor afflicted Brahmin exactly how to perform the puja. "In the early morning of each Monday you will bathe and wear a pure white cloth on your body. At the time of cooking you will take a pound of pure white wheat flour, mix with gur and ghee and fry. Offer this 'Churma' along with a ghee lamp, as well as gur, beetle nut, a sacred thread, sandal paste, some grains of rice and flowers. With these items especially, you will worship Lord Shiva. You will adorn the blessed Lord Shiva with three lines horizontally and with one mark in the center, and after this you may also take prasad just as you have offered to Shiva. Recite his mantras, sing His songs, perform the fire sacrifice, and other forms of worship for the Lord.

"Completing your worship to Lord Shiva in this way for sixteen Mondays, on the seventeenth Monday you will take ten pounds of pure wheat flour, mix with ghee and gur and fry. Offer this 'Churma' to the great Lord Shiva with all of your devotion and love. You may then partake of the prasad, sharing in the blessings of Lord Shiva. If you observe all that I have instructed, you will certainly be freed from all pain and suffering, and you will soon attain the highest graces and good fortune."

Finishing her discourse, the Apsara rose up and ascended into the heavens. The Brahmin was completely amazed by this vision, and with full faith, he observed the sankalpa of sixteen Mondays in every detail. Every Monday he wore a pure white cloth, and chanted the worship of Lord Shiva, offering the appropriate offerings. Following this vow, he was freed from his disease and sorrow. He became a well known, wealthy man and loved and respected by all of the people of the kingdom. He taught the worship of Lord Shiva to many people, and continued to inspire the people of his community to serve the Lord with truth and joy.

One day that Brahmin priest returned to the temple where Parvati had first cursed him. Parvati was amazed to se that the Brahmin was healed of his disease. When Parvati learned of the power of the vow of sixteen Mondays, she quickly went to her son Kartikeya to share with him this wonderful secret of the regular worship of Lord Shiva.

Kartikeya shared the secret of this worship with his friend. This friend had no wife and desiring to marry, he at once make the sankalpa, or spiritual promise, to observe the vow of sixteen weeks, praying for the blessing of a good marriage. After completing his vow of worship for sixteen Mondays, the man left his native land and traveled to another Kingdom. Arriving at this new land, he heard that the King had made a very strange public declaration. That King had promised his daughter's hand in marriage to the one who be chosen by his elephant. The King's elephant would place a garland of flowers around some man's neck, according to divine understanding, and that man would become the husband of the princess.

The traveler went to witness this betrothal ceremony, as he had never heard of such a curious way of fixing a marriage. The elephant looked at all the men assembled for the occasion, and then put the garland around his neck. The king happily gave his daughter in marriage, and the traveler became a member of the Royal household.

It was some years later, that the King's daughter found out that her husband had been chosen for the marriage after he had performed the vow of Lord Shiva's worship for sixteen Mondays for that purpose. She was eager to have a son, and decided to perform the vow of Lord Shiva's worship for sixteen Mondays in order to have a beautiful son who could become a king. The wife did this vow with such devotion and love that Shiva was pleased, and she gave birth to a wonderful son.

When the child grew up, he desired to become the king of a nation, and therefore, he also took the vow of Lord Shiva's worship for sixteen Mondays to become a good king. When his vow was complete, a messenger came from another King asking whether he might like to join with his daughter to become his wife. He was very happy when he heard of this proposal, and he immediately consented, and the King performed the marriage in a gay fashion. The King was delighted to have completed his responsibility to his daughter, and being an old man, he left his body just a short time following the marriage. The young man then inherited the throne.

Immediately after taking over the duties of the kingdom, the new King asked his wife to gather together all of the ingredients for Shiva's puja. But his wife passed this order to one of her servants, who prepared everything for the worship. While doing the puja, the King received a message which was as follows: " If the King would not leave that insolent wife, then his lineage would be finished."

Upon hearing this message, the King was extremely pained and filled with wonder. He asked the ministers what was the matter, and what should he do? The ministers advised him to leave the wife or he would face ruin. Because the wife had not obeyed the King's order to get ready his puja, but instead had asked her servant to do this, such a wife would only cause him problems. The King again asked the ministers what he should do, and they quickly told him, "Leave the Queen!"

The queen was very sorry when she was exiled from the palace. She wandered on her way, but no one would give her shelter. By this time her status was reduced to a beggar. Her cloth was torn and she had no shoes.

She tried to seek refuge with an old man, but she was chased away. Then she asked for help from an old servant who was washing dishes, but she was scared away. The queen had no place and was cold and frightened. A milk man took her to a nearby Shiva temple, where she told the priest her whole story. He had deep compassion for the poor woman, and he gave her refuge in his temple. But whatever the queen touched became ruined. Worms came into all of the food that she touched, and at this the priest was extremely pained.

