Among all the Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism, God Shiva is perhaps the most paradoxical, mysterious and powerful God. He is the destroyer of illusions and the one who grants Moksha – liberation from all suffering. He is the ascetic yogi who sits in deep meditation, and the grihastha family man with his wife, Goddess Parvati and their 2 sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. God Shiva is the most ferocious God, and yet he is innocent, Bhola.
He is full of compassion, too quick to forgive and even quicker to bless his devotees. He is the best dancer, the God beyond time and the one who grants peace in chaos. God Shiva, in short, is the God of extremes and paradoxes. He is also known as the God of rebels, misfits, outcasts, and the odd ones.
God Shiva’s worship is not just about what time you pray, what you offer or which mantra you chant. It goes far beyond the basic rituals and practices. At its core, worshipping God Shiva is all about the transformation within you. It is about becoming a better human being, shedding your ego, having absolute faith in God Shiva and surrendering to something far greater than yourself.
God Shiva does not measure your bhakti (devotion) by the number of lamps you light or how much milk and water you pour on the Shivlinga for the Shiva Abhishek. God Shiva looks into your heart for bhāva (emotions). He measures how pure your emotions and intentions are behind the worship rituals. He sees your truth, your struggles and your surrender. Your pure emotions (bhakti bhav) are the greatest devotion for God Shiva.
In this post, we will explore how to worship God Shiva (in simple and meaningful ways)
Worshipping God Shiva is not just a religious act. It is a spiritual alignment – a way of tuning your mind, body and soul to the divine energy of the universe. When you approach God Shiva with sincerity and love in your heart, even the simplest offerings become special and sacred for him.
Below are simple and soulful ways to begin or deepen your connection with God Shiva.
When to worship God Shiva?
- Som Pradosh: Pradosh falls on Trayodashi Tithi, that means the 13th day of the lunar cycle (ie, 13th day of waxing or waning moon). When Pradosh falls on Monday, it is considered extra special, and the best time to worship God Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The most auspicious time to worship God Shiva is just before sunset on the day of Som Pradosh.
- Mahashivratri: The Shivratri comes every month, just one day before the Amavasya (new moon day). But the night before the Maghi Amavasya is considered the Mahashivratri. It’s a night for devotees to awaken their inner consciousness and connect with the divine energy of God Shiva. Devotees observe rituals like fasting, staying awake all night, chanting mantras, and offering prayers to God Shiva.
- Shravan month: This is a time when everything comes alive in nature (monsoon time in India), and spiritual energy is at its peak. According to a mythological story, God Shiva consumed the Halahal poison from Samudra manthan (churning of the ocean) during the Shravan month, thus saving the universe from its negative impact. Devotees worship Shiva by offering prayers, chanting mantras, performing Rudrabhishek (anointing the Shiva Linga), and observing rigorous fasts, especially on Shravan Mondays (Shravani Somwar Vrats), for prosperity, success, and a happy marriage.
- Every Monday: Considered highly auspicious for worshipping God Shiva, especially for those seeking peace and blessings.
- Brahma Muhurta (early morning): The early morning time between 4 am to 6 am is considered the purest time as it is spiritually charged. This is the best time to worship God Shiva. Our connection with the spiritual world is the strongest at this time, before the rest of the world wakes up.
What to offer to God Shiva?
God Shiva is also known as ‘Ashutosh’ – which means ‘the one who is easily pleased.’ He can be pleased with the most basic offerings like –
- Bel (Bilva) leaves – sacred to Shiva, offered in groups of 3 leaves.
- White and blue flowers – like blue butterfly pea (gokarna), blue or white lotus and white jasmine. He does not like red or yellow flowers.
- Dhatura fruit – a poisonous fruit offered to God Shiva, represents his power to neutralise poison.
- Water / Milk Abhishek – poured over the Shivlinga to cool and cleanse your aura.
- Bhasma (vibhuti) – sacred ash representing detachment and a reminder of the transient nature of life and death.
What is a Rudraksha?
Rudraksha, or Rudra-aksha, literally means ‘tears of God Shiva.’
According to the Hindu mythology, God Shiva engaged in intense meditation to manifest something for the benefit of humankind. When he woke from his deep meditation, tears rolled down his cheeks and fell upon the earth. And at that spot sprouted the world’s first Rudraksha tree. Thus, each Rudraksha bead carries Shiva’s divine energy, and wearing a Rudraksha brings you closer to God Shiva.
Devotees commonly use a Rudraksha Mala, which is traditionally associated with God Shiva. The Rudraksha mala can be used for 108 Mantra chanting or worn around the neck. It is believed that a Rudraksha naturally absorbs the negativity and enhances the spiritual well-being of a person.
Rules of wearing Rudraksha: A Rudraksha is not a casual ornament; it is an extremely sacred seed in Hinduism. A Rudraksha must be washed and properly worshipped (abhishekam) before wearing it. Refrain from wearing it while sleeping, bathing, engaging in sexual intercourse, consuming non-veg or alcohol, or while visiting funerals. Women must remove the Rudraksha during their menstrual cycle, and wash and wear it again, after it’s over.
What are the Mantras of God Shiva?
The most powerful sound of the universe is “Om”. This sound instantly calms you down and connects you to the universal energy or God Shiva’s energy. And the most powerful and commonly chanted mantra of God Shiva is: “Om Namah Shivay.” Any mantra is always chanted 108 times or in multiples of 108. But if you are a beginner, you may begin with chanting mantras 11 times, 21 times, 51 times and then reach 108 times.
Some of the commonly chanted mantras and stotras of God Shiva –
- Shiva Panchakshari Mantra (the 5-syllable mantra): “Om Namah Shivay”
- Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra: “Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat.”
- Rudra Mantra: “Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya”
- Shiv Tandav Stotra: You can listen to it here.
- Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam: You can listen to it here.
God Shiva is not a God who asks for many rules and rituals. He looks at your bhakti (devotion), your bhāva (emotions), and your willingness to transform yourself. If you offer even a drop of water with complete love and surrender, he will give you oceans in return.
You don’t have to be perfect. You have to be real.
Sundar!!!!