TRAYODASHI PRADOSHAM PUJA TO LORD SHIVA Wednesday, October 28 (IST)
Pradosham is an auspicious three hour period, one and a half hours before and after the sunset (one muhurtham), and is celebrated bi-monthly on the 13th day of every fortnight. ‘Pradosham’ literally means ‘removal of sins’ and hence, during this time period Lord Shiva grants you the opportunity to remove your karma or karmic energies that limit your potential in your current life.
This Muhurtham comes every day, however, the Pradosham time on Trayadoshi day is considered very auspicious. The time between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM is usually observed as Pradosham. The smaller energy level Pradosham occurs every day during this time period. Middle energy level Pradosham occurs twice a month on the 13th day after a New Moon and a Full Moon. Larger energy level Pradosham occurs when one of the 13th moon days falls on a Saturday.
Benefits of Performing Pradosham Puja? - Liberate you from karmic effects and sins
- Fulfill your wishes
- Act as a physical and mental cleansing system
- Spiritual growth and prosperity
- Help attain moksha or salvation
The Significance of Pradosham Puja
The importance of Pradosham puja is related to Ksheera-sagara madhanam or the churning of the milky ocean. Once, the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) started to churn the milky ocean to obtain the immortal nectar or Amrutha. During the churning process there were severe movements in opposite directions, which caused the divine snake to suffer extreme abrasions and spat out a deadly venom poison named Halahala which destroyed whatever was present nearby. Seeing the destruction caused by halahala the devas and asuras panicked and ran to the Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva for help.
Looking at the plight and prayers of mercy by the devas and asuras, Lord Shiva ordered Sundara, one of his attendants to bring the halahala to Him and gave him all the powers to do so. Sundara with the powers obtained, rolled all the dark poison into a small ball that looked similar to the Jamun fruit and took it to Lord Shiva. This is the reason why Sundara is usually called as Halahalasundara.
The poisonous ball was so powerful that it burnt down everything near it. Unable to bear its immense heat, the devas and asuras fled away. Nandi (Vrushabha deva), the bull of Lord Shiva took pity on the devas and protected them by giving them shelter under his tongue by stretching it out.
Lord Shiva then swallowed the halahala to protect all the worlds. Goddess Parvati, his consort was afraid that it might kill Lord Shiva, held his throat to prevent the poison from reaching his stomach and due to this action Lord Shiva’s throat became blue colored. Hence the name Neelakantha- the one with blue throat.
With immense gratitude, the devas started offering their prayers to the Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva pointed out that the one who protected them at first was his mount, Nandi so the devas were asked to offer the same prayers to him as well. Nandi thanked Lord Shiva for showing His mercy on him. Then all the gods and other beings started worshiping Lord Shiva and Nandi deva at the same time.
The swallowing of the halahala poison by Lord Shiva and thereby protecting the devas happened on a Trayodasi day (13th Moon Phase) just before the time of sunset and specifically on a Saturday. That is why pradosham became very important and it is the reason behind the worship of Lord Shiva and Nandi at the same time. Hence, prodasham is considered more auspicious especially on Trayodashi and also on Saturdays
Lord Shiva is also said to have performed a dance (tandavam) by standing in between Nandi's horns and gave his blessings to all the beings. Pleased by this heavenly sight of Lord Shiva all the gods praised the Lord for his merciful nature; Goddess Saraswati played the Veena, Lord Indra played the flute, Lord Vishnu played the mridangam, Goddess Lakshmi sang and Lord Brahma played the cymbals. Lord Shiva also gave a boon that whoever worships Him along with Nandi during the pradosham time, will get their wishes fulfilled.
At Manidweepa, Amma's remote forest ashram in South India, Her Holiness and the Vedic Priests will be performing 11 Abishekams to Lord Shiva, Rudram chanting and performing powerful Bilva patra pujas.
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