Then he told the queen to appease Lord Shiva by observing the vow of sixteen Mondays. He explained to her the entire process, and with great faith and devotion the queen followed this advice of the priest.

On the seventeenth Monday, the King heard a divine voice telling him to search for his wife. Then he sent ambassadors to search everywhere for the exiled queen, and finally they came to the temple where she was residing. Learning the whereabouts of his beloved wife, the king immediately went to that temple to find her.

When the King learned how the queen had performed the vow of Shiva's worship for sixteen consecutive Mondays, then he was very happy, and he went to the temple priest to do him service and honor in thanks. The priest listened to the King's story, and blessed them both.

When the King and Queen returned to the capital all of the subjects of the kingdom welcomed them both with great love and devotion. Then the king gave the people many gifts, and always worked hard at their service. With the grace of Lord Shiva the King and Queen had beautiful children, enjoyed many years of comfort and happiness in their Kingdom, and ultimately went to the Shivaloka.

This is the story of the vow of Lord Shiva's Worship. Whoever will read it with devotion, or listen to it with one pointed attention, at the time of worship on Monday, will be blessed with health, wealth, the cessation of all disturbances, and the fulfillment of all desires. This is the promise of Lord Shiva. OM NAMAH SHIVAAYA.

Compiled by
Sakthi Sakthithasan

(Thanks . . . http://www.jyotirlinga.com/64---stories-of-lord-shiva.html)

The snake around Shiva's neck reinforces a sense of stillness

The mountains, snow and the snake around Lord Shiva's neck is a symbol representing his sense of calmness. Self-contained and content, Shiva is a symbol of calm and peace. 

Story of Lord Shiva - Shiva Lingam

Lord Shiva is so often represented as a "lingam". Linga basically means a sign or symbol. So the lingam is essentially a symbol of the shapeless universal consciousness of Lord Shiva. 

The story of Shiva Lingam:
There are a few versions according to the Puranas of why Shiva is worshiped as a lingam and how this happened, of which I will relate one. There was a great sacrificial ceremony that was going to take place many hundreds of years ago. The great sage Narada Muni was invited to it and asked who would receive the effects of the sacrifice. No one could answer, so the sages who were present asked him who should receive it. Narada said that Sri Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva were all eligible, but they would have to find out which one had the most patience and purity to be the receiver of the sacrifice. So he chose the great sage Brighu to learn the answer.

Brighu had many mystic powers and was able to travel to the domain of the demigods. So first he went to see Lord Brahma, but Brahma was preoccupied and did not notice Brighu’s presence. Feeling insulted, Brighu cursed Brahma, “You are so proud of your power of creation, you did not notice my arrival. For this you shall have no temples on earth.” Thus, there are very few temples of Brahma on earth. Next, Brighu went to see Shiva in Kailash, but Shiva also did not notice Brighu’s arrival. Brighu, again feeling offended, cursed Shiva to be worshiped only as a lingam on earth. This is the reason why Lord Shiva is primarily represented and worshiped as a lingam on this planet.  

 The Shiva-Lingam is a symbol of the Hindu deity Shiva as generative force of the universe. 

• “Shiva” also means that in which the creation lies dormant after the annihilation. So, one explanation is that the lingam is a representative of the dormant universal consciousness in which all created things rest after the cosmic annihilation.
• It also represents the pradhana, the potential but unmanifested ingredients of the material world.
• Another explanation is that Shiva means auspicious. So the linga is the shapeless symbol for the great god of auspiciousness. It is intended to bring the shapeless unknown into our attention.
• The yoni upon which the lingam often sits represents the manifest universal energy. From the unmanifest comes the manifest energy, through which all other things are created.
• The yoni, which is a symbol of Shakti, combined with the lingam, is a symbol of the eternal union of the paternal and maternal principles, or the positive and negative, or the static and dynamic energies of the Absolute Reality. It is the communion of the eternal consciousness and dynamic power of the Shakti, the source of all actions and changes.
• It is also the symbol for the creation of the universe through the combination of the active energy of Lord Shiva and his wife Shakti. This is how Lord Shiva and Durga are considered the parents of the universe.
• The symbolism of the lingam and yoni also represents the base of the spine, meaning the Muladhara chakra, upon which the kundalini (Kundalini) is resting, waiting for awakening.

Parts of a Linga:
The lingas in the temples are often formed in three parts.

