Rudra Abhishek procedure

WHAT IS RUDRABHISHEK PUJA? (MEANING)

Rudra Abhishek at Rudra Centre

Book Rudra Abhishek at Trimbakeshwar Temple

Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of the Shivling ( Shiva Lingam ),  which is found in temples and at home in puja altars. Revered by devotees all over the world, Lord Shiva has many names and Rudra is one of them. The Rudra manifestation of Lord Shiva is fierce and that of the destroyer. Worshipping Him is done by performing Abhishekham and is the way of worshipping which is the favourite of the Lord. Rudra Abhishek meaning is the holy bath of the Shivling which is done with offerings of a sacred mixture of liquids like Milk, Gangajal (water of River Ganga), Honey, Curd (Yogurt), Sugarcane juice, Sandalwood paste, Belpatra or Bilva Patra (Wood Apple tree leaves), Aromatic Oils, Flowers (Dhatura, Akand/Rui) etc. Chanting of Mantras and hymns is an integral part of performing the Shiv Rudrabhishek. Abishekam to Rudra is regarded as incredibly significant by Hindus. Positive energy permeates the vibrations produced during this puja.

Items that are to be avoided strictly during Rudrabhishek are Haldi, Kumkum, Tulsi leaves, Coconut water and Kewda/Champa (white flowers).

Significance of Rudrabhishek

Lord Shiva is extremely benevolent, even in His Rudra rupa. Following the ritualistic Rudrabhishek puja procedure as specified in the ancient Hindu texts and performing Rudra Abhishek with a pure heart and good intention brings blessings of Lord Shiva in all aspects of life including washing away of sins, liberation from past Karmas and spiritual growth. The Rudrabishek puja removes all negative energies from life.

RUDRABHISHEK PUJA PROCEDURE/ RUDRA ABHISHEK PUJA PROCEDURE

The Vedic puja rituals use all five elements in the worshipping of God. For performing Rudra Abhishek at home, follow the step-by-step Rudra Abhishek puja procedure given below.

Ingredients Needed for Rudrabhishek Puja

• Abhisheka liquids - Water mixed with Gangajal and Gulab Jal (Rosewater), unboiled Cow's Milk, Sugarcane juice/ Fruit juices
• Panchamrit which is mix of Cow's milk (unboiled), Curd (Yoghurt), Honey (Shahad), Sugar and Ghee (clarified butter)
• Water mixed with Ganges water in an Achamani pot with Kusha grass for sprinkling and a spoon
• Dhoop, Incense sticks, Camphor, Ghee lamp
• Sandal paste, aromatic oils, and perfume for offering
• Unbroken rice grains (Akshat)
• Offerings - Sweets, Clothes, Flowers, Fruits, Bel Patra (Wood Apple tree leaves), Dhatura, Paan( Betel leaves ), Betel Nut, Bel fruit , Coconut

The Procedure of Rudrabhishek

Given below is a step-by-step guide to help devotees to Rudra Abhishek at home. The Rudrabhishek Mantra needs to be chanted with care. Then the Rudra Abhishek procedure should be followed in detail to get the maximum Shiv Rudrabhishek benefits.

Place Lingam so that Yoni faces North and you face the West face of the Lingam and look towards East. You need to sit on an Asan of Wool/ Kusha.

• Smearing ash (Bhasma):
  The devotee worshipping Lord Shiva should smear holy ash on his forehead in three horizontal stripes - Tripundra. The stripes symbolize Absolute Knowledge, Purity and Penance (Yogasadhana).
• Wearing Rudraksha:
  The devotee should wear Rudraksha beads mala while worshipping Lord Shiva. So it aids in absorbing the powerful vibrations, propelled by the frequencies of worship. This can transform our thought process, help to come into alignment with the Divine and help in attaining the intention of the worship. Rudraksha's high vibrations balance Chakras helping one elevate to higher consciousness
• Water should be sprinkled over all items of Puja chanting and over yourself:

'Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarva Vastan Gatopi Va
Yah Smaret Pundari Kaksham Sa Bahya Bhyantarah Shuchi'

Translation: May all things unholy become holy, may all lower tendencies depart, just as soon as we transcend may within and without be purified!

• Light Ghee Lamp
  Remember Guru, Ganesh, Deity and Parents:

Om Gurubhyo Namaha;
Om Ganeshaya Namaha;
Om Kula Devatabhyo Namaha;
Om Ishta Devatabhyo Namaha;
Om Mata Pitribhyam Namaha'

Translation: I bow to guru, I bow to Ganesha, I bow to the family deity, I bow to my personal deity, I bow to my parents

Rudra Abhishek Procedure

Achamani:

Place water on right hand with spoon of Achamani and sip after each of these 3 mantras

'Om Keshavaya Namaha
Om Narayana Namaha
Om Madhavaya Namaha'

Place water on right hand and pour on ground:

'Om Govindaya Namaha'

Do three short rounds of pranayama breaths.

