Lord Shiva is considered to be born as benefactor and destroyer. Primary amongst the many form (Avtar)s of Lord Shiva is his Rudra form (Avtar). Worshipping Lord Shiva in this form (Avtar) is known as Rudrabhishek. Many vedic scriptures hail this as one of the greatest poojas. It is believed that Lord Rama performed this Pooja in Rameshwaram before departing for Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana.
What is Rudrabhishek?
Rudrabhishek means,Ritual bath (Abhishek) of the Shiva Lingam. Shiva Lingam is very important as it denotes Lord Shiva. It makes Lord Shiva happy as he is the most innocent and sacrificing God and he is a giver of love, marriage, happiness, prosperity,power, and enlightenment. Rudrabhishek Yagya is the most important, biggest and popular ceremony to please Lord Shiva.
Benefits of Rudrabhishek Puja
The Rudrabhishek Puja is done primarily for
- Success in education, job and career
- Harmonious relationships
- Elimination of financial troubles
- Removal of doshas
- Bringing peace and harmony in our abodes
- Elimination of health related issues
- Blessing a person with a healthy mind and positive spirit
Generally sacred items are used in performing this shiv puja i.e. Cow milk, curd made by cow milk, ghee made by cow milk, honey, sugar-cane juice, different types of cereals, rice,wheat, black til, oils of different kinds, water from different sources etc. as per the need of devotee.
With this bel patra, flowers of aak also used to perform this puja.
- Primarily, this Puja comprises of doing the Abhishek of the Shiv Linga using 11 ingredients. The ingredients include unboiled milk, water, Gangajal, coconut water and Panchamrit. Other Samagri for Rudrabhishek Puja include Ghee/Oil Diyas, Dhoop, Agarbatti, Karpur, Akshata, Belpatra, Supari, Coconuts, flowers and sweets. These ingredients are offered with a lot of love and gratitude. While doing so people chant the 108 names of Lord Shiva.
- The Shiva Linga has to be placed in the correct direction after which the Karta i.e. the primary worshipper has to ideally smear ash (Bhasm).
- After this he should wear a Rudraksh mala. One by one all the ingredients should be offered to the Linga.
- The karta then has to offer coconuts, fruits, flowers, sweets and belpatra to the Lord.
- Incense sticks and Dhoop should be lighted to fill the room with a divine fragrance.
- The flame of the diyas helps brighten the room. While chanting the 108 names, the camphor should be burnt to cleanse the air and bring in the divinity in the aura around.
It can be performed in front of an established Shiva Linga in a temple or at the home. The Linga should be placed in a manner so thatits Yoni faces North and the performer of the ritual should look East. Performer should sit on an Asana of Kusha, which helps him/her,meditate in the most proper manner.