1. The lowest part is the base square called the Brahmabhaga or Brahma-pitha, which represents the creator Brahma.
2. The next part in the middle is the octagonal Vishnubhaga or Vishnu-pitha, which signifies Lord Vishnu the sustainer. Both of these parts form the pedestal.
3. The top cylindrical portion is the Rudrabhaga or Shiva-pitha, which is also called the Pujabhaga since this is the worship-able part. The top portion is also meant to symbolize the projecting flame of fire. This flame also represents the destructive aspects as well as the preserving power of God.

There are twelve important shiva linga  temples scattered across India. They are found in Kedarnatha, Kashi Visvanatha, Somnatha, Baijnath, Ramesvare, Ghrisnesvar, Bhimasankar, Mahakala, Mallikarjuna, Amalesvar, Nagesvar, and Tryambakesvar. The five Pancha Bhuta Lingas in India are located at Kalahastisvar, Jambukesvar, Arunachalesvar, Ekambesvara at Kanchipuram, and Nataraja at Chidambaram. The temple of Lord Mahalinga at Tiruvidaimarudur (Madhyarjuna) is also a great temple in South India.

Composed by : Sakthi Sakthithasan

(Thank you - Quora for the content )

The Evolution of the Universe

The Evolution of the Universe

In the beginning, the Universe was covered with darkness, the universe was filled with darkness, the universe was only darkness. There were no sun,no moon ,no stars nor anything at that time. No little patch of fire, air, water, ether existed at that time. There was only emptiness. Emptiness everywhere. At that time 'sath' existed. Sath had no shape, no color, no personality. It was neither big nor small. Briefly, Sath is Satyam(the truth). It is the knowledge, happiness and other emotions.

The shapeless Brahma evolved according to the wishes. It turned into a Jyothirlingam. This Lingam was known as the Brahmandam(the Universe). This andam split and then began the inception of the nondestructive 'Virat Pursh'. He/she was the only thing existed at that time. He/she existed everywhere. He/she had many faces and eyes in every direction. He/she could see without eyes and hear without ears. It was impossible to see him/her in ull form.

This NirakaraRupa(formless) ParaBrahma, after many yugas, wished for something else. He/she wished for the evolution of millions from one. At that moment, he/she decided to be in a form by using his/her own powers. That idol was with all greatness, all knowledge and was a Godfigure for everyone. Parabrahma without a body-and that idol is Lord 'SadaSiva'.
At one time, Siva and ParaSakti became close as husband and wife. Being happy, they wished for something. To create someone to do the job of 'Creation'. With these thoughts Siva with Sakti applied Amritam on the ten organs of the left side of his own body. After sometime, from that part, born a person who is handsome of all three worlds and with the goodness of million suns.

That great man worn a crown of gold. The beauty of his body was challenging to all ruby and emeralds. Covered with jewelery and ornaments,he worn a robe made up of gold. He has strong hands and eyes resembling to lotus. He existed everywhere, therefore he came to be known as Vishnu.

At the time of creation, nature entered Vishnu. Greatness was made and pride evolved from it. Pride split into Emotions, Brilliance and Anger. From the anger, sky was evolved, from the sky air was evolved, from the air fire was evolved and from the fire water was evolved. Vishnu brought consciousness to the five elements. Vishnu's vigor was thrown out in water. This vigor is known to be the 'Life'.
From the pride brilliance evolved all senses and from pride emotions evolved ten emotional Devas and the eleventh sense the mind.

The Vigor which was thrown out by Vishnu evolved and became an andam. That andam gave the birth of BrahmaDev. Vishnu broke that andam into two. He made one part as Heaven and the other as Earth.

After that, Lord Vishnu meditated for a very long time. Because of the impact of the mediation, fountains were started to appear in different parts of his body.

That water filled the empty sky. At that time, being tired, Lord Vishnu fell asleep. He slept there for very long time, satisfied. Because of sleeping in water(Nara), Lord Vishnu got the name 'Narayan'.

At that time, there were no elements in nature except Narayan. While he was sleeping on water, a lotus began to grow from his navel. The lotus was full of beautiful petals and appeared as bright as the sun.

After that, Maheswar created BrahmaDev from the left side of his body. By the wishes of illusion BrahmaDev sat on the lotus which came from the navel of Lord Vishnu. BrahmaDev meditated and earned power. BrahmaDev, with his power continued the creation process and life began on the Universe.



Sakthi Sakthithasan


Thank you - http://sivapurana.blogspot.in/2009/05/evolution-of-universe.html

Rama Worshipping Shiva

Lord Vishnu incarnated as Sri Rama in the Treta Yuga. During his life in the jungle, Ravan, the Asura King who ruled Lanka kidnapped Sita- wife of Sri Rama. To get her back and free the people of Lanka from the demon king, Rama reached the seashore(India and Lanka is separated by the sea) with the Vanaras(Army of monkeys) under the leadership of Sugreeva. This place is now the city of Rameswaram in the state of Tamil Nadu in India.

