Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Maha Mrityunjay Mantra


The Maha Mrityunjay Mantra or Lord Shiva Mantra is considered extremely powerful and significant by the Hindus. Also known as the Moksha Mantra of Lord Shiva, chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is said to create divine vibrations that heals. Devotees of Lord Shiva further believe that Maha Mrityunjay evokes the Shiva within human beings and removes the fear of death, liberating one from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Significance of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Devotees strongly believe that proper recitation of the Maha Mrityunjaya rejuvenates, bestows health, wealth, long life, peace, prosperity and contentment. It is said that chanting of Shiva Mantra generates divine vibrations that ward off all the negative and evil forces and creates a powerful protective shield. Besides, it is said to protect the one who chants against accidents and misfortunes of every kind. Recitation of the mantra creates vibration that pulsates through every cell, every molecule of human body and tears away the veil of ignorance. Hindus believe that recitation of the mantra ignites a fire within that consumes all negativity and purifies entire system. It is also said to have a strong healing power and can cure diseases declared incurable even by the doctors. Many believe Maha Mrityunjay Mantra to be a mantra that can conquer death and connect human beings to their own inner divinity.

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

The following Maha Mrityunjay Mantra has been taken from the Sukla Yajurveda Samhita III. 60. The Mantra is addressed to Lord Shiva and is a centuries old technique of connecting one to pure consciousness and bliss.

Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urvarukamiva Bandhanan

Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

Meaning:

Om. We worship The Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is fragrant and who increasingly nourishes the devotees. Worshipping him may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk.

Explanation:

The mantra is a prayer to Lord Shiva who is addressed as Sankara and Trayambaka. Sankara is sana (blessings) and Kara (the Giver). Trayambaka is the three eyed one (where the third eye signifies the giver of knowledge, which destroys ignorance and releases us from the cycle of death and rebirth).

Best Time to Chant

Chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra with sincerity, faith and devotion in Bramha Muhurata is very beneficial. But one can also do Maha Mrityunjaya japa anytime in a pure environment with great benefit and discover the happiness that's already within.

Legend of Shiva Linga


The legend of Shiva Linga or Lingodbhavamurthy is deeply related to Mahashivaratri. The legend narrates the story of vain search by Brahma and Vishnu to discover the Aadi (beginning) and the Antha (end) of Lord Shiva. The legend thus proves the supremacy of Lord Mahadeva over other Hindu Gods and explains why the lingam is believed to be one of the most potent emblems in Hindu ideals. The story is stated in the three of the puranas - the Kurma Purana, the Vayu Purana and Shiva Purana


The Legend

According to Puranas, once the other two of the triads of Hindu Gods, Brahma and Vishnu were fighting over each other’s prowess. Horrified at the intensity of the battle, the other gods asked Shiva to intervene. To make them realize the futility of their fight, Lord Shiva assumed the form of a flaming Linga in between Brahma and Vishnu and challenged both of them by asking them to measure the gigantic Linga (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva).


Awestruck by its magnitude, Brahma and Vishnu decided to find one end each to establish supremacy over the other. Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and went upwards while Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Varaha - a boar and went into the earth towards nether land. Both searched for thousands of miles but neither could find the end.


On his journey upward, Brahma came across Ketaki flower. Exhausted and bewildered with his search to find the uppermost limit of fiery column, Brahma made Ketaki assent to lie that he had seen the top of the column where the flower had previously resided. Accompanied by his accomplice, Brahma confronted Vishnu and asserted that he had indeed discovered the origin of the cosmic column.


At this point, the central part of the pillar split open and Shiva revealed himself in his full glory. Overawed, both Brahma and Vishnu bowed before him accepted lord Shiva’s supremacy. Lord Shiva also explained to Brahma and Vishnu that both of them were born out of him and that the three were then separated out into three different aspects of divinity.


However, Lord Shiva was angry with Brahma for making a false claim. The Lord cursed Brahma that no one would ever pray to him. (This legend explains why there is hardly any Brahma temple of significance in India.) Lord Shiva also punished the Ketaki flower for testifying falsely and banned her from being used as an offering for any worship.


Since it was on the 14th day in the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna that Shiva first manifested himself in the form of a Linga, the day is extremely auspicious and is celebrated as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva. To celebrate the occasion, devotees of Lord Shiva fast during the day and pray to the Lord throughout the night. It is said that worshipping of Lord Shiva on Shivaratri bestows one with happiness and prosperity.

25th Pradosham_13th December 2009, Sunday

"OM NAMAH SHIVAYA"
VENUE:-
Flat 309, Block 'A'
Mubarak Building,
Behind Sana Fashions,
Karama, Dubai


Click the link to view the photos of 25th Pradosha Pooja.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/25thPradosham_13Dec2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGHodngnavRfg&feat=directlink

24th Pradosham_29th November 2009, Sunday

"OM NAMAH SHIVAYA"
VENUE:-
Flat 309, Block 'A'
Mubarak Building,
Behind Sana Fashions,
Karama, Dubai

Click the link to view the photos of 24th Pradosha Pooja.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/24thPradosham_29Nov200902?authkey=Gv1sRgCMOQodigwNuNTA&feat=directlink

23rd Pradosham_14th November 2009, Saturday

"OM NAMAH SHIVAYA"
VENUE:-
Flat 309, Block 'A'
Mubarak Building,
Behind Sana Fashions,
Karama, Dubai


Click the link to view the photos of 23rd Pradosha Pooja.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/23rdPradosham_14Nov2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPzN_PyQ-r3i9wE&feat=directlink

22nd Pradosham_31st October 2009, Saturday

"OM NAMAH SHIVAYA"
VENUE:-
Flat 309, Block 'A'
Mubarak Building,
Behind Sana Fashions,
Karama, Dubai

Click the link to view the photos of 22nd Pradosha Pooja.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/22ndPradosham_31Oct2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCMLuqPv1_LHhJA&feat=directlink

21th Pradosham_15th October 2009, Thursday

"OM NAMAH SHIVAYA"
VENUE:-
Flat 309, Block 'A'
Mubarak Building,
Behind Sana Fashions,
Karama, Dubai

Click the link to view the photos of 21st Pradosha Pooja.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pradosham.dubai/21stPradosham_15102009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS49ciPwrv6gwE&feat=directlink