'Om Pranavasya Parabrahma Rishihi Paramatma Devata
Daivi Gayatri Chandaha
Pranayamae Viniyogaha'

RUDRABHISHEK

• Bath the lingam with water and then offer all Abhishekam liquids one by one. All this while chanting “Om Namah Shivaye”.
• Water mixed with Gangajal and Gulab Jal (Rose water)
• Unboiled milk
• Sugarcane juice/ Fruit juices
• Panchamrit
• Wipe the Shivling/Shiva Lingam with a clean cloth and place it on Pedestal.
• Now chant the Sadyojaat mantra

'Om Sadyojaatam Prapadyaami Sadyojataajava Namo Namaha
Bhave Bhavenaati Bhave Bhavasvamaam Bhavodbhavay Namaha'

• Offer Sandal Paste making a Tripunda on His Western Face with Vamdev mantra

'Om Vamdevaya Namah, Jyeshthaay Namah, Shreshthay Namah, Rudraay Namah, Kaalay Namah, Kala Vikarannaay Namah, Bal Vikaranaay Namah, Balaay Namah Bala Pramathanaay Namah, Sarva Bhoot Damanaay Namah, Manomanaay Namah.'

• Offer dhoop and incense:

'Om Aghorebhyo Ghorebhyo Ghor Ghor Tarebhayaha
Sarvebhya Sarva Sharvvebhyo Namaste Astu Rudra Roopebhyaha'

• Offer flowers:

'Om Tatpurushaaya Vidmahe Mahadevaay Dheemahi
Tanno Rudraha Prachodayaat'

Rudra Abhishek Procedure

• Chant Eeeshan mantra:

Om Eeshaanah Sarvavidyaanam Eeshwar Sarvabhootaanaam
Brahmaadipati Brahmanaadhipati Brahma Shivome Astu Sadaa Shivom

• Invocation - Avahanam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Seat - Asanam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Clothes - Vastram Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Sandalwood or scent - Chandanam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Unbroken Rice - Akshatan Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Flower, Bael Patra, Dhatura - Pushpam, Belpatram Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Dhoop - Dhupam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Ghee lamp- Deepam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Water drink - Achamaniyam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Fruit, Sweets, Bael fruit - Naivedyam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Water Drink - Achamaniyam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Betel nut , Paan - Tambulam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Coconut - Shri Phalam Samarpayami Sri Shiva Maha Devaya Charana Kamalebhyo Namaha
• Burn Camphor

'Karpura Shivam Karuna Vataram Samsara Saram Bhujagendraharam
Sada Vasantam Hridaya Ravinde Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami'

Translation: White as camphor and kindness incarnate, the very form of Brahman consciousness, you Shiva ever dwell in my heart. I bow to you

• Chant Gayatri mantra 3 times

'Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha
Om Tat Savitur Varenyum Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yonaha Prachodayat'

• Chant Surya mantra 3 times

'Om Bhu Om Bhuvaha Om Swaha Om Maha Om Janaha Om Tapaha Om Satyam'

Repeat and touch each after each mantra, right eye, left eye, forehead

'Om Apo Jyothi
Raso Amtritam
Brahma Bhu Bhuvaha Swarom'

• Chant Mahamrityunjaya mantra 108 times with Rudraksha mala.

'Om Haum Joom Sah ,Om Bhur Bhuvaha Swaha
Om Triambakam Yajamahey,Sungandhim Pushti Vardanam
Urvar Ukamiva Bandhanan, Mrityor Muksheeya Mamritat
Om Swaha Bhuvaha Bhu Om Sah Joom Haum Om'

• Bow or supplicate, then chant this last prayer :

'Om Purnamada purnamidam purnath purnamudyachite
Purnasya purnamadaya purna mevaya shishyate
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti'

Rudrabhishek Mantra:

The Mantras chanted with each step of Rudra Abhishek puja procedure have significance and all Vedic Mantras when chanted with clear pronunciation have healing properties. The main Shiv Rudrabhishek Mantras are Shiv Mantras which can be chanted:

• Om Namah Shivaye
• Mahamritunjaya Mantra
• Rudram Namakam Chamakam

WHEN DOES A RUDRABHISHEK PUJA TAKE PLACE?

The auspicious days for Rudrabhishek puja are Mahashivratri, Mondays of Shravan Maas or all days of Shravan Maas or Sawan Maas, monthly Shivratri days, Pradosham days and Mondays all year long. Worshipping Lord Shiva by performing Rudrabhishek on Shivratri is said to please Lord Shiva immensely and it is also said that performing the Rudra Abhishek at Pradosh Kaal or Pradosham, which is said to be the favourite time of the day of Lord Shiva, is extra beneficial for devotees.