“How can I cross the ocean? How can I defear Ravan?” SriRam thought.

Suddenly, he felt thirsty. The vanaras brought sweet water to Ram. He had a vision of Lord Shiva while he was drinking happily.
He put down the bowl of water and started doing Poojas for Lord Shiva. His stotras made Lord Shiva contented. He appeared before Ram.
SriRama spoke with devotion.

“The Ever Great Maheswara! You are my Master and I am your servant. I can succeed only by your blessings. Ravan is ruthless yet he is your devotee as well. He is undefeatable because of the boon you granted him. His ego and pride made him confident even to conquer the three worlds. I can never be successful defeating him without your help.”

SriRama bowed down to Shiva after saying this. “Jai Shankara! Jai Shiva!” he repeatedly prayed.
After being please, Lord Shiva said,
“Rama, you will be prosperous. I’m contented by your devotion.”

Rama replied,” Oh Lord! SadaSiva! Please give me the power to win over Ravan in the war at Lanka.”

“Let it be.  You will emerge victorious as you wish.” Lord Shiva blessed Rama.

“Lord! If you are satisfied with me, please stay here so that everyone else can pray to you on this sacred spot.”

As per the request of Rama, Shiva turned into a Lingam at that spot which now is the famous temple of Rameswarm.

The Rameswaram Temple is one of the Twelve Jyothirlingam Temples of India.

 

Sakthi Sakthithasan

 

Thank you ---- http://sivapurana.blogspot.in

Siva the great teacher

Lord Bramha's four children who were sanaka, sanandana, sanAtana, sanat kumAra who carried out a lot of analysis and meditation but were unclear 0f Supreme truth.
 

They were puzzled and thought how best to overcome their doubts and thought that going to Lord Siva will be the best solution.

They went to Lord Siva and requested him to give answers for their doubts. Lord Siva smiled and sat under a banyan tree.

The four sages sat under the tree in front of him. Lord Siva has not spoken a single word and sat in front of then in Yoga in a posture with his one folded on top of the other.

In amazement the four sages had all their doubts cleared as the explanation for their doubts were explained in the posture that Lord Siva took is the form of  Dhakshanamoorthy who is also known as the Gurubaghavan who is one the Navagrahas also known as Jupiter.

The leg pressing over a demon, on the top of which the Embodiment of merits is sitting with one leg folded, the one who teaches difficult words (vedas) with ease, the sages enjoying (the teachings, sitting) on ground, with the (hand) posture of explaining, a fire pot, book and akshamAla in the four hands, Who trembles away my ignorance, to That dakshiNAmUrti (salutations).

The day Thursdays are the day for the prayer for "Dhakshanamoorthy". Who will grant us wisdom to analyse and pick the righteous path of our life.

Sakthi Sakthithasan

Shiva , Vishnu and the Chakkra

Lord Vishnu visited a temple called Thiruveelamilali while Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathi was there. Lord vishnu loved the beauty of the temple and the fact that Lord Shiva and Parvathi were there

In his devotion to Lord Shiva lord Vishnu made a request to Lord Shiva that he wants to worship Lord Shiva and Parvathi in that Temple.

Lord Shiva as usual agreed for this request and changed himself to the form of a Lingha.

Lord Vishnu started his prayers every day he visits the garden around there and pick 1000 flowers with which he worships Lord Shiva.

One day he was short of a flower. He was so worried that he would not be able to full fill his duties in the Worship of lord Shiva he digs one of his eyes and offer that as the 1000th flower to Lord Shiva/

Overwhelmed by the devotion of Lord Vishnu , lord Shiva offers a boon to Vishnu. He amalgamates all his powers together and instill them in a small wheel called Chakkra. And presents this to Lord Vishnu and requests him to protect the world by getting rid of evils with the help of this powerful wheel.

This is one of the weapons that Lord Vishnu carries in his one of the four hands all the time/ He also uses this wheel to get reed of the bad people who provoke evil deeds on the world.

The bond between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu is very strong they admire one another and worship one another. It is also said they both but one and is separated in different forms for the purpose of protecting the world.

Once when Lord Shiva was asked who he pray to while he meditates he smiles and says that he pray to Lord Narayana. On the same way when Lord Vishnu was asked who prays while he meditates his answer was Lord Shiva.

what we see in the form of gods are in fact our inner sense. It is very difficult for average person to look within him/herself to realise god resides within them. Hence several forms of gods were introduced explaining the different functions of a person and the purpose of living.

Sakthi Sakthithasan