Pradosham - Most important worship of Lord Shiva to remove bad karmas and receive boons

[Ganesh L]

Lord Shiva is praised as 'Abishekpriya'. In important days if we worship HIM, we shall get boons easily. The first and foremost important day to worship the lord is PRADOSHAM.

Pradosam falls during twilight approximately between 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm of Trayodasi i.e. of the 13^th day of the moon from new moon and full moon. This day and time is considered to be very auspicious to worship the lord. Pradosham that falls on Monday (Soma Pradosha) or Saturday (Shani Pradosha) are very special.

One should attempt to keep fast and visit the Shiva temple on Pradosam day. According to legends, once the devas and asuras together churned the ocean of Milk for obtaining the Amrita using Vasuki, the serpent as the rope and mount mantra as the pivot. The churning went on for a long time. After sometime, a terrible poison Halahala emerged. There was utter confusion everywhere. Finally the devas surrendered to Lord Shiva and prayed. Lord Shiva drank the poison himself to save all. Then the devas and asuras completely forgot Lord Shiva to thank for HIS merciful act. There was a dispute in the ownership of the valuable things coming after that from the ocean of Milk.

But on Trayodasi, the Devas realized their sin and prayed to Lord Shiva pleaded for his mercy. The Lord forgave them and began to dance between the horns of Nandi, the bull. This particular time is called as Pradosam. People believed that during that time Lord Shiva gives us boons.

There are five types of Pradosha as follows:

1.    Nithya Pradosham -  Every day during twilight time

2.    Paksha Pradosham – Twilight time on the 13^th day towards new moon

3.    Masa Pradosham – Twilight time on the 13^th day falls on Saturday

4.    Pralaya Pradosham – This Pradosham is believed to be the day of deluge when the soul realizes Lord Shiva.

On Pradosham day, observe fast, visit Shiva temple, participate in Pradosham puja, chant Bhajans, Rudram, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jeXRkIbdNQ) for 1008 or 108 times, this will remove effects of unknowingly performed bad karmas and confer peace of mind.  It will help individuals with positive energy and self-confidence to perform good actions ahead in life; it will help achieve success and goal of life.

To know the dates of Pradosham visit the website

http://www.pradosham.com/About%20Pradosham/Pradosham%20Dates%202013-2014.html