Types of Rudrabhishek Puja

There are 6 types of Rudrabhishek which can be done by devotees. Based on Vedic texts, each ingredient of Rudra Abhishek has its own symbolism and blessings which it brings, it holds importance in Rudra Abhishek meaning and the devotee can choose from the Rudrabhishek types or do all of them. The below list of Rudrabhishek types gives a clear indication of the benefits of each one.

• Jal Abhishek - Performing Rudrabhishek with Water (jal), especially with the holy water of River Ganges i.e. Gangajal blesses with the fulfilment of desires.
• Dudh Abhishek - Performing Rudrabhishek with Milk (Dudh), ideally fresh Cow's Milk, which has not been boiled or heated is for blessings of the longevity of devotee.
• Shahad Abhishek - Performing Rudra Abhishek with Honey or Shahad rewards by freeing from misfortunes, life becomes trouble-free and happy.
• Panchamrit Abhishek - Panchamrit is the mixture of 5 things, unboiled Cow's Milk, Curd (Yoghurt), Honey (Shahad), Sugar and Ghee (clarified butter). Performing Rudrabhishek with Panchamrit blesses the devotee with prosperity, wealth and abundance.
• Ghee Abhishek - Ghee is clarified butter and preferably Ghee made from Cow's milk is used in Vedic puja vidhis. Rudra Abhishek, when performed by pouring Ghee on Shivling, protects the devotee from diseases and ill health.
• Dahi Abhishek - Dahi is Curd or Yogurt. Performing Rudrabhishek with Dahi or Curd helps couples who are facing difficulty in conceiving.

WHY SHOULD THE RUDRABHISHEK BE PERFORMED?

Lord Shiva/Rudra is the Supreme Divine who rules over creation, and He is a 'giver' who is easy to please. Devotees perform Rudra Abhishek pooja to impress and please Lord Shiva, and He showers many blessings abundantly, which are the Rudrabhishek benefits.

• Rudra Abhishek benefits by protecting them from all dangers and harm.
• Rudrabhishek puja provides good health, cure/healing from physical illnesses and diseases.
• Rudra Abhishek pooja benefits by ushering in blessings of prosperity, wealth and good fortune.
• A devotee is relieved from the malefic effects of planets, including that of Shani (Saturn) and Rahu, as a part of Rudra Abhishek pooja benefits.
• Rudrabhishek puja benefits devotees with spiritual growth.
• Rudra Abhishek pooja benefits the fulfilment and desires of the devotee, if it is for the highest good of the individual.
• Rudra Abhishek benefits the life of devotees by filling them with peace, and it calms down the mind.
• Relationship harmony between spouses and among family members are gifts of Rudrabhishek benefits.
• This puja benefits couples who are finding it difficult to conceive.
• It benefits by bringing good opportunities, especially in career/job.
• Performing Rudrabhishek at home automatically cleanses the negative energies from the space and fills the atmosphere with positivity.

HOW TO PERFORM MAHA RUDRABHISHEK?

To perform the Maha Rudrabhishek the devotee should fast for two days before the day of Maha Rudrabhishek, eating solid food or grain. The day before the Maha Rudrabhishek, one should try to drink a lesser quantity of water. Some people keep dry fast also.

It is performed on the auspicious Mahashivratri or in the holy Shravan Maas. The Maha Rudrabhishek is performed with the help of a suitable, qualified Pandit.

• Asanas for Gods, Goddesses and the Navagrahas are prepared
• A Ghee lamp is lit after invoking the blessings for the devotee by the Pandit
• Shanti path and recitation of the devotee's Sankalpa.
• The Lords of the 10 different directions or Dikpalas are worshipped along with Mother Earth, Lord Ganesh, Lord Agni and also the Navagraha.
• Lord Agni is invoked by offering pieces of holy wood and a paste of mustard seeds, Sesame seeds, Ghee etc.
• Each planet of the Navagraha is worshipped separately.
• Shiv Rajopachar Puja is done followed by Sri Rudra Chamakam recitation.
• Abhishekham is performed for Lord Shiva with chanting of Mantras.
• Homam with ingredients like Ghee, Til, Jau (Oats), Sandalwood and other special ingredients is performed.
• Arti is performed, and Prasad to Brahmans is distributed.

WHERE TO PERFORM MAHA RUDRABHISHEK?

Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nasik, Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, Omkareshwar temple in Indore, Somnath temple in Gujarat, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Baidyanath temple in Deoghar and Nageshwar temple in Gujarat are the temples where Maha Rudrabhishek can be performed. Mahakaleshwar Rudrabhishek is very famous.

The Mahakaleshwar temple at Ujjain is a famous Lord Shiva temple which is one of the Jyotirlingas of the Lord. The Mahakaleshwar Rudrabhishek has an elaborate procedure, which is the desired experience of all Lord Shiva devotees.

What is the Cost of Performing Maha Rudrabhishek?

The cost of performing Maha Rudrabhishek changes depending on factors such as the number of Pandits or priests involved, the duration of the ceremony, etc.